Feng Yu Heng blinked her eyes: “Seventh brother, help me ask him to not take Wang Chuan and them’s arms, and I will tell you.”
Xuan Tian Ming reached out and squeezed her face: “You’ve learned how to discuss conditions with me?”
She smiled happily. Being squeezed did not hurt at all, instead it was a bit embarrassing but intimate. “Really, don’t blame them. There’s no need for you to be angry, right!” She then looked at Xuan Tian Hua and said: “In the Feng clan’s residence, there was a hidden compartment under the bed. After I realized that there was a problem with the candle, I rolled out of bed and hid inside. I then fainted. When I woke up, I heard seventh brother talking, only then did I climb out.”
Xuan Tian Hua looked at her, gently smiling but not speaking.
There was a hidden compartment under the bed in the Feng clan residence? A place that he had personally searched, could he not know? He just did not want to poke holes in her story. Since this girl wanted to protect this secret, then he might as well allow her!
He only let out a sigh expressing no wonder the ever-bizarre Xuan Tian Ming would dote so much on this girl. So the feeling of doting on a single person felt this good.
“If the hidden guards were all as good as them, what purpose would me coming have?” Xuan Tian Ming was very invested in this matter, “How about I give you some new people. How would it be to have Bai Ze with you?”
From outside the carriage, Bai Ze lifted the curtain and poked his head in: “Master, this servant could not even safely escort you out of the mountains in the Northwest. How could I have the ability to protect princess!”
Feng Yu Heng also nodded along: “That’s right, I don’t want this sort of stupid hidden guard.”
Bai Ze waved his fist at Feng Yu Heng and immediately lowered the curtain.
“Xuan Tian Ming!” Feng Yu Heng simply put on a stoic expression, “I said I like having Wang Chuan and Huang Quan at my side. I like having Ban Zou to exchange banter. Must you take away the people I like? I haven’t even married you yet, but you’re already so bossy? Then I won’t marry you! Just take everything back.”
Xuan Tian Ming raised an eyebrow. The little girl had suddenly turned hostile? Did she think he would fear her?
“… Then we’ll do as you say!” He really was afraid of her.
Sitting to the side, Xuan Tian Hua could not endure any longer and let out a clear laugh. He then nodded to Feng Yu Heng, his gaze filled with praise.
Not long later, Ban Zou’s voice came from outside: “Your Highness, I have bought food.”
Feng Yu Heng’s eyes lit up and spoke up first: “Quickly! Bring it in quickly! I’m starving!”
The person outside raised the curtain and entered the carriage. Upon seeing Feng Yu Heng, the seemingly cold-blooded and cold-hearted Ban Zou actually became choked with emotion. He placed the bag of food on the table and backed up a few steps. He then dropped to his knees and knelt: “This servant neglected duties. Would master please provide a punishment.”
Feng Yu Heng looked at Ban Zou and felt that this guy had become thinner after a few days of not seeing him. He had also become much darker, and his hair was no longer as neat. It seemed that he had become older in an instant.
She spoke: “Ban Zou, raise your head.”
Ban Zou was slightly startled, not daring to do as told.
Feng Yu Heng was a little angry, “Since you have called me master, why do you not raise your head when told?”
Ban Zou was a little hesitant. After a while, he finally raised his head.
Feng Yu Heng clearly saw that a new scar went across his face.
That scar was clearly a fresh wound that was a full two inches in length. The wound had not yet scabbed over, so the flesh and skin was still split. It looked very shocking.
Feng Yu Heng was also stunned. After looking at it for a long time, she asked him: “Who was it that actually could harm you?”
Ban Zou lowered his head and did not speak.
Xuan Tian Ming pulled the girl back into his arms. He opened the packaging for the food while saying: “He had done it himself. He said that if he could not be forgiven this time, him, Wang Chuan and Huang Quan would all be punished with death. If you are willing to forgive him, then the scar is a lesson he taught himself.”
“Are you stupid?” Feng Yu Heng was speechless, “Could it be that all you men like doing this sort of thing? Whenever you run into some sort of problem, you take a knife and cut something on your body. Is it fun?”
Xuan Tian Ming’s lip twitched: “That is definitely not fun.”
“Yet you still cut yourself?”
“Guess he’s stupid.”
Between a prince and a princess, there was a direct chain of questions and answers; however, they suddenly heard Ban Zou sniffle. He turned his head away and immediately wiped at his face.
Feng Yu Heng was emotional. How proud of a hidden guard had he been. She had never seen anyone who was capable of being Ban Zou’s opponent. With him at her side, no matter where she went, she felt safe. She would frequently banter with him and occasionally would scold him a bit; however, Feng Yu Heng knew that Ban Zou truly treated her well. He truly did his best to protect her. If Ban Zou were not there, just the matter at Pu Du Temple would have been dangerous enough.
“Ban Zou.” She called him: “This time, I do not blame you. It was me who hid myself, not wanting to be discovered by others. There is no need to harm yourself. There is even less need for you to give up on your own life. Wang Chuan and Huang Quan are the same. The flesh of your body comes from your parents. Even if your parents are no longer alive, you should not treat your lives so lightly. Everyone is equal, regardless of whether they are royalty or common citizens, so long as you do not break the laws, there should not be anyone who holds dominion over anyone else’s life. I don’t care if this logic works or not for other people, but for those of you who follow me, that is how things are with me. Moreover, I take you, Wang Chuan and Huang Quan to be like family and not servants.”
These words not only caused Ban Zou to be at a loss, it also caused Xuan Tian Hua and Xuan Tian Ming to ponder deeply.
Everyone was equal?
How was that possible! This was completely different from what they had been taught from a young age to adulthood.
This world required divisions, otherwise how could there be imperial right? How could there be the difference between rich and poor?
Ban Zou was even more afraid to agree with her words, but he felt very emotional. He lowered his head fully to the ground and said: “Many thanks master for the grace of being pardoned from death.”
Feng Yu Heng helplessly sighed. If she wanted to tell someone who had been raised in a feudal system about equality, it was truly too difficult.
“Quickly get up.” She said to Ban Zou, “Right now, I do not have many medicines on hand. When we return to the capital, I will personally take care of treating the wound on your face. I will do my best to ensure no signs remain.”
Ban Zou scratched his head and said in embarrassment: “No need. Either way, I will very rarely appear before others. There is nobody who looks at me.”
Feng Yu Heng shook her head, “Sooner or later, you will need to find a wife.”
Ban Zou’s jaw dropped in shock. Even Xuan Tian Ming helplessly asked her: “Following you has such good treatment?”
She forcefully nodded, “There is indeed. Not only will he need to find a wife, red envelopes will need to be given. That…” She held her own head, “Let me eat a bit first. If I continue to starve, I will faint again.”
Xuan Tian Ming dotingly watched her wolf down some food and would occasionally give her some water or wipe the corners of her mouth.
Feng Yu Heng never asked what direction this carriage was going. She only recalled that there seemed to be mention of returning to the capital. As for whether they were really going back to the capital, she did nto care at all. With Xuan Tian Ming present, no matter where, she only occupied herself with following. With no need to waste any effort thinking, he was able to arrange things properly.
She knew that this was trust and safety.
Feng Yu Heng expended too much energy. After eating, she slept. While half-asleep, she seemed to hear Xuan Tian Ming say something to Ban Zou. She could not really hear clearly, but she was woken up by the sound of commotion outside.
When she opened her eyes, she was still in Xuan Tian Ming’s arms. The curtain of the carriage had not been lifted. A person’s voice shouted at the carriage “Your Highness, Bu Cong is only asking, was A-Heng truly burned to death in Feng Tong County?”
Feng Yu Heng frowned. Bu Cong?
Xuan Tian Ming could feel he emotions. Without lowering his head, he brought a finger to the area between her brows then gently massaged the frown. He then said to the outside: “You heard whatever you heard. If you do not believe it, go search for yourself. This prince has no obligation to act as your messenger.”
The person outside the carriage became furious and let out a sudden angry shout. It was like a wild beast, as it caused the birds in the surroundings to fly off.
Feng Yu Heng strangely looked at Xuan Tian Ming, she died?
Xuan Tian Ming gave her a gratifying smile and helped her sit up next to him. He then continued speaking to the person outside: “If you have to scream so loudly, just personally go over to Feng Tong county to take a look. This prince just returned from that side. Tsk tsk, the Feng family truly does not treat their second daughter well.”
“Will your Highness the ninth prince just pardon the Feng family like this?” Bu Con did not believe that the ninth prince could remain to calm after his fiancee was burned to death.
“Whether or not this prince forgives the Feng family is this prince’s matter. It is not something you have a right to call into question. Bu Cong, out of the way. If you continue to waste my time, I will have the escorts and this carriage run over you.”
“You dare?”
“Hmph!” Xuan Tian Ming was exasperated, “Is there anything this prince doesn’t dare do? Also, this prince has wanted to ask. Whether or not Princess Yu was murdered, what are you so worried for? Wasn’t the Bu family repeatedly saying that they blamed the death of Lord Bu on Princess Yu? What is it? In just a few days time, things have changed?”
Bu Cong was stumped speechless.
“Alright.” Xuan Tian Ming said a few final words, “The way, this prince has already pointed to you. How you travel it is up to you. Bai Ze, we’re going.”
Outside, Bai Ze responded and moved his whip, causing the carriage to begin moving.
A holler could be heard from the outside. Although it was the carriage that rushed towards the people brought by Bu Cong, Bu Cong’s voice was not heard again.
Feng Yu Heng really wanted to lift the curtain to take a look at what Bu Cong looked like; however, she also felt that it was not too good to do it before Xuan Tian Ming. Either way, she felt a little worried and could only give up.
Instead, it was Xuan Tian Ming who took the initiative to speak and dissolved her doubts: “Along the way, we have let some news out saying that when the Feng family’s second young miss returned to make offerings, she was burned to death in the clan residence.”
“Why?” She was puzzled, “I am clearly still alive.”
“But aside from us, who else knows that you are alive?” Xuan Tian Ming blinked towards her, “Sometimes, only when things are at an impasse can we know what sorts of reactions those responsible will have.”
Xuan Tian Hua picked up the explanation: “For example, how does the Feng family plan on taking care of the situation. For example, what will Bu Cong get angry over. Also for example….”
“Either way, your father needs to be taught a lesson, and some trouble needs to be caused for him.” Xuan Tian Ming once again took over speaking, “Also, if you did not die in a disaster, father Emperor would not have any reaction.”
Feng Yu Heng smirked: “You have even considered the actions of your own father.”
Xuan Tian Ming declined to comment, “What can’t be done?”
Feng Yu Heng said: “In truth, the Emperor has already made plenty of gestures. He has given me the phoenix hairpin and the Hou Yi bow. Although I understand that these are tests for me to see if I have the ability to protect these two things; however, I believe this is fine. I believe that I can protect them, so they are graces given by the Emperor.”
Xuan Tian Ming nodded, “You being able to see things like this is naturally a good thing. Those two items are naturally able to lure out people who are plotting things. Just watch, the days going forward will become more and more spectacular.”
Xuan Tian Hua watched the two speak, and his lips unknowingly curled into a smile, but he also put his head in his hands in worry. He faintly said: “Bu Cong has control over the solders in the East. It seems the Bu family is still prestigious and powerful; however, in truth, this is not a good thing. Perhaps the Bu family will become the origin of a clan-decimating disaster.”