Quick Transmigration: Crazy About the Villain, Begging for Love - Chapter 10

Feng Yanzhou turned to glare at the Prince of Li; he was in a foul mood today, so he could afford to scold him for a while longer: “Uncle Li, where has Feng Yu been lately?”

The Prince of Li replied with a smile: “In the Beijing Garrison, a rare military talent has emerged recently. Yu’er wants to cultivate him further, so he simply left the capital for two days to let that man manage the Garrison in his stead, which is also…”

“Also what? Did you ask for my opinion?” Feng Yanzhou interrupted him. “The Beijing Garrison is under the feet of the Emperor, tasked with protecting the citizens of the imperial capital. The leader just runs off, yet I, the Emperor, know nothing of it! Does the Prince of Li have me in his eyes at all? And where does he, Feng Yu, place me!?

“Someone, convey my decree: Feng Yu has neglected his duty. Arrest him immediately and give him thirty heavy strokes! Since he doesn’t like this position, he can surrender his power. The Beijing Garrison will be temporarily managed by Feng Ming; he will take the post immediately upon his return to the capital! As for Feng Yu, let him stay home and be a proper heir so he doesn’t have to suffer outside! And you, Prince of Li, for failing to educate your son, your salary is suspended for two years!”

The Prince of Li was trembling with rage at these words. Yu’er had spent five years in the Beijing Garrison working hard before he finally managed to take control of it, and here he was, dismissing him with a single sentence! And to hand it over to that immature brat Feng Ming, who knew nothing! He hurriedly retorted: “Your Majesty, matters in the military camp should naturally be handed to those who understand military strategy. Feng Ming has been a dissolute dandy since he was a child; I fear he will ruin the Beijing Garrison!”

The Prince of Jing was displeased. Why are you praising one and belittling the other? Every man’s son is a treasure!

“Second Brother, that remark is uncalled for. My Ming’er was raised by me with blood, sweat, and tears. No matter how much of a dandy he is, he is still my spoiled child, which just goes to show that we have a good father-son relationship and can have fun together. Unlike you and your son, who walk around with sour faces all day long if someone didn’t know better, seeing those two sour faces together, they’d think the whole capital owed your family money!”

The Prince of Li and the Prince of Jing started arguing and soon began to trade blows. The court officials scrambled to avoid them; they were two Princes fighting, and they didn’t know how to intervene—it was easy to offend either one by pulling them apart. Having been on the battlefield and tamed fierce horses in his younger years, the Prince of Jing was no match for the Prince of Li, even with his limp.

Feng Yanzhou watched the show for a while before stepping in to “mediate,” grabbing the Prince of Li’s arm which caused the Prince of Li to take several solid punches from the Prince of Jing. “Both Imperial Uncles, cease this at once! I have other matters to discuss. Be quiet, all of you!”

Resuming his seat on the throne, Feng Yanzhou announced the opening of imperial examinations in honor of the Empress Dowager’s birthday to fill the vacancies among the officials. No one dared to touch upon the snow disaster, and Feng Yanzhou said nothing more about it.

The northern snow disaster should be fully handled soon; with Feng Ming keeping a close eye on it, there was no need to worry. When the time came, he would reward the deserving and punish the guilty. Once he found evidence of the Prince of Li’s misdeeds, he would finish him off! As for Li Qing… he would drag him back sooner or later. He had previously thought he was too young and hadn’t done anything to him, but huff, he need not think about getting out of bed in the future!

“Achoo!” Li Qing let out a heavy sneeze.

Banting quickly draped a thick coat over him: “Your Highness, did you catch a cold because we were traveling too hastily at night?”

“I have been tucked away in the carriage all night; what cold could I have caught? It must be that someone is cursing me.”

Shadow One, who was driving the carriage, retorted: “His Majesty does not curse; he only kills people.”

Li Qing: “…” You are quite good at infuriating people.

He truly had not expected that even after going to such lengths, Feng Yanzhou’s men would still follow him! He couldn’t beat them, he couldn’t curse them away sigh, were they monitoring him for Feng Yanzhou? Yet they didn’t seem to be leaving any secret signals; they acted like two perfectly qualified little attendants, helping him disguise himself to hide their tracks, and never once mentioning the subject of returning to the palace.

He didn’t understand, he couldn’t figure it out, and it gave him a headache!

Shadow Two performed qinggong to quickly catch up to the carriage, landing on the shaft to pass the heavier food portion into the carriage: “Your Highness, please eat something.”

Banting took the oil-paper package: “Many thanks.”

There was a small table inside the carriage. When the package was opened, it contained a fragrant roasted chicken. Li Qing’s eyes instantly lit up; he broke off a drumstick and shoved it into his mouth delicious! Gourmet food healing the heart was no exaggeration. After finishing half the chicken, Li Qing’s mood shifted from cloudy to sunny, and he leisurely pulled back the carriage curtain to enjoy the scenery.

Shadow One and Shadow Two had previously always hidden in the dark, and now that they were wearing normal clothes, they seemed somewhat unaccustomed to being under the glaring sun. Shadow One was busy driving the carriage while trying to free a hand to eat a pancake, his scattered focus slightly easing his discomfort. Shadow Two sat on the carriage shaft, always feeling like he didn’t know where to put his hands and feet.

Li Qing, who was enjoying the view: “…” Did you and your limbs just meet for the first time?

Banting, being simple-minded, asked curiously: “Brother Shadow Two, are you feeling unwell? Why do you keep fidgeting?”

Shadow Two: “…” I want to go back and swap Shadow Three in…

In the Imperial Study, Shadow Three took a peek at the Emperor’s complexion; it looked decent, so it should be safe to mention the Sixth Prince. “Your Majesty, the people we sent out were shaken off by Shadow Two.”

Feng Yanzhou stopped his brush upon hearing this, his brow furrowed: “I ordered before that Li Qing was to be treated as their new master. Those two are usually very rigid and by-the-book in their work; naturally, they would do everything in their power to protect him.” Hah, who would have thought I had dug a pit for myself!

Shadow Three was not good at comforting people: “Your Majesty, rest assured, the imperial shadow guards have an ironclad rule carved into their bones. No matter how loyal they are to the Sixth Prince, they will not harm you.”

Feng Yanzhou: “…” That is exactly what is terrifying. To prevent Li Qing from harming me, they might just take him far away from the Ning Kingdom and never show their faces again!

“Recall Shadow Eleven from the Prince of Li’s residence; he is the most adept at tracking. Let him handle the matter of finding them. By the way, Li Qing might return to the Yun Kingdom; send him to search in the Yun Kingdom. Send word to me once he is found, and remember do not harm Li Qing.”

Shadow Three acknowledged the order and turned to leave, still scratching his head in thought as he walked. Didn’t the Emperor say he wanted to crush the Sixth Prince’s ankles? He changed his mind so quickly!

Shadow Three could not have known that their Emperor was most adept at slapping his own face.

After the festive season, many vexing matters in the court had been settled, but the officials noticed that the Emperor was not particularly happy; in fact, his temper had become increasingly volatile. However, it seemed His Majesty was afraid of something, as he rarely killed people; he had found a more agonizing method fining them money!

“Uncle Li allowed his subordinates to bully the commoners. Fined three years’ salary!”

The court officials: “…” You are going to fine away his entire lifetime’s worth of salary soon.

“I hear the Grand Tutor’s youngest son raced his horse through the street, destroying many vendors’ goods. Since I know he is your only son, I won’t fine you too much ten thousand taels of silver! Feng Ming will take the money to compensate the vendors, and the rest will be deposited into the national treasury.”

“Minister of Revenue! A frequent guest at several brothels in the city. As an official, you do not set a good example. Since you have so much spare money, why not give it to me to repair the Imperial Garden? Ten thousand taels of silver!”

…

The national treasury grew fuller and fuller, while the money in the hands of the officials gradually shrank…