PNB Chapter 188 Secret Arrest
Chapter 188 Secret Arrest
Phoenix Cry Kingdom, Imperial Study.
Empress Feng Han looked at the urgent report from Zhennan Pass in her hand and was instantly enraged. She slammed the report onto her desk and couldn't help but burst into a tirade of curses:
"That wretched child, that stupid, pig-like wretched child! She thought she could save her life by escaping to Nanli! Foolish! Foolish!"
Feng Han's anger was still burning. Even though Feng Rui and the others had immunity from death, she had still ordered them to commit suicide out of fear of punishment. As for Feng Xin—
Considering she was his own daughter, he had already shown leniency and spared her life. He never expected her to dare to flee all the way to Nanli. Was she planning to betray her country?
Upon seeing this, the maids and palace servants serving in the imperial study all knelt down, not daring to utter a sound.
The entire imperial study fell silent, filled with a tense atmosphere.
After a long while, it was only when the Imperial Aunt saw that Feng Han seemed to have calmed down a bit that she dared to step forward to comfort him.
He then dismissed all the servants in the hall before speaking respectfully to Feng Han with a somewhat meaningful tone:
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Don't upset yourself! In my opinion, the most urgent task is to bring the First Princess back as soon as possible before news of her escape spreads!"
Otherwise, if the people of Nanli were to learn of the eldest princess's identity, I'm afraid..."
The head maid didn't finish her sentence, but Feng Han understood what she meant:
Feng Han kept Feng Xin's escape a secret, so few people knew about it.
Besides, Feng Xin is, after all, his daughter, a princess of Fengming. Now that she has committed a grave crime, even if she has to die, she should die in Fengming. If her identity is revealed and she dies in another country, the entire Fengming will likely become a laughingstock!
But with so many people around, and Nanli not being under my jurisdiction, how could finding someone be so easy!
Thinking of this, Feng Han sighed silently: "That wretched child is currently hiding in Nanli. If I take any action, not only will she not survive, but it could also very likely cause chaos between the two countries!"
"If Your Majesty cannot intervene, why not secretly send someone over?" The Imperial Attendant leaned close to Feng Han's ear and whispered her suggestion.
Feng Han didn't speak upon hearing this, but lowered her eyes and pondered for a while. She felt that what her aunt said was indeed a good idea. Not only could they capture that wretched child, but they could also secretly gather information about Nanli. However... she still needed to consider who to send.
Seeing Feng Han's expression, the Imperial Aunt knew that he already had a plan in mind, so she silently retreated to the back and stood properly.
That day, the Empress summoned the Grand Tutor and Feng Zhao to discuss matters. By the time the Grand Tutor came out of the palace, it was already night.
Immediately afterwards, the Empress did not wait long, but summoned Lin Shu to the palace that very night.
Wearing a nightgown with an outer robe over it, Lin Shu followed her summons aunt and arrived at the Imperial Study, looking travel-worn. Judging from her clothes, Lin Shu must have already gone to bed when she was summoned.
Feng Zhao was somewhat embarrassed, after all, this matter did not need to be rushed, but the Empress Dowager was uneasy, so she summoned him to the palace late at night.
After Lin Shu went inside, she found that Ji Wan was also there.
Lin Shu frowned slightly, suppressing her doubts, and greeted the Empress and the Crown Princess in the Imperial Study one by one:
"Greetings, Your Majesty and the Crown Princess!"
"No need for formalities!" Feng Han said softly.
Lin Shu straightened up as instructed, clasped her hands in greeting to Ji Wan, another person in the hall, and said, "General Ji."
Ji Wan laughed heartily twice, then walked closer to Lin Shu, patted her on the shoulder, and said cheerfully (actually a bit silly):
"Hey! Why call me General Ji? That's too formal. We'll be working together soon! Besides, we're family, why all this formality? Just call me 'sister' like my younger brother does!"
Lin Shu was momentarily at a loss for words, a hint of doubt rising in her mind. Was she going to be working with Ji Wan from now on? Were there really official positions in the court where civil and military officials worked together?
After thinking it over, she glanced at Feng Han and Feng Zhao without making a sound.
Feng Zhao noticed Lin Shu's gaze, glanced at her mother, the Empress, and seeing her tacit approval, she then revealed the whole story of the eldest princess, Feng Xin, fleeing to Nanli.
Upon hearing this, Lin Shu roughly guessed what Feng Han intended to do today.
Sure enough, there it was—
Feng Han glanced at the three people standing below, her gaze finally settling on Lin Shu, and slowly said:
"Lin Shu, I intend to send you and Ji Wan to Nanli in disguise to capture Feng Xin and, at the same time, secretly gather intelligence on Nanli. Do you two have any objections?"
Although Feng Han asked Lin Shu and Ji Wan, she only looked at Lin Shu, as if Ji Wan's opinion was not important.
Ji Wan: "..."
Hearing Feng Han's words, Lin Shu clearly understood that she had already made a decision and was merely informing her. Naturally, she couldn't disobey the Empress in public, so she respectfully agreed.
"Your Majesty, I am at your disposal."
Feng Han showed a satisfied expression.
However, Lin Shu still had some doubts about this. Why would the Empress arrange for Ji Wan to cooperate with her?
It's not that Lin Shu looks down on Ji Wan, but rather that she's too 'straightforward,' which might cause problems at crucial moments!
Therefore, Lin Shu decided to try to ask tactfully whether she could leave Ji Wan behind: "Your Majesty, General Ji is very busy with military affairs, so will this trip be..."
"No rush, no rush!" Before she could finish speaking, Ji Wan, who was standing next to her, interrupted her as she tried to cover Lin Shu's mouth.
Lin Shu quickly grabbed the other person's hand that was about to come to their mouth, frowned and glanced at them. Ji Wan awkwardly withdrew her hand, and whispered aggrievedly:
"Lin Shu! I'm so bored I'm going to grow moss. I finally managed to get this job, so don't you dare ruin it for me, or else... or else don't blame me for dying right here!"
Lin Shu: "..."
Feng Zhao: "..."
Feng Han: "..."
Although Ji Wan lowered her voice, the Imperial Study was quiet, so she couldn't avoid hearing it.
Feng Zhao's lips twitched. No wonder Grand Tutor Ji had the audacity to ask Ji Wan for this job; he probably threatened to kill himself to force her!
Lin Shu pursed her lips, unsure of what to say.
"Ahem..." Feng Han finally cleared her throat, pulling everyone back to reality. Then, she looked at the composed Lin Shu and offered her some more benefits:
"This matter is settled! However, I will allow you two to select two lieutenant generals from the Imperial Guard to accompany you."
Furthermore, the primary objective is to capture Feng Xin! If you fail to find Feng Xin within five months, you must return immediately, and this matter will be considered closed!
As she finished speaking, Feng Han's tone suddenly became somewhat somber, because given Feng Xin's personality, she would never be willing to remain unknown. If Lin Shu and the others didn't find any clues within five months, they would most likely perish...
Upon hearing this, Lin Shu secretly sighed at the Empress's grand gesture, sending out two junior officers of the fourth rank just like that!
"Your subject obeys." Lin Shu and Ji Wan bowed to Feng Han.
Feng Han waved his hand, then added, "I will issue an edict early tomorrow morning, appointing Lin Shu as Imperial Envoy to inspect the various prefectures, counties, and districts on my behalf, and I will send the Crown Princess to personally escort you two away from the capital."
"Yes." Lin Shu knew that Feng Han's actions were to provide cover for them after they entered Nanli.
Time was of the essence, and having said everything that needed to be said, Feng Han told Lin Shu and the other woman to go back and pack their bags and say goodbye to their families.
As Lin Shu and Ji Wan left the palace and were about to part ways, Lin Shu looked at Ji Wan, who was still grinning foolishly, and said:
"General Ji, time is of the essence. Please convey Lin Shu's farewell to Young Master Ji!"
After saying this, Chao Jiwan cupped his hands in greeting and boarded his own carriage.
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