"Still not awake?" Ning Yue tapped Xing Yuan's forehead with a finger, a hint of displeasure in her tone.
Her own skin had become so much thicker lately; it was becoming increasingly outrageous.
Xing Yuan remained unresponsive. Ning Yue leaned closer to her face for a careful observation and confirmed one thing: Xing Yuan was asleep!
"How did she fall asleep so quickly?" Ning Yue murmured to herself, a touch of surprise in her voice.
However, being a practitioner of martial arts, discerning between genuine sleep and feigned sleep was no problem for her.
She hesitated for a moment, then bent down and scooped Xing Yuan into a princess carry.
So light! That was Ning Yue's first impression.
Holding Xing Yuan gently, she ignored the curious gazes around her and carried her back to the sleeping quarters.
Ning Yue frowned, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. Looking at Xing Yuan, whose brow was still furrowed even in sleep, she couldn't resist gently stroking her forehead.
"Don't frown. Frowning makes you age faster," she said sternly, knowing full well Xing Yuan couldn't hear her.
Her gaze drifted to the Feiyan Hall beside them. A hint of conflict flashed in her eyes, but it eventually solidified into determination as she headed towards that palace.
The environment of this particular palace wasn't the best, but its greatest advantage was its proximity to the Emperor's sleeping chambers.
With a complex mix of emotions, Ning Yue had someone announce her arrival.
Although Xing Yuan had previously told her that her relationship with this person was purely one of cooperation, Ning Yue still wanted to see what made him so special that Xing Yuan had chosen him.
While the ministers had suggested she take a consort, the pressure wasn't too intense yet. If there wasn't another reason, she simply wouldn't believe it.
Xi Feiyan tidied his belongings and emerged with a cold expression.
He detested being interrupted while preparing medicine, but this person's status was special, and he didn't have the standing to be difficult here.
"Why has the Young General come?" Xi Feiyan asked stiffly.
Upon seeing his face, Ning Yue froze for a moment, her heart churning like a stormy sea.
Now she understood why Xing Yuan had chosen him.
His face was likely the primary reason; he bore a striking resemblance to Xing Yuan's father, about seventy percent similar.
Xing Yuan had never mentioned this person to anyone, but Ning Yue knew it wasn't because she didn't want to, but because she was afraid to.
After all, that person had doted on her and raised her with immense care. Humans are not made of wood; how could one be without feelings!
Ning Yue lowered her gaze, concealing the emotions in her eyes, a sense of unease settling in her heart. Perhaps Xing Yuan herself didn't realize that her demeanor carried traces of her father's aura!
If such a person were to spend their days with her, even if there were no feelings now, who could predict what the future held?
Even though she had some premonitions about the current situation, Ning Yue still felt a pang of unwillingness.
So, she openly scrutinized Xi Feiyan until he shifted uncomfortably and looked away, before slowly saying:
"Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat?"
Xi Feiyan now knew this visitor was not here with good intentions. But acting was extra work!
Although he hadn't received his payment yet, Xi Feiyan believed a ruler of a nation wouldn't default on their debts, so he decided to start his work early.
"May I ask what brings the Young General here? Are you, like those ministers, also of the opinion that an ordinary citizen like myself doesn't deserve the Emperor's favor?" Xi Feiyan asked, a hint of appropriate dejection in his voice.
The sight of a handsome man suddenly lowering his head like a big puppy could indeed easily soften one's heart.
But was Ning Yue that kind of person? There were few things that occupied her mind, and this man before her clearly wasn't one of them.
"What do you think?" Ning Yue replied, as if he were asking a question he already knew the answer to.
"I can't interfere with other matters, but today, for the first time, I'm warning you: stay away from A'Yuan. Whatever you intend to do, don't set your sights on her. Otherwise... I've never been one to show mercy to a pretty face."
This was her first time issuing a threat, and Ning Yue felt a bit unpracticed, but her stern expression and silence had always been quite intimidating.