That day, a noble guest arrived at Xunfang Pavilion. The lanterns were taken down early, the gates tightly shut. Inside, there was music and dance, a lively feast, and everyone was doing their utmost to get close to the head seat. Yet the person in the main seat showed no interest, slouched lazily in her chair, sipping alcohol out of boredom.
“If you keep avoiding eye contact, that young gentleman’s eyes are going to go blind,” Feng Lezhen reminded casually from the side.
Qi Jingren paused, then looked up—only to meet the gaze of a handsome youth. The boy’s face turned red and he quickly dropped his eyes.
Feng Lezhen chuckled lightly, just about to say something when Qi Jingren suddenly said, “All of you, leave.”
The music and dancing came to an abrupt halt. Everyone looked at each other in confusion, but within moments, the room emptied out.
At last, it was quiet. Qi Jingren frowned and turned to face Feng Lezhen directly.
Feng Lezhen remained composed, slowly picking up a piece of tender bamboo shoot.
“Not even in season, yet still so crisp and bright—that’s rare indeed,” she remarked calmly, then extended a polite offer. “Deputy General Qi, would you care to try it?”
Qi Jingren had no appetite for such things. Meeting Feng Lezhen’s gaze, she cut to the point: “Your Highness didn’t specifically summon me here just to eat, did you?”
“Of course not,” Feng Lezhen answered quickly.
Qi Jingren’s expression softened a little, just about to speak again, when Feng Lezhen added, “Who would come to a place like this just to eat? Naturally, it’s to enjoy the beauty.”
Qi Jingren: “…”
After a long silence, she stood up with a cold face. “If there’s no proper matter to discuss, this subordinate will take her leave.”
Feng Lezhen picked up a clean plate and handed some bamboo shoots to Ah Ye. “Try it—see if it’s not delicious.”
Ah Ye eagerly took it, wolfed it down in a few bites, and gasped, “It’s just as good as the imperial kitchen’s!”
“Goes to show—even a so-called backwater, as the people call this place, still has its charms.” Feng Lezhen smiled.
Ah Ye nodded, then hesitated. “Your Highness… I’d like some more.”
Feng Lezhen laughed and helped her to more herself.
The two chatted on their own, completely ignoring Qi Jingren, who felt like she must’ve been crazy to attend this banquet. She turned sharply to leave.
“Your Highness,” Ah Ye asked curiously, ignoring Qi Jingren’s retreating figure, “I heard it takes six years for a bamboo to sprout a shoot, and that shoot becomes a full bamboo in just three days. But to taste such tender bamboo, you’d have to pick it the day it emerges from the earth. That first-day shoot is tiny and unremarkable—how would the picker even find it in time?”
Feng Lezhen smiled lightly. “Naturally, they’re guided by the other bamboos.”
“The bamboo forest guides them?” Ah Ye was surprised. “Did I hear wrong? Bamboo can guide people to pick shoots?”
Feng Lezhen: “That’s right.”
“…How is that possible?” Ah Ye was still in disbelief.
“What’s impossible about it?” Feng Lezhen replied calmly. “You already know it takes only three days for a shoot to grow into a bamboo. You should also know that old bamboo is never as vigorous as new shoots. Sunlight, water, soil—everything goes to the new bamboo. Every time one grows, an old bamboo is forced aside…”
Qi Jingren’s footsteps slowed.
Feng Lezhen acted like she hadn’t noticed and continued, “If it’s lucky, the old bamboo might hang on for a while. But if not, its roots get strangled, its leaves shaded, its body pierced—until finally it dries up and snaps. Now if you were that old bamboo, would you just sit by and watch the new shoot grow, or would you try to make sure it withers before it has a chance?”
Ah Ye looked stunned, then turned toward the main seat and exclaimed in surprise, “Deputy General Qi, didn’t you leave?”
“…I hadn’t yet tried the fresh bamboo Your Highness spoke of. It wouldn’t be polite to leave so hastily,” Qi Jingren replied stiffly, scooping a large portion of bamboo into her bowl.
Feng Lezhen smiled. “Eat slowly—mind your manners.”
Qi Jingren had originally wanted to retort that Yingguan wasn’t as particular as the capital, but when she met Feng Lezhen’s gaze, she quietly lowered her head and focused on eating.
It took some effort to finish the bowl. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Feng Lezhen sipped her tea and said, “When I first came to Yingguan, I thought you’d grown a lot over the years—become steady and mature. But after a few encounters, I’ve realized you haven’t changed much. Still impulsive, still frivolous.”
She paused, then looked up. “No different from before.”
“If Your Highness knew what I’ve been through lately, you wouldn’t say that,” Qi Jingren said seriously.
Feng Lezhen’s lips curved slightly. “And what have you been through? You managed to please Zhenbian Marquis and got two promotions. Then because of the bonus pay this time, you became more visible to the soldiers. That made some people uneasy, so they secretly tripped you up a bit. But with the Marquis watching your back, they wouldn’t dare to go too far. And you call that suffering?”
“I’m not like Your Highness. I haven’t seen so many storms. Even these small setbacks are enough to make me feel stifled.” Qi Jingren frowned so hard she could crush flies between her brows.
Feng Lezhen actually liked her honesty. “Enough. Don’t fret. There’s no hurdle in this world that can’t be crossed.”
Qi Jingren’s eyes lit up. “Your Highness has a way to help?”
“Why should I help you?” Feng Lezhen asked, pressing the question right on her tone.
Qi Jingren froze, suddenly speechless.
Indeed—why should she help?
Though they’d been in contact lately, Feng Lezhen had never once confirmed she’d back her. All this time it had been a one-sided relationship—seeking help from Feng Lezhen when needed, showing up at the princess’s estate when necessary, disappearing without contact otherwise. Everyone knows not to act before seeing the rabbit; Her Highness wasn’t a fool. How could she possibly help her again and again with no conditions?
Seeing that Qi Jingren had fallen silent, a deeper smile curled on Feng Lezhen’s lips. “It was just a joke—why did you take it seriously?”
“…Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness, but what you’re trying to do is far too risky. If it fails, it won’t just be the Qi clan’s nine branches that suffer—even the Qi army and every commoner in Yingguan will be dragged down with us. I truly cannot agree lightly. If Your Highness chooses not to help me because of this, I will have no complaints.” As Qi Jingren spoke, she stood up. “I’ve been indebted to Your Highness these past days, and I am not an ungrateful person. So long as I remain in Yingguan, no matter who dares trouble Your Highness, come find me—I will help you with everything I have.”
With that, she truly meant to leave.
“Stop right there,” Feng Lezhen said lightly.
Qi Jingren frowned and stopped.
“Come back. Sit down.” Feng Lezhen gave her a glance. Only after she sat back down did Feng Lezhen speak again: “Did I ask you to make a promise right now?”
Qi Jingren pressed her lips together.
“Don’t worry. Until you willingly pledge loyalty, I won’t force you into anything.” Feng Lezhen paused for a moment, a trace of disdain flickering in her eyes. “Even if you swore loyalty now, what good would it do? Is the Qi army even yours? Would they follow you just because you gave the order? You’re Qi Zhen’s own daughter, the closest person to military power right now, yet you’re only a mere deputy general. Your influence in Yingguan isn’t even as strong as mine. What a disgrace.”
Qi Jingren: “……”
Feng Lezhen poured another cup of alcohol, holding it delicately between her fingers. The alcohol inside swayed dangerously, seemingly on the verge of spilling—but not a single drop was lost.
Qi Jingren watched her calm expression, and the irritation in her heart gradually faded. She lowered her head and continued eating the dish of bamboo shoots in front of her. One bite at a time, slowly but steadily, she finished the whole plate. When the last bite entered her mouth, she put down her chopsticks.
“Full?” Feng Lezhen asked.
Qi Jingren paused, then replied, “Yes.”
“Then you’d better get going,” Feng Lezhen nodded. “The people tailing you left a quarter of an hour ago. They’ll be back soon, likely with others to seize you. Perhaps even your father will come.”
Qi Jingren abruptly stood up. “What do you mean by that, Your Highness?”
“What else could I mean?” Feng Lezhen remained unbothered. “You and Zhenbian Marquis are known for your close bond. In the military, there are plenty of veterans worried that this ‘new shoot’ of yours will steal what they believe is rightfully theirs. It’s only natural they’d send more eyes to watch you. Now that you came to a place like this while on duty, of course someone will use that against you.”
Qi Jingren drew a deep breath. “When did Your Highness realize someone was following me?”
“I knew the moment you arrived,” Ah Ye answered in Feng Lezhen’s place. “Deputy General Qi is fairly alert—you even circled a couple extra blocks before coming in. Unfortunately, you were still careless. You didn’t realize you had someone tailing you.”
“…Then why didn’t you warn me?” Qi Jingren stared directly at Feng Lezhen.
Feng Lezhen calmly met her gaze. “Naturally, I was giving you a chance to make an example.”
Qi Jingren was startled, then suddenly understood.
Feng Lezhen, seeing that she was reasonably perceptive, gave her a parting reminder as she rose to leave: “I’ve already greased the wheels here. No one will speak a word about you meeting me. And even if someone does—”
She only got halfway through her sentence, but Qi Jingren already realized why Feng Lezhen had made her sit in the host’s seat tonight.
“Even if someone speaks, it would only be a case of me running into an old friend,” Qi Jingren said, enunciating each word. “To avoid dragging a lady’s name through the mud, I would never reveal her identity.”
Those who had seen Feng Lezhen only knew she had sat at the lower end of the table. That alone would be enough to erase any suspicions.
After all, the noble and exalted Eldest Princess would never lower herself to sit beside a mere deputy general.
The corner of Feng Lezhen’s mouth curled faintly into a smile, and she left ahead of her with Ah Ye.
It was already late. The snow reflected a soft white glow as Feng Lezhen stepped out gracefully. Once she exited the corridor, her pace quickened, and Ah Ye rushed to catch up.
“Your Highness, leaving Deputy General Qi behind like that—doesn’t that seem a bit heartless?” Ah Ye asked.
Feng Lezhen’s expression was calm. “Staying would only have hurt her.”
To Qi Zhen, visiting a brothel was a crime worthy of flogging—but meeting Feng Lezhen in secret was an offense punishable by extermination of one’s entire clan.
Ah Ye quickly understood and asked, puzzled, “Since Your Highness knew all this, why not choose a more secluded place to meet? Why not just have her come to the Xunfang Pavilion alone?”
Feng Lezhen gave a light cough.
“…You were just bored and wanted to go out,” Ah Ye said, exasperated.
“I’ve been cooped up for days. I just wanted a walk,” Feng Lezhen replied innocently.
Ah Ye was speechless. Still, thinking of how the princess hadn’t wanted to go out in days, it wasn’t such a bad thing after all that she felt like getting some air again. Hm… if she had the mood to admire handsome young men, she must be over her heartbreak.
Ah Ye silently let out a breath. Just as she was about to speak, her expression suddenly sharpened, and she yanked Feng Lezhen into a corner.
The next moment, a unit of soldiers came charging down the path they had just walked.
In the darkness, master and servant exchanged a silent look. After a long moment, Feng Lezhen mouthed, “Why are they here so fast?”
“I don’t know,” Ah Ye whispered back.
Feng Lezhen: “What do we do now?”
“I don’t know that either.”
Feng Lezhen: “……”
Ah Ye: “……”
After a long silence, Feng Lezhen finally regretted coming here in person tonight.
Ah Ye carefully shielded her, and when the soldiers had gone, she led Feng Lezhen into the garden to hide.
She’d wanted to hide in a room, but even the nearest wing room was dozens of meters away. At any moment soldiers could pass by. Ah Ye herself could sneak and hide—but her mistress wasn’t exactly the sort who could roll on the ground or fly through the air.
This time, the ones coming to cause trouble for Qi Jingren were clearly prepared—they brought over a hundred soldiers and surrounded the entire Xunfang Pavilion like an iron fortress.
There was little cover in the garden besides a single rockery. The cold wind sliced through them, and Feng Lezhen felt herself nearly frozen through. Ah Ye noticed her subtle trembling and immediately reached to remove her own cloak, only to have her hand stopped.
“If you freeze, I really won’t make it out,” Feng Lezhen said softly.
Ah Ye pressed her lips together. Though she was worried, she knew she couldn’t afford to fall ill. After a brief moment of thought, she said, “Your Highness, wait here a moment. I’ll have the coachman wait at the back entrance and draw the soldiers away. Once you hear the commotion, run straight to the rear gate. He’ll take you away.”
Feng Lezhen looked at the distance between the back gate and where they were hiding and found the plan viable. She nodded at once.
Without hesitation, Ah Ye slipped away silently. Watching her figure—light as a swallow—Feng Lezhen suddenly felt a twinge of envy.
Once things calmed down in a few days, she’d have to learn a few moves herself.
Ah Ye moved quickly. Less than a quarter of an hour after she left, loud commotion broke out outside. As expected, the soldiers near the garden chased after it. Feng Lezhen gathered her skirts and silently counted to three, then darted out from behind the rockery—only to be grabbed by the hand just as she emerged.
Not good…
She cursed inwardly and was about to raise her voice with a princess’s authority when she saw the face of the person who had grabbed her.
“Jingqing?” Feng Lezhen said in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“…Shh.” Qi Jingqing quickly glanced around and pulled her toward a nearby side room.
“Wait a moment—” Feng Lezhen started.
But Qi Jingqing didn’t listen. He just kept dragging her along. Unfortunately, he was weak in health, and after only a few steps, his breathing grew labored.
Watching his struggling back, Feng Lezhen knew this wasn’t the time to laugh—but she still couldn’t help letting out a chuckle. “Wait a moment…”
Before she could finish, the sound of hurried footsteps from soldiers echoed behind them. Feng Lezhen tensed and immediately reversed their roles—grabbing Qi Jingqing’s hand instead and running. Before the soldiers returned, the two of them slipped into the nearest empty side room.
The door had barely shut when Qi Jingqing collapsed against it, sliding down to the floor. It was the depth of winter, yet sweat beaded on his skin, trailing down his jawline, across his slightly parted, flushed lips, and soaking into the collar of his white robe.
Feng Lezhen pressed an ear to the door for a while. Once she was sure the soldiers hadn’t noticed them, she finally let out a breath of relief. But when she stood upright, the first thing she saw was that nearly scandalous scene.
Well, this was… She was speechless for a moment, then asked, “Still alive?”
“It was just a short walk. I’m fine,” Qi Jingqing said between shallow breaths, his chest rising and falling beneath his heavy robes.
Feng Lezhen turned her face away. “If you’re fine, then get up.”
After a while, Qi Jingqing managed to stand, albeit unsteadily.
Looking at how he now stood half a head taller than her, Feng Lezhen couldn’t help but find it a little amusing. “What are you doing here?”
“You should be the one answering that,” Qi Jingqing said calmly. “What are you doing bringing Jingren to a place like this?”
“Nothing gets past you, does it?” Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow. “You must’ve planted quite a few people around me, hmm?”
“Just a few hidden guards watching from afar outside the princess’s manor,” Qi Jingqing replied. “Your Highness brought too few attendants to Yingguan, and Feizhan is still missing. I wasn’t at ease, so I had people keep an eye on you.”
Feng Lezhen turned and sat down at the table. Since they were hiding, she didn’t dare light a lamp, relying only on the snow-reflected light from outside. “You sure know a lot about what I’m up to.”
“Is Your Highness upset?” Qi Jingqing’s legs still felt weak, and he remained leaning against the door.
Feng Lezhen said, “Why would I be?”
She had long known that he had people watching over her. But since it didn’t affect her, she hadn’t cared much.
“So you came here just to interrogate me?” she asked, arms crossed.
Qi Jingqing smiled faintly. “How would I dare?”
“You’re Jingren’s brother. Why wouldn’t you dare?” she countered.
Qi Jingqing paused, his lowered gaze unreadable. “Fair enough.”
“She’s been in a bit of trouble lately, so she asked for my help. I figured, for the sake of our childhood friendship, I’d lend a hand. That’s not unreasonable, is it?” Feng Lezhen asked.
When Qi Jingqing looked up again, his expression was as composed as ever. “I knew she and Your Highness had grown close recently, but I didn’t expect her to be close enough to come asking for help.”
“What would a man like you know about the bond between women?” Feng Lezhen said coolly.
Qi Jingqing smiled again. “True enough.”
She gave him a quick glance. “Can you still move?”
He replied affirmatively and took a moment to steady himself before slowly walking toward her. Watching his slow, labored pace, Feng Lezhen couldn’t help but frown. “You didn’t bring your wheelchair?”
“It was too conspicuous. I didn’t dare,” Qi Jingqing explained. “I used a cane, but when I reached the garden entrance, I passed it off to Qi An to avoid being recognized.”
After what felt like an eternity, he finally reached her and sat down with visible relief.
“With legs like that, you still thought you could come save someone?” Feng Lezhen mocked.
Qi Jingqing gave her an innocent look. “Forgive me, Your Highness. My health is poor.”
Feng Lezhen gave him a sideways glance and said nothing.
“Your Highness said you brought Jingren here to help her?” Qi Jingqing asked.
“Yes.”
“Then now that my father’s brought soldiers, she should have a plan to handle it, shouldn’t she?”
“I’ve already helped her this much—if she still can’t handle it, then next time, she’d better not claim to know me at all.”
Her tone was blunt, but it made Qi Jingqing curve his lips slightly. “Then we only need to wait for Jingren to draw Father away, and we’ll be able to leave from here.”
“Mm.” Feng Lezhen leaned lazily against the back of the chair.
The darkness hindered sight, but it heightened other senses. At least right now, Qi Jingqing could hear every sound from her side—however small. Even without a complete picture, just from the scattered noises, he could guess what she was doing.
She shifted a few times—maybe the chair wasn’t comfortable. Her fingers tapped the table—perhaps she was bored. In this kind of darkness, what was he supposed to do?
Qi Jingqing’s expression was calm, but thoughts churned in his mind. He finally thought of a way to pass the time: “Your Highness, shall we play a game of chess in our minds—”
“Shh.” Feng Lezhen suddenly pressed her hand over his mouth.
Her soft palm pressed against his lips, and her body’s warmth passed through. Qi Jingqing’s heart thudded so hard it hurt, his whole body freezing up.
But Feng Lezhen didn’t notice his strange reaction. Once he calmed down, she frowned and walked toward the west wall.
Seeing her cautious demeanor, Qi Jingqing couldn’t worry about his own odd sensations. He braced himself on the table and slowly followed her.
“What is it?” he asked in a low voice.
“There was a noise from next door earlier—it sounded like fighting,” Feng Lezhen replied, pressing her ear against the wall.
She looked so serious, and in Qi Jingqing’s eyes, she resembled a small butterfly. He stared at her for a moment, then, almost involuntarily, leaned his ear against the wall too.
The noise from next door was indeed loud—tables and chairs being knocked over, muffled voices. Feng Lezhen frowned; it sounded like a scuffle, but also… not quite. It almost sounded like—
Just as the thought formed, a woman’s moan came through the wall—painful yet laced with pleasure.
“You brute, not so hard…”
“My darling, I’ve missed you to death…”
Feng Lezhen: “……”
Well. This night had been quite the spectacle.
As the sounds grew more indecent, she silently straightened up—only to accidentally bump into a thin chest.
She paused, suddenly remembering there was someone beside her.
It was late at night, a man and woman alone in a room. Even if they were close friends, listening to that together was a bit much. Feng Lezhen’s ears turned a little red. She was just about to change the subject when she looked up and met Qi Jingqing’s clear, earnest gaze.
“What are they doing?” he asked seriously.
Feng Lezhen: “……”
“It sounds like someone’s getting hurt, but also… not really. If something bad is happening, we can’t just ignore it,” Qi Jingqing added, frowning slightly in concern.
He spoke with such sincerity, such righteousness, such…
“You really don’t know what they’re doing?” Feng Lezhen looked at him in disbelief. “How’s that possible?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Qi Jingqing asked, puzzled.
Late at night, man and woman alone—close friends or not, this was a bit much to talk about. But his expression was so serious, so just, so… Feng Lezhen calmed herself. “Even if you don’t have any bed attendants, haven’t you at least had dreams about this sort of thing?”
She silently thanked her most enthusiastic teacher on matters between men and women—
Fu Zhixian. Thanks to him, she pretty much knew everything there was to know.
Qi Jingqing paused, then asked, “What kind of dreams?”
Feng Lezhen stared at him blankly. When their eyes met again, she had no words left.
