In the blink of an eye, it was the next day. Early in the morning, Wanqing, her uncle, her mother, Princess Ziyang, and even Nangong Haotian all left together.
To conceal their true purpose, Nangong Haotian instructed the servants before leaving the mansion that they were going out to offer incense. Princess Ziyang, disguised as a maid with an ordinary face crafted overnight by Wanqing, blended in among them.
Seeing their master depart with a few servants, the Nangong household staff didn’t think much of it and simply watched them leave.
“Let’s first visit the nearby Xianglan Temple before seeking the Emperor. It’s best to be cautious after last night’s events in the palace,” Nangong Haotian suggested in a low, serious tone, recalling Leng Mingye and Feng Moliyu’s secret visit to the palace the previous night.
“Agreed.”
So, the group first went to Xianglan Temple to offer incense. Afterward, Nangong Haotian dismissed the accompanying maids and servants, telling them to return while he accompanied the others for a meal.
The group, including Princess Ziyang disguised as a maid, then headed toward the location where she claimed the Emperor was staying.
At the village entrance, Princess Ziyang whispered for them to wait while she went ahead. Though the men were strikingly handsome and the women beautiful, they had changed into plain clothes after leaving the temple, appearing no different from an ordinary wealthy family.
Shortly after Princess Ziyang left, a villager approached them.
“We’re relatives of the family at the village entrance. We heard they settled here and thought to stop by for a meal on our way to the capital. But we didn’t want to intrude unannounced, so we sent a servant ahead to inform them,” Leng Mingye explained with a light smile, easing the villager’s curiosity.
Soon, Princess Ziyang returned.
“Well? Will the Emperor see us?” Nangong Haotian asked cautiously, unsure of the Emperor’s current state.
“His Majesty was pleased to hear of your purpose and has invited you in,” Princess Ziyang replied with a faint smile, gesturing for them to follow.
Inside, they saw a man seated in the courtyard, dressed in coarse clothing yet exuding an unmistakable air of nobility and grace.
“Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!” Nangong Haotian knelt respectfully.
“Rise, Grand Tutor Nangong. And who are these… Feng’er? Is that you?” The man’s eyes widened in recognition as he looked at Feng Liusu, his voice trembling with emotion.
Though dressed plainly, his bearing was undeniably regal, a stark contrast to the Emperor they had seen in the palace, who had seemed weary and devoid of majesty.
“Qing’er, don’t be rude to His Majesty,” Feng Liusu chided softly, stepping forward. “Your Majesty, Dongfang Hai, I’m surprised you still recognize me. These are my family—my brother, my daughter, and my son-in-law, the young master of the Nangong family.”
Dongfang Hai’s expression darkened with sorrow. “You… you married?”
“Does it matter to you whether I married or not?” Feng Liusu replied coldly.
“Feng’er, you misunderstood. When my kingdom was in turmoil, I returned to quell the unrest. I wrote to you, asking you to come to Bo Kingdom, but Prince Yong, Dongfang Yun, intercepted my letters. He forged a letter of divorce, fearing your intelligence would expose him. I only learned of this after recovering from my injuries and investigating the palace.”
“You mean… the divorce letter wasn’t from you? The seal was his doing?” Feng Liusu asked, her voice trembling.
“Yes. I was gravely injured, my legs broken, my tendons severed. If not for an old physician who treated me, I wouldn’t have recovered. If you don’t believe me, look—” He tore open his robe, revealing a body marred by scars.
Tears welled in Feng Liusu’s eyes as she reached out, trembling. “It was all Dongfang Yun… and I blamed you. Hai-ge, I’m sorry. When I received that letter, I thought you’d abandoned me. In my anger, I went to Daming and fell into a deep slumber…”
“Feng’er,” Dongfang Hai whispered, pulling her into an embrace.
Witnessing the emotional reunion, Leng Mingye quietly led the others away.
“What are you all staring at? Let them have their moment,” he teased. “Uncle, tell me—could the Emperor of Bo Kingdom actually be my father-in-law?”
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