FID – Chapter 790

Chapter 790 — That One Is Not a Little Lamb

“The Emperor keeps insisting on going to Xinghua Village — why is that? How could a rural place like that compare to the bustling capital of the kingdom?” The old maid spoke with evident confusion.

“A place that lingers in one’s thoughts naturally holds some unique allure. It’s just that we don’t understand it,” the Empress Dowager replied calmly.

“You’re right, Your Majesty.” Though she replied respectfully, the old maid clearly didn’t agree in her heart.

What could be so worth yearning for in a remote countryside?

Even if the Liu family’s status had risen, it couldn’t change its rustic roots.

The Emperor, noble and exalted, was constantly thinking of going to such a place and mingling with country folk. It was bound to invite ridicule.

“In July, the Emperor will undergo his capping ceremony and formally take up the imperial seal. Preparations for the celebration must begin. With the Prince leaving at this time, things are bound to be chaotic when he returns. I’m old now — though willing, I’m no longer able to manage everything on my own. Send word to General Qin and instruct him to oversee matters more diligently. He is a veteran minister of two reigns and has the duty to assist the Emperor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll deliver the orders immediately.”

After the old maid withdrew, the Empress Dowager picked up the string of prayer beads beside her, gently rolling them one by one between her fingers, her gaze serene and unruffled.

Two days later, Feng Qingbai and Liu Yusheng set out for Yunzhou. After much pleading and persistence, Feng Mohan finally gained permission to see them off, personally escorting them to the dock where they boarded the boat.

But at the dock, Liu Yusheng spotted some unexpected figures.

“What are you doing here?” Even though the two people before her had disguised themselves, Liu Yusheng recognized them. It was Xiao Qi and his servant.

The middle-aged man, Uncle Peng, had altered his eyebrows and sported a ring of stubble on his face. These small changes made him look like a completely different person.

Xiao Qi had delicate, refined features, and this time was even dressed as a young girl — surprisingly, it didn’t look out of place at all.

Seeing that Liu Yusheng had recognized them, Uncle Peng immediately stepped forward, bowed, and lowered his voice. “Madam, would you permit us to speak with you on the boat?”

At that moment, three passenger boats were docked, one of which was reserved exclusively for the King’s Manor.

Liu Yusheng didn’t answer immediately. Since Xiao Qi and his servant had gone so far as to disguise themselves, they were clearly in trouble. She knew nothing about their background — how could she know if agreeing would bring danger to Feng Qingbai?

“Let them aboard,” Feng Qingbai spoke calmly from beside her.

Uncle Peng and Xiao Qi’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Your Highness!”

As the two headed toward the boat, they happened to brush past Feng Mohan.

“A little girl with an Adam’s apple?” His lightly spoken words, laced with sarcasm, drifted into Xiao Qi’s ears as he walked behind.

Xiao Qi didn’t pause; in the instant they passed each other, he tilted his gaze slightly. His eyes, locked onto Feng Mohan’s, were dark and cold as ice.

Feng Mohan let out a cold snort and threw a punch at the side of Xiao Qi’s head — only to have it caught and slapped aside by a still somewhat youthful hand.

He swiftly leapt onto the passenger boat, dodging Feng Mohan’s second strike. When he glanced back again, there was a hint of mockery in his eyes.

With a resentful flick of his sleeve, Feng Mohan’s gaze, locked on Xiao Qi’s retreating figure, was icy cold.

Clearly, he was a man just like him, yet he had disguised himself as a young girl. And the way he looked at Aunt Liu especially irritated him.

If he dared scheme against Aunt Liu, even to the ends of the earth, he would grind his bones to dust!

“Xiao Feng’er, the boat is about to set sail. You’d better head back now,” the woman at the bow of the boat waved at him, motioning for him to leave. “Don’t linger outside too long.”

Feng Mohan immediately broke into a bright smile. “Got it, Aunt Liu! Bring me back some of the dried vegetables Great-Grandma made when you return!”

“Alright, I’ll bring plenty. Now hurry back.” The woman smiled warmly, then turned and walked into the cabin.

Feng Qingbai didn’t exchange any words with him. He only cast a calm glance in his direction once the woman had entered the cabin.

Feng Mohan pretended not to understand the meaning in that look. He hadn’t done anything wrong. He was just saying goodbye to Aunt Liu, acting a little spoiled — what was the harm?

As for the little episode earlier between him and that fake young lady, he knew there was no fooling his uncle’s eyes. He figured it could serve as a reminder to his uncle — be wary of those two.

Aunt Liu was kind-hearted, but good intentions couldn’t be allowed to be used by others. As Aunt Liu’s husband, his uncle had the responsibility to look after and protect her.

The passenger boat departed from the shore, with the prince’s guards taking their positions around the cabin to stand watch.

Inside the cabin were Feng Qingbai, Liu Yusheng, and the two — Xiao Qi and his servant.

“You can explain now. Why did you suddenly disguise yourselves and leave the capital? Were you waiting here specifically for me?” Liu Yusheng asked.

She had mentioned her departure date beforehand, so encountering the two of them at the dock today was certainly no coincidence.

“Please forgive us, Madam. We had no other choice but to resort to this,” Uncle Peng explained on behalf of Xiao Qi, who couldn’t speak. “Originally, we had planned to stay in the capital and wait for your return. But over the past two days, those pursuing us have been growing increasingly active, even starting to search the backyards of various shops. If Young Master and I didn’t leave, it wouldn’t have been long before they found us.”

They had no choice but to flee.

Waiting here for the Prince and his Princess Consort served two purposes. First, being by their side was the safest option — they were heading to Xinghua Village, and a rural area was actually better for hiding than the bustling capital. Second, staying close to the Princess Consort would allow his Young Master’s injuries to heal more quickly.

They didn’t have much time to waste.

The longer they delayed, the worse it would be for them.

“You’re treating my King’s Manor as a shield,” Feng Qingbai finally spoke, his gaze on the two calm and unreadable, impossible to discern. “But why should I protect you?”

Uncle Peng was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond.

When they came, they already knew. No matter what plans they harbored, it was impossible to hide them from Feng Qingbai, the Prince Regent of Nanling.

They were merely betting on the Princess Consort’s compassion.

Since entering the cabin, Xiao Qi had kept his gaze lowered. Now, at last, he raised his eyes and looked at the imposing man sitting across from him. After a brief pause, he dipped his finger in tea and wrote a single character — ‘Yan’ — on the tabletop.

Throughout the process, he kept a close watch on the man’s expression. Even after finishing the character, there wasn’t the slightest change in Feng Qingbai’s face.

He immediately understood — the other party had already guessed their identities long ago and had simply been waiting for them to speak plainly.

This man was terrifying.

“I can help you this time but this favor, you will have to repay in the future,” Feng Qingbai said. His words were only directed at Xiao Qi, not both of them.

Xiao Qi pressed his lips together and nodded.

While they were conversing, Liu Yusheng didn’t interject. With her understanding of Feng Qingbai, the fact that he would say something like that meant Xiao Qi’s identity was anything but simple.

Otherwise, Feng Qingbai wouldn’t ask him to repay the favor in the future.

Because, with his status and position, he had no use for an ordinary person’s favor.

Soon, someone arrived to escort Xiao Qi and Uncle Peng out of the cabin and to quarters in the rear of the boat.

Before leaving, Xiao Qi glanced at Liu Yusheng. His gaze was soft and sticky-sweet; Liu Yusheng couldn’t help herself. She lifted her hand and ruffled the young man’s hair. Satisfied, the boy left with a content smile.

Feng Qingbai’s face darkened.

“Shengsheng, that one is not a little lamb.”

“It’s fine. He won’t bite me.”

The woman grinned playfully. Feng Qingbai sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Men and women should keep their distance after the age of seven. He’s fifteen now — already a grown man. Madam, please avoid arousing suspicion, lest you stir unnecessary jealousy in your husband.”

Liu Yusheng burst into laughter and pinched the man’s cheek. “Old man, are you seriously being jealous over a child?”

The old man, “……”