ASTRP -Chapter 49 Feng Jingge Feels Sorry for the Young Emperor

So…

The young emperor was keeping her here for lunch?!

Feng Jingge wanted to leave this palace that made her feel extremely uncomfortable, but when she saw the little emperor’s pitiful expression, her heart still softened in the end.

If this were the 21st century, a child this age would still be in elementary school!

She sat back down on the armchair.

“This king will stay and eat with you before leaving.”

“Really?”

The young emperor looked up at her, his gaze bright and burning with excitement.

Feng Jingge kept her expression indifferent, raising a brow as she glanced at him lightly.

“When has this king ever lied to you?”

“Yes, Imperial Uncle would never lie to Yu’er.”

The young emperor was overjoyed, his face filled with pure childish happiness.

Feng Jingge sighed inwardly—he really was just a child after all.

Eunuch Chen looked at the two of them, one big and one small, uncle and nephew. He vaguely felt that something had changed.

But looking again carefully, nothing seemed different at all.

He shook his head. Perhaps he was just getting old and seeing things.

Since the prince was staying to dine with the emperor, he should send someone to inform the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a few dishes the prince liked.

With that thought, Eunuch Chen quietly withdrew from the main hall and carefully closed the door.

Just as the door shut, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. The highly alert Eunuch Chen nearly jumped out of his skin.

He opened his mouth to scream, but immediately remembered that the Regent Prince was still inside.

He quickly covered his mouth with both hands, eyes wide with shock as he turned around.

Only to see that it was Imperial Tutor Yuan behind him.

Imperial Tutor Yuan also seemed startled, staring blankly at him.

Eunuch Chen quickly pulled the tutor aside and finally let out a long breath.

“Imperial Tutor, do you not know the saying ‘people scare people to death’?!”

“It’s broad daylight, why are you patting someone on the shoulder like that!”

The Imperial Tutor came back to his senses, glancing at his frightened expression before replying calmly: “Then does Eunuch Chen know the rest of that saying?”

Eunuch Chen: “???”

There’s more to it?

Since when?!

Imperial Tutor Yuan slowly said: “If one has done no wrong, one need not fear ghosts knocking at the door.”

Eunuch Chen: “……”

The Imperial Tutor continued: “Is the Prince still inside? Please inform him that I seek audience.”

“Wait here.”

Eunuch Chen turned and summoned an attendant, relaying the dishes the prince liked so they could be prepared in the Imperial Kitchen.

After the attendant left, Eunuch Chen returned to the hall to report the Imperial Tutor’s presence.

Inside, Feng Jingge glanced at the young emperor, who was focused on writing a reply letter, then stood up and walked out of the Imperial Study.

Outside, the Imperial Tutor paced back and forth. Hearing the door open, he turned and quickly stepped forward to bow.

“This minister greets the Regent Prince.”

“Mm.”

Feng Jingge responded coldly.

The Imperial Tutor looked at her.

“May I request a walk with Your Highness?”

The implication was clear—this was not a place for conversation.

Somewhere else. They could talk while walking.

“Let’s go.”

Feng Jingge uttered two words and strode ahead decisively.

The Imperial Tutor hurriedly followed.

They found a quiet place. Feng Jingge stopped and looked at the budding green branches before her, standing with her back to the tutor.

“This place is secluded. Speak.”

The Imperial Tutor lifted his robe and knelt.

“This minister thanks Your Highness.”

The sudden gratitude confused Feng Jingge.

“For what are you thanking—”

She turned around and saw him kneeling.

Damn it. Was he trying to shorten her lifespan?!

Her expression darkened instantly.

“Why are you kneeling? Get up.”

“If someone sees this, they’ll think this king is bullying you.”

“This minister was inconsiderate.” The Imperial Tutor stood up. “This thanks is on behalf of Prince Chen—no, Prince Pei.”

Feng Jingge studied him closely.

“Imperial Tutor, your actions make it hard for this king not to suspect you have ties with Prince Pei.”

“This minister is aware that Prince Pei came to seek Your Highness yesterday.”

Feng Jingge drawled slightly: “Oh?”

The Imperial Tutor sighed bitterly.

“He first came to me, asking me to assign him a worse fief. Chen Prefecture was decided by the late emperor; I would not dare change it arbitrarily.”

“So I refused.”

“Who would have thought he would then come to Your Highness.”

There was deep pity in his tone.

Pity for that prince. He was the eldest son, yet because of his mother’s lower status, he was demoted to a lesser rank.

He was diligent, polite, and hardworking… yet even the fief granted by the late emperor could not be preserved for him.

Fortunately, the Regent Prince intervened and gave him a territory that was stable and meaningful.

Feng Jingge observed every change in his expression.

Then she asked slowly: “Imperial Tutor, do you know why he came to this king?”

The tutor froze.

“Why?”

“Because of you…”

At that moment, a voice interrupted from nearby.

“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence for lunch.”

After finishing her talk with the Imperial Tutor and returning, Feng Jingge saw a palace maid standing before the young emperor.

The Empress Dowager invited him to lunch?

The young emperor froze.

He wanted to agree—but he had already promised his Imperial Uncle.

He hesitated.

Eunuch Chen stood nearby, repeatedly glancing toward the Regent Prince, growing increasingly anxious.

The maid blocked the young emperor’s view, so he did not see Feng Jingge’s return.

Seeing that he still did not respond, Feng Jingge already understood his answer.

She said calmly: “If His Majesty wishes to go to the Empress Dowager, then go. This king will return to the residence now.”

Upon hearing her voice, the maid hurriedly turned and knelt.

“This servant greets the Regent Prince.”

“Rise.”

Feng Jingge’s gaze swept over her coldly.

She had never been invited before, but only now—how coincidental.

Could it be…

She suppressed the unpleasant thought.

Perhaps she was just overthinking.

“Eunuch Chen.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Do not let what happened last time happen again.”

Eunuch Chen trembled and quickly responded.

“Yes.”

After warning him, Feng Jingge turned to leave.

But Eunuch Chen suddenly said: “Your Majesty, the kitchen has already prepared the meal…”

The young emperor watched Feng Jingge’s departing figure.

That scene from before suddenly flashed in his mind.

His heart tightened painfully.

Just as Feng Jingge was about to step out, he suddenly called out: “Imperial Uncle, wait.”

Feng Jingge paused.

“Tell the Empress Dowager I will visit her this afternoon.”

Without giving the maid a chance to speak, he looked toward Eunuch Chen. Understanding immediately, Eunuch Chen quickly led the maid away.

After she left, the young emperor walked up to Feng Jingge. Just as his lips parted—

Feng Jingge glanced at him and spoke first: “Has the sun risen from the west today?”

The young emperor froze, staring at his Imperial Uncle with wide, round eyes.