Chapter 496: Chapter 496: Web of Scheme.

The morning court session officially came to an end.

The ceremonial gong rang out loudly across the grand hall, signaling the conclusion.

The officials began to withdraw in an orderly manner, their robes rustling as they moved toward the exits.

However, many of them did not leave immediately.

Instead, several pairs of eyes... particularly from the older, more experienced ministers and faction leaders turned toward Li Feng with burning intensity.

Their gazes were filled with greed, calculation, ambition, and hidden motives.

Some looked at him as if he were a freshly baked meat pie ready to be divided, while others saw him as a rising dragon they desperately wanted to latch onto.

It was as if dozens of old foxes were sizing him up, each trying to figure out how best to approach or use him.

And at their ’passion,’ Li Feng felt a bit strange as his back tingle.

...If it were a group of beautiful women, he wouldn’t have minded such intense attention, but these were just a bunch of old men.

Just as a few bolder officials started moving toward him with eager expressions, ready to strike up conversations—

Step.

Grand Tutor Wei moved with surprising speed for his age.

He stepped directly in front of Li Feng, his aged but straight figure acting like a shield.

A warm yet firm smile remained on his face as he cupped his hands toward the approaching crowd.

"Gentlemen, Young Master Li has already agreed to have tea with this old bones today. I’m afraid we cannot delay, so please excuse us."

The other officials froze in place.

Their faces immediately twisted with irritation and resentment.

"Damn old fox!"

"Always one step ahead... shameless opportunist!"

Curses and grumbles spread quietly among the ministers.

Many shot Grand Tutor Wei hateful glances, but none dared to openly challenge him in the hall.

Grand Tutor Wei, however, didn’t seem bothered in the slightest.

In fact, a trace of triumph flashed across his eyes.

He felt quite pleased with himself for securing the first meeting with Li Feng.

But just as he was about to lead Li Feng away—

A clear, dignified, and melodious voice suddenly echoed throughout the grand hall, amplified by powerful spiritual energy,

"Envoy Li, Envoy Yue, Envoy Lan."

The voice belonged to the Regent Empress, Fen Ling.

Everyone in the hall instantly quieted down.

The Empress, who had already stood up from her high seat, looked directly at Li Feng with her crimson phoenix-like eyes and spoke calmly yet authoritatively.

"This Empress wishes to speak with you all in private."

Her words carried an unquestionable weight.

Grand Tutor Wei’s triumphant expression stiffened for a split second.

The other officials’ eyes widened in shock.

Li Feng remained calm on the surface, though his mind couldn’t help but wander.

Not toward anything lewd... but rather, why the Empress seemed so assertive today.

Remembering the secret voice transmission she had sent him earlier, Li Feng thought to himself.

’It seems she already knows that I suspect her...’

That was likely the only reason why Regent Empress Fen Ling had openly said she would explain herself properly to him.

Li Feng couldn’t help but narrow his eyes slightly.

He was wondering exactly how she planned to explain her strangely convenient disappearance during such a chaotic and critical hour.

Even if she wasn’t the culprit behind the infiltration, Li Feng still suspected she might have been working with the enemy... at the very least making the sudden attack easier for them.

The hall remained silent for a few more moments.

Grand Tutor Wei recovered first.

He gave a deep bow toward the Empress and spoke with perfect politeness, though a hint of unwillingness lingered in his tone.

"This old subject understands. Then this old bones shall not delay Young Master Li."

He turned to Li Feng with a gentle smile. "We can have our tea another day."

Li Feng gave a slight nod in acknowledgment before turning and walking toward the Empress.

Soon, Li Feng and his group followed the Empress somewhere into the back of the grand hall under the heavy, unwilling gazes of all the officials.

_

_

_

After some time, they quickly arrived at a spacious side hall.

The side hall was quiet and exquisitely decorated.

Soft spiritual incense burned gently in the air, creating a serene atmosphere.

After the last maid closed the doors and withdrew, only Li Feng, Yue Lan, Lan Suyao, and Regent Empress Fen Ling remained inside.

The mature and graceful woman stood near a large window, her phoenix robe flowing elegantly around her figure.

She slowly turned around to face them.

Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Li Feng sitting there with his arms crossed, Yue Lan and Lan Suyao standing quietly beside him.

"I see that you’ve stopped hiding yourself anymore, Envoy Li," Fen Ling said softly with a smile.

Li Feng leaned back comfortably in the chair, his expression calm and unfazed.

"There’s no need to keep pretending in front of you, Your Majesty. Since everybody already knows quite a lot about me... it would be pointless to continue acting."

Yue Lan and Lan Suyao remained silent on both sides of him, quietly watching the exchange.

They had already decided to let Li Feng handle the conversation.

After all, he was the one who had been closest to the culprit during that chaotic day, so he might be able to uncover something others couldn’t.

Empress Fen Ling let out a soft sigh.

"You are right. After that night... many things can no longer be hidden."

She move gracefully and personally walked over to the side table.

With elegant movements, she picked up the teapot and began pouring tea for Li Feng.

As she leaned forward to pour, her phoenix robe shifted slightly, revealing a deep and alluring cleavage.

Her huge, mature breasts were momentarily exposed in a tempting valley of soft, pale skin that jiggled gently with her movements.

Li Feng could clearly see the faint, delicate veins tracing beneath that flawless pale skin... a subtle but mesmerizing detail that only added to her mature allure.

The sight was extremely eye-catching in the quiet hall.

Li Feng’s gaze flickered for a brief moment before he frowned slightly.

’Is she trying to use seduction on me?’

If this were a normal day, he might have played along and even enjoyed the luck.

But right now, Li Feng was in no mood for such games.

Not to mention he had already cleared his lust thoroughly with Lan Suyao and Yue Lan last night, so his desires were currently well under control.

He remained composed as Empress Fen Ling placed the teacup in front of him.

The mature beauty returned to her seat with graceful movements.

Fen Ling took a slow sip of her tea, then looked at him with calm crimson eyes.

"Ask me anything, Envoy Li. I know you have a lot of questions."

The side hall fell into a brief silence.

Li Feng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and finally spoke in a calm but sharp tone.

"Then let’s start with the most important question."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared directly at her.

"Where exactly were you during the night of the infiltration... and why did you disappear so conveniently right when the chaos erupted?"

After those words, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense.

However, Empress Fen Ling remained surprisingly calm and confident.

She gently sipped her tea, her crimson eyes steady as she met Li Feng’s piercing gaze without flinching.

After setting the teacup down gracefully, she answered in a clear, unhurried voice,

"I cannot tell you that."

"..."

Li Feng’s expression did not change, but a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

He slowly placed the teacup back on the table with a soft clack.

Then a faint, mocking smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You summon me here saying you want to ’explain yourself properly,’ yet the very first and most critical question is met with ’I cannot tell you.’"

Li Feng’s gaze sharpened as a strange oppressive aura slowly leaked out from him.

"...Do you truly think I would accept such an answer, Your Majesty?"

Yue Lan and Lan Suyao remained standing silently beside him, their auras subtly rising as they sensed the growing tension.

Yet at this, Empress Fen Ling sighed softly, her mature face showing a trace of helplessness.

"Envoy Li... I understand your suspicion. If I were in your position, I would think the same too. After all, right now all of the evidence is so conveniently pointed at... me."

She paused for a moment, then shook her head with a smile.

"The timing of my disappearance, the sudden weakening of the palace formations, the missing herb... everything seems to implicate me. Even I would find it hard to believe myself if I were an outsider."

Li Feng’s eyes narrowed sharply at her words, yet a hint of confusion lingered in his mind.

After all, why would the culprit basically reveal their own doing like this?

Plus, Li Feng could tell that the Empress wasn’t lying at all by his instinct.

’Is it a reverse psychology trick?’

The thought flashed through his mind.

It was possible she was using partial honesty to lower his guard, making the truth sound too convenient to believe.

...Or perhaps she really was being framed by someone extremely skilled.

Li Feng’s face was already frowning at the chaotic thoughts swirling in his head.

Empress Fen Ling noticed the deep frown on his face.

Then a soft, understanding smile appeared on her mature lips as she spoke gently.

"I know this is confusing Envoy Li, as even I feel lost in this web of schemes. Though I cannot tell you exactly where I went that night... I do have a way to prove my innocence."

At those words, Li Feng looked up, his sharp gaze locking onto her.

He was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice,

"And what exactly is this ’way’ you speak of? If it’s just another vague promise, then spare me the theatrics."

Empress Fen Ling didn’t answer right away.

Her smile deepened slightly, as a mysterious glint flashing in her crimson eyes.

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