Chapter 80
Yixiao leaned over Feng Suige's desk, meticulously sorting through documents collected from various sources. Her brush occasionally marked notes as mounting evidence pointed toward the Royal City, fueling her growing agitation.
No matter what, her current strength was insufficient to confront Feng Qishan head-on. Yet, aside from delving deeper step by step, she had no other choice. If she showed even a hint of weakness before Feng Qishan, the consequences would be far worse than mere annihilation.
The moment Feng Suige quietly stepped into the study upon returning from the teahouse, Yixiao's sharp instincts made her look up. Recognizing him, she smiled. "You're back—any new updates?" Feng Suige approached, taking the silver-tipped brush from her hand and placing it back on the stand. His finger lightly tapped her cheek. "You've got ink splattered here. I'll have someone fetch water so you can wash up."
"Not yet," Yixiao quickly caught his sleeve as he turned to leave, searching his eyes intently. "What's wrong? Is there bad news...?" "Nothing of the sort," Feng Suige smiled, clasping her hand in return. "These matters won't be resolved in a single day. Dinner will be served soon—let's take a break."
Reassured, Yixiao relaxed and walked alongside him. "Earlier, I thought about inviting Marquis Jianxin and Qin Lao over, especially the Marquis. I need to thank him and apologize properly." Feng Suige halted, giving her an amused look. "Unfair. Your mind is always occupied with others—when will you ever spare a serious thought for me?"
"You want fairness?" Yixiao grinned, shaking her head. "Then go ahead and think about others too." Feng Suige gritted his teeth, half-laughing. "When that day comes, don't you dare cry." Then, lowering his voice, he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "But for now..."
"Stop, that tickles!" Yixiao shoved him away forcefully. "Can't you just say it normally?" "Fine," Feng Suige agreed cheerfully before suddenly bellowing, "Right now, I wonder who keeps obsessing over our wedding night—" Yixiao lunged at him, clamping a hand over his mouth. "Are you insane?! Why shout like that?!"
Pulling her hand away, Feng Suige laughed recklessly. "Then after dinner, we'll discuss it privately." But she broke free, dashing off with peals of laughter.
Yixiao actually fled the dinner table under the pretense of using the restroom.
Two maids led the way with lanterns as Feng Suige hurried toward the study, inwardly fuming. As inelegant as it sounded, she—a dignified Imperial Son's consort—had actually pulled a disappearing act!
Given how tirelessly Yixiao had been working lately, if she wasn't in her chambers, she'd surely be in the study. And after their earlier conversation, Feng Suige was certain she wouldn't hide in her room. So...
Why was the study completely dark?!
Puzzled, Feng Suige stopped and sent a maid ahead to investigate. Moments later, the maid rushed back, panting. "Your Highness, the Minor Imperial Concubine isn't there."
Frowning, Feng Suige turned on his heel. If Yixiao wasn't in the study and his hidden guards hadn't reported anything, could she really have...?
Sure enough, a warm, dim glow spilled from Yixiao's room. Suppressing his excitement, Feng Suige strode forward and pushed the door open.Yixiao sat on the palace stool in the outer chamber. When she saw him push the door open and enter, she lazily complained, "Didn't you have something to say to me? Why did it take you so long to come?" Feng Suige raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. "Didn't you say you were going to the privy? How did you end up back in the room?" "I only said I was going to the privy, not that I'd return afterward," Yixiao retorted idly, picking up the round fan on the table and fanning herself intermittently.
Feng Suige stared at her for a long moment before suddenly laughing. "Why don't you dare look at me? Is there something special about my belt?" A rare hint of embarrassment colored Yixiao's face, but she stubbornly held her ground. "Why should I look at you? Do you have flowers on your face?"
Feng Suige mimicked her, dragging a palace stool to the table and sitting down, propping his chin on his hand as he studied her with amusement. "I get it now—you're shy." Under his gaze, Yixiao had already begun to fidget uncomfortably. Hearing his words, she tossed the fan aside and jumped to her feet. "If you're not going to speak, then leave quickly! I need to rest!"
Feng Suige had no choice but to drop his playful demeanor. After a moment of thought, he spoke to Yixiao earnestly. "It's impossible to say I don't think about it at all, but—I don't want to force you. So, you don't have to compromise yourself just to prove anything."
Yixiao listened quietly until he finished, then smiled and asked, "Do you know what my relationship with His Highness is?" Feng Suige hesitated. "I know." Seeing Yixiao raise an eyebrow in surprise, he quickly added firmly, "But I don't care. I only want you."
"Hopelessly dense," Yixiao muttered under her breath. She tilted her head and tugged at her collar, revealing a large expanse of skin on the left side of her neck. "See for yourself." Feng Suige's stunned gaze traced the smooth curve of her neck down to her half-bared shoulder before he exclaimed, "The Lizard Mark?!"
Blushing faintly, Yixiao adjusted her collar and said softly, "Mother said that since I was born into a respectable family, without this mark, I might be looked down upon by my future husband's family. So she specially begged Father for it..."
Feng Suige listened in stunned silence before suddenly reaching across the table and pulling Yixiao toward him, sending porcelain cups clattering noisily. Caught off guard, Yixiao was dragged right in front of him and instinctively punched him hard in the chest. "What are you doing?!"
Feng Suige took the blow without dodging, grimacing yet speaking incoherently. "You've endured so much unfairness because of me—hit me a few more times. I’ve been an utter fool." Yixiao froze for a moment before bursting into laughter. "I've seen people asking for work, but never for beatings—should I be generous now and say ignorance is no crime?"
Seeing the mirth sparkling in her eyes, Feng Suige felt even more ashamed. "Why didn't you say so earlier... I mean, you finally told me. Heh, I don't even know what to say anymore." His words trailed off as he suddenly pulled Yixiao into an embrace.
He didn’t know exactly what he wanted—only that holding her tight filled his heart with happiness.
He loved this impossibly stubborn woman.
"Feng Suige," Yixiao gasped, struggling slightly as his grip hurt her. "Can't you be gentler?" "No," Feng Suige replied, holding her even tighter. "I want to carve you into my body, bury you in my bones and blood, so you can never escape me again!""Madman!" Yixiao angrily pounded his back. "Why don't you just say you want to cook and eat me..." A sudden cry escaped her as Feng Suige abruptly swept her up in his arms, carrying her toward the inner chamber. His scorching breath brushed against her temple as he murmured, "Of course I'll devour you completely—that day you asked if my past promise still stood. Today, I'll prove it to you."
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