The little lass’s words didn’t surprise Zhan Qingcheng, much as there hadn’t been much stirring in his heart when he’d heard her call him “Ninth Imperial Uncle” again just moments ago.
It was as though he had long anticipated all of this—that she would surely remember him!
His breathing had grown somewhat unsteady, simply because Zhan Qingcheng could barely wait any longer.
In this world, the only person worth such waiting to Zhan Qingcheng was the girl standing before him.
“Yes.” Zhan Qingcheng nodded, his expression unchanged.
His breath fell against Feng Jiu’er’s face, making her blink unconsciously.
“How… long has it been?”
Hadn’t she already confirmed they knew each other? Yet why did she feel that their past went beyond mere acquaintance?
“Does it matter so much?” Zhan Qingcheng’s expression had at least eased somewhat compared to before.
Feng Jiu’er bit her lip and carefully stepped back, away from his embrace.
Standing too close to such a handsome man made even breathing difficult—no wonder her mind was such a mess.
Yes, it was better to keep some distance.
Sensing the man’s aura turn suddenly cold, Feng Jiu’er, who had retreated one step, came to a stop.
Lifting her gaze to meet his displeased look, how could she dare say anything reckless?
“Oh right, have you eaten?”
Hadn’t he stayed behind alone? Everyone else had left, with no one to attend him—surely he hadn’t even had dinner?
She had the distinct feeling that if she dared to slip away without a word, she’d meet a swift end.
Seeing the man’s expression darken like ink, Feng Jiu’er quickly parted her pink lips and put on a smile.
“How about coming to my place? I have plenty of good food over there.”
He probably wouldn’t go, though, right? They weren’t really all that close.
Still, at least she’d offered—whether he went or not was up to him.
“Fine.” Suddenly, Zhan Qingcheng stood up and gathered the antique qin into his arms.
Before Feng Jiu’er could react, he strode off with his long legs.
He’d said yes? No way.
Whether or not Feng Jiu’er believed it, Zhan Qingcheng truly had left. Stunned for a brief moment, she immediately hurried after him.
Did this man have to walk so fast? Was he really that hungry?
He strode out of the courtyard gate in big steps, turning toward the Princess’s Palace, while she trailed behind like some little maid chasing after a prince.
Eh? He was the prince, and she the little maid? But wasn’t she the princess?
How had a dignified princess like her ended up chasing after a man?
Yet Feng Jiu’er didn’t find anything odd about it at all, as if she’d long grown used to it.
What was even more surprising was that the two female guards stationed before the Princess’s Palace, upon seeing Zhan Qingcheng approach, made no attempt to stop him at all.
Zhan Qingcheng, as though he were the master of the place, walked straight into the Princess’s Palace with the qin in his arms, vanishing from Feng Jiu’er’s sight.
Without giving it another thought, Feng Jiu’er quickened her pace once more.
Seeing the princess returning to the palace, the two female guards finally came to their senses.
“Greetings, Princess.” The two of them bowed together.
Turning to look at the handsome man who had just gone inside, the two guards’ faces immediately darkened.
They had let a man stroll right into the Princess’s Palace without making the slightest move to stop him.
But then again, thinking it over, “strolling brazenly” was hardly the right phrase to describe that man just now.
He carried himself with such elegance, beautiful as a painting, beautiful enough to move heaven and earth—how could such crude words apply to him at all?
“Princess, our apologies! We’ll go right now and…”
Before the guard could finish speaking, Feng Jiu’er waved her hand.
“No need. He’s a friend of mine.”
A friend? The two guards couldn’t quite make sense of Feng Jiu’er’s words, but since the princess had said there was no need to act, how could they dare disobey?
Besides, the princess had already hurried off, walking quickly as though afraid of upsetting the man ahead of her.
Pah! How could that be possible? The princess was a person of priceless worth—what right did this man have to inspire such concern?
But… he really was far too good-looking! A peerless beauty they had never seen before!
As for the man not daring to sully the princess’s reputation—the two guards had wanted to catch another glimpse of Zhan Qingcheng’s stunning looks, but in the end could only turn and stand guard with stern expressions.
Having just committed such a lapse in duty, the guards certainly didn’t dare slacken again. They gripped their swords and stood with heads held high on either side of the Princess’s Palace’s main gate.
Not far off, An’bao was leading a group of people toward the Princess’s Palace.
The ten newly selected consort-companions would, from today on, be housed in the Princess’s Palace—those within the palace had already received word of this arrangement.
“Eunuch.”
“Eunuch.”
The two female guards bowed and stepped aside.
An’bao glanced back at the people behind him with a measure of respect.
After all, aside from those the princess had already chosen herself, everyone else who’d come today held no small status.
“This is the Princess’s Palace. This way, my lords.”
No one paid An’bao any mind—men of such high standing, even knowing he was a favorite attendant of the Emperor’s, saw no need to curry favor with him.
Jian Yi had always been this way—he never bothered others unless they bothered him first, and currying favor was something he would absolutely never do.
Mu Mu’s temperament, much like his elder brother’s, would likewise never stoop to such meaningless gestures.
Each consort-companion was permitted to bring only two attendants. Apart from Jian Yi and Mu Mu, every other companion was followed by two attendants, each carrying bags large and small.
Even though the Princess’s Palace lacked for nothing, how could the sons of such high officials possibly settle for just that?
Feng Jiu’er had only just slowed her pace following Zhan Qingcheng when she heard a commotion behind her.
Turning to see An’bao leading the group inside, Feng Jiu’er felt a tingle of unease creep across her scalp.
She glanced left and right, her gaze finally settling on the man standing sideways, watching her, seemingly waiting.
Feng Jiu’er hadn’t forgotten that he was hungry right now, and that she herself had invited him here for a meal.
But, this matter of the west wing…
Was she really going to house him in the west wing? Would he simply do her in on the spot?
A chill ran down Feng Jiu’er’s spine. She was about to speak, but before she could, An’bao had already arrived behind her.
“Princess.” After paying his respects to Feng Jiu’er, An’bao’s gaze fell upon Zhan Qingcheng.
He had seen quite a few handsome men today—even that white-haired young man had been stunningly good-looking.
But seeing Zhan Qingcheng again, An’bao still couldn’t help his breath catching, his heart pounding wildly without pause.
“Ah… Young Master Zhan Qingcheng, it’s good that you’re here! Since you are one of the princess’s already-confirmed choices, a room in the west wing has already been reserved for you.”
“As for tonight’s banquet, you…”
Swept by a single glance from Zhan Qingcheng, An’bao’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t even finish his last sentence.
This man wasn’t merely breathtakingly beautiful—his regal aura was even more powerful than that of their own Feng Clan’s princes, even more than that of the Emperor himself…
An’bao didn’t dare think any further. He took a deep breath, and to keep his heart from leaping out of his throat, could only lower his head.
“The Emperor’s wish is that Young Master Zhan Qingcheng and the other four consort-companions will, starting today, reside in the west wing of the Princess’s Palace.”
“As for daily life within the Princess’s Palace, none of you need worry. The Emperor’s only requirement of you all is that you must obey the princess’s commands.”
An’bao lifted his gaze once more, glancing at Zhan Qingcheng. “This way, young master, please!”