Traveling through another world to stir the emperor's heart

After Jun Lingyuan returned to Qianyuan Palace to attend to government affairs, the words he had just heard lingered in his mind. He sat upright behind his desk, carved with dragons and phoenixes, his eyes never settling on the mountain of memorials. Those words, like a sharp thorn, pierced his heart, leaving him unable to let go.

He raised a hand to rub his aching temple, and Feng Qingyue's image involuntarily surfaced in his mind. Her panicked expression as she fell from the tree, the shy blush that spread across her cheeks when he caught her, and the dignified manner in which she later saluted. These scenes unfolded before his eyes like a scroll, intertwined with the inexplicable voice that appeared in his mind, making the whole thing seem even more mysterious.

"Could it really be her? But she clearly hasn't spoken a word, so how could I possibly hear her thoughts?" the emperor muttered to himself. He had received an orthodox imperial education since childhood and knew of the many extraordinary powers in the world, but he had never personally experienced anything like being able to hear someone's thoughts. "If it wasn't her, who could it be? Why did I hear these slanderous words just when she appeared?"

Suspicion welled up in the emperor's heart, so he summoned his personal eunuch, Little Lizi. Little Lizi hunched over, cautiously entered the room, and respectfully asked, "Your Majesty, what are your instructions?"

The emperor gazed at him deeply and asked, "Do you know if there is a magical technique in this world that can hear other people's thoughts?"

Little Li was slightly startled. He had been in the palace for many years and had heard many strange stories, but this tale of being able to hear the inner voice was something he had only vaguely heard of. After a moment's thought, he replied, "Your Majesty, I have heard that in the distant Western Regions, there are wizards skilled in soul-stealing techniques, perhaps able to discern the thoughts of others. However, this is merely a legend; I have never personally witnessed it."

Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned, his suspicions growing. He waved his hand, signaling Little Li to withdraw. He leaned back in his chair, remembering that Feng Qingyue was General Feng's daughter. General Feng was so loyal to the court, and he found it hard to believe that General Feng would raise someone so bold as to slander the royal family. Yet, that voice echoed so clearly in his mind.

The emperor decided to investigate the matter secretly. He summoned the leader of the secret guards and ordered, "Investigate Feng Qingyue thoroughly. I want to know everything about her, including the people she interacts with, the skills she has learned, and whether she has any dealings with any extraordinary people."

The leader of the secret guards took his orders and left, leaving the emperor alone in the room. He picked up another memorial, but found himself unable to concentrate. Feng Qingyue's every smile and frown, as well as those words that infuriated and intrigued him, kept replaying in his mind and ears.

Meanwhile, Feng Qingyue was immersed in a beautiful dream. Her dream was filled with vast expanses of gorgeously blooming flowers. She ran and played happily within the sea of ​​flowers, completely unaware that a storm, caused by the emperor's suspicions, was quietly approaching her.

A few days later, the leader of the secret guards came to report. The emperor put down his pen, his eyes filled with anxiety, and asked, "How is it? Have you found anything?"

The leader of the secret guards knelt on one knee and reported, "Your Majesty, I have thoroughly investigated Feng Qingyue. Miss Feng grew up in the General's Mansion. Apart from studying the required arts of a woman, such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with the General's tutor, she has had no contact with any extraordinary people. She is usually simple-minded, enjoying playing in the mansion's gardens and often doing needlework with the maids."

The emperor's brow furrowed even more after hearing this. This was completely different from what he had imagined. If Feng Qingyue was truly such a simple person, how could he explain the words he had heard?

The emperor, feeling annoyed, stood up and paced to the window. Gazing out at the garden, he wondered to himself, "Could it be that I misheard that day? But the voice was so real, how could I have been mistaken?"

Jun Lingyuan was feeling annoyed. This Feng Qingyue matter seemed like a tangled mess, and the more he thought about it, the more confused he felt. So, he decided to go to Noble Concubine Feng Qingyue's palace today to have dinner with her.

Jun Lingyuan arrived at the Imperial Concubine's palace. The palace maids greeted the Emperor and bowed. Jun Lingyuan walked straight into the inner hall and saw Feng Qingyue sitting by the window, reading a collection of poetry.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Feng Qingyue heard the noise and hurriedly stood up and saluted.

"No need to be so polite, my beloved." Jun Lingyuan looked at Feng Qingyue. She was wearing a gorgeous imperial concubine's attire today, but she still couldn't hide her fresh and refined temperament.

"How come Your Majesty has time to come and dine with me today?" Feng Qingyue asked with a faint smile, but there was a hint of imperceptible displeasure in her eyes.

"I miss my beloved concubine, so I came here to have dinner with her and chat with her." Jun Lingyuan said while sitting at the table.

Soon, a table of sumptuous dishes was served. Jun Lingyuan and Feng Qingyue began to eat. Jun Lingyuan asked casually, "My beloved, I have heard some interesting things recently and I would like to discuss them with you."

Feng Qingyue felt a little confused, but she still replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Jun Lingyuan said, "I've heard that some women in the capital appear docile and quiet on the surface, but actually have a dark side to them. What do you think of this, my beloved concubine?"

Feng Qingyue's heart trembled. The old emperor's words seemed to have hidden meanings, but she remained expressionless. "Your Majesty, I think everyone in this world, regardless of gender, has their own privacy. Some people appear to be different on the surface and their inner thoughts are different. Perhaps they have their own difficulties." Humph, this old emperor is being mysterious again and trying to set a trap for me, but it won't be that easy. This lady was not brought up to be scared, Feng Qingyue thought to herself, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously rose slightly, with a hint of provocation.

Jun Lingyuan's ears moved slightly, and he clearly heard Feng Qingyue's criticism. He couldn't help but grit his teeth in his heart, but he still maintained a gentle smile on his face.

"My beloved concubine, what you said makes a lot of sense. I admire people like you who are so insightful." Jun Lingyuan praised.

Jun Lingyuan looked at Feng Qingyue and continued, "My beloved, I've also heard that some strange things or inexplicable phenomena appear in some people's homes. Have you ever seen any of these when you were at the General's Mansion?"

Feng Qingyue shook her head. "Your Majesty, I didn't see any strange things or inexplicable phenomena when I was in the general's mansion. Why do you ask all kinds of strange questions today? Are you suspecting me of something? Humph, this old emperor is suspicious without any reason. He thinks he can do whatever he wants just because he is the emperor? I am upright and I am not afraid of your inexplicable suspicion." Feng Qingyue's dissatisfaction grew stronger and stronger, and she scolded the emperor in her heart.

Jun Lingyuan overheard Feng Qingyue's inner voice again. He clenched his fists in anger, veins popping out on the back of his hands, but he kept saying, "Don't overthink it, my beloved. I'm just asking casually. You're so smart, you'll definitely understand my curiosity."

Jun Lingyuan continued, "My beloved concubine, I remember the day when I caught you from falling from the tree. Your expression at that time was so adorable."

Feng Qingyue blushed, "Your Majesty, I really lost my composure at that time." Humph, he brought up this matter again, there must be no good intention. This emperor likes to be hypocritical like this, as if he is so affectionate, but in fact he is a guy with as many tricks as a honeycomb. Feng Qingyue complained unscrupulously in her heart, and even rolled her eyes secretly, but she did it with her head down, and Jun Lingyuan did not see it.

Jun Lingyuan's cheeks puffed up with anger when he heard these words, but he still managed to hold it in and said, "I have always remembered the look on my beloved concubine's face at that time. Whenever I think of it, I always feel that my beloved concubine has a unique charm."

Feng Qingyue didn't know that Jun Lingyuan could hear her complaints, and she was still thinking to herself that the emperor was really weird today, asking all kinds of weird questions, and he must have some ulterior motive.

Jun Lingyuan had originally planned to dine with Feng Qingyue, hoping to gauge their true intentions through their conversation. But Feng Qingyue kept muttering inwardly, her words like "old emperor" reaching Jun Lingyuan's ears. His expression grew increasingly grim, his heart filled with rage. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he abruptly stood up, and before the meal was even finished, he stormed out, leaving Feng Qingyue sitting there in shock.

After Jun Lingyuan left angrily, Feng Qingyue continued to eat. She didn't know why the emperor left so suddenly, and her heart was full of doubts.

"Why did the emperor leave so suddenly? I haven't eaten enough yet." Feng Qingyue muttered to herself while eating.

She was completely unaware that the emperor had heard her thoughts, and she was still silently complaining in her heart.

"However, these meals are really delicious. It would be a shame not to eat them." Feng Qingyue continued to eat heartily without caring about her image at all.

After a while, Feng Qingyue finally felt full. She put down her chopsticks and rubbed her stomach with satisfaction.

"Yeah, I'm full. This emperor is really something. He won't let me have a good meal in peace." Feng Qingyue muttered, stood up and left the table.