Chapter 47

Wei Fu was so frightened that she begged for mercy repeatedly. Her throat tightened, and she said dryly, "Young Master, you have misunderstood. I did not bully Fu'er."

"We were just joking, weren't we, Miss Fu'er?"

At this point, Fu'er couldn't answer her at all.

Because she had never seen Ning Shiyu like this before, she forgot to react.

Ning Shiyu increased the pressure by two degrees and said coldly, "But I never joke with people."

When he released Wei Fu, Wei Fu took a few deep breaths and started coughing.

With trembling legs, the girl supported Wei Fu with a look of terror on her face.

By the time she calmed down, Ning Shiyu had already left Narcissus Garden with Fu'er.

On the way back, Ning Shiyu pulled Fu'er along quickly.

When they were almost at Lingyan Pavilion, Fu'er forcefully shook him off.

His voice was unsteady and trembling slightly, "Then Miss Wei said that you are the princess's son and the emperor's nephew, is that true?"

Ning Shiyu's gaze was complicated. He wanted to get closer to Fu'er, but she kept her distance.

Without needing to answer, Fu'er already knew from their years of getting along that he had tacitly agreed.

Tears welled up in her eyes and slid down her face.

She thought she wouldn't care, much less be sad.

Even now, I can't help but feel sad.

"So you've been lying to me all along. No wonder the people at the Ning residence say I'm stupid."

"That's really stupid."

"However, I am just a servant girl, and you are the master, so it doesn't matter if I lie to you."

Fu'er seemed to be trying to convince herself to feel better.

Seeing her so heartbroken, Ning Shiyu disregarded Mu Li's presence and strode forward to embrace her tightly.

She said with heartache, "You have never been a servant, and I have never been a master."

"I have my reasons for doing this."

"Go back and let me explain it to you properly, okay?"

"No need, Your Highness. I was ignorant of etiquette in the past, but I won't be confused anymore. Let Mu Li take me back."

Hearing her indifferent tone and the change in how she addressed him, he realized she was becoming distant.

Ning Shiyu also started to panic.

Although the body he was holding was warm, he could see that there was no affection left in her eyes when she looked at him, and even her breath was cold.

Ning Shiyu hugged her tighter, tears welling in his eyes, and leaned close to Fu'er's face. "Fu'er, I'm going to Chang'an in a couple of days. It's possible... I won't be able to come back."

"Can you spend some time with me these next two days?"

Ning Shiyu then realized that he might not be able to return this time.

The one I miss the most is Fu'er.

This girl stayed by his side, enduring countless moments of loneliness and vulnerability.

Her appearance brought life and warmth to his barren heart.

Countless times when I was sad, she would stay by my side and secretly wipe away my tears.

When he was sick, she would gently stroke his back with her small hands, singing a tune that could soothe his restless heart.

He has exhausted all his strength to avenge his parents.

He fulfilled his promise to his maternal uncle and the help he received from his younger uncle.

The only person he cared about and felt guilty about was Fu'er.

His wish to treat her well has yet to be fulfilled.

Life is unpredictable and there are too many variables. It is very likely that this will be the last time he and Fu'er meet.

Fu'er looked blankly at Ning Shiyu, 'She can never come back, and she'll never come back.'

There are still differences.

Fu'er's heart tightened, and she murmured, "What do you mean by never being able to come back?"

Ning Shiyu kissed Fu'er's earlobe and whispered in a trembling voice, "That's right, she died in Chang'an."

Before Fu'er could recover from her anger, she was suddenly told something else.

A dull pain swept through her body, just like the one she had heard from Granny Yu last time, when she said that she was in danger in Lingnan.

"You're just trying to scare me. This time I won't... worry anymore."

"With so many guards, you were fine even in Lingnan, how could you die on your way back to Chang'an?"

Seeing that she was still worried about him, Ning Shiyu felt motivated.

Ignoring Fu'er's shoving, he picked her up and carried her into the yard.

He strode into the room and placed her on the couch.

His expression was somber. "Because this time I'm going to enter the palace and face my enemy face to face."

"If we're not careful, we won't be able to come back."

"What if I can't come back by then..."

Fu'er panicked and covered Ning Shiyu's mouth, saying, "No, you brought my amulet, you won't die."

Fu'er hated herself for not being able to remain indifferent to Ning Shiyu's life or death.

Ning Shiyu felt a warmth in his heart and immediately kissed Fu'er's lips and forehead.

Her gloomy mood improved considerably, and she chuckled, "With my lucky charm, I'll be fine."

"I will definitely come back safe and sound and take you to Chang'an."

"Then how about you spend some time with me these next two days?"

Fu'er didn't know how to answer. Considering his current status, she knew she should stay away from him.

But one's own body is honest.

Every time Ning Shiyu kissed her, held her, or even made love to her.

She was always cheerful.

Although she knew she shouldn't continue indulging in this, she didn't want to reveal her true thoughts to Ning Shiyu at this time.

Let this be the last time I indulge myself in this secret passage.

"So, once you return safely from Chang'an, will you be leaving Lingyang for good?"

Ning Shiyu did not notice the bitterness in Fu'er's eyes, and assumed that Fu'er wanted to go to Chang'an as usual.

He lifted her onto his lap, patted her head, and smiled, "Yes."

"I'll come pick you up then, and I'll grant you whatever you want."

A tear slid down Fu'er's cheek, and she smiled, "You said it yourself, you'll agree to whatever I want."

After dinner, a light drizzle started again, and Fu'er stayed at the Prince's residence.

Ning Shiyu had exhausted her all night, keeping her occupied until dawn.

Fu'er finally fell asleep just before dawn.

The following day, Ning Shiyu spent the first half of the day discussing important matters in the Qin King's study.

This mission is of great importance, and we must make thorough preparations before we go.

The King of Qin assigned several hundred elite soldiers to Ning Shiyu.

The King of Qin and his son did not sleep all night, still quite worried about Ning Shiyu and his grand plan.

The bluish marks under their eyes were faintly visible.

"Yu'er, remember this: if this plan fails, retreat immediately."

"Your safety is also very important. I can't let anything happen to you."

"As for your younger brother..."

The King of Qin immediately realized his mistake and quickly changed the subject.

"Anyway, we have a tough battle to fight with the Cui family. At worst, it will take a long time."

Ning Shiyu seemed much calmer than his uncle. "Don't worry, Uncle. This trip to Chang'an will definitely not be in vain."

When Ning Shiyu returned to Lingyan Pavilion, Fu'er had not yet woken up.

Just then, Zhuang Xing woke up and reported, "Master, Granny Yu, Uncle Jiu and Uncle Hong have arrived and are waiting for you in the study."

Ning Shiyu then left the bedroom.

The group managed Ning Shiyu's residence, business, accounts, and intelligence.

When the three of them saw Ning Shiyu gather them together, they all knew that something important was about to be discussed.

"I will be leaving for Chang'an tomorrow. Before I go, I have a few things to tell you."

"If this trip to Chang'an does not go well, the three of you will not return to Chang'an."

Ning Shiyu's gaze was somber, tinged with a faint sorrow.

As soon as he finished speaking, the three of them exclaimed in unison, "Young Master?"

Granny Yu was most worried. Disregarding etiquette, she asked, "Master, has something happened?"

Ning Shiyu's return from Lingnan brought her a great sense of relief.

Before he could even return to his residence, he had to go back to Chang'an.

"There's no need for you to ask, Granny. I can't reveal too much this time."

"Remember, if I don't return, you stay in Lingyang and take good care of... Fu'er."

Mentioning Fu'er again still stung Ning Shiyu's heart like a sting.

"Everything I own in Lingyang belongs to her."

"She will be your master from now on."

The three of them were stunned and looked at each other.

Uncle Hong hesitated for a moment, then confirmed, "Does the young master mean that your residence and shops in Lingyang belong to Miss Fu'er?"

"Exactly."

Ning Shiyu's expression was resolute, the pain in his eyes undiminished, yet without any hesitation, "This is also why I called you here today."

"However, there's no need to rush to deal with it. If I haven't returned in a month..."

"Then he went to the county government office and transferred the private property to her."

Granny Yu and Uncle Hong dared not answer, for they could not believe that their master would suffer such misfortune.

Only Uncle Jiu responded in a low voice, "Don't worry, Master, I will assist the two of them in handling this matter."

At this point, he voiced his question, "What should we do if the young master is found one day?"

Ning Shiyu, feeling depressed, got up from behind his desk, strolled to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked out over the window lattice into the courtyard.

Fu'er has woken up and is talking with Princess Wei.

He was too far away to hear what the two were saying.

But you could see the shyness on Fu'er's face.

His solemn expression vanished abruptly, his eyes softened, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Suddenly, he changed his mind; regardless of the mission's success or failure, he had to return.

Besides family feuds and national affairs, he also had Fu'er.

Only he himself knows how fortunate he is.

He was willing to give her his private property, but he couldn't bear to let her marry someone else.

After figuring all this out, I felt much better.

Seeing that he hadn't answered for a long time, Uncle Jiu thought he was about to give up and assured him, "Young master, rest assured, as long as I have a breath left, I will not let anyone give up searching for the young master."

Uncle Jiu was also General Ning's former subordinate, having followed him through thick and thin for many years.

Of course, they didn't want their master's bloodline to be lost to the outside world.

"Your subordinate has not yet reported the good news about the young master to the master."

“Our men found the jade pendant on the young master at the pawnshop. I believe that following this clue will lead us to him.”

Ning Shiyu turned around happily, "Really?"

Uncle Jiu's expression was not as gloomy as before, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face. He then handed the jade pendant engraved with the young master's name to Ning Shiyu.

Ning Shiyu said excitedly, "It's Xun'er's."

Then Ning Shiyu took out half of the jade pendant that he wore close to his body, and the style and pattern were exactly the same.

When the two jade pendants are placed close together, their edges fit together perfectly, and their patterns are seamlessly connected.

In an instant, they were pieced together to form a complete jade disc.

All of them looked excited.

“I remember my mother saying that if Xun’er ever blames her in the future, she should show him this jade pendant.”

Ning Shiyu didn't understand in the past that her mother had plenty of good jade and could just carve another piece.

Only then did he understand that this complete jade disc was like his mother's heart, one piece given to Ning Shiyu and the other to his younger brother.

In the end, he gave his life for his father.

Even without Xun'er, she still had half a heart, though she was depressed all day long.

But there is still hope.

But without his father, his mother would also die.

This realization came too late; he had even blamed his mother in the past.

They left him alone.

Now that he himself has found someone he loves, he can understand his mother.

"Your subordinate, I was going to report this yesterday, but the young master has not returned to the manor."

"If the young master recognizes him, how should we arrange for him?"

Ning Shiyu's expression brightened, and his tone became much more cheerful.

"No need for accommodation, I will return safely and handle things myself."

His words brought a smile to the faces of all three.

As the three were leaving, Fu'er happened to see them coming out.

The way Uncle Hong and Uncle Jiu looked at her was more meaningful than usual.

Granny Yu smiled and took her hand, saying, "Good girl, you are blessed, just like your name suggests."

Then Uncle Hong and the others left Lingyan Pavilion.

When Fu'er heard Granny Yu say this out of the blue, she looked at Ning Shiyu, who came out of the study, with a puzzled expression.

She was wearing a crimson ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).

Her hair was casually tied up in a bun, making her look much more gentle and graceful.

"What were you saying to the nanny and the others just now?"

Ning Shiyu pulled the person into his arms and whispered, "Is it nothing?"

"After lunch, shall I take you boating in the garden where we went last time?"