chapter 20 : the unexpected news

The growing fondness

After the Crown Prince Li Feng and Crown Princess Xu Nuan leave Lizhou, their return to the capital is marked by a flurry of political activity. While they have stabilized the city, the true challenge now lies within the imperial court, where old rivalries and power struggles are never far beneath the surface.

The Emperor, though a ruler of immense power, finds himself caught between conflicting factions. On one hand, his support for Li Feng's actions in Lizhou has garnered the Crown Prince respect and credibility. On the other, court officials and noble families are uneasy with how quickly Li Feng has consolidated power by undermining figures like the Governor. The Emperor's inner circle consists of many who have benefited from the previous regimes of corruption and are resistant to the swift reforms the Crown Prince has enacted.

At court, the Emperor must manage his own palace alliances, while also facing pressures from the dowager empress and concubines, each of whom has their own interests in the imperial succession. Some are wary of Li Feng's growing influence, while others worry that his political strength may be leading him closer to a potential ascension .

Though she has supported the Crown Prince outwardly, the Empress Dowager, who wields considerable influence in court, holds her own reservations. Her loyalty to her son, the current Emperor, has always been a point of tension, and she cannot afford to allow the Crown Prince to become too strong a rival.

Xu Nuan, knowing the Empress Dowager's political acumen, senses the subtle moves being made behind the scenes. The dowager quietly starts to manipulate noble families within the court, suggesting that Li Feng's methods in Lizhou could soon extend to other provinces, threatening the privileges of those who are still involved in corruption. She plants the seed of doubt, asserting that if Li Feng becomes too independent, he could eventually threaten the Emperor's rule.

Back at the imperial court, the noble families that had once been in the good graces of Governor Jing Yun are beginning to feel the pressure. These families, many of whom had benefited from bribes and corruption, now see the Governor's fall as a warning. Some attempt to reach out to Xu Nuan and Li Feng in secret, offering their allegiance in exchange for protection. However, Li Feng, still wary of anyone who could potentially undermine his power, is reluctant to trust those who were once involved in the Governor's schemes.

Xu Nuan, as the Crown Princess, finds herself in a delicate position. She must handle the court's factions, knowing that any wrong move could lead to further consolidation of power by those who oppose her and the Crown Prince. It's a political tightrope, and Xu Nuan knows that the key to surviving this courtly storm is not just her loyalty to Li Feng, but her strategic mind.

Li Feng, though often viewed as a cold and distant figure, is increasingly disillusioned with the court. He finds the backdoor deals, the flattery, and the endless intrigue beneath him. His time in Lizhou has solidified his belief that power should be earned through action, not by manipulation. But he also knows that in the imperial court, his actions may be interpreted as threats to those who have long held power.

As a result, Li Feng keeps his distance from the palace's politics, focusing on the military and public reforms that have garnered him the people's loyalty. However, he understands that his public image will soon become a double-edged sword—his reformist zeal and uncompromising stance could either rally the people behind him or provoke dangerous enemies in

The air in the Crown Prince's private quarters was thick with silent contemplation. Li Feng and Xu Nuan had just finished their usual strategic discussions regarding the ongoing political challenges in the capital. Yet tonight, something felt different—a growing warmth that had begun to settle between them. As they reviewed the documents before them, the tension of their shared burdens seemed to dissipate, replaced by an unspoken understanding.

Xu Nuan sat at the small table by the window, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the parchment, her mind not fully on the paperwork. She had been noticing subtle changes in herself over the past few weeks—an unexplainable softness whenever she looked at Li Feng, a sharp awareness of his movements, his words, the weight of his gaze on her. Her mind kept wandering to him when he wasn't around, an unfamiliar and yet undeniable attraction taking root.

Li Feng, for his part, had been observing her too. While his nature remained cold and stoic, there was something about her—her intelligence, her strength, her ability to stand by him even in the most dangerous moments—that stirred a deeper respect, perhaps even affection. It had been subtle at first, but now, as they sat together in the quiet of the night, he began to realize how often his thoughts turned to her when they were apart. His cold exterior had begun to crack, just a little, under her influence.

As the moment lingered, Xu Nuan suddenly swayed in her chair, feeling lightheaded. Her vision blurred, and she reached out, trying to steady herself against the table.

Li Feng's reaction was immediate. He rose from his seat, his usual indifference replaced by a genuine concern as he caught her in his arms, his gaze sharp.

"Xu Nuan?" he asked, his voice laced with worry. She barely heard him as her eyelids fluttered, the room spinning around her.

Moments later, the imperial physician arrived, summoned by Li Feng's urgent call. The physician's presence filled the room as he began his examination. Xu Nuan's pale face and unsteady pulse sent a ripple of alarm through the air. The Crown Prince stood close, a silent figure of tension and anticipation.

After a few moments of examination, the physician, though still in shock, spoke with certainty.

"