“What did you mean by what you said earlier?”
Feng Che’s carriage rolled steadily out of the palace. Unable to hold back any longer, Gao Zhi finally asked.
“What?”
Feng Che’s expression was calm, as though he genuinely didn’t understand.
“What you said earlier…”
Gao Zhi paused.
“You said I was exhausted.”
Too embarrassed to say the first two words, she deliberately left them out.
“Mm.”
Feng Che looked out the window.
“We had our wedding yesterday. There were so many complicated rituals, and you were busy from morning until night. You worked hard.”
“Really?”
Gao Zhi raised an eyebrow.
“You… didn’t mean anything else?”
“Really.”
【That’s a lie.】
Feng Che lowered his eyes.
“I didn’t mean anything else.”
【I can’t tell A-Zhi what I really meant.】
Gao Zhi’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe this was the same cold, rigid archenemy she had known since they were young, someone who had always seemed far more reserved than people his age.
He actually meant it that way!
“Did I say something wrong?”
Feng Che cautiously looked at Gao Zhi.
“Feng Zhao seemed rather unhappy just now.”
“Huh?”
Gao Zhi was stunned.
“Whether he’s happy or not, what does that have to do with me?”
“Oh…”
Feng Che shifted his gaze away.
“If you mind, I won’t say things carelessly in front of him next time.”
Gao Zhi hurriedly waved her hands. For the first time, she felt like a man caught between two women fighting over him.
“You misunderstood. I don’t think you said anything inappropriate. It was actually quite good. Don’t worry about what Feng Zhao thinks.”
The man gave a soft hum and turned back to look out the window, the corners of his lips faintly lifting.
According to custom, after entering the palace to pay their respects to His Majesty, they were supposed to serve tea to their parents-in-law. But since the late Prince Huai’an and his wife had both passed away, they instead went to the Lian family, Feng Che’s maternal grandfather’s household, to pay their respects to the elders.
The Ministry of Personnel’s residence was elegant and classical, with pavilions and towers arranged throughout the grounds.
In the main hall, Lian Xiao sat with his wife, Madam Xi, and accepted Gao Zhi’s tea before presenting her with the gifts they had prepared.
Lian Xiao had prepared several boxes of property deeds, while Madam Xi gave her an assortment of gold and silver jewelry, including several heirloom pieces of considerable value.
Gao Zhi thanked them one by one. Feng Che’s maternal uncle, Lian Wenzhe, and his wife, Madam Gu, had also prepared generous gifts for her.
The Lian family was remarkably generous. Fortunately, Madam Shao had reminded Gao Zhi beforehand to prepare return gifts as well.
The family atmosphere was warm and harmonious, much as Gao Zhi had expected, though there were also some differences.
Feng Che’s mother, Lian Wenyu, had been born to Lian Xiao and his late first wife. After losing his wife in middle age, Lian Xiao had taken Madam Xi as his second wife. She later gave birth to Lian Wenzhe and took charge of the household.
As Gao Zhi remembered, when they were at the academy, Lian Wenzhe would occasionally visit Feng Che and was very caring toward his nephew.
By all accounts, there seemed to be nothing wrong with the family’s relationship.
Yet strangely, in the ten years after Gao Zhi’s death, Feng Che had rarely returned to the Lian residence. He only came back every year on the anniversary of his mother’s death to accompany his grandfather.
He did not visit nearly as often as members of an ordinary close-knit family would.
“The children are here.”
A burst of footsteps sounded. Before Gao Zhi could react, a little ball of flesh had already crashed into her arms.
“Mother! You came to take Ting’er home!”
Wen Ting’s eyes curved into crescents as he smiled. His cheeks puffed up, making his little dimples sink deeper. He was adorable and utterly endearing.
“Mother.”
Wen Yan strode over and respectfully greeted her.
Wen Yu entered last, following a pretty young girl. She cautiously peeked at Gao Zhi before shrinking back behind the girl.
“Sister-in-law.”
The young girl approached, pursed her lips, and gave Gao Zhi a docile smile.
Hearing the form of address, Gao Zhi paused before quickly realizing that this was Lian Wenzhe and Madam Gu’s youngest daughter, Lian Qiao.
“A-Qiao.”
Gao Zhi smiled at her and quickly had Bai He bring over the gifts she had prepared for Lian Qiao and the three children.
“Why isn’t A-Yu greeting her?”
Lian Xiao looked at the little girl hiding behind Lian Qiao and frowned in displeasure.
Although the three children had been born to Feng Che while he was away and their mother’s identity was unknown, they were still Feng Che’s flesh and blood—and therefore Lian Xiao’s great-grandchildren.
Gao Zhi had put the past grievances aside and was still willing to marry Feng Che. Lian Xiao was grateful to her for that.
Over the past few days, with the Prince’s residence busy preparing for the wedding, Lian Xiao had worried that Gao Zhi would be upset by seeing the children, and he also feared that the guests might gossip. So he had suggested bringing the children to stay at the Lian residence for a few days.
Now that Gao Zhi had come to pay her respects, naturally the children had to return with her.
Lian Xiao was both worried and hopeful that the children would win Gao Zhi’s affection.
“…”
Wen Yu bit her lip and glanced at Gao Zhi.
“A-Yu, come see what Mother brought you.”
Madam Xi quickly stepped in to ease the tension, signaling for Lian Qiao to bring Wen Yu over.
Gao Zhi took the food box from Bai He and said gently,
“A-Yu, I bought some milk cakes and pastries from Sui Xu Zhai, as well as some of the sweet printed cakes that have been popular lately. Have some.”
“…”
Wen Yu lowered her head without saying anything.
Feng Che glanced at the little girl.
“Wen Yu, why aren’t you thanking her?”
Wen Yu’s eyelids trembled.
“I… I’ve gotten used to living frugally with Father this past year. I’m not used to eating such delicate pastries.”
Gao Zhi froze.
Wen Ting, however, immediately grabbed a milk cake and stuffed it into his mouth, eating happily.
“Sister Yu doesn’t eat it, so I will! It’s super yummy!”
Gao Zhi patted his head.
Wen Yan glanced at Wen Yu, picked up a pastry, and took only one bite before explaining on his sister’s behalf.
“Mother, A-Yu is probably afraid that if she eats pastries now, she won’t be able to eat later.”
“Then she can eat them later.”
Gao Zhi smiled without taking offense, but she noticed that Wen Yu still refused to look at her.
Feng Che frowned.
“Wen Yu, that’s rude.”
Wen Yu’s eyes reddened, and she stubbornly hid farther behind Lian Qiao.
Gao Zhi saw this and discreetly tugged at Feng Che’s sleeve. Only then did he stop criticizing the girl.
Madam Gu smoothed things over.
“She’s just shy around strangers. She’ll be fine once she gets used to you.”
“The food is ready too. A-Zhi and A-Che have just come back from the palace, so they must be hungry.”
Madam Xi said, “Let’s go to the dining hall first.”
Except for Lian Wenzhe’s eldest son, who was away traveling, the whole family gathered noisily around the table. Gao Zhi occasionally answered Madam Xi’s questions and chatted with her, while occasionally stealing glances at Wen Yu.
The little girl was only seven years old, with a childlike, plump, adorable appearance. Gao Zhi had seen her in her previous life, but had never paid close attention to her.
Looking at her now, it was clear that the saying that daughters resemble their fathers was indeed true.
Of the three children, Wen Yu looked the most like Wen He.
In her previous life, however, she had foolishly believed that all three were Feng Che’s children.
Her gaze shifted to the other two children.
Although Wen Ting was young, he was lively and loved to eat, so he required no effort from the adults during meals.
Wen Yan, the eldest, on the other hand, ate slowly and reluctantly, as though every bite were a punishment.
As far as Gao Zhi knew, Feng Che had spent the past year fleeing the Liao people’s pursuit with the three children. They had endured wind and rain and slept wherever they could, so their meals certainly could not have compared to the delicious spread before them.
Yet of the dishes she had placed in Wen Yan’s bowl earlier, he had eaten only two bites before gripping his chopsticks and letting his gaze drift into the distance.
Gao Zhi admittedly didn’t know how much an eight-year-old child should eat.
But he shouldn’t be eating this little.
“A-Yan, aren’t you going to eat some more?”
Gao Zhi asked softly, originally intending not to draw anyone else’s attention. But Lian Xiao had already been watching the children’s interactions with Gao Zhi. Seeing Wen Yan eat so little, he couldn’t help scolding him.
“Your mother put so many dishes in your bowl. Why aren’t you eating more?”
Wen Yan tightened his grip on his chopsticks and nodded slightly.
“Yes.”
Although he agreed, Gao Zhi noticed that Wen Yan was chewing very slowly, and his complexion grew paler with every bite, as though he were desperately enduring some kind of discomfort.
“If you’re full, you can stop.”
Gao Zhi covered Wen Yan’s hand and spoke softly.
A glimmer appeared in Wen Yan’s eyes.
“Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
Gao Zhi smiled. Seeing Wen Ting wolf down two bowls of rice and then rub his stomach repeatedly, she said to Wen Yan,
“Why don’t you take your little brother for a walk? He ate too much. It’ll help him digest his food.”
Wen Yan nodded vigorously in gratitude. After greeting the elders, he took Wen Ting out of the dining hall.
“A-Zhi certainly has a gentle temperament.”
Madam Gu spoke softly.
“But children still need to be taught properly. If we let them indulge themselves and refuse to eat properly, that won’t do either.”
Gao Zhi pressed her lips together.
“I don’t think A-Yan is being picky. Perhaps he had some snacks before the meal, and he also ate some of the pastries I prepared. I was worried he might eat too much and have trouble digesting it.”
Lian Xiao hummed.
“A-Zhi, you’re very attentive. Wen Yan is a sensible child, but I’ve noticed he hasn’t been very focused during meals these past few days. I’ll have to trouble you to pay a little more attention to him once you return.”
Gao Zhi nodded.
“Of course.”
Feng Che spoke up.
“Grandfather, rest assured. We’ll both look after the children.”
After lunch, they had to set out for the Prince’s residence. Wen Yan and Wen Ting got into the carriage first, but Wen Yu hid behind Lian Qiao and refused to leave.
“Perhaps A-Yu has gotten used to staying with A-Qiao these past few days.”
Seeing that the little girl refused to leave, Madam Gu smiled.
“Why not let her stay at the Lian residence for a few more days? Once she’s had enough fun, we can send her back.”
Feng Che looked at Wen Yu and asked calmly,
“You want to stay here?”
Wen Yu bit her lip and nodded.
“Is that okay, Father?”
“Then behave yourself and don’t make the elders worry.”
Feng Che brushed the stray hair from beside the little girl’s temple behind her ear.
“I’ll have Uncle Shang Lu come pick you up in a couple of days.”
Wen Yu nodded and agreed.
Gao Zhi knew that the little girl didn’t like her, so she didn’t say anything. After getting into the carriage with Feng Che, she didn’t expect someone to come running after them.
“Sister-in-law.”
A pleasant female voice came from outside the carriage.
“There’s something I want to tell you.”
Wen Ting was busy pestering Wen Yan to play with the Nine Linked Rings Gao Zhi had given them, completely unaware of what was happening outside.
Feng Che noticed Gao Zhi looking at him and gave her a slight nod.
“Go ahead.”
Gao Zhi got out of the carriage and saw Lian Qiao panting slightly. She handed over the food box she was carrying.
“Sister-in-law, I made these chestnut cakes. Take them home and try them. My elder brother used to love these.”
“Thank you. You went to all that trouble to make pastries for me.”
Gao Zhi quickly thanked her.
“Don’t be so formal, Sister-in-law.”
Lian Qiao bit her lip and glanced at the carriage before taking Gao Zhi’s hand.
“Sister-in-law, Wen Yu is just being childish. Don’t take it to heart.”
“I’m not upset. I actually like Wen Yu very much.”
Whether Lian Qiao believed her or not, Gao Zhi was telling the truth. After they parted, Gao Zhi went straight back into the carriage and handed the food box to Feng Che, who was seriously watching the children play.
“Lian Qiao made it.”
“Mm. You eat it.”
Feng Che didn’t take it, seemingly uninterested.
“She said these are your favorite.”
Gao Zhi took out a chestnut cake. The familiar fragrance brought a faint memory from deep within her mind.
“Have I eaten pastries she made before?
“One year, when Instructor Wang punished me by making me copy texts and forbade me from eating, you brought me a plate of chestnut cakes. They smelled very similar to these.”
Feng Che took a sip of tea without answering immediately, as though trying to remember whether such an incident had really happened.
Wen Ting was drawn over as well. He picked up a piece of chestnut cake and popped it into his mouth, his eyes gleaming with curiosity as he looked between Gao Zhi and Feng Che.
“Were Father and Mother classmates before?”
Gao Zhi paused to nod at Wen Ting.
“Did Father already like Mother back then?”
“Cough, cough…”
Feng Che choked on his tea. A faint flush spread across his fair cheeks. He patted Wen Ting on the head and scolded him.
“Don’t… talk nonsense.”
Gao Zhi raised an eyebrow. She picked up a pastry and offered it to Wen Yan, but the little boy shook his head to indicate that he was still full. So she put it into her own mouth instead, then leisurely came to Feng Che’s rescue.
“Your father only cared about studying when he was at the academy. He wasn’t like you, little one, with your head full of all these mischievous thoughts.”
Wen Ting stuck out his tongue and tugged at Gao Zhi’s sleeve, rubbing against her as though acting spoiled.
Feng Che’s hand slowly tightened beneath his sleeve. While Gao Zhi coaxed Wen Ting, he kept glancing at her from time to time. Finally unable to endure it any longer, he picked the little boy up and moved him aside.
“Adults are talking. Children aren’t allowed to interrupt. Go play with your brother.”
Gao Zhi glanced at the man. His lips were pressed tightly together, and he looked somewhat unhappy.
“Why didn’t you get out of the carriage just now?”
Feng Che said calmly, “Lian Qiao was looking for you, not me.”
“Then what about the question I asked earlier?”
Gao Zhi was curious.
“Was that box of chestnut cakes you brought me back then made by Lian Qiao?”
“…It was too long ago. I don’t remember.”
Feng Che looked away.
【How can A-Zhi remember things so well…?】
Gao Zhi’s eyelid twitched.
【But… does this mean I occupied such a large part of her memories too…?】
The man’s inner thoughts were cautious, filled with what seemed like secret delight and contentment.
His handsome face was slightly lowered, the tips of his ears quietly turning red.
Gao Zhi found it astonishing.
So Feng Che had so many sides to him… that she had never known about.
He was truly… quite interesting.
After returning to the residence, Gao Zhi arranged rooms for the two children while Feng Che returned to his study to handle official affairs. When it was time for dinner, Shang Lu came over with a message.
“Princess Consort, Master says that starting tonight, he’ll sleep in the study.”
Gao Zhi froze.
Although Feng Che had announced on their wedding night that if they found themselves incompatible after a year, they would separate, and that during this period he would not let her touch him, she hadn’t expected them to formally sleep in separate rooms so soon.
Gao Zhi had never considered separating from Feng Che.
As for this one-year agreement, a promise made by only one person could hardly be called an agreement.
Gao Zhi had never intended to accept it from the beginning.
Feng Che had feelings for her. In her previous life, he had done so much for her, even sacrificing his own life for her.
If she still chose to separate from him, then she would truly be a fool.
Where in this world could she find another man more devoted to her than he was?
But she could see that Feng Che still had burdens in his heart that he had yet to let go of.
It didn’t matter.
Now that they were married, she could afford to wait.
Late at night, when all was quiet, Gao Zhi finished bathing and came out of the bathing room.
After returning, she had thought about it for a long time. She still felt that something had been wrong with Wen Yan during lunch. Now that she was their stepmother, she naturally had to take responsibility as a mother. So she was about to send Chan Yi to the children’s courtyard to tell them to come over for lunch the next day.
But when she walked around the screen, she saw the man sitting in his wheelchair with a book in his hands. At the sound of her footsteps, he raised his head.
Yet the moment his gaze landed on her thin moon-white gauze dress, his pupils contracted several times. He hurriedly lowered his head, the tips of his ears quickly burning red.
“Why are you here?”
Gao Zhi froze.
“Weren’t you going to sleep in the study?”
Feng Che’s back stiffened. He gripped the armrests of the wheelchair and turned his face away.
“I… have something to tell you.”