Chapter Thirteen: Encountering the Man in Black Once More

Feng Xiaoli turned her head lightly, refusing to look at her any longer. Hua Pei seemed to understand Feng Xiaoli’s thoughts and glanced at the others. For a moment, both women had shifted their gaze away. Yue Wanqing, observing Feng Xiaoli’s actions, laughed and said, “A-Li, could it be you’re too intimidated to look at Hua Pei because she’s prettier than you? I didn’t expect you to have a shred of self-awareness, well done!”

Feng Xiaoli rolled her eyes. “Just shut your mouth!”

Yue Wanqing obediently fell silent.

Yu Wenche had snapped back to himself when he saw Feng Xiaoli and Yue Wanqing speaking. His complexion was pale, and Feng Xiaoli noticed something was off. She asked with concern, “A-Che, what’s wrong? Do you want the imperial physician summoned?”

Yu Wenche managed a smile, but it looked more like a grimace than anything else. “It’s nothing, A-Li. I am a little unwell, but it’s hardly serious enough to warrant the imperial physician. I’m a prince who practices martial arts, healthy and strong, so these minor ailments don’t trouble me. You and Wanqing stay here and watch. I’ll take my leave.”

Without waiting for Feng Xiaoli’s reply, Yu Wenche vanished from sight.

“A-Li!” As soon as Yu Wenche left, Yue Wanqing instinctively clung to Feng Xiaoli’s arm, but Feng Xiaoli shook her off without a second thought. Yue Wanqing was slightly stunned—was she truly angry this time?

Feng Xiaoli snorted coldly and turned away.

Yue Wanqing’s face was full of contrition. “A-Li, I was really wrong. I shouldn’t have left you alone. But Yu Wenche appearing before us was such a surprise, and I didn’t mean to abandon you!”

“Get lost!”

Yue Wanqing got up and moved in front of Feng Xiaoli. “A-Li, listen to me. I truly know I was wrong, really, I do! I honestly was at a loss back then—I didn’t even know where to find you. Who would’ve thought you were the famed legitimate daughter of the Prince Chun’s household? It was so easy to find you after all! Plus, you’re pretty comfortable here now.”

Feng Xiaoli made a face at her. “Not comfortable at all!”

Not comfortable in the slightest!

She immediately got up, dragging Jin Ning away with her in long strides. Yue Wanqing called out desperately from behind, “A-Li, you’re leaving? Aren’t you going to watch Hua Pei?”

No, not watching anymore. Seeing you is enough to fill me with anger!

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Feng Xiaoli ignored Yue Wanqing, who pouted unhappily but still followed her out. Hua Pei caught a glimpse of their departing figures and continued her unfinished performance.

Zi Lin scratched his head and turned to leave. “Ah, my Li’er has gone, so there’s no point in staying here!”

Mei Ying, who had been hiding nearby to protect Zi Lin, wiped away a secret bead of sweat. Young master, so you’re only here for romance? Mei Ying quickly hurried after him. She knew her master’s temperament well—anyone who caught his interest was difficult to resist, so she’d better protect him carefully.

Feng Xiaoli had come in Yu Wenche’s carriage, but since Yu Wenche had left, he hadn’t left the carriage for her. The Prince Chun’s residence was quite far from Phoenix Pavilion, so the unfortunate mistress and servant had no choice but to walk back.

“A-Li, A-Li—” The voice grew closer. Without even needing to look, Feng Xiaoli knew Yue Wanqing was shamelessly catching up. She shot Jin Ning a mischievous grin.

A carriage from the Prime Minister’s residence arrived in front of Feng Xiaoli. Yue Wanqing lifted the curtain and flashed her a radiant smile. Feng Xiaoli nodded and instructed Jin Ning to get into the carriage; Jin Ning, obedient as ever, followed her orders. But the smile on Yue Wanqing’s face vanished instantly.

Feng Xiaoli untied the rope securing the horse. Without the horse, there was no way to move the carriage. Worse still, without the carriage, how would they get home?

Feng Xiaoli leapt onto the horse with a flourish, leaving behind what she believed was a particularly dashing silhouette. She was still in men’s attire, which only heightened her charm. Yue Wanqing shouted in frustration, “Feng Xiaoli!”

“Wanqing, help me send my maid back to the palace. I’ll borrow your horse for a day and return it tomorrow!”

“Return it to your sister!” Yue Wanqing finally lost her temper, cursing loudly, “Feng Xiaoli, bring back my horse!”

Feng Xiaoli whipped the reins, ignoring Yue Wanqing’s protests. In an instant, her figure disappeared without a trace, leaving Yue Wanqing standing beside the horseless carriage, her expression frighteningly grim. The maid Luo Yu, Jin Ning who had been forced to stay behind, and the coachman expelled from the carriage all feared provoking her further.

Yue Wanqing’s fists clenched audibly.

Feng Xiaoli’s equestrian skills were superb; in the blink of an eye, she had ridden dozens of miles. Unconsciously, the horse had carried her out into the countryside, where the scenery was delightful and the pace slowed.

The waters of White Lake shimmered, a gentle breeze stirring ripples across its surface. Willows hung like silk, brushing lightly over the water. Feng Xiaoli, dressed in a crimson gown, seemed to complement the scenery perfectly, stirring Zi Lin’s heart from afar—he was nearly drooling!

“Young master, you’re about to drool!” Mei Ying reminded him at just the right time. Young master, you’re famed as the most handsome man under heaven! You really should mind your appearance!

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“Mei Ying, you’ve been following me so long and still haven’t figured out my nature? I’m not drooling, it’s just that seeing Li’er makes me react as any man would!” Zi Lin shook his head. “Looks like you’ve been lacking female company lately. I’ll reward you with a woman sometime, so you’ll understand how I feel!”

“Young master, please don’t!”

“Opposition is useless. It’s settled!” He turned his gaze back to Feng Xiaoli, muttering to himself, “No matter how I look at Li’er, she’s utterly adorable. Ah, what am I thinking!” The carriage rocked violently, and Mei Ying pressed her hand to her forehead—her young master was rolling about inside the carriage again.

He wore a mournful expression. If he didn’t remind the young master, who outwardly seemed gentle but was in fact extremely cunning, he could torment you to life or death if things didn’t go his way. Who knows what kind of woman the young master would reward him with when they returned?

Dark lines flashed through his mind, growing more terrifying the longer he thought.

“Young master, I was wrong!”

“Don’t disturb me while I’m watching Li’er!” Zi Lin waved him off, clearly impatient.

Suddenly, Feng Xiaoli’s horse panicked, neighing wildly, its hooves stamping uncontrollably. Feng Xiaoli struggled to keep her balance but was thrown from the saddle. With a swift kick to the horse’s rump, she spun in a one-hundred-eighty-degree turn and landed firmly on her feet.

Shadows flashed before her eyes. The previously languid Feng Xiaoli instantly shifted into combat mode, her gaze narrowing sharply at the masked figures.

The assailants wasted no time, attacking her the moment she landed. She fought back, though her martial arts were not strong enough to deal with them directly; her unusual moves seemed to have been anticipated, rendering them ineffective.

Just as she was about to be struck, her waist was gripped tight and she was swept into Zi Lin’s arms. The blow was diverted, Mei Ying’s sword intercepting the attack.

Zi Lin’s next words were enough to make one wish to strike him: “Li’er, I heroically rescued a beauty—aren’t you moved?”