Chapter Fourteen: The Unexpected Rival in Love

After much fussing, they still hadn’t managed to light a fire. Ling Zetian searched the kitchen for a long time, but couldn’t find them anywhere. Listening carefully, he finally caught the faint sound of breathing from the corner of the wall. When he went over to look, he discovered Feng Qiuji curled up fast asleep in the corner, with Anuo sprawled on top of her, holding her tight, both of them sleeping soundly.

These two really were exasperating. Shaking his head, Ling Zetian carried them back to their room and covered them with a blanket. In these past years, he had always feared Anuo might be hurt, so he never allowed outsiders near him. As a result, Anuo was deeply averse to strangers and, apart from Ling Zetian, never let anyone get close. Now that Feng Qiuji had come to play with him, perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing.

There was, however, something that weighed on his mind. Though Feng Qiuji had not killed Qin Rushui directly, she had nevertheless played a part in her death. For Anuo, this made her an enemy, no matter what. Was it really right to let things continue this way?

Anuo had never known his mother since birth, yet he was exceptionally well-behaved, never fussing or crying. Ling Zetian never spoke of it, and Anuo never asked. But one day, when Anuo was older, the truth would have to come out. How would he ever find the words?

The moon in the sky had already begun to dip westward, and the eastern sky was turning pale. A new day was about to begin.

“Your Majesty, I have urgent news.” Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Yu Fan’s voice came from outside, tinged with urgency.

Ling Zetian glanced at the sleeping Feng Qiuji and Anuo, then opened the door and stepped outside. “What is it?”

“There’s news from the palace. The Empress Dowager has been summoning court ministers more and more frequently these past few days. It seems she’s begun plotting.”

“What about Prince Xin?” Ling Zetian’s gaze darkened. He’d been on the throne less than half a year, and that woman was already trying to depose him while his foundation was still unstable, hoping to install a new emperor in his place. Heh, a bit too hasty.

“Prince Xin has already begun gathering evidence in secret and is actively reaching out to ministers at court. The generals have all received orders and are standing by.”

“In that case, draft an imperial edict. Should the Empress Dowager make any move, execute her without mercy.”

Yu Fan hesitated. He had followed Ling Zetian for years and knew his temperament, but this seemed a bit too rash. “Your Majesty, should we return to the palace early?”

“No need. I want to see what storms that enchantress thinks she can stir up.”

Just like so many traitorous ministers throughout history, she had started currying favor with neighboring states even before he ascended the throne. This woman, having gained status and wealth, still craved even higher power—her greed knew no bounds.

At dawn the next morning, Sakura Xuanyu arrived with drums and gongs to rouse Ling Zetian from bed.

Ling Zetian had only just managed to rest for a short while when daylight came, opening his eyes to see Sakura Xuanyu walking in uninvited. Truly, only someone as close to him as Xuanyu would dare such boldness.

“Come, come, Ah Ye, I recently hired a new chef skilled in southern cuisine. Today, I asked him to prepare his specialty breakfast. You must try it.”

“Oh, it looks delicious! Let me have a taste first!” At some point, Feng Qiuji had already climbed out of bed, holding a beautiful bowl of porridge with excitement.

“I want some too, you idiot, save me some!” Anuo had also crawled over, and so the two began yet another breakfast battle.

After finishing breakfast, Sakura Xuanyu suggested they all go out to the streets for a stroll.

Today the streets were especially lively, festooned with lanterns and banners, filled with the clamor of voices and so crowded that people blocked every road.

Feng Qiuji, holding Anuo’s hand, darted cheerfully through the crowds. Ling Zetian and Sakura Xuanyu struggled to keep up behind them, but there were simply too many people, and soon Feng Qiuji’s figure disappeared from view.

“Yu Fan, follow them,” Ling Zetian said to his attendant. Though he hadn’t made a big show about leaving the palace this time, caution was always wise. Feng Qiuji was far too bold, oblivious to her own status, and dared to run about with Anuo without a care.

“Ah Ye, you’re too nervous! What, afraid your little wife will be snatched away?” Sakura Xuanyu waved his folding fan, smiling leisurely.

“I’m worried about Anuo.” Ling Zetian shot him a look, frowning as his gaze searched the sea of people for the two figures, uneasy whenever they were out of sight.

“You always wear that frown and keep your face cold, as if someone owes you a fortune. You know, that’ll age you faster.”

“I was born to hardship. Unlike some people, I can't be so carefree.” Ling Zetian gave a faint smile. Indeed, strict expectations from his parents since childhood, and the burdens of the throne ever since his accession, had left him little space to breathe—he sometimes forgot how to smile.

“Haha!” Sakura Xuanyu laughed. Ling Zetian had a point; princes born to the imperial family lived in fear even in the womb—one careless moment, and they could be killed by palace intrigue before birth. To have survived to adulthood was no small feat. Xuanyu, on the other hand, had been born to a wealthy family, pampered by his parents, with strong sibling bonds—he had never really suffered nor tasted the hardships of the world.

“Miss, miss, where are you going?” Suddenly, a girl in green appeared, pushing her way through the crowd and glancing anxiously over her shoulder. Not far behind, two servant boys were chasing after her.

Yu Fan saw the girl rushing toward them and quickly warned Feng Qiuji to be careful, but the girl still crashed into her, knocking her to the ground.

“I’m sorry…” The girl in green began to apologize, but seeing her pursuers catching up, she turned to run again.

Yu Fan helped Feng Qiuji up, grabbing hold of the girl. “And you think you can just leave after knocking someone down?”

“Let me go…” The girl struggled, but couldn’t break free. With her pursuers closing in, she grew frantic.

At that moment, Ling Zetian and Sakura Xuanyu arrived.

“Luo’er, what are you up to this time?” Seeing the girl, Sakura Xuanyu’s face darkened, his tone stern. “Why are you here?”

Ling Zetian watched the scene with amusement. It was rare to see Sakura Xuanyu so severe. The girl in green, on the other hand, lowered her head and glared at Xuanyu, pouting but not daring to retort.

“Brother, I was wrong.” She had followed Xuanyu out, only to be chased by the family servants. If caught now, her parents would never let her off.

Sakura Xuanyu muttered a few reprimands, but it was not the time or place for more. He introduced her, “Ah Ye, this is my youngest sister, Sakura Hua Luo. I don’t believe you’ve met.” Then to his sister, “Come, greet everyone.”

But Feng Qiuji burst out laughing, clapping Sakura Hua Luo on the shoulder, “Your parents are truly poetic, giving you such a lovely name!”

Sakura Hua Luo glared at the girl about her own age, deeply annoyed—she hated people making fun of her name. She slapped Feng Qiuji’s hand away. “And who are you?”

Sakura Xuanyu bristled with anger at her rudeness. “Luo’er, mind your manners.”

“Little Yuzi, your sister is really entertaining,” Ling Zetian, who had been silent all this while, finally spoke up.

Sakura Hua Luo looked up and saw a man with fair skin, striking features, and a chiseled jaw watching her with a smile, lips curved in a gentle arc. Today, he wore a fine black silk robe embroidered with dark patterns, lending him an aura both noble and dashing.

Catching his eye, Sakura Hua Luo blushed and quickly lowered her head.

Sakura Xuanyu found this deeply suspicious. He tapped her head with his fan, “What’s gotten into you? Don’t tell me you’re shy!” This thick-skinned girl, shy? That was a first.

Meanwhile, Feng Qiuji, who had been left out, was displeased. Why had Ling Zetian never smiled at her and said, “Feng Qiuji, you’re such a delight”? She was his lawful empress, his principal wife!

Annoyed, Feng Qiuji shoved Anuo into Ling Zetian’s arms, then clung to his arm, sweetening her voice, “Husband, our son says he’s hungry. Shall we go eat?”

Ling Zetian looked at her as if she were a stranger, but said nothing, gently patting Anuo’s head. “Anuo, what would you like to eat?”

Feng Qiuji shot Sakura Hua Luo a triumphant glance, seeing her glaring back in fury. She strutted off with Ling Zetian, arm in arm. He was her husband, after all. For those who didn’t know, she had to assert her claim—otherwise, just any cat or dog would try to covet him. Where would that leave her dignity?

Sakura Xuanyu could only shake his head. Sakura Hua Luo, the youngest, was spoiled beyond measure by their parents—anything she wanted, she got. But this time, things were different: the man she fancied was the emperor, and her rival was the empress herself. That was a far trickier situation.

At a nearby luxurious restaurant, they secured a private room. As soon as Ling Zetian sat down, Sakura Hua Luo attempted to take the seat beside him, but Feng Qiuji quickly claimed it, even moving her chair closer to him as a statement of intimacy. She took Anuo from his arms, beaming, “Nuonuo, what do you want to eat? Mother will feed you, all right?”

Anuo shivered at her syrupy tone, scornfully beginning, “You silly wom—” before Feng Qiuji silenced him with a pastry.

—A side note—Ah, a rival appears.