Chapter 406: The duke’s rage dashes to the skies (2/2)

Long Feiye, I’m sorry. I never have enough self-confidence when I’m standing in front of you. That’s why I doubt your feelings.

“Answer me!” Long Feiye was close to going mad, his fury ever growing as he insisted on a reply.

Han Yunxi raised her head and said faintly, “It’s because I was scared…afraid that you wouldn’t want me anymore.”

There were too many reasons to list, but she probably knew the truest one best.

Long Feiye, I’ve worked so hard to take those 100 steps. I’m so afraid that you’ll back away from me–and walk away too far.

Long Feiye felt like something had bitten a piece of his heart, causing it to ache in pain. The feeling banished all of his anger, and he faced Han Yunxi’s clear, bright eyes with furrowed eyebrows. Suddenly, he felt a sense of helplessness when it came to this woman.

Han Yunxi, you’re afraid as well?

Who was the one who had the courage to kick her own sedan chair door and step through the Duke of Qin’s front gates? Who was the one with the gall to run away without a word and abandon me?

Who again, was the one with the guts to hold me back and insist on asking me whether I was jealous of Gu Beiyue?

Han Yunxi, you’ve tested your lordship’s boundaries again and again, and yet you’re still afraid?

Why wouldn’t Han Yunxi be afraid?

She’d done her best to walk to him, but he had too many secrets to keep. She didn’t know what he was thinking, nor did he answer her when she asked. Many times, she wouldn’t even know where he went or what he was up to.

How could she not be scared? Again, she hung her head; again, Long Feiye immediately cried, “Raise your head!”

She did so obediently and he gripped her by her chin, his eyebrows knitted as he stared at her.

“Your Highness, does it matter to you?” she asked in a low voice.

“It matters!” So speaking, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. A long time passed before he finally murmured, “In the end, it was your lordship who slipped up.”

The reason she’d been kidnapped in the Sky Pit was because he had been careless.

“Your Highness…” Han Yunxi wanted to speak, but Long Feiye pressed a finger against her lips. He didn’t talk, but simply held her firmly as he stared out to the vast and endless seas. His pupils were dark and unreadable.

Han Yunxi, you don’t know how much your lordship fears, even more than you…that’s why, your lordship has to finish many different things quickly. Before the Seven Noble Families come knocking at your door, I have to resolve everything!

A firm hug like his should’ve made Han Yunxi feel safer than anything, but she couldn’t help but sense unease–his unease.

Maybe I’m imagining things, she thought to herself. She planted a light kiss over his heart, unwilling to think or say anything else. It’s good that he’s still here.

Their warship headed for Tianning harbors. General Baili had been put in charge of affairs at Fishery Island and the shipments of fish to the various famine regions. As for Jun Yixie, even his superior martial arts and poison skills were a null point on Fishery Island. If he stepped even a foot away from shores, he’d be facing death to 10,000 arrows! He could only stand and watch as Long Feiye’s men hauled in the fish and sent them away. This feeling was worse than death!

General Baili finished up all business related to the fish before starting to talk shop with Ouyang Ningruo. Reality proved that even a man as shrewd as the merchant could suffer accidental setbacks. General Baili actually demanded a lion’s share of 1,000,000 dan of grain.

“General Baili, you know that Tianning’s the only country that produces grain. The entire nation had poor harvests last year, so we couldn’t buy much even at high prices!” Ouyang Ningruo said helplessly.

“Give as much as you’ve got. The rest can be sold at a discount from the market prices of the second month of the year,” General Baili came straight to the point. He didn’t know how to do business, but His Highness had long sent men to buy grain from the trade consortium. Back then, the consortium had offered to sell them at prices from the second month of the year.

His Highness Duke of Qin had plenty of money, but he was no fool. He didn’t like being taken advantage of, so he hadn’t bought the grain. Naturally, Ouyang Ningruo would’ve know about the trade consortium’s pricing as well. Now he had no choice but to admit defeat! After he signed the agreement on a contract, General Baili delivered Ouyang Ningruo to Baili Mingxiang’s boat and had him return together with his daughter.

Jun Yixie watched the ship sail off into the distance, furious enough to want to murder the merchant. But his own predicament became the more pressing matter.

What was he supposed to do now?