Chapter Seventy: Lu Wenwen’s Helplessness

“No, absolutely not, Xiaoyezi,” said the pirate chief, shaking his head. “This man is the Right Minister of Fusang, equivalent to a top-ranking official in Ling Dynasty. It wasn’t easy for us to capture him.”

Feng Qiuji’s eyes widened in disbelief when she heard the pirate call Ling Zetian ‘Xiaoyezi’. Who exactly was this person? Why did he seem so familiar with Ling Zetian?

“Xin, this is Little Uncle. I don’t think you’ve met him before.”

“Little Uncle? Who’s that?”

“He’s the one who loved sailing since childhood, got demoted, and in a fit of anger, became a pirate,” Ling Zetian explained helplessly. This Little Uncle of his had always been the royal family’s prime cautionary tale, used to educate the younger generation.

But to Ling Zexin, this was thrilling news. He immediately rushed forward, throwing his arms around the pirate chief. “Ah, so you’re my Little Uncle! You’ve been my idol ever since I was a child. I grew up listening to stories of your bravery!”

The truth was, this pirate chief had quite the background. He was Ling Zetian’s Little Uncle, younger brother to the late emperor. Since childhood, he’d been fascinated with the sea, determined to command the navy one day. Unfortunately, his father—the old emperor—strongly disapproved of his “unseemly” pursuits. In a fit of disapproval, he banished his son to a remote province. In turn, the rebellious prince became a pirate, and quickly gained notoriety in the pirate world.

Ling Zetian hadn’t seen his Little Uncle for many years. Their reunion was an emotional one for the pirate chief, who never expected to see his nephew again in this lifetime. Overcome with joy, he ordered a feast to welcome Ling Zetian and his companions.

Feng Qiuji could only sigh in resignation. She never imagined Ling Zetian would have a pirate for a relative! Truly, in a vast forest, one finds all kinds of birds. She’d heard of emperors fond of poetry or carpentry, but never one with a passion for sailing and a dream of piracy.

After the reunion, with nothing else to do, Feng Qiuji went to check on Lu Wenwen. She couldn’t explain it, but it was as though a voice in her mind compelled her to see him. Even though she had no pressing reason, the urge persisted.

Before she knew it, she was standing before Lu Wenwen. Around them, the imperial guards lounged in small groups, chatting or cooling off on deck, some even exchanging combat tactics with the pirates. No one paid her any mind.

“Why did you become the Right Minister of Fusang?” When Feng Qiuji first heard the news, she’d formed a poor opinion of Lu Wenwen, suspecting him of treason. Selling out one’s country was a shameful act, in any era. Just like Yan Wuying, who’d been executed for treason.

“Miss Feng, it’s been a while. How is your father these days?” Lu Wenwen smiled at her squatting before him. “And how did you end up traveling with His Majesty?”

“My father is well. As for why I’m with the emperor, I’d like you to answer my question first, Lu Wenwen. I asked you before you asked me.” Instantly, Feng Qiuji’s impression of him dropped another notch—he seemed far too calculating.

“Heh, you seem quite different from before, Miss Feng. Sharper-tongued, perhaps.” The Feng Qiuji he remembered was always shy and gentle with him—a model of ladylike grace. This version was a world apart.

“What business is it of yours? You still haven’t answered my question.”

“And if I refuse to answer?”

“What? You’re really going to be that disrespectful?” Feng Qiuji’s temper flared; her opinion of him plummeted further.

At that moment, Ling Zetian, who had been observing from the sidelines, could no longer hold back. “Feng Qiuji, what are you doing?”

“I’m helping interrogate the prisoner.”

“We don’t need your help.” Without ceremony, Ling Zetian grabbed her and set her aside. Immediately, a perceptive young guard hurried over with a stool, which Ling Zetian accepted before sitting gracefully in front of Lu Wenwen to begin his own cordial interrogation.

Seeing this, Feng Qiuji felt a keen sense of injustice. She shot the accommodating guard a resentful glare. She’d remember him—back at the palace, she’d certainly pay him back for not offering her a seat. Ah, it was all about aura. Ling Zetian exuded an easy authority, his presence a blend of elegance, dignity, and subtle intimidation. She, on the other hand, crouched like some street dog. Forget it—clearly, this wasn’t her strength. She’d be better off catching up on her sleep. After all the commotion since midnight, now that peace had returned, she was finally feeling drowsy.

Dawn crept across the eastern sky, heralding a new day. As the hour for morning court drew near, the palace was thrown into chaos, for not a single eunuch or maid could locate Emperor Ling Zetian anywhere in the vast imperial residence.

In the Hall of Everlasting Faith, the Empress Dowager was soon apprised of the situation and sent her own eunuchs to investigate.

However, they hadn’t even reached Chaoyun Palace before being blocked by the palace’s own eunuchs. After a heated argument, the Empress Dowager’s men still couldn’t get inside and had to return to report.

But the Empress Dowager was not truly surprised. Though Ling Zetian had tried to keep Ling Shunuo’s existence a secret, it was impossible to hide someone for so long within the palace. The Empress Dowager was among those who’d discovered the truth. At first, she thought Ling Shunuo was a love child Ling Zetian had fathered with some commoner, brought into the palace to be raised. But when she sent people to investigate Ling Shunuo’s background, she found nothing—no trace of Ling Zetian fathering a child outside the palace, especially since he’d been within the palace at the time of Ah Nuo’s birth. Besides, she knew Ling Zetian’s affections were for Qin Ruyan.

From then on, suspicion gnawed at her. Eventually, word reached her that Ah Nuo was actually the child of Yan Wuying and Qin Rushui. After their deaths, Ling Zetian, a close friend of Yan Wuying, had secretly taken Ah Nuo in. When Ah Nuo was kidnapped, it was because the Empress Dowager, upon learning Ah Nuo’s real identity and subsequent escape, had secretly sent a message to Kimura Xinghen, who in turn dispatched agents to abduct the child.

Of course, she knew Ling Zetian would be frantic to find Ah Nuo. She’d assumed he would mobilize a great search, causing a public uproar that would expose Ah Nuo’s identity and throw court and country into turmoil. She hadn’t expected him to personally lead the search, leaving the palace virtually in her hands.

As for Lu Wenwen, he owed his position as Fusang’s Right Minister to the Empress Dowager’s recommendation. Years ago, Prime Minister Feng, disapproving of Feng Qiuji’s affection for Lu Wenwen, had used his influence to suppress him, making life in the capital impossible. Realizing he had no future in court while the Prime Minister remained in power, Lu Wenwen resigned, intending to retire to his hometown.

But just as he was about to leave, the Empress Dowager’s envoys sought him out, offering him new prospects—high office, even. Though Lu Wenwen bore no particular love for fame or fortune, he was ambitious and yearned to serve his country. His parents had labored to educate him, hoping he’d bring honor to their family. When he passed the imperial exams and became a scholar-official, his hometown celebrated. But the Prime Minister’s interference forced him to leave in disgrace—a humiliation he could hardly bear to face his parents or neighbors with.

After careful consideration, he accepted the Empress Dowager’s offer. Thanks to her recommendation, his career in Fusang soared. Kimura Xinghen treated him with utmost respect and soon appointed him Right Minister.

Lu Wenwen was deeply grateful to both the Empress Dowager and Kimura Xinghen, and served them loyally. In times of trouble, even the smallest kindness can inspire lifelong gratitude—a reminder that good deeds are always worth doing.

This time, Lu Wenwen had been secretly sent by Kimura Xinghen to aid those transporting Ah Nuo back to Fusang. But as soon as he left Fusang’s waters, he was captured by pirates and his true identity exposed. The pirate chief, knowing only that he was Fusang’s Right Minister, intended to ransom him back for a tidy sum. If he had known Lu Wenwen’s past as an official of Ling Dynasty, he’d have likely killed him on the spot—traitors are never forgiven.

Lu Wenwen understood there was no turning back from his chosen path. He’d planned not to return for at least ten years, hoping to make his mark in Fusang before returning home in glory, to bring joy to his parents. Never did he expect to be captured immediately upon departure—nor to encounter the reigning emperor himself.