Chapter Fifteen: Yue Wanqing, Just Keep Pretending!

Feng Xiaoli watched as the carriage traveled farther and farther away. She made no move to pursue it; in her eyes, it was a blessing that this person no longer entangled himself with her. Light-heartedly, she mounted her horse and retraced her path.

Before long, she returned to the Prince Chun’s manor. There, in front of the gates, stood a carriage without horses. Feng Xiaoli gazed at it, feeling it was oddly familiar. Circling to the side, she caught sight of the emblem of the Left Prime Minister’s residence and suddenly understood. With a hint of indignation, she muttered, “That scoundrel Yue Wanqing! What is she doing here?”

Tossing her whip aside, Feng Xiaoli strode into the manor, heading straight for the main hall. There, she saw Yue Wanqing dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, her maid Luo Yu offering endless comfort, while Prince Chun sat above them, his face dark as thunder.

Feng Xiaoli chose to ignore the prince's stormy expression. Furious, she marched up to Yue Wanqing. “Yue Wanqing, what are you doing here? The horse is outside—go fetch it yourself!”

Yue Wanqing pressed her handkerchief to her face, sobbing, “Your Highness, you see? Without horses, a carriage is no carriage at all! Ali stole my horse and still acts so brazenly—how am I supposed to live?”

“Oh, stop pretending,” Feng Xiaoli snorted, pouring herself a cup of water since no one attended to her.

At her words, Yue Wanqing’s weeping grew louder. As her handkerchief shielded her face from the prince, she slyly winked at Feng Xiaoli. “Dare to steal my horse? I’ll see how you get out of this!”

Feng Xiaoli caught the mocking glint in Yue Wanqing’s eyes. “You dare put on an act in front of me? You don’t know who you’re dealing with!”

Just then, Yue Wanqing let out a wail so mournful it seemed to shake heaven and earth. Anyone who heard it would be moved to tears. Even Prince Chun nearly lost his composure, while the teacup in Feng Xiaoli’s hand crashed to the floor.

Prince Chun, not adept at comforting others, could only repeat what he’d said earlier. “Miss Qing, Ali was indeed in the wrong. I will see that you’re properly compensated.”

Feng Xiaoli immediately protested, “Old man, now Yue Wanqing is bullying me right under your nose and you’re taking her side? You still call me your daughter? Clearly, she’s the one! Fine—Jinning, pack our things, we’re leaving!”

“Your Highness, this is about supporting what’s right, not just what’s close. With reason, you can walk the world; without it, you’d best step aside,” Yue Wanqing chimed in, leaving the prince momentarily speechless.

“I only took your horse, Yue Wanqing. Did you have to chase me all the way here? You really must be bored! Back in Snowmist Mountain, I should’ve trained you to death!” If not for the prince’s presence, Feng Xiaoli would have lunged at her already.

Yue Wanqing shook her head, sighing, “And here I was thinking you’d finally grown smarter. Turns out, you’re still as foolish as ever. Don’t you know true heroes don’t bring up the past? Let it lie!”

Feng Xiaoli scoffed, “That’s easy for you to say. I’m no hero, so I’ll bring up what I please!”

Yue Wanqing retorted, “Oh, so you’re a heroine!”

Feng Xiaoli hurled her teacup in Yue Wanqing’s direction. Normally, Yue Wanqing would have dodged and retaliated twice as fiercely, but today was different. Prince Chun was present, and her purpose here was to ensure the peace of Huaijing by stripping away Feng Xiaoli’s pretense and exposing her true nature to all.

Oh, Yue Wanqing, do you think yourself noble for this?

Of course! Serving the people has always been my calling!

Then go die!

Ah! Your Highness, help! Ali is trying to kill me!

Feng Xiaoli charged after Yue Wanqing, murderous intent blazing. Sensing real danger, Yue Wanqing dropped her handkerchief and ran for her life, resisting the urge to use her lightness skill—she wanted to look as pitiful as possible before the prince. Letting Feng Xiaoli suffer was her greatest joy, so a little hardship of her own meant nothing.

Prince Chun massaged his temples and frowned. This was a matter between young women—what did it have to do with him? Out of sight, out of mind.

Feng Xiaoli was delighted by his response. That’s right, old man, just walk away so I can deal with Yue Wanqing myself. That wretch must have slandered me thoroughly before him—all this over a horse! Just wait and see if I don’t thrash you!

Feng Xiaoli’s martial skills were never impressive. Back on Snowmist Mountain, she was universally acknowledged as second to last in ability; no one dared claim the bottom spot over her. Though she had spent more time there than even Yue Wanqing, her prowess remained mediocre, much to her master’s puzzlement. In the end, it wasn’t the teaching at fault—Feng Xiaoli was simply too dense.

Thus, on Snowmist Mountain, Feng Xiaoli was known as the slowest of them all.

In front of Prince Chun, Yue Wanqing did her utmost to play the frail victim. The world favors the weak, and in the face of a domineering Feng Xiaoli, her act gave her the upper hand. But, vexingly, Prince Chun closed his eyes and ignored it all, throwing her plans into disarray. Determined to make her point, she purposely stumbled and cried out, “Ouch! That hurts!”

Clutching her knee, Yue Wanqing sat on the floor as tears streamed down her face. Feng Xiaoli paused—she hadn’t even touched her!

At that, Prince Chun could no longer feign indifference. Rising, he hurried over and called, “Luo Yu, quickly help Miss Qing up!”

Luo Yu, unlike the prince, had witnessed everything clearly. Since her mistress was putting on an act, as a maid she had to play along. The highest law was to keep her mistress company in all things.

She stepped forward to help, but Yue Wanqing waved her off, signaling, “You’re hopeless! How could you help me up now? I must see Feng Xiaoli punished before I even consider rising!”

Luo Yu was left speechless, as was Feng Xiaoli, who clearly saw Yue Wanqing brush off the maid’s hand. Yet in Prince Chun’s eyes, how could a frail maid possibly support such a full-figured young lady?

Feng Xiaoli felt black lines streak across her mind. Very well, Yue Wanqing, you want to keep up the act? I’ll see to it you can’t pretend any longer!

She approached, crouched down with a fawning smile, and said, “Elder Sister Wanqing, I was wrong, truly wrong. I shouldn’t have taken your horse, leaving you stranded and forcing you to come here to fetch it. I was so willful I even hurt your leg. But don’t worry, I know a little medicine—I’ll treat your injury right now.” With that, she reached for Yue Wanqing’s skirt.

Yue Wanqing immediately seized her hand and refused, “Ali, there’s no need. I’ll return to the Left Prime Minister’s residence and summon a proper physician!” If treated by Feng Xiaoli, she’d be lucky to survive unscathed—minor injuries would become serious, the healthy would become ill. No, under no circumstances!

“But what if the bumpy carriage ride makes your injury worse? Look at you—a beautiful young woman. If you ended up lame, who’d want to marry you?” Feng Xiaoli’s sincerity was so convincing that anyone who missed her sly smile would believe her the kindest soul alive.

“Ali, best leave medical matters to the doctors. You’re a well-bred lady—how could you stoop to such rough work?” No way would she let herself be treated.

“Wanqing, as the saying goes, a healer’s heart is as tender as a parent’s. Seeing you in such distress pains me as well. Don’t you agree, old man?” Enough spectating, old fellow—step in already!