Today was busy, an entire day filled with a dizzying sort of activity.
Yet, someone remained tirelessly engaged.
Accepting the prostrations of the common folk, receiving the blessings of the officials.
Enduring the admiring gazes of men, and simultaneously, the envious and resentful stares of young ladies.
Feng Yexuan had initially stayed by her side, but after noon, he grew visibly weary and disgusted by the spectacle.
He was, in truth, not a man who enjoyed crowds.
But his woman, she did.
After another afternoon passed, as evening approached, Feng Yexuan could bear it no longer.
"This King... will return and wait for you."
For the first time, without any external pressure, he left his woman behind.
Although Chu Qianli looked reluctant, she remained, staying in the palace for the banquet specially hosted for her by the Emperor.
All the officials offered her blessings, and even Prince He watched her intently the entire night, his gaze never wavering.
Such treatment, she felt, was something she had never experienced before.
She was reluctant to leave Feng Yexuan, but also reluctant to leave such honor.
The banquet continued late into the night, but Feng Yexuan had long since returned to the Prince's manor. After washing up, he sat in his chambers reading.
He had not forgotten what Chu Qianli had told him before they entered the city.
She had said that once they returned to the manor, he could do whatever he wished to her.
The memory of their all-night entanglement seemed to linger, a persistent presence in his mind.
He could not forget the profound intensity of their deepest moments together, a feeling etched into his very being.
And so, he waited.
Yet, as he waited, he felt an inexplicable restlessness.
And perhaps, a touch of apprehension.
He couldn't quite grasp his current state of mind.
Outside the door, someone was speaking, "Master Fourteen, the Prince is unavailable tonight."
Leng Ji knew that the Prince was waiting for Miss Chu tonight.
No, now she should be addressed as Her Majesty the Empress.
Earlier today, upon accidentally calling her Miss Chu, the look Chu Qianli gave him had nearly made Leng Ji lose his voice.
Fu Long's reminder was indeed true; she now only permitted people to address her as Her Majesty the Empress.
Such as Miss Chu, she found extremely offensive.
In fact, Leng Ji also felt a sense of unease.
Why did Miss Chu seem so different after her return this time?
"I won't take up too much of your time, I just wish to speak with Fourth Brother."
Feng Jinrui knew that tonight was the first night after Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law's reunion.
It was absolutely not to be disturbed by anyone.
But, Fourth Sister-in-law wasn't back yet, was she?
Therefore, it shouldn't be a problem for Fourth Brother to be briefly interrupted, right?
"Leng Ji, I'll leave immediately after I'm done," Feng Jinrui added.
Leng Ji glanced back.
The Prince had indeed instructed that no one should disturb him.
However, Her Majesty the Empress hadn't arrived yet, had she?
Finally, Leng Ji stepped aside.
Feng Jingruyi immediately went forward, pushed open the door, and entered, "Fourth Brother, I have no other business, I just wanted to ask for your permission for Xiao Yao to stay at my Yujing Garden for a while."
"Once she finds her master, I will have her leave, is that alright?"
Xiao Yao?
Feng Yexuan's mind conjured the image of that little girl.
Small and slender, her face so ordinary it was unremarkable.
But for some reason, thinking of that wild girl now inexplicably lifted his spirits.
"She still hasn't found her master?" He casually poured himself a cup of tea.
"Not yet." Feng Jinrui had spent the entire day with Xiao Yao, searching for her master together.
But they had found no trace.
"Fourth Brother, you said her master was a master of martial arts?" Fourth Brother had mentioned it that day.
"Mm," Feng Yexuan nodded, his eyes narrowing. "If you let her stay here, she will never find her master."
Feng Jinrui blinked in surprise. "Why?"