However, that Grand Marshal of the State is really an eyesore!
Xuanyuan Sheng seemed to know that he needed to rely on him, so he didn't intend to make a move against him.
He's really lucky; so many people were sent, but none of them managed to eliminate him.
Qin Yuchuan felt Murong Yan's gaze and grew wary.
Although it was his first time seeing this woman, her beauty was enough to topple kingdoms. Her every smile and gesture resembled that of an innocent young girl.
But he always felt that something was hidden behind her radiant smile, a feeling that made him uneasy.
After the lengthy coronation ceremony, the court officials dispersed. Qin Yuchuan and Na Muqi walked out of the palace gates together.
"General, what do you think about this matter?" Na Muqi asked.
Qin Yuchuan's face remained expressionless. "I have no opinion."
Na Muqi continued, "We've already discovered that she's from the Southern Frontier, and I've reported this to His Majesty. But the Emperor doesn't seem to have any suspicions about her."
"I wonder if she has any connection to those who tried to assassinate you before. If so, she must have some ulterior motive."
"Although we've found out she's from the Southern Frontier, we don't know her status there or how she came to Tianqi."
"His Majesty trusts her implicitly. If we don't have evidence, I'm afraid he might punish us for raising doubts."
Qin Yuchuan remained silent. For Xuanyuan Sheng to overcome all obstacles and make her his empress, she couldn't be as innocent and harmless as she appeared.
Whether or not she was connected to those people from the Southern Frontier, they shouldn't let their guard down.
All he could do now was ensure his own safety while investigating discreetly.
Seeing that Qin Yuchuan wasn't responding, Na Muqi asked, "General, what are your thoughts?"
"Let nature take its course," Qin Yuchuan replied. When the enemy is hidden and we are exposed, it's already disadvantageous.
"General, this doesn't sound like you," Na Muqi commented.
In Na Muqi's memory, Qin Yuchuan had always been confident and prepared.
He usually believed that man could shape his own destiny. Hearing the words "let nature take its course" from him was a first.
Watching Qin Yuchuan's graceful departing figure, Na Muqi couldn't quite understand what he was thinking.
Another weekend arrived, and Feng Qingyi picked up her cheerfully ringing phone from the bedside table.
"It's the weekend. Didn't I tell you not to wake me up so early?" she mumbled.
Hearing that it wasn't Qin Yuchuan's voice, Nan Yin asked, "Qingyi, aren't you up yet?"
Feng Qingyi, realizing it wasn't Qin Yuchuan, quickly opened her eyes and checked the caller ID.
"Mom, why are you suddenly calling me?"
Nan Yin replied, "Your father and I are in the Capital City now. Call your brother and let's have dinner together tonight."
"Qingyi, are you dating someone?" she probed.
Feng Qingyi denied it, "No, I'm not dating anyone. Don't imagine things."
"Then tell me honestly, who did you think I was just now when you said not to wake you up so early?" Nan Yin asked.
Feng Qingyi casually replied, "Just a good friend."
Nan Yin continued, "Your good friend... is it one of your roommates or Xiao Xiao?"
"I have other friends besides them. I'm going to get up and wash now," Feng Qingyi said.
"I'll contact my brother soon. Send me the address, and we'll be there on time." Feng Qingyi quickly hung up the phone.
Her mother's perception was too sharp. But why was she feeling guilty? She wasn't actually dating anyone!
Awakened by Nan Yin's call, Feng Qingyi had lost all desire to sleep. After washing up and changing, she went out to buy breakfast.
Just as she returned with breakfast, Qin Yuchuan called.
"Are you up?" he asked.
Feng Qingyi, eating the noodles she'd bought, replied, "Yes, I'm already having breakfast."
"Why so early today?"
Recently, Qin Yuchuan had noticed that Feng Qingyi always needed an extra fifteen minutes in bed before she could drag herself up.
On weekends, she'd prefer not to leave her bed at all. Today, he had been prepared to coax her out of bed.
To his surprise, she had gotten up early on her own, which was unexpected.
"Actually, I didn't want to get up this early either. My mom called and woke me up. I thought it was you, and then I couldn't fall back asleep, so I just got up," she explained.
Qin Yuchuan rarely heard Feng Qingyi mention her family, so he didn't know much about them.
However, from her daily behavior and words, he could sense that her family was probably quite happy.
"Even though winter is coming, oversleeping isn't a good habit," he advised.
Feng Qingyi took a sip of hot water. "But it's so cold in the morning!"
"Don't stay in bed for too long," Qin Yuchuan finally compromised. At worst, he'd just have to coax her a bit more. He seemed to have gotten used to it over this period.
Feng Qingyi laughed, "Thanks to you. By the way, I just saw someone selling roasted sweet potatoes outside. Do you want some?"
"No need," he declined. She seemed very enthusiastic about sharing all kinds of food with him, especially sweet things.
"There's also sugar-roasted chestnuts. You can smell the aroma from far away. Are you sure you're not tempted?" Feng Qingyi tried to entice him.
Qin Yuchuan: "Not tempted."
Seeing that he wasn't swayed, Feng Qingyi gave up.
"Alright! Then I'll just enjoy them by myself."
"Also, you don't need to prepare dinner for me tonight. My mom asked me to have dinner with them."
Qin Yuchuan replied, "Okay."
...
Due to Nan Yin's profession, whenever the family dined together, they would choose high-end restaurants with good privacy.
When Feng Qingyi arrived, Nan Yin and Feng Zhixing were huddled together, looking at something.
"Dad, Mom, why did you come to the Capital City?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Feng Zhixing replied, "Your mom has some work here, so I came along. We thought we'd take the opportunity to see you."
"Your birthday is coming up soon. If there's anything you want, just say it."
Feng Qingyi sat down. "My birthday is still a month away, and I don't really want anything in particular. Whatever you choose is fine."
"Qingyi, are you really not dating anyone?" Nan Yin asked.
Feng Qingyi nodded solemnly, "I really am not, but I think my brother might be."
"Has he won her over?" Nan Yin, having heard about Feng Qingci from Feng Qingyi before, asked curiously.
Feng Qingyi shook her head, "I'm not sure, but they seem to be getting along quite well lately."
"I think you should give him some dating funds. It's not really appropriate for him to always be spending the girl's money."
Nan Yin and Feng Zhixing exchanged a shocked glance.
"Your brother is pursuing a girl and spending her money?!" Nan Yin exclaimed, unable to believe it.
Feng Zhixing: "Then I'd say his chances are slim."
The three of them were about to discuss Feng Qingci's situation when the restaurant door opened.
Feng Qingci walked in wearing a white down jacket.
Nan Yin stared at the down jacket for a few extra seconds, thinking it looked like a men's style from a brand she had endorsed before, and quite expensive.
"What were you all just talking about?" Feng Qingci asked.
Feng Qingyi replied, "Nothing much. Have a seat, the food will be here soon."
"Qingci, I don't think I've seen you wear that coat before, have I?" Nan Yin inquired.
