Chapter 38 Even a branch can enter the Idle Cloud Pavilion, that's quite something...
It was late at night, but Baidinglou was brightly lit and bustling with customers.
On the second floor of Baidinglou Villa, Ling Feng stood by the window, gazing at the city lights. His eyes fell upon the teacup filled with swirling smoke. He turned to look at Qing Shan, who had been waiting with him for nearly half an hour, and took the teacup.
Qingshan brushed the foam off the tea and took a sip: "Are you sure that the group that attacked Jingqing was the one Biezhi encountered outside the city?"
"Just a guess." Ling Feng didn't dare to be certain. "A while ago, Biezhi sent me a letter, which explained what happened. They used arrows as a signal, and assassins don't usually use swords. Just now, when Jingqing was sober, the details he told me were almost identical to what Biezhi mentioned."
“They’re almost the same, but that’s a difference.” Qing Shan patted his shoulder, turned around and walked to the tea table, putting down the teacup in his hand.
Upon hearing this, Ling Feng frowned and looked in the direction of his figure, not understanding what he meant: "To be able to injure his vital points without using a sword is something that ordinary people cannot do."
“Biezhi still uses a sword, so he can defend himself.” Qingshan met his gaze, remained silent for a moment, and then asked, “But Jingqing is no good either. Did he choose to join Youxu Pavilion because he is inferior to others in other aspects?”
Ling Feng sensed the doubt in his words about both of their testimonies, and his brows furrowed deeper. "What do you mean?"
Qingshan smiled and said, "It's just normal communication, so don't be so alarmed."
“They’ve been with me since they were little, and I know them very well.” Ling Feng slammed his teacup down heavily and said, “If you have evidence, then provide it. Don’t make baseless guesses without evidence.”
Qingshan raised an eyebrow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
If others said such things, Ling Feng would simply pretend he hadn't heard of it. But Qing Shan was different. He had been by the prince's side for many years. Even if the prince didn't take it to heart when he first heard it, if he became suspicious, it would only do them harm.
Furthermore, he couldn't be sure whether this suspicion arose from Qing Shan himself or if the prince already harbored this suspicion; Qing Shan was merely reminding himself of it.
Thinking of this, his eyes darkened slightly.
Hearing faint footsteps, Ling Feng snapped out of his reverie. In an instant, the door was pushed open from the outside, and upon seeing the person who entered, he bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.
Qingshan, who was standing behind him, bowed and withdrew, closing the door behind him.
Having removed his disguise, Fu Huaiqing walked to the table, glanced at Ling Feng, signaling him to sit down and talk. He then sat down and said, "I've said it many times before, Uncle Ling, you don't need to be so polite with me when no one is around."
He had repeatedly excused Ling Feng from the formalities, and Ling Feng had repeatedly found excuses to refuse, the reasons for which he had also mentioned to him.
Firstly, although he and the Imperial Concubine had known each other for many years and were from the same school, he did not want to break the rule and let others follow suit. Secondly, since the Imperial Concubine entered the palace, the two of them had not seen each other for many years, and when they met again, everything had changed. Being able to call him Uncle Ling was already a favor.
Fu Huaiqing couldn't persuade him, so he let him be.
Ling Feng stepped forward, picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and handed it over: "I've come here today because I need something from Your Highness, so I have to be polite."
Fu Huaiqing paused for a moment, his fingertips holding the teacup. He thoughtfully raised his eyelids to look at the man standing opposite him with a slightly solemn expression, and nodded knowingly: "I know, Uncle Ling came today because of Biezhi and Jingqing's matter."
"Yes." Ling Feng replied without hesitation, "I really can't rest easy knowing that they've both been attacked one after another."
“I have already given the order, and the rest of the pavilion will also keep this matter in mind,” Fu Huaiqing said.
Ling Feng had naturally heard about this matter long ago, but since only two of his subordinates had been killed, and they were his apprentices whom he had raised, how could he wait for the outcome with peace of mind?
Looking at the man whose expression was unreadable, he sighed and said, "Your Highness knows that I am getting older. After those two, I have not personally taught any disciples for many years. In a sense, they are my last disciples."
When he took them in, he was not as young as the others and had long thought about stopping personally taking on apprentices. However, he made an exception for the sake of the two of them.
“No one cares about them anymore. As their master, I naturally have to take on this responsibility.” Ling Feng remained silent for a moment, then looked at the man opposite him and said, “I know that Your Highness does not intend to get too involved in other matters. Leaving Jing Qing aside, let’s talk about other things.”
Fu Huaiqing stopped tapping his knuckles on the table and looked at him silently.
Ling Feng sensed the unfathomable aura that suddenly rose in his eyes. He paused for a moment and met his gaze: "It was only because Your Highness took a liking to her that she was allowed into the Xianyun Tower. That's why Your Highness ordered me to investigate and bring her into the tower. Your Highness should bear most of the responsibility for her safety."
Similarly, the same applies to her major life events.
However, Ling Feng only thought about this and swallowed the words he was about to say.
Fu Huaiqing leaned back in the armchair, his dark pupils flashing with elusive light and shadow.
Ling Feng's words were true. Among the hundred or so people in Xianyun Tower, the first person to encounter Biezhi was himself, who was still a prince and had not yet been crowned king. He was knocked to the ground by her falling from the sky on his way to his teacher's residence.
The guards rushed over, lifted the little girl who had fallen on top of him, and held her body close to their waists.
At that moment, Fu Huaiqing had just stood up and hadn't even had a chance to speak when she saw her pout and burst into tears. Large tears fell to the ground one after another, and she cried so loudly that her voice echoed through the sky. Anyone who didn't know better would think that they had done something to her.
This was the first time he had ever seen someone cry like this, so much so that it resembled the wailing of ghosts and howls of wolves, with no regard for appearances whatsoever.
The guard holding the little girl was dumbfounded. He quickly covered her mouth with his hand, but she cried even harder, which gave Fu Huaiqing a headache. He signaled the guard to put her down.
No sooner had the guard put her down than the little girl stopped crying and bumped her head into his stomach. Despite being only a tiny girl, she knocked off the guard's foot, who was quite skilled, and he stumbled and fell to the ground.
The little girl who hit the person ran away as fast as she could.
It was around that time that Fu Huaiqing vaguely realized that she seemed different from ordinary people, so he sent Ling Feng to investigate. If possible, he could also take her into Xianyun Tower.
Within half a day, Ling Feng sent him a message.
Since then, a young girl has been added to the Xianyun Tower.
Later on, she was always taken care of by Ling Feng.
Fu Huaiqing heard news of Biezhi again on the eve of her coming-of-age ceremony. Ling Feng came to ask for a date for her to go to Lijia Village. Only then did he realize that the little girl who cried so much back then was now almost of coming-of-age age. Even so, their relationship had not changed.
Even before he disguised himself as Jiran, the mission arrangements were all conveyed through Qingshan.
However, what Fu Huaiqing did not expect was that even so, she still harbored deep resentment towards him.
Ling Feng gazed at the man who remained silent for a long time. His expression was calm, and it was impossible to guess what he was thinking. Ling Feng carefully said, "Of course, Uncle Ling did not ask Your Highness to treat her as your own daughter. I just hope that Your Highness can consider her a little. Then I will have no regrets about her after I die."
"Uncle Ling, you flatter me." Fu Huaiqing's thoughts returned.
Upon hearing this, Ling Feng knew that Biezhi had already taken it to heart and was afraid that he might suddenly think of something else and change his mind, so he immediately said, "In that case, I will thank Your Highness on behalf of Biezhi."
Ling Feng glanced at his face again and vaguely sensed that he seemed to be in a particularly good mood tonight. Seizing the opportunity, he asked the question that had been elusive until now, "Xu Wenche's trip to the capital is fraught with danger. There are others in Qingyin Pavilion whose skills surpass those of others, so why is it that she is the only one?"
He still didn't quite believe the answer given some time ago. Even if Xu Wenche only liked to befriend good-looking men and women, there were other good-looking and highly skilled assassins in Qingyin Pavilion. Why did it fall on Biezhi?
Moreover, he truly couldn't fathom the deeper meaning behind what Qingshan had said not long ago.
Among those in Xianyun Tower who have had dealings with Hezhou recently, only Biezhi has done so. Could it be that the Prince suspects her...?
Biezhi received this mission first, followed by the bounty order from Hezhou. Unless the prince had already received the news and was waiting for them to come to him, intending to capture them all in one fell swoop.
Ling Feng frowned slightly, trying to guess his thoughts: "Does Your Highness suspect that she is involved in the bounty order in Hezhou?"
Fu Huaiqing lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze falling on Ling Feng's hands, which were crossed on the table. Ling Feng unconsciously rubbed the back of his hands with his fingertips, his inner unease evident.
"Of course not."
He reached out and picked up the teapot, letting the water from the slender spout slowly drip into the teacup in front of Ling Feng. He only stopped when the tea was about to overflow. "Uncle Ling doesn't want me to treat her better. The Qin family is the best choice I can give her."
Naturally, when Fu Huaiqing made this decision, he also had the intention of making amends.
He had used her as bait to lure others out of seclusion, so he should give her a corresponding reward, both morally and logically. Ten thousand taels of silver was nothing more than a decent identity, which would be more beneficial for her future.
However, it doesn't seem like a good choice right now.
Fu Huaiqing stared at the floating tea foam, his expression darkening.
Ling Feng, who was standing to the side, immediately understood what he meant and was stunned.
With Prince Su's power, he could easily pass off a fake as real. Even if many people harbored doubts, he could certainly make it clear that Biezhi was the second daughter of the Qin family. The identity of the second daughter of the Qin family could bring Biezhi something that Xianyun Tower could not provide.
only……
Ling Feng recalled what Bie Zhi had said some time ago: if it turned out that she was the second daughter of the Qin family, would the Qin family, with its background, be able to accept a deaf man as their son-in-law?
He pursed his lips and asked tentatively, "I wonder what Your Highness's thoughts are regarding the matter I discussed with you a few days ago?"
When Ling Feng mentioned the marriage between Biezhi and Jiran to him, he only received the reply that it would be discussed again. Now it is time to discuss it again. If it is not discussed now, it will be even more difficult to discuss it later.
Fu Huaiqing feigned ignorance: "What does Uncle Ling mean?"
Ling Feng hadn't expected that he had forgotten about this matter, and solemnly repeated, "There is a man whom Biezhi admires, named Jiran. I am thinking of arranging their marriage. What does Your Highness think?"
Upon hearing this, Fu Huaiqing chuckled coldly to himself.
The man I admire.
Silence.
Even though she knew that the loneliness the other branch spoke of referred to herself, she still felt uneasy.
There are countless men in the world named Jiran, but he himself is not even remotely related to those two words.
He said indifferently, "Not so much."
Ling Feng: "..."
He thought about it and realized that he hadn't explained things clearly before, only saying that Ji Ran was deaf, unable to hear or speak. He was just now thinking that the prince should consider other men more. If the prince was considering it, he probably intended to find a better man.
“Actually, I think that when considering other people’s feelings, we should naturally prioritize their preferences.” Ling Feng said while observing Fu Huaiqing’s expression. Seeing that Fu Huaiqing’s expression was somewhat calm, as if he agreed with his words, he said, “So, since she has finally met a man who cares about her, we, as elders, should respect her thoughts.”
Upon hearing his last words, Fu Huaiqing, who was casually leaning back in the armchair, stiffened for a moment, looking at Ling Feng with an inscrutable expression. "As her elder?"
Ling Feng was slightly stunned upon seeing this, not understanding what was wrong with that statement.
Although Biezhi is only six years older than the Prince, according to the rules of Xianyun Tower, his status is far higher than others, and it is not wrong to call him an elder.
Ling Feng thought for a moment and said, "Biezhi has always regarded his master as an elder since childhood, as a sign of respect."
Fu Huaiqing: "..."
He didn't really want that respect.
If Qin Xiao and Jing Qing are willing, he is happy to give it to them.
Fu Huaiqing's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He stared at her silently for a long while before saying, "Since that's the case, let her come to me, her elder, and have a proper talk with me."
The man's clear, cold voice was like a frozen pool in winter, with emphasis placed on the word "elder." Ling Feng listened carefully and could even detect a hint of gritted teeth.
He truly hadn't expected that Fu Huaiqing would care so much about age.
But thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. No young man would willingly have a younger relative who is only six years younger than him, so it's normal for him to care.
After pondering for a moment, Ling Feng met his slightly dark gaze and replied on behalf of Bie Zhi, "Didn't Your Highness arrange for her to go on a mission? Naturally, she won't be able to come here anytime soon."
"Is that so?" Fu Huaiqing asked slowly and deliberately.
Ling Feng nodded: "Indeed."
Fu Huaiqing looked past his figure and towards the door behind him, saying indifferently, "I heard that she went to see Jing Qing today."
You have time to see Jingqing, but no time to see yourself?
Ling Feng frowned. Logically speaking, since Bie Zhi was on a mission, he shouldn't have left Xu Wenche's side. However, normally if others left the target for no more than an hour, Fu Huaiqing wouldn't care too much. He didn't know why Fu Huaiqing was being so difficult to talk to today. He could clearly tell it was an excuse, and normally he would have let it go. Why was he holding onto it so tightly today?
"I only stayed for a short while, and left after sitting for less than half a cup of tea."
Fu Huaiqing knew this, of course.
He smoothed out his expression and said, "In that case, I should go and see him."
Go and see how their mole did things.
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