Chapter 1252: Smoke Rises 63

sence for a meal."Feng Ling Xi hearing the maid's report, thought of her mother concubine telling her that she had entered the palace and the instructions before entering the palace. Could it be that...Feng Lingxi stood by the window, watching Luo Li fawning over Wan'er outside. Her eyes drifted far away.

"Xier, are you still dwelling on what Luoli said at dinner"

Dugu Cheng walked behind Feng Lingxi, putting a cloak on her. His voice was full of concern.

“No, I was just watching Luo Li and Wan’er. Wan’er’s personality really resembles mine when I first got married, not taking any losses at all. As for Luo Li, he is truly good to Wan’er. Seeing him so accommodating to Wan’er, I actually think about it, have I been too harsh on him with my words”

Dugu Cheng followed Feng Lingxi's direction and looked towards Luo Li and Wan'er. In order to please Wan'er, Luo Li had completely let go of his chieftain airs and treated Wan'er as his little princess.

"Indeed, it's good. But even if it were better, it couldn't change the fact that he is the Yao Clan Chief and has to take Wan'er away."

Mentioning this, Feng Lingxi withdrew her gaze and walked to the table to sit down.

“We still have time, no need to rush. This trip to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday wasn't in vain. At least we know her situation in the palace. The Emperor treats her very well. Although he covets your military power, he is at least cautious and hasn't forcefully taken it away.”

Just give them time, and they will be able to consolidate their power well, at least to the point where they are not controlled by the court.

Now the court's power has been completely divided between the Emperor and Prince Yu. The Empress Dowager, within the palace, exchanged her freedom and happiness for Dugu City and their peaceful life. She understood this, and so did Dugu City.

"This time the Emperor didn't take back his military power, all thanks to Empress Yan and Concubine Liu ruining his plans. If it weren't for your injury in the palace this time, the Emperor would have already spoken up and taken back his power. Besides, Prince Yu has been acting arrogantly lately, angering the Emperor, which is why we managed to escape unscathed."

Feng Lingxi nodded, she knew this trip out of the capital wouldn't be easy, so along the way she treated the gossip from the common people as if it were wind in her ears. Words can be harmful, and she didn't need to worry about them.

After all, she had experienced so many things like this since coming into this world. This time was no different from any other.

"Xi'er, I'm sorry you had to go through this."

Dugu Cheng's eyes were full of apology, but Feng Lingxi smiled and took Dugu Cheng's hand.

"If you feel I've been wronged, why don't you tell me You've been gloomy ever since returning from the palace. I've noticed your bad mood these days. Has something happened in the palace Or did the Emperor give you a secret decree that troubles you"

"I thought you wouldn't ask about this, it seems I couldn't hide it from your eyes."

獨孤城輕歎一口氣，“是太後身子出了問題，皇上召見我來宮裡，給我密旨後，便跟我說太後身體不適，讓我去看看，太後不樂意讓太醫看，我再三要求，她才讓人給她診脈。”

"Is the Empress alright She's always been in good health."

It's no wonder Dugu City has been frowning these days. The Empress Dowager is unwell, how could he be feeling well

"She caught a cold, it's nothing serious, she just doesn't want to see the doctor, that worries me."

"Why didn't you tell me when you were coming back That way we could have asked for a few more days, waited until the Empress was feeling better before leaving. You worrying day after day isn't a solution."

Feng Lingxi was distraught. She regretted not questioning Dugu Cheng that day. If she had, perhaps he would have told her and she would have gone to the palace to see the Empress Dowager. With this trip, who knows when she could see him again What if something happened to the Empress Dowager How much pain would Dugu Cheng be in

Looking at Feng Lingxi's anxious appearance, Dugu Cheng's eyes drooped.

"If only I could stay for two more days, waiting until the Empress Dowager recovers before leaving. But the Emperor's decree has been issued; if we refuse to leave the capital, the Emperor might suspect something. Furthermore, the Empress Dowager urged me to depart, and I cannot disappoint her kind intentions."

Dugu Cheng heaved a heavy sigh, the helplessness in his eyes made Feng Lingxi feel heartache.

"She stayed in the palace for my sake. If I showed any concern for her, the Emperor would only become more ruthless. Although she didn't say it, I know what she meant. She doesn't want me to show her too much attention."

Du Gucheng's words were heartbreaking. Feng Lingxi knew how good the Empress Dowager was to Du Gucheng after she married him. This time when she entered the capital to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday, although she wasn't as close to the Empress Dowager as before, she could feel the Empress Dowager's kindness towards her. It's just that she and Du Gucheng couldn't disregard the Empress Dowager's status.

"Mother, Master wants me to sleep with him again. He's so shameless! Even at my age, he still wants me to sleep beside him."

Wan'er's complaints reached them, and as she walked into the room, Luo Li followed closely behind. He didn't seem to mind interrupting Dugu Cheng and Feng Lingxi at all; instead, he imitated Wan'er and began to complain to them both.

"You promised me you'd sleep with me, where did you get the nerve to lie to your master like that"

"Wan'er, what did you lie to him about"

Feng Lingxi heard Luo Li's words, her face darkened, and Wan'er was frightened back, timidly looking at Feng Lingxi, her eyes full of fear.

Upon seeing this, Luo Li felt a twinge of sympathy.

She said that we played rock-paper-scissors, and if I lost, I had to sleep with her. I won several times, but she was being stubborn and wouldn't keep her promise.

"What Luoli said is like a child, Feng Lingxi was stunned, watching Wan'er hugging her big leg, complaining pitifully, "Mother, he peeked at Wan'er's punches. Wan'er is so small, he always makes me go first."

"I let you go first, so you went first. Why are you blaming me"

Luo Li wore an expression that seemed to say, "You're the foolish one and I'm not at fault," Wan Er glared back at him with a pout, "It wasn't you who tricked me, big liar!"

"Wan'er, do not be rude."

Dugu Cheng scolded, "He's your master after all. You should be respectful towards your master."

Waner made a face at Luo Li and refused to sleep with him.

“Alright, I’m done teasing you.”

"Luoli touched Wan'er's head, "Don't say your master is bad again."

"Mmmmmm..."

Waner made a spooky face, Feng Lingxi patted Wan'er's little head with annoyance. She was so mischievous.

"Tomorrow I'm going to go eat wild chicken, don't say I didn't bring you along when the time comes."

When Wan'er heard about the hunt, her eyes lit up. She rushed over and hugged Luoli's thigh, coquettishly shouting, "Master, Wan'er wants to go too!"

"Who are you sleeping with tonight"

"Sleep with the master."

Wan'er meekly agreed to Luo Li. Feng Ling Xi was about to speak when she heard Wan'er say to her, "Mother, Wan'er will sleep with the master, and you will sleep with Father. The master said that this way, Wan'er will have a younger brother."

Feng Ling Xi's face flushed red, while Luo Li had a smile in her eyes as she held Wan Er's hand and walked out.

"Luoli spoiled Wan'er too much, which isn't good for Wan'er."

Dugu Cheng's eyes were full of worry, "Although Wan'er is his disciple, he said that she is the future leader of the Yao clan and should be taught qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. How did she go astray"ble Consort, if the Fourth Prince’s Manor doesn't give me an explanation this time, I will never stop. A’er’s parents don't care for her, but I will. This child has suffered so much since she was you...