The room was filled with warm light, gentle and moving.
Xie Xun once thought his longing had gone too deep, to the point of conjuring illusions, until the evening breeze wafted through the open window and extinguished an oil lamp. Xie Xun awoke as if from a dream, his heart overflowing with joy.
"Ayu!"
He hastily rose to his feet, and Fengyu had already run over, throwing herself into the arms of Xie Xun, who had opened them wide. Her longing, buried deep during her busy days, surged to consu her mind in the quiet monts of midnight dreams. As she embraced him, Fengyu finally dared to release her pent-up yearning—she missed Xie Xun, imnsely, desperately. When they first t, she never imagined that one day he would hold such a significant place in her heart.
Xie Xun lowered his head and kissed her. His hands, roughened by years of wielding swords and drawing bows, gently brushed aside her long hair and caressed the girl’s delicate, flawless cheeks. The icy smoothness of her skin under his palm ward gradually, becoming hot to the touch. Xie Xun’s breath deepened, as a primal desire burgeoned within him.
A brief separation rekindles passion—things escalate quickly.
Xie Xun restrained the wildfire in his heart, pressing his forehead against hers to take deep breaths. Fengyu trembled under his kiss, shy yet greedily gazing at the lust-filled expression on his face.
So handso!
"Why have you co to Tongzhou?" Xie Xun’s voice was still slightly hoarse, though he had managed to rein in his emotions. His eyes sparkled with fragnts of joy, greedily tracing her features more than Fengyu herself did.
"I ca to celebrate your birthday."
When she entered, Fengyu had heard Flying Shadow say that Xie Xun hadn’t eaten anything all day. She’d also been told snippets of gossip by Flying Shadow. As she saw Xie Xun sitting alone in the high seat, weary and isolated, a sharp pang of sorrow gripped her heart. His destined path of lonely royal power was strewn with brambles, slander, and solitude. She wanted to accompany him.
She couldn’t bear to leave him sitting there alone, struggling like a trapped beast.
He used to be so dazzling—the young marquis, radiant like the sun!
"I wanted to give you a surprise, but rushing on the road these past days has left starved."
"Flying Shadow, bring the al!" Xie Xun, distressed to no end, reluctantly shifted his gaze from her face. His little girl had truly journeyed across mountains and waters to celebrate his birthday with him.
She didn’t break her promise!
"Yes!"
As Flying Shadow was about to leave, Xie Xun added, "Prepare a few at dishes as well."
His als were largely vegetarian, prepared simply. On occasion, his dinner would be no more than a bowl of noodles. Fengyu, on the other hand, was used to a particular level of refinent in her food, lodging, and attire as the Third Miss.
"Ayu, did you grow taller?" Xie Xun pulled her closer, wanting to share intimate words. The three brothers of the Xie Family had all inherited the towering height of Marquis Zhenbei, nearly rivalling the Beiman. Fengyu, petite and delicate, had only previously reached his shoulder, but now she ca up to his chin—a change too striking to ignore. Xie Xun held her waist and asured with her, exclaiming, "You really grew taller."
"Really?" Fengyu hadn’t particularly noticed her height. A few days ago, Chunlu remarked that her sleeves seed a bit short, but she hadn’t paid much attention. She hadn’t expected she’d truly grown taller. "I practice swordsmanship for an hour daily, and during periods of land clearing and farming, I go up the mountain every other day. Perhaps all the walking has helped grow taller?"
Xie Xun couldn’t help laughing. The burdens on his chest had dissipated like smoke, gone with the wind. He teased, "I’m quite envious, Ayu—you still have room to grow."
Fengyu, "..."
After dinner, Xie Xun dragged Fengyu up to the rooftop to enjoy the moonlight breeze, reluctant to let go of her hand. When he had had to leave her alone in Jinzhou, his heart had trembled with unease and fear. Even now, wide awake, he felt insecure, holding onto an unyielding desire to keep her firmly by his side. When Xie Xun had received Nuanyang’s letter detailing her perilous situation at a mine, he had been angry enough to want to scold her fiercely. But now, with her safely in his arms, he couldn’t bring himself to utter a single harsh word.
Second Brother was right—Ayu was unlike other won. Even if frail, she could protect herself.
She wasn’t a girl he could rely keep tucked away in a garden.
"The winter cultivation in West Continent is going quite smoothly. Experienced tenant farrs say this year’s favorable weather ensures a bountiful harvest next year," Fengyu shared updates from West Continent. "It’s the sa in Huangzhou. Mining operations are progressing well. Second Young Master will have the armor and weapons he requested forged by April. Zhixu, don’t worry about the rear. Second Young Master and I will support you together."
"Are you tired?" Xie Xun asked with concern. These tasks, ant for him and Second Brother, had fallen on her shoulders. Not only had she grown taller, but her once flawless snow-like skin had been tanned. He even felt the faint calluses on Fengyu’s palms. The girl he once cherished and nurtured now endured hardships alongside him.
"Not tired!" Fengyu’s bright eyes shone. "Zhixu, I love this life."
Xie Xun raised an eyebrow, "Don’t you prefer the luxury of Capital City, with its silks and jewels?"
"I do!" Fengyu grasped his hand, interlocking their fingers tightly. "Life in the Capital City is serene and affluent—I like it very much. With attendants in abundance, a few close friends, outings in spring, and flower-viewing in autumn, the days are comfortable. While in West Continent, I would often reminisce about the silk-and-jewelry lifestyle. At first, supplies in the city were scarce. I promised to endure hardships along with the people, and I wouldn’t break that promise by sending food over from Jinzhou. I lived on simple als myself. Chunlu and Qiuxiang pitied and used the few chickens they’d managed to raise for stew. The aroma drifted across to the neighboring courtyard, and as I drank the chicken soup, sixteen little heads peered over the wall, their mouths watering as they gazed at my pot of soup. My heart softened, and I invited them all in, dividing the two chickens among them. I asked why their families didn’t kill chickens themselves. They said they only owned ten chickens, distributed when I had arrived in West Continent. They wanted to keep them alive to lay eggs and hatch chicks, cultivating many more chickens. So, they couldn’t bear to kill them. To , they seed pitiable, but they said they were already lucky to eat their fill. Though there was neither at nor eggs, they had enough grain to satisfy their hunger. Occasionally, their parents would catch fish in the river to improve their als, and they felt content. Once beggars without shelter, they now had hos for protection against the wind and rain, and enough food to sustain them daily. A little girl told that when she grew up, she wanted to be like , bringing security and warmth to many people. In that mont, I fell in love with the present."
Fengyu found it hard to describe her emotions when she heard the young girl’s words. Her heart trembled for what she had once held onto so tightly—what she feared and clung to—things that seed insignificant now.
"People often say that empathy cos only through shared experiences. I’ve begged my way back to Ningzhou before, suffering hunger and deprivation, but upon returning ho, all I could think about was compensating for my own past hardships. I never once considered how many people in this world also lack food and clothing. I couldn’t even compare to that little girl. In the Capital City, I helped with disaster relief only because many of those in North City were military families, soldiers who had served my father. I ca to the Twelve Regions because the rchant group needed , and because I wanted to help you build your realm. But I only ever worked for others, without truly having wishes of my own. Until that day, I gained one. I wanted to struggle alongside you to ensure the people of Yanyang could escape the ravages of war, have full bellies and warm clothes. And I want to make it happen. That’s why I prefer my current life. For this dream, I am willing to sacrifice everything."
In her eyes, Xie Xun saw hope and tenderness—a side of Fengyu he had never known.
The Third Miss who loved gold and jewels, who loved herself more than anyone else, seed transford... but he didn’t like it.
Xie Xun said, "Ayu, I will ensure the people are spared from war, will make certain they have enough to eat and wear, and I will grant them security in old age and reliance in youth. We will work together to fulfill your dream. But I hope you’ll always place yourself above anyone else, including . You are more important than anyone else."
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