“To be honest, I did have doubts back then, and not just me—some of the court officials also harbored suspicions. But after testing the waters, we found nothing unusual. However, gradually, after the Emperor appointed the Empress, the imperial power began to shift to her family. That’s what worries me. What’s the matter? You don’t actually believe her words, do you?”
Faced with his son’s question, Nangong Haotian furrowed his thick brows and pondered for a moment before looking at the group with evident seriousness.
“I believe my mother wouldn’t lie without reason. There’s no benefit for her in saying such things.”
Seeing her father-in-law’s reaction, Wanqing noticed the man beside her momentarily at a loss for words. Given how deeply he seemed to misunderstand her mother, she turned to them with conviction.
“At the time, there were no suspicions, but did you ever question it afterward? Was the Empress’s family highly regarded by the Emperor before?”
Though Leng Mingye was momentarily unsure whom to believe, when his wife spoke up, he frowned slightly and turned to his father, voicing his own doubts.
“Before, the Emperor didn’t hold the Empress’s family in high regard—they were a minor clan, and she was merely a concubine, not particularly favored. But later, the Emperor showered her with unprecedented favor. I hadn’t thought much of it before, but now that you mention it, it does seem odd. Could it be that the Emperor isn’t truly the ruler of Bo Kingdom? But if not him, then who? And yet, he’s intimately familiar with court affairs and politics. This…”
Prompted by his son’s words, Nangong Haotian fell into deep thought, recounting everything with growing unease. He paused, visibly troubled by the implications.
“I believe the only way to confirm this is to infiltrate the palace tonight. For ordinary people, identical appearances might be baffling, but for me and my precious niece, it’s child’s play, isn’t it?”
After his sister retreated to her room, clearly distraught and lost in thought—though he didn’t know what had transpired between her and the Emperor—Feng Moli remained composed. With a light chuckle, he turned to the young woman beside Leng Mingye.
“Exactly. To most people, identical appearances might seem inexplicable, but for those skilled in medicine, a simple disguise can easily deceive the eye. You might find it hard to grasp, but for me and my uncle, it’s perfectly understandable. Mingye, don’t you agree?”
Her uncle’s confident demeanor brought a faint smile to Wanqing’s lips as she spoke, then turned to the man beside her.
“Indeed. Tonight, Uncle and I will infiltrate the palace together. With his expertise, he’ll discern whether the Emperor’s appearance is genuine or not at a glance. Father, what do you think?”
Seeing his wife’s unwavering confidence and poise, Leng Mingye nodded in agreement, then turned to his father for approval.
“Had you not said this, I’d never have believed such bizarre things could happen in this world. Then I’ll trouble Lord Fengye for his assistance.”
Though astonished by his daughter-in-law’s boldness and the uncanny resemblance between her and Feng Moli, Nangong Haotian conceded, his opinion of Wanqing shifting slightly. He then addressed Feng Moli with courtesy.
As the men prepared for their mission, Wanqing, concerned for her mother, excused herself from her father-in-law and left with her maids, Honglian and Chunlan.
Though Qingfeng and Baiyu worried for their master, they obeyed his orders to remain at the estate. Considering Feng Liusu and their mistress were formidable figures, accompanied by equally capable maids, they saw no cause for concern. Seizing the rare opportunity, the two went out for a drink.
“Mother, are you alright? The Emperor of Bo Kingdom and you…”
Entering her mother’s room, Wanqing dismissed her maids for privacy. Seeing her mother still lost in thought, she sat beside her and asked with concern.
“Nothing’s wrong. It’s just that I once met the Emperor of Bo Kingdom, and he seemed quite taken with me. My appearance hasn’t changed in over a decade, yet when he saw me, there wasn’t a flicker of recognition. So…”
Feng Liusu offered a faint smile in response to her daughter’s question.
“Perhaps he’s ill or his memory is failing? Mother…”
Wanqing couldn’t help but counter.
“His health is impeccable—no internal injuries or ailments. I can’t speak for other matters, but this I’m certain of. Remember, your uncle learned his medical skills from me.”
Feng Liusu’s firm reply left Wanqing without further doubt.
“Then it seems the Emperor of Bo Kingdom truly is shrouded in mystery. Rest well, Mother. No matter what happens, Qing’er, Uncle, and Mingye will stand by your side.”
Touched by her daughter’s words, Feng Liusu patted her hand reassuringly.
“My dear, I’m a little tired and need to rest. If you have time, go and pay respects to the Lady of the Nangong household and Mingye’s elder sister. Though the family head and Mingye have assured you needn’t stand on ceremony, propriety demands we observe the formalities. I prepared gifts for them—don’t let others say we lack manners.”
“Of course, Mother. Rest well. I’ll visit Lady Nangong and the eldest miss with Chunlan.”
With a nod, Wanqing took the gifts and left with her maid.
“Tch. Just an outsider princess, acting all high and mighty. Even if she is royalty, as a daughter-in-law of the Nangong family, her airs surpass even the mistress and eldest miss. Who knows what tricks she used to win Father’s favor?”
In a courtyard of the Nangong estate, a haughty woman’s voice rang out.
“Enough. You’ll anger your father if he hears you. With your brother’s condition as it is, Mingye is the heir apparent. It’s only natural your father dotes on his wife. Besides, she *is* a princess, accustomed to privilege. While her manners may seem lacking, it’s understandable, isn’t it?”
A gentler voice chided in response.
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