FID – Chapter 645

Chapter 645: The Prince in the Wheelchair

“Brother Zhiqiu! Y-you’re so unromantic!”

At the doorway, the young woman stomped her foot, her face flushed red before she spun around and bolted away.

Inside the room, Liu Zhiqiu staggered.

What the—!

I am unromantic?

He had hugged her until his own heart was racing, and she wanted more?

What was she even thinking?!

His chest was still in turmoil. Liu Zhiqiu glanced down at himself, then raised a fist and thumped it hard against his own heart.

Thud—a dull impact.

Shit. Completely useless.

For the rest of the day, Little White Lotus practically floated when she walked—spinning in circles, humming tunes under her breath.

Liu Yusheng and Shi Xianrou concluded: she’d definitely gotten a taste of something good.

With the storm surrounding Kang Ziyu finally settled, the household returned to peace. 

The next afternoon, after lunch, Feng Qingbai set off for Yunzhou, where he would board a ship back to the capital.

Shi Xianrou and Qian Wanjin also needed to return to the capital. They had been away too long—things over there needed their attention.

Moreover, the floods in Yunzhou had worried the family, so they needed to go back and make an appearance—otherwise, it would seem heartless.

The two of them left together with Feng Qingbai.

Liu Yusheng didn’t go to Yunzhou to see them off.

Unlike the first time she parted ways with Feng Qingbai—when she had struggled with the separation—she could now control her emotions well.

She simply treated it as him going away on a business trip. Once the task was done, he would come back.

As for Qian Wanjin and Shi Xianrou, there was even less reason for sorrow. Within three months, they were bound to return.

Their business was here, after all.

Ironically, Grandma Liu was more sentimental than anyone else.

“There are three people leaving all at once… the courtyard suddenly feels so empty.” The old lady sighed.

The older one gets, the more they appreciate a lively home. Having the younger generation bustling around brought joy to her heart.

“Enough sighing. They’ll be back soon. Why overthink it? The kids have things to do.” The old man comforted her.

Even if all the younger ones had gone off to handle their affairs, wasn’t he still here to keep her company?

“Grandma, if you like a lively atmosphere, I’ll make sure the whole courtyard is bustling all day long. With me around, one is as good as three,” Liu Zhiqiu teased with a grin.

Before Liu Muqiu could even walk over, she immediately responded, “I’m worth two!”

Liu Yusheng shook her little head, “That’s nothing, I’m worth both of you.”

Grandma Liu chuckled softly at their banter. “You three are the best at talking nonsense.”

They all returned to the main hall and looked at the family, idle with nothing to do. The old man hummed a laugh, “If it were any other time, we’d all be out by now, looking at the water. This year’s crops are ruined, no rice harvested. Most people in the village are idle now. When the sun sets, the village entrance will be full of people gossiping.”

“Yeah, no harvest at all.” Grandma Liu sighed as well, “At least we had the grain put away by the kids, and it’s well preserved. Other families aren’t so lucky. I heard from someone who came back from the village yesterday that the rice at the market is getting more and more expensive.”

“It’s all about profiting from disaster.” Liu Dalin said, his face darkening. “No business without some trickery. With the people lacking rice, those rice merchants are changing prices every day. In two months, I wonder how many people will even be able to afford it.”

Liu Yusheng scratched her chin, wondering how the conversation had shifted to this topic. She looked at her family fretting over rice, and said, “Elders, don’t worry so much. We’ve got Feng Qingbai and Xiao Feng. They’ll definitely take action against this kind of situation. They won’t let the people go hungry.”

“Yes, and there’s also Axiu and Xiao Feng. They will definitely find a way to handle this.” The whole family nodded in agreement.

In their eyes, Feng Qingbai and Xiao Feng were both destined to be wise rulers.

They would never act tyrannically or ignore the hardships of the people.

With that, the topic was set aside, and life in the family continued as usual—low-key and peaceful.

At the beginning of August, news of Grand General Qin Xiao’s triumphant return to the capital spread throughout Nanling.

In every town and city the army passed through, the citizens lined the streets, cheering and welcoming them with enthusiasm.

A general returning to court meant either a victorious campaign or that there were no more battles to fight—both signs that the border would enjoy a period of peace.

For the people, as long as there was no war, it was good news.

The palace hosted a grand banquet to honor the returning heroes, and the emperor himself rewarded the generals who had distinguished themselves in battle. Their meritorious deeds became the talk of the capital.

By mid-August, the delegation from Beicang arrived in the capital, and Feng Qingbai personally went to the posthouse to receive them.

Among the envoys, he spotted someone unexpected.

Dressed in flowing white robes, the figure exuded an air of otherworldly grace, yet the pale complexion only made him appear even more fragile.

His long brows and phoenix eyes were strikingly handsome, yet his sickly complexion lent him a frail and delicate air.

He was sitting in a wheelchair.

Feng Qingbai’s gaze narrowed slightly. “Duan Ting?”

The man looked over at him and smiled faintly. “King of Nanling, Feng Qingbai?”

“I’ve long heard of your name.”

“Likewise.”

Duan Ting—Fourteenth Prince of Beicang, titled Prince Ting. A man of both literary and military brilliance, astonishingly talented, yet afflicted with a disability from a young age.

As the Prince Regent, Feng Qingbai was well-versed in the royal lineages of surrounding nations.

And Duan Ting was one of the few people he truly considered a threat.

The Beicang envoy’s arrival was met with a grand banquet in the palace to welcome them.

When Feng Mohan caught sight of Duan Ting, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. However, having spent so much time by his imperial uncle’s side, he had learned to control his expressions well. Otherwise, as the emperor, he might have made a fool of himself.

This time, the Beicang delegation was composed of individuals with considerable influence. In addition to the Fourteenth Prince, there was the renowned General Luo Beichuan, the eloquent statesman Shu Yixian, several other civil and military officials, and two palace maids attending to Duan Ting.

At the welcoming banquet, the atmosphere remained relatively harmonious.

Qin Xiao and Prime Minister Zuo sat at opposite ends of the table, engaging in pleasant conversation with the esteemed guests. Yet, neither side broached the true purpose of Beicang’s diplomatic mission. 

It was almost as if they were merely visiting for sightseeing.

The two nations had fought along the border for over a decade. Their generals had clashed on the battlefield more times than one could count, yet here they were, drinking together like long-lost friends, laughing heartily.

Every single person present was a master of diplomacy.

Feng Qingbai and Duan Ting, holding equal status, sat together.

Lifting his cup, Feng Qingbai said, “I have long heard of Prince Ting’s name. This cup, I drink in your honor.”

Duan Ting raised his own cup in return. “King of Nanling, your reputation precedes you. I, too, have admired you from afar. Seeing you in person proves that hearing tales is no substitute for meeting face-to-face. Please.” With that, he drained his cup in one go.

A maid attending to him seemed to hesitate, as if she wanted to stop him, but a subtle glance from the corner of his eye silenced her immediately.

Feng Qingbai caught every detail. The corners of his lips curled slightly. “This is a special nourishing wine that is widely favored in Nanling. Unlike ordinary wine, even if you drink a few extra cups, it should be harmless. It won’t make one drunk.”

“Nourishing wine?” Duan Ting murmured, turning the cup slowly in his hand, a faint smile on his lips. “I have heard of it in Beicang. Nanling’s Xinghua Village nourishing wine is said to be rich and aromatic, making it hard for one to stop drinking. Now that I’ve tasted it myself, I must say—it truly lives up to its reputation.”

Lifting his gaze, he continued, “Xinghua Village wine comes from Xinghua Village. I’ve heard that place is quite extraordinary…”

Then, with a slight pause, he asked, “I wonder if I might have the honor of visiting it in person?”

Feng Qingbai’s hand, which had been pouring wine, stilled mid-motion. Slowly, he set the wine pot down, his long eyes lifting to meet Duan Ting’s gaze directly. His expression was deep and unreadable.

“Is Your Highness unwilling?”

“I wasn’t aware that Prince Ting was such an enthusiast of fine wine.”