Chapter 438: Chapter 422 Teasing
Xie Xun’s expression turned subtly silent. Fengyu raised her brows in disbelief, "You really spent a fortune to compete over jealousy? I didn’t realize you were such a flirt in your youth."
"It was spending a fortune indeed!" Xie Xun said indifferently.
"Wow... so, was the Oiran prettier or am I prettier?" Fengyu asked leisurely.
"You’re not jealous at all?"
"Why would I be jealous of something that happened when you were sixteen?" Fengyu couldn’t hold back a laugh, lightly poking his arm with her finger. "Come on, tell me—was the Oiran prettier, or am I prettier?"
"You’re prettier!" This kind of life-or-death question could never be answered wrong, but Fengyu still found fault.
"You hesitated!"
"I don’t even remember what the Oiran looked like."
"For someone who could make you spend a fortune, she must’ve been a stunning beauty, unforgettable at first sight—how could you forget her?" Fengyu asked sarcastically, "Try harder to remember; maybe it’ll come back to you!"
Xie Xun stifled a laugh. Watching Third Miss puff up her cheeks and toss snowballs around only made him find her more amusing. Not wanting her jealousy to linger, he explained, "Back then, Ningzhou’s army had been infiltrated by spies from Sannan. I was under orders to track them all the way to Liuzhou. That brothel was a hub for Sannan’s communications in Liuzhou. Spending a fortune was simply to fulfill my orders. Although, to be fair, amid the chaos, that Oiran stepped in front of Han Ziqi and died. I suppose you could say she was loyal to her master."
"Even the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry could get infiltrated?"
"With hundreds of thousands of troops, it’s impossible to investigate everyone thoroughly. No one can recognize the faces of all those soldiers. It’s all too common for spies to slip in. Even now, the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry has spies planted by the imperial court—it’s inevitable."
Fengyu thought it over and found it reasonable. Han Ziqi’s hatred for Xie Xun over the death of the Oiran made sense—not only was she a beauty, but also a pawn of Sannan. No wonder he resented Xie Xun so much that he didn’t even care about exposing his identity.
"Han Ziqi truly loved that beauty more than life," Fengyu teased. After a moment of silence, she leaned her chin on her hand and asked Xie Xun, "When you were sixteen, facing an Oiran of extraordinary beauty, you didn’t feel even the slightest bit moved?"
Xie Xun glanced at her playfully, "Jealous?"
"Curious!"
Xie Xun tried hard to recall but couldn’t remember the appearance of that Oiran from years ago. All he remembered was racing to Liuzhou, desperately searching for traces of the spies. Upon reaching the brothel, he coincidentally encountered an Oiran competition, using the opportunity to cast a long line to catch the big fish—only to unexpectedly cross paths with Han Ziqi.
"She was rather beautiful!" Xie Xun said with a light laugh.
Fengyu pursed her lips, visibly displeased. Unable to resist, Xie Xun rubbed her cheek gently, "I was joking. I’ve long since forgotten her looks. I’ve never been close to women since childhood, nor fond of mingling with people. Unlike someone who got engaged early, has a fiancé, and even a wild little brother."
Fengyu: "..."
Exposing each other’s flaws—utterly merciless!
Fengyu conceded, choosing not to argue with him. The two sat under the corridor chatting idly, watching Ruyi play around, savoring a rare moment of familial joy. Exhausted from playing, little Ruyi ran over asking Fengyu for a hug, only for Xie Xun to scoop him up instantly, "Uncle will take you to play!"
"..." Fengyu chuckled softly and followed after them.
The main district of West State City became bustling as the lunar new year approached. The streets were crowded with people coming and going. Han Ziqi stood on the second floor of the West Wind Inn, peering down at Xie Xun and Fengyu, who were strolling with Ruyi. Ruyi held a little pinwheel in his hand, spinning happily in the wind and snow.
Han Ziqi asked the guard beside him, "Is that Xie Jue’s son?"
"Yes!"
Han Ziqi sneered, "Just looking at him, you can tell he’s part of the Xie Family."
The guard said nothing. Han Ziqi rubbed his wrist, shut the window, and headed downstairs. As soon as he stepped out of the West Wind Inn, he ran into Xie Xun and Fengyu.
"Your Highness, Third Miss, what a coincidence! When are you getting married? You already have a son." Han Ziqi asked with a slyly smiling face.
"That’s my second brother’s son."
"Oh..." Han Ziqi feigned confusion, "Forgive my poor eyesight; I thought the Prince already had a child."
Fengyu smiled faintly at him, secretly thinking, doesn’t this man look into things before coming to West State for business?
Who is he trying to fool!
Clearly, they weren’t the type to stroll and chat amicably together. Yet Fengyu added another question, "Princely Heir, are you really spending the New Year in West State?"
"Third Miss wants to invite me to your residence for New Year’s? That works too!"
"Are you half-asleep?" Xie Xun glared coldly at him. "Glaring at us from the window and then coming out for a ’coincidental’ meeting—what do you intend to do?"
"I was admiring the snow and happened to see you, so I came down to say hello. Prince, don’t be so paranoid. The past grievances are long gone. I even helped you transport provisions before. In the future, who’s to say we won’t become allies? Don’t be so quick to call for bloodshed—let’s keep things civil," Han Ziqi said with a smile. "In Sannan, we also have a custom. When meeting children near the new year, we always give a small gift."
He extended his hand, and a guard behind him handed over a sandalwood box. Han Ziqi said, "A little token of appreciation—Prince and Third Miss, please don’t find it lacking!"
"We’re not exactly in the kind of relationship where we exchange gifts for children, are we?" Xie Xun sneered, his heart skipping a beat. "What do you mean by this?"
"Prince, we’re business partners. Giving your child a golden locket isn’t anything extravagant, right?"
Fengyu and Xie Xun exchanged a glance. Fengyu took the box and opened it to find a golden locket inside. She smiled, "Then we thank the Princely Heir for his generosity!"
"You’re most welcome!" Han Ziqi said, "If Third Miss could dance one more time, the locket could multiply endlessly!"
Xie Xun: "?"
Fengyu stifled a laugh, mocking gleefully, "Prince, back in the day, your dance from the attic left such an indelible impression on Princely Heir that he hasn’t forgotten..."
Xie Xun felt his hair stand on end, thoroughly disgusted. "Get lost!"