Chapter Forty-One: The Return of Huangfu

Feng Jinye had never imagined that Weishao Qianyu would return to the Weishao General's Residence. If she suspected him of being her father’s killer, she would have either stayed at the Prince of War's residence, waiting for an opportunity to avenge herself, or found another place to hide, keeping out of his reach.

Feng Jinye felt wounded—he was always being manipulated by this little witch before him. His legendary reputation as the Prince of War would one day be ruined at the hands of Weishao Qianyu.

“What will it take for you to come back with me?” Feng Jinye, seething, laughed coldly and asked with a cutting edge.

Weishao Qianyu, unwilling to back down, asked Feng Jinye if he intended to kill her. When he ignored her, turned his head away, and replied, “I’m not going back!”

Feng Jinye’s handsome brow furrowed again as he forced himself to explain, “Yunming said the letter was forged!”

His eyes signaled to Weishao Qianyu, urging her not to quarrel with him over a baseless letter.

Weishao Qianyu shot Feng Jinye a fierce glare and responded with righteous indignation, “Yunming lied to you!”

Feng Jinye thought Weishao Qianyu was making things up and retorted angrily, “You know perfectly well I didn’t write that letter, yet you use it to make trouble for me!”

“How could it not be your letter? If it wasn’t yours, why would I even be angry?” Weishao Qianyu’s own anger flared. It was clear Yunming had lied, and yet Feng Jinye suspected her of causing a scene.

“Yunming said it was a fake!” Feng Jinye shot back coldly.

“Yunming lied to you!” Weishao Qianyu retorted without giving an inch.

Yunming had followed Feng Jinye out of Listening Wind Tower, strolled lazily to the Weishao General’s Residence, and had just vaulted the wall when he saw the two facing off. He muttered to himself, “Is it still too late for me to climb back over the wall and escape?”

Both Feng Jinye and Weishao Qianyu turned to stare at Yunming...

Weishao Qianyu gave Yunming an out, “Tell the truth—how many words did you lie to Feng Jinye about today? Speak up, and I’ll forgive you on behalf of the Prince of War!”

Yunming, feeling incredibly lucky and thanking heaven and Buddha in his heart, replied, “One word! ‘Yes!’”

Feng Jinye’s expression froze instantly. Weishao Qianyu glanced at him, then turned to Yunming and said, “Climb back over the wall—you’re forgiven.”

Feng Jinye suddenly realized that whether or not he had written the letter was perhaps irrelevant. What mattered was that Weishao Qianyu had used it to her advantage. Enraged, he exclaimed, “You calculated everything, yet you still accuse me of wanting to kill you!”

Why had he brought Cangyuan along? Of course, because he’d been manipulated by Weishao Qianyu.

That letter was indeed written by him two years ago, and Weishao Qianyu surely knew he couldn’t be in league with the men in black.

Back then, he’d written the letter to protect her—first, to make those who wished her harm believe she was dead; second, to prevent her from returning to Yue Capital, the den of tigers and wolves.

With his temperament, he’d written that letter without any qualms, even if it were to fall into Weishao Qianyu’s hands—he believed she trusted and understood him!

He expected her not to doubt him, but he hadn’t foreseen that he would lose his memory. Now that she had the letter, she didn’t doubt him, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t angry.

Feng Jinye had kept things from her, not only now, but also in the past. How could she not be furious?

Ever since she recalled the fire at the Weishao ancestral home, she’d suspected her aunt had stayed behind as bait and was secretly collaborating with someone. She had never figured out if that someone was Lord Lu or Feng Jinye.

But this letter revealed that it was Feng Jinye! And that must have been before he lost his memory.

“So you really do want to kill me? If not, why did you bring Cangyuan?” Weishao Qianyu argued unreasonably.

She refused to yield even an inch, glaring at Feng Jinye, her eyes saying, “Feng Jinye, no matter what ridiculous reason you give, unless you admit you came to kill me, I will never go back to the Prince of War’s Residence with you!”

Within Weishao Qianyu’s calculations, Feng Jinye, in order to bring her back, would have to give ground—he would have to hand Cangyuan over, letting her investigate through Cangyuan.

She also knew Feng Jinye would see through her at once, but she counted on him panicking upon hearing she’d returned to her own residence. As long as he was intent on coaxing her back, he’d bring Cangyuan out, and then her plan would succeed.

Feng Jinye was infuriated. Originally, giving Cangyuan to her had been a last resort, but now that he knew it was a trap, how could he do it willingly?

Moreover, he realized Weishao Qianyu’s scheme had begun the moment she returned to the Prince of War’s residence from Drunken Qiong Pavilion.

That day, when she asked him to promise, “If there’s an assassination attempt, don’t let the assassin within ten paces,” was it all an act?

Was her anger and increasing distance also just a performance?

Only he, fearing her grief over her father’s death, dared not confront her directly.

Only he, afraid that talking it out would upset her further.

Only he, like a fool, waited outside the moon gate all night, and in Zhiyu Tower all day.

Only he, for the sake of seeing her smile, forced himself to eat that hated cilantro.

“Very well!” Feng Jinye sneered coldly, his aura overwhelming as he advanced on Weishao Qianyu step by step, then suddenly thrust Cangyuan out in front of her...

Weishao Qianyu remained wooden. Feng Jinye was truly angry now—she knew she’d pushed him too far, but no matter what, she had to get Cangyuan first, and smooth things over later!

She reached out to take Cangyuan, turning her head away to avoid his gaze and lessen her own guilt.

Feng Jinye looked at her in silence, his rage burning, yet still hoping she would relent and return with him.

Weishao Qianyu, feeling like a thief, muttered, “Feng Jinye... why don’t you go back first...”

Her real reason for returning to her family’s residence was to trick him and get Cangyuan. She truly intended to go to Xiaoyu Manor next, not back to the Prince of War’s residence.

The Xingyuan Sword had been missing for nearly thirty years, surely lost somewhere in the martial world, and Xiaoyu Manor would be the best place to begin searching for clues.

The Xiaos of Xiaoyu Manor shared the same bloodline as the Weishao family. The world knew the Xiao name, but not Weishao, simply because the Weishao line was so thin...

In the kingdom of Liyue, the Weishao family was down to just two siblings, Weishao Zhantian and Weishao Zhuhua, by the time of Zhantian’s generation. Before Zhantian married Lu Yao, they had always lived at Xiaoyu Manor.

Weishao Qianyu planned to take her aunt back to Xiaoyu Manor. First, because it was safe; second, to use its influence to search for the lost “Xingyuan.”

Feng Jinye realized from her tone that she had no intention of returning with him. He remembered the command he’d issued before leaving: “At all costs, bring the princess back!” When had the Prince of War ever gone back on his word?

“Ye Shiyi, back to the residence!” Feng Jinye roared in fury, barked the order, and turned to leave...

Weishao Qianyu listened intently for sounds of movement in the shadows—barely audible actions of the hidden guards. She fumed inwardly, “Feng Jinye, you scoundrel, you actually mobilized the entire Shadow Guard Pavilion against me!”

She had only brought Xue Chun back with her today. Not long after Feng Jinye left, she looked at the sky—it seemed about to snow. Using that as an excuse, she sent Xue Chun to fetch an umbrella, and strolled alone through the covered walkways of the courtyard...

The shadow guards had only just withdrawn when Weishao Qianyu noticed the swaying of tree shadows—there were several figures moving about. She smiled to herself; clearly, Feng Jinye was still worried and had sent the guards back.

As she walked the covered corridor, lost in thought, she failed to notice how unnaturally silent it was—an eerie, oppressive quiet...

Suddenly, large snowflakes began to float down from the sky. Weishao Qianyu smiled and murmured, “Every time someone is killed, it always snows.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a band of black-clad men surged forward to surround her...

It was clear they had seized the moment right after Feng Jinye’s departure to make their move.

Weishao Qianyu thought, judging by their usual style, they were here for murder and arson—perhaps afraid Feng Jinye hadn’t gone far and might come back.

So impatient, are they? She had just returned, and already they struck?

“Anyone who can speak, I’ll spare your life,” Weishao Qianyu said calmly...

The black-clad men exchanged glances. The stories that a year ago, Weishao Qianyu had avenged her father by bathing the Imperial Medicine Palace of Xiyan in blood, seemed not to be mere rumor.

After a long silence, seeing no one speak, Weishao Qianyu slowly drew Cangyuan. She thought to herself: Cangyuan is bloodthirsty—no sooner do I hold it than it wants to kill.

No sooner had Feng Jinye left the Weishao residence and set out for the Prince of War’s mansion than his heart grew restless, and he turned to hurry back...

Just as Weishao Qianyu drew her sword, ready for what she thought would be a deadly fight, in the blink of an eye, all the black-clad men collapsed. Then a familiar voice called out, “I can speak!”

She was astonished—it was Huangfu Chen’s voice...

Huangfu Chen removed his mask and said urgently, “To be brief: Qingxuan has been captured. I infiltrated Twilight Pavilion to search for her. Today’s attempt on your life was orchestrated by Luo Yanqing!”

Having revealed himself, he quickly put his mask back on and added, “I have to sneak back in to look for news of Qingxuan. If you kill everyone here, I won’t be able to explain myself when I return. Go now!”

Weishao Qianyu was momentarily stunned. Huangfu Chen, seeing her dazed, sighed helplessly and pressed on, “Is there anything you want to say?”

“Find the antidote for Yunming!” Weishao Qianyu answered immediately—resources must be used to the fullest!

She then asked, “Was it you who delivered my antidote?”

Huangfu Chen patted her head and said, “Who else but me?”

“You...” He seemed to want to say more, but changed the subject, “How is the wound on your face?”

She nodded, “Thanks to your antidote!”

“Go quickly. My knockout powder won’t last long!” Huangfu Chen urged anxiously.

“All right, I’ll leave it to you!” Weishao Qianyu sheathed Cangyuan and turned to go, but was suddenly called back by Huangfu Chen, “Qianyu!”

He rushed over and hugged her.

Weishao Qianyu froze, then laughed, feigning nonchalance, “So sentimental?”

After a moment, she hugged him back. Perhaps Huangfu Chen was also feeling helpless—Qingxuan was missing, and who knew how his search was progressing?

Huangfu Chen took a deep breath and said, “Wasn’t it you who said a hug can relieve a hundred and twenty percent of one’s stress?”