FID – Chapter 669

Chapter 669: I’m in Beicang, waiting for you

By December in the capital, thick snow had already begun to fall.

As far as the eye could see, the world outside the window was blanketed in white, draped in silver from every corner.

Inside the Qiande Hall of the imperial palace, a brazier burned, filling the entire hall with warmth.

Feng Mohan, wrapped in a thick robe, lay sprawled over the long table, letting out a deep sigh as he watched the man by the window once again lost in thought.

“In just a few days, it’ll be the New Year. Looks like you won’t be able to spend it with Aunt Liu again this year.”

Feng Qingbai didn’t respond. His gaze remained fixed on the vast expanse of white outside the window. He wondered—had it snowed yet in Xinghua Village?

Last year, the snowfall had been heavy, eventually leading to a snow disaster.

Hopefully, this year, the snow would truly be a sign of a bountiful harvest.

Outside, the cold wind howled fiercely, carrying snowflakes that relentlessly blew into the hall. But the moment they met the warm air inside, they melted into droplets, clinging to Feng Qingbai’s face and the front of his robe.

A draft of icy wind made Feng Mohan shiver. He pulled his robe tighter around himself and urged, “Imperial Uncle, stop staring. No matter how much you look, you won’t see a thousand miles away. Just close the window.”

His uncle was rather pitiful. He had managed to squeeze out a few days to try and make a quick trip back, even if only to exchange a few words. But, unfortunately, the heavy snowfall in the capital had come too soon. The docks and canal outside the city had frozen over early, making it impossible for passenger boats to travel.

To break the ice and allow ships to pass, just clearing the river surface alone would take quite some time.

The plan to return to Xinghua Village was forcibly cut short.

He figured that when his uncle first heard about the canal freezing over, he must have been so furious he nearly coughed up blood.

“Imperial Uncle, if you really want to see Aunt Liu before you leave, it’s not impossible. When you travel in February, you could take a slight detour along the way. Who knows, maybe Aunt Liu can’t bear to part with you and decides to follow you to Beicang. Ah, with a beauty by your side, the journey wouldn’t be so bitter anymore.”

The man standing by the window like a wooden statue finally turned around, sparing him a cold, cutting glance.

“The situation in Beicang is uncertain, and you expect me to take your Aunt Liu into danger with me?”

“…” Feng Mohan shrank his head into his robe, not daring to speak.

It was just a casual remark—why take it so seriously?

He shut the half-open window to block the cold wind from continuing to pour in, then walked over to sit by the brazier. “You’ve been under my guidance all this time. Once I leave, there will be no one supervising you. That won’t do. I plan to promote Elder Yang as Grand Tutor to assist you after I depart from the capital. Elder Yang is a great scholar of Nanling, highly knowledgeable and of noble character. You must study earnestly under him—lest your character grow more and more crooked.”

“Although Elder Yang is a great scholar, he is too rigid in nature and often fails to adapt. If he teaches me, he will only teach open strategies. Imperial Uncle, open strategies aren’t very useful…”

The latter half of his sentence was instantly cut off by a sharp glance.

“I will also temporarily transfer your Uncle Zhixia to the capital to serve as one of your assisting ministers.” 

Otherwise, just Feng Mohan and Elder Yang alone wouldn’t be enough to hold off Prime Minister Zuo, let alone the even more unfathomable Qin Xiao lurking in the background.

Feng Mohan’s eyes immediately lit up—he liked Uncle Zhixia the most!

With him around, all those reports and documents wouldn’t be a problem at all!

In this freezing weather, he could finally sleep a few extra hours.

At his age, proper sleep was essential—lack of it could stunt his growth.

His Imperial Uncle’s words were simply too much to his liking!

“I will instruct him not to draft documents on your behalf—only to assist from the sidelines. You’re already at the age where you can summon concubines to attend you at night. Stop thinking about slacking off all day.”

“……”

After staying in Qiande Hall for a while longer, the man stood up and left.

Feng Mohan mumbled something under his breath that he couldn’t hear, “You’re really like the worm inside my stomach!”

Dressed in a fox fur cloak, he walked slowly along the main road outside the palace, the sound of his shoes crunching in the snow.

The palace lamps hanging on either side of the road swayed violently in the cold wind, their dim yellow light flickering erratically, offering little illumination.

With each breath, his nostrils filled with the icy cold air.

Feng Qingbai didn’t take a carriage; he preferred to walk. It would only take him about a quarter of an hour to reach the King’s Manor.

The current temperature kept his mind sharp and clear.

At this time, just before midnight, the entire road was empty.

At the end of the road, where it was about to turn into an alley, there were no palace lamps to light the way, and it was pitch dark.

Just as he was about to step into the darkness, Feng Qingbai stopped.

In the shadow opposite, a figure seemed to blend seamlessly with the dark night.

“Come out.”

The cold light of the night met him head-on.

The two figures moved as swiftly as lightning, their moves so fast that even in daylight, one could barely follow their motions.

After a hundred moves, the attacker withdrew.

“Feng Qingbai, tell me, this time, who do you think will win—me or you?”

The voice, devoid of any emotion, came from under the wide brim of the other’s hat.

It carried a chill that seemed capable of lowering the temperature even further.

“Who wins or loses will only be known when the final move is made.”

“Heh, I’ll be waiting for you in Beicang.”

With that, the figure disappeared.

Feng Qingbai stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the spot where the person had just stood. His long, dark eyes were deep and still, like stagnant water.

After a moment, he slowly began walking toward the King’s Manor.

The fact that someone could appear here without alarming his shadow guards—such skill was rare in the world.

But those people, not a single one of them, were from Gong Ling.

There was no rush. One day, he would uncover his mask and see who he truly was.

The sounds of firecrackers echoed through the streets, signaling the arrival of the New Year.

As in previous years, every household hung red silk, and the major shops had replaced their lanterns with red ones.

Even so, this year’s festive atmosphere felt noticeably subdued.

After the New Year, the Nanling envoy would head to Beicang to hold talks face-to-face with the Beicang Emperor.

Whether or not the two countries would go to war depended on the outcome of the negotiations.

This matter, which concerned the peace of all Nanling citizens, weighed heavily on the hearts of the people.

As the days drew closer, the tension grew, and even the most joyous of festivals couldn’t lift their spirits.

Only the ignorant children could still laugh and play carelessly, unaffected by the looming uncertainty.

In front of the Liu family’s courtyard, couplets were posted on the door, and festive New Year paintings were affixed to the door panels.

The living room was warm and cozy, with the family gathered around the fire pit. Beside them was a small cradle, where the little one was sleeping soundly.

The baby, just a month old, ate, slept, and grew rapidly. He no longer had the wrinkled appearance from when he was first born.

His soft, pink, chubby little body glowed with smooth skin, and his tiny hands curled up like lotus roots.

“A little ball of meat,” Liu Yusheng smiled lightly as she gently poked the baby’s chubby face with her finger.

No wonder the elders couldn’t get enough of the little one; he was truly adorable, no matter how you looked at him.

Just looking at his soft little body made one want to bite him.

Ahem, she had secretly bitten him once, gently, not daring to let the grandparents see. He was so soft.

“The baby’s asleep, don’t keep disturbing him. If you do, he’ll cry when he wakes up,” Grandma Liu pulled her mischievous hand away and gave her a playful glare.

“Sigh, I’ve lost favor. What should I do, Xiao Maodou? Auntie’s so jealous of you,” Liu Yusheng made a funny face, causing the whole family to stifle their laughter.

“After this New Year, it’ll be the first month. I hope the new year brings good things,” the elder sighed, and the smile in Liu Yusheng’s eyes faded slightly.

After the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, it would be February, and Feng Qingbai would be heading to Beicang.

Would they be able to welcome a good future?