Chapter 404: Chapter 391 Provocation_2
"Sister..." Xiaoqi looked uneasily at Fengyu, then bowed to Xie Xun, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Under the table, Fengyu gently kicked Xie Xun, signaling him to put on a stern face to frighten Xiaoqi. When Xie Xun wore a cold expression, he exuded an innate authority that made those around him reluctant to jest with him.
"Your name is Xiaoqi, correct? Do you have a surname? Do you remember where you’re from?" Xie Xun asked in a casual tone.
Xiaoqi raised his eyebrows slightly, faint dimples surfacing, "From the Capital City. As for my surname and given name, I don’t remember. The housekeeper said everyone in my family had died, leaving only me. I bear heavy resentment; he promised to tell me the truth when I grew older. But when I was four, I was lured away by a stick of candied hawthorn and given the name Xiaoqi."
"You never went to look for the housekeeper?"
"I did search for him, but he’d already moved away, and the residence was sold to another. I could never track him down," Xiaoqi said with a cold tone. "I told my sister about all this ten years ago."
Fengyu nodded, "I even accompanied him back to look for the housekeeper, but we were chased out by the new owner of the estate. Xiaoqi had nowhere to go, so I brought him north with me back to Ningzhou."
Ten years ago, Xiaoqi was just a five-year-old child who knew nothing. Xie Xun believed he wasn’t lying. As for what happened during the intervening decade, Xiaoqi had been shrouded in mystery. Investigating it would take great effort, and even then, there might be no clues to uncover.
Xie Xun asked, "The day I arrived in Jiaozhou, why were you stirring up trouble in the crowd?"
Xiaoqi seemed taken aback that Xie Xun remembered that scene, a hint of surprise and guilt flashing across his face. Meanwhile, Xie Xun rested his hand on the table, lightly tapping his fingers, emitting a subtle yet oppressive aura.
Xiaoqi replied, "The neighbors were all saying that Lord Lin Zhi had been bullied to death and that the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry encircling the city would slaughter everyone inside. The townsfolk were full of speculation, and I just voiced their concerns aloud. I asked only a single question, not stirring trouble, wasn’t I? Besides, Your Highness also took that opportunity to explain to the people why you came to Jiaozhou and reassured them you wouldn’t harm civilians."
"By that logic, should I thank you?"
"I wouldn’t dare!" Xiaoqi flicked his gaze nervously toward Fengyu, as if seeking rescue or issuing a complaint. Fengyu, feeling soft-hearted, couldn’t help but find the situation amusing.
Was Xiaoqi actually tattling?
Accusing Xie Xun of being too harsh!
Just as Fengyu was about to smooth things over, Xie Xun spoke in a deep voice, "Your sister doesn’t have an extra place for you by her side anymore. Starting today, you’ll follow me."
"No way!" Xiaoqi refused outright, running to Fengyu’s side with a pitiful expression, tugging at her sleeve, his voice soft and pitiful, "Sister, save me!"
Xie Xun: "..."
Fengyu was caught between laughter and exasperation, soothing him gently, "Xiaoqi, don’t be afraid. Following His Highness and learning from him will be good for you too; he won’t harm you."
"He will!" Xiaoqi clung to Fengyu’s sleeve in fear, sounding even more aggrieved, "He’s so fierce!"
Xie Xun, enraged, let out a mocking laugh. This little demonstrator was indeed a drama king—just moments ago, he rebutted with logic and confidence, yet in front of Fengyu, he was now playing the pitiful card. Looking at Xiaoqi, there wasn’t even a trace of real fear in his eyes; clearly, he was relying on Fengyu’s doting nature to act so brazenly.
"He’s not that fierce." Fengyu softly reassured, giving Xie Xun a reproachful glare. "Xiaoqi, if you want to stay by your sister’s side, just follow him for now, okay?"
"No, no!" The boy whined, clutching Fengyu’s arm. His large, dark eyes glistened with grievance as he asked, "Sister, are you abandoning me?"
Fengyu felt her heart melt.
Watching Xiaoqi’s shiny, wet eyes, Xie Xun was strangely reminded of the dog at the manor’s gate, wagging its tail for food every time—evoking sympathy.
"Your sister won’t abandon you," Fengyu consoled him, then glanced at Xie Xun, nearly on the verge of compromise.
Xie Xun, hard-hearted as stone, showed no room for negotiation.
Fengyu sighed helplessly, "Xiaoqi, be good and listen, alright?"
Xiaoqi seemingly understood that the matter was finalized and beyond reversal. Overwhelmed with frustration and grievance, his eyes reddened—just shy of throwing himself into Fengyu’s arms to cry. Xie Xun’s gaze fell on Xiaoqi’s hands. If that boy dared touch Fengyu’s hands, he’d chop them off!
Unable to endure further, Xie Xun rose, grabbed Xiaoqi, and dragged him away, "Men and women ought to maintain propriety! Even biological siblings must know bounds—they’re real siblings. You? A wild younger brother? Stay away from her!"
"Let me go!" Xiaoqi screamed, struggling desperately, but couldn’t break free. Anxiously, he turned back to extend his hand toward Fengyu, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Sister, help me! Sister, save me!"
Fengyu could only watch helplessly, letting things take their course.
Qiuxiang worriedly asked, "Miss, the Prince is so harsh—won’t he bully Xiaoqi?"
"He won’t!" Fengyu chuckled lightly.
Dragged out of Fengyu’s courtyard, Xiaoqi was violently thrown by Xie Xun. Sliding a few steps across the snowy ground, just as Xiaoqi was about to fall face-first, Nuanyang and Feiying, standing under the corridor, worried he might be hit—which might cause Fengyu to quarrel with Xie Xun again.
But Xiaoqi flipped deftly, landing steadily on his feet.
Rubbing his wrist, he turned to look at Xie Xun. Amid the wind and snow, the boy’s features gradually shed their softness from moments ago in front of Fengyu. He gave a contemptuous laugh, "It’s just touching Sister’s sleeve; no need to be this harsh, right?"
"Why not continue pretending to be pitiful?" Xie Xun sneered coldly. He’d always disliked cunning youths—except for his Second Brother and his beloved.
"I wasn’t pretending. I really am pitiful!" Xiaoqi smirked cheekily at him, completely unafraid of Xie Xun. "Your Highness doesn’t like me, and I don’t like you. Why bother tormenting each other?"
Nuanyang nudged Feiying, "This kid is so bold, daring to talk like this to our master."
"What ’kid’? You’re just a year older than him," Feiying retorted icily.
Xie Xun strode toward Xiaoqi, his boots crunching against the snow. His gaze was icy, "Does she know you’re this... insolent?"
"She’s known me for ten years," Xiaoqi said, folding his arms and grinning smugly. "If you truly dare harm a single hair on my head, Sister will be furious with you."
"Oh, really?" Xie Xun extended his hand. From the corridor, Feiying tossed the Longsword to him. Catching it steadily, Xie Xun unsheathed the blade. The icy steel met the biting wind and snow. "Let’s test that theory!"