Fu Yun Xi? Han Yan was startled. She heard Shu Hong continue: “Everyone can see how good the Prince has been to Miss. Such a Prince is worthy of being Miss’s destiny.”
Han Yan fell into deep thought. Indeed, Fu Yun Xi had treated her very well. What happened at the Zhuang residence wasn’t a small matter. It involved Seventh Prince Wei Wang and even the Empress Dowager from the palace, yet Fu Yun Xi never questioned her about it. He had prepared everything, allowing her to act boldly – from Imperial Physician Wu to the government office, he had arranged it all. Han Yan asked herself honestly: what virtue or ability did she possess to deserve Fu Yun Xi doing so much for her?
However, Shu Hong’s words filled Han Yan’s heart with warmth. At that moment, she suddenly wanted to see Fu Yun Xi. Without saying anything, just watching his cold demeanor that couldn’t hide his care – that would be enough.
“Terrible news, Miss!” While still pondering when to visit Fu Yun Xi, they saw Ji Lan rushing in from outside, nearly tripping.
Shu Hong said: “What’s wrong? Why such a hurry? Speak slowly.”
Ji Lan ran to Han Yan’s side and said breathlessly: “Miss, terrible news! I heard people outside discussing that the Prince is about to lead troops against Xi Rong.”
“What?” Han Yan stood up abruptly, staring at Ji Lan in disbelief: “I didn’t hear clearly, say it again.”
Ji Lan looked at Han Yan worriedly, bit her lip, and repeated: “The Prince is going to war against Xi Rong.”
She spoke so clearly that Han Yan couldn’t pretend not to understand. Han Yan had known about Fu Yun Xi’s expedition, but how could it be so soon? Wasn’t it supposed to be after their marriage? Thinking of this, Han Yan anxiously asked: “Ji Lan, do you know when he departs?”
Ji Lan looked at Han Yan with difficulty, seemingly afraid of hurting her, but had to say: “Next month…”
So soon. Han Yan clenched her palms. In an instant, her emotions became chaotic. Perhaps she had never considered how she would cope after Fu Yun Xi’s departure, but now she realized that she would be in absolute safety for some time – perhaps this was why Fu Yun Xi felt confident enough to leave. This was why he let her handle everything at the Zhuang residence so confidently because he knew that after he left, there would be no one to protect Han Yan.
“I want to see him,” Han Yan repeated slowly but firmly: “I want to see him.” Indeed, never had Han Yan felt such a strong desire to see Fu Yun Xi. She needed to discuss this matter with him properly, needed to clarify many things and needed to understand her own heart.
“Ji Lan, prepare the horse.” She stood up, thought for a moment, walked to her dressing table, and picked up her recently completed embroidery. The mandarin ducks on it were just finished, the technique not particularly refined, rather clumsy, but the pair of birds resembled hawks more than mandarin ducks. It bore Han Yan’s name, and she had intended to give this embroidery to Fu Yun Xi. She hadn’t expected that moment would come so soon.
Inside Xuan Qing Prince’s Manor.
Fu Yun Xi sat quietly at his desk in a jade-white robe, holding a letter. The handwriting was flowing and unrestrained – at first glance, one wouldn’t think it came from a woman’s hand. It was the letter Han Yan had sent through someone when she first sought his help.
A wild goose carrying a letter – his lips curved slightly upward. Soon, he would only be able to communicate with Han Yan through such letters. If only she were a wild goose, following him wherever he went, always by his side. On the battlefield, weapons show no mercy; anything could happen. Fu Yun Xi didn’t know what dangerous situations this young woman would face after his departure. Her circumstances were no better than his – while he faced the brutality of the battlefield, at least those swords were visible. The invisible swords in Han Yan’s environment were even more terrifying.
He frowned slightly. Being unable to protect the person you want to protect – this feeling was truly unbearable. But Fu Yun Xi was Fu Yun Xi; he had his mission to fulfill. All he could do was clear as many obstacles as possible for Han Yan before his departure, only then could he leave with peace of mind.
“Hey,” Cheng Lei, watching his friend’s rare moment of melancholy, reminded him: “If you’re so reluctant to leave your little Princess, you don’t have to go. After all, the Emperor doesn’t want you to go either.” This was true – the Emperor shared a deep bond with Fu Yun Xi and naturally didn’t want him on the battlefield. But Fu Yun Xi’s nature was such that not even ten oxen could pull him back once he had decided something. Even the Emperor couldn’t change his mind about this expedition, though he had tried.
Fu Yun Xi shook his head: “I must go eventually.”
“You could marry the little Princess first and then go,” Cheng Lei mumbled, biting his brush handle: “Isn’t it a waste to go to war before marrying your bride?”
Marriage – Fu Yun Xi’s cold expression showed a ripple of emotion. He had thought about marriage, but she was still too young, not even of age. How could he marry her? Moreover, if something were to happen to him on the battlefield, he couldn’t let Han Yan remain a widow for life. Given his royal brother’s nature, she might even be forced to follow him in death. He couldn’t push Han Yan into such a situation because of his selfishness.
Cheng Lei grinned: “Leaving like this, won’t you regret it? My little sister-in-law is so clever and lovely. If you’re gone for a year, what if other men notice her…”
As soon as these words were spoken, the room grew eerily cold.
“Notice her?” Fu Yun Xi’s lips curved slowly, his handsome face showing a very gentle expression, but this gentleness made people shiver.
“Anyone who dares to set their eyes on someone from the Xuan Qing Prince’s manor would need at least nine lives,” he said coldly.
Cheng Lei couldn’t help but shudder. How frightening – Fu Yun Xi’s expression was truly terrifying. With his reckless nature that feared nothing in heaven or earth, if someone really did take a fancy to Han Yan, even nine lives wouldn’t be enough. After all, Fu Yun Xi’s methods of interrogating enemy prisoners in the military camp could truly be described as hellish. Little sister-in-law had better behave herself.
When Han Yan saw Fu Yun Xi, he was drinking tea in his room.
Though no words were spoken, somehow the atmosphere this time was heavier than ever before.
The guards at the door silently stepped aside, as if they had known she would come. Ji Lan and Shu Hong remained outside as Han Yan entered the room, immediately spotting Fu Yun Xi on the couch.
Today he wore a dark robe with gold trim, different from his usual cold elegance. His entire being appeared profound and sharp. His handsome features showed no expression, yet somehow this made him seem more like himself than ever before. It was as if this cold, slightly murderous presence was the true Fu Yun Xi.