The Charm of a Powerful Woman Spreads Across the World - Chapter 199
The emperor surveyed the surrounding furnishings, then glanced at the belt lying quietly on the table. It appeared similar to an ordinary commoner's belt, but a closer touch revealed its difference. It was neither entirely silver nor entirely iron; when infused with internal energy, it could be used as a longsword, and even stretched…
In my memory, someone once created something like that in front of me, and I think they even wore it once afterward, but I haven't seen them since. But is that possible? Where did Yu Chi Ru Feng get it? How can I find her? Could it be that she really isn't dead? And what about him? How is he now?
Thinking of this, the emperor frowned, remembering the two people currently in prison.
Alas, Wen Chen, how could you be like this? What's so good about Ru Feng? Isn't she just a little prettier than the average girl, a little more literary, and a little more skilled in martial arts? But she doesn't understand the three obediences and four virtues, she doesn't uphold the proper conduct of a woman, and she even fabricated a colossal lie to deceive me. How can I tolerate such a person? What's more, she shows no remorse and acts arrogantly. If this continues, isn't she treating all the men I, Zi Luo, have ever been with as nothing? Where will our dignity as men be then? Are we really inferior to a mere woman?
Thinking of this, and recalling the look in Mu Wenchen's eyes, the emperor's face immediately darkened, a stern look flashing in his eyes, even containing a hint of murderous intent...
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The next day, at the morning court session, the emperor and his ministers discussed the issue of Ru Feng.
The emperor's face was as dignified as ever, as he watched the ministers below discussing the matter.
To the emperor's surprise, many ministers actually suggested that he treat Ru Feng leniently.
What was going on? Looking at the ministers below, speaking eloquently, then at Yu Jue and Yu Xuan's calm demeanor, and the Crown Prince's pale face, the Emperor had already made up his mind.
“Father, although Yuchi Rufeng has rendered meritorious service in repelling the enemy, she has violated the law by disguising herself as a man. As the saying goes, the law does not tolerate leniency, and I believe that she should be dealt with impartially.” The Crown Prince, seeing that something was amiss, quickly stepped forward and said with an air of authority.
Upon hearing this, the emperor nodded approvingly.
The other ministers, seeing this, sensed something was amiss. Wasn't His Majesty's favorite prince, Prince Chen? They'd heard Prince Chen had fallen for Ru Feng, so this meant he should be letting Ru Feng off the hook. Besides, although Yu Chi Ru Feng was a woman, she was still a daughter of the Yu Chi family, a descendant of a military family. Women had served on the battlefield in ancient times, so it wasn't impossible for the Zi Luo Kingdom to set a precedent. But judging from His Majesty and the Crown Prince's intentions… perhaps they had guessed wrong?
Thinking of this, many ministers began to break out in a cold sweat.
What followed was another heated discussion, with everyone except those who remained neutral taking a clear stance. One faction, led by military officers, argued that the punishment should be lenient. They believed that while it was wrong for Yu Chi Ru Feng to conceal the truth, she came from a military family, a family renowned for its loyalty and valor, having rendered outstanding service to the Zi Luo Kingdom. They also felt pity for the small number of members in the Yu Chi family, and that Yu Chi Ru Feng herself was exceptionally talented. Therefore, to avoid discerning the people of the world, she should be treated leniently.
At this moment, Yu Xuan suddenly stood up and said, "Father, the Ministry of War just received intelligence that bandits have come to rob again on the northern border. The people on the border are full of complaints, and the county magistrate there has once again requested the court to send troops to suppress the bandits."
These words caused a brief silence in the main hall. Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to say anything more, especially the military officers.
The northern border bordered the Kingdom of Shinan, but it was a territory the Kingdom didn't govern. Later, Shinan ceded it to the Kingdom of Zilu, indicating it wouldn't interfere in the region's affairs. At the time, Zilu thought it had gotten a great deal, but it turned out the area, already mountainous, also contained a desert. It turned out to be teeming with bandits, who frequently raided towns in groups. Initially, the imperial court didn't take it seriously, sending one or two generals and then leaving it to their own devices. However, they all ended up never returning, suffering a complete defeat.
Later, the emperor considered appointing Yuchi Huaiyang, but people would laugh at that! A great general being captured to suppress bandits? It wouldn't sound good. However, besides Yuchi Huaiyang, no one else was suitable, so it was delayed for several years.
"Father, I suggest that Yuchi Rufeng be sent to suppress the bandits. If she succeeds, she can be pardoned and redeemed, which would be a blessing for our Zilu Kingdom." Yuxuan said slowly after seeing everyone's expressions.
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Chapter 152
In the prison
Ru Feng and Mu Wenchen had plenty of leisure time to practice their fist techniques. They had no worries about food or drink, so Mu Wenchen began to teach Ru Feng martial arts and fist techniques.
"Your sword has been taken by him, and we don't know if it will ever come back. So learn another set of fist techniques now; it might come in handy in the future." These were Mu Wenchen's exact words.
Ru Feng obediently accepted it, since he was bored in prison anyway.
Seeing Ru Feng diligently learning the boxing techniques, Mu Wenchen couldn't help but ask, "Ru Feng, aren't you worried that you won't be able to get out?"
Ru Feng didn't stop what he was doing, but just smiled faintly and said, "I always felt that I wouldn't be so unlucky as to die. I was always worried that the truth would come out, but now that it has happened, to be honest, I don't have that kind of tension and fear anymore."
Upon hearing this, Mu Wenchen laughed and said, "She truly deserves to be my future wife."
Ru Feng glared at him, stopped, and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Who knows what the future holds?" Though he said this, a sweet smile appeared on his lips.
Mu Wenchen just smiled.
After finishing their training, the two sat together to rest.
"Sigh, I really want to get out of here. I can't take this anymore," Ru Feng muttered. Although she wasn't worried about not being able to leave, and the food and drinks here were quite good, she felt she had no freedom. So she thought it would be better to leave as soon as possible.
"Can't I even be with you?" Mu Wenchen was a little unhappy. He and Rufeng had never spent much time together, so he was actually quite happy to be able to spend a few days quietly with Rufeng in prison this time.
"That's not the issue. I just want to be with you openly and honestly," Ru Feng hurriedly explained, lost in thought.
Mu Wenchen sighed softly and said, "They are interrogating you outside right now, and I definitely can't make up my mind. After all, you have a special status, but I'm just afraid that my situation will be detrimental to you. You don't know, sometimes I can be quite willful, even though I'm the emperor."
"It seems like this applies to you, doesn't it?" Ru Feng casually fiddled with her fingers, but her eyes were secretly watching Mu Wenchen.
Mu Wenchen nodded slightly and said, "Ever since I fell in love with you, I've felt that the way my brother looks at me is very similar to the way you look at me. Plus, with my sister-in-law in tow, I've concluded that my brother has those kinds of feelings for me." As he said this, Mu Wenchen's expression remained indifferent, as if he didn't find anything wrong. He continued, "That's why I thought he might be hostile to you, just like when I saw Yu Jue and the other two, I thought about harming them."
Upon hearing this, Ru Feng's facial muscles twitched slightly. This person was truly capable, even managing to say such things in such a tone.
“I have nothing to do with them, I like you.” Ru Feng murmured softly, resting her head on his lap.
"But I still don't like you being with them. It makes me very unhappy, especially the way they looked at you when you were practicing your swordplay that day." Mu Wenchen spoke the truth because Ru Feng said that if anyone among them had any problems, it would be best to be honest. In the past, many lovers broke up because they hid things from each other and tormented themselves.
In matters of the heart, Mu Wenchen liked someone almost instinctively, and he felt that Ru Feng was quirky and clever, so it was always better to listen to her, just like she listened to him when it came to martial arts.
"Hehe, just like I don't like you being too close to other people." Ru Feng sat up and possessively hugged his arm, rubbing against him for a moment.
The two embraced for a while, and Mu Wenchen said, "Rufeng, you'll be alright. Yujue and Yuxuan will plead for you. Now you just lack an opportunity to redeem yourself. The best way for you to redeem yourself is to go to war, but there are no wars to fight right now, so you might be sent to the northern border to suppress bandits, which is quite difficult." Mu Wenchen sighed softly, recalling the intelligence he had gathered earlier.
"What? Suppress bandits?" Ru Feng shoved Mu Wenchen aside and exclaimed in surprise. Sending him to suppress bandits? Wasn't that a bit of an exaggeration? What kind of bandits needed an army to wipe them out?
Mu Wenchen nodded and explained the situation in the Northern Frontier. Ru Feng nodded in understanding. After thinking for a while, Ru Feng slowly said, "If that's really the case, then you probably can't go with me. According to my analysis, someone will try to drive a wedge between us at this time. The most common tactic is to create misunderstandings, finding me a man and you a woman, thus separating us." Ru Feng analyzed smugly. Don't think she watched TV dramas and read novels for nothing; this kind of thing has been portrayed to death.
Mu Wenchen nodded as if he understood, staring intently at Ru Feng's smug face, and said, "Ru Feng, don't worry, I will never have a heart-to-heart talk no matter what. I will always like you."