A Certain Person Got Jealous
Xuan Tian Ming always knew that once Feng Yu Heng made any decision, there was no chance of it being walked back. It was impossible for it to be changed, even if the person advising her was him.
Just like when he brought up going with her, this girl also had 100 excuses of her own: “Xuan Tian Ming, that can’t be done. Your appearance is too unique. Even if you removed your mask, that purple lotus flower on your forehead is the best proof of identity. It’s not possible for you to scrape that off, right? How painful would that be!”
He wanted to say that the key problem here was not “pain” alright? Her excuses did not end here: “Me entering the North would be a covert mission. I absolutely must not be discovered by anyone, thus you must remain here with the army to lead the way. You must make it seem as though I am leading the army.” Speaking to this point, she paused and thought for a while before adding: “Is there anyone that can be a substitute for me?”
“Hm?” Xuan Tian Ming was startled then immediately understood what she meant. After thinking for a while, he said: “Leave behind one of Wang Chuan or Huang Quan. I will arrange for more hidden guards to accompany you.”
“No good.” Feng Yu Heng shook her head, “Those two are a few years older than me, and they are quite a bit taller. It’s very easy to have this get exposed.”
“Then just don’t go.” Xuan Tian Ming replied very frankly, “Without anyone to act as your substitute, what are you going for, and it’s likely that things will be exposed.”
Because of this topic, the two did not sleep for the entire night. From the middle of the night until dawn, when Wang Chuan and Huang Quan entered the room, the two were still talking.
Wang Chuan listened for a while before finally understanding what they were talking about, but she did not stop Feng Yu Heng from going to the North. Instead, she just pondered for a while then said: “The Feng family’s third young miss has a figure that is very similar. She shares quite a few similarities with young miss in her figure. Perhaps… she could.”
Feng Yu Heng was stunned, “Xiang Rong?” She then shook her head immediately, “No good, it’s too dangerous.”
Xuan Tian Ming did not think much of it, “This trip will be entirely within Da Shun’s borders, and it will be with the entire army. Aside from being a bit tiring, there is no real danger.”
Huang Quan also said: “This idea is quite good. When it comes to set up camp in the North, we will secretly send third young miss back. Nobody will know about it. Young miss, it’s fine.”
Feng Yu Heng thought for a while but was still a little uncertain, asking: “Is it really fine? If something was to happen to Xiang Rong, I would not be able to provide concubine mother An with an explanation!”
Xuan Tian Ming felt helpless, “If something happened to you, I would not be able to provide any explanation to old man Yao. We will be leaving the day after tomorrow. If you really want to go, this matter needs to be decided on as soon as possible.”
Having been forced back to this point, there was no time for Feng Yu Heng to consider things too much. She gritted her teeth, “Forget it, Xiang Rong it is.” She then ordered Wang Chuan: “You head back and bring Xiang Rong over. Also, you need to think of a way to help keep concubine mother An calm.”
Wang Chuan nodded, “Young miss, don’t worry. In the worst case, I will just say that you’ve gone out to fight, and imperial concubine Yun was feeling extremely bored on her own, thus she wanted to borrow third young miss for a while.”
Feng Yu Heng felt that this was a very good idea. Of course, none of them could have imagined that their imperial concubine Yun was currently sitting in Xuan Tian Hua’s carriage and heading East. With one leg crossed over the other, she was eating sunflower seeds. From time to time, she would evaluate the clothes that Xuan Tian Hua wore.
Of course, nobody expected that the person that Wang Chuan would bring back after being away for two days was not Feng Xiang Rong. Instead, it was Bai Fu Rong.
Upon seeing Bai Fu Rong, Feng Yu Heng was dumbfounded and looked at Wang Chuan in confusion. Wang Chuan said slightly helplessly: “When this servant went back, third young miss was strolling around in the streets with young miss Bai. This servant said that young miss missed third young miss a great deal and invited her to visit the military camp. Who knew that third young miss would, in her joy… twist her ankle.”
Bai Fu Rong also said: “A-Heng, it’s my fault for not keeping an eye on younger sister Xiang Rong. She fell straight off of such a high step. We sent her straight to Hundred Herb Hall, but the doctor at Hundred Herb Hall said that the injury was a bit severe, and she is not able to walk for 100 days.”
Wang Chuan nodded, “It’s like that.”
Bai Fu Rong then scratched her head and asked in a puzzled tone: “But… A-Heng, why did your servant bring me here?”
Feng Yu Heng also looked at Wang Chuan with a similar questioning look.
Wang Chuan pointed at Bai Fu Rong then gestured her height. Feng Yu Heng immediately understood, but Xiang Rong was Xiang Rong, and Fu Rong was Fu Rong. Using her own family would be easier to accept, but was she able to do something like use Bai Fu Rong?
Everyone stood around foolishly; however, Bai Fu Rong seemed to have understood something, asking Feng Yu Heng: “Do you need me to provide some help? A-Heng!” She suddenly slapped Feng Yu Heng’s shoulder, “What sort of relationship do we have? Is there any need to hesitate? Speak! No matter what it is, as long as you say it, I, Bai Fu Rong, will endure any difficulties without shying away from sacrifice!”
“Really?” She looked seriously at Bai Fu Rong, “This matter is really a little bit dangerous. Are you certain that you will not shy away from sacrifice?”
Bai Fu Rong’s lips twitched, “A-Heng, you won’t really tell me to die, right?”
“That is not the case, but…” Feng Yu Heng grabbed Bai Fu Rong’s shoulder, “It’s just that we will be leaving the capital for a while, and you will suffer some hardship.”
“Is that it?” Bai Fu Rong looked at Feng Yu Heng with a bit of disbelief, “You were struggling over such a trivial thing for such a long time? I say, A-Heng, this isn’t like you! It’s not like you don’t know my personality. I am not some noble young miss. My father is nothing more than a craftsman. I have endured plenty of hardships from a young age. Also, leaving the capital is good! Without you in the capital, Tian Ge has been locked up every day in the palace to study up on the responsibilities of a female. I have nearly been bored to death. Just say it, where do you want me to go?”
Feng Yu Heng looked at her and said: “The North.”
“Pft” Bai Fu Rong nearly choked on her own saliva, “The North?” Her voice trembled, “A-Heng, you aren’t really going to send me to die, right?”
“How could that be!” Feng Yu Heng hooked her arm around Bai Fu Rong’s neck. While leading her toward her own tent, she explained the plan.
Wang Chuan finally let out a sigh of relief and said to Huang Quan: “You don’t know this, but I was scared to death when third young miss twisted her ankle. A perfectly good plan was about to run aground, but fortunately, we had the Bai family’s young miss to save the day.”
Huang Quan also said: “That’s right. The Bai family’s young miss’ figure is not too different from our young miss. Although the discrepancy is something that can be noticed with enough time, with the temperatures falling, as long as a few extra layers are put on, it’s not easy to notice.”
“Hah.” Wang Chuan helplessly said: “The Bai family’s young miss is lively and has lots of strength. By just squeezing third young miss a little, third young miss fell down the stairs. It really was quite a coincidence.”
While saying this, she followed after Feng Yu Heng and heard Huang Quan mutter from the back: “This is a little too much of a coincidence.”
Wang Chuan seemed to have suddenly thought of something; however, she was unable to grasp anything concrete.
The matter of Bai Fu Rong substituting in for Feng Yu Heng in accompanying Xuan Tian Ming in leading the troops was set. It was just that this truth was a secret. Aside from deputy generals Xi Fang and Gan Liang and the two people involved, none of the other soldiers knew about this. This included Zi Rui and that girl. Not even they were told.
Bai Fu Rong advised Feng Yu Heng: “This matter must not be told to my father. He is getting old. If he knew that Qian Zhou was rebelling, and I was going North, he would not allow me to go no matter what. But fortunately, he is currently focusing on crafting accessories that will be given to the imperial concubines of each palace during the new year. He will not notice me. You just need to think of an excuse for me.”
Xuan Tian Ming had already thought up this excuse. It was still the same excuse of going to Winter Moon Palace to accompany imperial concubine Yun to relieve her boredom. Even if craftsman Bai found out, he would not dare go to Winter Moon Palace to find her.
Bai Fu Rong felt that this was very good.
The day of departure that Xuan Tian Ming had set would be the next morning. Feng Yu Heng chose to leave the night before, bringing along Wang Chuan and Huang Quan along with two hidden guards that Xuan Tian Ming had assigned her. He personally sent them out of the mountains until they reached the official road. Only then did he verify with Feng Yu Heng: “You really don’t want to bring along some more hidden guards?”
Feng Yu Heng shook her head, “This trip is not suited to bringing more people. Even if it is a hidden guard, it would be best to have fewer numbers. Bringing two along is perfect for alternating driving duties. Any more people will make it easier for us to be eye-catching.”
Xuan Tian Ming also understood this logic. With things as they were, there was no use in saying anything else, thus he just provided her with some news: “The day before the new year is Duan Mu An Guo’s birthday. He will organize a grand banquet every year, and all of the officials in the three northernmost provinces will prepare presents to attend. Qian Zhou would also express its attitude. If you can get there before the end of the year, this is an opportunity.”
Feng Yu Heng’s eyes lit up, and she immediately nodded, “It’s a good opportunity.”
Xuan Tian Ming smiled bitterly, “I am not int he mood for any good or bad opportunities. I am just looking forward to the day that you can calm down for me. Aside from at my side, I will always feel worried no matter where you are.”
She was moved and knew that he did not want for her to leave, but the troubles of the country came first. Since she had come here, and since she had decided that she would advance alongside this man, there were some things that required the two of them to work together to complete. There was no reason for her to hide behind a man.
“I know.” She reached out and grabbed Xuan Tian Ming’s sleeve and shook it, “When Qian Zhou’s matters have been resolved, I will not go anywhere. I will stay at your side every day. Just don’t get irritated with me.”
How could he ever get annoyed with her… Reaching out, he pulled the girl in front of him into his embrace, his arms wrapped tightly around her. “You must be careful on this trip. No matter what, staying alive is most important. If things are truly too dangerous, just hide in your space and don’t come out. Do you understand?”
She nodded and began to feel choked up; however, he loosened his hold and pushed her from behind, “Go on!” His face then became colder, as he waved to the two hidden guards along with Wang Chuan and Huang Quan, saying in a low voice: “Protect the princess well. If something happens to her, there is no need for you to come back to see this prince.”
The four immediately kneeled and said in unison: “This subordinate obeys.”
Feng Yu Heng turned around and very quickly walked toward the carriage that had been prepared. Upon arriving at the carriage, she recalled something and ran back. She stood on her tiptoes and whispered something into Xuan Tian Ming’s ear. She then ran back and lifted her skirt to climb into the carriage.
Huang Quan and Wang Chuan then followed her into the carriage. The hidden guards sat outside the carriage and swung the horsewhip, setting the carriage flying forward.
Bai Ze noted his master’s expressionless face and could not hold back, asking: “What did the princess just say?”
Xuan Tian Ming pushed his mask and curled his lips into a sly smile…