TSFLIP Chapter 1011

But that was enough to make Feng Guang happy. Heaven knew that after days without anyone to talk to, she had nearly suffocated from boredom. Afraid of scaring him, she thought for a moment before saying, “My name is Feng Guang. I’m… a little spirit living in the willow tree outside. I’m not a ghost.”

“You’re a spirit? Then why can’t I see you?” he asked.

“My powers are weak, and my cultivation isn’t high enough yet. I can’t form a physical body, so of course you can’t see me.” Once she started making things up, the rest came surprisingly smoothly.

“Oh.” He responded quietly, then curled up in the corner of the bed, lowering his head, lost in thought.

Sitting at the head of the bed, Feng Guang asked, “You still haven’t told me your name.”

“I don’t have one.”

He had been born in the imperial prison. If not for the royal birthmark on his body, he likely would have died on the execution ground along with the birth mother he never had the chance to meet. The elderly eunuch who raised him had died four years ago. The old man had been kind but hopelessly rigid. Even though no one acknowledged him as a prince, the eunuch had treated him like a master. As for giving him a name, that was something the old man would never have dared to do.

Feng Guang could imagine how difficult his life must have been. Smiling, she said, “If you don’t have a name, I’ll give you one. Let’s see… my name is Feng Guang, so how about you’re called Feng Yan? Wind is free, and smoke is free too. When you grow up, you should be someone unrestrained and carefree.”

He lifted his head. After a long pause, his small lips moved. “Okay…”

Without thinking, she reached out and gently touched his head. It felt like a soft breeze brushing over his hair. “Then from now on, call me Sister, little Feng Yan.”

“Mm.” He was so obedient it made her heart ache.

Ever since A Wan had been sent away, the palace servants seemed to have forgotten Feng Yan’s existence. No one else came to replace her in delivering meals. Feng Guang was actually glad about that. At least no one was coming to bully the child anymore. As for food, she would take care of it. She found great satisfaction in slowly helping him grow healthier and stronger.

“Little Feng Yan, I haven’t even asked how old you are yet,” Feng Guang said, sitting in the tree with her legs swinging.

There was a well in the courtyard, and he was struggling to draw water from it. Feng Guang wanted to help, but she had just used up her strength sneaking food from the Imperial Kitchen, and she hadn’t recovered enough energy to touch physical objects again.

Carrying the bucket, he said, “I’m twelve.”

Twelve? She had thought he couldn’t be more than ten at most. Malnutrition had made him look much smaller than other children his age. Feng Guang felt a pang of sympathy. “Twelve is still so young.”

Standing in the courtyard, he began to take off his clothes.

“Hey, little Feng Yan, what are you doing?” she asked.

“Washing clothes,” he replied after a moment. “And bathing.”

“It’s good to keep clean, but you’re not planning to use cold water, are you? And don’t tell me you’re going to wash your clothes while you’re completely undressed.”

“I don’t have any other clothes.” His hands paused briefly.

After a while, Feng Guang asked, “It’s fine to use cold water in the summer, but what about winter?”

Feng Yan untied his belt. “The same as summer.”

Feng Guang nearly burst out in anger. He had been using cold water through the winter too. It was a miracle he hadn’t frozen to death or fallen seriously ill. This child was still the emperor’s son. Even an ordinary family wouldn’t treat their child this harshly. By modern standards, he would only be about a sixth grader. Silently cursing the cruelty of feudal society, Feng Guang made up her mind.

Just as he was about to remove the last of his clothing, she stood up and turned her back to him. “Little Feng Yan, don’t worry. Your sister will make sure you live a better life.”

With that, Feng Guang drifted down from the tree and left the dilapidated courtyard.

Feng Yan looked up at the faintly rustling branches above. As always, his face showed no expression. Lifting the bucket, he poured the water over his head, letting it cascade down.