“What are you looking at? If you want to laugh, just laugh. Isn’t it tiring to hold it in like this? Honestly, Qing’er, ignore these people.”
Seeing the two maids, Honglian, follow Wanqing’s instructions with relieved smiles before turning to prepare food, while the two guys by his side struggled to suppress their laughter at the sight of him and Wanqing holding hands sweetly.
Leng Mingye couldn’t help but glance at them and speak up, adopting an air of supreme importance with his beloved by his side as he led her to the table.
“Master, then you and the princess can enjoy your meal at your leisure.”
Qingfeng and Baiyu, though still familiar with his usual temper, noticed his face lit with joy despite his dismissive tone. Knowing the misunderstanding between the two had been resolved and they had finally reconciled, the weight in their hearts lifted.
Hearing his words and understanding his temperament, though they longed to burst into laughter, Baiyu suppressed his amusement and replied, pulling Qingfeng along to leave the space to the couple.
Soon, the food was served. Leng Mingye instinctively reached for his chopsticks but found his injured right hand unable to steady them. After several attempts, the food slipped from his grasp back onto the plate.
Recalling his former prowess and now struggling with something as simple as picking up food, his heart, which had just lightened after resolving the misunderstanding with Wanqing, sank again. Though inwardly frustrated, he stubbornly persisted in trying to grasp the dish before him.
“Let me help. Your hand is injured.”
Noticing the flicker in his eyes, the helplessness and displeasure on his face as he struggled with the chopsticks, Wanqing understood his desire to appear normal in front of her but failing miserably. As his expression darkened, teetering on the edge of anger directed at the food, she could no longer remain passive.
With a soft smile, she reached out and picked up the dish he had been attempting to take, placing it in his bowl.
“Am I… useless?”
Staring at the food in his bowl, recalling his earlier helplessness and the injury to his hand, Leng Mingye’s hand trembled as he tried to pick up rice, failing even at that simple task. After several attempts, Wanqing gently took his bowl, scooped a spoonful of rice, and brought it to his lips.
His lips moved slightly before he slowly opened his mouth to accept the food. Chewing, he looked at her with resignation and asked, “No, you’re just injured. Once your hand heals, you’ll be able to eat on your own again—even feed others. Don’t overthink it. Besides, I’ve never fed anyone before. I’m happy to do this for you. I like feeding you; it makes our bond feel even closer, doesn’t it?”
Seeing the defeat in his eyes and sensing his frustration, Wanqing maintained her calm demeanor, speaking softly as she fed him another bite.
“Qing’er, thank you. For you, I will recover. Even without my inner strength, I’ll regain my former confidence and dignity.”
Accepting the next spoonful, Leng Mingye watched her tender smile and felt her care as she fed him another bite. Swallowing, he reflected on her unwavering support during his recent emotional turmoil. With deep sincerity, he met her gaze, his words both a promise and a vow.
“Yes, I believe in you. You’ll reclaim your former self, and my role is to stand by you.”
Witnessing the defeat in his eyes gradually give way to acceptance and confidence, Wanqing nodded in relief, adopting the posture of a devoted woman supporting her man.
“My role is to cherish you, to let you be as willful as you please. Do you know what drew me to you? Your carefree, unrestrained nature. From now on, I’ll take care of everything—you just focus on being yourself.”
Her words deeply satisfied Leng Mingye’s masculine pride. Deeply moved, he grasped her hand with his uninjured one, his eyes filled with affection as he recalled their encounters and her bold, unapologetic demeanor.
“Is that so? But unlike most women who seek a man’s protection, I prefer to fight for what I want—including you. And I trust you won’t disappoint me, right?”
His tenderness and devotion overwhelmed Wanqing. Meeting his faint smile with a playful retort, she lightly lifted his chin with her slender fingers, her lips curling mischievously.
“Indeed. But with you, I intend to melt you bit by bit—even tame you. And I’ll match your pace, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you through everything.”
Her clever, almost roguish charm, more audacious than any man’s, drew a slow smile from Leng Mingye. Nodding in agreement, he seized the hand at his chin, his uninjured arm encircling her waist to pull her onto his lap, holding her close as he spoke.
“You’re so full of yourself—no need to spell it out. Alright, let’s eat. Rest early afterward; your injury needs it. We have a long journey ahead tomorrow.”
Though the man before her had regained his confidence, his tendency to bask in the slightest praise amused her. Relieved, Wanqing chided him lightly before removing his hand from her waist and resuming feeding him.
“Haha, I’m only like this with you—only with you do I allow myself to be a child.”
Watching her feed him, savoring her rare tenderness, Leng Mingye’s heart swelled with warmth. Content, he grinned and ate heartily from her hand.
After the meal, their bond deepened further. Leng Mingye, transformed, basked in her care and attention.
Their journey continued—traveling by day, resting at night, sometimes in secluded spots when no inns were available. Half a month later, they finally arrived in Daqi.
Following Feng Moli’s prior arrangements, they were questioned by guards at the capital’s gates. Presenting the token her uncle had given her, Wanqing was greeted with reverence and escorted by officials straight to the palace.
“Qing’er, you’ve arrived at last. I thought you might be delayed by a day or two, but you made good time. Prince Leng, was the journey bearable?”
At the palace gates, Feng Moli welcomed them warmly, his gaze shifting to Leng Mingye with polite concern.
“Thank you for your concern, Prince Feng. The journey was more a leisurely tour than a hardship—how could it be otherwise? Or do you plan to keep us chatting at the gates instead of inviting us in?”
Though aware of Feng Moli’s goodwill, Leng Mingye, mindful of the surrounding Daqi soldiers, replied with composed grace, his tone lightly teasing.
“Haha, seeing you emerge from your ordeal so swiftly brings me genuine joy. May your union with Qing’er flourish soon. Please, come inside…”
Feng Moli nodded approvingly at Leng Mingye’s newfound poise. To lose a decade’s worth of inner strength yet remain so composed—he doubted he could have matched such resilience. Recalling the rumors and his own investigations, his admiration grew. Yet, mindful of his parents’ attachment to their niece, he chose his words carefully before ushering them in with a smile, leaving further discussions for a more private setting.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage