TFWYH – Chapter 775 Wan Niang is not right

Since that was the case, the Emperor could hardly insist on keeping him any longer.

“Then, National Preceptor, please travel safely. Do you require an escort from my men?”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness, but we must travel at full speed. Too many people would only slow us down.”

“Very well. Take care on your journey, National Preceptor.”

…

Although Ling Shang declined an escort, the Emperor still summoned Ji Wushuang to see the delegation out of the palace.

Moreover, he secretly kept a backup plan in mind and ordered the Shadow Master to follow them and observe.

When the Shadow Master returned, the Emperor asked,

“Did you notice anything unusual?”

The Shadow Master blankly shook his head, having no idea what sort of “unusual” thing the Emperor meant.

Remembering that his Shadow Master was somewhat adorably dense, the Emperor rephrased his question.

“Wasn’t Wan-niang supposed to be visiting her father during the day? Did she return home afterward?”

The Shadow Master pondered for a moment and nodded.

She had returned…

But something about that Wan-niang had felt strange.

Oh, right.

Wan-niang always wore a jade bracelet of rather poor quality, but the Wan-niang who returned wasn’t wearing it.

Should he tell the Emperor about this?

The Shadow Master tilted his head and thought for a while, just as he was about to speak, when the Emperor waved him off.

“I understand. You’ve been busy all day as well. Go get some rest.”

…

Fine. If you don’t want to listen, then forget it.

The Shadow Master silently glanced at the Emperor and decided to personally visit the Ministry Counselor’s residence to tell Ling Yu about the matter.

Yes.

He definitely wasn’t going there to see Ling Yue.

He simply wanted to curry favor with Ling Yu.

Right?

But why did he want to curry favor with Ling Yu in the first place?

Thinking about it only made the Shadow Master’s mind more confused.

…

Just like that, the envoys from Feng Country departed.

No one had expected them to leave so quickly.

By the time various parties received the news, the delegation had already left the capital.

At the First Prince’s residence:

After listening to his subordinate’s report, Huangfu Xiao frowned deeply.

“They left so quickly? What about Wengnai? She didn’t leave with them?”

The subordinate replied,

“No. County Lady Wengnai met with General Murong and then left Drunken Immortal Tower.”

Huangfu Xiao rhythmically tapped his fingers against the table, deep in thought.

“Feng Country offered three priceless treasures just to bring back their Crown Prince. If Wengnai didn’t leave with them, then their objective wasn’t accomplished. Why would they depart?”

…

“Why else? Obviously because Wan-niang didn’t want to go, and they had to hurry back to report to their Empress.”

After hearing his subordinate’s report, the Third Prince, Huangfu Que, spoke with a snort.

The subordinate immediately smiled obsequiously.

“Your Highness is truly wise.”

Huangfu Que sighed, gazing up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle with an expression full of concern for the world.

“Wan-niang is Feng Country’s Crown Prince. Since she refuses to return, Feng Country certainly won’t let the matter rest. What worries me now is that the Empress of Feng Country might become enraged and act against our Heavenly Dynasty.”

The subordinate quickly praised him.

“Your Highness truly has the heart of a bodhisattva. But Feng Country is so far away from our nation. Even if they sent troops, they couldn’t possibly march all the way here, could they?”

Such a distant campaign would require feeding and supplying an enormous army. The cost would be astronomical.

Huangfu Que glared at him.

“What do you know? They casually presented three priceless treasures. Do you think people like that lack money? Feng Country is a superpower, understand? Whether to make trouble or not is merely a single command from their Empress.”

The subordinate instantly looked enlightened.

“Your Highness is truly wise.”

…

“I only fear that if war breaks out, the common people will suffer.”

At the Second Prince’s residence, Huangfu Yi sat with Madam Jiang, wearing a deeply worried expression.

Madam Jiang frowned as well.

“How did Wan-niang end up becoming Feng Country’s Crown Prince?”

That was the heir to an entire nation!

And not just any nation, but the legendary kingdom ruled by women!

She had actually ended up taking a future empress as her daughter-in-law.