Feng Ruchu knew the emperor’s words were merely to keep up appearances and did not take them seriously.
Feng Fei’er looked unhappy for a moment at the emperor’s decision, but quickly changed her expression to a relieved one, and kneeled down to thank him.
“Your Majesty’s wisdom has done Ruchu justice,” said Feng Fei’er respectfully. She then stood up and turned to Feng Ruchu with teary eyes, pulling at Feng Ruchu’s sleeve gently. “I knew that you were too clever to do something as ridiculous as eloping.”
Feng Ruchu did not appreciate Feng Fei’er’s words and pulled her sleeve from Feng Fei’er’s grasp sharply.
“Save your belated efforts, Feng Fei’er, I have no time for your fake feelings,” Feng Ruchu sneered sardonically.
Feng Fei’er’s mind went blank for a second, and she began to feel embarrassed.
“Feng Fei’er is your elder sister, Feng Ruchu. It is outrageous how you don’t respect those who are older than you,” Nangong Yan growled, immediately supporting Feng Fei’er.
“Please don’t be mad, Your Highness. Ruchu is still young…” Feng Fei’er sobbed while tugging Nangong Yan’s sleeve gently.
“That’s enough. Show your acting skills to someone else if you like to pretend so much, and stop the whining and crying already,” Feng Ruchu groaned while picking her ear.
“I would like to excuse myself, Your Majesty. The events at the sacrificial site and the alleged elopement were too much for me, and I’m feeling physically and emotionally drained. I would like to rest for a few days to calm my nerves.”
“Please hold on, Crown Princess,” said the emperor quickly, “I have some questions.”
“Please ask away, Your Majesty,” said Feng Ruchu, neither arrogant nor humble.
The emperor squinted curiously at the scrawny little girl with twinkling eyes.
“I recall that you got shot with a poisonous arrow when you were four, and became rather foolish when the poison damaged your brain. How did you become so sharp again?”
“Like you said, Your Majesty, I was not born retarded. I suppose the fall from the cliff disintegrated the residue of poison in my brain and woke me up,” Feng Ruchu replied calmly.
“And your dueling skills?”
“A highly skilled person rescued me after I fell off the cliff, and taught me some skills out of sympathy so I could defend myself,” Feng Ruchu lied smoothly.
The emperor did not believe Feng Ruchu completely, but there was no other explanation to it. After all, no one would have believed that the soul in a body could be changed.
“What about your spiritual roots then?” It was Nangong Yan who asked this time.
“Still depleted,” Feng Ruchu said bluntly.
All the officials in the hall were speechless when they saw how proud Feng Ruchu was to admit it.
Nangong Yan was stunned at first, but he quickly became happy after that. He turned to the emperor, then got on his knees solemnly.
“I wish to ask for a favor, Your Majesty,” said Nangong Yan.
“Carry on,” the emperor replied.
“Your Majesty, I would like to request the revokement of the imperial edict, and the dethroning of the crown princess.”
The room went dead silent.