Chapter 574

First Volume, Chapter 574: Bold Declaration of Love

Before meeting Xie Yun'er, Qin Feng had rehearsed countless words in his heart.

But upon actually seeing Xie Yun'er, he could say nothing—just a dry, flat "You're back" was enough to express Qin Feng's feelings at that moment.

Xie Yun'er lightly bit her thin lips, her nose suddenly tingling with acid, memories of past moments flooding her heart.

They met through conflict, and along the way, their journey was filled with laughter, scolding, and banter.

From initial mutual dislike, they gradually came to admire each other, until a single day apart left them longing and restless.

Since Qin Feng left Jingdu, Xie Yun'er's mind had been filled with the image of this man.

Xie Yun'er had told herself more than once that as the daughter of the Duke of Ning, she carried the Xie Family's pride.

How could she let a man make her so sentimental?

Only after calming herself did she turn and begin worrying—had he faced danger on the Battlefield?

When would he return to Beijing? Now that he was back, when would he come to see her?

Was their betrothal still valid?

Xie Yun'er could not control her anxious, restless heart; she couldn't help imagining wildly, her mind never at rest.

Even Xie Yun'er herself couldn't say exactly when she had slowly fallen into love, unable to extricate herself.

Love born of time? Hidden infatuation?

This indescribable feeling sometimes left Xie Yun'er emotionally drained, yet at other times brought her a quiet smile, her heart and eyes filled with happiness and anticipation.

Xie Yun'er stepped slowly toward Qin Feng, gazing at the man she had longed for day and night, now within arm's reach.

Almost instinctively, she threw herself at him, gripping his neck tightly and burying her face against his shoulder.

A soft, fragrant whisper floated gently into Qin Feng's ear: "You're back—that's all that matters."

The entire banquet courtyard fell utterly silent.

As it is said, men and women must maintain propriety—even with a betrothal agreed upon, public embrace was an extremely bold act.

All guests present, male and female alike, were secretly astonished.

Qin Feng felt Xie Yun'er's tender yet firm embrace and froze for a moment, but instantly felt warmth spreading through his chest.

If Xie Yun'er didn't care about the surrounding stares, how could Qin Feng care?

He firmly wrapped his arms around her, giving the most direct response.

Xie Yun'er's body trembled violently, her entire frame burning hot, as if she might ignite.

That earlier embrace had merely been Xie Yun'er's uncontrollable longing.

But Qin Feng's response now jolted her awake—this was the Second Prince's Birthday Banquet.

Under so many eyes, such an act would surely become a laughingstock.

But…

Feeling Qin Feng's strong, solid chest, Xie Yun'er's breath grew ragged, her heart pounding as if it might burst.

Yet she still refused to push him away—or rather, she did not wish to reject his affection.

Fighting back her shyness, Xie Yun'er buried her face against Qin Feng's shoulder, all her unspoken words becoming mutual understanding.

The guests, watching the two tightly embraced figures, slowly returned from their shock.

Soon, a variety of murmurs spread throughout the banquet hall.

"Qin Feng and Xie Yun'er are so reckless—this is utterly indecent."

"Qin Feng, fine—he's always been eccentric—but how has Xie Yun'er become so bold?"

"Ah, it's what they say: close to vermilion, you turn red; close to ink, you turn black. Xie Yun'er has been thoroughly corrupted by Qin Feng."

"Damn it! What kind of witchcraft has Qin Feng poured into Xie Yun'er's ears that she's so utterly devoted?"

"I thought Qin Feng's return to Beijing, with his Hengxing Badou ways, would eventually lead to his downfall—and that the Qin-Xie betrothal would fizzle out."

"Judging by this, even without a betrothal, Qin Feng and Xie Yun'er's wedding would proceed as planned…"

"Hmph! It's like a flower stuck in cow dung!"

The surrounding young nobles stared with envy, jealousy, and resentment, their words dripping with bitterness.

The ladies on the other side weren't much better.

The sheltered noblewomen, unaccustomed to the world, were so flustered by the scene that their faces flushed crimson, and they quickly turned away.

"This… this… this is utterly improper."

"Even if they're betrothed, before marriage they must avoid suspicion—yet now they're embracing publicly! Oh my, how shameful!"

The noblewomen and experienced ladies nearby, however, smiled warmly, not showing the slightest disapproval—instead, they couldn't help sneaking amused glances.

"You people really have nothing better to do. They have a matchmaker's agreement and mutual affection—what business is it of yours?"

"Exactly! This is Beijing, not Qiong Xiang Pi Rang—why so many rules?"

"Which article of the Great Liang Code forbids men and women from declaring love? Every year during the Lantern Festival in Beijing, countless couples in love stroll together, yet you never complain then."

"Heh, to be honest, you're just jealous—you can't stand losing Qin Marquis, so you sneer and mock?"

"In my view, Qin Marquis won't be punished—he'll have a brilliant future ahead. Just think: what kind of man is Qin Marquis?"

"As a frontier magnate, he has the support of three Grand Generals and tens of thousands of troops, holds the title of Marquis of Ten Battalion Commander, and serves as the Diplomatic Envoy for State Peace Talks."

"Tell me, in all of Heaven, who dares touch Qin Marquis?"

"In my opinion, marrying Qin Marquis means not only a lifetime of endless wealth and honor, but also blessings that will flow to future generations."

"Stop dreaming—can't you see how deeply Qin Marquis and Miss Xie love each other? What business do you have here?"

Although Qin Feng longed to cherish Xie Yun'er properly,

this wasn't his home—so many eyes were watching.

Qin Feng himself didn't care—he was already a dead pig unafraid of boiling water; his reputation had long been ruined.

But Xie Yun'er was after all a lady of noble birth, with a delicate sense of shame; if people were to point and whisper about her every day...

Qin Feng was not worried that Xie Yun'er would feel ashamed or miserable, but feared she might, in a fit of rage, cut out the tongues of those gossiping—then this joke would have gone too far.

Qin Feng did not push Xie Yun'er away outright; instead, he curled his lips into a mischievous smile.

He whispered close to Xie Yun'er's ear: "If you're this unable to be apart from me, why not go home together?"

Xie Yun'er finally lifted her head, her eyes slightly bewildered: "Why go home?"

As soon as she asked this, Xie Yun'er already sensed trouble.

Especially when she met Qin Feng's eyes—so wicked they dripped malice—she regretted it instantly.

As Xie Yun'er had expected, under the watchful eyes of all, Qin Feng leaned close to her ear and whispered one more thing.

"Naturally, to hug and cuddle, to whisper sweet nothings."

Xie Yun'er's face flushed crimson, as if dripping blood; she wished she could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

She shoved Qin Feng away, kicked him hard in the shin, and pouted: "You're just the same as ever!"