Chapter 320: A good mama atones for her crimes with good deeds (2/2)

Alright, so he’s staying here. What about me?

Long Feiye didn’t say a word as he closed his eyes. He looked like he was sleeping, but he could be dozing off as well. Han Yunxi simply stood at his side, not knowing what to do. It felt like she should go upstairs to sleep since it was almost daylight. But protocol dictated that she wait upon her husband if he was here. After a period of internal struggle, Han Yunxi decided to sit by his side. She didn’t notice when Long Feiye’s eyelids fluttered opened to look at her briefly.

Time passed in the silent room. Even though it was getting brighter, Han Yunxi didn’t feel sleepy at all. She quietly looked at Long Feiye’s peaceful sleeping face and couldn’t help but wonder, Did he stay because he really had nothing else to do…? Or is he just giving me face?

She could admit that she couldn’t see through him, and even had trouble seeing through his thoughts with the simplest of things. The more she stared at him, the more foreign he felt. Just how many things do I still not know about him?

After a long period of silence, Lil Thing finally poked its head out from beneath the study table. It’d hidden there as soon as Long Feiye arrived, curled up so tightly that its bones had started to ache. Now that Long Feiye was asleep, it immediately scurried out and onto Han Yunxi’s body, nuzzling piteously against her.

Mama Yunxi, do you not want me anymore? Why are you letting such a scary cold demon sleep here? Too frightening!

Once again, Long Feiye’s eyes fluttered open. Lil Thing immediately sensed danger as its fur rose in hackles. It jumped off Han Yunxi’s hand and scampered out of sight like a streak of smoke.

“What are you excited over now?” Han Yunxi muttered in bewilderment. Again, she didn’t notice that Long Feiye wasn’t sleeping at all. He was only staying here for two hours, in the end. Eventually, Han Yunxi sat and sat until she fell asleep as well.

By the time she woke up, she found herself lying on the long couch with Long Feiye nowhere in sight.

Is he eating breakfast? She hastily got off the bed before realizing her feet were bare. Someone had arranged her shoes neatly on the side.

Did he do it?

A rush of warmth filled her heart before she ran outside in her bare feet–only to crash into Zhao mama on her way in. As soon as Zhao mama saw her bare toes, she admonished, “Esteemed wangfei, you…if His Highness saw, he’d be unhappy!”

“Where is he?” Han Yunxi asked.

Zhao mama’s good mood faded. “Since esteemed wangfei wouldn’t keep him, did you think this old servant’s bean curd could do the trick?”

Wouldn’t keep him? What kind of methods was Zhao mama thinking she’d use? Han Yunxi sat back on the couch and arched a brow at her. Struck with a guilty conscience, Zhao mama decided to ingratiate herself instead. “Esteemed wangfei, His Highness left as soon as it was daybreak. He said he had business to take care of at Hidden Pavilion, and that he’ll be back in a few days.”

Han Yunxi looked at her coldly without saying a word.

“Esteemed wangfei, that’s the first time His Highness has told this old servant…no, no, that His Highness has told esteemed wangfei about his whereabouts!” Zhao mama said with a grin.

Han Yunxi couldn’t keep calm anymore. “What’s he doing?”

“His Highness didn’t say. Esteemed wangfei, His Highness has tons of things to take care of,” Zhao mama answered.

Han Yunxi next asked with interest, “Where is Hidden Pavilion?” She knew of its existence along with the Solitary Enclosure, but she’d only gone to the latter. The Hidden Pavilion seemed like an even more mysterious place. Zhao mama started to chuckle.

“Esteemed wangfei, this old servant would definitely tell you everything I know. This old servant would rather you know as much as possible about His Highness!”

Urk…

Suddenly, Han Yunxi didn’t know how to answer. She forced a smile and pretended she didn’t hear her, but Zhao mama actually grew serious. “Esteemed wangfei, don’t keep wasting time with His Highness! This old servant can tell, His Highness dotes on you.”

When Han Yunxi still didn’t speak, Zhao mama’s words grew more sincere. “Esteemed wangfei, if there were 100 steps between you and His Highness and you took one step towards him, he’ll definitely finish walking the other 99.”

Han Yunxi felt rather pained by the words. She didn’t know how many steps she’d taken already, much less what Long Feiye took in turn. She only knew that the distance between them seemed very far apart.

“Esteemed wangfei, you…what’s the matter?” Zhao mama sensed that she’d grown solemn.

But Han Yunxi simply laughed. Her penetrating eyes were bright and luminous as she joked, “Zhao mama, can I take 99 steps instead?”

“Esteemed wangfei, this old servant was being serious. I wasn’t joking with you!” Zhao mama grew anxious.

Han Yunxi was still laughing. “This wangfei wasn’t joking, either! I’m telling the truth!”

Zhao mama felt rather helpless. Han Yunxi took the chance to slip again, her smile still hanging about her lips. She couldn’t help but mutter to herself, “How far away…is 99 steps?”

Han Yunxi didn’t rest, but reported to the General Baili’s estate first thing in the morning. Meanwhile, Gu Beiyue went to seek out Emperor Tianhui on his own…