Yi Xiao was diligently reviewing and organizing documents collected from various sources on Feng Suige’s desk, occasionally marking them with a brush. As more evidence pointed towards Wang City, she grew increasingly anxious. Regardless, her current power was insufficient to confront Feng Qishan. Yet, she had no choice but to continue investigating step by step. If she showed any weakness before Feng Qishan, her fate would be worse than utter annihilation.
The moment Feng Suige, who had just returned from the teahouse, quietly entered the study, Yi Xiao alertly raised her head. Seeing it was him, she smiled, “You’re back. Any new information?” Feng Suige took the silver brush from her hand and placed it back on the brush rest. His finger gently touched her cheek, “You’ve got ink spots. I’ll have someone bring water for you to wash your face.”
“It’s not urgent,” Yi Xiao quickly grabbed Feng Suige as he turned to leave, looking intently into his eyes. “What’s wrong? Is there bad news?” “Nothing of the sort,” Feng Suige smiled, holding her hand in return. “These matters can’t be resolved in a day. It’s almost mealtime, let’s rest for a bit.”
Yi Xiao finally relaxed and walked out with him side by side. “I was thinking earlier, when should we invite Marquis Jian Xin and Elder Qin over? Especially Marquis Jian Xin, I want to thank him and apologize.” Feng Suige stopped, giving her a wry smile, “That’s unfair. You’re always thinking about others. When will you seriously think about me?”
“You want fairness?” Yi Xiao laughed, shaking her head. “Then you should think about others too.” Feng Suige both gritted his teeth and smiled, “When that day comes, don’t cry.” He suddenly lowered his voice and whispered in Yi Xiao’s ear, “But now…”
“That tickles,” Yi Xiao pushed him away forcefully. “Is this how I should talk?” “Fine,” Feng Suige agreed readily and shouted, “Now, I wonder who’s been constantly thinking about our wedding night…” Yi Xiao suddenly pounced on him, firmly covering his mouth, scolding, “Have you gone mad? Why are you shouting?”
Feng Suige pulled her hand away, grinning wildly. “Then after the meal, let’s have a private talk.” But she broke free and ran away laughing like a gust of wind.
Yi Xiao sneaked away from the dining table under the pretext of using the restroom. Two maids lit the way as Feng Suige hurried towards the study, burning with impatience. Though it was unseemly to say, she, a dignified Prince’s wife, had used the bathroom as an excuse!
Given Yi Xiao’s recent habit of working day and night, if she wasn’t in the bedroom, she must be in the study. After their conversation before the meal, Feng Suige was certain Yi Xiao wouldn’t hide in the bedroom, so…
Not a single light in the study tower!? Feng Suige stopped in confusion, ordering one of the maids to go up and check. After a moment, the maid came running back, out of breath, reporting, “Your Highness, the Young Madam is not upstairs.”
Feng Suige frowned and turned to leave. Yi Xiao wasn’t in the study, and he hadn’t received any reports from his secret guards. Could it be…
Indeed, a soft yellow light glowed from Yi Xiao’s room. Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Feng Suige took two steps at a time and pushed open the door.
Yi Xiao sat on a palace stool in the outer room. Seeing him enter, she complained lazily, “Didn’t you say you had something to tell me? Why did it take you so long?” Feng Suige raised an eyebrow at her, “Didn’t you say you were going to the restroom? How did you end up in your room?” “I only said I was going to the restroom, I didn’t say I’d go back after,” Yi Xiao said casually, picking up a round fan from the table and fanning herself idly.
Feng Suige stared at her for a while, then suddenly smiled, “Why don’t you dare look at me? Is there something special about my belt?” Yi Xiao’s face showed a rare hint of shyness, but she still tried to maintain her composure, “Why should I look at you? Is there a flower on your face?”
Feng Suige dragged a palace stool to sit by the table, resting his chin on his hand and observing her with interest. “I understand now. You’re feeling shy.” Yi Xiao had already become somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze, and hearing this, she threw down the fan and jumped up. “If you’re not going to talk, leave quickly. I want to rest!”
Feng Suige had to put aside his playful attitude. After thinking for a moment, he said seriously to Yi Xiao, “If I say I don’t think about it at all, that’s impossible. But I don’t want to force you, so you don’t need to compromise yourself to prove anything.”
Yi Xiao listened quietly until he finished his last word, then smiled and asked, “Do you know what kind of relationship I have with His Highness?” Feng Suige hesitated, “I know.” Seeing Yi Xiao raise an eyebrow in surprise, he quickly added firmly, “But I don’t care. I only want you.”
“You’re hopeless,” Yi Xiao muttered, tilting her head to pull aside her collar, exposing a large area of skin on the left side of her neck. “See for yourself.” Feng Suige’s gaze traveled from her smooth neckline to her half-exposed shoulder, and he exclaimed, “Xi Xie Sha?”
Yi Xiao blushed slightly as she covered her neckline, speaking softly, “Mother said that since I was born into a noble family, without this, I might be looked down upon by my future husband’s family. So she specially requested Father…”
Feng Suige listened in shock, then suddenly leaned forward and pulled Yi Xiao from across the table, causing the porcelain cups to clatter noisily. Caught off guard, Yi Xiao was dragged close to him and instinctively punched his chest hard, “What are you doing!”
Feng Suige took the punch without dodging, grimacing in pain while speaking incoherently, “You’ve suffered so much for nothing. Hit me a few more times. I’ve been such a complete fool.” Yi Xiao was stunned for a moment, then laughed, “I’ve seen people looking for work, but never someone looking for a beating. Should I be generous now and say ‘ignorance is no crime’?”
Seeing her smiling eyes, Feng Suige felt even more ashamed, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier… I mean, I’m glad you finally told me. Well, I don’t know what to say anymore.” He paused, then suddenly embraced Yi Xiao tightly.
He didn’t know exactly what he wanted, only that holding her like this filled his heart with happiness. He loved this excessively stubborn woman.
“Feng Suige,” she cried out softly, struggling as he hurt her, “Can’t you be gentler?” “No,” Feng Suige still held her tightly, “I want to engrave you into my body, bury you in my bones and blood, so you can never escape from my side again!”
“You’re crazy,” Yi Xiao angrily pounded his back, “Why don’t you just say you want to cook and eat me…” Suddenly, she let out a surprised cry as Feng Suige abruptly picked her up horizontally and walked towards the inner chamber. His hot breath brushed against her temple, “Of course, I’ll devour you completely. That day you asked if my previous promise still stands. Today, I’ll prove it to you.”