FID – Chapter 699

Chapter 699: Sweet as Honey

She had never been to Beicang before, and aside from Prince Ting, she didn’t know anyone from the country.

There was no reason, no grudge, so it was impossible for someone to specifically target her for assassination.

That left only one person—the Seventeenth Princess.

Jealousy could make people do all sorts of seemingly irrational things.

As the leader of the Nanling envoy, Feng Qingbai could enter the Beicang palace with just a simple notification.

After meeting with the Emperor and explaining the situation about finding the person, he expressed his thanks and immediately headed to Prince Ting’s residence.

The Emperor sat in his hall, watching the man’s seemingly calm and unhurried figure, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

His impatience was impossible to hide.

“Your Majesty, it seems that the Prince truly cares for his fiancée. This marriage between the two nations…” a trusted eunuch whispered in the Emperor’s ear.

“Loyalty is a good thing, it shows that the Prince values feelings, isn’t that right?” The Emperor’s expression remained unchanged. “As for the matter of the marriage, I will announce it to the world later. A marriage between two nations is for the sake of alliance, not enmity. There isn’t only one way forward.”

His ambiguous words made it hard to guess his intentions, and the trusted eunuch didn’t dare to say more, only murmuring, “Your Majesty is wise.”

Before the Emperor’s hall, Feng Qingbai was able to maintain some composure, but once he left, his steps unconsciously quickened, every movement revealing his urgency.

If it weren’t necessary, he wouldn’t have chosen this moment to enter the palace; today, he didn’t want to leave Shengsheng’s side for even a moment. However, the Beicang troops were still continuing their search nearby, and he needed to inform the Emperor to call them back.

After all, that was someone else’s property.

During the envoy mission, no detail could be overlooked.

Just as he was about to step out of the palace complex, a figure approached and blocked his way.

Upon seeing the person, he frowned.

“I heard that Your Highness has found her, congratulations. She should be in Prince Ting’s residence now, right? If there’s a chance, I’d like to meet her.” The Seventeenth Princess smiled on the surface, but her eyes gleamed with a touch of coldness.

“She has no obligation to meet Your Highness. Move aside.” The man’s expression was cold, and only when he spoke about his fiancée did his calm demeanor show a hint of disturbance.

This made the Seventeenth Princess’ eyes redden with anger.

“This is Beicang, and even someone of your status, when entering, must see the Emperor. Why can’t I meet your fiancée? Has my status so dishonoring to her? Moreover, I won’t harm her.”

Feng Qingbai suddenly lifted the corners of his lips, and even the slightest smile was like frost melting in the spring sun, making the Seventeenth Princess lose focus and feel dazed.

Then, she heard the man speak softly near her ear, “Then the princess should go ask His Majesty if I should pay my respects to Your Highness. If so, I will personally bring my fiancée to meet Your Highness.”

After speaking, the man bypassed her and strode away.

The Seventeenth Princess suddenly turned around, glaring at his retreating back, nearly grinding her molars in frustration.

His words were a mockery, mocking her as nothing more than an insignificant princess, unqualified to act arrogant in front of the King of Nanling!

Although Feng Qingbai had to enter the palace to meet the emperor, he didn’t need to bow to him! Their relationship was, in essence, nearly equal!

If he could nearly stand on equal footing with the Beicang Emperor, how could a princess come before him and act so arrogantly?

With a forceful stomp, the Seventeenth Princess stormed back into the Emperor’s audience hall.

Many people around witnessed this scene and quietly lingered outside, waiting to see how the Emperor would respond after the Seventeenth Princess caused a scene inside.

Would he continue to pamper and indulge her as before, or would he scold her sharply, prioritizing the interests of the country?

This was the Seventeenth Princess’ second tantrum.

Soon after, those left behind witnessed the result.

The Seventeenth Princess ran out, crying, covering her swollen cheek.

That day, gossip about the potential marriage alliance between the Seventeenth Princess and the King of Nanling, Feng Qingbai, began to spread in the palace. Whispers circulated that the matter was likely over.

However, no one dared to spread the gossip outside. The Emperor had yet to make any formal pronouncement, and who would dare speculate on his intentions?

When Feng Qingbai returned to Prince Ting’s Manor, he took Liu Yusheng back to the guest courtyard and ordered all the maids and servants to leave. He only kept the shadow guards by his side.

Upon hearing the report from the servants, Duan Ting clicked his tongue, “Miss Liu is like a lamb walking into the tiger’s den. Her situation is truly worrisome.”

A lone man and woman in a room with no one to disturb them—could Feng Qingbai, that beast, really hold himself back?

Touching his chin, Duan Ting quietly pondered the chances of success if he were to play the fool.

In the guest courtyard, Liu Yusheng panted as she avoided the man. She said, “You’re here to handle official business, not to indulge in inappropriate behavior…”

Her voice was soft and weak, lacking any authority.

“The matters that need to be handled are done. After the Emperor summons us, we can return to Nanling,” Feng Qingbai replied, unaffected by her scolding.

“So, does this mean your discussions have already been concluded?”

“Shengsheng, when dealing with official matters, don’t bring up unrelated topics.” The man was a bit frustrated, biting his teeth and enduring.

“…” Liu Yusheng privately thought that official matters should refer to state affairs.

The shadow guards stationed around the guest courtyard once again activated their ‘automatic ear-closure mode,’ keeping their eyes vigilant while silently chanting calming mantras.

However, as men, they could understand their master’s impatience very well.

When the person he cared for comes to him willingly, how could he not take the opportunity?

Could he still be a man?

An hour passed, and the clouds cleared and the rain ceased.

Liu Yusheng turned her face and looked at the man beside her, whose face was still flushed. She couldn’t help but chuckle.

“This always happens. In the end, you have to endure it yourself. Feng Qingbai, do you really enjoy getting yourself into trouble?”

The man gritted his teeth, the veins on his forehead starting to show. “Gladly enjoy it!”

“Ha! Hahaha!” Liu Yusheng couldn’t hold back her laughter.

Every time it came down to the final step, sometimes even she was completely swept away, but he always managed to hold himself back at the last moment, retreating to a corner to adjust himself and suppress his desires.

She truly admired his perseverance.

How could someone be so irresistible?

The girl’s carefree laughter made the man narrow his long eyes.

This was not his own place, and that was why he let her go.

Did she really think he would always be like this after they got married?

The day they stepped back onto Nanling’s land, she wouldn’t have the chance to smile like this again.

He gently curled his lips and reached out to pinch the girl’s cheek.

Let her be proud for a few more days.

“Feng Qingbai,” she poked his firm arm with her finger, “What was the result of the negotiations? Why are there so many rumors outside, yet the Emperor refuses to make a public declaration and put an end to them?”

“He’s still waiting for the final opportunity.”

“What opportunity?”

“Waiting to see if there’s a chance to make me back down.”

Liu Yusheng’s eyes widened in shock. “He still wants to steal my man?!”

Feng Qingbai, “…” He turned his body and laughed out loud.

The rumors outside had made the girl paranoid.

The Emperor wanted to steal her man?

It was hard to believe she could even think that.

“I’ve put my roots down here. No one can take me away from you.” He looked at her, a glint of laughter in his eyes, his words full of ambiguity.