FID – Chapter 698

Chapter 698: That Is Also a Rare Orchid

Outside, Wei Hong and Wei Zi had already returned.

They did not bring Qian Baihao and the other members of the merchant group to Prince Ting’s Manor.

After all, this was the residence of the Prince of Beicang, and not everyone could enter as they pleased.

It wasn’t about looking down on the merchants, but out of politeness, it had to be this way.

It was someone else’s territory, and they had no right to be disrespectful.

Feng Qingbai and Liu Yusheng came out of the room an hour later.

Wei Zi and Wei Hong were waiting at the entrance of the guest courtyard. As soon as they saw the two of them, they immediately reported, “Master, Master Qian and the others from the Merchant Guild have been arranged to stay at a nearby inn. Master Qian sent a message to Miss Liu, saying that they just returned to the capital and will rest for two days. After two days, they will send another invitation to the Lu family in the capital to pay a visit.”

Feng Qingbai nodded. “We will follow Master Qian’s wishes.”

Qian Baihao’s move was clearly giving them a chance to spend two days playing together.

They had been apart for more than half a year.

After such a long separation, they naturally had countless things to talk about. So, Qian Baihao was truly a perceptive and meticulous person.

By doing this, he subtly gained Feng Qingbai’s favor, and in the future, he would be more attentive to the Qian family.

Indeed, he was an old fox, far more skilled than Qian Wanjin.

Like father, like son.

“Aunt Hong, you’re injured. You don’t need to stay here and guard, go rest for now. You’ve worked hard these past days.” On the other side, Liu Yusheng persuaded Wei Hong to rest.

Looking at the simple bandages on Wei Hong’s injuries and the bloodstains on her clothes, one could imagine how intense the battles she had endured over the past few days were. If not for her persistent efforts, Qian Baihao and the others would have had no chance of being safe.

To resist the pursuit with just one’s own strength was truly exhausting.

Wei Hong did not refuse. After a salute, she retreated, so as not to ruin the King’s image with her disheveled appearance.

Duan Ting was sitting in the front hall, with two empty teapots in front of him, clearly having drunk quite a lot by himself. When he saw the two of them approach, he immediately teased, “I thought I’d have to drink at least two more pots of tea before you’d come out.”

Liu Yusheng stepped over the threshold and smiled at the man inside. “Prince Ting, long time no see.”

“It hasn’t been that long, just half a year. Enough time for you to see my completely rejuvenated appearance. How do I look? My complexion seems much better now, right?”

Liu Yusheng chuckled and carefully looked the man over. He did indeed look much better.

There was no longer the pale, weak look he used to have, and he now carried a bit more masculinity.

At last, he looked like a normal man.

Of course, she couldn’t say that out loud, or even Prince Ting would likely go mad right there.

Men were most sensitive about being told they didn’t look like men.

“Come, sit down, and try some of our Beicang tea,” Duan Ting invited them over and personally poured the tea. “Miss Liu, your disappearance these past days really worried the Prince.”

“I heard about it from Feng Qingbai. Thank you for all your help during this time, Prince Ting.”

Duan Ting raised an eyebrow and smiled, “What I’ve done is nothing compared to you. It’s insignificant in comparison.”

He said this somewhat subtly, probably worried about the possibility of someone eavesdropping.

Seeing that Duan Ting was still sitting in a wheelchair, Liu Yusheng realized his intention. 

He likely didn’t want anyone to know that he had actually recovered. By maintaining the appearance of weakness, it allowed his opponents to lower their guard. This way, he could have more time to prepare and strategize, while also protecting himself.

“I still need to go to the palace later,” Feng Qingbai said to Liu Yusheng after sitting down. “For this search, I’ve requested a portion of the royal soldiers from Beicang to help search the areas around the capital. Now that you’re back, I need to personally go and thank him.”

Liu Yusheng nodded, “You should go and thank him in person. I’ll stay here in the manor and won’t run off. I’ll wait for your return.”

Feng Qingbai stood up, gave her hand a brief squeeze, then mounted his horse and rode toward the palace.

For now, only Liu Yusheng and Duan Ting were left in the hall.

“There’s no need to look at me so expectantly. What do you want to know? Ask, and I’ll tell you everything, no secrets.” As soon as Feng Qingbai left, the young girl had a different look on her face, clearly eager for some gossip to spill out of him.

Duan Ting couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head.

Liu Yusheng was waiting for this exact moment. “Is it true, the rumor about the two countries forming an alliance through marriage?”

Duan Ting nodded. “It’s true. But you don’t need to worry. His Highness has his own ways of handling it. It’s just not the right time to discuss it yet.”

“And what about the Seventeenth Princess?”

During her time in Beicang, Liu Yusheng had overheard many discussions among the common people about the rumored marriage alliance, with the Seventeenth Princess being one of the most frequently mentioned names.

“Her threat is nothing to worry about, so don’t take it to heart. She’s just a spoiled person,” Duan Ting replied.

“How old is she?” Liu Yusheng asked.

“She’s seventeen this year. She’s the youngest among the princesses.”

“She’s seventeen and still not married? You Beicang people are quite unconventional.” Liu Yusheng raised an eyebrow.

Wasn’t it typical for princesses or young ladies to be betrothed early and married as soon as they come of age?

Seventeen years old and still in the palace? At this rate, she would become an old princess!

The young girl was clearly jealous, but Duan Ting wasn’t quite sure how to respond.

If it were any other girl, he could easily tease his way through the situation, but not with her.

She was his savior, and most importantly, she was the fiancée of the jealous and possessive Feng Qingbai.

If he dared speak sweetly or flirt with her, Feng Qingbai would probably skin him alive upon his return.

He had crossed paths with Feng Qingbai before, and unfortunately, he was no match for him.

He cleared his throat and became serious. “You really don’t need to mind her. If you want to blame someone, blame the Prince. As a man, why does he need to be so attractive? It’s no wonder the butterflies are drawn to him.”

“But if someone else’s flowers look nice, does that mean you can just pick them? Do you know what it means when a famous flower has an owner?” The young girl smiled sweetly, her eyes filled with cold, sharp light.

“…The Prince is at most just a weed, right?”

“But still a rare orchid at that.”

“……”

Duan Ting lost.

He was the one who got caught in the crossfire.

But it was probably only when it came to Feng Qingbai that Liu Yusheng spoke so sharply.

Normally, she was a calm and gentle young girl.

Liu Yusheng wasn’t someone who made trouble for no reason. Although she was annoyed by the rumors connecting Feng Qingbai with the Seventeenth Princess, she didn’t continue to harp on the topic of the princess.

She picked up the teacup, took a slow sip, and half-lowered her eyes to hide her thoughts.

On the way back when Heilian had escorted her, they were ambushed by people pretending to be soldiers, something she hadn’t yet told Feng Qingbai.

To dare disguise themselves as soldiers on Beicang’s territory, they couldn’t be outsiders.

Those people had to be from Beicang.

And the only person who might harbor ill will toward her in Beicang… she could only think of one.