Chapter 703: My life is up to me, not the Heavens (2/2)

And yet, further thinking left her puzzled again. “Wasn’t it?”

Finally, she grew annoyed and decided to visit the Han Estate sometime. If she asked Lady Helian in person, she’ll find out whether she was mistaken–or whether the woman was hiding something. In fact, she already knew which method she’d use for interrogation.

Late at night, the streets were silent as if the entire world had fallen into a dream. As the lamps of the Leisurely Cloud Pavilion lit up, Han Yunxi was framed in the windowsill. She’d almost forgotten how long it had been since she stood here last to stare at Long Feiye’s quarters in the distance. As before, his lamps were lit. Addicted to the spot, she poured herself a cup of tea and simply leaned against the window frame to stare. The skies were filled with stars and the breath of summer.

Long Feiye hadn’t gone to bed, but was still in his study. The Annals of the Seven Noble Families was resting on his desk, open to the page on the Wind Clan. A single ebony wood bookmark marked his place. He sat in his chair while leaning back, his long legs resting on the windowsill as his hands pillowed his head. From this angle, he could just see Han Yunxi figure in her window. This was a secret even Han Yunxi didn’t know. Of course, she knew even less about the countless nights that Long Feiye had sat staring at her in the dark with his lights off while pondering her origins.

Only Chu Xifeng knew that His Highness Duke of Qin, despite rarely frequenting the estate, had come back daily these nights.

Han Yunxi, how long did it take you to like Long Feiye? He spent countless sleepless nights before he liked you…

Eventually, Han Yunxi hit the bed and went immediately to sleep. In her dreams, she could faintly feel someone scratching her face. Her eyes opened groggily and saw Long Feiye standing by her bed, gently stroking her cheek.

“What did you do last night? Still not getting up?” He observed her from above. Actually, he hadn’t gone to sleep until he saw her close her window, so he knew exactly what she’d done.

With a start, Han Yunxi looked out the window and discovered that it was barely daylight. Because they were leaving in secret, they had to get up early. She was about to rise when she suddenly clutched her sheets to her chest. Without a word, Long Feiye understood and turned to descend the stairs.

“I’ll wait for you downstairs for breakfast.”

Han Yunxi assumed he’d climbed up to see her and privately cursed Zhao mama for not waking her up. But actually, Long Feiye gave the old woman a fright when he came down. Did His Highness Duke of Qin climb in through the window last night again?

Her two masters were very strange. They had such huge sleeping quarters with a nice circular bed, but insisted on sleeping together in the tiny twin bed upstairs? What kind of hobby was this?

When Han Yunxi finished washing up and went downstairs, she was greeted by Zhao mama’s ambiguous gaze. She stared back in confusion.

“Anything wrong?” Han Yunxi asked.

“N-nothing,” Zhao mama smiled and shook her head.

“Then what are you staring for?” Han Yunxi asked again.

“Esteemed wangfei’s complexion looks quite well. Still, some mending is required,” Zhao mama chuckled.

“If my complexion’s well, what’s there to mend?” Han Yunxi’s appetite disappeared as soon as she thought of aged chicken soup.

“Your body, ah. His Highness is full of vitality and vigor,” Zhao mama murmured in a soft voice.

“What does that have to do with mending my b–” Abruptly, Han Yunxi understood and narrowed her eyes. She was about to scold Zhao mama when Long Feiye’s appearance made the urge shrivel up and die. She pretended that nothing had happened at all.

“Your Highness, the carriage is already waiting out back. This old servant has handed responsibilities for board and lodging to Xu Donglin and Uncle Gao. Now that East Jing’s river waters are rising, you can take a ferryboat. Setting out today will take you to the City of Daughters within a week,” Zhao mama said simply before she withdrew, afraid to disturb them further.

“What were you two talking about just then?” Long Feiye asked.

“Nothing,” Han Yunxi definitely wouldn’t reveal it. She silently ate her breakfast while peeking at Long Feiye’s face as Zhao mama’s words swirled in her head.

Full of vitality and vigor…

Does this guy…have that?

Long Feiye was concentrated on eating, but still managed to ask, “What are you staring at?”

“Noth…I didn’t sleep well last night,” Han Yunxi still didn’t dare to voice her thoughts out loud. Actually, there was no need for questions. Eventually, she’d experience that vigor for herself.

After breakfast, they went to the back gates and saw Gu Beiyue waiting by the exit on his wheelchair. He was dressed all in white, looking like a beautiful immortal beneath the sunlight.

“Your Highness Duke of Qin, esteemed wangfei, may you have smooth journeys!” he said sincerely. Then he took out Lil Thing from his sleeve. “Esteemed wangfei, don’t leave Lil Thing behind. He can be a valiant general as well.”

Lil Thing didn’t know Mama Yunxi and Papa Long were going to Celestial Mountain. As it woke up sleepily, its gaze trailed from Mama Yunxi to the gentleman before finally resting on Papa Long. Though the sight didn’t make its fur stand on end as before, it was still dejected by the vision. It was about to burrow into Mama Yunxi’s sleeve when it saw the horse carriage and realized they were going out. Although it didn’t want to leave the gentleman, it was about time to return to Mama Yunxi’s side. Its first mission was to protect Mama Yunxi!

Lil Thing waved a paw at Gu Beiyue until he smiled and waved back. The sight made Lil Thing wish it could wave at Gu Beiyue until the end of the world. Still, it was afraid of Papa Long and didn’t waste too much time. Soon enough, it went to hide inside Han Yunxi’s medical pouch.

Before leaving, Han Yunxi made sure to instruct, “Gu Beiyue, when we come back, how about meeting us at this same gate? But next time, on foot!”

“No,” Gu Beiyue replied seriously. “This one will stand by the gates of the city. May you two return peacefully!”