“Uncle, you’re not being fair. Didn’t you assure me that everything would be fine as long as you were here? Now you’re even asking me to split my focus to protect him. You…”
Wanqing found her uncle’s smug demeanor utterly infuriating. She had always known he was difficult to deal with, but she hadn’t expected him to be such a sly old fox. Though she resented his actions, all she could do was vent her frustration verbally. With him gone, who else could she rely on to protect Leng Mingye and the others?
“You don’t have to split your focus, but as for his life or death, I can’t guarantee anything.”
Feng Moli responded to Wanqing’s complaints with a faint smile, washing his hands of the matter entirely.
“You—fine. Then how many days do you plan to be away? I have one more condition. If you can’t fulfill it, I’ll leave with Leng Mingye tonight and only return once you’re back. I refuse to keep dealing with that madman.”
Though Wanqing was deeply unhappy with Feng Moli’s words, she had no choice but to accept her misfortune. She gritted her teeth and nodded, pressing him urgently about his search for the medicinal ingredients while making no effort to hide her resentment toward his underhanded tactics.
“You little brat, you really don’t hold your uncle in high regard, do you? I might be gone for a few days—I can’t say for sure how long, but I’ll try to return as soon as possible.”
Feng Moli sighed helplessly at Wanqing’s attitude. She was the only one who dared to underestimate him like this. But between the fate of the empire and her, he had no choice but to temporarily let her go. All he could do was try to reassure her.
“Don’t give me vague answers. I’ll give you three days. If you’re not back by then, I’ll go find Leng Mingye and leave Daqi with him. I refuse to be caught in the middle of your political games or locked up for no reason. If Grandfather insists on making things difficult for me, then don’t blame me for cutting ties. I’m tired, so I won’t entertain you any further. Goodbye.”
Wanqing couldn’t shake the feeling that Feng Moli was hiding something from her, though she couldn’t pinpoint what. Being superficially cared for and protected like this was no different from house arrest, especially when she also had to deal with that lunatic Xie Shaojun.
They might be indebted to the Xie family, but she had her own principles and freedom. Without hesitation, Wanqing turned to Feng Moli with a frosty expression and instructed her maids, Honglian and Wanchun, before rising to leave.
“You…” Feng Moli’s dark eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a mix of surprise and displeasure at his niece’s audacity. She was the only one who dared to challenge him like this.
“You can dismiss this as a joke or ignore it, but I mean what I say. Test me if you dare. If you push me too far, don’t blame me for disowning even you, my dear uncle. Hmph.”
Though Wanqing didn’t look back, she could sense Feng Moli’s stunned disbelief. Without another word, she delivered her ultimatum and shut the door behind her.
“You… Only you would dare to defy and threaten me like this. Fine, I agree. Three days—I’ll be back by then. But you must promise me that no matter what happens in those three days, you won’t leave or give up. Take care of the princess.”
Feng Moli stared at the closed door, his expression darkening with displeasure. No one else would have the nerve to speak to him this way. Even his father couldn’t sway him once he made a decision, yet this girl…
Despite his irritation, he couldn’t help but admire her spirit. Such boldness and unyielding determination were the hallmarks of a true Feng woman.
His family was small—his parents had only him and two sisters, both of whom were extraordinary in their own right. Wanqing reminded him of their indomitable presence.
Thinking of his proud, strong-willed second sister, now lying unconscious, Feng Moli’s icy demeanor softened slightly. Standing outside Wanqing’s door, he murmured his agreement to her terms as if speaking to himself, then turned and left after giving Honglian and Wanchun their instructions.
“Princess, are you alright? You’re the only one who could confront Lord Ye like that. Anyone else would have faced dire consequences. He’s already given his word—what more are you worried about? It’s just three days. Even if there’s some scheme, we’ll get through it. Right?”
Only after Feng Moli left did Honglian and Wanchun regain their composure. His earlier expression had terrified them, knowing his temperament. Rushing to Wanqing’s door, they found her sitting on the bed, looking up at them in surprise.
Relieved to see her unharmed, Honglian spoke cautiously, but Wanqing merely smiled faintly, offering no reply. She sighed softly, gazing into the distance.
“I hope my instincts are wrong. Otherwise, I’ll never forgive him.”
Three days passed quietly, but Feng Moli never returned as promised. Wanqing was furious.
That morning, she packed a small bag and strode out, her ever-present medicine pouch slung over her shoulder.
“Princess…” Remembering Feng Moli’s orders, Honglian and Wanchun hurried after her, trying to dissuade her.
“I am the princess, the granddaughter of the King of Daqi, Lord Ye’s own niece. Do you think these servants can stop me? Am I not allowed to see the man I love? Move aside.”
Wanqing’s tone was icy. The more she thought about her uncle’s words, the more uneasy she grew. Though Baiyu had sneaked in with news, being cut off from the outside world, waiting helplessly for updates, was unbearable. This wasn’t the way of Mu Wanqing.
So what if she’d fallen for a man? Did it matter that they’d arranged a marriage for her as a child? She couldn’t understand why the Xie family was such a threat. Was Daqi ruled by the Xies instead of the Fengs? Why were her grandfather and uncle so cautious?
They might fear the Xie family’s influence, but she owed them nothing. If anyone owed anything, it was them—for leaving her to live like an animal in a foreign land. Why couldn’t she pursue her own happiness openly instead of sneaking around?
With that, Wanqing stepped forward, scattering powder at the guards who tried to block her way.
“Princess, you…”
Though Honglian and Wanchun understood her frustration, they were shocked to see her defy Feng Moli’s orders so blatantly. As the guards collapsed, Honglian stared at Wanqing in disbelief.
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