FID – Chapter 633

Chapter 633: No Running to the Inner Courtyard at Night!

After a bout of playful banter, they returned to the serious matter at hand.

When Feng Qingbai mentioned the arrival of the Beicang delegation, everyone’s expressions grew solemn.

This wasn’t just a diplomatic sightseeing visit—it involved relations between two nations and the stability of the border regions.

Especially since even Beicang’s Grand General had come in person.

“They’ve arrived, yes, but whether their intent to negotiate peace is genuine remains to be seen. Beicang’s national strength is not inferior to ours, and years of warfare at the borders have caused immense suffering for both nations’ people. They wouldn’t make a trip here just for the sake of signing a piece of paper,” Feng Qingbai stated.

“When two nations negotiate peace, the discussions at the table are just as much a battlefield as any warzone. The underlying currents of strategy and deception are no less intense than actual combat,” Shi Xianrou added.

Having spent years in the military alongside her father, she understood national affairs far better than most.

Negotiation was merely another form of warfare—one without bloodshed.

Whoever wielded the greater skill would claim victory.

Liu Yusheng fully agreed. “That means there won’t be a moment of ease while the delegation is here. We must remain vigilant at all times—trouble is bound to arise.”

Feng Qingbai chuckled. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

Qian Wanjin, however, scoffed. “Feng Qingbai is a cunning fox king. Nannan, why are you even worrying about him? Instead of wasting time fretting over nothing, why don’t you put together more detailed plans for our winery expansion? With your input, I can run things even more smoothly. All that fighting and scheming—leave it to Feng Qingbai. We’ll just focus on making money from behind the scenes.”

“Making money is indeed crucial,” Feng Qingbai agreed with a nod. “The Qian family and the King’s Manor are now on the same boat. As our financial backup in the court’s power struggles, if you don’t have enough money, you won’t be able to support us properly.”

Qian Wanjin immediately jumped up. “Damn you, Feng Qingbai! Are you treating my entire family like your personal bank?! Just like how Dowager Consort Liu used to take money from the Liu family in the capital whenever she ran low? What, are you planning to establish an ironclad triangle alliance that can never be broken? Who’s the third corner of this damn triangle?!”

“General Shi,” Feng Qingbai smirked.

Hearing this, Qian Wanjin was stunned.

He had only been joking, but there really was an ironclad triangle?!!

Damn, Feng Qingbai was playing for keeps!

Shi Xianrou, however, wasn’t surprised by his response.

Since the start of the year, her father’s interactions with Feng Qingbai had noticeably increased. Whenever she happened to see them together, they would always shut themselves in a room for secret discussions.

Each meeting lasted at least an hour or two.

Although her father had never explicitly told her what he and the King of Nanling were planning, she had a good guess—these two had already joined forces.

Even the retired veterans who had returned to their hometowns were being recruited back under her father’s command. 

Take Chang Kai, for example—after recovering from his illness, he had become a left-wing vanguard under her father’s banner. With his own strength, he had already brought in a considerable number of men.

Each was capable and trustworthy.

Liu Yusheng, nestled comfortably in Feng Qingbai’s arms, was just as unsurprised as Shi Xianrou.

A triangular alliance—money, military power, and political influence. It was just like the past partnership between Dowager Consort Liu, Prime Minister Zuo, and Qin Xiao.

A structure where each party complemented the other.

But this time, it was different.

Feng Qingbai’s alliance with the Qian and Shi families was still built on mutual interest, but there was something more—genuine personal bonds.

That emotional connection, combined with the integrity of all three parties, ensured that this alliance would never end in betrayal, unlike Dowager Consort Liu’s past power play.

Feng Qingbai’s ambitions never lay in ruling the world.

This was the key difference between him and figures like Dowager Consort Liu.

When the children returned, the Liu family’s big courtyard was unusually lively for dinner, especially with the addition of Elder Jiu, who had found a kindred spirit in Grandpa Liu during their drinking session.

Then there was Wei Lan and Wei Hong, who launched into another round of their usual dining table battles, arguing from beginning to end. Those drinking drank, those bickering bickered, and the older women couldn’t stop laughing.

In the midst of it all, Feng Qingbai’s thoughts occasionally strayed to the little one who couldn’t make it. During the meal, several of the elders took turns asking him about the capital and the palace.

He patiently answered each question, never forgetting to serve food to the young girl beside him in between.

Liu Muqiu, who was seeing him for the first time, was left staring in awe.

“Eat, why are you staring at him like that? Has the King grown three heads and six arms?” A voice suddenly came from beside her, making her face flush with embarrassment.

Luckily, everyone was caught up in the lively atmosphere, so no one paid attention to what Liu Zhiqiu had just said.

“Back when I was still with the Li family, they mentioned His Highness once,” Liu Muqiu whispered to Liu Zhiqiu, leaning closer to him when no one was looking. She lowered her voice, explaining, “At that time, I was thinking of using a temporary strategy, relying on the Liu family to separate from the Li family, so I deliberately attached myself to His Highness’s banner.”

“And then?” Liu Zhiqiu asked, his tone indifferent.

“Then, you stopped talking to me, so I didn’t press the issue anymore,” Liu Muqiu’s voice dropped even lower, careful that her words wouldn’t cause any tension. She mumbled, “Later, when the Li family’s old matriarch saw I had no chance, the whole thing with the Meng family happened.”

“…So?”

“At that time, the Li family’s matriarch said there was no way for a little girl from the Liu family to get close to His Highness. Even if there was an outcome, it would be years down the line, and she couldn’t wait that long. I bet she’ll regret it terribly later!” Liu Muqiu scoffed. “His Highness treats Nannan in a way that’s extraordinary. You can tell from the way he looks at her—there’s deep affection and tenderness in his eyes.”

How could things not work out?

Liu Zhiqiu smirked. “Are you gloating now? That’s your own grandmother.”

“I’m a Liu family member now,” Liu Muqiu retorted, her expression hardening. “After the fifty thousand taels for selling my ‘body,’ I’ve had nothing to do with the Li family.”

And that, she thought, was what she had always wanted.

She just hadn’t expected to gain it in such a way.

But at least, in the end, she was free.

After dinner, having washed off the day’s weariness, Feng Qingbai returned to his room only to find two formidable figures sitting inside.

“Are you not going to rest? Why are you two in my room at midnight?” Feng Qingbai asked as he walked past them and calmly began to adjust his attire.

As he reached for his belt, Qian Wanjin grabbed his hand. “Feng Qingbai, I’m warning you, during these days you stay here, you have to behave yourself. No sneaking into the inner courtyard at night!”

Feng Qingbai swatted his hand away. “Are you afraid I’ll corrupt Shi Xianrou? Don’t worry, she knows more than you think.”

“Forget about Shi Xianrou. There’s also a Little White Lotus in the inner courtyard. Feng Qingbai, you better keep it in check, or I’ll report you,” Liu Zhiqiu said leisurely.

This earned him a snort of laughter from Feng Qingbai.

So, they’d been waiting in his room all this time, just to stop him from sneaking into the inner courtyard at midnight and ruining the reputation of the other two girls?

“Don’t worry, I care more about my reputation than anything. Even if you weren’t here, I wouldn’t be staying in the inner courtyard.” He was more concerned about bad rumors spreading and making Nannan uncomfortable.

Ignoring the two, he finished adjusting his clothes and walked toward the door, only to be blocked again by Qian Wanjin, who was visibly on the verge of losing his patience. “Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t be staying in the inner courtyard?!”

“I’m not staying in the inner courtyard, but I should at least go there to bring Nannan out, right?” Feng Qingbai said, a hint of impatience in his voice. “I’ve only managed to carve out a few days. Wasting them just sleeping would be ridiculous.”