TSFLIP Chapter 76

Xu Min’s hand, clutching the handkerchief, trembled slightly. “Miss Xia, are you suggesting that I should give up on finding my child and continue to watch as Qiao Wan poisons Prince Xiao and Qi Duan?”

“You are mistaken, Your Highness. None of this was done by the princess,” Feng Guang shook her head, her eyes showing a hint of melancholy. “Whether it’s Prince Xiao’s severe illness or Qi Gongzi’s imprisonment, it’s all the work of the heir.”

“It’s Qi Mu!” Xu Min had never considered this. Thinking of the young man who had seemed so gentle even when facing her, she felt a chill run down her spine. “The prince is his father. Qi Mu is committing an act of treason and harming his kin. Are you still going to protect such a person?”

“Because he is the heir, my fiancé, and someone I care for, everything he does is something I believe is worth defending.” She smiled gently, the soft glow of the candlelight making her face appear even more tender.

Xu Min, however, found her coldly terrifying. “You… have gone mad.”

“If Your Highness thinks so, then I suppose you can consider me mad.” She said calmly and without anger, “Let me be clear again, Your Highness. You’d better pray for my heir’s safe succession and peace for his life. Otherwise, I will ensure that the Xu family and Qi Duan are buried with you. As long as Prince Xiao and Qi Duan are still alive, isn’t that good enough? Am I right, Empress Dowager?”

A chilling wind rose, spreading coldness throughout.

Xu Min felt icy to the core. Despite her position as a favored consort, her power was not as great as the young woman before her. She knew very well that if this young woman decided, her backing would make her deeply regretful.

Only by staying alive was there hope.

“Miss Xia, you are indeed very much like your mother,” Xu Min said, turning to leave. She had come with high spirits but was now departing dejectedly. She never expected that Qiao Wan and Qi Mu would have the support of the daughter of the Princess of Ding’an. The most honored person in the world was the emperor, and next to him was the Princess of Ding’an. If she wanted to oppose them, she would need to become the most honored person herself…

However, the emperor had not favored any consorts for years due to the empress. Xu Min’s path was already closed off.

“Ah-choo!” The wind made Feng Guang sneeze. She rubbed her nose, feeling the night air was a bit chilly. Just as she was about to turn back with the lantern, she was suddenly embraced from behind.

Qi Mu tightened his hold around her chest, his face close to hers, and whispered, “If you’re cold, you shouldn’t be out here.”

“I couldn’t help it, thinking you might not be able to sleep.” She turned around, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her face against his chest, letting out a contented sigh. His heartbeat made her feel deeply reassured.

Qi Mu kissed the top of her head. “I didn’t want you to get involved in these matters.”

“They say when you marry a chicken, follow it as a chicken; when you marry a dog, follow it as a dog. Since you are involved, I have no reason to avoid it. Besides, I can handle things better,” she said, looking up and giving his chin a quick kiss in return. “If the consort were to die here, it would certainly cause a lot of trouble. Isn’t it better if I handle it?”

He sighed, “You’ve already guessed what I’m planning.”

“If the princess wants to perish with the consort, and you want the consort to die ‘accidentally,’ either way, there will be a great cost. So, let’s keep the consort alive. This way, we can be well too.” As long as Qi Duan was in their hands, Xu Min would not dare to act rashly.

His hand gently caressed her face, and he spoke with a seductive tone, “Do you cherish me so much?”

“Mm… I want you to live well and spend a lifetime with me.”

He suddenly said, “Three days from now is a good day.”

Feng Guang was puzzled. “And?”

“We will get married on that day.”

“Ah Mu…” She was speechless. “It’s too soon. My father will not agree.”

“Don’t worry, he will have to agree even if he doesn’t want to.”

He spoke with certainty, and Feng Guang was immediately alarmed. “My father knows about me and you… and you!”

“Master Xia is very clever. Of course, he will find out,” Qi Mu said, one hand resting on her flat abdomen, lightly nibbling on her earlobe. “I’m working hard, and this place will grow soon. He won’t be able to lose face.”

Feng Guang was silent for a while, ultimately giving in, feeling as if all her strength had drained away. She lazily let herself be held by him. Using a child as a pretext for marriage in front of Xia Chao might be a bit unscrupulous, but she had to admit it was the most effective method. Okay, she admitted a little bit that she was looking forward to spending a passionate life with him.

By the way, using a child as a pretext seemed like a second-time experience, didn’t it?