Chapter Thirty-Two: Nowhere to Hide

Page 1 of 3

Divining the Grains on the Eighth, the Festival of Auspicious Stars.

Today is the eighth day of the New Year, a day of clear skies and fresh air. It is said that the eighth day of the first lunar month marks the birthday of the rice crop, and if the weather is bright on this day, it foretells a year of plentiful harvest.

Looking up at the star-studded sky, Weishao Qianyu preferred another legend: that the eighth day of the first month is when all the stars descend to the mortal realm. The fabled "Stars of Fate and Fortune" are said to watch over every action, ever vigilant—"If you wish no one to know, do not do it at all."

Regarding Luo Yanqing, Weishao Qianyu wished to know only what happened on the day the Shuiyue Pavilion burned, but Luo Yanqing, ever restless, had instead set her sights on Qianyu herself.

Weishao Qianyu sneered coldly to herself: Luo Yanqing ought to ask Lu Yanran how things end for those who cross Qianyu—how many from Liyue still live?

Recently, Luo Yanqing had been confined to the inner quarters by the Marquis of Dingyuan, forbidden to step outside. Yet she was fully aware of the venomous rumors circulating beyond those walls.

On the sixth day, upon returning from the magistrate’s office to the Marquis’s residence, even the servants viewed Luo Yanqing differently. In the past few days, several corpses had been quietly carried out of the back gate...

The servants of the Marquis’s household were terrified, none daring to approach the courtyard where Luo Yanqing stayed. Whenever she appeared, they kept their distance, ducking their heads and saying nothing...

No matter how vile the rumors outside, Luo Yanqing remained unwilling to give in. She was born a phoenix, destined for greatness. So long as the House of Xibo did not dissolve their engagement, so long as she could marry Yun Ming, and so long as Yun Ming ascended the throne, then she, Luo Yanqing, would be Empress. What did today’s troubles matter?

But her greatest fear was that the House of Xibo would dissolve the engagement.

In her hand, Luo Yanqing held a letter—a letter and the truth of what happened at Shuiyue Pavilion that day. She had to see Weishao Qianyu, to persuade her, to have Yun Ming keep the engagement intact!

The rumors of Weishao Qianyu and Luo Yanqing had swept through the city; she was certain that all who needed to know had already heard, including the Empress Dowager in Changci Palace—yet the Empress Dowager made no move.

On this day, Feng Jinye unexpectedly summoned Dong Nuan, instructing her to quell the rumors.

Feng Jinye did not wish things to escalate to the point where people would say, "The one truly born with the fate of a phoenix is Weishao Qianyu," or "Weishao Qianyu is the true chosen maiden."

Dong Nuan, trusting that the Prince of War had his own reasons, took her orders and recalled the brothers of Dongyue Tower—the rumors quickly subsided.

In Changci Palace, the Empress Dowager, resplendent in bright yellow robes embroidered with soaring phoenixes, let a sneer curl her lips: "Weishao Qianyu seems far more suited to the title 'born with the fate of a phoenix.'"

The Empress Dowager cared little for whatever storms raged outside the palace. If the title of "Phoenix Fate" existed, then adopting Yun Ming as her son would be all the more justified; if it did not, it was still above reproach for the Empress Dowager to adopt her own nephew.

The greatest folly is to misjudge one's own worth. Luo Yanqing fancied herself indispensable, when in truth, she was utterly expendable.

The Prince of War's residence had known no peace since the New Year began, but at last, Weishao Qianyu had silenced Luo Yanqing. Seizing the opportunity of the Festival of Auspicious Stars, she decided on a small celebration.

During this festive season, save for keeping vigil on New Year’s Eve and her own birthday on the third, they had not truly celebrated. It hardly felt like the New Year at all!

Weishao Qianyu, light of step, made her way to Tingfeng Pavilion...

Inside, Yun Ming and Feng Jinye were drinking tea and playing chess. Qianyu couldn't help but admire their persistence—did they never tire of endless games?

Yun Ming shook his head, sensing Qianyu’s arrival, knowing the game would not continue.

"You two..." Qianyu had barely begun when Yun Ming immediately rose, folding his fan, preparing to take his leave, and called out, "Game’s over!"

Hearing it was finished, Qianyu grabbed Feng Jinye by the wrist and strode out, the wind at her heels, calling back, "Yun Ming, you come too!"

Page 2 of 3

The path Weishao Qianyu took with Feng Jinye led to Qinglan Courtyard. Feng Jinye’s handsome brows knit together—on their wedding day, he had arranged for her to stay in this quiet, remote place. Was she now coming to settle accounts with him?

Outside Qinglan Courtyard, Qianyu paused, noticing the look on Feng Jinye’s face. Thinking he had forgotten what this place was, she explained, "This isn’t the Cold Palace, it’s my storeroom!"

Qinglan Courtyard was spacious, with few trees or flowers and good airflow—perfect for a barbecue!

"We’ll grill tonight—there’s plenty to eat!" Qianyu was practically bouncing with excitement, clearly asking Feng Jinye, "Aren’t you happy?"

Feng Jinye asked, puzzled, "Grilled greens?" Hadn’t she insisted he keep to a vegetarian diet? It was only the eighth, after all!

Qianyu burst out laughing, trembling with mirth as she leaned on his shoulder, murmuring, "Feng Jinye, how can you be so slow!"

He looked at the woman laughing in his arms, still not understanding why she called him slow, when her soft voice sounded again: "I said 'everyone eats vegetarian in Tingfeng Pavilion!' This isn’t Tingfeng Pavilion!"

Feng Jinye was momentarily speechless. Thinking back, she had indeed said it was Tingfeng Pavilion, not him personally. She had let him believe he was supposed to eat only vegetables!

Since her birthday feast on the third, after giving Feng Jinye only vegetables, she had dined with him every evening in Tingfeng Pavilion, always serving him greens!

So, truly, Feng Jinye should have been eating at Zhiyu Pavilion!

The idea of a barbecue had come from the braziers; each winter, the courtyard would be heated by them. Whether silver-thread coal or ruijin charcoal, as long as it was smokeless, it was perfect for grilling.

While Feng Jinye was still musing, Qianyu pulled him into Qinglan Courtyard.

The courtyard was vast. Qianyu had torches set in a circle, bathing the place in warmth. Several braziers were set in the middle, and Qingxia had prepared all the ingredients...

Stepping inside, Feng Jinye almost felt as if he’d returned to the army camp.

Watching the busy figures nearby, Qianyu felt a gentle warmth in her heart. Turning to Feng Jinye, she flashed a shy smile. "I thought your noodles were quite good, so..."

Seeing her bashful expression, a honeyed sweetness rose in Feng Jinye’s heart, a smile playing at his lips. Was she thanking him for cooking her birthday noodles?

Seeing his smile deepen, Qianyu quickly changed her tune: "So you must be good at grilling too—I'm making you cook for me tonight!"

No sooner had she said it than Qingxia began grilling, and Qianyu slipped from Feng Jinye’s grasp to scamper over.

When it came to cooking, Qingxia was the undisputed expert. Qianyu had given her only a brief outline, but Qingxia immediately grasped the essentials—she knew exactly how done each ingredient should be.

Seeing Qingxia sweating at the brazier, Qianyu took out a handkerchief to wipe her brow. Before Qingxia could protest, she said, "I’m just afraid your sweat will drip onto my chicken wings!"

Qingxia froze for a moment, knowing her mistress was really feeling sorry for her, and gave Qianyu a dimpled smile. "Miss, what do you want to eat?"

"Potato slices!" Qianyu picked something simple, really wanting to learn and prove her own cooking skills weren’t so poor.

She turned and saw Feng Jinye standing not far away, so she picked up a skewer of fish to hand to Qingxia. "And this one!"

Yun Ming, trailing along unhurriedly, arrived as well. Seeing Feng Jinye standing in a daze, he teased, "So warm—was this prepared for me?"

Feng Jinye shot him a glance, then sat with him in the pavilion.

Page 3 of 3

"Has Yun Shuo not come to see you?" Feng Jinye speculated that if Luo Yanqing took no further action, Qianyu might make a move against the House of Xibo.

Yun Shuo was Yun Ming’s younger brother, also a legitimate son, born of the second wife; in the past, the two had been close.

"These past two years, as my illness worsened, my stepmother forbade him from seeing me—afraid he’d catch my sickness!" Yun Ming spoke lightly, as if unconcerned.

Yun Ming had lost his mother young; his only companion had been his little brother, but now even Yun Shuo was kept away. So Yun Ming cherished his friendships with Feng Jinye and Qianyu, considering them his truest family.

"What do you plan to do next?" Feng Jinye knew well that the Empress Dowager’s wish to adopt Yun Ming as her son could hardly be avoided in the end.

"One can evade it for a time, but not forever." Yun Ming was unfazed by the prospect. "If nothing else, I’ll just go into the palace to convalesce!"

Feng Jinye understood: if Yun Ming did not go, the Empress Dowager would likely bring Yun Shuo into the palace instead.

"It’s just as well to let the House of Xibo have its moment of chaos," Feng Jinye said, his gaze settling on Qianyu in the distance, the corners of his lips lifting slightly...

"Heh..." Yun Ming shook his head at Feng Jinye—there was nothing left of the cold, emotionless Prince of War he once knew.

Feng Jinye was staring at Qianyu when she and Qingxia brought over plates of grilled food. Qianyu handed a skewer of fish to Feng Jinye. "Young Lord Yun, don’t you think you should have brought Yun Shuo with you tonight?"

"Mm." Yun Ming nodded, an unspoken "If you like children so much, why not have your own?" left unsaid. His way of getting along with Qianyu was simple: never cross this woman!

"Eleven, go to the House of Xibo and bring Young Master Yun Shuo here!" Qianyu promptly summoned Ye Eleven and gave the order.

Ye Eleven had barely turned to leave when Qianyu added, "Don’t knock him out and drag him here—just say Yun Ming asked for him!"

Yun Ming could guess the deeper meaning behind Qianyu’s invitation. "You want my father to break off the engagement."

Qianyu knew Yun Ming understood her. With a mischievous smile, she replied, "Exactly. What Luo Yanqing cares for most is the title of 'Phoenix Fate.' If the House of Xibo severs the engagement, it’ll drive her mad!"

"Then she’ll likely come to me to make peace. Didn’t she threaten that she’d only reveal what she knows if you recover? If she comes to make peace, she’ll have to tell us!" Qianyu figured, with Luo Yanqing’s impulsive nature, she’d come knocking soon enough.

Feng Jinye, seeing Qianyu so confident, couldn’t help but ask, "How can you be sure she’s telling the truth?"

Having dealt with Luo Yanqing several times, it was never easy to discern truth from falsehood.

Qianyu thought for a moment, then imitated Feng Jinye’s tone from that day at Mingke Residence: "Give me your opinion—whether or not to believe her, I’ll judge for myself."

But inwardly, she sighed and cast a pleading glance at Yun Ming, who immediately understood and nodded. "I’ll handle it."

Qianyu shot him a grateful look, and Feng Jinye did not miss the subtle exchange between them—something more was at play.

Ye Eleven went and returned swiftly, bringing Yun Shuo back in less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense.

It had been years since Qianyu last saw Yun Shuo. The first time had been at Mingke Residence when he was only three; since then, she’d seen him only a handful of times.