CHAPTER 758: CHAPTER 625: THE DRUG TAKES EFFECT

Earth Venerate stood still, her thoughts a whirlwind of disarray.

It wasn’t until dusk approached that she finally bit her lip.

After all, she could not defy her own heart; she couldn’t just watch idly as Feng Lan and her own elder sister got involved with each other.

Earth Venerate was quite familiar with the layout of Beiqing Imperial Palace, and she knew Empress Qing Shuang’s temperament well.

Qing Shuang was most fond of hosting banquets in Chuyun Palace.

As Earth Venerate had expected, not long after night fell, Chuyun Palace was brightly lit, but unlike the previous coronation ceremony, tonight, in Chuyun Palace, there were only the Empress and Feng Lan.

Before the lamps were lit, Feng Lan proceeded to Chuyun Palace carrying a chill about him.

Inside the palace, Empress Qing Shuang had meticulously dressed up.

She looked as radiant as peach blossoms, with her hair elegantly coifed like clouds, and her slightly upturned charming eyes. She had shed her usual austere dragon robe and was now clad in an apricot-yellow court dress that accentuated a slender waist and wide sleeves.

The moment Feng Lan entered Chuyun Palace, his brows rose in surprise.

The Empress had clearly stated that tonight’s banquet was to be attended by several high-ranking officials from the Military Department and Generals; but upon entering, Feng Lan found only the Empress and himself.

Feng Lan, though he had been on good terms with the Empress since childhood, and had shared drinks with her on several occasions, had avoided any private encounters with her since his awakening. Or rather, since he knew that he had married Qing Feng as his wife, he had always evaded being alone with the Empress.

The Empress had invited him several times before, but he had always tactfully declined.

Seeing Feng Lan hesitate to take his seat, a flash of displeasure crossed the Empress’s eyes, but her face still bore an enchanting smile.

"Feng Lan, tonight, I had also invited King Kaijiang and several other soldiers, but unforeseeably they were detained by urgent matters. Since you have come, why not join me for a few cups of light wine? Could it be that without Qing Feng, the friendship between us no longer exists?"

Mentioning the bond of their childhood, Feng Lan couldn’t help but feel stunned, and a blurry silhouette appeared in his mind.

It seemed that since Qing Feng’s death, he could no longer relate to the Empress as he did when they were children.

Hesitating, he thought of the Commander’s Seal he carried with him, and finally took his seat.

His intention for visiting tonight was originally to return the Commander’s Seal.

"Feng Lan, this must be the first time we sit down for a drink since you’ve awakened. Let me offer a toast to honor you," said the Empress, picking up her cup and drinking it down in one gulp as a gesture of respect.

Feng Lan could only lift his cup in response and drank as well.

As the liquor made its way down, Feng Lan felt a burning sensation in his stomach, but he didn’t pay much attention to it.

Seeing Feng Lan drink, the Empress’s eyes shone with delight.

"Your Majesty, today I have come to report a matter. I hope Your Majesty will reclaim the Commander’s Seal." Having said that, Feng Lan took out the Commander’s Seal, knelt down and held it above his head.

No sooner had Feng Lan finished speaking than the expression on Empress Qing Shuang’s face changed dramatically.

She rose to her feet, visibly agitated.

"Feng Lan, what do you mean by this?"

The Commander’s Seal had been in Chen Tuo’s possession during the years Feng Lan was unconscious.

To retrieve the Commander’s Seal, Empress Qing Shuang had even fallen out with Chen Tuo, who to this day refused to appear at court.

Yet, to win over Feng Lan and keep him by her side, the Empress no longer cared about the feelings of others.

"Your Majesty, Beiqing’s borders are now stable, and the nation prospers with its people in peace. Within Beiqing, young military talents are emerging. In my opinion, Your Majesty should select the wise and capable, making greater use of young commanders. Having been in a state of unconsciousness for over a decade, my understanding of the current situation among the nations has greatly diminished. Furthermore, the Feng Residence cannot be without a Family Head for even a single day. I boldly request Your Majesty to take back the Commander’s Seal." Feng Lan was resolute in his decision.

Since waking up, he had gradually learned of some old affairs of the Feng Residence from Housekeeper Mu and Feng Xun.

He realized that he had neglected his wife and children for the sake of state affairs.

This sense of guilt was especially profound when dreams visited him at midnight.

Looking at Feng Xun when leaving Mercenary City, who resembled his younger self, Feng Lan suddenly felt that perhaps Feng Xun had made the right choice.

He had owed Feng Xun more than a decade; maybe this time, as a father, he should bravely take responsibility for the affairs of the Feng Residence.

As for Feng Xun and Ye Lingyue, maybe he could try to accept them.

"Your Majesty?" Feng Lan finished speaking, still holding the Commander’s Seal high, waiting for the Beiqing Empress’s gracious approval.

However, for a long while, the Empress did not speak.

Puzzled, Feng Lan raised his head, meeting the Empress’s eyes.

The Empress looked at Feng Lan, suddenly smiled, and reached out as if to take the Commander’s Seal from his hand, but her pale white jade-like hands suddenly stretched out, wrapping tightly around Feng Lan.

"Feng Lan, are you so eager to rid yourself of me? Even the Commander’s Seal can’t keep you. What is it that you truly want?" After speaking, her breath fragrant, her full lips nearly pressing against Feng Lan.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing?" The Empress’s action irritated Feng Lan, and he quickly tried to shake off her hand, avoiding her initiating kiss.

"What am I doing? Feng Lan, do you not know my feelings? I have liked you for so many years. In the past, you rejected me because of Qing Feng. But now, Qing Feng is dead. What are you still concerned about?" The Empress clung to Feng Lan like an octopus, her ample chest repeatedly pressed against Feng Lan.

Why hasn’t the effect of the Weimeng Elixir taken hold yet?

Seeing the Empress’s impatient demeanor, Feng Lan became both annoyed and angry. However, at this moment, he felt something wrong with his body.

A burning sensation surged from below his abdomen.

"What did you give me to drink?" Feng Lan’s handsome face had turned crimson.

He smelled the enticing Secret Fragrance on the Empress’s body, feeling even more uncomfortable, with an impulse to fiercely push the woman before him down.

"Feng Lan, just yield to me. As long as you become my Imperial Consort, I will agree to anything you want." Empress Qing Shuang was also somewhat lost in her feelings; she had always been a licentious and bold woman, and by her side was the man she had long cherished.

Her supple, boneless body leaned on Feng Lan, her hands fumbling over his body.

Feng Lan felt as if his whole body was about to ignite, his eyes bloodshot.

But just as he was about to embrace the Empress, a pair of eyes flashed across his mind.

Cold and clear eyes of the Earth Venerate, filled with annoyance and despair, passing by like a shooting star.

Feng Lan shuddered, suddenly standing up, and with the last shred of his sanity, kicked off the Empress clinging to him like a plaster.

"Get away! Qing Shuang, you actually plotted against me... I," Feng Lan staggered, trying to rush out of Chuyun Palace.

But the Empress’s men had already firmly sealed the palace doors.

"Feng Lan, you dare to defy me. Nevertheless, it’s pointless. The Elixir you’ve been poisoned with can only be cured by a woman, and here, only I and you are present. There’s no one but me for you." Empress Qing Shuang, tossed aside by Feng Lan like a rag, felt a mix of shame and rage but immediately revealed a smile of having her scheme succeed.