The sun had set, and the room was dark.
Ever since drinking the spirit spring water, Su Ling’er had become somewhat drowsy. At this moment, she was fast asleep on the low couch. Leng Feng, who should have been sleeping soundly in bed, was now sitting by her couch, for reasons unknown.
Leng Feng looked at the woman before him with a complex and hollow gaze, as if trying to see through her face to the depths of her heart. After spending the past two days together, he suddenly felt that their interactions from the previous period had become somewhat hazy. It was as if he had never truly known Su Ling’er.
The Su Ling’er who was a little cute, very lively, smelled fragrant, and whose eyes shone astonishingly when looking at him had suddenly disappeared.
Instead, the woman before him wouldn’t give him food, deliberately soiled her leftovers before feeding him, secretly drank his spirit spring water, and then there was last night’s aphrodisiac!
Leng Feng could now confirm that last night’s incident involved an aphrodisiac. Although his internal energy was sealed, his alertness was not so poor that he would fall asleep so deeply in an instant.
What kind of person was she truly? Was she really the Su Ling’er he knew? What was her purpose in infiltrating Qingya Pavilion?
The thought that she was always subtly inquiring about the Prince’s affairs made Leng Feng feel very distressed. Once a person’s heart calms down, many things become clear.
He recalled that during their previous interactions, Su Ling’er had always tried to inquire about the Prince’s matters. Yet, for some reason, he hadn’t found anything amiss and had revealed everything he could and couldn’t say.
No matter who Su Ling’er was, it was now certain that her target was the Prince!
Leng Feng closed his eyes, feeling somewhat powerless. At noon, he had carried the soiled food, intending to inform Leng Heng and the others that Su Ling’er might be problematic.
But the moment he thought about the situation Su Ling’er would face if she were indeed problematic, his feet simply couldn’t move forward.
If Su Ling’er was merely infatuated with the Prince, she might just be driven out of the villa. But if she…
At this thought, a dense pain began to creep into Leng Feng’s chest. He was afraid, he couldn’t bear it, he was unwilling…
No! He couldn’t say anything. If Su Ling’er’s purpose for infiltrating was to harm the Prince, then her life would be forfeit.
Just as Leng Feng was about to wake Su Ling’er and tell her to leave Qingya Pavilion immediately, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door. Leng Feng got up and returned to sit by the table.
Leng Heng knocked on the door and called out to the person inside with some urgency, “Second Brother, are you asleep? The Prince is back.”
The Prince is back! The cup in Leng Feng’s hand slipped and fell onto the table. He got up in a hurry, his head spinning, and almost fell to the ground.
Leng Si and the others pushed open the door and saw Leng Feng about to fall. Without time to ponder why he was sitting over there, they quickly went to steady him.
Seeing Su Ling’er sleeping soundly beside him, Leng Si’s anger immediately flared. Hadn’t this woman repeatedly claimed to be here to take care of Leng Feng? How could their Second Brother almost fall, while she slept like a pig!
Leng Si unceremoniously kicked the low couch heavily. A pillar of the couch snapped, and although it didn’t collapse, the person on the bed was startled by the loud noise and suddenly sat up.
Su Ling’er, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly felt as if she were about to roll off a height. Her eyes opened in panic, and she struggled to sit up steadily.
The small oil lamp in the room had already been lit. Su Ling’er saw three men standing stock-still beside her and was a little confused about the situation for a moment.
Seeing that Su Ling’er was awake, Leng Si ignored her and said to the expressionless Leng Feng, “Second Brother, the Prince wants to see you. We need to take her out immediately, or the Prince will be displeased, and you know the consequences.”
“Alright, hurry up!” Leng Feng nodded. It just so happened that he also intended to send Su Ling’er away.
Su Ling’er was still groggy. Hearing that Huo Qiyuan had returned, she was initially happy. However, before the smile could fully form on her lips, she heard them saying they were going to send her away.
“Brother Leng Feng, why are you sending me away? Wasn’t I supposed to stay and take care of you? Even if he is the Prince, he can’t prevent someone from taking care of you…”
Leng Feng did not miss the slight upward curve of her lips when she heard that Huo Qiyuan had returned. It seemed his guess was correct; Su Ling’er was indeed after the Prince.
But the outcome was destined to disappoint Su Ling’er. Although she was quite good-looking, she was no match for Su Muqing by a long shot. Furthermore, the relationship between the Prince and the Emperor was such that no one could intervene. Otherwise, Leng…
But this was good! At least she was merely infatuated with the Prince, not trying to harm him, or acting as a spy. Even if she failed in the end, she probably wouldn’t lose her life.
“You go with them. Don’t come here again. outsiders are not allowed in Qingya Pavilion, otherwise, we will all be punished…” Leng Feng’s tone was cold, and his expression was indifferent.
Su Ling’er found it difficult to get used to Leng Feng speaking to her in such a manner. He had always been cheerful before, the most smiling person in the Leng Squad.
This was also why Su Ling’er had chosen to make her move on the day Leng Feng was on duty among so many deputy generals. Someone who smiled so much, and whose smile was so radiant and brilliant, should be easy to talk to and approach.
Su Ling’er spoke hesitantly, feeling a pang in her heart. “Brother Leng Feng…”
“What’s with all the nonsense! If you don’t leave soon, you’ll be carried out!” Leng Si’s temper flared again. This woman was pretending to be weak, and he felt she was not a good person. If it weren’t for Leng Feng, he would have dragged her out long ago.
Su Ling’er was about to say something more when suddenly! Leng Ren and Leng Heng exchanged glances, and their bodies trembled. Leng Feng’s internal energy was sealed, but soon his body also stiffened.
The three stood there in silence, listening to the approaching footsteps.
Huo Qiyuan’s voice sounded from outside the door, “Do you want me to come in, or do you want to come out?”
…
The room door was pulled open. Leng Si and Leng Heng were the first to step out and knelt on one knee to confess their guilt, “Your subordinates know their offense, we beg the Prince for forgiveness.”
Seeing Su Ling’er about to rush out, Leng Feng used the last of his strength to pull her back. Su Ling’er turned her head and, seeing Leng Feng’s gaze, her heart skipped a beat.
Leng Feng’s attitude and gaze towards her had changed, and Su Ling’er now understood. His eyes held distress, reluctance, and many complex emotions.
“If you want to live, help me out,” Leng Feng whispered, leaning close to Su Ling’er as he struggled to stand steadily. Then, with great effort, he stabilized himself and prepared to walk out.