“Oh, I see. Is Ming Ye alright?”
Feng Liusu and Nangong Haotian, upon hearing Leng Mingye and Wan Qing come out with these words, looked somewhat puzzled but nodded understandingly before turning to ask him.
“With Qing’er by his side, what kind of poison could possibly harm him? Sister, just relax. Uncle Nangong, why do you keep staring at my sister like that? Could it be…”
Feng Moli, watching the two of them come out and speak this way, noticed his sister and Nangong Haotian nodding in understanding despite their confusion. He lightly reassured them about Leng Mingye’s little act, then saw Leng Mingye give an awkward smile before he and the little one went to sit down. Puzzled, Feng Moli turned to Nangong Haotian, who seemed unusually interested in his sister since arriving in Bo Country, and asked curiously.
“Have I? I was just a bit curious. The princess resembles a woman I once met, but if you ask me to explain, I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
At Feng Moli’s words, Nangong Haotian glanced at his son and daughter-in-law’s suspicious expressions. The first time he saw Feng Liusu, he only felt an inexplicable familiarity, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall where he might have seen her before.
Now in Bo Country, thinking about how they would soon enter the capital and return to the Nangong family, while also introducing his rare son-in-law and his family to the emperor, he suddenly thought of someone. The more he thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed. So, when Feng Moli questioned him, he awkwardly chuckled and turned to Feng Liusu.
“I resemble a woman you once met? Uncle Nangong, you must be overthinking it. I’ve never been to your Bo Country—how could we have met before?”
At Nangong Haotian’s words, Feng Liusu’s eyes flickered with a rare hint of sadness and gloom, though it passed quickly. She looked at him and countered, then laughed lightly.
“Oh, so I wasn’t sure. Haha, I was just curious. If it’s not the case, then forget I said anything.”
Nangong Haotian felt somewhat embarrassed by Feng Liusu’s response. He looked at her and chuckled awkwardly, trying to brush it off.
“Oh.”
Feng Liusu responded with a surprised laugh, her expression unusually solemn as she picked up the teacup in front of her and took a sip.
Though her mother’s reaction seemed calm—perhaps appearing to others as relief upon hearing her son-in-law was truly unharmed—Wan Qing clearly noticed the shift in her expression when Nangong Haotian asked her that question.
“Mother, are you alright? Are you tired? If you are, let me help you back to your room.”
With concern in her voice, Wan Qing asked her mother. Seeing Feng Liusu pause at her words before smiling silently, she considerately offered to help her up and escorted her back to her room.
“Leng Mingye, don’t you think your father acts a bit strangely around my mother?”
That day, after several days of continuous travel and Leng Mingye’s little stunt, Feng Liusu—no fool—understood her son-in-law’s displeasure and unusually stayed in her room to rest.
With Honglian taking care of her, Wan Qing was free to retire early to her room with Leng Mingye. As soon as she entered, the man eagerly pulled her into his arms. Recalling the earlier exchange between his father and her mother, she couldn’t help but ask curiously.
“My father and your mother? You’re overthinking it, Qing’er. Don’t change the subject…”
Leng Mingye, who had been about to passionately kiss his beloved wife, frowned slightly at her distraction but still held her and asked in surprise. Then, his handsome face leaned in toward her again.
“You…”
Wan Qing was certain her observation wasn’t wrong—she was asking a serious question. But the man’s expression was anything but serious. As he pressed her against the wall behind the door, she couldn’t help but protest softly, only for his lips to silence her.
“Qing’er, don’t tease me. If you keep tormenting me like this, it’ll be bad for my health. Feel it…”
It was rare for them to finally be together after their marriage. Leng Mingye had been building up his emotions, but his little wife was preoccupied with other matters. Though annoyed and frustrated—thinking her mother and uncle really needed someone else to keep them company—he couldn’t resist kissing her. Yet even as he did, she still seemed lost in thought.
With a low, aggrieved voice, he guided her hand to the heat between his legs.
“You…”
The scorching heat beneath her fingertips, the obvious arousal even through his clothes—Wan Qing’s cheeks flushed as she gasped in protest. But the impatient young lord simply lifted her into his arms and carried her straight to the bed.
“You…”
His urgency and ragged breaths left Wan Qing helpless. After spending the day walking through the mountains to gather poisonous creatures for him, all she wanted was a good night’s sleep. But this man wouldn’t let her rest. Though she was exhausted and reluctant, she knew once a man tasted desire, excuses wouldn’t save her.
Despite her weariness and irritation, she gradually succumbed to his advances, melting into his tenderness, instinctively clinging to his shoulders as she rode the waves of pleasure.
“You’re awful. I’m exhausted, yet you’re still so full of energy.”
The night was anything but peaceful. Only when dawn broke did Leng Mingye finally release her. Looking at the satisfied, clear-eyed man before her while she could barely sit up from exhaustion, Wan Qing complained petulantly.
He had taken her multiple times, only letting her go at daybreak—yet still holding her tightly. Seeing his apologetic smile and the kiss he planted on her lips before finally releasing her, she sighed.
She was truly exhausted—days of travel, plus today’s trek through the mountains to gather herbs for him.
“Since your performance today was passable, I’ll let you off for now. Sleep.”
Seeing the fatigue and dark circles under his little wife’s eyes, Leng Mingye felt a pang of guilt for his impulsiveness and lack of restraint. He kissed her forehead tenderly before contentedly pulling her into his arms to sleep.
Thanks to Leng Mingye’s jealousy and antics, Feng Liusu’s clinginess and searching for Wan Qing lessened somewhat. But Feng Moli paid no heed, still taking every opportunity to teach Wan Qing about medicine, poison, and even the crafting of hidden weapons.
Though Leng Mingye understood it was for her safety, watching his little wife patiently learning from Feng Moli still irked him. With him protecting her, what harm could possibly come her way?
But as an elder—and with so many people around—he could only grumble inwardly.
Soon, they arrived at the Nangong family in Bo Country.
Given Nangong Haotian’s previous son’s illness and Leng Mingye’s widespread reputation, their return immediately drew the Nangong family’s attention. Though he wasn’t the current Nangong madam’s biological son, Nangong Haotian and the clan elders intended for him to reclaim his position as the family’s heir. But Leng Mingye refused, stating that the current Nangong madam had stood by his father all these years—even without merit, she had her share of hardships. Her son should rightfully inherit the title.
Despite this, he still formally acknowledged his ancestry.
After the ancestral rites, Nangong Haotian proposed that Leng Mingye meet the King of Bo Country.
That day, he made the rare suggestion, turning to Wan Qing and the others: “Our king, upon hearing that Ye’er is a descendant of the Nangong family, wishes to meet him. He’s also heard of your arrival and would like to see you as well. What are your thoughts?”
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