Her tone turned cold, and her expression darkened as well. She looked like someone who didn’t want to be approached—returning to the prickly, guarded appearance she had when he first met her.
It felt as though all the tacit understanding and trust they had painstakingly built over these past days was now completely gone.
Everything had returned to square one.
Xiao Yunting’s face also darkened. He realized something was wrong.
Even though Qi Yuan had always rejected his confessions before, last time when he expressed his feelings again, Qi Yuan had clearly said, “Let’s leave it to time.” Her attitude then was nothing like what it was now.
Xiao Yunting took two steps forward, looking at her. “Did something happen?”
Somewhat anxious, he explained, “Lately His Majesty has had me accompany him to court to learn how to review memorials and official documents, so I haven’t had many chances to come out. But whenever I had time, I came straight to see you.”
Qi Yuan’s face remained cool and indifferent. She nodded with thin patience. “I see. Your Highness is truly thoughtful.”
She picked up the orange from the ground and tossed it, sending Ah Huang happily sprinting after it. Then she stood up and looked at Xiao Yunting. “But surely Your Highness has official business today as well? I won’t delay you any further.”
Qi Yuan wasn’t someone who couldn’t handle setbacks.
Nor did she bear grudges simply because of what happened in her past life.
But she disliked trouble.
Having earned this chance to live again, she didn’t want her life entangled in messy, troublesome people or matters.
She might pause to appreciate the flowers—but she would never stop just for the sake of admiring them.
But for Xiao Yunting, it wasn’t like that at all. Seeing Qi Yuan turn to leave, he reached out and grabbed her wrist, staring at her silently for a long moment before asking in a low voice, “At least let me die understanding—why? Why are you always like this? Hot one moment, cold the next. Sometimes close, sometimes distant. What did I do wrong?”
Qi Yuan nearly laughed.
Wasn’t this kind of line usually spoken by women questioning men?
But in the end, she didn’t laugh.
She thought for a moment, then stared quietly at Xiao Yunting for a long time before softly saying, “Your Highness did nothing wrong. You only wronged me… in our past life. And I’m someone who holds grudges.”
Xiao Yunting looked at her in disbelief.
His grip on her wrist unconsciously tightened. After a long while, he finally said, “Even if that’s true… you can’t use a sword from a former dynasty to punish the officials of the current one! In this life, what have I ever done to wrong you?”
Qi Yuan shook off his hand and replied coolly, “Not yet. But who can guarantee there won’t be something in the future? You know the kind of person I am—I never make losing trades. And I don’t gamble on ‘what if.’”
Babao, perched on the wall, let out a sharp whistle, so anxious it seemed smoke was about to rise from his head.
Your Highness, the Crown Prince has already rushed over to the Feng household. You better hurry too!
Xiao Yunting stared at her for a long time, then finally took a deep breath. “I don’t know what happened in our past life. And besides—just because something happened in the past, does that mean it’s all set in stone? If that were true, then what about the downfall of Duke Chu’s household, Qi Wang’s fall from grace, or the reinstatement of Liu Wangfei and Princess Consort Lu? How do you explain those?”
Qi Yuan truly didn’t understand his stubbornness. “A melon forcibly twisted from the vine won’t be sweet.”
“Whether it’s sweet or not—you won’t know until you twist it.” Xiao Yunting said indifferently. “I’ll come again another day.”
Qi Yuan ignored him, crouching down to play with Ah Huang as though she hadn’t heard anything.
Only after Xiao Yunting leapt onto the wall and disappeared did she let out a sigh—so soft it was barely audible.
It was normal for people to part ways at any time in life.
She had long understood this truth. Hopefully, Xiao Yunting would understand it too.
All the way to the Feng household, Xiao Yunting was still thinking about what Qi Yuan said—“You wronged me in our past life.”
But no matter how hard he thought, he simply couldn’t figure out how he could have possibly wronged her.
By the time he arrived at the Feng residence, it was already a bit late. The Crown Prince had arrived first and was now sitting in the seat of honor, chatting with Feng Yuqing for some time.
The Feng family had suffered greatly since their fall—many had died over the years.
The ones who returned now were only a few—the Crown Prince’s maternal uncles: Feng Yuqing, the eldest brother of the late Empress Dowager Feng, and his two younger brothers.
It was Feng Yuqing, the eldest living male, who now inherited the title.
Seeing how few of them were left, and thinking back to the once-glorious Feng family, not only did Feng Yuqing and his brothers break down in tears, but even the Crown Prince couldn’t help but feel emotional.
Amidst this emotion, Feng Yuqing asked, “How is Her Majesty in the palace? And how is His Highness the Imperial Grandson?”
The Crown Prince restrained his sorrow and replied, “Royal Mother’s health has been stable these years, but she often worries about Grandfather and all of you.”
As he spoke, he frowned and glanced at Eunuch Sun. “As for Yunting…”
He asked coldly, “Why isn’t he here yet?”
Eunuch Sun was also sweating nervously.
Lately, the Imperial Grandson had been accompanying His Majesty in court, reviewing memorials and learning to govern. Everyone knew the Emperor currently favored him immensely.
Most likely, he was late because he had been involved in some cabinet deliberation.
But if he dared say that, the Crown Prince definitely wouldn’t be pleased.
After all, having one’s son outshine oneself—this was hardly a joyful thing.
Luckily, before Eunuch Sun could answer, someone outside announced loudly, “His Highness the Imperial Grandson has arrived!”
Feng Yuqing, Feng Yuliang, and Feng Yutao—the three brothers—hurriedly stood up. The younger male members also rose one after another, holding their breath.
Seeing their fathers so tense, the juniors couldn’t help but grow nervous too.
The Crown Prince gave a half-smile. “Uncle, no matter how noble he is, before you he’s still a junior. Today, since we’re reunited after so long, let’s skip formal court etiquette and follow the rites of family.”
But Feng Yuqing shook his head solemnly. “Your Highness, national rites come first. We must honor the bond of ruler and subject before speaking of family.”
As he spoke, he saw Xiao Yunting walk in and immediately led his brothers, sons, and nephews to kneel.
Xiao Yunting quickly stepped forward to help him up. Seeing that Feng Yuqing took the lead, he realized this must be the Crown Prince’s eldest surviving uncle—his own grand-uncle—so he greeted him with a deep voice, “Second Granduncle.”
His eldest granduncle and great-grandfather had already passed away. Otherwise, the title wouldn’t have fallen to the second branch.
Feng Yuqing’s eyes filled with tears as he tightly gripped Xiao Yunting’s hands. Choked with emotion, he said, “Good, good, good! Your Highness has grown up so well. If your father and eldest uncle could see you from the afterlife, imagine how happy they would be!”
The Crown Prince, lowering his eyes, suddenly asked, “Speaking of which—where’s Caiwei? Back then, this boy was able to escape safely all thanks to her help. She returned this time as well, didn’t she?”
Feng Caiwei was Feng Yuqing’s granddaughter. Feng Yuqing instinctively glanced at Xiao Yunting before replying, “She’s returned. But… given propriety between men and women…”
The Crown Prince immediately said in a low voice, “What propriety? Everyone here today is family. No need to fuss over that. Besides, that girl Caiwei—Mother has missed her for many years. Bring her out to meet us. Let Yunting have a proper look at his lifesaver.”
Feng Yuqing hurriedly agreed and ordered his third brother, Feng Yuliang, to go inside and bring out the women.
I finally caught up DJWJDJWJS THANK YOU FOR THE TRANSLATIONS