Some truths are understood without needing many words.
When they left, Feng Zeyue was full of spirit, but as they departed, her heart was tinged with a touch of sadness.
However, this sadness did not last long. While Su Shang was away, Feng Zeyue began to cram theoretical knowledge, determined to win over the seemingly aloof General Su as soon as possible.
What was there to fear about coldness? As the most favored princess, she was confident in her ability to make others fall at her feet.
An icy facade only fueled her desire to conquer and her motivation.
Two months later, Su Shang returned to the capital, accompanied by her mother, Gong Ningsi.
Su Shang encountered her mother outside the city.
At that moment, Gong Ningsi was on her way to the capital and, upon seeing Su Shang, went directly to her.
This time, Gong Ningsi appeared remarkably rational. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "A mission?"
"Mm," Su Shang nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips.
Gong Ningsi had once told her that when she smiled like this, she resembled her father the most. The more she resembled her father, the kinder Gong Ningsi would be to her, even reluctant to lay a hand on her.
Over time, Su Shang had developed the habit of imitating her father.
As expected, upon seeing Su Shang in this manner, Gong Ningsi's gaze softened.
"Shang'er has been in the capital for some time now. Have you found any clues about what happened back then?" Gong Ningsi asked gently.
Su Shang pinched her palm, her expression instantly contorting in pain. "Shang'er is incompetent. There are still no leads regarding the events of that year. Now, I've even encountered some trouble."
Su Shang lowered her head, appearing incredibly obedient. Gong Ningsi felt a flicker of displeasure, but it did not reach the point of madness.
She asked softly, "What happened? Is it about what Shang'er wrote in her letter some days ago?"
"Emperor Feng has bestowed a marriage upon you, and to the most favored princess, no less. It is a good thing, at least it shows he trusts you. However, your identity is indeed a bit troublesome..."
Gong Ningsi had never considered this before. Now, as she carefully observed Su Shang, she realized that the tiny infant she had picked up had grown so large without her noticing.
More importantly, her beauty surpassed even that of Su Yu in her youth, and with a five-part resemblance to her father, she was truly striking.
Gong Ningsi thought: If she hadn't known from the start that Su Shang was a woman, and if her heart wasn't already set on Su Lang, she might have actually fallen for this child.
After all, she was born with a face that could bring ruin to nations.
Perhaps, back then, she should have steered this child towards the path of a favored concubine.
With everything already set in motion, Gong Ningsi could only suppress her stray thoughts and focus on strategizing with Su Shang.
"The two of you consummating your marriage is impossible. Unless the princess is mentally unsound, she will easily discover your true identity. Once exposed, forget about revenge; you'll likely be hunted by the authorities.
Therefore, the best course of action is to stall. No matter what, stall until Shang'er uncovers the truth of that year. Then, arrange a fake death, and you can escape smoothly. After that, Mother will no longer trouble you," Gong Ningsi said with a gentle expression.
Su Shang nodded, her eyes filled with filial affection for her mother. "Mother, rest assured, Shang'er will do as you say."
Gong Ningsi nodded, feeling a sense of pride. It was not in vain that she had meticulously tutored her all these years.
But once revenge was achieved, this child would be useless. Keeping her would only serve as a constant reminder of how she had been abandoned by Su Lang.
Gong Ningsi's eyes turned fierce. That woman deserved to die, and her child deserved to die just as much.
Su Shang smiled at Gong Ningsi as if oblivious, her expression exceedingly gentle.
Gong Ningsi's heart softened for a moment. In what she intended to be a final act of maternal affection, she said gently, "Shang'er, when shall we go to the capital?"
"A few more days are needed. Mother, please don't worry, it will be soon."
Gong Ningsi believed her words and said nothing more, until they once again entered the capital.
Su Shang arranged for Gong Ningsi to stay at the General's mansion before leaving under the pretense of investigating her father's death.
Wandering aimlessly, she found herself, for reasons unknown, standing before the Princess's mansion.
At this moment, Su Shang placed her right hand over her heart, a look of confusion on her face. She finally realized, with a start, that she actually missed her.
As Su Shang hesitated whether to enter, the guards at the Princess's mansion, with their keen eyes, had already spotted the Princess's future consort.
One immediately went inside to report to the Princess, while the other approached Su Shang.
The guard bowed and said respectfully, "General Su, are you here to see the Princess? We have already sent word. General Su, would you like to come inside and wait for the Princess for a moment?"
Su Shang, who had been contemplating leaving, was thus invited into the Princess's mansion by the enthusiastic guard.
When Feng Zeyue received the news, she was trying on a new batch of clothes. She put on her favorite red dress and rushed out.
Su Shang sat on a chair, sipping tea. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she had nearly finished a pot of tea.
She kept glancing towards the door until she saw a familiar figure.
She placed her teacup on the table and stood up, a hint of nervousness in her voice, "Ze, Zeyue."
Feng Zeyue chuckled and directly hugged her, nuzzling her neck.
Good, no trace of rouge, just her familiar scent of herbs.
A smile played on Feng Zeyue's lips, and she wasn't even upset when Su Shang pushed her away. "Did Xingyi come to see me as soon as you returned?"
"No, I was just passing by," Su Shang replied immediately, but her head turned to the side, her earlobes flushing slightly.
Feng Zeyue pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes sparkling with undisguised joy. She stepped forward, linked her arm through Su Shang's, and gently shook it. "Alright! I know Xingyi misses me! It's okay to miss me! Don't be shy."
"I've discovered many interesting new places recently, and I've been waiting for Xingyi to come back and accompany me! Let's go see them today, okay~"
Su Shang stared at Feng Zeyue's slender fingers, her heart pounding like a drum, impossibly fast.
After a long moment, she softly hummed in agreement, her eyes filled with a tenderness she herself had not yet noticed.
She didn't know when it started, but she had grown accustomed to another person's presence, even finding herself unable to refuse any of her requests.
Su Shang felt she was ill, but to avoid exposing her female identity, she dared not seek a doctor.
The place Feng Zeyue mentioned was a newly opened pastry shop.
After trying the pastries there once, she had been eager to bring Su Shang to see it and, incidentally, to test some of the little knowledge she had learned from storybooks.
"Xingyi, can you buy them for me yourself?" Feng Zeyue asked with a face full of anticipation.
Su Shang couldn't bear to refuse. As Feng Zeyue wished, after waiting in line for a while, she returned with a box of exquisite pastries and hurried to hand them to Feng Zeyue.