TSFLIP Chapter 71

As the banquet was coming to an end, Qi Mu returned to the hall alone. He informed Xia Chao that he had already arranged for Feng Guang to rest in the guest room. Xia Chao merely grunted in response, saying nothing more. He sensed something was off with Qi Mu’s cheerful demeanor but couldn’t have guessed that his daughter hadn’t gone to the guest room but to Qi Mu’s chambers.

The guests were starting to leave when a voice announced from outside, “The Noble Consort Min has arrived!”

Princess Consort Xiao froze in surprise. Qi Mu sneered while the others were equally shocked, quickly hurrying out to greet the noble consort.

True to her name, Noble Consort Min, nearing forty, still retained her beauty, exuding a sharp, intelligent aura. Having been by the emperor’s side for years, she carried a sense of dignity that was difficult to match.

Waving off the formal greetings, she stepped forward and smiled at Princess Consort Xiao, saying, “Today is your birthday banquet, so there’s no need for these formalities. These jewels are a gift from me to you.”

A maid following Noble Consort Min opened a jewelry box filled with rare treasures. However, Princess Consort Xiao didn’t even glance at the jewels, though she smiled. Despite the consort’s higher status, she maintained her composure, unfazed. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Governess Guo accepted the box from the young maid.

“Actually,” Noble Consort Min continued, “I came not only to celebrate your birthday but also because His Majesty heard that Lord Xiao was gravely ill. He specifically asked me to check on him.”

“Your Highness,” Qi Mu interjected with a smile, “my father has already retired for the night. Perhaps you could rest at the manor and visit him tomorrow instead?”

Princess Consort Xiao tightened her grip on her prayer beads.

Noble Consort Min cast a murky glance at Qi Mu. “You must be the heir, Qi Mu?”

“Indeed, I am.”

“A fine young man, as expected. Very well, I’ll do as you suggest and stay at the manor for the night. Princess Consort, you don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course not. Allow me to personally escort Your Highness to the guest room.”

Princess Consort Xiao left to attend to the noble consort, and the remaining guests began to disperse. Xia Chao approached Qi Mu. “Where is Feng Guang? I’m here to take her home.”

“She’s already fallen asleep. How about I take her home tomorrow?”

“Asleep?”

Qi Mu flashed a perfect smile. “She was exhausted and drifted off.”

“You brat!” Xia Chao grabbed him by the collar, disregarding the usual decorum, and with a hushed tone, warned, “Don’t forget, you two aren’t married yet. Feng Guang’s reputation still matters. If word gets out…”

Qi Mu remained calm. “Rest assured, Lord Xia. No one in this manor would dare speak of it. They know full well who their master is.”

“You’ve already managed to take control to this extent?” Xia Chao was taken aback. He knew Lord Xiao’s character well. The fact that Qi Mu had managed to turn the entire household into his people was telling. Even if Lord Xiao were to lose power, his loyal subordinates wouldn’t betray him. But Qi Mu had replaced them all. What did that mean?

“Lord Xia, I can guarantee that when Feng Guang marries into this household, there won’t be any family troubles for her to deal with. I’ve already taken care of everything.” Qi Mu smiled gracefully, flawless in every way.

Xia Chao released his grip and stepped back, his expression unreadable. He realized that this young man was beyond his ability to gauge. Whether entrusting Feng Guang to him was a good or bad decision, he couldn’t tell. It felt like a high-stakes gamble—one that would determine Feng Guang’s happiness. Casting a cold, assessing look at Qi Mu one last time, Xia Chao turned and left.

Qi Mu calmly adjusted his collar and returned to his room. When he saw the young girl sound asleep on the bed, the cold indifference in his eyes melted into an unfathomable tenderness.

Her lips, still swollen from rough treatment, remained slightly red. Gently, he traced the shape of her lips with his fingers, then bent down to place a soft kiss on them.

How could Xia Chao ever doubt that he would treat Feng Guang poorly when he cherished her so deeply?