17
In just the span of one incense stick, the procession of carriages came to a stop at the grand gates of the Li General’s residence.
Li Yue Haili peered through the window curtain her mother lifted, and amidst the crowd of villagers who had gathered to watch, there was a group of people standing in wait.
The young girl immediately recognized them—they were her ‘family.’
Li Taixuan dismounted his horse and bowed respectfully to the Old General Li and his wife, who stood waiting with dignified postures.
The young man, dressed in a deep red robe, had a handsome and chiseled face filled with a sense of determined righteousness.
“Taixuan greets Father and Mother.”
The Old General surveyed his eldest son, and for a brief moment, memories of his late wife surfaced.
Though Li Taixuan didn’t resemble his mother much, his smile bore a seven-tenths similarity to hers.
“It’s good that you’ve returned.”
The Old Furen’s hands, which were clasped together, tightened slightly upon seeing her husband’s reaction.
However, her face remained adorned with a kind smile.
“I haven’t seen you for so long, I’ve missed you dearly.
When I heard you were returning to Da Feng, I was overjoyed.
But why didn’t you inform us sooner?
If I had known, I would have ordered new clothes to be made to welcome my daughter-in-law and grandchildren.”
Li Taixuan merely smiled, not arguing back.
From what his own wife had mentioned, even Su Bo knew about the emperor’s decree summoning him back to the capital.
How could the people in the residence have been unaware of such news?
“I apologize, Mother.”
Meanwhile, Li Zhengqing, who had dismounted alongside his father, was following his instructions to help his mother down from the carriage.
As Shen Xuefei saw her son carrying an armful of small trinkets, such as flower sachets, she burst into laughter.
“So many sachets and cloths—you’re truly a gem, making your mother so proud.”
“Please, Mother, don’t tease me.
What should I do with all of these?
It wouldn’t be right to just toss them aside here, would it?” Even though he didn’t desire these tokens of affection, it wouldn’t be appropriate to dismiss them openly.
“Give them to the maids,” Furen Li said, still smiling as she watched her son, relieved, hand the items over to the servants.
She had raised her children to be self-sufficient, to the point where they often forgot about the maids.
Now that they were back in the capital, it wouldn’t be appropriate to lack close attendants.
She’d need to make arrangements quickly.
As Shen Xuefei extended her hand for her son to help her down from the carriage, she overheard a conversation from behind.
“I heard that you and your brother don’t have personal servants with you.
Should I send a few of mine from the Prince’s residence?”
“That wouldn’t be appropriate.
How could the Prince’s people come to serve in my household?” She paused for a moment before continuing, “Could I trouble Brother Yongyuan to recommend a trustworthy slave trader so that my mother can choose on her own?”
Shen Xuefei, who had been listening attentively, nodded to herself in approval.
Her daughter was indeed clever.
The way she skillfully navigated the situation, both declining and accepting without offending the young prince, ensured that no debt was owed.
Relieved, she walked away with her son, no longer staying to eavesdrop on the rest of the conversation.
Inside the carriage, Feng Yongyuan, aware that Furen Li had left, took out a deep red jade pendant and offered it to Li Yue Haili.
“This is for you.”
The young girl glanced down at the precious red jade in his hand, hesitation clear in her eyes.
“I…”
“Ying Ying, you wish to protect your family, do you not?
But you must remember that you are still very weak.
Like when you tried to stand in the way of that bear to protect your mother—it was futile.
With your limited strength, such gestures of filial piety are nothing but words.
When you’re gone, that’s the end.
Instead of throwing yourself away and dying along with your aunt, wouldn’t it be better to rely on me so both of you can survive?
What do you think, Ying Ying?”
Li Yue Haili was stunned.
She hadn’t expected him to speak so bluntly.
His words were direct, yet filled with subtle manipulation—so much so that she trembled at his shrewdness.
“Why do you…”
“I don’t expect anything in return, and I’m not entirely selfless.
But I can protect you, and those you love as well.” Feng Yongyuan admitted with a smile.
Throughout their journey, he had been watching the girl closely, certain that she was no ordinary seven-year-old.
There was more to her story, and one day, he intended to uncover it.
“Ying Ying, do you trust your Brother Yongyuan?”
Li Yue Haili closed her eyes as overlapping images from her past lives flooded her mind.
Letting go wasn’t so easy.
He was right—she didn’t have the strength to protect her family.
With her meager abilities, she wouldn’t be able to do anything in the face of real danger.
If he was offering his help so generously, she would accept it.
Seeing that she was beginning to yield, Feng Yongyuan quickly grasped her small hand, turning her palm up before placing the jade pendant in it.
The red jade was intricately carved with the image of a blossoming peony, delicate and lifelike.
The petals were so finely etched that they seemed to flutter with a gentle breeze.
Li Yue Haili stroked the pendant lightly, finding it cool to the touch, much like the seal she had in her past life.
The back of the pendant bore no inscription of the word ‘Feng’ or ‘Second Prince’s Manor.’ Instead, two bold, powerful characters were carved into the jade, as solid as a mountain that could not be moved.
‘Haiyuan’
The sea, boundless and eternal, with waves that endlessly collide and part.
“When you see this jade, you will see me.
Keep it tied to your waist.
At least in the capital of Da Feng, there are few who would dare to cross me.
And that includes those in your household,” the Second Prince’s heir said with supreme confidence.
Tied to my waist?
If I did so…
“How could I do that…?” she mumbled softly, still staring at the two characters engraved on the jade.
“Ying Ying, don’t you understand yet?
Why not?” Feng Yongyuan’s smile was like that of a charming devil, enticing her to fall into his trap.
His strange brown-blue eyes gleamed with intensity.
“By accepting this jade, you are now one of mine.
There’s no need for fear or hiding any longer.”
With that, the Second Prince’s heir elegantly stepped out of the carriage.
“Come now, are you really going to make those elderly members of your family, who are practically on their deathbeds, wait for you any longer?” he said with a laugh, watching as the girl inside the carriage sat frozen in shock, unable to respond.
“Haven’t they mistreated you enough?”
The young prince lifted the curtain and offered his hand to help her down.
So what if she’s still young?
So what if it’s too soon?
Who will understand how much I desire her?
Whether she was seven years old or just a newborn, he would claim her for himself.
He would declare to the world that she belonged to him—Feng Yongyuan, and only him!