Chapter Seventy-Five: She Belongs to Him

Feng Jinye no longer paid any heed to Weishao Qianyu's repeated accusations of him as a scoundrel. Instead, a single sentence—"Father wants me to settle down and marry peacefully"—rang like an alarm in his mind...

Now, with Mid-Autumn already past, in less than half a year she would come of age and be ready to choose a husband...

Feng Jinye suddenly stopped, turned around, his chest rising and falling, his gaze settling on Weishao Qianyu's hand that had just tugged at his sleeve...

Weishao Qianyu nearly collided with Feng Jinye's chest. Raising her eyes, she had yet to discern his expression when Feng Jinye clasped her hand and led her toward the lakeside pavilion...

Feng Jinye was uneasy all the way. It had taken him a whole year for her to remember his name, but in another half a year she'd be eligible to wed. If she were betrothed to someone else, how could she ever come to see him again?

There was no distinct autumn in Liyue; the August sky remained stiflingly hot.

Feng Jinye walked swiftly, holding Weishao Qianyu's hand, yet she felt, somehow, a gentle breeze dispelling the sultry air...

By the lakeside pavilion of the Prince of War's residence, the lotus blossoms still bloomed splendidly, and fish darted joyously among the leaves...

"Marry me!" Before Weishao Qianyu could steady herself, she heard Feng Jinye’s voice.

The air froze. Weishao Qianyu was at a loss for how to respond—today was the first time she truly knew the three characters of his name, and the four words "Marry me" took her completely by surprise!

Seeing no reaction from Weishao Qianyu, Feng Jinye’s brows furrowed deeply.

Is it not possible? Was what she said today really just his own wishful thinking?

Silence stretched...

At length, Feng Jinye found his voice, "Everything you said today, I will—"

He was interrupted by Weishao Qianyu, "Feng Jinye!"

She called his name softly, then continued, "I truly don’t know how to respond to you. I don’t care for too many promises..."

"Most promises are made only to be broken," Weishao Qianyu said calmly. "I believe: 'If I do not make promises lightly, I will not fail others; if I do not trust words lightly, others will not fail me.'"

"I don’t want to hear you say it, because if you do, I might believe you. And if you can't fulfill it, I could never forgive you." She smiled sweetly. "As for marrying you, I haven’t decided yet. May I give you my answer in the future?"

Feng Jinye stared at her in confusion. She had neither refused nor accepted—what could he do?

Weishao Qianyu’s gaze lingered on the hand Feng Jinye held, signaling him to release her. But Feng Jinye seemed entirely oblivious to her intent...

"Feng Jinye, I need to go home. If I don’t return soon, my father will surely come looking for me!" Weishao Qianyu said.

"No need to worry. I’ve already sent your maid back to handle things," Feng Jinye replied coolly.

Thinking of Qingxia, Weishao Qianyu felt a bit relieved; Qingxia must have said she was staying at Wanlai Xue. But after two days away, her father would surely be concerned.

Weishao Qianyu saw that Feng Jinye had no intention whatsoever of letting her go, feeling increasingly irritated—how could he still claim not to be a scoundrel!

"What do you want?" Her gentle temperament vanished, and she forcefully shook off his hand...

Feng Jinye sighed inwardly. "The dart you were struck with was poisoned. The physician has prescribed the antidote, but you must take it for another two days. If you wish to return to Weishao Mansion, take the medicine with you!"

Weishao Qianyu was stunned. Feng Jinye, still holding her hand, led her toward the main residence, saying, "It’s time to change your dressing!"

In the end, Weishao Qianyu collected the medicine and, as she wished, returned to the General’s Mansion.

Upon arrival, she was ordered by her father, Weishao Zhantian, to reflect in her courtyard for half a month for being away three days, and, because the Double Ninth Festival was approaching, her father wished to take her to Luandu to honor her late mother.

Weishao Qianyu at times suspected that her father knew she had been rescued by Feng Jinye and feared she might be spirited away by him...

After Weishao Qianyu left that day, Feng Jinye grew increasingly restless, awaiting her answer.

By September, Feng Jinye received a letter from Dongnuan: Weishao Qianyu was leaving Yuedu for Luandu.

By the time Feng Jinye received the news, Weishao Qianyu had already departed. He’d chased after her countless times before, always managing to catch up, but this time he failed...

When Feng Jinye arrived at the Weishao ancestral home in Luandu, he overheard Weishao Zhantian and Weishao Zhuhao discussing the marriage between Lin Yichu and Weishao Qianyu...

Feng Jinye, anxious, hurried to see Weishao Qianyu, searching for her in the courtyard, only to find her leisurely brewing floral tea and chatting with Lin Yichu...

"Brother Chu, what do you think of this tea?" Weishao Qianyu asked with a gentle smile.

The words "Brother Chu" detonated in Feng Jinye’s mind, and the jar of jealousy shattered instantly...

Lin Yichu sipped the tea, nodded in approval. "Very good. Qianyu, you grow more virtuous by the day..."

Weishao Qianyu frowned, feeling she couldn’t quite get along with Lin Yichu...

After just a few days in Luandu, she found herself missing Feng Jinye—perhaps because her father was searching for a good match now that she was coming of age...

"Qianyu, Brother Chu has someone he loves. He’s waiting for her to come of age, then he’ll propose. Do you think she will agree?" It was clear to anyone that Lin Yichu intended to marry Weishao Qianyu.

But lost in thought, Weishao Qianyu didn’t realize the implication, and absentmindedly nodded...

Lin Yichu, seeing her nod, affectionately patted her head...

Feng Jinye stiffly turned away. He saw her nod—when he asked her to marry him, the answer he longed for, she gave to another...

Feng Jinye’s mind held only one conviction: Impossible.

No one but him could marry her!

Feng Jinye left Luandu at once, returning to Yuedu without pause...

In the rocking chair, Feng Jinye’s emotions surged. Weishao Qianyu grew concerned. "Feng Jinye... Feng Jinye... Can you hear me? Jinye?"

What had happened three years ago to make him so?

"Feng Jinye, let’s pause. Listen to me, wake up first!" Weishao Qianyu coaxed softly.

The words "wake up" jolted Feng Jinye—he opened his eyes sharply.

He was angry.

Weishao Qianyu didn’t understand why...

Feng Jinye restrained all his feelings, not wanting to frighten the woman before him, but he needed an answer, needed to know why...

In the dim night, Feng Jinye inadvertently lowered his gaze, saw Weishao Qianyu clutching his hand, and fiercely drew her into his arms...

She belonged to him!

"You are mine!" Feng Jinye declared.

Weishao Qianyu laughed softly, patting his back to comfort him. "Alright, yours! Feng Jinye’s! Yours alone!"

Her heart ached—once she had thought him wild and unrestrained, never imagining he could feel so insecure...

"Jinye, I can’t be without you. Promise me, you must be well!" she murmured, nestled in his embrace.

The next morning, as sunlight flooded the courtyards of Zhiyu Tower, a shocking event unfolded at Tingfeng Tower...

Early on the ninth day, Chujiu rushed to Zhiyu Tower, disregarding all rules, pounding on the door of Feng Jinye and Weishao Qianyu’s chambers. "Your Highness, Your Ladyship, something terrible has happened!"

Weishao Qianyu, startled from sleep, realized the gravity of the matter, and, without her usual morning grumpiness, quickly dressed and hurried with Feng Jinye to Tingfeng Tower...

Upon entering, they saw Yunming and Huangfu Chen quietly waiting...

"What does the imperial edict say?" Weishao Qianyu asked urgently.

"Yunming is named Crown Prince, and henceforth must investigate the mystery of the War Princess's dual identity," Huangfu Chen replied nonchalantly, as if last night’s events were unremarkable.

"Crown Prince?" Weishao Qianyu was astonished—why go to such lengths? Could it be that the Empress Dowager would not relinquish power, refusing to let Yunming ascend the throne directly?

"I am to go to Guanlin City myself and uncover your identity," Yunming nodded, troubled.

Whatever the title of Crown Prince meant, if Yunming were to probe into the War Princess, the court would surely be thrown into turmoil, all conflict redirected toward Yunming...

And then, as Crown Prince, if his virtue did not match his position, suspicions could shift to Feng Jinye.

Clearly, the Empress Dowager was anything but simple!

Weishao Qianyu glanced at Feng Jinye; their eyes met, both recalling that prophecy which concerned the fate of the realm...

"Then investigate!" Weishao Qianyu said. "Investigate thoroughly!"

Yunming nodded, then asked, "May I feign illness?"

Hearing Yunming speak of illness, Weishao Qianyu’s heart tightened. She turned to Huangfu Chen. "Weren’t you supposed to return to the Marquis Qinyuan’s estate today? Why are you still here?"

Huangfu Chen glanced at her carelessly, paying little mind to her words.

Unexpectedly, Weishao Qianyu called for Ye Eleven. "Throw him out!"

Huangfu Chen finally lost his composure. "Weishao Qianyu, don’t go too far! I am your savior! Don’t burn bridges just to please Feng Jinye by targeting me!"

"Ye Nine!" Weishao Qianyu ignored his protests. "Gag him and toss him out with Ye Eleven!"

Yunming watched gleefully, while Feng Jinye couldn’t help but frown.

"Can you tell me, what happened?" Yunming asked with an awkward smile.

Unexpectedly, Feng Jinye’s seriousness returned in full. "From tomorrow, Ye Eleven will accompany you with two pairs of shadow guards."

The statement left Yunming silent.

As he processed this, Yunming realized Weishao Qianyu had openly dispatched Huangfu Chen!

"Qianyu, must things go so far?" Yunming wondered.

Feng Jinye remained silent. Weishao Qianyu didn’t know how to explain.

"Yunming, at this point we cannot afford the slightest risk," Weishao Qianyu said.

"Tomorrow, take Xuechun and stay at the Weishao General’s Mansion. Investigate Weishao Qianyu thoroughly!"