Now that everything had been made clear, there was no reason to stay. Feng Lezhen stood, ready to leave.
“Your Highness…” Qi Jingqing instinctively wanted to follow.
“Rest.” Feng Lezhen glanced at him. “Once you’ve recovered, remember to come to the Eldest Princess Manor. I’ll be waiting.”
Hearing this, Qi Jingqing felt somewhat reassured. “Alright.”
Seeing him obediently lie back down, Feng Lezhen turned and walked straight out.
“Your Highness, how did it go?” Song Lian, who had been waiting outside, hurriedly asked.
Feng Lezhen opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, Qi Jingqing’s voice came from inside the room, “Qi An.”
“Y-yes, Young Master!” The page boy quickly ran inside.
Song Lian immediately forgot about questioning Feng Lezhen and stared anxiously at the tightly closed door, not moving until the page boy rushed back out.
“What did he call you for?” she asked immediately.
The page boy stammered, “The… the Shizi…”
“What about him?” Qi Zhen asked anxiously.
“The Shizi wants to eat! He said he’s hungry!” The page boy finally blurted out joyfully. This was the first time in so long that Qi Jingqing had taken the initiative to say he was hungry. Though it was still uncertain whether he’d keep the food down afterward, it was already an enormous piece of good news.
Qi Zhen gasped sharply, but before he could react, Song Lian was already rushing toward the kitchen, barreling forward without a trace of the graceful composure of a noble lady.
The entire Marquis Manor was thrown into chaos because of Qi Jingqing’s one sentence. Meanwhile, Feng Lezhen silently exchanged a glance with Ah Ye, and the two of them slipped away without a sound.
The kitchen prepared several dishes at the fastest speed. Song Lian followed the servants carrying the food to the doorway but suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.
“Why aren’t you going in?” Qi Zhen asked.
Song Lian hesitated awkwardly. “N-no… better not.”
Qi Zhen understood that she was still bothered by how her earlier rash actions had almost cost their son his life. Quietly, he reached out and held her hand.
Song Lian’s eyes turned red. After a long moment, she choked out, “My Lord… I truly realize my mistake now…”
Qi Zhen didn’t know how to comfort her either, so he could only silently pat her back.
The two of them continued standing at the doorway until news finally came from inside—the Shizi had finished his meal without vomiting. Only then did the hearts that had been weighed down for days finally relax, if only barely.
***
Meanwhile, in the carriage returning to the Eldest Princess Manor.
“Your Highness, what did the Shizi say to you?” Ah Ye asked curiously.
“He said he wanted to make a deal with me,” Feng Lezhen replied.
“A deal?” Ah Ye didn’t quite understand.
Feng Lezhen thought of Qi Jingqing’s serious expression from earlier and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Mm. A deal.”
“…What kind of deal could he make with you?” Ah Ye muttered under her breath. She wanted to ask further but, seeing the pleased expression in Feng Lezhen’s eyes, swallowed her questions instead.
Hmm… the Marquis and his wife are indeed insufferable, Ah Ye thought, but the two children they raised are both very likable. One is steadfast, loyal, and accomplished… and the other… well, just existing is enough to make Her Highness happy.
“Looks like next time the Shizi comes to the Eldest Princess Manor, I won’t have to turn him away at the door,” Ah Ye joked.
Feng Lezhen shot her a glance but didn’t refute it.
Though she had given him permission to visit, after that day, Feng Lezhen didn’t see Qi Jingqing for two full months. She only occasionally heard from Qi Jingren that he was now eating well, sleeping well, and diligently focusing on recovery.
The summers at Yingguan were always short. Before the heat had even lasted long, the weather had already cooled.
Mid-Autumn was approaching, yet Qi Jingqing still hadn’t appeared. Feng Lezhen simply stopped bothering to wait and focused her attention on dealing with the secret letters coming from the capital.
After her refusal to return to the capital, Feng Ji finally realized that he was losing control of her and started moving against her power base in the capital. Even someone like Wanwan, who always sugarcoated bad news, wrote things like “Life at the manor has become rather difficult lately”—enough to make it impossible for Feng Lezhen not to worry.
She had originally planned to create some trouble for Feng Ji to divert his attention. But before she could take action, a letter from Fu Zhixian arrived.
It was the first letter he had sent her since she left the capital three years ago. There were only a few words written on it: “Hide your strength. Bide your time.”
After pondering for a long while, Feng Lezhen ultimately changed her mind. Once she gave her instructions to Qin Wan, she stopped meddling in the capital’s affairs.
As Mid-Autumn drew near, Yingguan grew lively. Every household began cleaning and preparing to celebrate the once-Ah Year reunion festival. Only the Eldest Princess Manor remained cold and quiet, showing no sign of festivity. Feng Lezhen was so busy with official matters that it wasn’t until a few days before Mid-Autumn that she noticed how different her household was compared to others. She immediately summoned Fan Gonggong to ask about it.
“It’s not that we’re skipping Mid-Autumn… just that everything is being kept simple. On the day itself, we’ll have the kitchen prepare a few more dishes, and we’ll hand out red envelopes to the staff. That should be enough,” Fan Gonggong replied respectfully.
Feng Lezhen frowned. “Why so simple?”
“Well… it’s just…” Fan Gonggong looked awkward.
Seeing him hesitate, Feng Lezhen suddenly understood—
It was because Fu Zhixian’s birthday was on that very day. It was also the day they separated.
They were keeping things simple out of fear that the occasion would stir up her sad memories. Realizing this, Feng Lezhen couldn’t help but laugh and sigh. “It’s been so long. I’ve nearly forgotten it myself, yet you’re all still brooding over it.”
Fan Gonggong smiled awkwardly.
“The manor hasn’t had a lively gathering in a long time. Let’s do it properly. Don’t worry about imaginary taboos,” Feng Lezhen instructed. Then, thinking of something, she added, “And ask around to see if anyone wants anything in particular. The manor’s finances are much better now. Whatever they wish for, just have them speak up.”
Fan Gonggong agreed and went off to make preparations.
The news that Her Highness the Eldest Princess was holding a Mid-Autumn family banquet quickly spread throughout the manor. Since Fan Gonggong was elderly, no one felt comfortable asking him directly for gifts. Instead, Ah Ye, as Feng Lezhen’s most favored maid, took on the responsibility of relaying everyone’s wishes.
“Ah Bi wants a red coral hairpin. Cong’er wants a pair of pearl earrings. Oh, and that guard Zhou… for some strange reason suddenly wants the Four Treasures of the Study. He says he’s planning to study calligraphy and reading. Honestly, I don’t think we should get him anything too fancy. He’s probably just going through a phase anyway…” Ah Ye counted on her fingers as she listed everyone’s wishes one by one.
Feng Lezhen couldn’t help but laugh. “And you? What do you want?”
“I don’t lack anything. There’s nothing I want,” Ah Ye replied.
“Truly nothing?” Feng Lezhen asked.
“Truly nothing. But if I must name something…” Ah Ye thought for a moment and said, “Then I wish for Your Highness to be happy every single day.”
“You…” Feng Lezhen poked her lightly on the cheek.
Ah Ye giggled, hugging Feng Lezhen’s arm with admiration. “I always mess things up and act on my own. But Your Highness never gets angry with me—instead, you always take my side. I’m already completely content. I don’t want anything else.”
Feng Lezhen lowered her gaze, quietly studying the serious expression in Ah Ye’s face. She suddenly recalled the day she first selected her as her personal maid.
Back then, a line of more than ten little girls stood before her, each trying desperately to impress. Only Ah Ye blinked her big, round eyes and asked if she felt cold not wearing an outer robe.
“Your Highness? Your Highness?” Ah Ye’s voice pulled her back.
“Hm?”
“What are you thinking about?” Ah Ye asked, puzzled.
Feng Lezhen smiled. “I was thinking about the first time I saw you.”
Ah Ye had been only five years old when she was chosen as her personal maid. She didn’t remember much of that time, but when she heard it now, pride surged in her heart. “I heard that the late emperor selected a whole group of palace maids for Your Highness to choose from. But in the end, Your Highness picked me. It must’ve been because I was much better than the others. That’s why you chose me at a glance!”
Even in a place as strict as the imperial palace, no one would expect a five-year-old to be “better” than others. The only reason she was chosen was because, at that moment, her bright eyes reflected no one else—only Feng Lezhen.
Looking at Ah Ye’s expectant little face, Feng Lezhen’s lips curved into a smile. “That’s right. You were better than all of them.”
Hearing exactly what she wanted to hear, Ah Ye beamed with satisfaction.
As the two chatted, Chen Jinan happened to pass by on patrol. Their gazes met, and without any hesitation, he stepped forward and saluted. “Your Highness.”
“You look like you’ve tanned a bit,” Feng Lezhen remarked, carefully studying his face.
Although the Eldest Princess Manor at Yingguan wasn’t particularly large, it still had a proper three-courtyard layout. And since Feng Lezhen was often busy outside, it was normal for them not to cross paths even after ten days or half a month.
Chen Jinan grew a little uneasy at her comment. “Your subordinate acknowledges the mistake.”
“It’s just a bit of sun. How is that a mistake?” Feng Lezhen chuckled. She picked up a piece of pastry from the table and handed it to him. “Everyone’s asking for Mid-Autumn Festival gifts. What about you? Is there anything you want?”
Holding the pastry she gave him, Chen Jinan was momentarily at a loss for how to answer.
Ah Ye glanced at him sidelong, then turned to Feng Lezhen and said, “No need to ask him. I’m sure he’s like me—he doesn’t…”
“Are we having fireworks for Mid-Autumn?” Chen Jinan suddenly asked.
Ah Ye gasped sharply.
What is wrong with Chen Jinan?! Even though Her Highness no longer minds the past, bringing up fireworks during Mid-Autumn… Was he trying to remind her of how loving she used to be with Master Fu?
Feng Lezhen, however, remained calm. “You want to see fireworks?”
Chen Jinan caught a glimpse of Ah Ye’s stiffened expression and vaguely realized that his question might have been inappropriate. But the words were already spoken, and swallowing them back wasn’t possible.
After a moment of silence, he still nodded.
“Back in the capital, there were always fireworks. I’m… used to it,” he said quietly.
Ah Ye wanted nothing more than to punch him, but with Feng Lezhen present, she could only clench her teeth and force a smile. “I’ve worked with you for so many years, and I never knew you liked fireworks.”
“…It’s not that I like them…” Chen Jinan paused, caught her half-smiling, half-threatening look, and ultimately gave up pretending. “Your subordinate spoke without thinking. Please forgive me, Your Highness. I… I don’t want fireworks anymore. I’d like… I’d like a tassel. To hang on my sword.”
This spring, Her Highness had given him a heavy black-iron sword, but the sword still lacked a tassel.
“Sure. I’ll grant it,” Feng Lezhen agreed casually.
Chen Jinan nodded and continued his patrol.
“…That Chen Jinan. After all these years, he’s still got no tact. No improvement whatsoever,” Ah Ye muttered.
Feng Lezhen laughed. “Go tell Fan Gonggong to prepare fireworks. We’ll set them off on Mid-Autumn night.”
“You’re really going to set off fireworks for him?!” Ah Ye was stunned.
Feng Lezhen looked puzzled. “Didn’t you hear me agree just now?”
“I thought… I thought you were just agreeing to the tassel… You really mean the fireworks?” Ah Ye confirmed again.
Feng Lezhen picked up another pastry. “Do it. If we don’t have fireworks this year, you lot will probably keep tiptoeing around it until next Mid-Autumn.”
Seeing that she truly didn’t mind, Ah Ye immediately agreed.
Perhaps because this was the first Mid-Autumn since coming to Yingguan where they weren’t suppressing themselves, everyone in the manor was genuinely delighted. In less than half a day, the whole place was cleaned and decorated, finally showing some real festive spirit.
And right before the festival—on the day before Mid-Autumn—Qi Jingqing, who had been absent for a long time, finally showed up at the Eldest Princess Manor.
“Your Highness… it’s been a while,” he greeted from his wheelchair, eyes clear and bright.
Feng Lezhen stared at him for a moment, then smiled. “Looks like you’ve been recovering pretty well.”
He was still thin but clearly much healthier and full of energy compared to before.
“Not fully recovered yet,” Qi Jingqing replied.
Feng Lezhen circled behind him and personally pushed his wheelchair toward the house. “Then why not keep resting?”
Qi Jingqing didn’t answer.
The two remained silent as they entered the side hall. Feng Lezhen poured him a cup of tea and handed it over. Qi Jingqing quietly accepted it, and when their fingers brushed for a fleeting moment, both of them paused.
“Shall we play a round?” Feng Lezhen asked.
Qi Jingqing smiled lightly. “Gladly.”
Ah Ye set out a chessboard for them and then led the others out. The spacious side hall was left with only the two of them. The room was so quiet that the only sound was the soft click of chess pieces being placed on the board.
After two or three rounds, more than an hour had passed, and Qi Jingqing looked visibly tired.
“Let’s rest.” Feng Lezhen set down her chess piece.
Qi Jingqing perked up, “No need…”
“Qi Jingqing,” Feng Lezhen’s tone was calm.
Qi Jingqing paused briefly. “Alright.”
Seeing how obedient he was, Feng Lezhen’s lips curved slightly. “You still can’t walk?”
“Not really,” Qi Jingqing explained.
Feng Lezhen said, “You’ve been recovering for so long—how come there’s so little progress?”
Qi Jingqing gave a faint smile and looked down at the thin blanket over his knees.
Feng Lezhen sighed and stood up to push his wheelchair. “Come on, I’ll take you out for a walk. The residence has been lively these past two days.”
“Just now, Miss Ah Ye mentioned that there’s a banquet tomorrow for Mid-Autumn?” Qi Jingqing chatted casually with her.
Feng Lezhen nodded, “A family banquet. Doors closed, no outsiders.”
Qi Jingqing paused. The words he wanted to say reached his lips, but he didn’t know how to start.
“Are you free tomorrow night?” Feng Lezhen asked.
Qi Jingqing turned to look at her.
“No?” Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow slightly.
“…I should be free,” Qi Jingqing turned his head back calmly.
Feng Lezhen glanced down—she could see his cheeks puffed up.
“If you want to smile, just smile. Don’t do it sneakily.” Feng Lezhen reminded him coolly.
Now the side of his face not only puffed up but was tinged with a faint blush.
Although the weather had been cooling since August, today’s sunlight was quite pleasant. The courtyard was warm and cozy. Feng Lezhen pushed Qi Jingqing along as they chatted idly. From time to time, something they said made them both smile. The two of them looked rather well-matched.
Chen Jinan happened to see this scene while helping the kitchen staff move vegetables.
The vegetables had just been picked from the fields by commoners and were still covered in damp soil. Though he was careful, he still ended up with dirt all over himself. Even the hairband on his head was smudged.
The moment he saw them, Feng Lezhen also noticed him. Qi Jingqing, sensing something, turned to look as well.
“Your Highness.” Chen Jinan stood there holding radishes, unsure how to salute. After a pause, he gave up and simply nodded toward Qi Jingqing. “Shizi.”
Qi Jingqing gave a slight smile and nodded. “Long time no see. Has Guard Chen been well?”
“Replying to the Shizi—well enough.” Chen Jinan bowed his head to respond, then suddenly caught sight of the dirt smeared across his own body and his grimy hands.
Then he looked at Qi Jingqing—his jade coronet, his spotless boots, even the fingers resting on the blanket looked like scallion stalks: clean and elegant.
Qi Jingqing’s lips still held a faint smile. “Her Highness mentioned just now that while I was away, you’ve been playing chess with her?”
“I don’t understand chess at all—just keeping Her Highness company to pass the time,” Chen Jinan replied calmly.
Qi Jingqing said, “You don’t understand it, yet Her Highness didn’t mind. Seems you have some talent. If there’s a chance, how about we play a game sometime?”
Chen Jinan’s eyes flickered slightly, and just as he was about to refuse, Feng Lezhen spoke first: “Don’t bully my people. With his skill, how could he play against you?”
Qi Jingqing didn’t react to her referring to Chen Jinan as “her person.” He only looked regretfully at Chen Jinan. “If Her Highness objects, then I suppose it’s not to be.”
Chen Jinan only nodded, saying nothing.
“Go on, get back to work,” Feng Lezhen said.
Only then did he carry the radishes away.
“Still haven’t seen the back garden. How about Her Highness shows me around?” Qi Jingqing continued chatting as if Chen Jinan had never been there.
Feng Lezhen agreed and pushed him toward the back. Qi Jingqing glanced casually toward Chen Jinan disappearing into the kitchen, and the smile on his lips faded slightly.
In the kitchen, Chen Jinan kept his head down, neatly stacking the radishes in the corner. A kitchen auntie washed dishes nearby and laughed cheerfully, “Jinan is always so meticulous. Everything you do is done well.”
Chen Jinan gave a slight nod and continued his work. The kitchen auntie dried the last dish, flicked the water off her hands, and walked to the doorway to peer outside. “Her Highness has already left? That young man just now was the Shizi of the marquis’s household, right? So handsome. This old woman’s lived this long and never seen such a pretty gentleman. Our Highness is really blessed.”
“It’s the Shizi who’s blessed,” Chen Jinan suddenly said.
The auntie chuckled, “Right, right! The Shizi is blessed!”
Chen Jinan kept his head lowered and continued working.
The auntie muttered to herself a few more times. Then she turned and saw that he had already stacked the radishes and started organizing other vegetables. She casually asked, “Still having noodles tomorrow night?”
Chen Jinan paused. “Yes.”
“Alright then. Tomorrow I’ll save some chicken broth and roll out some noodles for you. We’ll make chicken noodle soup for dinner.”
“Thank you, Auntie.”
Looking at his increasingly resolute features these past few years, the auntie couldn’t help but smile fondly. “You’ll be twenty-two after this year’s birthday, won’t you? If your parents knew how well you’ve turned out, they could rest in peace.”
Chen Jinan said nothing, only turning to look out the window at the blue sky.
Meanwhile, Feng Lezhen pushed Qi Jingqing into the back garden, where Fan Gonggong was directing servants to move fireworks into the house. Seeing them, he quickly came forward to salute. “Your Highness, Shizi.”
“Why so many fireworks?” Qi Jingqing asked before Feng Lezhen could speak.
Fan Gonggong smiled. “Replying to the Shizi—tomorrow is Mid-Autumn Festival. On Her Highness’s orders, I bought some fireworks for a bit of festivity.”
Qi Jingqing’s gaze shifted slightly, his voice calm and measured. “Had I known Her Highness wanted fireworks, I would’ve asked the skilled craftsmen in the army to make some. These ones from the market may not be as beautiful.”
“It was a last-minute idea. These will do just fine,” Feng Lezhen said with a smile.
Qi Jingqing responded with a quiet “mm,” his gaze once again landing on the fireworks.
He had never seen the Mid-Autumn fireworks display in the capital, but just from the bits and pieces he’d heard over the years, he could imagine the splendor.
“Shall we walk over there?” Feng Lezhen asked.
Qi Jingqing snapped out of his thoughts and nodded with a smile.
He stayed at the Princess’s residence until dusk, only returning home when night had already fallen.
Qi Jingqing originally intended to go straight to his room to rest, but as soon as he entered the garden, he ran into Song Lian.
“Mother.” He greeted her first.
Song Lian gave an awkward smile. “You… went to the Princess’s residence today?”
“Yes,” Qi Jingqing replied calmly.
Ever since his illness, certain matters had been laid bare. There was no need to hide them anymore.
Song Lian had mentally prepared for this moment for quite some time. Hearing him admit it himself didn’t bring much of a reaction, but she still carefully asked, “Then for tomorrow’s reunion dinner… will you be eating at home?”
“Of course,” Qi Jingqing let out a chuckle. “A big day like Mid-Autumn is one I must spend with Father and Mother. Though after the meal…”
Halfway through his sentence, he suddenly remembered the pile of fireworks in the Princess’s back courtyard. He paused, then abruptly changed his mind. “I won’t go out after dinner either. I’ll stay home and accompany you and Father.”
“There’s no need for you to keep us company. Just being able to have the reunion meal together is enough,” Song Lian said, eyes reddening.
“Mother,” Qi Jingqing said helplessly, “I do admire Her Highness, but that doesn’t mean I’ll abandon my family. Your son will always be filial to you and Father.”
“That’s not what I meant…” Song Lian wiped at her eyes in embarrassment.
Qi Jingqing gently reassured her a few more times. When she had calmed down, he signaled the page boy to push his wheelchair toward the main hall. Song Lian quietly watched him go, then suddenly called out, “Jingqing.”
He stopped.
“Are you… happy now?” she asked.
Qi Jingqing smiled. “Naturally.”
“Then that’s enough,” Song Lian finally let go. “If you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
Qi Jingqing understood what she meant. He smiled and left.
The moon rose and set, and rose again — a new day arrived.
Mid-Autumn Festival.
Early in the morning, Feng Lezhen went to the administrative office and only returned in the afternoon. As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw it was already filled with tables and chairs — preparations for the evening banquet were clearly well underway.
Feng Lezhen said with a mix of exasperation and amusement, “Had I known you all liked lively scenes this much, I wouldn’t have held you back these past two years.”
“A time and place for everything,” Ah Ye said as she helped her inside. “Even if you had allowed us to go all out before, none of us would’ve wanted to — the house didn’t have money back then. But now things are different. The accounts are full of silver. Not only has it eased the capital’s financial strain, we’re living more comfortably too. A little extravagance once in a while doesn’t hurt.”
Then she looked around. “Has the shizi not arrived yet?”
Feng Lezhen replied, “He won’t come until after dinner.”
“Why not eat with us?” Ah Ye was puzzled.
“Because he’s not a part of the Princess’s household,” Feng Lezhen shot her a glance.
“It’s only a matter of time,” Ah Ye stuck out her tongue.
Feng Lezhen chuckled and gave her a light slap. “Dinner’s in an hour. Go get to work.”
“Yes!”
As night fell, the long-anticipated banquet finally began. But before Feng Lezhen could even take her seat, Qi Jingqing’s page boy arrived in a rush.
“Your Highness, the Shizi would like to invite you to his residence for a talk,” he said cautiously.
“Now?” Feng Lezhen frowned.
“Yes…”
Feng Lezhen lifted her eyes and looked over the festive courtyard. In the next moment, her gaze met Chen Jinan’s. Thinking she was calling him, Chen Jinan started to get up, but before he could move, Feng Lezhen raised her hand, signaling him to sit.
Chen Jinan hesitated, then slowly sat back down.
“Is something the matter?” Feng Lezhen asked.
The page boy swallowed. “Since nightfall, the Shizi’s legs have been in severe pain. I think he’s in real discomfort now and just wants Your Highness to keep him company.”
At first, Feng Lezhen frowned deeply. But as she saw the anxiety on the page boy’s face, her worry oddly eased.
“I’m not a doctor. What good would it do for me to go now? You should get a physician for him,” she said.
“But…”
Hearing her refusal, the page boy’s voice grew louder. But noticing the many people glancing their way, he quickly lowered his voice again. “A-a doctor has already come. He’s taken the medicine, but they said the pain will last a while. Please, Your Highness, just go keep him company for a bit.”
This was outright begging now. Feng Lezhen stared at him long and hard, making the boy increasingly uneasy.
Just as he was about to speak again, Feng Lezhen’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Alright.”
The moment it became known that Her Highness was going to visit the Marquis’s residence and wouldn’t be staying for the reunion banquet, the courtyard erupted in protests—
“Your Highness, you’re being biased! We’ve been waiting forever—how could you leave now!”
“At least eat something first! We worked so hard to prepare this banquet!”
“Your Highness…”
Everyone was talking at once, and the whole courtyard sounded like a marketplace. Feng Lezhen shook her head, half laughing, and raised a hand to quiet them before speaking slowly: “Everyone gets two extra red packets tonight. The silver will come out of my personal stash.”
Before she even finished, the courtyard erupted in cheers. Auspicious sayings were thrown around like confetti, not a hint of disappointment left. Feng Lezhen had long known what kind of people she kept around — none of this surprised her.
With a smile tugging at her lips, she left with the page boy. Chen Jinan silently watched her go. Only when the last glimpse of her sleeve disappeared did he lower his head and glance at the tassel in his hand.
That tassel—she had rewarded it to him just a quarter of an hour ago.
Two quarters of an hour later, Feng Lezhen arrived at the entrance of the main bedroom of the Marquis’s residence.
“Your Highness, the Shizi is inside,” the page boy said respectfully, stopping just short of the door.
Feng Lezhen cast him a cool glance before lifting her foot and stepping inside. The page boy shivered from her gaze, feeling a sudden chill run through him. He didn’t dare dwell on it and quickly moved to shut the door behind her.
The room was lit brightly, and behind the semi-transparent gauze curtain, a slender figure could vaguely be seen. Feng Lezhen walked gracefully up to the curtain, reached out to touch the thin fabric, and said with a smile, “This gauze really doesn’t belong in your room.”
“Your Highness…” Qi Jingqing was seated on the bed, his features calm and delicate.
“When I first came, I thought it strange—you’ve always had good taste. How could you tolerate such a thing here? Now I understand,” Feng Lezhen said as she slowly walked over and sat by the bed, smiling at his pale face. “A beauty half-veiled—truly a lovely sight.”
Qi Jingqing’s lips curled faintly. “Nothing escapes Your Highness.”
Back when he’d learned she was coming to the military pass, he had someone knock down the dividing wall between the outer and inner rooms, replacing it with semi-transparent gauze and a screen. That way, if she ever came by and couldn’t enter the inner chamber due to propriety, she could still vaguely see him.
“You, who knows nothing about matters between men and women—how did you come up with this idea?” Feng Lezhen asked curiously.
Qi Jingqing gave a soft cough. “Has Your Highness forgotten? I once went to Xunfang Pavilion to catch Jingren…”
Feng Lezhen paused and suddenly recalled that Xunfang Pavilion did indeed have such gauze curtains. She burst into amused exasperation. “Shizi truly is a good student—learning from the smallest of details.”
A faint blush appeared on Qi Jingqing’s face. His gaze shone brightly as he looked at her, offering no rebuttal.
“I heard from Qi An that your leg hurts?” Feng Lezhen asked.
Qi Jingqing responded vaguely, “Mm, my leg hurts.”
“How does your leg start hurting all of a sudden?” she asked again.
Qi Jingqing looked away. “I don’t know.”
“Where exactly does it hurt?” Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow.
“…Hard to say,” Qi Jingqing answered.
Feng Lezhen laughed. “You’re not a three-year-old child. How can you not know where it hurts?”
“This kind of thing is just…” Qi Jingqing’s breath caught, his eyes widening, “Your Highness!”
“Here?” Feng Lezhen reached under the blanket and gently held his ankle.
Qi Jingqing froze completely, and only after a long pause did he stammer, “No…”
“Then here?” Feng Lezhen’s hand slid up, resting lightly on his knee through the thin, warm sleepwear.
Qi Jingqing stared at her, watching her lips move, but all he could hear was the pounding of his own heart.
“So, not here either.” Feng Lezhen furrowed her brow as if in serious contemplation, while her hand continued moving upward.
Her cool fingers brushed lightly upward, leaving behind a heat like fire even through the fabric. A storm surged inside Qi Jingqing, and all at once, he recalled that strange dream from the other night.
Inch by inch, it fanned the flames until even the unspeakable place was burning with heat. Only then did he snap out of it, breathing rapidly as he pressed down on Feng Lezhen’s hand through the blanket.
“Where does it hurt?” Feng Lezhen teased, as if making casual conversation.
Outside the blanket, it was polite and distant. Underneath, sweat and heat mingled.
After a long moment, Qi Jingqing managed to steady his breathing. “With Your Highness here, it doesn’t hurt anywhere.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, a faint popping sound of fireworks could be heard from afar. He frowned slightly but said nothing.
The subtle change in his expression didn’t escape her. Feng Lezhen smiled. “Sounds like I really am a magical cure-all.”
Qi Jingqing said nothing, only gazed at her steadily.
Feng Lezhen’s heart softened. She slowly withdrew her hand from beneath the blanket. “We’ve been fooling around all night. Isn’t it time to sleep?”
“…Mm.”
“Want to come back to the manor with me?” Feng Lezhen smiled faintly, her tone hard to read.
Qi Jingqing might still be as pure as a blank page, but even he understood the meaning behind her words. His heart trembled fiercely.
But after a long silence, he still shook his head.
Feng Lezhen wasn’t surprised. She smiled and was about to leave when he tugged at her sleeve. “Your Highness, have a cup of tea before you go.”
With that, he raised his voice and called the page boy in to serve tea.
Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow but sat down and drank the tea. By the time she finished, the fireworks at the Princess’s residence had ended.
“May I go now?” Feng Lezhen asked with a smile.
Qi Jingqing was silent for a moment, then smiled. “Mm.”
“You…” Feng Lezhen shook her head and turned to leave.
The page boy escorted her to the carriage. As soon as it departed, he rushed back to the bedroom, nervous. “Shizi, did she find out?”
“What?” Qi Jingqing’s expression was calm and composed.
“The, the pretending to be sick thing! Did Her Highness catch on?”
Qi Jingqing’s lips curved into a faint smile. “She never believed it to begin with.”
“…What?”
“What’s there to be surprised about?” Qi Jingqing glanced at him. “With your poor lying skills, did you really think you could fool her?”
“But—but… wait, that doesn’t make sense! If she didn’t believe it, why would she still come over in the middle of the night?” The page boy was confused.
Qi Jingqing’s smile never faded. A flicker of satisfaction gleamed in his eyes. “Because the one who told you to lie… was me.”
“Oh…” The page boy still didn’t get it. He dazedly turned to leave, but halfway out, he stopped again. “But if you knew I can’t lie, why not have someone else deliver the message?”
“Because if someone else had gone,” Qi Jingqing replied, “what if she actually believed it?”
The pageboy: “…” Couldn’t understand. Not at all.
In the completely dark room with no light at all, after a brief silence, Qi Jingqing’s voice slowly sounded: “Her Highness has always liked those who put effort into her.”
Since she liked it, he laid his sincerity before her. Once she was satisfied, naturally she wouldn’t bother with the minor details.
