Chapter 6: No Resentment
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
In the Imperial Study, Qin Zhaohuang knelt before Feng Qi, bowing with his hands raised.
Feng Qi smiled. “Had enough of wandering around outside?”
Feng Qi didn’t dislike Qin Zhaohuang. At the age of thirteen, Qin Zhaohuang had been chosen as the National Preceptor by the Fengtian Temple because of his auspicious fate. Separated from his family at a young age, he was confined within the temple, said to be serving the gods, and spent several years in solitude.
Back then, Feng Qi had pitied Qin Zhaohuang and would occasionally go to chat with him.
Feng Qi had said that if he ever became emperor, he would definitely let Qin Zhaohuang out.
And Qin Zhaohuang had said that he would then pray to the gods every day, asking them to bless Feng Qi so he could become the King of Bei Miao.
Later, Feng Qi really did ascend the throne and granted Qin Zhaohuang his freedom. Finally able to see the sky outside, bask in the sun, and breathe fresh air, Qin Zhaohuang was ecstatic. He requested leave from Feng Qi and, after it was granted, left the imperial palace to travel far and wide.
In his past life, Qin Zhaohuang had also been loyal to Feng Qi. Aside from being annoyingly superstitious, he was a faithful friend and subject. A few days before the incident, Qin Zhaohuang had told Feng Qi that a great disaster was about to occur, one that might endanger his life—an ominous sign that he would lose everything. However, Feng Qi had not heeded his words. He had simply appointed him as an envoy and sent him off to Nanxiang to get him out of sight.
If not for his past friendship with Qin Zhaohuang, the Feng Qi of his previous life would have killed him long ago.
Looking at Qin Zhaohuang kneeling before him, Feng Qi said, “I have a task that I need Beloved Minister to carry out for me.”
Qin Zhaohuang pouted inwardly. Assigned a task as soon as I get back.
“Haven’t you been to many places these past few years, gaining much knowledge? Go back and make me a list of all the local delicacies worth trying. Especially those in the capital, from luxurious teahouses to street food stalls. As long as it’s delicious, list it out for me in great detail. I want it by tomorrow morning.”
…
What?
The corner of Qin Zhaohuang’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. As the ruler of a nation, he wasn’t asking about the state of the people, but about food. And… when did the Emperor become such a glutton?
“That’s about it. If there’s nothing else, Beloved Minister may withdraw.”
Qin Zhaohuang said, “Your Majesty, shall I read your fortune?”
Feng Qi raised an eyebrow and extended his hand.
Qin Zhaohuang looked at it and frowned. “Dark clouds gather, thick and un-dispersing. This is an ominous sign… and a very bad one…”
This result was within Feng Qi’s expectations. That’s what Qin Zhaohuang had said in his past life, and then he had spent the next week in prison.
Feng Qi shook his head. This time, he wouldn’t act as he had before. Qin Zhaohuang wasn’t wrong. With an ending like his past life’s, what else could it be but an ominous sign? The fact that he hadn’t called it a death omen was already giving him a lot of face.
“However…” Qin Zhaohuang continued, “although it is covered in dark clouds, the clouds are wreathed in a purple aura. This purple aura seems to have appeared recently and is not very strong, yet it shows a tendency to obscure the dark clouds! So, there is a turning point!”
Feng Qi said without expression, “Speak plainly.”
“In short, a terrible situation has suddenly taken a turn. It could be a person, an event, or an object that can alleviate the ‘ominous’ nature of Your Majesty’s fate, and even bring you good luck!”
Hmm?
This was something that hadn’t been said in his past life.
Feng Qi suddenly smiled.
The only difference between his past and present lives was Wen Ning’an. Perhaps because he had gotten closer to Wen Ning’an, he too was now surrounded by a purple aura.
After Qin Zhaohuang took his leave, Feng Qi glanced at the sky and summoned Fu Che. “Later, personally send someone to bring Yixin to the palace.”
Fu Che smiled. “Yes, this servant will see to it at once.”
Feng Qi nodded slightly. Fu Che observed Feng Qi’s expression and, guessing that he was in a good mood, teased, “Your Majesty has been paying a lot of attention to General Wen lately. This is unprecedented. Perhaps the general has done something to greatly please Your Majesty.”
Feng Qi was taken aback.
In truth, his own mind was in chaos. After being reborn, he only wanted to protect that person, so he had resorted to all sorts of haphazard methods. Only after calming down and collecting himself did he realize that his current relationship with Wen Ning’an was like that of lovers, like a married couple. Although they hadn’t crossed any lines, they had already shared a bed. Although they hadn’t performed the wedding ceremony, everything he owned—the national treasury, his tokens—he could give it all to him.
Feng Qi looked at the lush, vibrant red peach blossoms outside the window. He was suddenly reminded of his past life, of that person covered in blood, battered and bruised, yet gritting his teeth and desperately protecting him.
And the blood that had stained the Golden Throne Hall red… redder and more glaring than these peach blossoms.
Feng Qi said coldly, “Some people are mine even in death. So since they are alive, they should also be mine.”
Since Wen Ning’an could die for him, then Feng Qi wanted Wen Ning’an to live for him for a lifetime.
This time, when Wen Ning’an entered the palace, he went directly to the bedchamber. As expected, he saw the desk covered with a great many pastries.
Feng Qi was sitting at the desk, reading a book while waiting for him.
“The Strategies of an Emperor.” Feng Qi held up the thick book in his hand for Wen Ning’an to see.
“It’s all nonsense,” he said, and then tossed the book aside, his eyes full of disdain.
Wen Ning’an shook his head and sat down opposite Feng Qi, starting to eat the pastries. The fragrant tea cakes, the sweet hibiscus cakes, the still-steaming buns… Wen Ning’an’s eyes curved into crescents as he smiled.
Wen Ning’an sat with proper and disciplined posture. His table manners were also excellent; he chewed slowly, held his chopsticks lightly with his slender fingers, and savored the delicacies in small bites, looking both elegant and leisurely.
Watching Wen Ning’an eat, Feng Qi felt his own mood improve. His appetite was even whetted, and he wanted to eat too.
Seeing that Feng Qi had also asked for a bowl and chopsticks to eat with him, Wen Ning’an picked up a piece of water chestnut cake and placed it in Feng Qi’s bowl.
“This subject… I like this one.”
Feng Qi smiled and ate the piece of water chestnut cake in his bowl. It was sweet.
“Where did you go today?”
In reality, Feng Qi had sent his shadow guards to secretly follow Wen Ning’an. They had reported every detail of Wen Ning’an’s movements and daily routine to him. Yet, Feng Qi still wanted to hear it from Wen Ning’an’s own mouth.
Wen Ning’an thought for a moment and said, “I went to the west side of the capital to look for an empty shop. I want to try my hand at business like my elder brother.”
“Oh?” Feng Qi was quite interested. “What kind of shop are you opening?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, I haven’t decided yet.”
“Then why don’t we go for a walk through the streets of the capital tomorrow? I’ll treat you to some delicious food. Maybe that will help you find some ideas. Kill two birds with one stone.”
Wen Ning’an frowned. “In disguise? I’ll arrange for an escort and shadow guards before bed.”
“No,” Feng Qi said seriously. “Just the two of us. No escort.”
Wen Ning’an did not approve.
“Your Majesty, that is too dangerous.”
“Dangerous?” Feng Qi said, as if he had heard a joke. “General Wen is highly skilled in martial arts, known as an Asura on the battlefield. And my martial arts are superior to yours. You’re telling me it’s dangerous?”
Wen Ning’an said with dissatisfaction, “Your Majesty, although I lost to you in our past spars, you have been busy with state affairs these past few years, while I have been honing my skills on the battlefield. At the frontier, even when there was no war, the Left Army constantly sparred with the locals or foreign warriors. I feel I have improved a great deal.”
But after Wen Ning’an said this, Feng Qi didn’t reply. He silently looked at the half-eaten water chestnut cake in his bowl, his mood seeming to darken.
Wen Ning’an was startled. He didn’t know what he had said wrong to upset Feng Qi. He just remained silent, his fingers lightly tracing the edge of the table.
“Yixin, after I exiled you to the frontier for two years, do you resent me?”
Wen Ning’an immediately replied, “I don’t.”
Perhaps he truly liked Feng Qi so, so much, to the point of loving him humbly. Now that Feng Qi was being good to him, all his past resentment had vanished like smoke.
Although he didn’t resent Feng Qi, he could no longer interact with him as freely as he had before.
“You are not allowed to resent me…” Feng Qi moved to Wen Ning’an’s side, leaned over, and pulled him into an embrace, murmuring, “You are not allowed to resent me, not allowed to resent me…”
“I won’t.”
Feng Qi’s behavior made Wen Ning’an a little scared.
“Your Majesty, believe me, I won’t.”
“Stay tonight.”
It wasn’t a question, but a command.
Wen Ning’an looked out the window. A cool breeze was blowing, the night was beautiful, and the weather was good. It seemed he had no reason to stay, and yet…
“Alright…”
