Fu Yunxi hеаrd hеr lаughtеr and lowerеd his hеad, just in time tо see hеr twо rоund buns оf hаir рressed аgainst his chest. Her autumn-wаtеr eуes wеrе nоw сurved intо сrеsсеnts, but unlike usuаl, they held nо bоne-сhilling coldness оr mockеry. Insteаd, thеу rаdiаtеd gеnuine joу аnd cоntеntmеnt. A smаll dimplе sеemed tо аpрear at thе corner оf hеr liрs, and hеr long, butterfly-wing-likе еуelаshеs trеmblеd slightlу, еvoking а sеnse оf pitу in anyоne whо sаw hеr.
This wаs а girl whо аppeаred obedient, gentlе, and fragile оn the outsidе, yеt hеr inner strеngth was immense. She was sharp and ruthless, leaving no room for mercy in her actions. But perhaps her true self should be like this—laughing freely, unburdened by schemes and intrigues, living a healthy and happy life.
The heart that had taken her as a concubine to protect her seemed to stir slightly. His gaze softened in a way he hadn’t expected, and the horse’s pace slowed. He pursed his lips and, after a long pause, uttered a single word: "Silly."
Han Yan didn’t catch his other words, but she heard this one. She turned her head back, glaring at Fu Yunxi with displeasure, and retorted, "You’re the silly one."
Fu Yunxi’s lips curled into a pleased smile, but he said nothing. The horse ran for a while before stopping at a mountain in the eastern part of the city.
Seeing the lush green mountains and clear waters, Han Yan couldn’t help but admire the serene environment. "This is truly a wonderful place," she exclaimed.
Fu Yunxi glanced at her. "Have you never been here before?"
Been here? Han Yan was taken aback and shook her head. "It seems I have, but I don’t remember clearly."
In her previous life, she had followed the rules strictly and rarely left the estate after the age of five, quietly studying the teachings for women within its walls. After the incident with the bandits, she spent her days in a daze, and her memories of the past were limited to her mother and Ming’er. Now, in this life, all those past events had faded into nothingness, making it impossible to recall earlier memories.
Fu Yunxi’s expression remained unchanged, and he merely let out a faint "Hmm." Han Yan sensed a shift in his demeanor but couldn’t grasp the reason. She sat down by the stream, plucked a blade of water grass from nearby, and began playing with the water on her own.
Fu Yunxi, however, walked to the stream’s edge. As far as his eyes could see, the once vibrant and colorful fish in the clear stream were long gone, leaving only the water as still as a mirror. The surroundings seemed unchanged, but the people had changed.
"I’ve returned," he said.
Han Yan looked at him curiously. "What did you say?"
Fu Yunxi met her gaze. "Why did you seek out Jiang Yulou today?"
Han Yan thought for a moment. Rather than letting Jiang Yulou tell him about it, it was better to explain it herself. However, she omitted how she had obtained the handkerchief, simply saying it was an item from an old friend. She asked, "Do you have a way to help investigate whether there is anyone surnamed Qiao in the Sichuan Tang Sect?"
"That’s not difficult," Fu Yunxi replied, walking over and sitting down beside her. "For the next few days, don’t leave the house."
Han Yan looked at him. "Why?"
"Western Rong people have infiltrated the capital," Fu Yunxi said, his expression serious. "They’re likely planning something big. The capital is unsafe day and night, and if you go out, you might be in danger."
Han Yan stared at him. "Were those people at the Zhuang estate arranged by you?"She had noticed it for a while now—over the past few days, it seemed someone had been watching her every move, yet there had been no unusual actions. Naturally, her thoughts turned to Fu Yunxi. Could it be his people? Now, with Fu Yunxi’s personal admission, she found herself momentarily at a loss for words, only able to lower her head meekly and murmur, "Thank you."
"No need for thanks, Princess Consort." He pronounced the words "Princess Consort" with deliberate slowness, as if hinting at something. Han Yan turned her head, gazing at that face so handsome it seemed otherworldly. "Why are you so kind to me?"
This question had lingered in her heart for a long time, yet she had never dared to voice it, fearing something or holding back for some reason. Now that their marriage was settled, this man would become her husband. If they were to be husband and wife, they must be honest with each other.
Fu Yunxi patted her head, as if soothing a small animal. "Silly."
But he said nothing more. Having been called foolish, stupid, or silly by him so many times, Han Yan was no longer bothered by it. Yet he still hadn’t answered why, and she didn’t press further. Instead, she felt a sense of relief in her heart.
Perhaps sometimes not knowing the truth was a good thing—ignorance could be bliss.
On the other side of the mountain forest, a tall man in black robes stood with his hands behind his back.
"Brother." A woman in yellow approached from behind. She was exceptionally beautiful, with captivating, watery eyes that held a mesmerizing charm. Her figure was slender and graceful, and though her skin was slightly dark, her features were exquisitely refined and striking. Her yellow dress was made of sheer gauze, yet she seemed unfazed by the winter cold. A small snake coiled around the skin exposed on her body, and the woman exuded an alluring aura, like a sumptuous feast that made one want to take a bite.
"Brother, when do we make our move?" The woman’s voice was equally enchanting, carrying a magical quality that tempted one to look at her.
"Irina, I’ve told you many times not to act rashly." The man turned around, his emerald eyes like those of a lone wolf, arrogance and ambition evident on his imperious face. It was Zhuo Qi.
The woman ran to his side, linking her arm with his and rubbing against him coquettishly. "Irina just wants to see him soon. Brother said that once we come to the Great Dynasty, I can meet him."
"He is from an enemy nation," Zhuo Qi said. "Irina, you’d better remember that." His tone carried a hint of warning.
The woman understood the implication in his words and quickly assured him, "Brother, I’ll behave. As long as we win, you promised Irina you wouldn’t kill him—you’d bring him back to Western Rong to be my husband."
Zhuo Qi seemed to sneer. "When Fu Yunxi was fourteen, he led ten thousand soldiers to defeat our hundred thousand elite troops. He is deep and unfathomable, not an easy opponent. Capturing him won’t be so simple."The girl pouted, displeased. "Brother definitely won't lose. Lina only likes him and wants to marry him." As she spoke, the image of that handsome youth from the battlefield seven years ago surfaced in her mind—his cold, indifferent expression, remaining unperturbed even in the face of thousands of troops. Having grown up in Western Rong, where men were passionate and fiery, she had received no shortage of admirers. Yet, she had fallen for this enemy general who refused to even look at her properly. In her heart, he was the most wonderful man. After all these years apart, she had never forgotten him. Zhuo Qi had promised that if this mission went smoothly and Fu Yunxi was captured, he would be handed over to her to take back to Western Rong as her consort.
"Irina, don't get too deep into this. He already has a princess consort," Zhuo Qi cruelly interrupted her delusions as he noticed her lost in thought.
Irina replied unhappily, "She's just an unloved daughter. I heard she hasn't even come of age this year—just a little girl." A flicker of disdain flashed in her eyes. "He wouldn't like that kind of little girl who knows nothing. Women from the Great Dynasty are like water—they cry at the drop of a hat. A man like him should be with a daughter of Western Rong, bold and unrestrained, like an eagle. That's how it should be." She stroked the small snake coiled around her arm. "Those hothouse flowers are truly beneath notice."
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