Chapter Sixty-Two: The Envoy Audience

“Your Highness, rest assured. If I am ever caught, I will never betray you.” Zhao Xiyan heard King Pingyi’s words and, clearly misunderstanding his intent, replied with conviction. After all, she had not informed him in advance about accompanying him this time.

“What are you doing in the imperial palace without cause? If we’re caught, we will certainly be charged with attempted regicide.” King Pingyi stared at Zhao Xiyan before him, his emotions a mixture of agitation and deep affection, though he dared not raise his voice.

“Your Highness, you worry too much. We are here this time only because we were invited by a nobleman.”

At this, King Pingyi relaxed slightly. “Who invited you?” He glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention, a trace of doubt in his eyes.

“It was the Prime Minister’s household who summoned us.”

King Pingyi was taken aback at Zhao Xiyan’s reply. “Don’t you know the Prime Minister’s invitation meant coming to the palace this time?”

Because of Zhao Xiyan’s special status, King Pingyi had always given her countless admonitions—she was to stay far from Feng Yewu’s sphere of influence, especially now that he was not in the capital. If anything truly happened, he would be hard-pressed to help.

“We know.” Zhao Xiyan’s calm demeanor gave King Pingyi a pang of anxiety.

“Your Highness, we only wish to help you.”

“Help me?” King Pingyi looked at Zhao Xiyan in utter astonishment, unable to comprehend her intentions.

Not only in the court, but throughout the nation, every faction now kept as far from King Pingyi as possible. Everyone knew that whoever drew close to Feng Yewu or to King Pingyi would not survive a week. Feng Yewu’s decisive and ruthless methods had become the talk of the capital.

“Yes. We learned that the Prime Minister’s estate remains deeply troubled by the loss of their daughter,” Zhao Xiyan said somberly, glancing at King Pingyi. Clearly, there were matters not yet fit to be revealed.

“And what do you intend to do?” King Pingyi questioned Zhao Xiyan intently, fearful she might truly attempt something outrageous.

“Your Highness, I believe there’s at least a fifty percent chance I could remove Feng Yewu for you,” Zhao Xiyan said, feigning casualness as the words slipped out.

“You’re mad?”

Zhao Xiyan’s words struck like thunder, shattering the composure King Pingyi had just regained. To speak of assassinating Feng Yewu—was Zhao Xiyan truly capable of such words?

King Pingyi had always trusted Zhao Xiyan’s wisdom and cunning; as the master of the Penglai Pavilion, she had displayed extraordinary intelligence. This was precisely why King Pingyi had long harbored feelings for her. Yet now, her words made him wonder if, in his absence from the capital, Zhao Xiyan had led the Penglai Pavilion to serve another power.

To attempt regicide was to risk the extermination of one’s entire clan if discovered.

“Your Highness, be calm. We are simply acting under the Prime Minister’s name. Lately, the Prime Minister’s estate has been investigating your affairs, still convinced their daughter’s death was no accident,” Zhao Xiyan explained.

She and her subordinates had discovered the Prime Minister’s investigations, fearing they might uncover evidence implicating King Pingyi. Though Zhao Xiyan was certain that no one, not even the Prime Minister’s estate, could truly uncover the truth behind the poisoning, the estate had placed a massive bounty, determined to prove their daughter had been murdered.

Yet as Zhao Xiyan learned more, the investigation seemed to be shifting focus, probing into matters concerning the Penglai Pavilion. Thus, she decided to come to the palace and observe. Besides, King Pingyi would also be present.

“Even under the Prime Minister’s banner, such actions cannot be justified!” King Pingyi looked at Zhao Xiyan’s confident face and immediately dismissed her plan.

He understood her intention: to pit the two factions against each other, thereby diverting the Prime Minister’s gaze from him. If an assassination truly succeeded, the blame would fall squarely on the Prime Minister’s estate, since it was under their invitation the performers entered the palace. Such an event would remove suspicion from King Pingyi and potentially restore his influence at court.

“Well, well, King Pingyi, why are you hiding here?” Just as King Pingyi was about to say more, a voice suddenly interrupted their conversation.

He turned to see King Beichang had arrived unnoticed. A flash of murderous intent flickered in King Pingyi’s eyes but was quickly suppressed; he could not afford for anyone to discover his connection to the Penglai Pavilion.

If discovered, he would be doomed.

Zhao Xiyan, seeing King Beichang, offered a slight smile, saluted, and quietly took her leave.

“My, my, brother, it seems you are still as lucky with the ladies as ever—just like in the old days,” King Beichang said with a laugh, a subtle greed lurking in his gaze.

King Pingyi noted the look and sneered inwardly, though he responded with friendly enthusiasm. “You jest. There’s no romance here. I merely heard the young lady is from the Prime Minister’s household and wished to inquire about their affairs.”

“Oh?” King Beichang nodded half-believingly, betraying no sign he’d overheard anything of note.

As King Pingyi hesitated, considering whether to test King Beichang further, a eunuch’s voice called out from afar, “Please, take your seats.”

“It seems we must wait for another day to talk,” King Beichang said with a smile, turning away before King Pingyi could respond.

King Pingyi’s expression was complicated. If King Beichang had heard nothing, all would be well; as a fellow lord, he preferred not to make an enemy. But if he had, it would give King Beichang leverage over him in the future.

Lost in thought, King Pingyi returned to his seat.

Meanwhile, high above, Feng Yewu sat, surrounded by the murmurs of the court officials. Though saying nothing, he listened intently, catching the rumors of recent changes in office. Silently, he noted the names of those who spoke, intending to later cross-check them with the list provided by Lu Jue.

At last, it was time for the foreign envoys to be received. As the delegation from the southern tribes entered, Feng Yewu’s gaze fell upon the princess among them. For reasons he could not explain, seeing her lightened his mood.

Princess Gunaro of the southern tribes entered the grand banquet with her retinue, her eyes bright with curiosity and delight as she stole glances around the great hall.