Beauty Feng Vol. 2

Chapter 127: Prayer

"You... stop eavesdropping and enter."

Feng Yanyan was now face to face with the Prime Minister of Dalong.

The old man was someone he only saw at big events related to the empire before. To think that the feeble old man was the enemy Long Xu Le could not topple. It created a sense of dissonance in him.

He saluted, "Greetings to Prime Minister Yao."

It was too much to ask for all parties to act familiar with each other.

The Prime Minister scrutinized this young lad. Aside from his effeminate disposition, he looked nothing like his son. The dislike was prominent on his face.

However, this child was the only descendant he had from his eldest son.

"I have seen you before. Weren't you one of the Beauties of the palace who were sent to Suliang? How did you return to Tanglin?" Old Master Yao narrowed his eyes into slits.

It was a legitimate question. How could a person get out of the pandemonium that happened in Suliang? Even the provinces near the territory didn't accept refugees as the magistrates didn't want to get involved with King Wan Li's demise.

This young man escaped unscathed which was a miracle in the Prime Minister's eyes.

Feng Yanyan blinked his eyes. "I went on a trip with my parents."

He then looked at Yao Liheng. "Eldest master Yao, is it supposed to be difficult to enter Tanglin?"

Yao Liheng pinched his nose. "Father, why must you question my son like he's a criminal? I sought help from Her Majesty. It took them half a year to go back to the capital to make sure it's safe."

"Hah, I didn't know you were that capable."

Since the incident over two decades ago, Old Master Yao didn't want anything to do with his lame son so he sent him to places he couldn't see. Whether it was to do something for the family that involved danger or just some business in a far-flung area.

There was a saying that tigers don't eat their cubs.

Prime Minister Yao was different. Liheng betrayed his trust and expectations so he didn't care if the latter died in a ditch somewhere as long as it didn't put the family honor into shambles. Honor was the only thing keeping him from disowning his son. That would be a taint to the Yao family which was the strongest backing of the Empress.

All he could do was torture this stupid son day by day for failing his clan. Liheng was supposed to be his heir but he didn't act like one and instead disobeyed him by wanting to marry some random woman.

He should have found and killed that lass long ago. She did die in the end but he didn't expect that they would have a child together. Such insolence!

Aside from that, Old Master Yao also didn't imagine that Liheng would still have enough influence to ask Yao Ducheng for help. The Empress, who normally told the Prime Minister all her plans, didn't mention this.

Calculations ran through the old man's mind.

He thought he had killed Liheng's will to live. To be able to hide a son all these years was proof that his capabilities shouldn't be underestimated.

But even then, how could a lame son and a brainless grandson affect the family?

"And this Feng family... what do they hope to achieve by swindling you?"

Feng Yanyan frowned at the question. It was Liheng who reached out to them first, how could they be swindling him?

"Father, Cheng'er– do you think Her Majesty will be swindled?" Yao Liheng looked exasperated by the questions and accusations flung at him.

Prime Minister Yao only scoffed and left the hall without another word. He didn't even give a second glance to his 'grandson'.

"It must be difficult for him to accept sudden changes." Liheng watched his old father leave while still kneeling on the floor.

"You know you're going to damage your foot in that posture, right?" Feng Yanyan blurted out.

Only then did Yao Liheng show the discomfort that he desperately held in. His lips were white so Yanyan hurriedly but carefully helped him up.

The eldest master Yao didn't expect his help and was taken aback. Feng Yanyan didn't notice because Pu momo entered the room to check on the masters.

The old lady's demeanor of being so troubled confused Feng Yanyan. "Did you think the Prime Minister will do something to him in this estate?"

Matron Pu only pursed her lips and looked at Yao Liheng. This kind of reaction only confirmed Yanyan's guess.

He never knew the bad blood between the Yao father and son was this deep.

Looking at his father inquisitively, he said. "Why are you two quiet? Isn't it about time that you introduce me to the family lore?"

The old lady wanted to protest but Liheng stopped her. "It's alright. He'll have to know sooner or later."

Feng Yanyan smiled smugly at the matron. He always had the feeling that he was disliked by her. Fortunately it wasn't to the point of being schemed at. It was just a general distrust traumatized people had for strangers. He could understand this so he never made a fuss of it.

He turned to his father. "So?"

"Not right now. We're probably being monitored." Yao Liheng knew the Prime Minister's moves so well.

In fact, they may not know but there were at least three people left behind by the Old Master Yao. The old man was someone who could not tolerate people who tainted his name.

It was best to talk about private things during the dead of the night.

Feng Yanyan acquiesced. He wanted to nap. What happened today was enough to drain a week's worth of energy. What would he do if his face became ugly?

He informed Liheng of his plans to sleep.

"Not going to eat dinner?" A frown formed on eldest master Yao's face.

"I ate a lot at Her Majesty's palace. I had to at least make sure I'd get a feast."

Yao Liheng laughed at his antics. He was talking like what he experienced today wasn't life threatening.

Being interrogated by the Empress and then facing an angry Prime Minister, Liheng was sure it was too much for a single day so he let him sleep.

Feng Yanyan turned to his room in this worn-down house with a thoughtful look on his face. The worry Yao Liheng showed was genuine and touched his heart a bit. But he was quite reluctant to admit this.

As he laid down on his cot, he was amazed at how calm he was while facing today's events. If it was a few months ago and someone told him that he had to face the Empress and the Prime Minister in a single day, he would have wondered how he would hide his hatred.

They killed Long Xu Le using their elaborate plan and yet here they were in Tanglin living their everyday lives, acting all high and mighty.

Were taking lives just so easy to them that it wasn't a big deal anymore?

Xu Le also took lives and he witnessed how they haunted her in her sleep. In the wee hours of the night when nobody else could see, she would cower in her bed. She would toss and turn and sometimes even bawl her eyes out.

Well, not bawl her eyes out. She just shed a few lone tears. That woman, even in her sleep, didn't want to cry.

And when she woke up, there was him to embrace her. It was a side not even her brother knew but she laid it bare right in front of him who was considered weak.

"Xuyi, why did you leave me?"

Xuyi, give me a bit of your strength, were his unsaid words.