Chapter 636: Chapter 636

When Fengyu escorted Xiaoqi back to the Fang Family, Mrs. Fang was waiting for him at the entrance. She had long known that Xiaoqi served under the Marshal, but having not seen him for years, she almost didn’t recognize him. Read complete versıon only at N0velFire.ɴet

Fengyu didn’t interfere with their reunion. After exchanging formalities with Mrs. Fang, she left to go to the Prince Manor to fetch Ruyi. The Marshal had returned to the Capital City today, and Xie Jue was extremely busy, unable to bring Ruyi himself, so Ruyi was still at the Manor.

She brought Ruyi home and handed her over to the matriarch to care for. The matriarch now enjoyed having her descendants gathered around her, a picture of familial harmony. Feng Wan often brought her children home as well, and the lively group of children always made the house cheerful.

Fengyu waited at home until dusk. As soon as Feng Changqing returned, she went to inquire about the news. Feng Changqing laughed heartily and said, "There’s no issue between the Marshal and the Emperor. After exchanging courtesies in the hall, they discussed the matter of Sannan. After court adjourned, Xie Xun met privately with the Marshal, Lin Helin, Xie Jue, and others for more than two hours. On the surface, everything appeared harmonious, without any signs of conflict."

Having already discussed the matter with Xiaoqi, Fengyu felt assured. When she received confirmation, her worries eased considerably. Upon entering the palace, Xie Xun greeted her warmly, cradling her in his arms as they sat on the heated couch. On the tea table beside them was a sandalwood box, and Xie Xun said, "Ayu, make a guess—what treasure do you think is inside?"

"The Jade Seal?" Fengyu raised an eyebrow.

His beloved was too clever—there was no joy to be found in riddles. Fengyu, noticing the quiet look in his eyes, smiled and said, "Then let’s try again—what treasure is this? I can’t guess it at all. Zhixu, hurry and tell me!"

Even the tone of her voice coquettishly matched his mood. Xie Xun, covered in goosebumps, opened the box anyway. Sure enough, it was the Imperial Jade Seal. Xie Xun clicked his tongue, saying, "Was it Xiaoqi who told you?"

"No!" Fengyu laughed lightly and replied, "Xiaoqi didn’t mention anything about the Jade Seal. But considering how happy you are, it wasn’t hard to guess."

Nowadays, there was rarely anything that could make Xie Xun this delighted.

Though slightly disappointed by how quickly Fengyu had guessed, Xie Xun’s joy was genuine. "The Marshal presented this to me when he entered the palace yesterday, on the condition that I release Xiaoqi and allow him to be included in the Fang Family’s genealogy, so that he can serve in the military someday."

"I agreed!" Fengyu turned her head in surprise to look at him, their faces so close they were practically touching, and Xie Xun could inhale the faint fragrance of her skin. His heart stirred deeply, and he couldn’t resist placing a gentle peck on her rosy lips. "I agreed."

Fengyu naturally leaned into his kiss and then claimed an exquisitely sweet one in return. Xie Xun wrapped both arms around her waist, tightening his hold and drawing her fully into his embrace.

If it weren’t for the mountain of state affairs demanding his attention, he might truly have acted like a lustful tyrant in broad daylight. It was entirely Fengyu’s fault—she was so alluring. Every time he held her, Xie Xun became restless, longing to marry her as soon as possible.

"You’ve always disliked Xiaoqi, and he’s a legitimate heir of the Yuwen Family. Aren’t you worried?" The Marshal commanded immense authority in the military. If he intended to groom Xiaoqi, the latter could someday hold power over an army of one hundred thousand.

"Yes, I’ve always disliked him. I find him too scheming, his demeanor somber and lacking forthrightness. But considering his childhood of wandering, his temperament is understandably reclusive, and I won’t hold it against him. The Marshal wants him in the Fang Family—jade seal or not, I would have agreed. He likely hasn’t mentioned your connection to Xiaoqi, so the Marshal doesn’t know about the sibling bond between you. He simply wants to protect him. The Fang Family’s eldest son is Fang Chuning; he will inherit military command in the future. Even if Xiaoqi joins the army, he will be serving under Fang Chuning. Second Brother and Fang Chuning will serve as checks on each other. Xiaoqi may harbor ambitions to restore his kingdom, but Fang Chuning won’t let him act recklessly, and Xiaoqi himself will be cautious of causing harm. In any case... it’s a win-win situation, and I can accept it." Xie Xun patiently explained to Fengyu, "For your sake, I wouldn’t have made things difficult for him anyway, and now I’ve ended up with the Jade Seal—it’s a net gain for me."

The Imperial Jade Seal had been a counterfeit for years, and this truth would remain a secret.

In the end, it was a resolution that satisfied everyone.

Fengyu spoke softly. "Zhixu, thank you."

"Silly girl, thank me for what?"

"For forgiving even those I care about—those who might be your political rivals. Were it not for me, you wouldn’t have so readily allowed Xiaoqi into the Fang Family. He poses a greater threat to you than anyone in Qiushan." Fengyu knew that Xie Xun had compromised for her sake. As long as it was her desire, Xie Xun would strive to fulfill it.

Xie Xun affectionately nuzzled her ear. "Of course. What you desire and wish for is what I seek as well. Naturally, I’ll do whatever it takes for you. If anyone should be thanking someone, it’s me thanking you—for standing by me all these years, sacrificing everything. The Su Family’s Trading House was once suppressed to the brink of collapse. You nearly sent people to Sannan to use the money Mr. Su had left behind for you, but you never once complained to me. If I needed funds, you provided them. If I needed grain, you gave it. Ayu, this empire is yours as much as it is mine—I’ve merely benefited from your efforts."

Xie Xun’s words warmed Fengyu’s heart to its very core.

"Master Miao Yun said you are destined for greatness—a phoenix’s fate. Yes, but also no. You have a phoenix’s fate not because I am the Emperor, but because without you, I wouldn’t be the Emperor at all." Xie Xun mused inwardly that, no matter the person Fengyu married, her spouse would surely be destined for an extraordinary lineage.

"That’s not true!" Fengyu chuckled gently. "If it hadn’t been you and Lin Yu Yan, I might have married Jiang Yang—he’d never have that fate."

Xie Xun remained silent for a long time. "Speaking of Jiang Yang, I ought to expel him from the Capital City. Even at the Imperial College, he’s an eyesore."

"He doesn’t need to attend court, nor do you visit the Imperial College. How is he an eyesore?"

"His presence in the Capital City itself is irritating." Xie Xun retorted and then playfully nipped her cheek in annoyance. Fengyu yelped in pain and struggled but was firmly held and bullied in his embrace.

Meanwhile, in the Capital City, the elder ministers had been eagerly awaiting a dramatic clash between the Marshal and the new Emperor, only for their expectations to be dashed by how peacefully things had played out. The most scandalous rumor to emerge, instead, was from the Commander Mansion.

The Marshal had returned to the Capital City with an illegitimate child, who was soon registered in Mrs. Fang’s name, and the news spread quickly throughout the city. Xiaoqi changed his name and officially became a Fang Family member.

Among prominent families, such scandals were the favorite topic for idle gossip, and many people couldn’t wait to see when Marshal Fang and Mrs. Fang might end up separating.