Chapter 51 Chapter 51 A strange sense of belonging.
When returning to the inn, Mu Qi said that he had someone else to meet and would not go with them, so Mu Xi and Ji Lian went back together.
The journey was not far, so Ji Lian asked Mu Xi if she wanted to take a walk, and Mu Xi agreed.
"Xi Niang is rejecting me so much because she doesn't want to form an alliance with the Second Prince?"
There are not many pedestrians on the street at this moment. The streets are very busy during the day and just after dark. At this time, the small vendors who have been busy all day have gone home.
Mu Xi thought for a moment and said, "I'm not rejecting you, I just don't know you. You're a stranger to me. Isn't it right to be wary of someone you can't completely trust?"
Ji Lian didn't say anything, so Mu Xi continued, "But if you sense that I'm rejecting you, and if this is clearly happening after she showed up, then maybe it's definitely related to her."
Mu Xi didn't want to deny her resistance to getting involved in these troublesome things. She just... didn't want to do things that she didn't like to do.
"What does Xi Niang want me to do?"
Mu Xi thought for a moment and said to him, "If possible, pretend that you have never found me."
A look of helplessness flashed across Ji Lian's eyes. Mu Xi chuckled, "But now this matter is no longer something you can control alone, right?"
Likewise, Ji Lian did not deny it.
It was natural for him to think that Mu Xi was willing to form an alliance with him and work for the Second Princess. He brought the Second Princess to Mu Xi without informing her. If he told her at this time that he would let Mu Xi leave, the Second Princess would definitely not agree.
Seeing the regret in his expression, Mu Xi sighed softly, "Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. Didn't you say that she was the one who told you I was still alive? Even if you didn't bring her to see me today, it was only a matter of time before she saw me."
Ji Lian walked silently beside Mu Xi. Seeing her stretching, he bit his lip and couldn't help but ask, "Xi Niang left me because you chose Feng Han?"
Mu Xi turned to look at Ji Lian. She originally wanted to deny it immediately, but at the same time she thought about the complicated relationship between her and Feng Han, which was completely different from that between her and Ji Lian.
It was not accurate for her to tell Fenghan that she had feelings for him and that it was a made-up choice. But it was also not accurate to say that she had no feelings for him and had not chosen him.
She passively chose to save Fenghan's life in a way that was rather excessive and too intimate for two people who knew each other.
"It's hard to explain to him...
Ji Lian smiled bitterly. "It seems that it's at least more complicated than between you and me. He lied to you like that, and it's still so difficult for you to leave him, but I'm so..."
He seemed to have thought of the Second Princess's existence, and after a pause, he said, "I wanted to treat you well so much, yet you chose to leave me without even a moment's hesitation."
Perhaps the difference in the time of acquaintance has a certain relationship with this result.
Mu Xi thought that Feng Han pretended to be her fiancé at the time and tried hard to create an atmosphere of acquaintance with her, but in fact they were strangers. Under the subtle influence, the two people who were not very familiar with each other gradually deepened their understanding.
Ji Lian was a real acquaintance of the original owner, but a complete stranger to Mu Xi.
This led to Ji Lian considering every aspect from the perspective of acquaintances, or even family members, from the very beginning. He skipped the adjustment period directly. He thought that there was no need for an adjustment period between him and Mu Xi, which would push Mu Xi further away.
"I don't want to get involved in these things. At least it really has nothing to do with other people. It's just my personal wish."
Ji Lian was silent for a while, and when Mu Xi yawned, he suddenly spoke in a low voice: "He may not really have no connection with the royal family. Xi Niang chose him, so these things are inevitable."
Mu Xi turned to look at Ji Lian, who said seriously, "Although that secret decree was a secret decree, there is more than one competitor for the Second Princess. This matter is of great importance, and everyone is working hard to ascend to the supreme position. Feng Han only showed up a little earlier than me, so why did he come to you? Is it really unrelated to this matter?"
He will die if he can’t find me, Mu Xi said in her heart.
But there was no way to tell Ji Lian this.
At the same time, Mu Xi was also thinking about the possibility of what Ji Lian said.
Noticing that Mu Xi was deep in thought, Ji Lian continued to coax her, "Xi Niang, think carefully. During the time he spent with you, did he reveal any people or clues related to this matter?"
Mu Xi saw clearly that Ji Lian was simply deducing the problem based on the answer.
Because when Ji Lian found Mu Xi, the two of them seemed to have already reached a very close stage. He didn't know about the Impermanence Tribulation and the Refining Heart Bug, so he naturally wondered why Feng Han was looking for Mu Xi? And naturally, he wondered why Feng Han went to such great lengths to prevent him from finding Mu Xi?
Since this matter is so important and concerns the foundation of the country, Fenghan has put in so much effort and done so many things, it is impossible that he has nothing to do with this matter.
Mu Xi hesitated.
Of course she knew that Fenghan's first priority in finding her was to survive, but what else?
Mu Xi was silent.
She felt that she was one step further away from the freedom she wanted.
"He hasn't revealed any clues that could be related to this matter," Mu Xi said.
Ji Lian immediately said, "But Xi Niang can't deny that he is a scheming man, right? He didn't say it before, maybe he just wanted to lead you deeper step by step."
That's true.
Mu Xi felt that this was in line with Feng Han's personality.
He actually has enough patience, otherwise he would not have won the battle with his mother.
Seeing that Mu Xi didn't refute, Ji Lian's Adam's apple moved up and down, and he added anxiously: "If he hadn't repeatedly prevented me from finding you, we would have met a long time ago. This man is so scheming. Even if you don't choose me, Xi Niang, don't let him deceive you again."
Mu Xi didn't say anything, just smiled and shrugged.
Regardless of whether Ji Lian's words were meant as revenge against Feng Han or a friendly reminder to Mu Xi herself, she only considered it the latter.
Until the two returned to the inn, Ji Lian was still reminding her, using similar words.
Mu Xi could only nod slightly and told him that she knew what was going on.
When Mu Xi returned to her room again, feeling dizzy and disoriented, it was already very late.
When she was hesitating whether to find a carriage to go to Bitian Villa, she suddenly noticed that there seemed to be someone behind her.
She drank too much alcohol today, so it was a good thing she didn't fall down completely, but her reaction speed was affected and slowed down a lot.
Before she could even scream, the other person covered her mouth.
With this familiar smell and feeling, Mu Xi immediately recognized who was holding her in the dark.
"Why are you here?"
"I've been waiting for my wife all day. Why hasn't she come back? Didn't we agree to celebrate the festival together?"
Mu Xi: “…”
Who agreed with him? It wasn't me.
But it’s just right that I don’t have to make such a trip!
Mu Xi broke free from Feng Han's arms and looked at Feng Han in the faint moonlight that streamed into the room.
He looked lonely and looked unhappy, but he was dressed very handsomely.
"Are you okay?"
When Feng Han heard the four words Mu Xi asked him, he was slightly startled, and the corners of his mouth turned down, looking like he was about to cry.
"What do you think, my lady?"
Mu Xi realized later that they didn't seem to be on the same channel.
She was asking about whether he was physically safe, but Fenghan seemed to be asking about his own mental health.
Fenghan looked both pitiful and aggrieved.
Mu Xi put aside other thoughts and whispered to him, "I have something very important to tell you."
She raised her finger and pointed to the next room, which was Ji Lian's room.
Mu Xi didn't say it out loud, but used her mouth to convey the message to Feng Han, "I can't let him hear this. Do you have any ideas?"
Feng Han successfully received the message, frowned, blinked, and then thought of something. His eyes lit up slightly and he nodded.
Finally, he quietly took Mu Xi out of the window, and the two went to the lake that Mu Xi had left not long ago.
A thought flashed through her mind, "Did you know I've been here before?"
Feng Han's expression of no surprise said it all before he even opened his mouth.
"If my wife goes on a boat trip with him and the other two to admire the moon, I will definitely not be able to resist and attack him. He will definitely come here alive and die."
Feng Han's eyes were still lonely, with an added hint of murderous intent.
But Mu Xi didn't hear that he cared about her, she extracted other information from it.
Feng Han knew that they were not alone in admiring the moon while boating together, so he must have seen the Second Princess Mu Qi. However, he was not confused about who that person was, as he probably knew her identity a long time ago.
Mu Xixin sank and said nothing.
Feng Han looked at her and his tone returned to normal: "Didn't my wife say that she had something important to tell me? There's no one else here."
It was already late at night, and besides them, the only other people here were the drunkards who had not yet finished their entertainment on the lake.
Mu Xi didn't say anything. Feng Han looked at her with concern and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Suddenly I don't know where to start." Mu Xi said.
Feng Han seemed to have guessed what she was going to say to him, although he was wrong.
He asked, "Is it about the princess's fight for the throne? Is that what worries my wife? Or is it because she learned that her ancestors were related to the royal family? Can't make up her mind?"
Mu Xi looked into his clear eyes and asked, "You know?"
"I know a thing or two."
Feng Han finished speaking, thought for a moment, and added, "I'm not entirely sure. Beiqu Pavilion has no connection to the imperial court. In fact, apart from Feiming Valley ten years ago, the only one truly colluding with the royal family and able to influence certain major events is Wuyue Tower. My wife and Ji Lian were once...engaged. Before I came to find you, I did some research."
"Then why have you never told me about it?" Mu Xi asked him.
Feng Han's expression froze for a moment, his eyes filled with doubt. "Madam, do you wish to be trapped in these things? I always thought you would still want to return to the life you had back then in Luan County."
Mu Xi was stunned for a moment, and it seemed as if spring water melted in her heart, rippling out circles of light and comfortable ripples.
"Really? You think so?"
Feng Han carefully observed Mu Xi's expression and spoke softly, "My lady, you know. At first, I was too narrow-minded. I originally planned to abandon your life after getting what I wanted. Later, I never thought of that again. Even when I decided to give up my life, I had already thought of leaving a way out for my lady."
To put it nicely, it was abandoning her life; to put it bluntly, it was taking something and killing her to silence her.
Mu Xi understood.
And you might get angry the first or second time you hear this kind of thing, but after hearing it so many times, it seems like you become immune to it.
Mu Xi didn't say anything.
Feng Han's heart began to beat fast. He asked anxiously, "Madam, are you trying to help Mu Qi fight for power?"
He was anxious not because he was worried that Mu Xi would choose to side with the Second Princess.
In Feng Han's opinion, Ji Lian had already been the Second Princess's man. If Mu Xi betrayed her original goal and gave up her quiet and peaceful life, what other reason could there be except because of Ji Lian?
"Of course not." Mu Xi said, "I still yearn for a free, unrestrained and ordinary life."
Feng Han was obviously relieved. Mu Xi looked at him, "But now that she's found me... No, according to Ji Lian, she found me long ago. It's not that easy for me to get away."
"Don't worry, my lady." Feng Han mustered up the courage to hold Mu Xi's hand, looked at her affectionately, and said, "I'm here."
He said: "As long as there is something you don't want to do, I can definitely help you solve it all."
Mu Xi was actually a little moved.
Feng Han can at least compete with Ji Lian. Since he said so, maybe he can really get out of this complicated matter.
But Mu Xi didn't dare to trust him easily and completely.
Fenghan has a long criminal record, and lying to her is a common occurrence for him.
The most important thing is, if she successfully escapes from the Second Princess with Feng Han's help, will there be a more troublesome person waiting for her on Feng Han's side?
Returning to the starting point, Mu Xi still didn't know if she could, should, or could trust Feng Han.
Feng Han seemed to see through this——
"I told my wife I won't lie to you again."
Can men be trusted?
Although it was not written in the textbook, Mu Xi could immediately think of a bunch of examples to illustrate his point without having to look for them. The answer was of course no.
She silently pulled her hand back, trying to save herself.
Feng Han frowned when he saw Mu Xi's reaction, "Madam, you still don't believe me?"
Mu Xi looked at him and said, "I don't know whether I should believe you."
Feng Han's face turned pale, and he nodded gently. "I know I've done so many wrong things, and my wife doesn't trust me. I deserve it. But I will do it. I will speak with facts. One day, my wife will trust me wholeheartedly."
Mu Xi did not forget the important matter that she had originally planned to discuss with him at Bitian Villa.
She blinked and asked Feng Han, "Are you feeling unwell today?"
Feng Han was stunned for a moment, then he took Mu Xi's hand and gently placed it on his chest. He looked at her intently and said, "Because I'm sad, I'm in constant pain here. Does that count?"
Mu Xi: “…”
Even though the two of them had done such intimate things more than once, at this moment, Mu Xi felt a little embarrassed.
Of course not.
And who can prove whether what this kid said is true or not...it sounds like the truth.
Mu Xi pulled her hand back and asked him helplessly, "Apart from that?"
Feng Han looked at her drooping hands, pursed his lips, and whispered, "I don't remember, maybe not."
Mu Xi then asked him, "Did Doctor Bai take your pulse today?"
"I don't remember." Feng Han looked listless.
Mu Xi blinked twice and found that he was staring at her hand. Could it be because she didn't let him hold her hand?
Sighing, Mu Xi took the initiative to hold Feng Han's hand. Sure enough, the next moment this person seemed to come back to life, and his eyes lit up instantly.
"Do you remember now?" Mu Xi asked him.
Feng Han stared at her and nodded obediently: "Yes."
Mu Xi looked helpless, "Didn't Doctor Bai say anything wrong?"
Feng Han thought about it and said, "I really don't remember this. I probably didn't say it."
Mu Xi thought that she really should not have said it. If Mingyu and Yingzhang had found something wrong with Fenghan, they would not have been so silent as they are now. Her surroundings would have been plunged into an unpleasant bustle.
"I have to see her."
After Mu Xi finished speaking, Feng Han frowned, "Madam, are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
“…”
Mu Xi did not answer directly, but thought for a moment and showed him the wound on her finger.
"The deep one was made by bleeding last night, and the shallow one was made today because I found that yesterday's wound hadn't healed, so I tried to make another one, but it still hasn't healed yet."
Feng Han frowned and held Mu Xi's hand in his own, letting go of the fact that it had not healed.
Ask her, "Why did you bleed last night?"
Mu Xi opened her mouth, hesitated between concealing and confessing, and finally confessed.
"You had a high fever and passed out last night, so Doctor Bai came to see me."
Feng Han's eyes widened slightly. "My wife came to see me last night?" After saying that, the surprise faded and he frowned again. "No one told me."
"I told them not to say it." Mu Xi patted his hand, "Can you please clarify the key point of the matter first? Is this the most important thing now?"
Feng Han thought calmly for a moment and nodded to Mu Xi. He seemed much more energetic than when he was in her room. He had been lifeless before, as if he had just crawled out of the underworld.
Others stole sheep while Fenghan stole horses, but he left the silver behind.
Mu Xi and Feng Han rode a horse together back to Bitian Villa. Feng Han looked in a good mood on the way.
He pressed himself against Mu Xi's body and whispered in her ear, "I knew my wife still cared about me."
Feng Han was talking about how Bai Yi had called Mu Xi to the Bitian Villa last night to give him bloodletting treatment.
Mu Xi did not refute, but said: "Since you are in such a good mood, don't blame Doctor Bai for coming to see me."
Feng Han smiled but said nothing.
There was also silence in Bitian Villa. Everyone was asleep, and only the lights in the yard where they lived were still on.
As soon as Mu Xi and Feng Han entered the door, Ming Yu and Ying Zhang came out to greet them.
"Sir, Madam."
Mu Xi nodded to them and said, "Go find Doctor Bai."
Ying Zhang rubbed his eyes. It was obvious that this person had dozed off before they came back.
"Now?"
While he was still asking, Mingyu had already gone to do something.
Mu Xi was silent for a moment and gave Ying Zhang another task.
Although she was not sure, Mu Xi was worried that when Ji Lian found out that she was not in the inn or resting in the room next to her, he would come directly to Bitian Villa to find her.
If it comes suddenly and without warning, Fenghan's secret might be revealed.
After hearing this, Ying Zhang immediately came to his senses. However, seeing that his master was so happy that Mu Xi had returned, he also became happy.
"Don't worry, my lady. The last time he was allowed in was an accident. It was a little girl from the outer courtyard who colluded with him. That won't happen this time. The little girl is under our watch. It won't be that easy for him to sneak in quietly again."
Mu Xi said this, thinking that Feng Han was there too. After all, it was his own business and he knew what to do with his subordinates, so he didn't say anything more.
The two entered the house and found the familiar bedroom, which was exactly the same as when Mu Xi was there.
Mu Xi stayed in the inn for a few days, met the so-called nobles again, and learned some of the original owner's family history. She felt confused about her future.
Now that I'm back, I inexplicably feel a strange sense of belonging.
At that time, she only had to interact with Feng Han, and the only questions she needed to think about were: "When will Feng Han recover? When can I leave?"
What lies before Mu Xi now seems like a fog, and she cannot see the way forward.
Feng Han carefully observed Mu Xi's expression, "What's wrong, my lady? You look worried?"
Mu Xi shook her head, looked at him, and asked, "My wound healing ability has disappeared, which may mean that the ability of the Heart Refining Bug in my body has disappeared. Aren't you afraid?"
Feng Han was stunned for a moment, then sighed, "If even my wife can't save me, then there's nothing I can do, but at least I don't feel anything unusual yet..."
He paused, smiled and blinked at Mu Xi, and asked her, "If I really am dying, would you be willing to accompany me during the last days of my life?"
Mu Xi didn't say anything.
Feng Han asked again: "What about saying that my wife loves me too? Whether it's true or false, as long as my wife says it, I feel like I'm willing to die the next moment."
Mu Xi: “…”
She tried to hold it back but couldn't.
She asked, "Did you drink a lot today?"
Feng Han shook his head and said, "I cooked a lot of food for my wife, and even made mooncakes, but I couldn't wait for you. Later, I tasted it, and it was really unpalatable. No wonder my wife would rather spend the holiday with Ji Lian than come back. When I thought about this, I lost my appetite."
Mu Xi looked at his dejected and frustrated expression and spoke softly, "It's not just him, you know that, and... I originally planned to come back to find you after I woke up and discovered this problem, but I got stuck and couldn't leave for a while."
After saying that, Mu Xi watched Feng Han smile. "Really? My wife originally wanted to come back and celebrate the holiday with me?"
...That's not what I meant.
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