Chapter 1245 - 921: Urgent Report from the Ministry of War!

"Human feelings?"

Shang Ruyi paused for a moment, then thought again and said, "Are you referring to the Left Guard...?"

Yu Wenye nodded without showing any emotion.

Shang Ruyi said, "However, Father is not using the Crown Prince’s troops, nor is he using your troops, clearly guarding against both of you. If it becomes known that you are making connections on your own accord—Father would surely be even more suspicious."

Yu Wenye said, "Things naturally have to be done without leaving any traces. Moreover,"

as he spoke, he turned to look outside: "Not now."

"Then when?"

"At least, wait until it warms up before discussing it."

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi turned to look outside the hall following his gaze. Today was a rare good day; even though the winter sun offered little warmth, it brought a sense of brilliance in the icy and snowy landscape. Even the rustling sound of the cold wind brushing against the pines and cypresses at the corner of the wall became warm and pleasant.

With this warm and pleasant sound, the harshness of winter gradually faded.

In the blink of an eye, it was March. The ice melted and snow thawed, and although the chill in the wind had not completely dissipated, it was no longer as cutting as a knife. The busy palace attendants exchanged their winter clothes for padded jackets, becoming more light and agile.

However, those burdened with imperial orders found each day increasingly difficult.

On this day, the Left Guard General Lv Qianfeng walked heavily toward Xuanzheng Hall. Although spring was blossoming, his face remained gloomy.

It had been over a month since he was ordered to investigate and eliminate those who had targeted Pei Xingyuan. Apart from a few corpses found in a mountain ditch outside the city, there had been no progress. These people seemed like floating duckweed without roots, suddenly appearing in the city, and then suddenly withering outside, leaving no trace behind.

During the last report, the Emperor’s somber expression had struck fear in him. If this matter remained unresolved, he’d likely be the one to suffer.

Thinking of this, his steps grew even heavier.

At this moment, on the nearby path, two familiar figures approached. He looked up to see King Qin and Princess Qin walking out from inside the Hundred Blessings Gate, talking and laughing. Finding himself face-to-face with them, Lv Qianfeng had no choice but to stop and salute: "Greetings, King Qin, greetings, Princess."

The two, who had been speaking and laughing, stopped. Yu Wenye said, "General Lv, is this—?"

"His Majesty has summoned me to ask about some matters."

"Oh."

Yu Wenye nodded and said no more, but Princess Qin, who had already put on her spring outfit and looked much more graceful, asked with interest while holding a willow branch sprouting new green buds in her hand, "I heard that last time, General Lv had already found the whereabouts of those assassins. Is the truth about to be revealed now?"

King Qin immediately said, "Talkative, is that something you should ask?"

Princess Qin said, "What’s wrong with asking a question?"

King Qin glared at her again, and only then did Princess Qin close her mouth in displeasure. Lv Qianfeng could only smile awkwardly, "What was found before was not the whereabouts of the assassins, but—anyway, there has been no progress in the matter. I am unworthy of the Emperor’s grace."

Princess Qin quickly said, "General Lv has already worked hard enough."

Lv Qianfeng merely gave an awkward smile. He had been somewhat worried that King Qin and Princess Qin would keep probing, but unexpectedly, only Princess Qin asked a couple of questions and was reprimanded by King Qin, saving him from further trouble. So, with a smile, he saluted and said, "I have other matters, so I will take my leave." After speaking, he continued to walk towards Xuanzheng Hall.

Just as he turned to leave, a hurried individual brushed past him.

Although Lv Qianfeng didn’t spend much time in the palace and wasn’t too familiar with King Qin and his associates, he immediately recognized the person as Mu Xian due to frequent encounters. Even though Mu Xian seemed anxious, he stopped to salute Lv Qianfeng: "Greetings, General Lv."

Lv Qianfeng waved his hand.

Mu Xian said no more and hurriedly walked forward. Lv Qianfeng looked back to see Mu Xian present a letter to Yu Wenye after saluting King Qin and Princess Qin, faintly hearing him say in a low voice, "A letter has come from the front."

Upon hearing this, King Qin immediately took the letter.

Lv Qianfeng felt a bit puzzled—the front? What front?

Though puzzled, he didn’t stop and soon reached Xuanzheng Hall. He was about to enter when he saw two more familiar figures quickly approaching the hall’s grand entrance, coming directly his way.

None other than Crown Prince Yu Wenqian, and the Minister of War!

His interactions with the Crown Prince weren’t extensive, much like with King Qin. However, the Minister of War had just recently been promoted, being the eldest son of the late Duke Shenwu, Dong Yue. Everyone in court knew of the Emperor’s affection for Duke Shenwu, so promoting someone who had never been in battle or led troops like Dong Yue to the position of Minister of War seemed capricious, but it was also understood as the Dong Family had the backing of the Crown Prince. Moreover, the Crown Prince had worked in the Ministry of War before the Emperor ascended to the throne, effectively placing the Ministry directly in his hands.

As a result, even the battle-hardened King Qin hadn’t led troops since the Battle of Longmen Crossing.

But now, that the two of them appeared simultaneously, and with serious expressions, most likely indicated problems with military affairs. Thinking back to the letter King Qin had just received, Lv Qianfeng seemed to discern something.

He stepped forward, saluted the two, and said, "Greetings, Crown Prince, greetings, Minister Dong."

The two hesitated, but the Crown Prince said nothing further, opting instead to have Eunuch Yu deliver their message. Soon, the doors of Xuanzheng Hall opened.

The three of them entered together. Lv Qianfeng, who had been carrying the heaviest heart and tread, felt markedly lighter at that moment as he walked at the rear. He saw the Emperor sitting at the desk, reviewing memorials. As they entered, the Emperor momentarily paused, as if realizing something.

Yu Wenqian immediately knelt and said, "Your son pays respects to Father."

Lv Qianfeng and Dong Yue also knelt and saluted together. Yu Wenjia gestured with a hand: "Arise. What brings the two of you here?"

Dong Yue quickly raised his hands, presenting a document. His voice was low, tinged with a hoarseness from anxiety: "Your Majesty, an urgent report from the front."

At that moment, kneeling beside him, Lv Qianfeng’s heart skipped a beat—the front?

Again, the front?

The letter King Qin received earlier was also from the front.

Could it be...

In that instant, his thoughts became clear, as Eunuch Yu had already stepped forward, receiving the document and presenting it to Yu Wenjia, who immediately put down his pen. He took it, opened it, and his expression darkened immediately.

"What!?"