We're nearing the end of the first volume. What do you think the ending will be like? Happy Wednesday, mah dudes!

The Feng husband and wife worked fast and sent a message to the capital. Soon, an inconspicuous carriage silently left Tanglin.

On this side, Feng Yanyan waited and waited for the King on her bed but she didn't come.

Beauty Feng was angry again.

Told him to wait, wait for nothing!

He gnashed his teeth and decided to sleep here unceremoniously. He would occupy this whole bed and wouldn't leave any space.

It could be said that Feng Yanyan's temper was infamous in Zhongqing courtyard. Which servant didn't know a certain mei ren's unscrupulous and unreasonable acts? Wangye even waited on him as though Her Highness was his maid!

Even if they had a lot of complaints in their hearts, they couldn't say it out loud. Chief Eunuch Cheng didn't say anything. And the little Chief Cheng pretended he didn't see anything. Even Sir Xiao blatantly ignored Wangye's 'hardships'.

So the servants could only treat Master Feng as their ancestor.

If he wanted to sleep in Wangye's room, so be it. After all, it was the King who told the servants to let him in before she left this afternoon.

It was past midnight, Long Xu Le strode straight to her chambers and changed clothes. The security of Zhongqing courtyard had been tighter these days as they were still anxiously waiting for Madam Lian's return with the cure.

Once she entered the familiar environment, the fatigue that had been piling up for a while now finally struck her. Dizzy, she still changed clothes before deciding to rest.

But Her Highness forgot one important thing.

Wan Li Wang stiffened when she was near the bed. She sensed there was a person there. Narrowing her peach blossom eyes, she finally remembered what she said to Feng Yanyan.

This fool.

It was good that she refrained from attacking the perceived perpetrator just now.

She drew the muslin curtains enough to enter the warm bed and sat directly in front of the man. He didn't even stir from his sleep.

Her vague eyesight showed a man whose limbs were spread on the bed as though afraid someone would take over it. Her Highness' hand stretched and her calloused thumb rubbed the side of his lips.

Xu Le understood that he was someone who was cherished since childhood and he couldn't tolerate any hardship. Under the influence of these thoughts, she also subconsciously treated him as someone precious.

She could have stopped it but it was ironic that she let it develop to this degree. It must have been a rare moment of foolishness for her. What reason did she give to herself?

That she couldn't fight the Feng Patriarch head on? That she was honoring a promise? That she was trying to repay a debt?

Those were all excuses.

In this world, if she didn't want it, no one could force her hand to do anything. And yet, she held him in the palm of her hands.

Earlier, she received a report that the Hu Ren Kings were possibly discussing an alliance and would set off against Suliang. And there was the Empress showing signs of instability in the capital. There was a series of stirrings in the Imperial Army.

They might be able to hide it all. But the signs would still reach her. The Jianghu's cults had also displayed their full animosity to her.

After learning that the Black Crows were annihilated, it was impossible that the others wouldn't have crooked thoughts against 'Xiuwang.' Her identity in the Jianghu had been exposed because of her big movements.

Years and years of preparing. But now, it seemed everything would collapse upon her.

There were times she couldn't breathe thinking about what was coming.

But she brought him back to her side. What for?

Even she herself didn't know. She must be delusional to think that she could live a normal life with him.

Long Xu Le traced the outlines of his face piously, etching every feature in her mind so she wouldn't forget. Soon, she would be blind.

Her Highness had already accepted this fact. Her face hovered above his, her eyes burning with intensity.

It could be tonight, tomorrow or next week. She didn't know but at least, she would memorize him no matter what. His scent, his figure. Everything.

Wangye didn't even notice her hands were trembling and she wasn't aware of the warm drop of tear that had fallen on his cheek.

She was afraid. Ever since that night she woke up in bed dying from illness at twelve years old. When every glory as the Crown Prince's daughter was stripped off her and she had to protect a younger brother alone. When the older brother she honored dared to touch her. When she had finally gained strength to personally kill him.

Every battle she won. That night when Feng Ting died silently while protecting her.

All of these made up what was Long Xu Le, the former most distinguished Gongzhu of the Long Dynasty and the current dignified Wan Li Wang of Suliang.

But deep inside, she was only afraid. Afraid to lose. Afraid to die. Afraid to love. Afraid to live.

She didn't dare and yet she did.

And now she was even more afraid.

To lose him.

Who knew when a pair of willow leaf eyes were staring back at her, dumbfounded.

He wiped her face with the back of his hand with torment. Waking up to find the strongest woman in the country silently weeping actually broke his heart.

Feng Yanyan didn't speak. He just took her to his embrace. His unreliable shoulders became her pillow, his satin robes her kerchief.

In fact, he wasn't really that angry with her. He knew she had a lot to consider in the first place. That was why he kept his mouth shut about titles and such.

Of course, deep inside he wanted to be acknowledged.

But he was someone without use. Oh he had one. His only use was to be taken advantage of by enemies as Her Highness' weakness.

He knew why she was reluctant to name him. But she didn't have to cry this hard ah!

This woman could be stupid sometimes.

Feng Yanyan patiently patted her back as they lay on the bed. He already forgot the anger he felt before he fell asleep. The almighty King silently and grievously wept for who knew how long but he didn't let go.

When the first crack of dawn seeped through the gaps of the windows, that was when he realized something. He was supposed to throw a tantrum!

How the heck was it her turn?!

But looking at the peaceful side profile buried in his arms, he couldn't bear to throw her off the bed.

Forget it, throw a tantrum another day.

When he opened his eyes again, there was a gentle woman beside him braiding his hair. She noticed that he was awake and raised her 'craft' for him to see.

"I've never tried this before." Her brows held undisguised affection and her lips were curved with satisfaction.

She said she never tried but the braid looked exquisite.

For a second, he had an illusion that he was married to a simple native of Suliang and this was just one of the many days they would wake up together.

Feng Yanyan got up, hugged her and kissed her by the temple.

Long Xu Le had long been unguarded in front of him so he could easily pull her. If not, even ten men would have a hard time moving her from her spot.

She felt so soft in his arms. He was addicted.

"Yanyan," she called him softly and she melted as he hummed. "Stay with me like this?"

Beauty Feng felt a shock run through his body. And he looked at her. Her smile was still in place but she was whispering.

There wasn't the usual dead set on her gaze but somehow, these words were heavier. The woman squeezed his hands.

He breathed an "Alright." Forget about all the plans he made. Everything he said he would do after coming back to Tanglin. 

She wanted him to stay then he would. He was just helpless. She already owned his soul.

And then he felt a light kiss on his eyelashes. But like the wings of a butterfly, her lips gently trembled, holding back three words that she couldn't carelessly say.

They continued to live in this dreamy state. As though the matters of the outside world wouldn't reach them.

In the mornings, they would wake up in each other's arms. Like an old couple in retirement, they would walk in the gardens during the afternoons. And at nights, a raging fire would keep them awake.

In his heart, Feng Yanyan knew that she was preparing for something. But he couldn't stop her. He could only stay beside her and etch her figure on his body desperately.

They had already agreed. He wouldn't be called Concubine. Until the end, he would be Beauty Feng. 

They spent the days acting like this was forever. And in a sense, this was. These days would forever be carved in their hearts. 

He even worked hard to make her fat. Zhongqing courtyard became a gathering of chefs specializing in nourishing foods.

Every servant learned another fact about a certain mei ren. He wouldn't stop until he was satisfied. He pestered Wangye to eat 5 times a day. The three necessary meals should never be missed and then there were snacks in between.

Under his persistent care, Wangye at least gained weight and she wasn't so pale anymore. It was just that Feng Yanyan didn't know...

Wangye couldn't see his face anymore. 

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Okay, I'm torturing myself while writing this chapter... I'm gonna bawl my eyes out, bye!