Chapter 89 - The Jade Bracelet (5/6)

While walking down the short pathway towards the stream. Xiong Jingfei pondered on what was bothering Xu Song. She thought by using her Eldest Miss voice, it would make Xu Song fess up. 

Her thoughts became disrupted by the sound of the current. Right away, she spotted found Feng Huan and his horse. He was laying down the rocks near the stream, and his horse was drinking the cold freshwater. He didn't even open his eyes when she approached him.  

Without opening his eyes, he coldly asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you to go eat," Xiong Jingfei replied, standing next to his body. Why is he irritated? His attitude did a complete change from earlier when they were training.

A glisten on Feng Huan's chest caught her curious eyes. A white jade bracelet? She felt like she had seen this bracelet somewhere before... There wasn't anything in particular stands out about it. So why would she remember it?

Ah! Xiong Jingfei's bit her bottom lip from screaming it out. She remembers where she has seen it! Maybe that's why Feng Huan is showing an upset expression.

She sat down next to him, "Want to tell me why you're upset?" 

Feng Huan's eyes flung open and glared at her, "Who said I am?" 

"B-because..." Xiong Jingfei stuttered, slightly backing away from Feng Huan's abrupt closeness to her. He c.o.c.ked his head, waiting for her answer. 

Do you think I would tell you why? If you knew, I wonder how you will react? Knowing we actually bump into one another before Zhao Fan's wedding. Well, more like I saw you and you didn't notice me. 

"Because?" Feng Huan edge in closer to the backing away Xiong Jingfei. He was sure it was impossible to read his emotions. But when it comes to her, with one look, she saw right through him. 

"Too close!" Xiong Jingfei pushed Feng Huan away from her, but he barely budged. Of course, he didn't move when she pushed him. She ended up smacking him in the face with her palms. She gulped, slowly retrieving her hands away and her body. 

Feng Huan's face was just as shocked as Xiong Jingfei. Never has anyone been able to smack or slap him in the face growing up. Even his father, a strict trainer, had never once laid his hands on his face. Yet, a servant landed not one hand but two on his face. 

"Y-you-" Feng Huan touched the side of his face that stung more. Her strength was definitely improving!

"It was an accident! I swear!" Xiong Jingfei held her hands up in surrender. Hitting a General in the face while not on the battlefield or training is sentenced for execution. It's a major insult to their pride too. 

"How can you be such an ill-mannered woman!" Feng Huan pressed his lips together from speaking further. Every time he encounters this woman, nothing good comes out of it! 

Then a loud clink was made against the rock. It was the jade bracelet that fell out from Feng Huan's chest. Luckily it didn't break into pieces. It landed closer to Xiong Jingfei, so she picked it up. Except, Feng Huan was quick to snatch it out of her hands. 

He held the bracelet up to the moonlight to check for any damages. When there wasn't any, he cleaned it with the edge of his sleeve. 

"You know, it is best to say it than holding it in?" Xiong Jingfei advised, bring her knees closer to her body. "You're upset because of the owner of that jade bracelet?" 

"This isn't mine." Feng Huan quickly hid the bracelet behind him. 

It became quiet but calming with the sound of the soft water going downstream. She waited, waiting for him to tell her. If he does, that means he finally recognizes her as a friend. 

"There is a friend of mine..." Feng Huan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He wasn't sure how to start out the story. Instead, he stared at the moon, reflecting itself in the stream.

A friend, huh? Xiong Jingfei could tell how difficult it was for him to talk about his story. She knows the feeling too. He wasn't that much different from her. There were times it was hard for her to express her suffering to Xu Song. She held it in just like him until she met Yang Zheyan. 

Thinking about Yang Zheyan made Xiong Jingfei miss him. She also wanted to go back and take out the hairpin too. 

"This friend of mine had someone he loved..." 

Oh, he is going to continue? Xiong Jingfei tuned in to listen.

"They promised to marry each other by the end of next year. She didn't wait for him. She went and got married to someone else, willing..."

It felt like he wanted her to question it, so she asked, "How come?"

"He had no title at that time, and his wealth was much less than the person she married."

This story was totally about him and Zhao Fan, but she should act like she doesn't know. The person Zhao Fan married was a merchant's son. Their wealth was much more than Feng Huan's family, but it wasn't like they were poor too. If Zhao Fan married Feng Huan, she didn't need to slave away to get food on the table. Nor does it mean she has to give up the luxury of wearing nice clothes either. 

"The day before her wedding, she returned this jade bracelet back to him. Breaking the promise that both of them made together." Feng Huan took out the bracelet from behind him, and tenderly stroke it. "He couldn't find a way to get rid of it." 

Xiong Jingfei saw the way Feng Huan looked at the bracelet. He really did love her a lot. Zhao Fan, you made the wrong choice by leaving someone like Feng Huan. Will you regret it now? Feng Huan proved himself to his majesty by earning a title and position in the military. 

Meanwhile, the person you married is up to no good. Rumors were flying about that the wealthy merchant's son had many secret concubines. I assumed you would know that since you chose to marry him. Zhao Fan, you let yourself become one of your husband's collection of women. The only difference is that you received the title of his legal wife. 

"Do you want me to help you?" Xiong Jingfei smiled behind her veil, holding out her hand for the bracelet.