The Villains Must Win-Chapter 40: Han Feng

In the grand court of the Emperor, where the high officials, nobles, and courtiers had gathered, the atmosphere was heavy with tension.

The throne room, usually filled with the sounds of ceremonial praise, now hummed with hushed whispers, as all eyes turned toward Han Feng, seated on his gilded throne. Beside him, Empress Xue Li sat, her posture regal but her gaze unfocused, her mind troubled by the sudden arrival of a woman—Rui Hua from the Kingdom of Liang.

The Emperor’s voice broke the silence, sharp and commanding. "What is the meaning of this, Duke Li Jin?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. "Why have you brought a woman from Liang into the palace?"

Duke Li Jin, a man of considerable influence and experience, stepped forward with measured grace. His voice was steady, but the tension in his words was felt.

"She is not just any woman from Liang, Your Majesty. This is Princess Rui Hua, the Crown Prince of Liang’s main wife. She was kidnapped by mercenaries, and this humble servant saved her life."

Saved her life? Xue Li doubted the Duke’s words. She remembered all too well that it was the same Duke who had orchestrated Rui Hua’s abduction in the first place.

The reason? The fertile lands of Liang, which bordered his own territory. Rumor had it that these lands were rich in gold, and Duke Li Jin, ever hungry for power, had stopped at nothing to seize them.

His so-called "rescue" of Rui Hua now seemed more like a calculated move to further his ambitions than an act of heroism.

A murmur swept through the court, the nobles and ministers exchanging glances, their curiosity piqued. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Han Feng, unfazed, pressed on. "Then why not return her immediately to her kingdom?" he inquired, his tone cold.

The Duke’s expression grew somber. "The Kingdom of Liang has been our enemy for many years. If we handle this matter carelessly, it could lead to a war between our kingdoms. That is why I brought her here first, to present her safely before Your Majesty, and ask the wisdom of the court."

The corner of Xue Li’s lips curled into a faint sneer. Present her in court? The Duke had done so knowing full well that the court would support his claim, eager to seize the lands of Liang.

It was all part of his carefully laid plan to leverage Rui Hua’s presence and turn the court’s favor into an opportunity for his own gain.

The court officials began to murmur among themselves, exchanging opinions in hushed tones.

"If the Duke saved her, surely we are owed compensation for the safe return of such a valuable person?" one minister suggested.

"The Liang Kingdom holds fertile lands. We should ask for compensation in land," another noble chimed in, his voice thick with greed.

"But what if they accuse us of kidnapping her? That could lead to a war," a third official warned.

"They would never win a war against us. They will have no choice but to retrieve her through peaceful means," another minister countered, his eyes gleaming with ambition.

"I’ve heard the Crown Prince truly loves his wife. Perhaps we could leverage that and ask for fertile lands in exchange for her safe return," one official mused, his voice laced with calculated interest.

As the conversation unfolded, Xue Li’s heart tightened with unease. She had tried, with all her might, to steer the course of events away from this very moment. Yet, no matter how hard she had tried to influence Han Feng’s decisions, it seemed that Rui Hua’s arrival was inevitable.

The weight of the situation pressed heavily upon her, and she could feel the eyes of the court officials, the nobles, and even the Emperor himself subtly shifting toward her, as if expecting her to react, to say something.

Han Feng, sensing her discomfort, turned toward her, his voice gentle as he whispered in her ear. "What troubles you, my dear Xue Li?" His hand, warm and reassuring, cupped hers.

Xue Li quickly wiped the frown from her brow, forcing a smile. "It’s just . . . if we demand compensation for her safe return, it could imply that we kidnapped her in the first place. It would only reinforce suspicions and cause further trouble. We should return her to her kingdom safely and without delay."

Han Feng regarded her for a long moment, his sharp gaze unreadable. Then, with a decisive nod, he addressed the court. "You are right, my Empress. We shall return this woman to her kingdom, unharmed and without condition. No one will ask for bribes or compensation for her safety."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the court, some ministers frowning while others exchanged uncertain glances. Han Feng’s decision was final, and none dared to question it.

Still, a few noble faces darkened with unspoken discontent. The rich lands of Liang, fertile and abundant, had long been a tempting prize for many, and the nobles in the room could not ignore the prospect of such wealth slipping through their fingers.

"However, Your Majesty," one minister ventured, "this could be our one chance to leverage our position with the Kingdom of Liang. Think of the lands we could gain."

Han Feng’s expression hardened. "Our empire flourishes without such greed. We do not need more land when our people are well-fed and prosperous, even in harsh winters. Let us not stir any more enemies where we can avoid them. My decision is final."

His words, though spoken calmly, carried an undeniable weight. The room fell into a tense silence, the nobles and ministers exchanging uneasy glances, their discontent hidden beneath veils of formality.

They had come to believe that Han Feng’s rule had softened since Empress Xue Li’s arrival. Once a ruler who had been fierce in securing every advantage for the empire, he now seemed more reluctant to expand at any cost.

Xue Li understood the undercurrent of dissatisfaction in the room. The Liang lands, fertile and rich, were a coveted prize, and the nobles eyed them with avarice.

But Han Feng had made his decision, and this at least made worries listened.

"Bring her in," Han Feng ordered.

The door opened and came in Rui Hua.