Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Feng Zhongyan ignored the sarcasm in her words and pulled a silk handkerchief from his sleeve, reaching out to wipe the dirt from her neck. Just as his hand extended, Shen Mingsu tilted her head, avoiding his touch.

Feng Zhongyan glanced at her but showed no irritation. He withdrew his hand and quietly said, “Come back with me.”

“I appreciate your kindness, Lord Feng,” she replied.

Feng Zhongyan looked steadily at her. This was not the first time he had seen her dressed as a man; half the time she stayed in the Shen household, she wore such attire. She had grown taller, but her temper remained unchanged.

If she refused to move, he would not move either.

Rong Xiu had been helped to her feet by a maid. The force with which Feng Zhongyan had pushed her down was evident.

Rong Xiu was somewhat puzzled. Didn’t he dislike Shen Mingsu?

Yet regardless of his feelings, she had been caught bullying someone, and as a county princess openly causing a scene, all the chaos around was her doing. She felt guilty and dared not utter a word.

Feng Zhongyan remained silent, and even the guards dared not act.

The nearby townsfolk, seeing the armed guards, were all uneasy.

Shen Mingsu knew she couldn’t outlast him in a standoff. If she was to endure, she might as well try to outwit him, saying, “Lord Feng, the ten days you mentioned haven’t passed yet, have they?”

She twisted her neck, engaging him in a battle of wits, but Feng Zhongyan simply stared at her.

The willow branches by the river swayed softly in the wind, warm sunlight and the flickering shadows intertwining gently between her lowered brows. A subtle radiance played upon her delicate, pale face.

Though her makeup concealed her natural brilliance, her porcelain-like complexion remained as pristine as in memory.

Indeed, she was not to be looked at too long.

The heart, built of icy blades, seemed to melt slightly under the warmth penetrating her flesh. Despite the mountains of knives and seas of fire, despite the thorns ahead, he wished to indulge her this once.

Just this once, Ah Jin.

Feng Zhongyan stepped forward, his tall figure blocking the vivid light behind him. He bent down, grasped her wrist firmly, preventing her escape, and pressed the silk handkerchief into her palm, replying, “Very well.”

Without another glance, he turned and left, the guards following closely.

Rong Xiu recovered and hurried after him, calling out, “Lord Feng.”

Hearing her voice, Feng Zhongyan paused. In that brief glance back, his eyes retained a hint of weariness mixed with a sharp chill as he coldly asked, “Does Your Highness have further business?”

Rong Xiu was stunned. She had likely never seen him so stern, and a chill crept down her spine. She stood there silently.

Perhaps sensing this, Feng Zhongyan’s expression softened, returning to normal. He surveyed the surrounding mess and asked, “Is the princess still intent on playing?”

Caught red-handed, unable to deny anything, Rong Xiu did not explain further. She approached Feng Zhongyan and bowed her head in supplication, “I beg you, Lord Feng, show mercy.”

A proud county princess causing trouble in the market—if this reached the emperor’s ears, she would surely be scolded again. She feared nothing but the emperor’s disdainful gaze that regarded her as nothing but a failure.

Feng Zhongyan smiled faintly and said, “Princess, you overstate your case. There is no need for mercy. I shall keep this matter confidential for you.”

“Thank you, Lord Feng.” Seeing his familiar smile, Rong Xiu breathed a sigh of relief. She called out, “Feng—” but when she looked up, he had already turned away, stepping briskly onto the stone bridge ahead without looking back.

—

Once his back was turned, Feng Zhongyan’s expression froze into a cold frost.

Fu’an followed silently behind, afraid to speak. After boarding the carriage, Feng Zhongyan did not order immediate departure. He leaned against the carriage wall, closed his eyes, and his mind replayed the scene of Shen Mingsu pinned to the ground just moments ago.

...

“Brother Feng, does it hurt?”

“No.”

“Don’t be afraid. From now on, you have me. I will protect you...”

After so many years, that voice was still vividly etched in his mind. Now it resurfaced, entering his ears once more, bringing with it a pain that gnawed through every limb and bone.

Fu’an heard no movement for a long while, then called softly, “Governor?”

Just as he was about to ask which way to go, a voice came from inside: “Add something to Prince Cheng’s wine. Let him fly tonight.”

“Yes, sir.”

Everyone said the imperial advisor Ling Mochen was unpredictable and ruthless when dealing with people, but that was because they had never seen his master’s methods.

Every time Princess Rong Xiu caused trouble, the Kang Prince’s household’s fate shortened by a notch.

—

The farce ended without serious harm. Nearby vendors helped tidy up—some steadied tables, others assisted people.

Wang Sao’s pot of eggs was ruined.

Everyone had overheard the conversation between Rong Xiu and Feng Zhongyan.

Princess.

Lord Feng.

How many princesses and lords were there in the court?

The market was usually full of ordinary folk. It was rare to encounter even a seventh-rank official, much less someone like Shen Mingsu who had entangled herself with such prominent figures.

After the crowd dispersed, Wang Sao, holding the camellia oil from the blacksmith, gently massaged Shen Mingsu’s neck and tactfully asked, “Shijin, do you have any plans for the future?”

Having provoked such a person, she probably wouldn’t be able to stay here much longer.

Shen Mingsu understood. Rong Xiu would never give up easily. “It’s my fault for being shortsighted and offending the wrong person. I accept my bad luck. Even if I’m not on this street anymore, I will often come to see you all.”

With her stall destroyed and her shadow gone, today’s show was over. After comforting Wang Sao, Shen Mingsu returned to the rented courtyard.

Rong Xiu hated her deeply and had trampled her hard. Though her neck wasn’t scratched, it burned fiercely. The blow to her leg was no light matter and still ached after a long while.

Shen Mingsu rinsed with water, applied ointment, and prepared several herbal powders.

Then she lay on the bed, waiting for nightfall.

A life-saving debt had bound Feng Zhongyan to a moral high ground he could not step down from. He insisted on dragging her along. To leave the capital, she had to rely on Rong Xiu.

Rong Xiu had been pampered since childhood and was fiery-tempered; a mere spark was enough to ignite her fury. Now that Feng Zhongyan was involved, there was no need to find another source of conflict—just keep the spark alive.

Once night fell, the winding riverside bridges and markets were draped in misty lantern light, a veil completely different from the daytime world.

A group of children carrying bowls prepared to split a few copper coins they had just earned. Suddenly, they looked up and recognized someone under the lantern’s glow, exclaiming joyfully, “Brother Shijin?”

Shen Mingsu smiled and asked them, “What do you want to eat?”

—

Early the next morning, Kang Wang led his troops outside the city, ready to depart.

Family members from the Kang Prince’s household and many court officials gathered at the city gate to see them off. Madam Feng and Feng Zhongyan were also present.

Knowing that his family had stolen the Feng family’s credit, the Kang Prince’s consort worried it might cause friction with Madam Feng. She apologized repeatedly, saying, “At your age, you shouldn’t compete with the young. After hard times, you’ll understand their strength.”

Madam Feng had asked Feng Zhongyan about the military achievements and knew he was well aware.

Madam Feng was not the second wife and bore no great grudge against the Kang household. If the military honor was lost, so be it. As long as the second young master had talent, he could earn it again.

With such a grand family as the Fengs—where Boying held the highest ministerial rank and all the glory one could desire—they did not rely on these small matters to embellish their honor.

Madam Feng smiled, “Consort, don’t underestimate the prince’s prestige.”

These were just polite words. The Kang consort then spoke seriously, “When the prince returns, settle the matter with Rong Xiu. Then we’ll truly be one family.”

To say they were one family, Madam Feng was not so sure.

She had thought Shen Mingsu’s recent commotion was a bluff, trying to force the Feng family to concede and promise her a grand wedding, expecting her to return after a few days as usual.

Five days had passed with no sign of her. Madam Feng pondered whether the Feng family should yield or simply call off the marriage.

The Kang consort seemed to sense her hesitation and invited her for tea.

After returning, Madam Feng asked Feng Zhongyan’s opinion. His reply was, “I will handle matters with Mingsu myself.”

With that, Madam Feng found it difficult to interfere.

Seeing her still uncertain, the Kang consort stayed behind at the city gate and asked Rong Xiu to accompany Madam Feng to examine some silk.

—

After sending off the Kang Prince, Feng Zhongyan returned to the Ministry of Personnel.

Upon entering, he saw Wei Changfeng pinning Qiao Yang to the ground. Qiao Yang was no pushover; he hooked his legs around Wei’s neck, and the two tumbled, entwined like a twist of rope, neither yielding.

They only stopped when Feng Zhongyan approached.

Feng Zhongyan had three close attendants: Fu’an, responsible for his daily needs; Wei Changfeng, his personal guard; and Qiao Yang, who ran errands and gathered intelligence.

Qiao Yang had just returned. Before Feng Zhongyan could speak, he followed him inside and reported, “Shen Zhaonan did not go to Qingzhou.”

Shen Zhaonan’s family had deliberately come from Qingzhou to the capital, seemingly only to find Shen Mingsu and inform her of Shen Yueyao’s death.

Qiao Yang said, “If Shen Yueyao were truly in Qingzhou, it would be impossible not to find any news of her.” Qingzhou had been ravaged by war for years. The few cities reclaimed were inhabited mostly by Hu people.

No native Da Ye citizen would willingly go there.

If one did, it would be discovered quickly.

So Shen Yueyao was either alive but hiding and unwilling to be seen, or had died a year ago.

From Shen Zhaonan’s trip, the former seemed more likely.

Alive but unwilling to see Shen Mingsu probably meant she had been rescued a year ago and learned some truths.

Finding someone in hiding was not easy. Feng Zhongyan didn’t press further but asked about Qingzhou’s situation. “How is Feng Xu’s side?”

“The news has been delivered. Second young master didn’t react much, but the soldiers are very agitated. They dare not name names and can only curse a bunch of beasts.” They had unleashed curses at those scoundrels.

The commanding officer’s military achievements were lost, so naturally, the followers’ futures were ruined. Their frustration was understandable.

“In my opinion, whoever holds military power in Qingzhou is bound to be ungrateful. Recently, when fighting broke out, the local people gathered at the city gate, shouting to welcome the Hu people into the city.”

The two states recently conquered by Da Ye were mostly Hu people, born under Hu rule. To these locals, the Hu were their ancestors; naturally, they longed for their homeland.

—

Before the matter was fully discussed, a servant from the Duke’s mansion suddenly arrived at the ministry, nervously reporting to Feng Zhongyan, “Madam and the princess are in trouble.”

More precisely, it was Rong Xiu alone who was in trouble.

She had been attacked with a hidden weapon.

After returning from the city gate, Madam Feng had taken Rong Xiu to the market. At a clothing shop, Rong Xiu had fancied an open-front shirt. While trying it on, an inexplicable osmanthus scent wafted in. Before she could react, she was immobilized. Then a black cloth was thrown over her head, and a barrage of punches rained down on her.

When the maid outside sensed something wrong and rushed in, she found the princess beaten and bruised.

A county princess had been assaulted—this was outrageous!

No one knew if the attacker was male or female, old or young, nor who it was.

When Feng Zhongyan arrived, Rong Xiu, hair disheveled and clutching her swollen face, gritted her teeth in fury. “Shen Mingsu. It’s Shen Mingsu. I must have her executed.”

Madam Feng was anxious, unable to understand who could be so bold. But hearing her insist it was Shen Mingsu, she was utterly bewildered.

Shen Mingsu was so small—did she dare to strike someone?

Did she even have the ability?

Seeing Madam Feng’s disbelief, Rong Xiu nearly choked. Turning to Feng Zhongyan, she declared, “Lord Feng, it’s not that I can’t tolerate her; she’s asking for death, and I’m granting her wish.”

Feng Zhongyan smiled and asked, “She has no enmity with the princess. Why would she harm her?”

“How could there be no grudge? Yesterday I...” Rong Xiu’s voice faltered, and she stared blankly at Feng Zhongyan.

Her father had just gone to Qingzhou to fight the Hu. Everyone was praising the Kang Prince’s household. If the emperor found out about her bullying the townsfolk yesterday, she would be severely punished.

But would she suffer in silence?

“Princess, return to rest and recover. Leave the rest to me.” Feng Zhongyan turned to Fu’an, “Escort Her Highness back to the residence.”

Rong Xiu, unused to such humiliation, glared fiercely, almost smoking from her eyes.

—

Shen Mingsu began her wait in the afternoon. By nightfall, all remained calm.

The next morning, she went to a noodle shop and ordered a bowl. Before it was served, agents from the Jingzhao Prefecture suddenly burst in, pointing at her, “And him, seize them.”

Before Shen Mingsu could react, her arm was grabbed, and she was forced into a carriage.

Inside, another man was bound hand and foot, his face ordinary enough to be forgettable in a crowd, except for his upturned almond eyes, striking and memorable. He looked her over disdainfully, a hint of arrogance in his gaze, and asked, “Brother, are you a flower thief too?”