Chapter 159: A show of strength, you asked for it (2/2)

‘You don’t mind’ were already words enough to drive Duanmu Yao mad. But Grand Concubine Yi had asked her so nicely that she had to act graciously even if she was unhappy. Smiling, she replied, “Of course…I don’t mind!”

Han Yunxi was perfectly content. She laughed and said, “Then Yunxi shall take her leave first.” So speaking, she turned and elegantly walked away. Her steps and posture were natural and unrestrained, unnoticed by all except Long Feiye. He’d long raised his head to look after her retreating form, his lips forming into a satisfied curve.

Han Yunxi hadn’t made an appointment with anyone. She went back to Leisurely Cloud Pavilion, where Zhao mama had already prepared a table full of tasty and delicious dishes. She was plainly hungry, but had no appetite once she picked up the chopsticks. Nor did she know what she wanted to eat.

“Esteemed wangfei, the kitchens prepared many dishes tonight, so your servant secretly brought back some portions just for you. Quick, have a taste,” Zhao mama urged. Of course she knew that His Highness’s junior sister had arrived, but since esteemed wangfei hadn’t accompanied them, she didn’t dare to ask more.

“Have they started the meal over there?” Han Yunxi asked simply.

“Just now,” Zhao mama replied truthfully.

Han Yunxi mused, That flask of ten-year old snow wine should be opened by now, too. Long Feiye must really like that wine to still remember it.

She picked up a few stalks of vegetables and did her best to eat, but in the end still had no appetite. Finally, she decided not to eat at all. Instead, she changed into a set of clothing and prepared to go out for a walk. Unexpectedly, she saw Long Feiye sitting in her yard, facing her door as she stepped out. Her footsteps paused as she unconsciously backed up a step. When did this guy come over? What’s he doing here instead of accompanying the guest of honor? Is he here to settle accounts on Duanmu Yao’s behalf?

Seeing her back away, the amused curve on Long Feiye’s lips deepened. Mildly he asked, “Who did you make an appointment with?”

Han Yunxi didn’t approach him, but stared as she replied honestly, “Chenqie had no appetite and made one up as an excuse.”

“Where are you planning to go?” Long Feiye asked again.

What’s it to you? Han Yunxi whispered in her heart. Yet she typically held a healthy dose of reservations against this fellow, so her answer came docilely, “I just want to go out for some air.”

“In a bad mood?” Long Feiye asked further.

Han Yunxi avoided the question and asked back, “Your Highness isn’t accompanying the honored guest right now? Isn’t that improper?”

But Long Feiye simply replied, “Your lordship has no appetite and wanted to get some air as well. Let’s go.” So speaking, he stood up and started walking towards the exit to the courtyard.

Han Yunxi was floored. What did this fellow mean? Was he abandoning his junior sister? Wasn’t he going to open that flask of snow wine? Was this…all right? Long Feiye had already made it to the exit while Han Yunxi was still standing in place, looking at his lofty back. She felt as if everything was a little unreal.

Long Feiye glanced back and asked coldly, “Han Yunxi, you’re still not coming?”

Han Yunxi was still hesitant until Zhao mama shoved her forward from behind, completely pushing her out of the house. Seeing that she came out, Long Feiye’s lips rose into a smile. He didn’t say any more, but turned to leave. At this, Han Yunxi turned around to give Zhao mama a fierce glare, but she’d long disappeared. Then she looked at Long Feiye’s distant form. After some internal debate, she finally hurried after him.

Long Feiye walked in front, while she kept three paces behind him. They walked in silence the entire time. After passing by the flower gardens, Han Yunxi darted a glance at Grand Concubine Yi’s Peony Courtyard. It was well lit with lanterns, but she couldn’t imagine Duanmu Yao’s mood right now. Still, she knew that it had to be terrible. Thinking up to here, she couldn’t help but be secretly delighted.

She kept her gaze on the courtyard as she walked, until she suddenly crashed into Long Feiye. Immediately, Han Yunxi backed away, assuming that she’d ran into his back. But when she looked up, she saw that this fellow was facing her instead.

He..when did he turn around?

“What are you looking at?” Long Feiye asked.

Curiosity killed the cat was a saying that Han Yunxi had long buried in the back of her head. She asked probingly, “Your Highness, you should still go over and spend some time with them, right?”

“The food and wine there aren’t suited to your lordship’s tastes,” Long Feiye seemed impatient. This time, he didn’t wait for her at all, but walked away at a rapid pace. Han Yunxi was forced to jog to keep up.

The food and wine didn’t suit his tastes?

Han Yunxi puzzled over these words, feeling that they carried double meanings. Still, she wasn’t sure exactly what Long Feiye meant, much less his stance on Duanmu Yao and the marriage alliance. She mused back and forth before finally suspecting whether this fellow had been forced. Was it just like last time, when Emperor Tianhui had made him marry her?

—

It was already the end of the year, so the streets were extremely lively. Lanterns and streamers lined the sides as everyone prepared and shopped for New Year’s. Business at the vendors’ stalls were booming. After leaving the Duke of Qin’s estate, their figures were quickly swallowed up into the crowds. Han Yunxi kept her spot behind Long Feiye while walking the whole time. Long Feiye didn’t turn back to look at her, but clearly slowed his steps as if afraid of losing her in the crowd.

Han Yunxi really had no idea where this man wanted to go. She followed him at a sedate pace, but suddenly stilled her steps. She discovered that the Tender Fragrance Teahouse she’d visited recently had been sealed and closed down!