Liu Yusheng felt that the epiphany she just had was absolutely delusional.
How could she like this guy?
When did she fall for him?
If she had known he was such a person, she would have… done nothing about it.
She actually felt sweet deep inside!
"…It depends on your performance," she grunted uncomfortably.
"I'll behave in whatever way you want."
"…" She was from modern times, but Feng Qingbai – he was an ancient driver, really.
Behind the garden not far from the ancient camphor tree in the small courtyard, a few sneaky figures shrank there.
They appreciated the scene from beginning to end with their expressions changing exaggeratedly. From time to time, they let out silent exclamations.
"Imperial Uncle is really amazing!" Feng Mohan marveled under his breath.
Amazing, he was truly amazing!
For so many years, his uncle hasn't been close to women. He almost thought that he wasn't interested in women, and also thought he had a secret illness.
He never thought that he would take the initiative to flirt!
Just a starry tree and once more kiss, he could take a woman down!
Can you imagine how angry Aunt Liu was in the study this afternoon?
She pounded Uncle's chest, like a sandbag. It could be heard clearly through the wall!
At the end, Uncle could only follow behind and pitifully shout a few "Shengsheng".
It's only been a short time, yet in the blink of an eye, they're stuck inseparable!
It's really amazing!
Tsk-tsk, this trick really makes me laugh!
Wei Hong coldly squatted with her back to the place.
From the time her master started his frivolity towards Nannan, she didn't dare to look again. She felt deeply guilty.
She delivered Nannan to her master with her own hands like sending a sheep to a tiger's mouth. She felt so ashamed to face the Liu family.
"You-All of you, help me think of a way out, how to atone for my sins."
Once the Lius knew the truth, they would probably chop her with a kitchen knife.
"What sin are you going to atone? You've made a great merit! In the future, you're guaranteed to be Master and Miss Liu's favorite. Don't worry, don't worry."
Wei Bai's eyes kept glowing green, and he stared forward without blinking or even looking back.
Wei Zi was behind them. "Keep your voices down and don't get carried away. Did you think Master didn't notice us? He's in a good mood right now and has no time for us for the time being. He'll find us soon."
"…"
The four of them looked at each other and moved quickly in different directions in a crouched position with their eyes down.
The four of them looked at each other and moved swiftly in different directions in a crouched position with their eyes down.
Retreat!
Nex to the crescent moon, Feng Qingbai glanced in their direction. He relaxed the woman in his arms a bit, carried her to a branch and sat down against a tree trunk.
In this position, she had to snuggle closer to him to avoid falling.
The aftermath of their romantic was still lingering shallowly between them. For a moment, no one spoke up.
Liu Yusheng pressed her ear against the man's chest, listening to his steady, strong heartbeat, one after another.
Her turbulent mood slowly calmed down, and her shyness finally faded a little.
Moreover, his body temperature, his breath, and his breathing, surrounded her, making her feel extremely content and secure.
She thought that perhaps she had treated him differently a long time ago.
Or perhaps, the kind of feelings she hadn't been aware of were born out of unforgotten memories after he left.
The emotions that had gone stale quickly fermented and expanded in the shock of their reunion.
Otherwise, how could she be so upset when he refused to acknowledge her?
How could she be so sullen when he pretended to ignore her?
How could she be so unreconciled when he faced danger alone?
He had been pulling on all her emotions, and it was only now that it dawned on her.
There had been signs for everything.
"What have you been doing all these years?" After snuggling for a long time, she asked softly.
He drew her closer to him and carressed her hanging blue silk with his big hand. "Every day, I have a psychological war with people, fighting battles of wits and courage. Fortunately, I haven't lost yet."
Hearing that subtle boast in his tone, Liu Yusheng scoffed and said, "Narcissistic."
He also chuckled. He said so just to reassure her.
How could the truth be such an understatement?
"It's dangerous, isn't it? Even when you came to Xuzhou, people came after you to assassinate you."
"Fortunately, I'm still alive. Shengsheng, don't worry about me. As long as you're well, I'll be fine."
She knew that he had been avoiding the critical issues in hopes to reassure her, but she wasn't really ignorant of world affairs.
How could it be so simple as to have power and influence in the royal family?
"I want to know, so don't hide anything from me. Why are you excluding me from your world when you forbade me to attract anyone else?
I have to know what kind of situation and circumstances are there so that I can be prepared and better protect myself.
Then you can also feel more at ease, can't you?"
He had metamorphosed into a butterfly without her knowing it.
Then she also wanted to match him, or at least not drag him behind.
Feng Qingbai gazed deeply at the young lady, and looked at the determination in her eyes. He fell silent for a long time before he whispered, "Someone is planning how to assassinate me every day, and assassinations like today's happen almost once or twice a month.
In my palace, there are countless eyes and ears from various forces, so every day I have to guard against people poisoning my food and stealing secrets from my private domain.
Every step is like walking on thin ice, and I have to take every step on alert.
My existence is an obstacle to the interests of too many people, so they're eyeing my death all the time.
While they're dealing with me, they are also dealing with Feng Mohan.
First, they provoked and sowed discord between us. But after they failed, they tried to kill him… This is how it has always been.
Those who have sat in positions are all ruthless, and will do anything to gain power.
I don't dare to go back to the village, much less expose the village to the public.
Once they grasp my weakness, they'll exploit it to the fullest.
You cannot imagine the cruelty of their methods. The whole Xinghua Village will be wiped out."
"So you asked Auntie Hong to protect us, and even cut off contact with her?"
"Yeah." He stroked her hair, and replied with an almost ethereal voice in the air, "I can take all I have to play the game and be a decoy against my enemies. Except you, no."
Liu Yusheng's heartstrings shook, and her heart felt like someone was squeezing it.
Her hand holding him tightened harder and harder.
Her heart ached.
She lived in Xinghua Village, although she missed him, felt sad, and felt bitter. She also worried about whether he got bullied and suffered injustice when he got back.
But she was happy.
Her loving family surrounded her. Her good friends chatted with her and made her laugh, and she lived with her neighbors in harmony.
She never had to worry about being schemed against, and she never had to take a step-by-step approach to living a safe and secure life.
As for him, he lived in danger every day and every moment, and every step he took was thrilling.
He was only twelve years old when he left that year.
When the late emperor died, he was only thirteen years old.
But he had to shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting himself and the young emperor, and entered the court as the regent. He stood alone with tigers and wolves surrounding him, isolated and helpless.
He was the one who suffered the most.