Chapter 261

Feng Qingyi carefully examined the embroidered patterns on her body. "Aunt, your craftsmanship is exquisite. I love it. I don't think it needs any more changes."

"I'm glad you like it. Take it off for now, and I'll look at the finer details. I'll make sure you're the most beautiful bride when the time comes."

After changing out of the wedding dress, Feng Qingyi and Xu Linghe were invited to stay for lunch before leaving together.

"Qingyi, Princess Xuanhe is so kind to you! She even embroidered your wedding dress. You'll surely be happy when you marry into the General's Mansion."

Feng Qingyi's original life plan didn't include getting married too early. She had even thought she might end up alone for life. But today, when she put on the wedding dress, she realized she was actually looking forward to marrying Qin Yuchuan. If it was him, perhaps getting married earlier wasn't such a bad idea.

Xu Linghe spoke again, "Qingyi, didn't you say yesterday you wanted to make ice cream? It's so hot outside, let's hurry back."

"You're the one who wants to eat it, aren't you?" Feng Qingyi said.

Xu Linghe smiled, "Well, it's because what you make is so delicious. I can't control myself."

In contrast to Feng Qingyi's leisurely freedom, Qin Yuchuan was extremely busy. The war had entered a critical phase. He no longer had much free time to see Feng Qingyi, and their communication once again returned to mobile phones.

Since Rong Sheng's return, the Southern Border army quickly regained its strength. Murong Yi and Rong Sheng faced off for a while, but soon a ceasefire was called due to events happening within the Southern Border country.

The Southern Border's Crown Prince Murong Cheng had been assassinated and his fate was unknown. The Southern Border Emperor's health was also deteriorating rapidly, seeming as if he couldn't hold on for much longer.

Murong Yi received the news, packed up, and left the military camp. Before leaving, he didn't forget to threaten Rong Sheng.

"Military Advisor, if the Third Prince returns to the capital and both the Crown Prince and the Emperor meet with misfortune, that position will be his. What should we do then?"

Rong Sheng didn't seem concerned about this at all. "He's just going back to be a scapegoat. What's there to worry about?"

"A scapegoat? What do you mean by that, Military Advisor?"

Rong Sheng didn't elaborate. "Reclaiming the cities we've lost is what we should be focusing on now. As for the internal affairs of the Southern Border, someone will take care of that."

"I understand, sir."

Murong Yi was in high spirits when he heard about Murong Cheng's assassination. He hurriedly returned with his entourage. He thought he would successfully ascend to the throne upon his return, but he was arrested before even entering the capital and thrown into a dark prison cell.

Every day, except for the food sent through a hole in the cell, he saw no one. His cries for help went unanswered.

Meanwhile, in the Southern Border capital, everything had changed. Crown Prince Murong Cheng had died from his injuries, and the Emperor, who had pursued immortality, ultimately failed to realize his dream, passing away at the young age of forty.

The court was in an uproar, with supporters of the Third Prince calling for his ascension to the throne, but he was nowhere to be found.

At this moment, Murong Yan stepped forward, proving her identity. It was only then that everyone learned of a princess who had been raised in the Cold Palace since childhood.

As soon as Murong Yan appeared, she accused Murong Yi of fratricide and patricide, presenting solid evidence. Finally, she produced the late Emperor's edict of succession, which clearly bore Murong Yan's name.

The court officials were very dissatisfied with the idea of a woman becoming Emperor, but at this point, there was no one else left in the royal family. The Third Prince had been convicted with irrefutable evidence, and the Second Prince was off playing in the mud somewhere!

Upstairs, Shangguan Yi and Xu Liyan sat facing each other.

Shangguan Yi said, "Why did you stop me just now? I already apologized to her, and she still acts so high and mighty."

"You were the one who first offended them. Did you think a halfhearted apology would be enough to earn forgiveness?" Xu Liyan said.

Shangguan Yi retorted, "I've already apologized. What more do they want? I never thought Yuchuan would have Qin Yi protect her in secret. What's so great about a woman like her?"

Xu Liyan replied, "What kind of woman Yuchuan likes doesn't seem to have much to do with you. It's not like you're the one who's going to be with her."

"You know very well that Lanyan has liked Yuchuan since childhood. I just think Yuchuan and she are perfectly matched. Lanyan is gentle and kind. How is she inferior to that woman?"

Feng Qingyi, who had just come upstairs carrying two cups of cold tea, overheard Shangguan Yi's words.

"Even if she were a heavenly fairy, so what? Qin Yuchuan likes women like me who are neither gentle nor kind. And who do you think you are? Do you think you can force him to marry your cousin?"

Shangguan Yi retorted, "You're just a woman. Do you think Yuchuan would become estranged from me because of you?"

Feng Qingyi put the cold drinks on the table. "You really have no self-awareness. He even had his men arrest you, and you still want to compare your importance to me in his heart? You're quite amusing!"

"Mr. Xu, please enjoy. If you need anything, just call the waiter. I'll be going now."

After Feng Qingyi left, Shangguan Yi couldn't contain his anger: "Look at her attitude. How can she compare to Lanyan?"

"She's not wrong. Even if Lanyan is great, it's pointless if Yuchuan doesn't like her. Yuchuan has a quiet personality, so Miss Feng's liveliness actually suits him quite well," Xu Liyan shared his opinion.

Shangguan Yi had come to apologize today under pressure from his family. He ran into Xu Liyan on the way and invited him along, thinking he'd found an ally. But Xu Liyan showed no intention of speaking up for him, and instead seemed quite supportive of the couple.

"They may be a good match, but what about Lanyan? She's been crying at home for days. She even considers you a brother."

Xu Liyan sighed helplessly, "What's the use of telling me this? I can't decide who Yuchuan likes."

"Compared to Shen Lanyan, I do think Miss Feng is better. If it were me, I'd probably choose Miss Feng too."

"Rather than someone who only knows how to cry and complain all day, Miss Feng, who can stand up for herself when wronged, is much more interesting."

Shangguan Yi took a sip of the cold tea in his cup and complained, "What is this stuff? It tastes awful. How can anyone drink this?"

Xu Liyan tasted it, "Once you're biased against someone, you can't make the most accurate judgment. I quite like this tea."

Downstairs in the hall, Xu Linghe was eating sliced watermelon. "These days are so pleasant. If only you could always be on vacation."

Feng Qingyi poked a piece of watermelon with her fork, "You're dreaming. I'll be busy again in a few days. I haven't even started the paintings I promised others, and I have many other things to do."

Xu Linghe sighed, "Why are you always so busy?"

Feng Qingyi replied, "You think I'm busy because you haven't seen what real busyness is like. I'm still in school now, with a lot of free time to manage. Once I graduate, that's when I'll truly be busy in the real sense."