“You’re too kind,” Feng Yue said shamelessly with a smile. “It was just coincidence, I didn’t deliberately gather all these divine beings.”
Yin Gezhi remained silent, his eyes flickering with light. Having Jin Mama accompany the diplomatic envoy to the Qi Kingdom could indeed benefit the Wei Kingdom if the timing was right. But this girl’s suggestion was likely also meant to help Jin Mama get revenge.
He had always been willing to do things that achieved two goals at once.
After brief consideration, his mind was made up. Yin Gezhi sighed with relief, “Having your help truly makes things much easier for me.”
“Really?” Her eyes suddenly lit up like lamps, and Feng Yue happily patted his shoulder. “Don’t mention it, we’re all in the same boat! Shall your humble consort get you another bowl of soup?”
Placing the empty bowl in her hands, Yin Gezhi nodded, “Get two bowls. You don’t seem to have eaten enough.”
Looking at the bowl she had completely emptied, Feng Yue’s face reddened. She giggled and took the bowl away.
“My Lady,” seeing her expression, Ling Shu couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you so happy?”
“It’s nothing much.” Squinting her eyes with a smile, Feng Yue said, “I just suddenly felt like he became more human.”
When two people live together, if one person handles everything big and small without needing the other at all, it makes the other person feel terrible. Even being pampered can’t shake off that feeling of being unnecessary. Feng Yue had always felt this way and occasionally wondered if he was only being nice to her out of a desire for redemption.
But after this bowl of chicken soup today, she suddenly realized that Yin Gezhi did need her after all. Whether it was helping them think of solutions or serving soup, at least she could do something. That naturally made her feel much better.
Ling Shu blinked, nodding with deeper meaning.
Subsequently, the Wei Emperor became even more humane, to the point of falling ill.
When Feng Yue arrived, she found him sitting on the soft couch with bleary eyes, still clutching official documents.
“Which is more important, your life or these documents?” Feng Yue frowned, pushing him down to lie back, and having Guan Zhi collect all the documents. She seriously felt his forehead.
“Heavens! Ling Shu! Quickly bring an egg to cook on His Majesty’s forehead!” Feng Yue shouted with a dark expression.
How could he still be reading documents when he’s burning up like this? Did this person have any sense? Did he understand the saying “while there’s life, there’s hope”? She was still so young, with a child in her belly – she certainly didn’t want to become a widow for no reason!
Looking up at her exasperated expression, Yin Gezhi felt immense warmth in his heart. He gently reached out, took her hand, and shook it slightly.
Feng Yue froze, looking down to see a soft, spoiled look in his eyes: “I’m fine.”
“You call this fine?” Hearing this, Feng Yue grew angry. “Must you read these documents?!”
“Yes,” he answered her in a hoarse voice as Yin Gezhi lowered his gaze. “They’re all urgent matters.”
“Then I’ll help you read them!” Rolling up her sleeves, Feng Yue stood up and said, “I know how you think about everything. I’ll make changes according to your methods and we’ll discuss after. You lie down first!”
With that, she took the documents and sat down beside him, writing imperial edicts while keeping an eye on him from the corner of her eye, just as he often watched over her when she rested.
The fever-addled Emperor Yin laughed softly, covering his heart: “So this is how satisfied you feel every day.”
“What?” Looking up from the documents, Feng Yue stared at him in confusion.
Yin Gezhi smiled without answering.
Seeing her worried expression made him feel at ease, with a warm current circling his heart. When he watched over her like this every day, did she feel the same way?
He had been anxious before, given the many matters of state that would be delayed by his illness. But now he felt so comfortable that Yin Gezhi suddenly wanted to be lazy and stay sick for a few more days.
He wasn’t wrong – the person before him truly loved him, had loved him for many years, secretly following him, watching his every move, boldly spending that one passionate night with him, then meeting him again years later to become entangled with him once more.
The person who fell into his arms then was seductive and alluring, giving no hint that anything was amiss. But thinking back now, Guan Feng Yue’s heart must have been about to leap from her throat, feeling both fear and joy, shock and anger, completely different from her fawning and charming exterior – just as his heart had suddenly stirred beneath his calm facade.
From beginning to end, from start to finish, this yearning had never been one-sided.
How wonderful.
“What are you still thinking about?” The person before him barked fiercely, “Won’t you close your eyes and rest?!”
Curling his lips in a smile, Yin Gezhi lay back on his pillow and closed his eyes contentedly.
The path had been cleared, and next, he needed to take her and stride forward.
At year’s end, the Wei Kingdom had its first confrontation with the Song Kingdom on the northwestern border. Wei had only thirty thousand men against Song’s hundred thousand. The battle was earth-shattering – Yin Xianzhong cleverly used the terrain to his advantage, managing to defeat thirty thousand Song troops. With the remaining nine thousand men, they stubbornly defended the besieged city until reinforcements arrived, then attacked from both front and rear, achieving a brilliant victory!
When the news reached home, all of Wei Kingdom was in an uproar. During the spring sacrifice in Lidu, Feng Yue, her belly now very large, smiled with tears in her eyes: “General Yin is truly amazing! I knew he would give us a good start!”
Feng Ming looked at her big belly in horror, shaking his head: “Your Highness, please sit down while speaking!”
Taking out a handkerchief to wipe her face and helping her back to the soft couch, Yin Gezhi nodded gracefully to him: “Pardon us.”
Seeing his expression that clearly said “I’m proud of my wife and she can laugh however she wants,” Feng Ming’s face darkened.
Half a year had passed, yet this man was still wary of him. He seemed uncomfortable unless he got in a couple of jabs whenever they met!
Pursing his lips, Feng Ming turned to look at Feng Yue and asked: “Has Your Highness been feeling well lately? I’ve heard the fifth and sixth months of pregnancy are the most difficult.”
“It’s fine,” Feng Yue smiled, patting herself. “My constitution is quite robust, carrying a ball in my belly is nothing. Besides, His Majesty takes very good care of me, always nourishing my health and accompanying me on walks. There won’t be any major problems.”
Nodding, Feng Ming lowered his gaze, appearing somewhat emotional.
After watching him for a moment, Feng Yue suddenly narrowed her eyes and said: “By the way, General Feng, did you come to the palace today for something specific?”
“No…” Averting his gaze evasively, Feng Ming said, “Just came to see how Your Highness was doing.”
“Is that so?” Looking back at Yin Gezhi, Feng Yue smiled slyly: “Well, now that you’ve seen I’m doing fine, the General can return home reassured.”
“…” Scratching his head, Feng Ming frowned: “I’ll stay a while longer.”
“What’s there to stay for?” Yin Gezhi said coolly. “There’s no one here to make snacks for the General, nor to mend his clothes.”
Feng Ming’s expression darkened as he clenched his fists.
Nan Ping had been in the palace for two days already. He had thought she would return yesterday, but after waiting and waiting with no sign of her, he finally realized he might have made her angry.
They had been married for half a year, and Nan Ping had always been good to him. Feeling guilty towards her, he naturally didn’t treat her poorly, and they had gotten along peacefully. But a few days ago, thinking about how Feng Yue’s belly had grown large, he had invited a midwife home to ask about the dangers of childbirth. Nan Ping had seemed happy at first, but upon hearing his purpose, her eyes dimmed and she went to her room without a word. He hadn’t thought much of it at the time until she said she wanted to stay in the palace for a while. Only then did he sense something was wrong.
Though he noticed something was amiss, he didn’t know how to bring it up. So he could only watch her leave, thinking she would return after at most one night.
But even now, he hadn’t seen any trace of Nan Ping.
Feng Ming had always been straightforward. On their wedding night when Nan Ping asked if he still had feelings for someone else, he answered yes. He thought she would be angry, but she said it was fine, that she was good enough and would help him gradually let go of that person.
She truly was good enough – a princess who wasn’t pretentious or delicate. She did everything, making both the Marquis and the Old Madam very happy, and even the servants respected her. When the seasons changed, she made him two sets of clothes that others praised for their craftsmanship, asking where he had bought them. Knowing he often got hungry at night, she developed the habit of preparing snacks for him, never finding it troublesome.
Where could one find such a good wife?
But now, he had made her so angry she’d returned to her maiden home. And disappeared. Feng Ming hung his head in reflection – what should he do to coax her back?
Seeing his expression, Feng Yue kept signaling to Yin Gezhi with her eyes. He understood and said with deep meaning: “It’s getting late. General, you should head back first.”
“…Your Majesty,” Feng Ming came to his senses and frowned: “Isn’t Princess Nan Ping returning with me?”
Yin Gezhi frowned: “When she returns is not for me to decide. Speaking of which, I haven’t asked why she suddenly returned to the palace. She’s locked herself in Zhao Wu Palace and won’t eat or drink.”
What?! Feng Ming jumped in shock, frowning as he looked at him: “Not eating or drinking?”
“Yes.” Feng Yue nodded seriously: “When asked what’s wrong, she won’t say, only that she wants to be alone.”
His heart sinking, Feng Ming immediately stood up and cupped his hands: “Your Majesty, I wish to see the Princess.”
“You’re married, of course, I can’t stop you from seeing her,” Yin Gezhi said deeply. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you, Feng Ming. Nan Ping is a kind girl who keeps everything bottled up inside. You won’t see when she’s unhappy – she’ll even say nothing’s wrong. But it’s exactly this type of person who is most easily hurt.”
Thinking of her somewhat pitiful appearance, Feng Ming sighed: “I will apologize sincerely.”
“Go then,” Feng Yue waved her hand. “I hope you think clearly about what these two people’s life together should rely on – is it gratitude, or is it feelings?”
Slightly startled, Feng Ming gave her a deep look.
He was a stubborn person – it wouldn’t be easy for him to let go of his past feelings. He only felt guilty towards Nan Ping, but even if it was just guilt, he still needed to bring her back home first.