True Identity
Huangfu Yuchen nodded. Yan Ge was a clever man, cautious not to cross his boundaries, but fearless in front of him. He admired Yan Ge’s frankness and found it comfortable to be around someone like him. In the deep palace, apart from Huangfu Yuhu, Yan Ge was the only person who could make him relax. He didn’t mind being more lenient with him.
Seeing that Yan Ge almost finish an entire plate of sweet and sour spare ribs, Huangfu Yuchen furrowed his brow. “Can your body handle eating so much meat?”
Yan Ge leisurely replied, “Your Majesty, don’t envy those who are still growing.”
Huangfu Yuchen nearly choked on his food.
After finishing his last bite, Yan Ge wiped his mouth and said, “Your Majesty, I’m going for a walk to aid digestion. Would you like to join me?”
Huangfu Yuchen’s face stiffened. “I eat little! There’s no need for digestion aid.”
Yan Ge looked at the empty plate of sweet and sour spare ribs in puzzlement and asked in a low voice, “Your Majesty, is sweet and sour spare ribs your favorite dish?”
Huangfu Yuchen was so angry he could barely speak, waving his hand to dismiss Yan Ge. “Go for your walk and don’t hinder my sight here.”
“Yan Chanzai takes his leave.” Yan Ge glanced at him with a look that said, “You’re definitely angry that I finished the sweet and sour spare ribs,” before he left. Teasing Huangfu Yuchen occasionally was his pleasure.
As Yan Ge’s figure disappeared, Deng Mande chuckled and said sincerely, “Yan Changzai always has a smiling face, as if he has no worries. Your Majesty, It’s nice to have Yan Changzai accompanying you.”
Huangfu Yuchen calmly swallowed a bite of food and thought of Yan Ge, unable to help but smile and say, “Indeed, I have never seen him unhappy.”
After dinner, he got up and walked back and forth in the palace. Whenever he left the hall, he would inevitably “encounter” a consort so he preferred to walk within the hall.
A tall man entered through a dim side door, his footsteps silent. He kneeled before Emperor Huangfu Yuchen and spoke loudly, “This subordinate pays respects to Your Majesty.”
“No need for formalities. How is the situation in Chunfeng Palace?” Huangfu Yuchen didn’t look at the person and continued pacing.
The man stood up and looked up. It turned out to be Du Zhengfeng!
Du Zhengfeng said, “In response to Your Majesty, Song Guiren and Zhou Daying haven’t shown any suspicion towards me. In recent days, Song Guiren seems to be acting normal, but Zhou Daying is becoming more and more impatient, especially since Yan Changzai’s promotion. It won’t be long before he takes action. From my observations, Zhou Daying may approach Tian Guiren.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Zhou Daying does have some intelligence, but lacks cunning. He is not to be feared.”
“Yes,” Du Zhengfeng replied.
Huangfu Yuchen toyed with a jade finger ring in his hand. “Earlier, you mentioned that Song Guiren ‘seems’ normal. Is there anything suspicious about him?”
Du Zhengfeng paused for a moment. “It’s just my speculation, Your Majesty, I have no evidence.”
“It doesn’t matter, tell me anyway.” Huangfu Yuchen’s caution made him realize that Du Zhengfeng might have indeed discovered something and he didn’t want to miss it.
Du Zhengfeng said, “In the past, this subordinate, Song Guiren, Zhou Daying often came and went together. But recently, Song Guiren and Zhou Daying have been meeting privately more frequently. Every time they close the door, there are guards stationed outside, and someone always keeps an eye on my Chunyu courtyard. I suspect that some of Zhou Daying’s actions are instigated by Song Guiren.”
Huangfu Yuchen’s face darkened. He walked slowly to the throne and sat down, contemplating. Du Zhengfeng was his trusted subordinate, not a true consort, so the palace intrigues would have minimal influence on Du Zhengfeng’s judgment. Song Ruhao was once his attendant, and it could be said that they grew up together. Song Ruhao left the impression of being gentle and pure. Could the palace really have such a significant impact on a person? Or perhaps, his understanding of Song Ruhao was only the result of Song Ruhao’s disguise in front of him?
“Lately, there has been too much attention on Yan Changzai. It’s better to divert some of it. I want to see what they are capable of.” Huangfu Yuchen lightly touched his forehead, his gaze turning cold when mentioning Song Ruhao and Zhou Wenhuan. “Investigate what they are plotting in secret and report to me promptly.”
“Yes.”
After Du Zhengfeng paid his respects and exited the grand hall, he looked at the night sky and a faint smile appeared on his stern face. He was getting tired of pretending and scheming with Song Ruhao and Zhou Wenhuan every day. It would be better if something happened to them sooner, as he could fake his death and return to his position in the Shadow Guard.
In the darkness of the night, Du Zhengfeng’s shadow moved like a nimble fish. In no time, he arrived outside Chunfeng Palace and, without making any sound, climbed over the courtyard wall and slipped into a side room.
Moments later, there was a knock on the door.
“Master, Zhou Daying has arrived.”
Du Zhengfeng said, “Let him wait in the hall. I will join him shortly.”
“Understood.”
True Identity
Huangfu Yuchen nodded. Yan Ge was a clever man, cautious not to cross his boundaries, but fearless in front of him. He admired Yan Ge’s frankness and found it comfortable to be around someone like him. In the deep palace, apart from Huangfu Yuhu, Yan Ge was the only person who could make him relax. He didn’t mind being more lenient with him.
Seeing that Yan Ge almost finish an entire plate of sweet and sour spare ribs, Huangfu Yuchen furrowed his brow. “Can your body handle eating so much meat?”
Yan Ge leisurely replied, “Your Majesty, don’t envy those who are still growing.”
Huangfu Yuchen nearly choked on his food.
After finishing his last bite, Yan Ge wiped his mouth and said, “Your Majesty, I’m going for a walk to aid digestion. Would you like to join me?”
Huangfu Yuchen’s face stiffened. “I eat little! There’s no need for digestion aid.”
Yan Ge looked at the empty plate of sweet and sour spare ribs in puzzlement and asked in a low voice, “Your Majesty, is sweet and sour spare ribs your favorite dish?”
Huangfu Yuchen was so angry he could barely speak, waving his hand to dismiss Yan Ge. “Go for your walk and don’t hinder my sight here.”
“Yan Chanzai takes his leave.” Yan Ge glanced at him with a look that said, “You’re definitely angry that I finished the sweet and sour spare ribs,” before he left. Teasing Huangfu Yuchen occasionally was his pleasure.
As Yan Ge’s figure disappeared, Deng Mande chuckled and said sincerely, “Yan Changzai always has a smiling face, as if he has no worries. Your Majesty, It’s nice to have Yan Changzai accompanying you.”
Huangfu Yuchen calmly swallowed a bite of food and thought of Yan Ge, unable to help but smile and say, “Indeed, I have never seen him unhappy.”
After dinner, he got up and walked back and forth in the palace. Whenever he left the hall, he would inevitably “encounter” a consort so he preferred to walk within the hall.
A tall man entered through a dim side door, his footsteps silent. He kneeled before Emperor Huangfu Yuchen and spoke loudly, “This subordinate pays respects to Your Majesty.”
“No need for formalities. How is the situation in Chunfeng Palace?” Huangfu Yuchen didn’t look at the person and continued pacing.
The man stood up and looked up. It turned out to be Du Zhengfeng!
Du Zhengfeng said, “In response to Your Majesty, Song Guiren and Zhou Daying haven’t shown any suspicion towards me. In recent days, Song Guiren seems to be acting normal, but Zhou Daying is becoming more and more impatient, especially since Yan Changzai’s promotion. It won’t be long before he takes action. From my observations, Zhou Daying may approach Tian Guiren.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Zhou Daying does have some intelligence, but lacks cunning. He is not to be feared.”
“Yes,” Du Zhengfeng replied.
Huangfu Yuchen toyed with a jade finger ring in his hand. “Earlier, you mentioned that Song Guiren ‘seems’ normal. Is there anything suspicious about him?”
Du Zhengfeng paused for a moment. “It’s just my speculation, Your Majesty, I have no evidence.”
“It doesn’t matter, tell me anyway.” Huangfu Yuchen’s caution made him realize that Du Zhengfeng might have indeed discovered something and he didn’t want to miss it.
Du Zhengfeng said, “In the past, this subordinate, Song Guiren, Zhou Daying often came and went together. But recently, Song Guiren and Zhou Daying have been meeting privately more frequently. Every time they close the door, there are guards stationed outside, and someone always keeps an eye on my Chunyu courtyard. I suspect that some of Zhou Daying’s actions are instigated by Song Guiren.”
Huangfu Yuchen’s face darkened. He walked slowly to the throne and sat down, contemplating. Du Zhengfeng was his trusted subordinate, not a true consort, so the palace intrigues would have minimal influence on Du Zhengfeng’s judgment. Song Ruhao was once his attendant, and it could be said that they grew up together. Song Ruhao left the impression of being gentle and pure. Could the palace really have such a significant impact on a person? Or perhaps, his understanding of Song Ruhao was only the result of Song Ruhao’s disguise in front of him?
“Lately, there has been too much attention on Yan Changzai. It’s better to divert some of it. I want to see what they are capable of.” Huangfu Yuchen lightly touched his forehead, his gaze turning cold when mentioning Song Ruhao and Zhou Wenhuan. “Investigate what they are plotting in secret and report to me promptly.”
“Yes.”
After Du Zhengfeng paid his respects and exited the grand hall, he looked at the night sky and a faint smile appeared on his stern face. He was getting tired of pretending and scheming with Song Ruhao and Zhou Wenhuan every day. It would be better if something happened to them sooner, as he could fake his death and return to his position in the Shadow Guard.
In the darkness of the night, Du Zhengfeng’s shadow moved like a nimble fish. In no time, he arrived outside Chunfeng Palace and, without making any sound, climbed over the courtyard wall and slipped into a side room.
Moments later, there was a knock on the door.
“Master, Zhou Daying has arrived.”
Du Zhengfeng said, “Let him wait in the hall. I will join him shortly.”
“Understood.”
