Chapter Sixty-Three: He Still Has Me

Peace lasted barely ten days.

The night was cool and the stars sparse. Weishao Qingyu suddenly regretted it: it had been nearly ten days since she last saw Feng Jinye...

She remembered the New Year's Eve vigil, when she told Feng Jinye, "Sometimes there is wine, sometimes there are faraway places and old friends..." Yet the words "and there's me" had remained unspoken...

"And there's me!" Weishao Qingyu murmured. Earlier, she'd said "perhaps" to Yunming, but in her heart, she corrected herself: "Feng Jinye is different. He still has me!"

She had already decided to return to the Weishao family. With the news brought by Consort Liu, how could she possibly stand by and let Yunming die?

Perhaps after spending so much time by Feng Jinye's side, she had grown reluctant to leave. Ten days ago, after a heated argument, she had been ready to storm off, but Feng Jinye stopped her, and she stayed. She even placed her faint hopes time and again on Huangfu Chen, wishing he would find the antidote!

Neither Weishao Qingyu nor Feng Jinye knew whether Huangfu Chen was aware that Feng Qingxuan had left the Twilight Pavilion, nor whether he had any news of the antidote.

She needed to find a way to contact Huangfu Chen. Weishao Qingyu was increasingly perplexed about him—what had happened between Huangfu and Qingxuan?

She was slow to notice, only now realizing that Yunming harbored feelings for Qingxuan...

Falling petals, flowing water, the verdant years—all mocked by fate.

Nothing seemed to go smoothly. Weishao Qingyu recalled that recently, the only good thing was the sudden appearance of the second son of the Qu family, asking for Xuechun's hand in marriage...

"Qingxia, fetch Dongnuan and Xuechun," Weishao Qingyu remembered another matter.

She saw that Dongnuan's wounds had healed, and presumably Feng Qingxuan was well too—remarkably, neither had come rushing over.

A vague worry tugged at her. She asked, "Have there been any messages from Banqiu at Dongyue Tower recently? It’s been three months since she left..."

"A month ago, there was a letter. I sent word a few days ago, telling Banqiu there was news of Princess Xuan and Young Master Huangfu..." Dongnuan replied.

Weishao Qingyu nodded, then turned to Xuechun, her tone earnest. "Xuechun, someone has come to propose marriage—to marry you..."

Xuechun was stunned at first, but as she thought about it, her eyes suddenly lit up and she asked with delight, "How much is the bride price?"

Weishao Qingyu laughed at Xuechun’s antics and asked, "So if the bride price is generous, you’ll marry?"

At that moment Feng Jinye was just outside the door, listening to Weishao Qingyu and the maids chatting, and Ye Shiyi also heard Xuechun inquire about the bride price...

Xuechun nodded, answering, "Yes! When the prince came to the General’s Mansion to propose, I watched box after box of bright red gifts..."

Weishao Qingyu could easily imagine how Xuechun’s eyes sparkled at the sight of those gifts.

Before Xuechun could finish, Dongnuan coughed twice to interrupt...

Feng Jinye’s bride price was still at the Weishao General’s Mansion. Last time she returned, Weishao Qingyu hadn’t thought to check if it was still there...

"If the bride price is still there, we might be able to reopen Wanlai Xue!" Weishao Qingyu didn’t mind recalling the past...

Speaking of Wanlai Xue, Xuechun was even more excited than about her own marriage. She knew her mistress had promised her aunt to return to the Weishao family. "Miss, I won’t marry. I need to reopen Wanlai Xue and earn more to support the family."

"The suitor is the second son of the Qu family. The Qu family is distinguished, not much less than our Weishao General’s Mansion back then. Are you sure you won’t consider it?" Weishao Qingyu smiled.

"I won’t marry, I won’t marry," Xuechun shook her head in distress...

Weishao Qingyu was puzzled. Just moments ago, Xuechun had been so eager about the bride price, and now she refused to marry. "Why? Do you have someone you care about?"

Outside, in the shadows, Ye Shiyi froze, standing upright and unmoving...

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"It’s not that," Xuechun replied. "I just won’t marry. I’ll marry Wanlai Xue!"

"You say you won’t marry. Frankly, the Qu family isn’t that great. If you went there, Luo Shuqing would be your sister-in-law, and I’d worry she’d bully you!" Weishao Qingyu was reluctant to part with Xuechun...

"It’s the Qu family that isn’t good enough! If Prince Yun ascends the throne, I’ll marry into the palace!" Xuechun laughed heartily.

"I never knew you had such grand ambitions!" Weishao Qingyu was once again amused by Xuechun...

"It’s all your fault!" Xuechun pouted. "Last time you criticized my chicken porridge as tasteless."

"The older you get, the pickier you become!" Xuechun had barely finished when Weishao Qingyu shot her a fierce glare. "Who are you calling old?"

Xuechun shrank back but continued, "Madam bought me for just two taels of silver. When you were a maiden at home, your monthly allowance was only ten taels. But when you dine at Drunken Jade Tower, it costs a hundred taels, and making a dress costs another hundred. Thank goodness you rarely wear jewelry..."

Xuechun complained, shooting an accusing glance at Dongnuan and Qingxia. "They get five taels each a month. If I marry, I fear you’ll... starve in the streets!"

Her words left Weishao Qingyu, Qingxia, and Dongnuan tongue-tied. Wasn’t this all because the Battle Prince spoiled them...

"Miss, you’re always running away from home, eating, living, and dressing all at the prince’s mansion. Isn’t that good?" As Xuechun spoke, there was a hint of grievance. Dongnuan and Qingxia exchanged looks—again, it was all the Battle Prince's doing...

The culprit was indeed the Battle Prince!

Weishao Qingyu caught the underlying meaning. After the reopening of the General’s Mansion, another big sum would be spent...

"Why don't we open three more Wanlai Xue shops in the east, south, and west of the city?" Weishao Qingyu thought Xuechun made sense and proposed.

Xuechun’s eyes lit up, nodding enthusiastically, but then said, "But do you have four Xuechuns?"

"We could hire four managers, and one Xuechun could oversee all four," Weishao Qingyu shook her head. "That’s settled. Tomorrow we’ll look for shop locations..."

She glanced toward the door, knowing Feng Jinye was there...

"Miss, you..." Qingxia began, but was silenced by a glare from Weishao Qingyu.

"Alright, you may go." Weishao Qingyu said lazily.

Dongnuan knew her mistress was preparing to meet someone, so she didn’t close the door behind her...

Feng Jinye stepped inside, seeing a slender figure leaning by the window. Night’s chill lingered, and his gaze fell upon the clothes rack where two cloaks hung. Without hesitation, he took the black one...

The night wind was gentle. Feng Jinye approached, draped the cloak over Weishao Qingyu’s shoulders, and from behind, pulled her into his arms...

"Are your wounds better?" Feng Jinye’s voice was endlessly tender, his chin shamelessly brushing her hair as he asked...

Weishao Qingyu pouted, turning away and not answering...

For some reason, Feng Jinye was patient today, still coaxing softly, "How should you punish me to vent your anger? Shall I eat nothing but vegetable leaves for another three months?"

"Is Jiuman sent by the Empress Dowager to replace the Battle Princess?" Weishao Qingyu asked, full of jealousy.

If she returned to the General’s Mansion, surely the Battle Prince’s mansion would not simply disappear...

Feng Jinye had no idea what thoughts swirled in her mind...

"I don’t know. If she was, then her plan is doomed. My princess can only be you!" Feng Jinye replied immediately.

"Then why didn’t you come to save me that day?" Weishao Qingyu grumbled.

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Feng Jinye’s eyes were filled with guilt. "I didn’t know Qingxuan had gone to the Zhi Yu Tower."

"That person brought a personal decree, entered the Listening Wind Tower directly. It concerned Yunming, so I sent everyone away." Feng Jinye didn’t want to justify himself, but neither did he wish Weishao Qingyu to dwell on it.

Listening to his explanation, the phrase "concerning Yunming" seemed to reveal Jiuman's purpose in coming to the Battle Prince’s Mansion.

"In future assassinations, I’ll just hope for Dongnuan to rescue me, or Ye Shiyi, but never you!" Weishao Qingyu said in a huff, though her tone had softened...

Her words pierced Feng Jinye’s heart. She must have waited for him that day. He could not help but hold her tighter. "No matter who you hope will save you, I’ll always come."

"Why are you only saying pleasant things today?" Weishao Qingyu’s eyes started to smile, though she knew Feng Jinye had been irritated by her these past days...

He truly was irritated—blocked outside her door for ten days, the Battle Prince’s dignity was likely in tatters. He sighed, helplessly, "It’s my habit. I can only keep spoiling you..."

"Are your wounds better?" His greatest concern was always her injuries.

"Much better," Weishao Qingyu replied.

"Once you’re healed, shall we leave the mansion together?" Not daring to provoke her, Feng Jinye’s tone was gentle.

"You were eavesdropping!" Weishao Qingyu turned and accused.

Feng Jinye gazed intently at her. She still wore her veil, and after so many days apart, he could not resist pulling her into his arms once more. "You didn’t guard against me. You know I come every day."

She deliberately snorted, but obediently stayed within his embrace. Over her head, his voice came low and husky, "I missed you!"

If she had kept the doors shut today, Feng Jinye would have kicked them open...

"Yes. Tomorrow we’ll have breakfast together, then I’ll go out," she said, and at his agreement, her dye shop was immediately back in business...

It was clear: without permission to leave the mansion, there would be no breakfast. Feng Jinye could only agree, "Alright."

Weishao Qingyu smiled softly. She had other plans for leaving the mansion...

Feng Jinye knew the Empress Dowager had sent Consort Liu that day, surely putting pressure on Weishao Qingyu. He could see she had made up her mind...

She tried to hypnotize Feng Jinye as usual, but this time it failed. With her resolve set, she fell into a peaceful sleep...

Feng Jinye rose quietly, sighing to himself. The Battle Prince had learned to feign sleep—after ten days apart, he couldn’t bear to miss even a moment...

He could not stop himself from placing a kiss on her brow...

The next morning, the sunshine was perfect.

Weishao Qingyu awoke, shared breakfast with Feng Jinye as promised, and as she prepared to leave the mansion, Feng Jinye suddenly reminded her, "Don’t forget—you promised me you’d stay by my side!"

At his words, Weishao Qingyu nodded in a daze...

She didn’t know what Feng Jinye planned next, but she was averse and afraid he’d ask her to return to the Weishao General’s Mansion...

Conflicted, she chose to return to her family, yet could not accept Feng Jinye asking her to go back, nor could she bear him stopping her...

She suspected the emperor’s days were numbered; otherwise, Yunming would not have come to find her the moment her wounds had barely healed...

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