Xue Ning was stunned—it was actually the string she had given him last time?!
She never imagined Feng Xian would actually wear it. After all, as a member of the Tianhuang Guizhou, what treasures hadn’t he seen? How could he truly wear the prayer beads she had given him?
“Fifth Miss, why do you keep staring at me?”
Feng Xian suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Xue Ning. His gaze was cold and unrestrained, yet tinged with laziness, catching Xue Ning off guard.
Xue Ning clenched her fingers, quickly averted her gaze, and lowered her head again.
From Feng Xian’s perspective, he could just see her fair, slender neck and exquisitely defined jawline. The dappled sunlight fell upon her, and her trembling lashes resembled butterfly wings.
Feng Xian’s gaze deepened as he stared at her for a long moment before finally looking away.
“I asked you a question. Have you gone mute?”
Xue Ning replied softly, “This humble girl merely didn’t expect Your Highness to believe in Buddhism.”
Because he believed in Buddhism, that was why he wore the prayer beads.
But Feng Xian laughed. His handsome face was half in sunlight, half in shadow, appearing both striking and terrifying, like Yanluo emerging from hell.
“This agarwood bracelet of yours was quite thoughtfully made, infused with the scent of Fotang sandalwood. After I kill someone, it’s quite useful for calming the mind.”
Xue Ning’s heart, which had just begun to relax, tightened once again. It had to be said that speaking with Feng Xian was truly frightening.
Seeing her as timid as a quail, Feng Xian’s thin lips curved slightly. The two fell silent.
He had never believed in Buddhism—it was merely a refuge for the weak. If there truly were deities in this world, why had they never saved him?
In the end, he still had to exact revenge with his own hands. Only bloodshed could bring peace to those who had been wronged.
As Xue Ning saw the carriage approaching Xue Zhai, she breathed a sigh of relief and spoke softly.
“Thank you, Your Highness. The street ahead is crowded. The carriage can stop here. I dare not trouble Your Highness further.”
Feng Xian sneered but did not agree. Instead, he looked at her and said, “I rarely perform a good deed in a day. In Fifth Miss’s eyes, is it so shameful? Are you trying to anger me by burning bridges like this?”
Xue Ning widened her eyes and looked at Feng Xian. “Your Highness, I absolutely did not mean that.”
Feng Xian couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. “Then sit still.”
Xue Ning was anxious but dared not provoke Feng Xian further. She obediently complied, hoping he would leave once she alighted from the carriage.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of Xue Zhai.
Xue Ning stepping down from the luxurious Donggong carriage inevitably drew sidelong glances from those at the entrance.
Xue Ning bowed to Feng Xian in gratitude.
Not far away, Xue Mingzhu happened to witness this scene. She gritted her teeth in jealousy, wondering when Xue Ning had managed to befriend the deposed Crown Prince Feng Xian.
Although the Crown Prince had been deposed, everyone knew that the title was merely nominal. Feng Xian still held immense power, and no one in the capital dared to provoke him.
Xue Mingzhu recalled earlier when she had taken people to “catch them in the act,” only to hear that her cousin Zhao Pan had been beaten unconscious by Feng Xian’s Jinyiwei at the entrance of Ningyuan Houfu.
Xue Mingzhu’s face had turned deathly pale on the spot. She wanted to ask the people of the Houfu what had happened, but as soon as the incident occurred, Miss Jiang had dispersed the crowd. Since it involved Feng Xian, no one dared to say a word, fearing they would become the next Zhao Pan.
Xue Mingzhu hurried back to the mansion in a fluster, fearing that her instigation of Zhao Pan might be exposed. Seeing Xue Ning unharmed and alighting from Feng Xian’s carriage only heightened her anxiety.
“Father!”
Upon spotting Xue Youdao, who had just returned from court, Xue Mingzhu quickly formed a plan and rushed toward him with a look of urgency.
Xue Youdao asked with concern, “What happened? Mingzhu, why do you look so pale?”
Xue Mingzhu pointed toward the mansion’s entrance. “It’s all my fault for failing to keep an eye on Ningning. She went to Ningyuan Houfu earlier and… I’m not sure what trouble she caused, but my cousin Zhao Pan was beaten a hundred times by His Highness the Crown Prince and fainted from the pain. Ningning was personally escorted back in His Highness’s carriage. I’m worried… if Ningning gets too close to His Highness, it might affect your standing in court…”
Xue Youdao’s expression immediately darkened. “What a disgrace!”
Fuming, Xue Youdao stormed toward the entrance. Xue Mingzhu secretly rejoiced, thinking she had struck first. Even if Xue Ning tried to explain later, no one in the family would believe her.
Just as Xue Youdao caught sight of Feng Xian on the carriage, his anger toward Xue Ning was instantly dampened by the Crown Prince’s piercing gaze.
Xue Youdao bowed. “Your Highness, my daughter Xue Ning must have caused you trouble. I beg your forgiveness. I will take her back and discipline her properly. Please, for my sake, spare her this once. I will ensure she never appears before you again to cause displeasure.”
In just a few words, Xue Youdao made his intentions clear. Feng Xian glanced at him with disdain—truly an old fox among court officials who never took sides.
Xue Youdao’s meaning was clear: he wanted to sever any connection between Xue Ning and Feng Xian, with no intention of seeking a marriage alliance.
Feng Xian looked down at Xue Youdao’s bowed figure and spoke after a long pause.
“Minister Xue, you are indeed at fault. Your legitimate daughter was invited to the Marquis’s residence, yet she had no carriage. Is this neglect of your own daughter, or an intentional slight to Ningyuan Houfu? Even I find it hard to overlook. As Libu Shangshu, your etiquette is sorely lacking. I begin to doubt your competence in serving Dazhou with dedication.”
Cold sweat dripped down Xue Youdao’s back as he bowed even lower.
“I have been remiss. Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. I will correct my ways.”
Feng Xian let out a mocking chuckle and turned away without another glance.
Only when the carriage had completely vanished from the street did Xue Youdao straighten up and wipe the sweat from his brow.
He glared furiously at Xue Ning. “Xue Ning, this is all your fault! Why did you go to Ningyuan Houfu today? Did you secretly follow Mingzhu there?”