85 Secret of Haoyang Valley (1/2)

After some thought, Zhan Beiye continued, ”Forget it, Zhaoxu isn't going to be easy. Too bad it's not the time for me to take advantage of his difficulties.”

”Zhaoxu?” Meng Fuyao opened her eyes.

”Why?” Zhan Beiye looked at her strangely.

”You're a big man. Why so affectionate in addressing him?” Meng Fuyao asked. ”Brokeback?”

”What's that?” Zhan Beiye frowned. ”You attempted suicide once and are acting all weird now. I don't understand you. What's wrong with calling him by his honorific title? Don't tell me you don't know what Zhaoxu means?”

”Ah?” she uttered after some time.

”Ah, what?” Zhan Beiye laughed, reaching his hand toward her forehead to check for a fever but was slapped away.

Meng Fuyao sat up muddleheadedly, grabbing her knees and biting her lips.

'So that's an honorific title.'

She long had suspicions about his identity and had questioned Yun Hen, who then gave answers that dispelled her doubts. After all, it was too bold for a prince to enter another nation's territory to cause trouble, but she had started feeling suspicious upon their ”chance encounter” in Wuji's temporary imperial residence.

She did not believe that an advisor could travel about the residence so carefreely. Based on her understanding of history, ancient societal rules were stringent and not easily overstepped.

The real confirmation came when Xiao Dao appeared.

During the internal battle between the northern and southern Rongs, the ten-year-old Zhangsun Wuji had traveled deep into the grassland. After saying his piece, the Rongs had bowed and become brothers. This was a story Yao Xun had shared with her, and she remembered it clearly.

And Xiao Dao wanted to kill the man who had reunited the Rongs and banished her father. If at this point she still had no idea about his identity, she wouldn't be called Meng Fuyao but Meng Pighead.

She had, somewhat unhappily, guessed that Yuan Zhaoxu wasn't being honest. Fortunately, she wasn't one to be overly wishy-washy. Biting on her blanket, she recalled the time when they first met. It wasn't convenient for Zhangsun Wuji to reveal his identity then. Plus, didn't she keep a lot of things from him too?

Was there a need to be so calculative? Since she was ready to leave any time she really had no rights to make any demands.

After the dance, before his departure, he had finally come clean about his identity, and Meng Fuyao was fine with that.

Despite her initial suspicions, receiving Zhan Beiye's confirmation still shocked her a little. She recalled something and suddenly asked, ”What's his mother's family name?”

”Queen Yuan,” he answered unhesitatingly. ”Pretty amazing woman. Zhangsun Wuji definitely resembles her in terms of character.”

He followed his mother's family name and was called Zhaoxu as an honorific title. After some thought Meng Fuyao couldn't help but smile. Aye, Zhangsun Wuji did not keep it from her. It was such an obvious alias, and it was no different from telling her exactly who he was. It was her, distracted and ignorant about the affairs of the Five Region Continents, who hadn't figured it out for such a long time.

Seeing that Meng Fuyao was somewhat absent-minded, Zhan Beiye appeared rather uncomfortable. He decided to divert the topic by reaching toward Meng Fuyao's coat. ”Why are you wrapping yourself up for. Remove it. I'll treat your injuries.”

Meng Fuyao allowed him to pull his coat up as she got to her feet and pushed him away. ”I'm going to take a shower. You better stay far away and not peep.”

”Shower?” Zhan Beiye sprung up. ”It's winter, and you're injured. Shower? Shower!”

He was absolutely triggered, but Meng Fuyao couldn't care less. She walked to a small stream while dragging his overcoat on the ground. Without a word, she jumped into the shallow water.

”Aish, aren't you afraid of drowning?” Zhan Beiye rushed over. Meng Fuyao waved an arm and his overcoat flew out of the water and slammed onto his body. By the time he was done placing it down, Meng Fuyao had already stripped and entered the deeper portion of the stream.

She was good in water, almost like a fish, and was able to hold her breath underwater for a long time.