Chapter 1132

First Volume, Chapter 1132: Encounter on the Frozen Lake

Even the Qiyang Commandant herself could no longer count how many times she had harbored evil thoughts.

She wanted to destroy Xie Yun'er's happiness and make her as miserable as herself.

Why should Xie Yun'er rise to the heavens while she was condemned to mediocrity?

She couldn't accept it! No matter what, her inner rage refused to subside.

Each time she was about to act on these thoughts, the Qiyang Commandant would retreat, torn and agonized—hating Xie Yun'er, yet unwilling to see her harmed.

On one hand, she wanted to drag Xie Yun'er down from the heavens; on the other, she rejoiced in her success.

She had become a woman without the courage to destroy, yet with a narrow, bitter heart.

Whenever she thought of her current state, the Qiyang Commandant wished she could dash her head against a wall to end her tormented, broken, and mediocre life.

Now, suddenly facing Qin Feng—the man who had given everything to Xie Yun'er—the Qiyang Commandant felt a sudden fear rise within her.

She wanted to flee, to escape further psychological harm.

But as she turned to leave, Qin Feng's voice came again.

"Where are you going? Why aren't you with Yun'er? You're her best sister—shouldn't you be with her right now?"

Faced with Qin Feng's question, the Qiyang Commandant had no answer.

Or rather, she didn't know how to face Qin Feng at all.

Qin Feng naturally noticed her odd behavior but didn't overthink it—first, because of her relationship with Xie Yun'er; second, because though this girl was spoiled and capricious, her heart wasn't evil.

"I'm heading to Ning Guogong Fu to pay respects to my father-in-law. Come with me."

Qin Feng stepped forward, arriving beside the Qiyang Commandant, smiling faintly.

In that moment, the Qiyang Commandant's mind went blank. Almost instinctively, she walked beside him, heading back toward the Ning Guogong Fu she had just fled.

When she came to her senses, she realized she was walking with Qin Feng—her chest felt as if crushed under a massive stone, suffocating.

The closer they drew to Ning Guogong Fu, the heavier her steps became.

Because she knew that once Qin Feng and Xie Yun'er reunited, it would be an unbearably moving scene.

The Qiyang Commandant didn't know if she could endure the impact of such happiness.

After much hesitation, she gritted her teeth: "I… I'm going to Hu Bian to clear my head. You go on to Ning Guogong Fu."

"I'll come back tomorrow for the wedding."

Saying this, she turned to leave—but took only two steps before stopping, hearing footsteps behind her.

She turned and saw Qin Feng following her, his face still lit with a gentle smile.

The Qiyang Commandant frowned slightly, puzzled: "Why are you following me? Go see Yun'er."

Qin Feng didn't answer immediately. Instead, he carefully observed the shifts in her gaze.

Clearly, her mood was heavy and gloomy—if he let her leave alone, something terrible might happen, and Xie Yun'er would be heartbroken.

And…

The Qiyang Commandant had motives for suicide.

After all, she had once been one of Jingdu's most powerful noble daughters; now, because of her mother Chang Princess's downfall, she had been tainted, becoming a cursed omen everyone avoided.

Such a drastic psychological fall must have inflicted deep wounds upon the Qiyang Commandant.

Even for Xie Yun'er's sake, Qin Feng could not let her go.

"It's still early. I'll walk with you. Then we'll head to Ning Guogong Fu together."

"If you refuse, it's fine—I'm now the Qin Wang. Wherever I go, no one dares stop me."

"I'll just follow you. If you find me annoying, go straight home."

Hearing this, the Qiyang Commandant was instantly torn.

She had only lied about going to Hu Bian to escape Qin Feng—she had never intended to go there at all.

Now, faced with Qin Feng's concern, she found herself Riding Tiger, Hard to Dismount.

With no choice, she walked toward Hu Bian.

Arriving at the lake, she looked at the completely frozen surface and without hesitation stepped onto it.

The ice was thick enough to support one or two people without issue.

As expected, Qin Feng followed—and strangely, though the weather was freezing, he had taken off his fur Overcoat.

The Qiyang Commandant frowned: "What are you doing?"

Qin Feng shrugged, casually: "You know I have too many enemies."

"What if someone tampered with the ice?"

"If the ice breaks, the fur Overcoat soaks up water—you won't be able to avoid drowning."

"I'm just being cautious. It's a bit cold… Ah-choo."

Seeing Qin Feng sneeze right there, the Qiyang Commandant burst out laughing—startling even herself.

Her mood had been terrible, yet with Qin Feng, she suddenly felt light.

She feigned composure: "You're as cautious as ever. The only person who could kill you is probably still practicing in his mother's womb."

"But if you're worried about accidents, why come with me at all?"

"Just stay on An Bian. I'll walk around and return on my own."

Qin Feng's lips curled slightly as he teased: "If I'm too far away, by the time I pull you out, you'll already be frozen into an ice statue."

"Then wouldn't Xie Yun'er cry herself to death?"

Hearing Xie Yun'er's name spoken by Qin Feng, the Qiyang Commandant's mood instantly darkened.

She disliked how Qin Feng constantly mentioned Xie Yun'er—but what did her dislike matter?

To be blunt, who was she? What right did she have to dislike anything?

The Princess of Qiyang Commandery simply ignored his words and turned to continue walking toward the center of the lake.

Qin Feng followed behind, unhurried and calm; every dozen steps, he knelt down, brushed away the snow on the Bing Mian, and conducted Observation to confirm the ice's thickness before proceeding.

According to Qin Feng's Observation, the closer to the lake's center, the thinner the ice layer became.

The criterion was simple: the Bing Mian had grown increasingly transparent, and the greenish lake water beneath was now faintly visible.

"Enough."

Qin Feng reached out from behind and seized Xie Yun'er's wrist, whispering: "If you go any further, it's dangerous."

"Either turn back, or stand here for a while."

The Princess of Qiyang Commandery felt the pressure in Qin Feng's palm and felt a strange sensation ripple through her heart, yet she still struggled forcefully—but could not break free.

"What right do you have to issue a Military Order to me?"

The Princess of Qiyang Commandery, expressionless, stared at Qin Feng and demanded coldly: "I do as I please!"

"Let go of my hand right now!"