Jiang Xifeng entered Xue Xingyue’s room and did not emerge for an entire day. When he finally did, his legs were weak. Upon seeing Xue Xingyue, his gaze held an indescribable gloom, yet he could do nothing about it, for she was Princess Xingyue, after all. However, he would not let it go. Once they reached Jiangnan, she would have to pay. All the humiliation he had suffered would be repaid, one by one.
Feng Jiu noticed the look in Jiang Xifeng’s eyes and felt a touch of worry. After all, they were headed to Jiangnan, the territory of the Jiang family. He feared His Highness would be retaliated against by Jiang Xifeng.
But Xue Xingyue was not afraid of any of this. She was afraid that Jiang Xifeng would *not* cause trouble, thereby missing out on opportunities to explore the Jiang family.
As they were about to reach Jiangnan, Feng Wu arrived, bringing news.
Qi Yuzhe was in Xingchen Kingdom, but the only regret was that they still had no portrait of him. This was because Qi Yuzhe was very mysterious, always wearing a mask even in Qi Kingdom.
It was said that he had suffered a fire when he was young, and his face was burned.
Therefore, he wore a mask, and no one knew his appearance.
This stumped Xue Xingyue somewhat. She knew clearly that Qi Yuzhe was in Xingchen Kingdom, but because she didn't know what he looked like, she was helpless regarding him, which made Xue Xingyue quite frustrated. DaFeng Novel Network
“Your Highness, this Qi Yuzhe is truly too mysterious; no one knows his appearance,” Feng Wu said.
“However, it’s not entirely without gains. At least we know he’s in Xingchen Kingdom. But what exactly is he doing there?” Xue Xingyue’s gaze turned cold.
Feng Wu shook his head. “Your subordinate does not know. Your subordinate is incompetent.”
Xue Xingyue heard this and said, “This is not your fault. We can only blame this Qi Yuzhe for being so peculiar. Since we’re back, get some rest first.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Feng Wu replied.
“Wait a moment,” Xue Xingyue called out to Feng Wu.
Feng Wu paused, looking at Xue Xingyue, and asked, “Does Your Highness have any other instructions?”
“Lately, Feng Jiu has been avoiding me. You and Feng Jiu have a very good relationship. Help me ask if Feng Jiu has something on his mind,” Xue Xingyue asked.
Feng Wu was startled and nodded. “My Lady, rest assured, your subordinate will go now.”
After Feng Wu left, Xue Xingyue sat on the couch. She recalled her experiences in Zhen Wuguan. Every time she had clashed with Qi Yuzhe, he had indeed worn a mask, clearly not wanting anyone to recognize him.
But why wear a mask?
There were only two possibilities. One was exactly as Feng Wu had inquired: Qi Yuzhe’s face was disfigured due to a childhood fire. But there was another possibility.
It might be that Qi Yuzhe was afraid of being recognized.
Why was he afraid of being recognized?
Xue Xingyue closed her eyes and thought. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. She remembered. Had she met Qi Yuzhe before? That’s why Qi Yuzhe had to wear a mask?
But she quickly dismissed this speculation. After all, Qi Yuzhe wore a mask not only when facing her but also in Qi Kingdom.
This made it very difficult to ascertain Qi Yuzhe’s identity in Xingchen Kingdom.
Never mind, she wouldn't think about it anymore. She would deal with whatever came her way.
What she needed to think about now was how to handle things at the Jiang family.
Finally, they arrived in Jiangnan. Xue Xingyue discovered how prosperous Jiangnan already was. The carriage finally stopped at the entrance of the Jiang family. Xue Xingyue alighted from the carriage and saw an old man sitting on a chair in the center of the entrance. Seeing her dismount, he stood up and knelt on the ground. “This humble subject greets the Princess.”
Xue Xingyue quickly stepped forward and said, “Old Master Jiang, please rise quickly.”
With the help of the servants, Old Master Jiang stood up and said, “Princess, you have traveled a long way. This old man has prepared a banquet to welcome Your Highness. Please do us the honor.”
“Old Master Jiang is too kind. Your esteemed hospitality makes this humble one feel somewhat unaccustomed,” Xue Xingyue said.
Old Master Jiang replied, “This is Your Highness’s first visit, so this old man naturally must prepare the best for Your Highness.”
Upon arriving at the table, some dishes had already been prepared.
Xue Xingyue sat down, and only then did everyone else dare to sit.
Old Master Jiang said, “Your Highness, please.”
Xue Xingyue did not stand on ceremony and began to eat. She also gestured for Feng Jiu and Feng Wu to sit down. No one objected, for they all knew not to underestimate the two guards beside Princess Xingyue; they were both fourth-rank officers with imperial swords.
After the meal and some polite conversation, Xue Xingyue claimed to be tired. Old Master Jiang quickly instructed Jiang Xifeng’s wife, Madam Liu, to escort Xue Xingyue to her room to rest.
Madam Liu was somewhat timid, fearing she might not have taken good care of things. It was not her fault to be so nervous, as officials rarely visited Jiangnan. Moreover, Madam Liu was Jiang Xifeng’s second wife, the daughter of a merchant, and lacked experience.
Upon arriving in the room, Xue Xingyue breathed a sigh of relief. Dealing with someone like Madam Liu actually made her feel more tired.
“Your Highness, please rest. Your subordinate will go and scout the surroundings,” Feng Wu said.
Xue Xingyue nodded. The journey had been tiring, and she soon drifted off to sleep. However, a commotion woke her. She opened her eyes and found that it was already getting dark. She walked out and discovered that the sounds of an argument seemed to be coming from the adjacent courtyard. She leaped up and onto the wall. In the courtyard, a young man was scolding his younger brother.
“Brother, I was wrong. Please don’t punish me,” the little boy cried, speaking.
Xue Xingyue then noticed that the little boy was holding a bowl of water. Looking at the redness in the boy’s hands, she realized belatedly that the water in the bowl must have been hot, boiling hot.
With this thought, she casually dislodged a pebble from the wall and flicked it at the young man’s leg. The young man lost his balance and fell towards the little boy.
The little boy’s hands dropped the bowl onto the ground, and the water in it spilled.
Seeing this, the little boy burst into tears, “Brother, I’m sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.”
The young man looked at the bowl on the ground, then suddenly raised his head. He saw the person on the wall and was slightly stunned.
The glow of the setting sun illuminated her, casting a golden halo around her. The expression on her face was so serene, and her countenance was clear and radiant, like a goddess descending from heaven.
The little boy followed the young man’s gaze. The little boy was astonished and exclaimed, “Brother, did I see a fairy?”
Xue Xingyue couldn’t help but chuckle. The young man averted his gaze, his face flushing slightly. The little boy saw this and said, “You’re not a fairy? Who are you? Why are you so beautiful?”
Xue Xingyue said, “I am a fairy. Won’t you call me Fairy Sister?”
The little boy tilted his head up and clapped his hands, saying, “Okay, okay! Fairy Sister, Fairy Sister!”
Xue Xingyue looked at the young man and asked, “And you? Aren’t you going to call me?”
The young man turned his face away and said coldly, “Miss, is there any point in you doing this?”
Xue Xingyue’s interest piqued, and she said, “It’s very interesting.”