"I implore you, Miss Feng, to escort me to the Fengyin clan," Wen Yuxi said, bowing and clasping his hands.
"For the Empress?" Feng Ling asked, raising her eyes.
"Yes," Wen Yuxi replied straightforwardly.
Feng Ling lowered her gaze. "The truth is painful, yet so clear."
"I apologize…" Wen Yuxi said softly.
Feng Ling smiled. "Apologize to me? I am doing this for myself too. I do not wish for my kin to fall into eternal damnation due to Feng Xian's selfish desires."
"Your Majesty is not someone who acts without reason. Furthermore, Your Majesty also wishes to break the century-old covenant with the Fengyin clan."
"On that point, Your Majesty and I are in complete agreement," Feng Ling stated.
"Then there is no time to delay. Please lead the way, Miss Feng."
Feng Ling nodded. "Very well, we shall depart immediately!"
"Miss Feng, please wait a moment. We will meet here in half an hour. I need to return to my residence to attend to a few matters."
Feng Ling nodded. "Alright."
Wen Yuxi returned to the Yan Residence and informed Xue Zixuan of his intention to go to the Fengyin clan. Upon hearing this, Xue Zixuan said, "I will go too."
"No," Wen Yuxi refused outright.
Xue Zixuan was taken aback. "Why?"
Wen Yuxi replied calmly, "If we both leave, who will inform Shen Yunxuan of the situation when he arrives?"
"Then you stay, and I will go," Xue Zixuan proposed.
Wen Yuxi chuckled softly at this. "Your martial skills are not as good as mine."
"You…" Xue Zixuan gritted his teeth, feeling a rare surge of anger due to his insufficient martial prowess. If he were more skilled, perhaps he wouldn't have to remain here?
"You stay here and await Shen Yunxuan's arrival. I will keep you updated, and we may require your and Shen Yunxuan's assistance later."
"Alright!" Xue Zixuan knew he had been persuaded.
"Feng Jiu will remain to protect you," Wen Yuxi added.
Xue Zixuan was about to refuse when Wen Yuxi preempted him, "Feng Ling will discover Feng Jiu."
Xue Zixuan had no choice but to nod. "As you say."
Having made the arrangements, Wen Yuxi went to the Northern Frontier King's Mansion to meet Feng Ling. A carriage was already waiting for them in front of the mansion.
Seeing the carriage, Wen Yuxi paused slightly. "A carriage is too slow. Horses are much faster."
Feng Ling chuckled upon hearing this. "Horses are uncomfortable. I prefer to ride in this carriage."
"And the driver?" Wen Yuxi asked, wondering how the carriage would be driven without one.
"Isn't there you?" Feng Ling asked with a playful smile.
Wen Yuxi's expression soured. So, he was expected to drive the carriage.
For the Empress, he would endure it.
"Please board, Miss Feng." Wen Yuxi took his place on the driver's seat.
Feng Ling got into the carriage and patted Wen Yuxi's shoulder. "Drive well."
Wen Yuxi's gaze deepened. Without a word, he suddenly yanked the reins. The horse, in pain, reared back, causing Feng Ling to tumble to the very back of the carriage.
"You… you did that on purpose…" Feng Ling said through gritted teeth, rubbing her aching waist.
Wen Yuxi's lips curved into a smile. "My apologies, Miss Feng. This horse seems a bit disobedient."
Feng Ling bit her lower lip. It was clearly intentional, but what could she do? She didn't know how to drive.
The carriage finally began to move. Feng Ling admired the scenery outside, occasionally exclaiming in admiration.
Anyone unaware of the situation might have assumed the carriage held a fool.
Wen Yuxi felt a peculiar sensation. For a mere covenant, his clan had lived beneath the desert for a hundred years. The Fengyin clan was, in its own way, remarkably faithful.
"Did you never consider breaking the covenant?" Wen Yuxi suddenly asked.
Feng Ling paused, then lowered the carriage curtain. She said slowly, "Yes, every member of the Fengyin clan has struggled with it. But we cannot forget who saved our clan from extermination a century ago. We Fengyin are people of loyalty and righteousness. How can we break our promise for personal gain?"
"And now?" Wen Yuxi inquired.
Feng Ling raised her head. Though the curtain obscured the outside world, she knew it was a scene of vibrant colors and lively sights.
"To be honest, I don't know. For a hundred years, the Fengyin clan has upheld its promise. If not for the deaths of my uncle and second uncle, the Fengyin clan might have continued to endure in silence. There was no catalyst, but now there is. Those restless clansmen are stirring. In truth, the imperial family broke the covenant first." Feng Ling stated calmly.
"Have you considered that perhaps Your Majesty did not wish for you to live beneath the desert?"
Feng Ling blinked. "Are you suggesting the Empress is using this situation to bring the Fengyin clan out?"
"It is not impossible," Wen Yuxi replied.
Feng Ling's eyes widened. "Really?"
Wen Yuxi smiled. "Others might not, but Your Majesty would. She is someone who acts without considering the consequences."
Feng Ling recalled the Empress and couldn't help but smile. "You are right. That is indeed her way."
"Tell me about how you met the Empress!" Wen Yuxi asked.
Feng Ling nodded, covering her mouth. "I was suffering from a strong duck scent and couldn't leave. Seeing the room empty, I sneaked in to steal some duck. Halfway through, the owner of the room returned, and I had to hide. But I never expected this person to be so skilled, and she found me quickly. We exchanged blows, and that's how we met…"
Wen Yuxi laughed. "That truly sounds like her."
"I enjoyed her company. I recognized her as my sister. Later, in the desert, we encountered a caravan of merchants. Then Feng Xian appeared. My sister actually fought Feng Xian to protect strangers. But my sister was no match for Feng Xian. Injured, I intervened. In our moment of crisis, the Great Elder appeared, and I brought my sister back to the Fengyin clan. At first, the clan members were unhappy with outsiders entering. My sister used this opportunity to strike the Soul Lamp, giving her an excuse to stay."
"What about you? How did you meet sister? Rumors say she had many men," Feng Ling asked.
Wen Yuxi heard this and replied, "If the rumors were true, do you think I would still be here?"
Feng Ling mused, "Unrequited love?"
Wen Yuxi gave a wry smile. She saw the sadness on his handsome face. "Perhaps it's not even unrequited love, because, from beginning to end, she only loved one person."
Feng Ling was surprised. "Who does she love?"
"Xue Jingyun, the former Crown Prince of Xue, now His Majesty Yun."
"I've heard the rumors about the Crown Prince of Xue. He offered his kingdom as a dowry and unified the land. Any woman would be moved by such a man."
Wen Yuxi scoffed at this. "He merely met Your Majesty earlier."
Feng Ling giggled. "You're still not convinced."
"Men are never convinced, no matter the time or place," Wen Yuxi stated.
"Whether you are convinced or not makes no difference."