"Am I... dreaming?" He actually saw those familiar eyes, as clear as water.
"Your High—" But before he could finish his words, he frowned, scrutinizing Xue Xingyue. Then, he said with conviction, "Your Highness." He tried to sit up, only to find that his entire body seemed unable to move.
"Don't move, just lie down," Xue Xingyue stopped Feng Qing's attempt.
"Your Highness, please forgive Feng Qing's presumption," Feng Qing endured and spoke slowly.
"What presumption? You just need to lie there obediently."
"Your Highness, thank you for saving Feng Qing!" So, what he saw in his despair was not an illusion, but the real Your Highness.
Xue Xingyue nodded, her gaze flickering. "Feng Qing, I'm sorry, I came late."
Feng Qing shook his head. He didn't want to cry, but he couldn't help it. Tears welled up. "Your Highness, it's so good to see you."
"Feng Qing, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
"Your Highness, please don't say that. Without you, I... I would have already died." Feng Qing closed his eyes, tears tracing paths down his cheeks.
"Your Highness, Feng Qing needs to rest. You've been guarding Feng Qing all night. You should go rest," Wu Hen also wiped away tears and said, his voice choked.
Feng Qing stiffened, looking at Xue Xingyue. "Your Highness, you... you guarded this subordinate all night?"
Wu Hen nodded. "Yes, after Your Highness rescued you, you remained unconscious. Your Highness guarded you all night."
"Your Highness, how can Feng Qing be worthy of you guarding this subordinate all night? It's not worth it, not worth it." Feng Qing shook his head, his voice choked with emotion.
"What's worth it and what's not? You are my family, my kin. It is my duty to guard you," Xue Xingyue said.
Feng Qing suppressed his tears. "Your Highness, I..."
"Alright, you rest well. We can talk after you've recovered," Xue Xingyue stopped Feng Qing with a raised hand.
The cool index finger, carrying a faint fragrance, entered Feng Qing's nostrils. His gaze seemed to flicker. He nodded, "Okay, this subordinate obeys!"
"Your Highness, it's enough for this subordinate to take care of Feng Qing here. Please go and rest," Wu Hen said.
Although Xue Xingyue was still reluctant, she knew they were not completely safe yet, and she had to maintain sufficient strength and spirit at all times.
Feng Jiu returned with a somewhat encouraging piece of news: Xi Feng Pass was not heavily guarded. However, the two young masters of the Zhao family had not left Xi Feng Pass; they were temporarily residing in the West Wind County Magistrate's residence.
Xue Xingyue convened a meeting, and everyone decided whether to stay or go.
The meeting was held in Feng Qing's room. She felt that Feng Qing should also be involved in the decision, as a sign of respect for him as her family. Even Hong Cha was invited, though she seemed reluctant.
"The news Feng Jiu brought back is good news; the Zhao family's two young masters are not relentlessly pursuing us. Therefore, please make your decision whether to go or stay," Xue Xingyue looked up and said to everyone.
"Cousin... Cousin, I'll listen to you," Wu Hen said. Although she was startled by this address, she hadn't expected to call the Empress her cousin one day. However, given that Hong Cha was present and unaware, she had to trouble Her Majesty.
Xue Xingyue nodded. She knew Wu Hen would listen to her, but she was unsure about Master Li, Hong Cha, and even Feng Jiu.
She hadn't interacted much with Feng Jiu. Back then, Feng Jiu was the youngest and least experienced, so he was rarely assigned tasks. Therefore, she didn't know Feng Jiu very well. Especially after so many years, she couldn't be sure if his character remained the same as before.
"I don't want to leave. I want to stay," Hong Cha suddenly said.
"Hong Cha," Master Li was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Hong Cha to be the first to choose to stay.
Hong Cha looked up at Master Li. "Master, I don't want to keep moving back and forth, so I want to stay."
Master Li sighed at this. He looked up at Xue Xingyue apologetically. "Miss Xue, I truly apologize, old man..."
"Master Li, you are too kind. Whether to go or stay is a personal choice. You don't need to apologize," Xue Xingyue said. She had expected Hong Cha to stay.
"Feng Jiu, what about you?" Wu Hen asked Feng Jiu, who had been silent all along.
Feng Jiu's body stiffened, and he didn't answer immediately. Xue Xingyue's gaze dimmed slightly. Wu Hen stepped forward and looked at Feng Jiu. "Feng Jiu, are you going or staying?"
Feng Jiu lowered his gaze. After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "I..."
"Feng Jiu, if you have something to say, just say it! What's with all this dawdling?" Wu Hen said impatiently, her voice laced with annoyance. Da Feng Novel Network
"How dare you talk to my second senior brother like that?" Hong Cha was displeased and pushed Wu Hen forward.
Wu Hen's eyes turned cold, and she looked at Hong Cha with a chill.
Hong Cha shivered and quickly hid behind Feng Jiu. "Second senior brother, she's so fierce."
"Wu Hen, Hong Cha didn't mean anything by it, you..."
"Feng Jiu, you should stay!" Xue Xingyue looked at Feng Jiu and said.
Feng Jiu's body trembled. He looked up and saw those clear, water-like eyes, calm and unruffled.
For some reason, he suddenly felt uncomfortable. Just as he was about to speak, Hong Cha behind him whispered, "That's great, second senior brother."
The words that were about to be spoken were swallowed back by him.
"Feng Qing, I shouldn't really ask you, but I feel you should also have a choice. Are you going or staying?" Xue Xingyue looked at Feng Qing and asked word by word.
Feng Qing bit his lower lip and slowly said, "I... I... will stay."