Du Ling watched Qu Linglong with worry as she put away the cotton handkerchief in her hand.
"He's outside."
Qu Linglong paused, lowered her eyes, removed the soiled mask, and replaced it with a clean one.
"If he comes in, please help me again."
"Ai..." Du Ling's brow furrowed tightly.
"Are you unwilling? Or are you afraid of him?"
"No, I just don't know if this is right or wrong."
Qu Linglong was lost in thought, then spoke softly, "It's right. He doesn't have deep feelings for me. I used to pester him shamelessly. I know him best; he absolutely cannot tolerate betrayal. Help me one last time, please."
Her heart ached as if being gouged by a knife, yet she could still say these words calmly. Had she also become very strong?
Du Ling looked at her trembling hand and sighed silently again.
Does she really know him? Last time she said he wouldn't come back!
The gaze from behind was almost tangible, as if it could flay him alive.
He liked Linglong, but he was also a man of honor. He couldn't take advantage of her distress or interfere. If Feng Shihao was truly heartless towards her, then following her wishes would be acceptable.
But the problem was, Feng Shihao and she now seemed to be in love. If he continued like this, it might cause pain to both of them, perhaps leaving lifelong regrets.
He felt he couldn't indulge Linglong's recklessness.
Perhaps he should talk to Feng Shihao.
However, events unfolded too quickly, leaving him no time to talk—
There was a small window in the thatched hut. Through the half-open crack, one could see two figures embracing inside.
The light was dim; he might have seen incorrectly.
Feng Shihao remained still, watching for a long time as if punishing himself. His light blue robe only accentuated the chilling aura around him.
Only after the two figures separated did he release his hand, which had been clenched until it bled, and walk in with a calm expression.
Qu Linglong's eyes seemed veiled with a layer of moisture, possessing a delicate, fragile beauty.
It was like her submissive helplessness after being kissed by him in the past.
Feng Shihao stared at the unseen lips behind the mask, his hands clenching again beneath his sleeves.
"You go out," he said to Du Ling.
Du Ling had wanted to leave long ago, thinking that perhaps a conversation might change Linglong's mind. Upon hearing Feng Shihao's words, he was about to step out.
But he was pulled back by a pair of plain hands.
Qu Linglong's gaze held a plea.
"What more does Your Highness wish to say? He has nothing he cannot hear."
"I am not Your Highness anymore."
Although he knew she was pretending, he still disliked her saying this intensely.
Not Your Highness anymore.
Was something wrong?
He was tall and slender, with a handsome, refined face. Though his hair was shorter and not as smooth as before, his attire was neat and bright, still presenting him as a dashing nobleman, showing no signs of destitution.
Qu Linglong couldn't stop her wild thoughts, then secretly chided herself.
He was standing here perfectly fine; surely nothing had happened. What was she worrying about for no reason?
Feng Shihao caught the fleeting anxiety in her eyes and continued slowly, "My wife does not need to come from a noble family, nor does she need to be dignified and beautiful. She can be a commoner, a street beggar, or a village girl."
It was quite accurate, just as the old man, the great shaman, had predicted.
The village girl before him was his only wife in this life.
"Linglong, I will marry you, wearing red robes and a phoenix coronet, and pledge my life to you, alright?"
Before, she had been brought into the manor in a hasty manner while pregnant, given the title of concubine without any ceremony, and looked down upon. He had wronged her.
Now, he wanted to marry her properly, to give her the most perfect wedding.
He stepped forward, his voice full of allure.
Qu Linglong's heart was already beyond her control.
She had always lacked self-control with this man; he was a demon, and those phoenix eyes could bewitch the soul.
This was something she hadn't even dared to dream of before.
To be his wife, how wonderful, how wonderful...
But...
"No need. I don't like you anymore! Please leave!"
She finally regained her senses, hastily looking away, but her disordered gaze made her appear flustered and helpless, clearly thrown into disarray.
Du Ling knew that not much more time would pass before she surrendered.
Alas, that's all?
What about the pretense from just now?
It seemed there was nothing for him here.
Let's go, don't be an eyesore.
His one-sided affection should end now.
Feng Shihao's gaze gradually softened. "I know it's because of this face..."
Du Ling's arm was grabbed again, and he was forcefully turned around. The next moment, his face was kissed.
He'd widened his eyes in surprise. Before he could process the feeling, he first looked at Feng Shihao.
As expected, Feng Shihao was ice-cold, his eyes almost overflowing with killing intent, and his fist struck out fiercely.
Du Ling took a punch and was so angry he wanted to curse.
Fine, he hadn't felt the gentle kiss of soft jade and warm fragrance, but he truly felt the pain of bared teeth!
He wasn't playing this game anymore!
Before Feng Shihao could throw another punch, the startled Qu Linglong finally rushed over to pull him back, and Du Ling seized the opportunity to run.
"Stop!" Feng Shihao glared fiercely, intending to pursue.
Du Ling: "Don't think I can't beat you. I'm just too lazy to bother with you because of Linglong!"
He couldn't help but curse back as he turned, and the next moment, another fist hit his shoulder.
Damn it, this punch was even more powerful; his bones felt like they were about to shatter!
Thirteen stood expressionlessly before them.
"Thirteen! Don't hit people!" Su Mian shielded him, holding Nan Xing, preventing him from hitting Du Ling further, and called out anxiously to Du Ling, "General Du, hurry and leave!"
Du Ling felt utterly wronged! He glared fiercely at Thirteen, holding his shoulder.
Thirteen made no further move, but his eyes were fixed on Su Mian.
"Do you like him?"
Su Mian felt relieved after Du Ling left.
After all, General Du was the young lady's savior. They had a long-standing friendship; how could she repay kindness with enmity and be hit by this foolish Thirteen?
"What nonsense are you talking about in front of the child?"
"You just said you liked me!" Thirteen accused.
"You really are a fool!" Su Mian hugged Nan Xing and walked away.
"You explain yourself clearly!" Thirteen pressed on relentlessly.
Meanwhile, Feng Shihao was being held by Qu Linglong. He looked at her, his eyes ferocious.
Qu Linglong had never seen him like this. He had always been noble and elegant, but now, he was like Elder Brother Xiao possessed, irritable and ruthless, as if ready to throw a punch at any moment.
Was he going to hit her?
"Qu Linglong!" Feng Shihao's gaze was deep and terrifying, his voice as cold as if laced with ice and snow: "You dare to touch another man!"
"You said you only loved me, that you would never abandon me in this life."
"You said I was the best in the world, charming me completely."
"I gave you my heart, so why did you cast it aside?"