Three years later, after a wedding that was both low-key and lavish, the Commandery Princess of Prince Jing’s residence was married off and became Madam Liu.
Liu Nianfeng took his wife to spend a wonderful year at Shengxue Manor. It was in that autumn that they finally had to leave the manor and return to Prince Jing’s residence.
The reason was simple: Xia Chao was celebrating his fortieth birthday.
Over the years, thanks to Liu Nianfeng’s care and treatment, Fengguang’s health had improved greatly. The pallor she once had was now replaced with a healthy glow, and her heart condition had never relapsed. No matter how dissatisfied Xia Chao was with Liu Nianfeng, he couldn’t help but feel grateful—though of course, he would never say it out loud.
On the day of the birthday banquet, many court officials attended. Since Xia Chao was half a man of the martial world himself, quite many people from the jianghu also came.
Everyone knew that the Fourth Prince had once been engaged to the Commandery Princess. Later, however, he broke off the engagement, claiming that he was physically unable to have children…
Xuanyuan Fei had no choice but to use that excuse. He couldn’t drag Leng Qingjue into it—otherwise, his father and his political enemies would never spare her. Moreover, Xia Chao’s letter had made it clear that the annulment must not harm Xia Fengguang’s reputation in any way. And so, under the instigation of his troublesome prime minister friend, he had no choice but to settle on that reason.
As for what would happen later… if he and Leng Qingjue were to marry and she became pregnant, Xuanyuan Fei chose not to think about that for now.
Xuanyuan Fei hadn’t wanted to attend Xia Chao’s fortieth birthday banquet, but under orders from his father, he had no choice but to show up with a gift and make an appearance.
And what did he see?
He saw Leng Qingjue standing together with two men. He recognized them: Xian Hui, the current emperor of the Nanxiang Kingdom, and Sima Sang, its great general.
Xuanyuan Fei walked over and, with a cold expression, pulled Leng Qingjue away from Xian Hui. “Why are you here with them?”
Leng Qingjue replied, “Today is Xia Chao’s fortieth birthday. As the former Second Miss of Prince Jing’s residence, it’s only right that I come and join the festivities.”
“And them? Why are they here?”
Xian Hui stepped forward, coughing a few times as he spoke weakly, “I have also come to offer my congratulations today. I just happened to run into Miss Leng by chance.”
Xian Hui’s chronic illness had actually already been cured by Leng Qingjue, but he was accustomed to maintaining a frail appearance to lull his enemies into a false sense of security.
Ignoring Xian Hui, Xuanyuan Fei lowered his voice and said to Leng Qingjue, “You shouldn’t have come here today.”
“Why not?” Leng Qingjue let out a cold laugh. Now the leader of the largest assassin organization across two nations, and strengthened by countless fortuitous encounters over the past three years—having tamed numerous spirit beasts—she was no longer who she used to be. Her cultivation was nothing short of extraordinary. “Everything the Prince’s residence owes me—I’m going to collect it today!”
“Have you forgotten how you left this place three years ago?”
“I haven’t.” Leng Qingjue said, “If they hadn’t ambushed me… hmph, despicable villains. Today, I will avenge my mother.”
Xian Hui sighed. “Ah, Miss Leng’s mother was such a kind and loving woman… what a pity.”
Unlike Xian Hui, who knew nothing, Xuanyuan Fei felt no such sentiment.
Three years ago, after Leng Qingjue declared she would sever ties with the Prince’s residence, Huang Ying naturally had no face to remain there either. She moved out, but soon fell into depression and passed away not long after. Her death was a heavy blow to Leng Qingjue, and it only deepened her hatred for the people of the Prince’s residence.
Meow meow On TPH Chapter 26.1