Feng Yexuan looked at her.
The tears in Feng Ling's eyes caused him a trace of irritation.
But also a hint of guilt.
Yet, he didn't know how to offer words of comfort.
He wasn't used to it.
In the end, Feng Yexuan simply said indifferently, "It's nothing, don't think too much."
"Yexuan, let's go back." Feng Ling suddenly hugged his arm.
Sensing his instinctive desire to push her away again, this time, Feng Ling held on tightly, refusing to let go no matter what.
"Yexuan, I'm scared, I'm really scared."
"Scared of what?" Feng Yexuan looked at the girl leaning on his arm, his mind, however, flashed with the figure in the lake from his dream.
Feng Ling's voice was somewhat distant, as if from afar, yet also as if from very near.
He couldn't hear it clearly.
"I'm afraid, I'm afraid you truly have someone else in your heart, that she is better than me in everything, more capable than me in everything."
"Yexuan, I am just a weak woman, I understand nothing, I only wish to follow by your side, serve you well, and guard you for a lifetime."
"I don't know how to lead armies, I don't know how to strategize for the nation, I don't even know how to navigate social circles, nor do I understand many principles of dealing with people."
"I certainly can't summon the wind and call the rain, nor can I manage relationships with those men... I can do nothing, don't you dislike me anymore?"
Manage relationships with those men...
In Feng Yexuan's mind, the image of Chu Qianli with other men immediately surfaced.
They were laughing and chatting, playfully interacting, intimately close...
The palm of his hand instantly tensed.
"This Prince does not need you to manage relationships with anyone," he said coldly, his voice carrying a hint of displeasure.
But Feng Ling knew this displeasure was not directed at her.
She had finally achieved her goal, making him remember what kind of woman Chu Qianli was.
She breathed a sigh of relief, looked up at him, her eyes still teary, "But I really can't do anything..."
"You are very good, there's no need to learn from anyone," Feng Yexuan gently pushed away the hands she had wrapped around his arm.
"It's late, go back and rest early, there are many matters to attend to tomorrow."
Feng Ling knew his limits. He had asked her to leave several times. If she insisted on staying, he would truly become annoyed.
She finally understood the importance of knowing when to advance and when to retreat, otherwise, how could she have kept Yexuan's affection for so long?
Feng Ling nodded, "I understand. If you ask me to leave, I will leave. Whatever you ask me to do, I will obey."
She stood up, wiped away her tears, then looked up and smiled at him, "I spoke too presumptuously tonight, Yexuan, please don't be angry. I will be good from now on, I will listen to you."
"I'm going back to rest, you should rest early too. I'll come to serve you tomorrow."
She didn't linger tonight and left quickly.
Feng Yexuan, however, sat by the bedside, looking at the empty room, with no sleepiness at all.
Clearly, Feng Ling was so good, gentle and obedient, the type of woman every man favored.
But why was his heart so restless recently?
Could it be that he, like that promiscuous woman, was also a man of fickle affections and disloyalty?
Yet, at this moment, he truly wanted to see what that woman was doing.
She must still be studying medicinal herbs, and tonight, she would surely stay up all night again.
And then there was tomorrow's sacrificial ceremony and prayer...
She was truly busy, so busy she didn't even have time to drink a sip of water.
Perhaps, only people like him and Feng Ling would be entangled in matters of love and romance.
That damned woman... her heart was set on the world, where would she have any spare thoughts to ponder matters of love and desire?
Feng Yexuan gave a self-mocking smile, finally stood up, and walked towards the door.