Chapter Forty-One: Xiang Lian Is in Trouble!

From behind, Xiang Lian shouted after her, but Feng Xiaoli paid her no heed; anyone who associated with Yue Wanqing must have something wrong with their head. Jun Mochen, too, called out from behind, “Let’s all be sisters!”—which earned him only greater contempt from Feng Xiaoli.

This was a man who could even offer to be someone’s sister; best to keep far away from such people.

Feng Xiaoli retraced her steps to leave, and as she departed, her gaze swept across Luo Wensheng and Yuchi Jingque. These two had sat quietly in the Splendid Hall from start to finish; even when she had shattered a teacup with her inner force, they remained unmoved. Her instincts told her that there was far more to them than met the eye.

But how exactly they were extraordinary was none of her concern. As she’d once said to Jun Mochen: “I don’t want anything to do with you lot. Sit if you like, speak if you must—none of it has anything to do with me!”

Soon after, Feng Xiaoli took Jin Ning to see a physician. Aside from cautioning them to keep water away from the wound on Jin Ning’s forehead, the doctor had little else to say. With the medicine in hand, they returned to the prince’s residence.

As she was returning to her room, Feng Xiaoli ran into the old man. Unlike the past few days, he did not avoid her. Upon seeing the injury on Jin Ning’s forehead, he hurried to ask what had happened.

Feng Xiaoli recounted the day’s events in detail. Prince Chun had known she was entering the palace for business, but hadn’t expected it would be today. He asked, concerned, “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to the palace for something so important?”

“You were too busy!” she replied.

Prince Chun had indeed been busy of late, as were the other court officials. After morning court, they could no longer head straight to their residences as usual; with envoys from various countries arriving in Huaijing, every detail had to be arranged perfectly. During this period, all the ministers were preoccupied, and Feng Xiaoli hadn’t dared to trouble the prince.

Besides, she had known well in advance that she would not meet the Emperor of Qianqing today. Even if Prince Chun had accompanied her to an audience, Empress Yuanmin would have found some way to send him away. So, she thought, why bother going at all?

Feng Xiaoli did not allow Jin Ning to wait on her. After all, Jin Ning was only human—she deserved to rest and recover from her injury. Instead, Feng Xiaoli had another maidservant take her place. At first, Jin Ning resisted fiercely, but after some coaxing and threats, she finally relented.

This new maid was a taciturn girl with an icy, impassive face. She would never speak a word unless spoken to, and Feng Xiaoli couldn’t help but wonder when such a maid had joined Prince Chun’s household.

Prince Chun explained, “Since Jin Ning has been replaced, I’ve given you a maid with exceptional martial skills.” In truth, this girl was no ordinary maid; she was one of Prince Chun’s hidden guards.

Every royal residence kept such secret protectors, and Fei Rong was one of the most highly ranked among them. Her martial prowess was nearly on par with the chief of the prince’s shadow guards. Yet, could someone of her caliber truly be content to serve as a mere bodyguard?

Feng Xiaoli’s suspicions were correct—Fei Rong was anything but content.

In fact, Feng Xiaoli rarely gave Jin Ning many orders. It was Jin Ning who believed that a young lady of her station should not have to do everything herself, and so took on every task. Now, with Fei Rong here, Feng Xiaoli was even more reluctant to command her. The woman already seemed barely able to contain her wrath; to provoke her further might truly put Feng Xiaoli’s life in jeopardy.

Fei Rong was indeed simmering with anger. Among the prince’s hidden guards, she was second to none, always ready to carry out his commands. Now, being assigned to protect a girl with no martial skills felt like a complete waste of her talents. But the prince’s word was law, and in his eyes, Feng Xiaoli was always the top priority. She could only chalk it up to her own bad luck.

Fei Rong was scarcely older than Feng Xiaoli; though Feng Xiaoli’s coming-of-age was still three months away, Fei Rong appeared no more than twenty.

Feng Xiaoli was not yet accustomed to having Fei Rong serve her. Whenever she caught that cold, chilling gaze, the words at the tip of her tongue would die unspoken.

Heavens, Fei Rong, must your gaze be so terrifying?

And that disdain—must you make your contempt so obvious?

Fei Rong truly wished she could hide it, but there was nothing she could do; she simply looked down on Feng Xiaoli.

Forgive her.

When Jin Ning learned she was to be replaced by Fei Rong at Feng Xiaoli’s side, her eyes grew red with tears. She hadn’t expected the prince to pull her away. Seeing her tear-streaked face, Feng Xiaoli couldn’t help but weep herself—and this time, her tears were genuine; not a bit of it was feigned.

Ignoring Fei Rong’s presence, she sobbed, “Jin Ning, I miss you so much! I miss your endless chatter, your silly antics, your foolish head. Fei Rong here only knows how to keep a stone face. She won’t chatter, won’t fool around, won’t act silly!”

“So, in your eyes, I have all these virtues?” Jin Ning’s lips twitched involuntarily.

A few dark lines flitted through Fei Rong’s mind.

Feng Xiaoli paid no heed to either of them, wailing on, “Compared to Fei Rong, Jin Ning, you have so many good points!”

Perhaps it was just as well not to serve at the young lady’s side, Jin Ning thought to herself.

That night, just as Feng Xiaoli lay down, she caught a familiar masculine scent. Who else would dare barge into her boudoir at night but Zilin?

Had he become addicted to sneaking into her room?

As expected, she saw that flash of violet at the door, and before she could react, Zilin slipped in and naturally drew her slender body into his arms.

Feng Xiaoli reacted instinctively, pushing him away at once.

“It’s been so long—didn’t you want to see me?” Zilin, though pushed aside, remained seated on the edge of the bed, propping up his head and gazing at her with a half-smile.

Who would want to see you!

Feng Xiaoli found herself puzzled. Fei Rong had been assigned by Prince Chun himself to protect her, so how had Zilin managed to enter without Fei Rong noticing? Was Zilin’s martial skill simply too great, or was Fei Rong’s too lacking?

On reflection, she thought the first possibility far more likely.

Zilin was capable of dispatching black-clad intruders without effort; his martial prowess was undoubtedly formidable.

“If you’re here for a reason, speak! If not, get out!” All she wanted was to go to sleep.

“Don’t you know, I come to see you even when there’s nothing at all?” His eyes brimmed with affection, and Feng Xiaoli felt her heart sink helplessly.

Feng Xiaoli, what are you thinking? This kind of look is no different from Xiang Lian’s lovesick expression. You chided her today for being a fool for love, but how are you any different now?

Zilin watched her shifting expression, amusement lighting those enchanting eyes.

But this time, he genuinely had something to discuss.

His smile faded, and as Feng Xiaoli saw the gravity on his face—a look she’d never seen before, even though she hadn’t known him long—she dared not take him lightly.

Was something really wrong?

“Lier, something has happened to Xiang Lian!”