Dongfang Qi had never suffered such a setback. He was so furious that he seemed on the verge of spitting out a mouthful of blood. His fists clenched tightly, making cracking sounds.
"This Crown Prince is determined to chop off that bastard's head and hang it on the city gate for public display!"
The Crown Prince angrily flung his sleeves and strode out.
Prime Minister Feng and his first wife quickly bent down to see the Crown Prince off. Watching the Crown Prince get into the carriage, the first wife hurriedly stepped forward and looked at Prime Minister Feng, her face full of resentment.
"My lord, look at what happened today. I've always said that Feng Yunshu is an ill - omened person. She killed her own mother at birth. Back then, I advised you, my lord, to quietly strangle that girl in her swaddling clothes and bury her. But you hesitated again and again."
"Now, it's too late. That girl has grown powerful. Especially since she's married to Helan Yanting. Didn't they say that this Prince Helan is weak and cowardly? But now it seems that this Prince Helan is far from what the rumors said. His scheming is extremely deep!"
Prime Minister Feng frowned tightly. His face darkened and brightened alternately. The more he listened, the more annoyed he became. He turned around and impatiently scolded his wife, "Can you be quiet at this moment? Do you think there aren't enough troubles already? You're such a woman! Do you think I don't understand what you're saying? Be quiet!"
"My lord, what do you mean? That Helan Yanting is so arrogant and has bullied us. Are you going to swallow this humiliation?"
Thinking of what had just happened, Prime Minister Feng suddenly slapped the table beside him. "This is simply outrageous!"
"Helan Yanting is so arrogant. The whole country of Dan can no longer tolerate him! Wife, go immediately and tell the steward to prepare the carriage. I'm going to visit your father's mansion."
Hearing this, the first wife immediately nodded. "My lord, I'll go with you."
Prime Minister Feng frowned and glanced at his wife, then slowly nodded. "Fine, it's okay for you to go with me. Let's go."
Meanwhile, there was an uproar in the palace.
After the Crown Prince angrily returned to the palace, he didn't go back to the Eastern Palace immediately. Instead, he went to find the Empress Dowager, his mother.
"Mother!"
As soon as the Crown Prince entered the palace hall, he strode up to Empress Zheng. "Today, I suffered a great humiliation! Mother, you must come up with an idea for me to get even!"
Empress Zheng was making tea. She slowly looked up at the Crown Prince as he approached. "Crown Prince, how have I taught you on weekdays? You're already an adult, yet you're still so reckless and impatient. Those who aim to achieve great things must remain calm and composed no matter what happens."
"Mother, this time it's not that I'm too impatient. It's just that Helan Yanting is extremely arrogant. He even surrounded me and threatened me!"
"Helan Yanting?" Empress Zheng was stunned for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Isn't this Prince Helan a sickly and weak person? He's always been timid and cowardly. How could he do such a daring and presumptuous thing?"
"Yes, this Helan Yanting has been pretending and enduring for all these years. We thought he was just a homeless dog that didn't bark, but unexpectedly, he has grown fangs secretly. He's a complete wild wolf!"
Then, Dongfang Qi told Empress Zheng about what had happened in the Prime Minister's mansion not long ago. After listening, Empress Zheng's face became more and more solemn, lost in thought.
"Does your father know about this?"
Dongfang Qi shook his head. "I haven't told Father yet. I came straight to you, Mother, to discuss it with you as soon as I got back from the Prime Minister's mansion."
"Helan Yanting came to the country of Dan since he was a child. People say it's to promote the relationship between our country of Dan and the country of Yuan. But who doesn't know that he's just a discarded pawn of the royal family of Yuan? It's just that the relationship between the country of Dan and the country of Yuan has been delicate recently..."
"What do you mean, Mother?"
"Do you remember the matter of the Emperor arranging the marriage between Prince Helan and the eldest daughter of the Feng family?"
Dongfang Qi nodded. "A sickly person and an ill - omened person. They're a perfect match."
"Do you think so too? You should have heard others talk about how Feng Yunshu, the eldest daughter of the Feng family, suddenly vomited blood and fell ill on her wedding day. Prime Minister Feng immediately demanded that Helan Yanting accompany her in death. But unexpectedly, Feng Yunshu was really lucky and survived."
Dongfang Qi thought for a while, then suddenly slapped his head and looked at Empress Zheng with wide eyes. "Do you mean... this incident was not an accident at all? Instead, Father had a plan long ago and told Prime Minister Feng to do so, right?!"
Empress Zheng slowly took a sip of tea. A sneer appeared on her lips. "Your father has long wanted to get rid of Helan Yanting. But before getting rid of him, he must make full use of all his value."
"Now, other countries are watching our country. If our country rashly sends troops to attack the country of Yuan, it will surely arouse public opinion, and the country of Dan will be at a disadvantage in the public opinion."
After hearing this, Dongfang Qi seemed to be enlightened. He looked shocked and slapped his head. "So that's it! So Father has this plan. No wonder he hasn't been cruel to Helan Yanting. He's just waiting for an excuse to send troops..."
Empress Zheng didn't say anything else. She just looked up at Dongfang Qi. "Crown Prince, I've been protecting you since you were born. It's time for you to stand on your own and make your own decisions. I can only give you this advice."
Dongfang Qi was stunned for a moment. After reacting, he quickly nodded in agreement and bowed to Empress Zheng. "Thank you for your advice, Mother! I will surely live up to your teachings!"
Empress Zheng slowly nodded. "Well, you can go. I'm tired."
Dongfang Qi quickly left the Empress's palace and strode towards the Emperor's South Study.
...
At the Prince Helan's Mansion.
After the carriage stopped, Feng Yunshu helped Helan Yanting out of the carriage and back into the mansion.
Ziyuan followed behind. She was always a bit worried. She finally mustered up the courage to ask Yan Qi beside her, "Brother Yan Qi, what's wrong with the Prince? I'm afraid my young lady might have been hurt by the Prince."
After hearing this, Yan Qi looked at Ziyuan as if she were a fool.
"Miss Ziyuan, do you know that even if the master suddenly loses his mind and hurts everyone in our mansion, he would never hurt a single hair of the Princess."
"This..." Ziyuan was a bit puzzled.
"The Prince treasures the Princess so much. How could he bear to hurt her? Moreover, you saw just now that as long as the Princess speaks, the Prince will return to normal. So don't worry about your young lady. Besides, the Princess is not such a weak woman."
Ziyuan nodded thoughtfully. "Brother Yan Qi really sees things clearly..."
At this point, Ziyuan suddenly asked him, "Do you have someone you like, Brother Yan Qi?"
Yan Qi, who was walking steadily, almost tripped over a stone on the ground and staggered.
...
Feng Yunshu helped Helan Yanting back into the room. Seeing that his face had been looking bad all the way, she became more and more worried.
"Your Highness, lie down on the couch. I'll check your physical condition."
Helan Yanting cooperated and lay down on the couch, watching Feng Yunshu use her spiritual power to check his body.
After using her spiritual power to examine him, Feng Yunshu couldn't help but frown. She became even more confused. "Your Highness, there's nothing seriously wrong with your body. Why did you suddenly seem like a different person just now, and your face was so pale..."
After drinking a mouthful of water, Helan Yanting recalled what had happened. His face darkened.