The man's cool voice carried no discernible emotion, yet his words held hidden depths.
Feng Ninghe furrowed her delicate brows, her gaze settling on Si Jianye. "Even if something happens, I will handle it myself."
Relying on others would lead to them leaving, and leaning on mountains would cause them to crumble.
She had no intention of depending on anyone; only herself was truly reliable.
To this, Si Jianye calmly raised his head, his deep-set eyes instantly locking onto hers. "It would be best if you could resolve things yourself, but Jinling has many trivial matters, and you may not be able to handle them all."
What Si Jianye said was indeed true.
She still needed to prepare thoroughly for her journey to Jinling...
With this thought, Feng Ninghe's brows tightened further. She withdrew her gaze, saying no more.
Su Hongxiu brought the fruit wine to her lips and took a delicate sip, her gaze drifting to Si Jianye. "The Underworld King is quite warm. This is the first time I've seen you so attentive."
He had known Si Jianye since childhood. This man had always acted on impulse and detested women who threw themselves at him, let alone those who actively offered assistance.
Si Jianye's current words made one unable to help but be suspicious.
In response to the inquiry, Si Jianye's eyes darkened, and the man's voice that emerged was as cool as ever. "Xinxin cannot be without a mother."
This explanation, both logical and emotional, did not arouse suspicion in Feng Ninghe.
For the past five years, Xinxin had constantly wished to see her birth mother.
Her appearance had also brought Xinxin immense joy.
If something were to happen to her, Xinxin might not be able to bear the pain.
Feng Ninghe looked at Si Jianye, her voice slightly subdued. "Xinxin will not be without a mother, and I will never be in danger."
Su Hongxiu narrowed his eyes, the look in his gaze towards the two before him subtly shifting.
Si Jianye's seemingly reasonable explanation, however, made him sense something unusual...
As the sky gradually darkened, the sun finally set.
Feng Ninghe looked up at the sky and spoke first. "It's getting late. I still have some matters to attend to, so I won't see you out."
Su Hongxiu nodded slowly, his well-defined fingers idly fanning himself with a bone fan, his demeanor gentle and refined. "Alright. Thank you for your hospitality today, Miss Feng."
Feng Ninghe specifically called for a maid to see them off. Afterward, she turned and returned to her room.
Only after her figure had completely disappeared did Su Hongxiu turn his gaze to Si Jianye. "It's been a while since we've chatted. Shall we take a walk?"
His demeanor remained gentle, but the smile on his face had vanished completely.
Si Jianye turned his head to meet his gaze.
Their eyes met, and an unspeakable depth could be seen in both their gazes.
The atmosphere around them gradually became heavy.
The maid leading the way couldn't help but tremble, swallowing nervously, and shrinking back, afraid to disturb the two men.
Si Jianye opened his lips and said coldly, "Then let's take a walk."
After they left the Zhenguo Gong's mansion, the maid, as if relieved, patted her chest to catch her breath, leaning weakly against the side.
The night in the Li Kingdom was extremely prosperous.
Two tall, solitary figures strolled down the street.
"Miss Feng is Xinxin's mother, and you are Xinxin's father. Is there no other connection between you?" Su Hongxiu spoke first, his words carrying a strong tone of inquiry.
Si Jianye inexplicably felt annoyed, raising his eyebrows. "You've become quite the gossip over the years. What does my relationship with her have to do with you?"
Su Hongxiu subtly tightened his grip on the bone fan, his voice as usual. "Curiosity."
Si Jianye had no intention of answering the question; even he couldn't quite fathom his own thoughts.
These days, his perception of Feng Ninghe had clearly changed.
This woman was a good mother, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to Xinxin, without fault. Xinxin also liked her very much.
Whether for Xinxin's sake or his own, he did not wish for Feng Ninghe to be in danger.
Si Jianye cast a cold glance at him and warned in a low voice, "She is Xinxin's mother. She is the only one who can take good care of Xinxin. Don't get any ideas about her."
As a man himself, he could see through Su Hongxiu's intentions at a glance.
He was extremely displeased when he sensed this man's intention to approach Feng Ninghe.
After so much effort, he had finally found Xinxin's birth mother. He would never let Feng Ninghe go with another man.
The warning only made Su Hongxiu smile, his eyes deepening slightly. "What if I insist on having ideas about her?"
He had never met such an interesting woman.
Feng Ninghe was resolute and courageous, possessing a heroic spirit and charm that other women lacked.
Si Jianye raised his eyebrows, his gaze towards Su Hongxiu burning with intensity, and spoke as if spitting ice shards, "Then you are destined to fail."
Five years ago, Feng Ninghe had already been his woman.
The dignified Underworld King of Xiyou Continent never approached women and detested them from the bottom of his heart.
Feng Ninghe had taken advantage of his extreme weakness and forcefully taken his body! This was a humiliation to him!
Now that things had come to this, and they even had a child, how could he easily let Feng Ninghe go?
"Oh?"
Su Hongxiu raised his eyebrows with curiosity, his eyes burning with intense interest. "Then I shall see if I fail."
Si Jianye's heart inexplicably turned irritable. Without concealing his displeasure, he said, "She gave birth to Xinxin, making her Xinxin's mother, and I am Xinxin's father. You have already failed."
The implication was that he and Feng Ninghe already had a child together.
And looking at Su Hongxiu, who was clearly trying to poach, this man didn't even mind that they had a child.
Understanding the implied meaning of Si Jianye's words, Su Hongxiu shook his bone fan dismissively, walking with a graceful stride. "I don't mind these worldly matters. Xinxin is incredibly adorable; it wouldn't be bad to be an adopted father."
"Dream on."
Si Jianye's lips twitched violently. His gaze deepened, and he let out a low hum. "Xinxin has a father, which is enough. She doesn't need an adopted father. You have no hope of becoming Xinxin's adopted father, not even in your next life."
Su Hongxiu remained silent, a strong interest blooming in his eyes.
He had been afraid that Feng Ninghe and Si Jianye had a good relationship, leaving him no hope.
Now, seeing this, Feng Ninghe and Si Jianye's relationship was not as harmonious as it appeared on the surface. Perhaps he could try his luck...
Zhenguo Gong's Mansion.
Upon returning to her room, Feng Ninghe took out her medicine furnace and began refining medicine.
Feng Qingcheng would undoubtedly have everything prepared, waiting for her to fall into the trap. She had to be fully prepared.
She refined medicine all night.
The next day, as she pushed open her room door, she saw Chi Xia waiting outside.
"Eldest Miss."
Seeing her, Chi Xia hurriedly called out, "The Great Elder requests your presence. He says he has something to tell you."
Feng Ninghe nodded impassively. "Alright, I'll go now."
A small courtyard.
The Great Elder sat quietly in a pavilion, holding a book.
Hearing the movement, he turned his head.
When his gaze fell upon Feng Ninghe, he smiled, his eyes showing a hint of gentleness. "Ning girl, you're here."
Feng Ninghe smiled openly and sat down casually, picking up the freshly brewed tea and taking a sip. "Great Elder, what is it you wished to tell me today?"