Ling Yugua retreated half a step without showing any emotion. “Young man, don’t you think it’s better to clarify things first?”
Ning Fei awkwardly scratched his head and stood up. “Well, Uncle Ling, it’s like this… It’s me…”
“Ling Xueying!” Ling Yugua roared angrily. Snow Ying, crouching and preparing to slip away against the wall, sheepishly straightened up. In an instant, her eyes curved into a smile as she leaned forward to grip Ling Yugua’s arm. “Ah! Daddy, when did you get here? I’ve missed you so much—Daddy, let me tell you, Yixiao was bullied by Prince Xia and Prince Xiazheng. She’s all alone in Susha now, and I don’t know how she’s doing. When can we go see her together? By the way, has Mother come yet? I saw a new hairstyle in Susha, and it would look beautiful with Mother’s hairpin—Daddy…” Upon receiving Ling Yugua’s indifferent glance, she quickly fell silent.
“Continue,” Ling Yugua finally looked towards Ning Fei, who wore an expression that was both amused and incredulous.
Snow Ying gave Ling Yugua a pleading look, but Ning Fei remained silent. He earnestly replied, “Ning Fei respectfully requests Uncle Ling to decide to marry Snow Ying off to me.” Xiumu chuckled from the side, and Snow Ying’s face had already turned red as if she wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.
Without hesitation, Ling Yugua asked, “Why should I marry Snow Ying to you?”
Ning Fei was momentarily stunned, and Snow Ying showed a hint of unease.
After thinking for a moment, Ning Fei looked at Snow Ying’s face, a smile gradually forming. “Because I can fall asleep while she plays the qin, I can’t understand her when she twists her words to scold, when she throws a tantrum I can relax and play along as long as she doesn’t use her hairpin, and when she’s in danger, I will never let her face it alone!”
Ling Yugua narrowed his eyes after listening, still responding calmly, “Why should I believe you?”
Snow Ying hurriedly said, “Daddy…” Before she could finish, she saw Ling Yugua’s expression oscillate between smiling and not, feeling extremely embarrassed, she stomped her feet and said, “I’m leaving,” then turned to walk away.
Before Ling Yugua could react, Xiumu had pulled the door open from the outside with a thud. “Xiumu!” Snow Ying angrily kicked the door, but before she could speak again, Xiumu’s smug voice came from outside, “Master says the lady must not leave the room before him today. Xiumu is ordered to keep watch!”
Seeing Snow Ying furious and stomping her feet, Ling Yugua finally showed his first smile since their meeting. “Snow Girl, are you still playing with Daddy?”
“With someone helping you? I’m not playing anymore,” Snow Ying replied indignant, turning to see Ning Fei already dumbfounded. Her face turned red again as she timidly hid behind Ling Yugua, whispering, “Daddy, can you discuss this when I’m not around…”
Ling Yugua mimicked her whispering. “Snow Girl, tell Daddy, are you agreeing or not?”
“What to agree to?” Ling Xueying sighed. “He’s just a rotten, useless block of wood…”
“So you’re saying you won’t marry him?” Ling Yugua’s voice grew louder. Seeing Ning Fei change expression, Snow Ying quickly tugged at his collar. “Daddy, lower your voice… Please don’t trouble her anymore…”
By the end, her voice was barely audible.
Ling Yugua couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter, stepping forward to pat Ning Fei’s shoulder. “From now on, don’t be too accommodating to her, or else she’ll turn everything upside down.”
Ning Fei snapped out of his stupor and joyfully bowed. “Greetings, Father-in-law!”
This time, Ling Yugua did not avoid him. He bore three loud bows before helping Ning Fei up. Snow Ying, cheeks still red, dared not look at Ning Fei, instead clinging to Ling Yugua. “Daddy, now I can go out, right?”
Ling Yugua nodded and loudly instructed, “Xiumu, open the door.”
Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, Snow Ying dashed to the doorway, ready to pounce once Xiumu opened the door.
However, after waiting for a while, there was no sound outside. Ling Yugua raised an eyebrow and pulled the door open. It swung open smoothly, but there was no sign of Xiumu outside.
“Xiumu!!!” Snow Ying had already stormed out in a fury. “I’ll see you try to escape!!!”
—
Bright sunlight filled the room, casting a warm golden hue throughout. Feng Suige squinted slightly, watching Fu Yixiao sit quietly by the window, her eyes gazing outwards.
Though she sat serenely, her expression was distant and dreamy. She didn’t even hear Ling Suige’s footsteps. Sunlight gently fell on her loose long hair, enveloping her in a warm golden glow.
“Fu Yixiao,” Feng Suige finally spoke after standing for an unknown time.
Yixiao trembled slightly and turned her head. “It’s you—It seems you haven’t called me by my full name in a while. What happened?” Feng Suige forced a smile. “Has your intuition always been this accurate?”
“Not always,” Yixiao replied, standing up. “Speak, I’m listening.”
Feng Suige turned his head away. “At today’s court meeting, the ministers suggested to Father that you should be placed under house arrest, so…” Yixiao casually tied up her flowing hair and interrupted him. “I don’t have anything to pack; I can leave now.”
“No,” Feng Suige took a slightly excited step forward. “I didn’t consent.” Yixiao unexpectedly raised her eyebrows. “So?”
“So,” Feng Suige suddenly felt his throat dry up, almost unable to speak. “So I want to marry you as my consort.” Yixiao scoffed, lazily stretching her waist. “It’s not funny, and there’s no connection between cause and effect—it must be that the Monarch has changed his mind and wants to eliminate me.”
Feng Suige patiently explained, “I originally intended to make you the principal consort, so you could stay here with a legitimate title. However, Father refused no matter what. Later, Shaofu suggested making you a concubine. After much deliberation, Father agreed.” He spoke in one breath, noticing Fu Yixiao still standing quietly, feeling somewhat discouraged. “I have no other options. All the old ministers are stubbornly refusing, and Father supports them. Rest assured, I will never force you to do anything…”
“I agree,” Yixiao said word by word, her complexion slowly losing its color.
Unaware of her changing expression, Feng Suige focused entirely on her response. “You agree?”
Seeing Yixiao nod, he still seemed somewhat incredulous. “I thought you would erupt in anger… At least argue with me.”
“Why wouldn’t I agree?” Yixiao’s smile was like a blossoming flower, reflecting the sunset with an inexplicable enchantment. “Because of the nobility you’re trying so hard to bestow upon me—I have no reason to refuse, especially since you guarantee not to force me into anything.”
Feng Suige became somewhat hesitant. “You must have thought it through. I can indeed protect you, but perhaps you’ll find yourself at the center of a storm. Whether it’s Father or those ministers, they won’t relax for a moment.”
Yixiao looked at him steadily. “It doesn’t sound difficult, I just don’t quite understand why you’re helping me.” Feng Suige pondered for a moment, then suddenly took hold of her shoulders, speaking solemnly. “I don’t care whether you believe me or not. I only know that once you like someone, even without saying it aloud, your heart no longer belongs to you. Instead of hiding it, I’d rather entrust it to you and let you decide. I also know who you have feelings for, but treating you this way—I just don’t want to lie to myself.”
Yixiao’s shoulders shrank slightly before relaxing again. She raised her face, looking earnestly into Feng Suige’s eyes. “Feelings can’t be reciprocated by mere sincerity. Aren’t you afraid of not getting anything in return?”
Feng Suige gave a wry smile. “If you gave me your heart too, that might be difficult—but I won’t let go easily.”
Yixiao simply gave a low laugh without responding, her lowered eyelashes hiding a flicker of emotion beneath.
“I have not failed the people of the world, yet they treat me this way,” she thought.
“In this vast world, no matter how much we avoid things, where can we truly escape? Between heaven and earth, it’s all just the mortal world. Everywhere is either triumphant king or defeated outlaw.”