Chapter 624: Chapter 624

Fengyu originally planned to welcome Xie Xun and his army at the city gate, but fate intervened. Ruyi fell ill and ended up infecting her as well. At first, she dismissed it, but the cold took hold, worsening by the day. Ruyi was already lively and bouncing around, yet Fengyu remained bedridden. Su Yuejiao was deeply worried; as she gazed upon the frail Fengyu, she recalled the words of Master Miao Yun. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novelFirｅ.net

With only half a month left before Fengyu’s eighteenth birthday, Su Yuejiao couldn’t let her catch any more wind. On the day Xie Xun’s army returned to court, Fengyu stayed home to rest. She slept in a haze, heavy with drowsiness. She desperately wanted to be at the city gate to wait for Xie Xun, just as she used to during the days in West State. Whenever she heard he was coming to West State back then, she would always wait for him at the gate without delay.

But she cherished her life, too. She didn’t want her illness to worsen and break her grandmother and mother’s hearts. So, she obediently stayed home to recuperate. Doctor Zhou prescribed some medication, and after taking it, Fengyu fell into an even deeper slumber, sleeping from morning until dusk. When she awoke, the room was already lit with lamps, and moonlight cascaded over the steps outside the window. The first thing she saw was Xie Xun sitting by her bedside.

He had changed into casual attire and sat quietly by her side, watching her. It was hard to tell how long he had been there. Several lamps illuminated the feminine chamber, but he sat with his back to the light. Fengyu’s gaze fell on his profoundly dark eyes, streaked with faint red veins. He still carried the weary remnants of his long journey. After two months apart, he had tanned, his gaze even sharper. The once spirited young marquis had now grown into a man with the imposing presence of a sovereign.

"Zhixu..." Fengyu’s voice was hoarse from her illness. Seeing Xie Xun, her eyes inexplicably reddened with grievance and worry. The single word "Zhixu" tore at Xie Xun’s heartstrings like a blade.

The suppressed yearning surged forth uncontrollably, enveloping him entirely. Xie Xun’s eyes turned slightly red as he bent down and gently embraced her. "Ayu, I’m back."

Back before her birthday!

During their years across the Twelve States, their encounters had been far too few and fleeting. He had promised her reunions but failed her repeatedly due to countless reasons. Guilt had nagged at Xie Xun’s heart. This time, he marched tirelessly, even defying the military axiom of "don’t pursue a desperate foe." Leading the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry with unstoppable momentum, chasing Zhongzhou’s forces like a mad dog and conquering cities along the way—all for the singular goal of returning before her birthday. No matter what, he couldn’t break his promise again.

He had expected to see Fengyu at the city gate. Brimming with hope, he looked up, but all he saw were the guards stationed there—nowhere was the silhouette that stirred his heart.

A sudden panic plunged him into despair. That sinking sensation of spiraling into a bottomless abyss was still vivid in his memory. Even Zhuifeng sensed his agitation. Thankfully, Nuanyang and Feiying understood him well and hurried out of the city to tell him that Ayu had merely caught a cold.

The imperial physicians were already standing by at the Feng Mansion, and Ayu was in no life-threatening danger.

Fengyu lightly patted his shoulder, her touch gentle as always, just like the countless times they had comforted one another. She soothed his fears, saying, "I’m fine, don’t worry."

But how could Xie Xun not worry? He lifted himself and pressed a kiss to her lips. Fengyu hurriedly raised her hand to cover his mouth, afraid she might pass the illness to him. Xie Xun, undeterred, settled for kissing the palm of her hand instead.

Fengyu’s face flushed crimson. Her misty eyes were filled with shyness and affection. Xie Xun found himself unable to look away. "I carry the protection of True Dragon Qi; illness can’t touch me."

"Nonsense!" If illness could truly fear True Dragon Qi, then every emperor would live to a hundred without ever falling ill.

Xie Xun’s heart ached as he looked at her sickly and haggard state. He gently propped her up and held her in his arms, patting her softly. Fengyu leaned into his familiar embrace, reluctant to let go. Even though she knew Xie Xun had just returned to the capital and bore countless responsibilities, she couldn’t bear to have him leave. She could never be the poised and virtuous Empress; she was destined to be the favored concubine who selfishly monopolized the emperor’s attention.

He had already consulted Zhang Lingzheng; on the surface, Fengyu seemed fine, but her vitality had been depleted. And yet, Xie Xun couldn’t find peace of mind, not until after her eighteenth birthday. Master Miao Yun’s cryptic prophecy weighed heavily on his heart.

He would willingly trade his own lifespan for Fengyu’s health and longevity.

"Ayu, did you miss me?" Xie Xun pinched the tip of her delicate nose. Even without makeup, Fengyu’s beauty was striking. No matter how many times Xie Xun looked at her, he remained utterly captivated.

Fengyu rarely uttered words of affection. But whenever she did, it would brighten Xie Xun’s mood for days.

"Yes." Fengyu didn’t bother with pretense. "I missed you in my dreams. I missed your face, your embrace, even your scent. In truth, I didn’t catch a cold—I’ve been lovesick."

Xie Xun hadn’t expected her to say something so tender and sweet. Warmth filled his heart, but he couldn’t help chuckling. "Two months apart, and your tongue has turned into honey."

He lowered his head and stole an unexpected kiss from her. Fengyu chuckled softly but let him have his way.

Having been apart for so long, and with their yearning almost turning into an illness of its own, there was much for the two lovers to share. Outside the courtyard, Fengyu’s maids and the nearby guards dared not disturb them.

Nuanyang and Feiying paced anxiously in the courtyard.

As soon as Xie Xun entered the city, he had come straight to the Feng Mansion and stayed with Fengyu ever since. It was already late into the night. Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace Inner Court, civil and military officials were still awaiting an audience. He couldn’t keep them waiting all night!