Zhou Xing gently told her, “Don’t worry.” Then he called for a maid to help Fengguang wash up and dress properly. But when he saw her appear in full formal attire, he lifted his hand and instructed the maid to change her into something simpler—plainer clothes, lighter makeup.
Before entering the imperial study, Zhou Xing leaned close and whispered, “Keep your head down as much as you can.”
Fengguang didn’t understand why, but she nodded. Whatever he asked of her, she would do.
The imperial study was grand and imposing. The middle-aged man in dragon robes—radiating authority—set down his brush after reviewing a memorial. Smiling warmly, he said, “It’s been, what, over a year since I last saw you? Now you’re married, with a crown princess at your side. That eases my mind quite a bit.”
He was Emperor Zhou Li, ruler of the realm.
“Your son is grateful for Your Majesty’s concern,” Zhou Xing replied evenly—neither too humble nor too distant.
The emperor’s benevolent smile didn’t falter. His gaze shifted to the woman beside Zhou Xing, who was keeping her head bowed, and he asked kindly, “So this is the young lady from the Xia family who’s won our Crown Prince’s heart? I should call you Crown Princess now, shouldn’t I?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Fengguang said softly, bowing low. Her voice was sweet and melodic—enough to suggest she was as lovely as rumored.
“Why does the Crown Princess keep her head down?” the emperor asked, curious.
Zhou Xing answered calmly, “Fengguang is shy. It’s her first time meeting Your Majesty, and she’s nervous. I hope you won’t hold it against her.”
Taking the cue, Fengguang lowered her head even further and tightened her grip on her handkerchief—acting perfectly the part he’d given her.
The emperor had already looked into her background. A merchant’s daughter from a small county, unfamiliar with courtly manners. It was only natural for her to be intimidated by imperial presence. His tone softened. “There’s no need to be afraid. I’d like to think I’m not such a frightening man.”
“My son has been away from the palace for quite some time,” Zhou Xing said with a faint smile, deftly changing the subject. “It gladdens me to see that Your Majesty’s health remains strong.”
The emperor sighed. “Age catches up with us all. My body isn’t what it used to be.” Then his expression brightened. “But I do have good news—the men I sent out months ago finally found your second brother. It’s the first thing that’s truly made me happy in a long time.”
Zhou Xing lowered his gaze, smiling politely. “That is indeed joyful news.”
“I plan to hold a palace banquet in three days,” the emperor went on. “A welcome feast for your second brother—and a homecoming banquet for you as well. You must attend.”
“I will, Your Majesty,” Zhou Xing said smoothly.
But both of them knew—this banquet would be anything but simple.
After leaving the imperial study, Fengguang pushed Zhou Xing’s wheelchair down the long, quiet corridor between the palace walls, her mind racing. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t figure out what the emperor was really planning.
Then, unexpectedly, they ran into three people.
The man at the front was tall and quiet; the woman beside him, though visibly pregnant, carried herself with strength and confidence. Behind them stood an elderly man in elegant Taoist robes, who looked Fengguang over a few times with keen curiosity.
The young man’s eyes widened in surprise. “Miss Xia?” he blurted.
Even the pregnant woman’s face lit up with astonishment.
Fengguang’s eyebrow twitched. Seriously? Of all places—what are the odds I’d run into the male and female leads here?
Zhou Xing chuckled lightly. “And these two are…?”
Fengguang froze for a moment before realizing—of course, he wouldn’t know them.
She quickly explained, “This is Young Master Yang Jie and Miss Chen Hongdou. They used to be a coroner and a constable back in Tong County. Now, um…”
She trailed off. Truth be told, she had no idea what their current titles were.
Lucien On ABRWF Chapter 34.1