FMEA Chapter 110

Chapter 110 The speed at which one courts disaster! 

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No matter what, things were a foregone conclusion. Everyone sympathized with Huo Feiyan a little, then they began to take protective measures unscrupulously. 

There’s nothing that can be done. As the saying goes, it’s better for you to die than me. Since someone took the lead to block the guns for them, then they can’t stop them, right? 

The moment Huo Feiyan stepped onto the platform, everyone was basically looking forward to it. 

The difference was that the others were looking forward to how Huo Feiyan will be abused, while Duke Lu was looking forward to how Huo Feiyan will surprise the audience and overpower Xia Yuqing. This time he was destined to be disappointed. 

On the one-foot-square platform, a luxurious and dignified woman sat, shining brightly. Behind the woman were two beautiful girls. Looking from a distance, it should be a beautiful picture. However because there was a woman standing beside her with make-up resembling a ghost, it looked a little bit… ahem, like the ring*.

* the movie 

Huo Feiyan raised her head high and looked at the girl who had put her hands on the strings with a disdainful face. There was a mocking smile on her lips, but soon she wouldn’t be able to laugh. 

“Deng–” The wind and sand rose up. The harsh sound that shouldn’t have been made by the Guqin suddenly cut through the night sky, abruptly suppressing the sound of Huo Feiyan’s throat. 

“Cough cough cough…” Huo Feiyan died before the sound came out, she almost coughed up a mouthful of blood. She stared at Xia Yuqing with wide eyes. 

Lu Rui and Cui Er who were on the stage silently turned their eyes away when they saw that. It was as if they had not seen the panic in someone’s eyes and the slightest reluctance to ask for help.

Before Huo Feiyan turned her head to ask for help from the audience, the next wave of zither sound had already poured into her ears. Quickly, it petrified Huo Feiyan in place. 

She wanted to stop Xia Yuqing with a loud voice, but found that she couldn’t make a sound. Her body seemed to be restrained by something, she couldn’t move. She could only watch Xia Yuqing drunkedly fiddle with the strings. 

Once Xia Yuqing started to play, she knew nothing about what was going on and would not experience the surrounding situation unless there were special circumstances. So, after she recovered from her infatuation, Huo Feiyan on the stage, Duke Lu and the others were dying. Outside the palace, the palace people who had anticipated this development earlier took out the cotton ball from their ears calmly, and began to clean up all the foaming birds on the ground. 

“Sparrows, pigeons, crows, oh, there are several owls. It would be better to put them away to make some nutritional soup for Niang Niang!” A group of palace people who counted the trophies muttered in a low voice. It seems that Niang Niang playing the zither is not completely unprofitable, at least there was no need to worry about the entire palace being eaten empty by Niang Niang. 

While the palace people threw those birds that were horribly poisoned by the music and could not escape from the small basket, they were thinking about the large sumptuous meal they would have and how they could trick Consort Qing into playing zither for them again. Ah, the world is beautiful! 

There was a thriving and cheerful scene outside the hall, but inside the hall, it was not so optimistic. 

Xia Yuqing retracted her hand and slowly opened her eyes. She saw Huo Feiyan collapsed on the ground with her face pale as paper. Her eyes were staring at the front blankly as if she had lost her soul. 

Xia Yuqing was taken aback and gasped, “What’s wrong with her?” 

Cui Er and Lu Rui quickly destroyed something as Xia Yuqing stopped. Now that Xia Yuqing asked, the two coughed lightly and hurriedly stepped forward and replied: “Don’t worry about the lady. Lady Huo’s makeup was too horrible, it may have drawn in some unlucky stuff. But since Lady Huo is still alive, she should be fine. “

As if she was trying to verify Lu Rui’s statement, Huo Feiyan’s lips trembled and she let out a horrifying laugh: “I’m still alive, I’m still alive. Tha.. thank god… I’m still alive, I’m alive……” 

“…” She acted like she saw a ghost and she still said that she was okay?! 

Before Xia Yuqing had time to give Huo Feiyan a sympathetic look, she suddenly heard a burst of warm applause behind her. 

A few people turned their heads in surprise and saw the Da Rens clapping sincerely. Feng Tingye stepped forward and warmly praised her: “I haven’t seen it in a few days, but Ai Fei’s zither art is getting more and more refined.” 

As soon as these words came out, Huo Feiyan and Duke Lu stopped being preoccupied about making it through the calamity. They turned their heads to look at Feng Tingye in disbelief, their eyes were as big as a copper coin. In addition, with Huo Feiyan’s makeup and Duke Lu’s old general’s face, it was quite a horrible sight. 

Xia Yuqing didn’t pay attention to this. She lowered her head with a shy expression, caressing her belly pretending to be modest: “Your Majesty is exaggerating. Being able to win the praise of the emperor, Chen Qie’s practice was not in vain.” 

Lu Rui, who stood behind Xia Yuqing, listened to her words and looked at the sky in silence. Yes, in order for Niang Niang to shine today, Xiefang Palace has recently lost several pines and cypresses, a pavilion, and some birds they have breeded. If this continued, she is very suspicious that the birds in the entire palace will have to suffer genocide. This is an unspeakable tragedy… 

Xia Yuqing paused, then turned her attention to Zhang Sunshi and cautiously asked: “Royal Mother, are you satisfied with Chen Qie’s song?” 

Zhang Sunshi was taken aback. She glanced at Huo Feiyan, who was still lying on the ground, and the pale-faced Duke Lu, and smiled: “Satisfied. Qing Er’s zither skills is outstanding, how could royal mother be dissatisfied? It’s cool up there, come back here quickly.”

“Cough cough…” Before Zhang Sunshi’s words fell, Duke Lu couldn’t help but cough slightly. 

Upon seeing this, Feng Tingye asked hypocritically: “What’s wrong with Duke Lu? Is your body not feeling well?” 

Duke Lu tried to endure the fishy sweetness in his mouth. For the first time in his life, he realized what suffering in silence and having unspeakable bitter suffering was. He barely pulled his lips back and said: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Perhaps being travel worn in addition to not being acclimatized to the capital have caused me to get a cold.” 

“Cold, you say? It’s not too serious, but it’s not small either. Should Zhen ask an imperial physician to treat the Duke?” 

“Thanks for Your Majesty’s care, but there really is no need.” The smile on Duke Lu’s face became more reluctant. 

Feng Tingye raised his eyebrows, and stopped teasing him. He stretched out his hand to take Xia Yuqing’s hand, then pulled Xia Yuqing back to sit down beside him. 

As for Huo Feiyan, she was helped by a few small palace ladies in the palace. The close girls she brought were basically killed in battle, while the few with tenacious vitality were only half alive. She seemed to have lost. 

After this episode, the atmosphere at the banquet became a little more subtle. Duke Lu and Huo Feiyan looked at Xia Yuqing with obvious fear and precaution, while Xia Yuqing was confused by them. 

Hey, I didn’t expect it at first, but now I suddenly understand. She was wondering why the girls around Huo Feiyan were so crooked looking, so it turned out that the master had grown into this virtue. She had to find something uglier to bring out her own uniqueness. 

You can really stand out when there is a contrast! Meeting this kind of master, it would be a sin to be born good looking!

Xia Yuqing was busy mourning for Huo Feiyan’s girls, but some people were not ready to just give up. 

After three drinking rounds, the grandfather and granddaughter pair calmed down. Duke Lu raised his head and questioned with a smile: “On the way to the capital, I heard that Niang Niang was kidnapped by some gangsters recently. When I was near the capital, I heard that the emperor actually personally visited and mingled with the people in incognito to pick up the empress. Is this matter true?” 

Feng Tingye’s eyes were slightly cold. Obviously, they didn’t expect Duke Lu to mention this matter. His complexion changed for a moment, then he smiled again: “This matter is a long story. Some fugitives noticed that Zhen treasured Ai Fei and Ai Fei was carrying the dragon descendant, so they decided to kidnap Ai Fei to threaten Zhen. Fortunately, heaven helps the worthy, so Ai Fei and Zhen escaped the catastrophe. Otherwise Zhen really…” 

Feng Tingye made a frightened expression. This set Huo Feiyan alight and she secretly regretted the fact that Xia Yuqing’s life wasn’t lost in the kidnapping. 

Duke Lu narrowed his eyes and continued: “This minister also heard that the emperor finally found the empress in a bandit den.” 

Feng Tingye’s eyes had a murderous look. He raised his eyebrows and laughed: “How did the Duke learn about this?” 

In order to prevent the Wu family from being caught and criticized after they were rehabilitated, the matter was deliberately obscured when they returned. They had only said they encountered Wu Jun on the road by chance and were able to rescue Xia Yuqing, how was the information leaked?

“It was just hearsay, hearsay. Is it possible that the truth of the matter is not like this?” 

“This…” Feng Tingye’s face was slightly dark looking at the expression of Duke Lu. He was prepared, even if he did not admit it, he wanted to come at him. 

When Feng Tingye was hesitant, everyone suddenly heard a soft cough from Feng Tingye’s side: “This matter is indeed what Duke Lu said, but there are some twists and turns.” 

“Ai Fei?” Feng Tingye didn’t expect Xia Yuqing to speak out at this time. For fear that she would say something amazing, he was going to interrupt, but saw her playful look and stopped. She turned her head to Duke Lu with a serious face: “This matter is a long story. Please listen to me carefully. That day, Ben Gong was going out of the palace to visit an old friend but I didn’t expect…” 

So, under the surprised gaze of everyone, Xia Yuqing explained how she was going out of the palace by herself that day to visit Xu Lao, but was instead kidnapped by Jiang Zhaorou and others. After that, she ran into a bandit on the way to escape and was brought to the cottage by the vicious bandit. 

The only difference was that the band of bandits in Xia Yuqing’s mouth was a murderous madman who really liked to kill people without a trace of sympathy. The original bandits, that is, Wu Jun and others, have become a bunch of honest people who have been bullied by the bandits. 

Xia Yuqing eloquently made up the kind of awesome stories that storytellers like to tell about heroes saving the beauty: “On that day, Ben Gong just left the wolf den and entered the tiger den. The gang of bandits brought them to the mountain. She was imprisoned in a narrow cell, thinking that there would be no more chance for her when suddenly she heard a noise outside. After a while, the locked door was kicked open.”

Everyone on the side cooperated. With an expression of nervousness, Xia Yuqing continued: “Ben Gong was frightened, only to see the emperor standing covered in blood at the door of the room. A round-moon scimitar in his left hand and a square halberd in his right hand, killing all quarters, he was invincible. Cutting down those thieves without blinking his eye, he rescued Ben Gong from the tiger den.” 

As soon as Xia Yuqing finished speaking, everyone in the palace found their gaze on Feng Tingye’s body. Their eyes were full of admiration. 

“…” Feng Tingye met everyone’s gaze and reluctantly pulled up the corner of his mouth. 

A full moon scimitar in his left hand and a Fangtian painted halberd in his right? Ai Fei, do you regard me as the door god? 

Xia Yuqing didn’t realize Feng Tingye’s inner entanglement at all. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with emotion, and said: “Afterwards, Ben Gong learned that the emperor had listened to the discussion of the people in the village below the mountain to find out Ben Gong was kidnapped by them. Without saying a thing, the warm hearted villagers came up the mountain to rescue Ben Gong from the tiger den. Knowing that they were robbed by bandits, and had nothing else, the emperor wanted to thank the enthusiastic villagers for their kindness and brought them back to the capital. If the Grand Duke doesn’t believe me, he can confront them. If the emperor didn’t arrive in time, I am afraid that Ben Gong and the dragon descendant will not be in this world long ago.”    

After speaking, Xia Yuqing turned to Feng Tingye and called out: “Your Majesty.” 

Feng Tingye stared at the playfulness that couldn’t be hidden in Xia Yuqing’s eyes. The corners of his lips twitched and he unconditionally cooperated and said, “Ai Fei has suffered.” 

“No, there was no suffering. Chen Qie is alright. With the thought of the emperor coming to rescue Chen Qie, Chen Qie does not feel bitter at all.” 

“Zhen is Ai Fei’s husband, the only support for Ai Fei in this world. Who will save Ai Fei, if not Zhen? Zhen can’t bear giving Ai Fei the slightest bit of suffering.” 

Xia Yuqing’s eyes were watering up: “Your Majesty…” 

Feng Tingye was soft and affectionate: “Ai Fei…” 

The two of them acted as if no one was present and were reading out their scripted lines, making everyone feel overwhelmed. Pink hearts began to float in the air on all sides. 

“Uh…” It was Yan Ran who was sitting closest to the two who couldn’t stand it first. 

Xia Yuqing glanced down at him, and asked with concern: “What’s the matter, Gorgeous Grand Tutor?” 

“Uh, it’s nothing. I must have eaten something bad earlier. Continue, please continue.” Yan Ran felt a certain amount of sweat from a death ray sent from a person who was interrupted. 

So pitiful, he didn’t mean it. It’s just that these two people are too ignorant of the concept of restraint. It’s too cheesy that he couldn’t hold it in… 

“Eat something bad?” Xia Yuqing thought for a moment, then her eyes lighted up, “Gorgeous Grand Tutor, don’t tell me you have one*?”

* way she says it makes it sound like she asked if he was pregnant

“Puu…” The tea in Yan Ran’s mouth was distributed all over the long table in front of him. 

Shao Zitong at the side quickly hid. He escaped the catastrophe, but there was a bit of dissatisfaction gathered in his eyes. He made up his mind. In the future, if there was such a banquet, he will no longer sit with Yan Ran, a runaway faucet. 

“Have what? Niang Niang, Chen is a man.” A genuine, childlike man! Yan Ran blushed, feeling that his man’s dignity had been provoked. 

“Why can’t men have children?” Xia Yuqing’s expression of “You don’t need to quibble, I understand!” made Yan Ran want to vomit blood. 

“Whose would it be if the Gorgeous Grand Tutor had a child?” Xia Yuqing saw that Yan Ran didn’t explain, but there was actually no way to explain it. She touched her chin and continued, “Could it be…” Xia Yuqing’s gaze transferred to Feng Tingye’s body. 

How did Feng Tingye, who had been happily watching the play, would know that this city gate lit on fire would suddenly burn him. He met Xia Yuqing’s ambiguous eyes. When Feng Tingye wanted to make a sound, he heard Xia Yuqing whisper: “I didn’t expect the emperor to have the habit of getting on the train first and then making up a ticket. Chen Qie really misunderstood you.”

Feng Tingye choked suddenly and his face became heavy: “Ai Fei, I thought since that time you and I talked to each other in the stronghold, Ai Fei has been able to understand my thoughts and will no longer imagine me with other men…” 

“Knowing is one thing, reality is another. The emperor is young and energetic. It’s okay to think about seeking excitement on weekdays. But you can’t be like this to the Gorgeous Grand Tutor, the child is innocent after all!” Xia Yuqing added oil and jealousy recklessly. 

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