Chapter 1131

First Volume, Chapter 1131: The Last Day of the Wedding Date

Liu Hongyan's heartbeat quickened, her breathing growing rapid.

She still remembered when Qin Feng was still loitering in Jingdu, weak and feeble, steeped in scholarly air, always clinging to her side, running about excitedly.

Yet now, Qin Feng could lift her into the air without effort.

The strength in his arms was overwhelmingly powerful to Liu Hongyan, leaving not even a trace of resistance in her heart.

This was... a true man!

Feng'er has become a man.

Liu Hongyan wept with joy, but since there were too many people present and this was a day of great celebration, to burst into tears would be terribly out of place.

Taking advantage of the crowd's distraction, Liu Hongyan quietly wiped away the tears at her eyes, feigned calmness, took a deep breath, and gently patted Qin Feng's shoulder, signaling him to put her down.

Almost the moment her feet touched the ground, her expression transformed utterly.

Just moments ago she had been moved to tears, now her eyebrows furrowed, her almond eyes wide with fury, as if she meant to devour Qin Feng.

Before Qin Feng could react, Liu Hongyan kicked his calf and scolded in a shrill voice: "You heartless thing, you finally came back!"

"I used to care for you so much, and you left without even sending a single letter—those who don't know might think you died out there."

"Do you have any idea how much I worried, day and night, staying here in Jingdu?"

"You really are an ungrateful wretch!"

Qin Feng accepted Liu Hongyan's scolding without a hint of grievance.

After all, leaving Liu Hongyan and Xie Yun'er behind in Jingdu to manage all affairs there had already filled him with deep guilt.

Now that he had finally returned to Jingdu, everything he saw was orderly and well-managed.

Qin Feng could easily imagine how much effort the two women had poured into this time.

Among all the women around Qin Feng, only Liu Hongyan and Xie Yun'er had shouldered the most burdens and suffered the most.

Not to mention being scolded a few times—should Liu Hongyan demand it, even if she wanted Qin Feng's life, he would unhesitatingly take his own there and then to atone.

Feeling the anger in Liu Hongyan's gaze, Qin Feng felt a pang of sorrow.

He quickly soothed her softly: "Second Sister, you've worked hard these past days."

"I promise you, once I've settled Nan Jing, I'll take you to Beixi County and let you enjoy some real peace."

Liu Hongyan was always sharp-tongued but soft-hearted; her fury, which had been boiling moments ago, immediately softened upon hearing Qin Feng's words.

What Liu Hongyan longed for most was to go to Beixi County, for once settled there, she could be close to Qin Feng.

Though Jingdu was bustling and vibrant, to Liu Hongyan it was cold and empty, holding no appeal whatsoever.

"So, you still have a bit of conscience."

Liu Hongyan took a deep breath, calmed herself, and spoke earnestly: "Nan Jing must be dealt with eventually, but right now, focus on completing your wedding."

"Tomorrow is Da Huo—time is running out. You're not worried, but I'm frantic for you."

Seeing Liu Hongyan's anger had faded, Qin Feng exhaled in relief.

Those present, seeing Qin Feng humbled by Liu Hongyan's scolding, smiled knowingly.

But since tomorrow was Da Huo, today was the final day, and all preparations were extremely urgent, so the joy of reunion was brief and bittersweet.

Soon, everyone returned to their frantic preparations.

Of course, except Qin Feng, Li Xiaolan, and Jing Qianying.

The two women, needless to say, were pregnant—they were now the Qin Family's greatest priority. Not only were they not allowed to help with the work, even standing too long would prompt maids to urge them to rest.

Although Qin Feng knew that life lies in movement—that moderate exercise during pregnancy maintained health—

the current atmosphere clashed sharply with his beliefs.

Qin Feng could not change others' understanding of "health," just as he could not change the natural evolution of Heaven.

Since everyone believed rest benefited mother and child, Qin Feng chose to stay silent, avoiding opposition to prevent unnecessary trouble.

A person's life is both constant progress and constant compromise.

Qin Feng had wanted to help everyone with their work, but Shen Qingci and Liu Hongyan had driven him away.

Shen Qingci was aloof but strictly rule-bound; she believed the groom's hardship belonged to tomorrow, and today's most important task was conserving energy.

Liu Hongyan, meanwhile, simply could not bear to see Qin Feng exert himself.

Though angry, Liu Hongyan understood well how much hardship Qin Feng had endured these past days—if he kept giving without rest, even an iron body would collapse.

Liu Hongyan truly feared that one day Qin Feng would suddenly break down from exhaustion.

Qin Feng walked with his hands behind his back through the mansion, watching everyone sweat profusely while he became a mere idle man—this felt deeply unnatural.

Finally, he left the Qin Family residence and headed to Ning Guogong Fu.

But before he reached Ning Guogong Fu, a familiar face blocked his path—it was the Princess of Qiyang.

"Qiyang?"

Hearing Qin Feng's call, the Princess of Qiyang snapped out of her daze, saw Qin Feng standing so close, and was startled and tense.

Since leaving Ning Guogong Fu, the Princess of Qiyang had lost all her spirit.

She wandered aimlessly along the Street, unaware of where she was headed, her mind filled entirely with Xie Yun'er.

Reason told her she must never envy Xie Yun'er, for Xie Yun'er was her dearest sister.

And since the Chang Princess's fall from power, it had always been Xie Yun'er protecting her and her mother.

But...

The Princess of Qiyang could not control her emotions—whenever Xie Yun'er crossed her mind, her heart turned sour.

Pure envy and resentment!

In beauty and appearance, she was equal to Xie Yun'er.

In bloodline and family status, she was a full rank above Xie Yun'er.

Logically speaking, she should have been the happiest woman of all, but reality was utterly cruel.

Xie Yun'er's life was infinitely bright — not only did her status and position rise step by step, but she had also married a man who could give her boundless happiness and tender care.

Looking at the Princess of Qiyang Commandery by contrast, mother and daughter had lost their standing long ago and had already been pushed to the margins; although her rank was high, her words carried no weight.

And because she bore the stigma of a guilty person, throughout all of Jingdu, apart from Xie Yun'er, virtually everyone kept a respectful distance from her.

Let alone choosing a husband to her liking — whether she could even be married off in the future was already a question.

At this very moment, compared with Xie Yun'er, the Princess of Qiyang Commandery was truly like one in the heavens and one underground.