Chapter Five: Who Is the Concubine?

The next day was the occasion for Weishao Qianyu to return to her parental home. At dawn, she was already out the door, not waiting for Feng Jinye. Weishao Qianyu could at times be fragile, occasionally feel sorrow, but that weakness lasted only a moment, the sadness only briefly, never allowing such emotions to dictate her actions.

She walked the length of the Prince of War’s residence and, turning right at the end, stood at the street leading to the General Weishao’s mansion. From afar, she gazed at its gates, silently vowing, “Father, your daughter will reopen these doors and clear your name.”

Feng Jinye awoke, dressed, and was attended by Chu Jiu, who reminded him, “My lord, today the princess returns to her family.”

The words brought last night’s events to Feng Jinye’s mind. Only now did he realize he’d been manipulated by her, just as Weishao Qianyu had claimed—she was his princess, so why had he run from her?

This woman was truly infuriating, acting foolish yet cunning, flattering and obsequious!

“Where is she?” He tossed the embroidered face cloth at Chu Jiu, questioning him.

Chu Jiu paused, surprised that his master would inquire about the princess.

When Chu Jiu didn’t answer immediately, Feng Jinye’s gaze sharpened, prompting him to respond at once, “The princess left early, my lord.”

“She returned home alone?” Feng Jinye surmised she probably thought he wouldn’t accompany her.

He believed Weishao Qianyu was acting on her own again; in truth, he’d planned to go with her to teach her a lesson.

After breakfast, as she had predicted, Feng Jinye set out for the Duke’s Mansion and, arriving at the gates, ran into Weishao Qianyu.

Behind Feng Jinye, attendants carried return gifts. Weishao Qianyu greeted him with a gentle smile; he said nothing and she silently followed him inside.

Duke Lu was already waiting in the main hall. At the sight of her grandfather, Weishao Qianyu’s heart surged with emotion, but she kept her composure and followed behind Feng Jinye. Only after he had paid his respects did she call out softly, “Grandfather!”

Her eyes instantly reddened at the word.

She had departed from the Duke’s Mansion in Guanlin City for her marriage, and when the bridal procession returned, they stopped in Yuedu at the Duke’s Mansion for a night. She hadn’t had time to see Duke Lu then.

“Come here, Qianyu, let Grandfather have a look at you…” Duke Lu beckoned her forward, taking her hand and patting it gently in comfort.

He knew she had suffered much in the past two years.

His hair was now streaked with silver, the sternness of old replaced with more kindness. He chuckled, “You’re a grown woman now, newly married—how can you cry? Or do you miss your grandfather?”

Her tears brimmed again as she nodded.

Grandfather, uncle, cousin, and Lu Yanran—aside from her father and Lin Rui, these were her only remaining family in the world. She hadn’t seen her grandfather in two years.

Duke Lu’s heart ached for his granddaughter, and he refused to let go of her hand. He comforted her gently, “There, now, Qianyu mustn’t cry. Grandfather had someone buy pastries from Wanlai Xue for you early this morning. Have a taste?”

Qianyu broke into a smile—only her grandfather still indulged her like a child.

She took a bite of the pastry he offered, making Duke Lu beam with joy. Glancing at Feng Jinye, he put on a stern face and chided, “Hold it yourself to eat; what manners are these?”

Soon, Lady Lu entered with Lu Yanran, feigning regret as she addressed Weishao Qianyu, “Qianyu, it’s so cold outside and Yanran was waiting, so I brought her in. Don’t take it to heart; I simply couldn’t bear to leave her out there.”

Weishao Qianyu understood—Lu Yanran had followed her in.

Who couldn’t play the fool or put on a show? It was simply a matter of who did it better.

Feigning surprise, Qianyu replied, “Aunt, why do you say that? How could my sister be left outside? This is her home too—of course she should come in to greet the guests!”

Lady Lu covered her face as if about to cry, pretending to be helpless. “Qianyu, Yanran came with you to return home. You both married on the same day—I’m so muddled. You two are so close, how could…”

Duke Lu’s expression turned awkward. He could see clearly now—his family’s two daughters had gone astray, and there was no turning back. He could only steel himself and say, “Since that’s how it is, Yanran can be Qianyu’s dowry, counted as a concubine.”

It was Duke Lu and Lu Liyuan who arranged for Weishao Qianyu to marry into the Prince of War’s household, so naturally, he would protect her somewhat. As for Lu Yanran, she was useless; she could never hold the position of Princess of War and would only drag the family down.

Feng Jinye, as the grandson-in-law, sat quietly to the left, observing the scene with an inscrutable expression.

Lady Lu’s face was ashen. Her plan had been to unmask Weishao Qianyu today, since the position of Princess of War could not possibly go to a disfigured woman. And with the confusion over who was the true bride, she assumed her daughter had a real chance. She hadn’t expected the old man to side with his granddaughter instead.

Weishao Qianyu remained silent. She had never imagined the legitimate daughter of the Lu family would be made a concubine. Glancing at Lady Lu, she realized that, for her, this was the worst possible outcome but one she had prepared for.

Suddenly, Qianyu let out a soft laugh. “Since Aunt has made such arrangements, then let the concubine be part of my dowry. All my dowry is locked in Qinglan Court—let cousin return there as well, and keep herself locked inside.”

Lady Lu’s body trembled. Had she miscalculated? Did Qianyu really care nothing for kinship?

Kinship—perhaps Lady Lu had forgotten that three years ago, it was Weishao Qianyu who found and brought back the legitimate daughter of the Lu family, and now Lady Lu was the one invoking family affection.

Duke Lu and Lu Qin both knew Qianyu was strong-willed. Whatever arrangements she made, they would not object.

Feng Jinye, who had been quietly watching, suddenly spoke, his tone light, “I recall my princess is the legitimate daughter of the Lu family.”

Duke Lu and Lu Qin were both stunned, as were Lady Lu and Lu Yanran, doubting what they’d just heard.

Weishao Qianyu fell silent, as did everyone else.

Feng Jinye glanced at Qianyu’s back. For some reason, the Lu family seemed unmoved—had he not made himself clear?

He sipped his tea, breaking the silence. “Who is the dowry, who is the concubine? Even I am unsure.”

Qianyu turned to look at him—for the first time since entering the Prince of War’s household, she gazed at him openly.

Those eyes—Feng Jinye found himself unable to meet them; they unsettled him. Why did she always make him feel so uneasy? He was, after all, the famed God of War. What was there to fear?

“In that case, let me congratulate Your Highness,” Qianyu said impassively. She turned to bid farewell to her elders. “I take my leave.”

Feng Jinye’s expression froze. Was it really to end like this?

He’d wanted to teach her a lesson—she was far too bold: shouting at him on their wedding night, daring to lose her temper the very next day, drawing her sword and staining him with blood, even scheming against him last night!

As Qianyu turned to go, he instinctively wanted to follow, but Lu Qin called him back. “Your Highness, please stay.”

Lu Qin loved Qianyu dearly; all the affection he couldn’t give his own sister, he poured into her. Feng Jinye turned back, and Lu Qin asked, “May I ask, Your Highness, do you remember what you said at the palace banquet three years ago when you asked to marry Qianyu?”

Feng Jinye was taken aback—had he proposed to Weishao Qianyu? How absurd!

Seeing no answer, Lu Qin continued, “If you’ve forgotten, then please release Qianyu. She and my son were once betrothed. If she is willing, our engagement will always stand.”

Feng Jinye was speechless, his brows furrowed. So Qianyu had once been engaged to Lu Liyuan?

He did not respond, only said, “I take my leave,” and hurried back to the Prince of War’s residence.

He was unsure why, but he found himself heading to Zhiyu Tower. Yet upon entering, he found it empty—Weishao Qianyu hadn’t returned.

In a flash, he was furious. “Where is she?”

All the servants knelt, not one daring to answer.

He waited nearly an hour in Zhiyu Tower, but she still did not return.

It was past lunchtime when Chu Jiu rushed in. “My lord, they say the princess has returned!”

Feng Jinye sprang up and strode outside, but after a few steps, he doubled back and sat down again, feeling an unexpected sense of relief.

She must have been spoiled by the Duke; with barely a word, she dared run away from home!

He recalled her acting spoiled in front of Duke Lu at the mansion, and the more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he became. Married and still needing her grandfather to coax her!

He listened carefully for sounds outside. Soon, footsteps approached, and a woman’s timid voice called, “Your concubine greets Your Highness.”

His hand, which had relaxed, clenched again, and his brows furrowed. With a loud crash, the teacup on the desk shattered.

It wasn’t her!

Without even looking up, he knew it wasn’t Weishao Qianyu.

“Chu Jiu!” He tapped his finger on the desk, the sound sharp, and snapped, “Were there any shadow guards following her?”

Chu Jiu replied nervously, “Yes.”

“So where is she?” Feng Jinye’s irritation grew. Chu Jiu hadn’t seen his master this angry in years.

“The shadow guards haven’t reported back yet,” Chu Jiu replied, bracing himself for his master’s wrath. He’d only had a few peaceful years—his lord was always unpredictable.

Just as Chu Jiu was about to face the worst, he spotted Ye Seventeen returning. He quickly stepped aside. “My lord, Seventeen is here!”

Ye Seventeen, the youngest in the Shadow Guard camp, had been tricked into reporting. “Subordinate greets Your Highness!”

“Speak!” Feng Jinye’s single word carried a chilling force.

“Nine and Thirteen were lured away by Qingxia. The princess is missing!” Ye Seventeen reported honestly. He’d heard from Nine that the princess was ugly, and from Thirteen that the prince wanted her gone.

Glancing at the kneeling servants and the furious prince, Ye Seventeen regretted coming at all.

The room went silent—anyone who spoke now would be unlucky. Ye Seventeen wished he could slip away quietly, but he dared not move.

Lu Yanran’s face turned pale. She had never imagined Feng Jinye’s anger could be so terrifying. Had she made the right choice in scheming to marry into his household?

She began to tremble. Feng Jinye glanced her way and ordered, “Take her to Qinglan Court and lock her up!”

With a thud, Lu Yanran knelt, wailing, “Your Highness, don’t be fooled by Weishao Qianyu! She’s not the same as before—her face is ruined! She’s ugly, unworthy of being Princess of War!”

Mentioning Weishao Qianyu now was tantamount to pouring oil on the fire. Sure enough, Feng Jinye ordered, “Silence her!”

So her face was ruined—that was why she wore a veil, why she hadn’t wanted to remove it last night.

“Chu Jiu, three years ago at the palace banquet, what did I say when I asked for Weishao Qianyu’s hand?” Feng Jinye asked again, his tone commanding.

The name “Weishao Qianyu” made Chu Jiu shudder. In Yuedu, it was a forbidden topic.

Chu Jiu steadied himself and answered truthfully, “My lord said he would marry only one princess in this lifetime—no secondary consorts, no concubines.”