Chapter 64: Exposed

Feng Bai Su did not expect that before they set off for Fengming Temple, a letter would suddenly arrive from Shu territory.

After reading the contents of the letter, her expression immediately became grave.

When Wei Jing Mo walked into the study carrying a late-night snack, he saw her holding a letter with a contemplative look on her face.

After placing the items on the table, he couldn’t help but ask, “What’s the matter?”

Feng Bai Su raised her head at his words.

After pondering for a long while, she finally spoke in a low voice: “Jing Mo, I may need to make a trip to Shu territory.”

Wei Jing Mo was stunned for a moment, then asked: “Why do you suddenly need to go to Shu?”

He glanced at the letter in her hand and thought of something, “Could it be that sixth sister’s husband and Han’er have encountered some trouble?”

The Gongyang Prince resided in Shu territory, and Yun Ling and Feng Han had been taken back to Shu half a month ago.

With the situation in Fengling City becoming increasingly tense, Feng Bai Su leaving for Shu at this time could only mean something had happened to them.

Wei Jing Mo immediately became worried, “What exactly has happened?”

Feng Bai Su did not answer immediately, but silently handed him the letter she was holding.

Wei Jing Mo quickly took it and read it through, his expression turning grim.

“…How could this happen?”

This letter from Shu was not written by just anyone, but was the last words of the sixth Male Empress, Yun Ling!

In the letter, he only mentioned one thing: entrusting Feng Han to Feng Bai Su, and hoping that Feng Bai Su could raise her well.

Feng Bai Su also had not expected things to develop to this point.

She had not thought that after Feng Bai Jiang left, Yun Ling would harbor thoughts of death.

If only she had discovered it earlier…

Feng Bai Su’s peach blossom eyes dimmed slightly.

Thinking of the words Feng Bai Jiang had said to her before leaving, her heart was filled with shame.

She remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: “I need to go to Shu to bring Han’er back. I’m afraid the Gongyang Prince won’t treat her kindly…”

Yun Ling was the Gongyang Prince’s only child. Even before he married out, Feng Bai Su had heard how the Gongyang Prince doted on this son.

Now that Yun Ling had lost his life because of Feng Bai Jiang, the Gongyang Prince would likely take out his anger on Feng Han as Feng Bai Jiang’s child.

For Yun Ling to write a letter to Feng Bai Su at the very end, he must have anticipated the outcome. That’s why he wanted to entrust Feng Han to Feng Bai Su.

After hearing her words, Wei Jing Mo did not object: “Your Highness should go. The little girl has just lost her mother, and now has lost her father again. How frightened and anxious must she be? The only person she can trust now is you, her aunt!”

Seeing his worried expression, Feng Bai Su stood up and walked in front of him.

Taking his hand, she said softly: “I’m sorry. If I go to Shu, I’m afraid I’ll be a few days late arriving at Fengming Temple.”

Her voice deepened, and she cautioned with some concern: “When the time comes, I’ll have Cong Bai and the others accompany you. This trip may not be so simple. You must be careful, understand?”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness.” Wei Jing Mo squeezed her hand, “I’ll be careful.”

—

On the day Feng Bai Su left Fengling City, within an hour, the news had reached the Fifth Princess’s residence.

When Feng Bai Wei heard the news from the spies monitoring Feng Bai Su’s movements, she couldn’t help but frown: “We’re supposed to leave for Fengming Temple the day after tomorrow, why is she leaving Fengling City at this time? Do you know where she went?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, the Seventh Princess seemed to have noticed something. Our people lost track of her not long after following her out of the city,” the guard reported, kneeling on one knee.

Hearing this, a thoughtful look flashed across Feng Bai Wei’s gloomy face, and she then said: “Forget it! This trip to Fengming Temple is more important. Have them withdraw for now. Let her enjoy a few more days of freedom!”

A cold smile curled her lips, her dark eyes full of ominous clouds.

Two days later, Wei Jing Mo set off for Fengming Temple with Cong Bai and Dong Qing.

Knowing this trip to Fengming Temple wouldn’t be simple, Wei Jing Mo only brought Cong Bai and the attentive Dong Qing, leaving Dong Gua at the residence.

As Wei Jing Mo got into the carriage, he heard Cong Bai report in a low voice: “Please rest assured, my lord. For this trip, I have arranged for our people to follow in secret, absolutely guaranteeing my lord’s safety.”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo nodded.

Then, with Dong Qing’s assistance, he sat down in the carriage. The carriage slowly moved forward under Cong Bai’s guidance.

Fengming Temple was built halfway up Fengming Mountain. When the carriage reached the foot of the mountain, it could no longer proceed upwards. Wei Jing Mo had to get out of the carriage and walk.

Perhaps due to the Emperor’s excursion, to prevent any accidents, the common people were restricted from going there.

The mountain path, usually bustling with activity, was now cold and empty.

They didn’t arrive too early. By now, quite a few carriages were already parked at the foot of the mountain, presumably belonging to the noble families who were also on this trip.

Wei Jing Mo glanced around casually, then headed up the mountain with Cong Bai and Dong Qing.

As a century-old temple, Fengming Temple had undergone continuous expansion and renovation over the past hundred years, and now covered a vast area.

As soon as Wei Jing Mo walked through the temple gates, a young novice monk came over to lead him to the guest quarters in the back courtyard.

Due to the temple’s vast area, their accommodations were not all in one place.

Therefore, the news of Feng Bai Su’s absence had not yet caught others’ attention.

For the past two days, apart from accompanying the Male Empress and others to listen to Buddhist scriptures in the main hall for two hours at set times each day, Wei Jing Mo had nothing else to do.

As soon as he left the main hall, he would return to the guest quarters to rest. This left no opportunity for those who wanted to engage him in conversation.

As several Male Empresses walked out together, they saw Wei Jing Mo’s retreating figure once again.

The First Male Empress couldn’t help but say: “Why does this Seventh Male Empress always leave in such a hurry? Who knows what he’s rushing back to do?”

“Who knows? Maybe he’s eager to see the Seventh Princess!” Xu Kong Qing joked.

“I heard that Mother Emperor will finish her discussion with Great Master Xumo tomorrow! I wonder if we can go home after that?” The Third Male Empress rarely spoke up, muttering softly.

Although Fengming Temple had a serene environment and decent living conditions, it still couldn’t compare to the Princess’s residence.

Moreover, in this temple, they could only eat vegetarian meals every day. How could the Male Empresses, accustomed to fine delicacies, endure this?

Today was only the third day, and the Third Male Empress already felt it was a great torment.

At these words, although the others didn’t speak, they clearly shared his sentiments.

At this moment, Shen Ruo, who had been following behind them, suddenly said coldly: “I’m going back first.”

With that, he strode forward.

The Male Empresses, suddenly interrupted by him, watched his retreating figure. The Third Male Empress muttered: “Why does he always have such a cold face? He looks so gloomy.”

Hearing this, the First Male Empress and Xu Kong Qing exchanged a smile. They were naturally not as naive as the Third Male Empress.

They had heard that the side male concubine in the Fifth Princess’s back courtyard was pregnant. It would be strange if Shen Ruo could be happy!

—

Meanwhile, as soon as Wei Jing Mo returned to the guest quarters, he immediately called Cong Bai over.

He inquired: “Has Her Highness sent any news about when she’ll return? Mother Emperor’s discussion with Great Master Xumo will end tomorrow. If they discover Her Highness isn’t here, it might be difficult to explain.”

It had been five days since she left. By all accounts, Feng Bai Su should have returned by now. He couldn’t help but worry if she had encountered some trouble on the road.

Wei Jing Mo couldn’t help but feel concerned.

“There’s still no news from Her Highness,” Cong Bai replied softly.

Seeing his furrowed brow, she quickly reassured him: “But my lord need not worry. Her Highness is highly skilled in martial arts, ordinary people are no match for her. I’m sure Her Highness will be back soon.”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo could only temporarily suppress his worries and wait.

In the evening, after Wei Jing Mo had finished his vegetarian meal, he lay down on the bed.

However, thinking that Feng Bai Su had not yet returned, he couldn’t fall asleep no matter what.

After tossing and turning for a long while, he finally began to feel drowsy.

Just as his consciousness was becoming blurry and he was about to enter dreamland, a warm body suddenly drew close.

He instantly awoke, and was about to struggle and shout when he heard a familiar voice by his ear: “It’s me.”

Wei Jing Mo immediately stopped, then turned around to see Feng Bai Su’s exquisite and charming face.

His dark eyes brightened with delight: “Your Highness, you’re finally back!”

Feng Bai Su made a sound of agreement, explaining in a low voice: “I discovered some things during this trip to Shu. So after returning yesterday, I didn’t come here immediately, but went to verify some information.”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo became curious. He propped himself up, leaning closer to her and asked: “What did Your Highness discover?”

Feng Bai Su was in no hurry to answer.

After taking off her outer robe and tossing it aside, she embraced him and leaned against the bed railing.

Only then did she begin to speak: “I discovered an unexpected person in Shu.”

Wei Jing Mo blinked his wide eyes, waiting for her words.

“The Xuan Prince’s daughter, Feng Kou!” Feng Bai Su continued leisurely: “And not just her, I also discovered Feng Bai Wei’s people appearing around her.”

“How did the Xuan Prince’s daughter suddenly become connected with the Fifth Princess?” Wei Jing Mo couldn’t help but be surprised.

Feng Bai Su stroked his hair, continuing: “So after I returned yesterday, I had someone investigate the Xuan Prince’s residence. This investigation actually uncovered an even more interesting matter.”

As she said this, an intrigued look flashed through her peach blossom eyes, and a smile tugged at her lips: “We’ve been searching for the high priest for so long, who could have imagined he was the Xuan Prince’s man? Moreover, Mother Emperor’s visit to Fengming Temple was instigated by the Xuan Prince. It seems they plan to make a move within Fengming Temple.”

“Ah? I’m a bit lost now.”

Wei Jing Mo said with some confusion: “The high priest is the Xuan Prince’s man. And you saw the Fifth Princess’s people around the Xuan Prince’s daughter. So what role is the Fifth Princess playing in all this? Could it be that she’s planning to coordinate with the Xuan Prince from the inside?”

Although he didn’t fully understand these schemes and calculations, he still felt that attempting a rebellion at Fengming Temple seemed too rash!

Seeing his doubtful expression, Feng Bai Su chuckled and tapped his nose, praising him: “Not bad! Smarter than that Xuan Prince!”

“Feng Bai Wei likely has other plans. The Xuan Prince has probably been used as her pawn! This assassination attempt is likely a ruse she designed to dispel Mother Emperor’s suspicions about her. As for the Xuan Prince whose intentions were exposed prematurely, who would believe him even if he spoke about his connection with Feng Bai Wei, given that he dared to plot rebellion?”

“After all, whether it’s the person behind the high priest or this assassination plot, it was all orchestrated by the Xuan Prince. It has nothing to do with Feng Bai Wei!”

Saying this, even Feng Bai Su couldn’t help but admire her.

At the same time, she felt quite sympathetic towards the unfortunate Xuan Prince.

“Then what should we do? Are we just going to let the Fifth Princess’s scheme succeed?” Wei Jing Mo rarely became so anxious.

“Don’t worry.” Feng Bai Su reassuringly patted his back, indicating he should remain calm.

“Now that we know about this plan, I naturally won’t let her have her way. It won’t be so easy for her to dispel Mother Emperor’s suspicions.”

A dangerous smile curled her lips.

Not only that, she would make sure Feng Bai Wei could never recover from this!