Traveling through another world to stir the emperor's heart

After lunch, Feng Qingyue politely declined the offer to stay overnight.

As soon as she walked out of the Prime Minister's Mansion, the smile on her face disappeared instantly.

"Lan Yue, go back home immediately." She whispered, her pace unconsciously quickening.

The accompanying maid Lan Yue keenly noticed the abnormality and immediately ran over to make arrangements.

As the carriage passed through the bustling streets, its fast running made it particularly eye-catching among the crowd, but no one dared to stop it.

---

When he returned to Feng Mansion, Jun Linyuan was practicing sword in the courtyard.

Seeing Feng Qingyue return with a serious expression, he sheathed his sword and asked, "What happened?"

"The Regent is holding a hunting competition at Qingwu Mountain today,"

Feng Qingyue lowered her voice, "The Prime Minister and his son were both invited. I suspect there's something fishy going on."

Jun Linyuan's eyes glared: "When did you set off?"

"This morning." Feng Qingyue walked quickly towards the inner room. "Where's my uncle?"

"Studying the dragon-patterned jade ring in the study."

Jun Linyuan followed closely behind, "Do you suspect that the Regent has ulterior motives?"

Feng Qingyue continued walking: "The Regent never does anything meaningless. He must have a purpose for suddenly organizing a hunting trip."

When Feng Qingyue pushed open the door of the study, Zizhu Yingchen was leaning over the desk.

The dragon-patterned jade ring in his hand shone with a strange luster under the candlelight.

Hearing the noise, he didn't even raise his head: "Qingyue, you've come just in time. The patterns on this jade-"

"Uncle," Feng Qingyue interrupted him, "The Regent is holding a hunting competition at the northern foot of Qingwu Mountain today, and the Prime Minister and his son are both invited."

Zizhu Yingchen's fingers suddenly tightened, and the jade ring made a slight creaking sound in his palm.

He slowly raised his head, his eyes, which were always smiling, now looked as cold as a pond. "When did it happen?"

"This morning." Jun Linyuan took a step forward.

---

Zizhu Yingchen suddenly stood up, and his wide purple sleeves overturned the teacup on the table.

The tea spread a dark color on the rice paper, like spreading blood.

"Uncle, where are you going?" Feng Qingyue asked anxiously.

Zizhu Yingchen has already walked to the door.

Hearing this, he tilted his head, and the moonlight outlined half of his figure.

"Go meet the Regent." A cold arc appeared at the corner of his lips.

"I've wanted to meet him for a long time, but the Regent's Palace is heavily guarded and I can't get in. Isn't this a good opportunity?"

Jun Linyuan said in a deep voice: "Qingyue suspects that the Regent would not hold this event for no reason. He must have some unknown purpose."

"Then I should go even more." Zizhu Yingchen's voice was as light as a falling bamboo leaf.

Feng Qingyue quickly stepped forward to stop him: "Uncle, you are definitely going. But you won't be alone."

She turned to look at Jun Linyuan, and the moment their eyes met, they reached a consensus, "Let's go together."

Zizhu Yingchen looked at her niece's determined eyes and suddenly chuckled, "Okay."

"I'll go call Qingcheng." Jun Linyuan turned and left.

---

A moment later, four figures gathered in the backyard of Feng Mansion.

Feng Qingcheng was dressed in a dark-colored suit with a silver whip wrapped around her waist, looking heroic.

He raised his chin towards Zizhu Yingchen: "Old rules?"

Zizhu Yingchen had already changed into a dark purple nightgown and nodded slightly when he heard this: "You follow me."

"Then I'll go with Yuan."

Feng Qingyue tightened the hidden weapon bag on her wrist and said, "Go up from the west side of the northern slope."

Feng Qingyue took out four emerald green pills from her sleeve.

"Put it under your tongue to ward off miasma."

She paused, her eyes scanning the three of them.

"Remember, no matter what you see or hear, do not act rashly. The Regent... is no ordinary opponent."

Zizhu Yingchen sneered, "Qingyue, you're talking as if we're going to die."

---

On the northern foot of Qingwu Mountain, outside the hunting ground.

The Regent sat high on the main seat, his dark brocade robe making him look awe-inspiring.

His face was covered with a silver mask, revealing only a pair of sharp eagle-like eyes.

He tapped the armrest with his fingertips, his eyes slowly swept over the ministers present, and his voice was low and slow.

"My Lords, it's a rare opportunity for us to gather together today. I have something to discuss with you all."

The ministers looked at each other and whispered to each other, but no one dared to respond rashly.

After a while, Li Chong, the Minister of War, stepped forward and said respectfully, "What instructions does Your Majesty have?"

The Regent chuckled, his fingertips rubbing the rim of the cup.

"It's not so much that I'm offering any advice, but the court has been in turmoil lately, and I'm worried to see that everyone has their own concerns."

He paused, his eyes sweeping over everyone like a knife.

"What Lan Country needs are loyal subjects, not...wavering people."

The air suddenly stagnated.

The ministers had different expressions, some lowered their heads in thought, and some exchanged glances secretly.

Finally, the Minister of Rites Zhou Huaiyuan stood up, his voice calm but with a hint of questioning.

"What do you mean, my lord?"

---

The Regent's eyes moved slightly.

A faint sneer appeared at the corner of his lips.

"Why are you so nervous, Lord Zhou? I'm just... just chatting with you all."

He slowly stood up, put his hands behind his back, and his tone suddenly turned cold.

"It's just that if you choose the wrong path, there's no turning back."

The ministers were startled.

No one dared to speak again.

Deep in the hunting ground, the laughter of young men could be faintly heard.

But here, it is eerily quiet.

-

An elderly imperial censor finally couldn't bear it anymore.

He took a step forward and said in a deep voice, "Is the Regent relying on his power to force us to submit?"

The Regent chuckled softly, his voice under the mask carrying a hint of amusement.

"How could that be? I simply wanted to give you all a chance to choose."

He slowly raised his hand.

He made a "please" gesture and said, "You may turn around and take a look."

The ministers were suspicious and turned back one after another——

---

Deep in the dense forest, there were shadows and countless assassins in black standing quietly.

The bow was slightly raised, and the cold light of the blade appeared.

In the distance, the laughter of young people could still be heard, completely unaware that danger was approaching.

The ministers' faces suddenly changed and they broke out in cold sweat.

The Prime Minister took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and took a step forward.

"Regent, what do you mean? Threatening us?"

The Regent chuckled, his fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest of his chair.

"Your Excellency, you are too kind. I just feel that—"

He leaned forward slightly, his voice gentle, but every word was as sharp as a knife:

"If you find it difficult to decide, then I will help you choose."

The wind suddenly became stronger.

The killer in the forest raised his blade slightly, and the cold light reflected on the faces of the ministers.

And in the distance, laughter could be heard from deep within the hunting grounds.

Still innocent, as if having nothing to do with this solemn scene.