“Say that again—what do you want to do?” Qi Zhen couldn’t believe his ears.
Feng Lezhen glanced back at the few dozen people behind her and met his gaze with an innocent expression. “Come stay at the Marquis’s estate for a few days and celebrate the New Year.”
“…Did you wake up with hysteria this morning?” Qi Zhen had rushed over in person when he heard she’d brought so many people, thinking she was here to cause trouble. But it turned out she was asking to stay the night… He almost wished she were here to cause trouble!
It was the New Year, so he didn’t want to say anything too harsh. He just kept a cold face and said, “I have things to do. No time to chat with Your Highness. Please return.”
“I can’t return. The roof of the Eldest Princess’s residence collapsed under the snow. It’ll take time to repair. In this dead of winter, my people and I have nowhere to go. I must ask the Marquis to take us in.” Since she was asking for a favor, Feng Lezhen lowered her stance considerably.
Qi Zhen was almost laughing from anger. “So Your Highness is planning to freeload at the Marquis’s estate?”
“Not at all. Once the house is repaired, I’ll leave,” Feng Lezhen said with full confidence.
Qi Zhen took a deep breath and was about to refuse again when the sound of carriage wheels crunching on the ground came from behind. He immediately frowned, while Feng Lezhen’s eyes lit up. “Shizi?”
Just as she called out, Qi Jingqing was wheeled out by his page.
“Why is Your Highness here?” he asked gently.
“What are you doing out?” Qi Zhen and he spoke almost in unison.
Qi Jingqing paused and answered his father first. “Aren’t we putting up couplets?”
“Oh right… I forgot,” Qi Zhen smacked his forehead. In Great Qian, it was tradition for the family’s most valued son to put up the front door couplets. Though his son had mobility issues, he and his wife made sure he showed up each year for the ceremony.
Qi Jingqing then turned to Feng Lezhen.
Feng Lezhen immediately said, “My residence’s roof collapsed. I’d like to stay at the Marquis’s estate for a few days.”
“Sure,” Qi Jingqing replied so quickly—practically overlapping with her last word—that everyone present froze.
Qi Zhen was the first to react. “No!”
“Why not?” Qi Jingqing raised his eyes.
Because she is the reason you’ll never live like a normal person again! Qi Zhen had the words on the tip of his tongue, but his son’s straightforward gaze made it impossible to say.
After a long pause, he squeezed out one line: “There’s not enough room here for all these people.”
Qi Jingqing blinked slowly, a bit innocently. “There are four empty rooms in my courtyard. Her Highness can stay in the largest guest room, and the other three can hold a dozen servants.”
“You even want them staying in your courtyard?” Qi Zhen’s eyes widened.
“No need. Just find us a side wing somewhere,” Feng Lezhen interjected.
Qi Zhen snapped back, “There is no side wing!”
“Then…” Feng Lezhen hesitated a moment, then smiled at Qi Jingqing, “I’ll just have to trouble the Shizi.”
Qi Zhen: “……”
Qi Jingqing’s lips curved up slightly. “It’s nothing.”
“Will the Shizi be pasting couplets?”
“No, just going through the motions.”
“Then allow me to wheel you inside, Shizi.”
“Many thanks, Your Highness.”
The two played off each other smoothly, and Feng Lezhen was about to reach for the wheelchair when Qi Zhen, jolted, blocked her path between her and Qi Jingqing. “I haven’t agreed yet!”
“Father, do not be rude to Her Highness,” Qi Jingqing frowned and reminded him.
Qi Zhen had no temper when it came to this son. Upon hearing that, he immediately felt aggrieved. “How was I rude? I just…”
“Ahem…” Qi Jingqing lowered his head to cover his mouth with a cough.
“Alright, alright, I won’t say anything, fine?” Qi Zhen rubbed his temple and gave Feng Lezhen a look—Feng Lezhen lowered her eyes just in time to hide the trace of smugness flashing through them. “You go rest. I’ll make the arrangements for Her Highness.”
“She should be given the main room,” Qi Jingqing reminded.
“Main room, main room—fine, I’ll even let her stay in your old man’s room, alright?!” Qi Zhen finally lost his patience.
Qi Jingqing smiled a little, exchanged a glance with Feng Lezhen, and then obediently let the page push him away.
Once he was gone, Qi Zhen’s expression turned cold again. “Your Highness certainly has great skill—bringing my son to this state, and yet he bears you no resentment and still remembers the affection from childhood.”
“His Highness the Shizi is kind-hearted and pure. He doesn’t stoop to the same level as I do,” Feng Lezhen replied humbly.
Qi Zhen thought about it and had to agree. He snorted coldly and led the way without another word.
Finally allowed through the door, Feng Lezhen quietly let out a breath of relief. Ah Ye, who had been watching from behind, limped over and tried to support her as she used to.
“Take care of yourself first,” Feng Lezhen gave her a sidelong glance.
Ah Ye rubbed her nose and unceremoniously called a guard over.
“Sister Ye.” The guard, handpicked and trained by her, quickly supported her. Ah Ye leaned her full weight on him without a trace of shame.
Seeing this, Feng Lezhen couldn’t help but shake her head.
Though Qi Zhen didn’t want them to stay, he wouldn’t go so far as to cause them trouble in his own residence. In the end, he allowed Feng Lezhen to stay in the same courtyard she’d stayed in before.
That courtyard was adjacent to the main one, with one main building and four side rooms—considered the best guest courtyard in the Marquis’s estate—but still couldn’t house everyone.
“There are still a few servant quarters vacant. If Your Highness doesn’t mind, let your people stay there,” Qi Zhen said brusquely before turning and leaving.
“What kind of attitude is that!” Ah Ye only dared wave her fist at the air once he was gone.
Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow. “Not bad. You actually waited for him to leave before cursing.”
“Of course. Otherwise, if he caught me, what if he kicked us out?” Ah Ye plopped down in a chair. “Your Highness, how long do we have to stay here?”
“It’s the New Year holiday. It wouldn’t be appropriate to summon the craftsmen forcibly. We’ll wait until after the sixth, then urge them to work quickly. Roughly… after the Lantern Festival, we should be able to go back,” Feng Lezhen said after considering.
Ah Ye instantly looked disappointed. “That means we’ll have to live under someone else’s roof for twenty days?”
“Who said you’re under anyone’s roof?” Feng Lezhen sipped her tea calmly. “We’re guests, understand?”
“…Zhenbian Marquis doesn’t seem to see us as guests,” Ah Ye muttered. “Just wait and see—if the marquis himself doesn’t want trouble, his underlings will surely stir something up.”
The attitude of those in power sets the tone for how servants behave—Ah Ye, raised in the inner palace, had long grown familiar with such dynamics.
Feng Lezhen chuckled. “That’s why you all need to be flexible. Don’t act like you’re still in the capital where everyone gives way to you. Be sweeter, be more diligent. No one hits a smiling face—got it?”
“I don’t get it,” Ah Ye replied.
Feng Lezhen’s eyes shifted slightly. She beckoned Ah Ye to come closer. Ah Ye leaned in, confused, and heard her whisper a few words.
“Do you get it now?”
“…I get it.”
The matter of the entire Eldest Princess’s household moving in spread through the Marquis’s estate in no time. Everyone was instantly outraged. Although the marquis and his wife hadn’t issued any orders, the household was already preparing to give them the cold shoulder.
First came the floor heating: the firewood was deliberately underfilled, leaving their rooms cold. In Yingguan’s winter, let’s see how long they could hold out. The estate staff had even planned how to respond once the “guests” started complaining.
To their surprise, Ah Ye and the others finished unpacking, then picked up tools and began shoveling snow for the Marquis’s estate. The household staff had been sulking at the unwelcome guests, but seeing them working like that… their anger began to turn into confused hesitation.
No one really knew what these newcomers were thinking. Still, guests were guests—if word got out that the Marquis’s estate had its guests doing chores, wouldn’t that bring shame to the marquis? The more they thought about it, the more they felt it was a trap: these people must be trying to tarnish the Marquis’s name! Realizing that, the servants rushed to stop them.
“We’re already troubling the Marquis by staying here. If we don’t at least help a little, how could we have peace of mind?” Ah Ye said, clutching her broom, unwilling to let go.
The maid trying to wrest the broom from her gritted her teeth in frustration. What can a lame girl even do? She’s just trying to make us look bad for treating guests poorly. Thinking this, she pulled even harder. “No, no, guests shouldn’t be doing chores.”
“It’s fine, really—we’ll take care of it.”
“No, really, you all should go rest.”
“We’d like to rest too, but the room’s too cold.”
The seemingly warm conversation screeched to a halt after that sentence. The maid’s expression shifted, and she suddenly forced a smile. “How can that be? We’ve stoked the floor fires thoroughly. If you say that, are you accusing us of negligence?”
“Of course not. We just wanted to move around a bit to warm ourselves,” Ah Ye sighed.
The old servant woman deliberately put on a stern face: “So what the young lady is really saying is that our Marquis’s household is treating its guests poorly? If you’re truly dissatisfied, you might as well leave now. Don’t act all pitiful and sweep the grounds.”
“Don’t dare, don’t dare. We truly aren’t complaining about the Marquis’s hospitality. We were sweeping just because…” Ah Ye was startled, and halfway through her sentence, she abruptly changed her tone, “If you don’t like it, we’ll stop right away.”
The old woman snatched the broom, feeling utterly victorious—until the next second, when Ah Ye turned her head and said to several guards, “You guys come with me. Let’s go out and collect some firewood.”
The woman’s eyelid twitched. “What do you need firewood for?”
“For warmth… No, to roast sweet potatoes,” Ah Ye said sheepishly. “Surely you’re not going to stop us from roasting sweet potatoes, are you?”
The woman: “…”
Seeing her fall silent, Ah Ye led the group toward the gate.
Only then did the servant come to her senses—if they went strolling all over the streets like that, wouldn’t that just confirm the rumor that the Marquis’s household was stingy?
Subordinates taking the liberty to “defend the master’s honor” was always risky—if the issue blew up and brought shame to the household, the one overstepping would be the one punished. The woman’s arrogance immediately deflated, and she hurriedly blocked their path. “Sweet potatoes… the Marquis’s household has plenty. I’ll have the kitchen roast some for you.”
“We’re too restless to sit indoors. Might as well walk around a bit,” Ah Ye said with a fake smile.
The woman gave a forced laugh. “I’ll tell them to burn the floor heating hotter—once it’s warm and toasty, you’ll be able to sit still.”
“Really?” Ah Ye’s expression turned tearfully grateful. “Then thank you very much!”
“Thanks!” the guards behind her echoed with booming voices.
The woman’s eyelid twitched again and she turned and walked off in a hurry.
“Don’t forget to send the roasted sweet potatoes!” Ah Ye called after her.
The woman walked even faster.
Their little stunt soon reached Qi Jingqing’s ears. He sat leaning in his wheelchair, laughing so hard his posture went lopsided. The page standing nearby was softened by the sight. “It’s been a long time since the Shizi has laughed like this.”
“This idea—clearly it came from her,” Qi Jingqing said with amusement in his eyes.
The page chuckled. “From who? The Eldest Princess? I didn’t expect someone who looks so lofty and untouchable, like the sun and moon, to come up with such a… method.”
He’d almost said shameless, but thinking it over, it didn’t feel appropriate, so he left it vague.
“Shameless, right?” Qi Jingqing didn’t mind saying it outright. “She’s shameless all right—but this is already restrained. You haven’t seen her as a child—then she was wild and brash, impossible to deal with.”
“Her Highness is truly interesting,” the page said, playing along.
Qi Jingqing’s smile faded slowly. After a pause, he said softly, “There’s no need to alert Father or Mother to this—no point in angering them again.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And also, give instructions—if anyone shows Her Highness disrespect again, they’re to be punished according to house rules.”
“…Understood.”
Once the page left, Qi Jingqing turned to look out the window.
The snow had cleared, and though the sun was shining high, there was little warmth—but the brightness still lifted one’s mood.
By midday, the servants delivered lunch. When Ah Ye and Fan Gonggong saw the lavish spread, they couldn’t believe their eyes.
“So much food… could it be poisoned?” Ah Ye hesitated.
Fan Gonggong rapped her lightly on the head. “Silly girl—who’d be dumb enough to poison people in their own home?”
“Then why send so much food? I was ready to throw a tantrum,” Ah Ye muttered, but still pulled out a silver needle from Shen Suifeng and carefully tested each dish.
While she was busy, Fan Gonggong bowed slightly and reported the morning’s happenings to Feng Lezhen: “The servants here distributed thick quilts to our people, the floor heating is fully fired up, there are fruits and pastries in every room, and they even gave us warm winter clothes. Truly thoughtful.”
“No poison!” Ah Ye finally said with relief. “Your Highness, that trick of yours really worked. I only used it once and they all fell in line—no one dares pull anything anymore.”
“It wasn’t my tactic that worked,” Feng Lezhen said as she gracefully moved to the table and sat down. Ah Ye immediately began serving her food. “It’s because the Shizi keeps his word. He made things easier for us.”
“The Shizi?” Ah Ye was surprised.
“What’s with the shock? In the whole Marquis’s household, the only one who can make everyone listen and is willing to help us—isn’t it him?” Feng Lezhen tasted a bite and found the food quite acceptable. “Later, go back to our estate and bring my inkstone set made of gold and jade. Give it to him as thanks.”
Then she added, “Remember to do it discreetly—don’t let anyone see.”
“…Giving a gift in secret?” Ah Ye didn’t understand.
Feng Lezhen smiled. “The Marquis and his wife don’t want me getting too close to their precious son. I naturally have to be cautious. Otherwise, if they get suspicious, even if Qi Jingqing wants to help, we won’t be able to stay.”
“All right,” Ah Ye pouted, handed the shared chopsticks to Fan Gonggong, and left.
Watching her dejected figure disappear, Feng Lezhen couldn’t help sighing: “Living under someone else’s roof really isn’t easy.”
“If Your Highness truly finds it hard, you could’ve gone to stay with the Governor,” Fan Gonggong said frankly. “Given his personality, he might even have offered you the main residence—and if not, the government office would do just fine. But Your Highness insisted on the Marquis’s estate—likely hoping to use this chance to ease the tension between you and the Marquis.”
“I do have that intention. Whether the Marquis is willing—that’s another matter entirely,” Feng Lezhen said lightly. After all, she’d be spending many years in Yingguan. There was no rush.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Ah Ye returned with the inkstone, and during the lunch lull when the courtyard was empty, she quietly slipped into the main residence.
“Sent by your Princess?” Qi Jingqing was sitting by the window playing chess, eyes focused on the board, without even lifting his head to look at her.
Ah Ye respectfully held the inkstone and replied, “Yes, Her Highness instructed me to deliver this and also told me to thank the Shizi on her behalf.”
Only then did Qi Jingqing glance at the object in her hands. He placed a black stone on the board and said mildly, “If she wants to thank me, why didn’t she come in person?”
“…Huh?” Ah Ye didn’t react at first.
Qi Jingqing said nothing more, simply continued playing. The page beside him smiled and said, “The Shizi gets too focused when playing chess, please don’t take offense, miss.”
Ah Ye glanced at Qi Jingqing, who was holding both black and white pieces in either hand, and thought, What’s so absorbing about playing against yourself?
Seeing he had no intention of accepting the gift, she decided there was no point in forcing it. With a brief bow, Ah Ye turned and left. Back in the courtyard next door, she repeated everything Qi Jingqing had said.
“I thought this Shizi would be easier to talk to than the Marquis and his wife,” she sighed. “Looks like I was wrong.”
Feng Lezhen gave her a look, a bit surprised. “You’re unusually calm.”
“Hm?” Ah Ye didn’t understand.
Feng Lezhen said, “He refused to accept the gift and asked me to thank him in person. With your temper, shouldn’t you be angry?”
Ah Ye hesitated, then mumbled, “…He’s too good-looking. I just can’t bring myself to get mad at him.”
Feng Lezhen: “Heh.”
“It’s not that I’m bewitched by his looks, Your Highness, but if you had seen him just now—wearing a single-layer robe, sitting by the window, with the sunlight shining in… He looked even cleaner than the glass—like some little immortal.” Ah Ye sighed in awe.
Feng Lezhen recalled Qi Jingqing’s face and couldn’t help but smile more deeply.
On New Year’s Eve, with the unexpected arrival of dozens of guests, the Marquis’s household found themselves short on food for the reunion dinner. The entire manor was suddenly in a flurry—adding more tables, preparing more dishes, bustling with energy.
The people from the Eldest Princess’s residence were quick-witted. Seeing that the host household no longer showed open hostility, they gladly helped out. The Marquis’s people accepted this goodwill and stopped making snide remarks. Things became surprisingly harmonious.
Only the main residence remained quiet. Qi Jingqing continued his game of chess. The black and white pieces fought until the board ended in a deadlock.
Just as he was staring at the board in a daze, a hand suddenly reached in between his fingers, took a black piece, and placed it in the midst of the white—reviving the stalemate. The black stones surged like a river, leaving no hope for the white.
Qi Jingqing kept his gaze on the board, but a faint smile rose on his lips. “Why has Your Highness come so suddenly?”
“Do you really not know why I’m here?” Feng Lezhen sat down across from the board.
Qi Jingqing lifted his eyes in confusion. “How could I possibly know what Your Highness is thinking?”
“Don’t pretend,” Feng Lezhen gave him a look, then casually picked up a pastry from the side table. “Wasn’t it you who made me come?”
Qi Jingqing gave a short laugh, unable to keep a straight face anymore. Feng Lezhen also smiled. “Since you thought Ah Ye didn’t carry enough weight, what if I come personally to thank you?”
“It’s not that I disliked Miss Ah Ye,” Qi Jingqing said, reaching out his hand. “I just suddenly wanted to see Your Highness.”
Feng Lezhen looked at his hand first, then slowly let her gaze drift to his face. She now understood why, even after seeing men like Fu Zhixian or Shen Suifeng, Ah Ye still thought this one more beautiful.
His face wasn’t just handsome—it had a kind of frail and delicate air. Especially his eyes—so clear they seemed breakable. Add to that the long years of medication, his body was thin, his wrists slimmer than most men’s, his figure fragile. It stirred a natural tenderness in others.
In terms of appearance, Fu Zhixian and Shen Suifeng were just as good-looking—Chen Jinan too. But none of them could match this aura that made one want to protect him. No wonder that brat Ah Ye was partial to this face.
Thinking this, Feng Lezhen’s smile deepened.
“…Why is Your Highness staring at me like that?” Qi Jingqing finally couldn’t help but ask.
Feng Lezhen returned to herself. “Ah, just thinking you’re so good-looking, I wanted a few more glances.”
Qi Jingqing paused. A blush crept up his face. “Your Highness is still the same as when you were young—speaking without filter.”
Looking at the flush on his face, Feng Lezhen found it amusing. “And you’re still the same—so easy to tease.”
Qi Jingqing fell silent for a moment. “So Your Highness was teasing me.”
“What?” Feng Lezhen saw that he was still holding out his hand, so she slapped it lightly. Just that one light tap left a red mark.
…So delicate? She was startled. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I don’t go out often, so my body’s a bit weak. Even a light pat will leave a mark, but it’ll fade soon.” Qi Jingqing rubbed the spot and extended his hand again. “Where is it?”
“Where’s what?” Feng Lezhen asked, puzzled.
Qi Jingqing was briefly surprised. “The inkstone.”
“You said you didn’t want it,” Feng Lezhen curved her lips. “So I didn’t bring it.”
Qi Jingqing stared at her for a long moment, confirming she wasn’t joking, then silently withdrew his hand.
The red mark on his arm was still there—and even seemed to be getting darker. Feng Lezhen couldn’t help teasing, “You really are delicate. Just a touch and it leaves a mark. If you ever take a wife…”
Halfway through the sentence, her eyes met his far-too-pure gaze. Suddenly, Feng Lezhen felt sinful.
Oh no, she thought. I almost said something improper to a little immortal.
“If I take a wife, what then?” Qi Jingqing asked seriously.
Feng Lezhen knew she should change the subject, but seeing he seemed genuinely unaware, she asked, “You really don’t know?”
“I’ve never taken a wife,” Qi Jingqing said, then paused before adding, “Nor have I had a betrothal. No concubine, no companion. Nothing at all.”
“That still doesn’t mean you should know absolutely nothing,” Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow slightly.
“My health is poor, and I cannot marry. Perhaps my parents were afraid I’d feel sad, so they never brought up such matters. That’s why I may be more ignorant than most,” Qi Jingqing said, showing rare confusion. “So… what is it that I’m supposed to know?”
Feng Lezhen: “……”
So this is what it means to lift a stone and drop it on your own foot—she finally understood.
