C94 Borrowing Money
If it weren't for Wei Zixuan's good looks, what right does he have to bully Rong Qi like this? Just like Feng Tiange, without leaning on Empress Dowager Chu and Feng Qing, who does she think she is? With this thought, she felt a bit closer to Rong Qi...
Nether Market, Four-sea Merchant Alliance.
Rong Qi was convinced that last night Feng Tiange had noticed something unusual from Xie Jin's body, yet she hadn't shared a word with him. How disloyal. Of course, maybe she kept quiet because he was Rong Qi. If he were Wen Yu, it might be a different story.
Coincidentally, this morning Wen Ci sent word that Feng Tiange was waiting for him at the Four-sea Merchant Alliance.
In a private room on the second floor, Feng Tiange stood up immediately when the door opened. Rong Qi strolled in, looking relaxed.
Feng Tiange had respected this leader in her past life, but the admiration truly began when she borrowed money from him in this life. If you want to test someone's character and generosity, borrow money. Only then can you see if it's true love!
"Sit," Rong Qi said, unaware of Feng Tiange's internal musings. Otherwise, he would have bluntly told her that he didn't need true love in this life; he had already devoted himself entirely to Buddha...
"Sorry to bother you again, Leader. I feel ashamed," Feng Tiange said respectfully, bowing before taking her seat after Rong Qi sat down.
Looking at Feng Tiange, Rong Qi suddenly wondered what her expression would be if he took off his mask.
There will come a day, but today is not that day.
"Please, Miss, if you have something to discuss," Rong Qi said, appearing calm but eager to hear more.
Feng Tiange nodded slightly. "I wanted to ask the leader if there's anyone in the martial world whose internal energy techniques resemble the Sunset Technique."
Rong Qi was familiar with the Sunset Technique; he even knew Xie Jin had died because of it. What he didn't know was whether any of the Thirteen Sects' leaders practiced it.
"There are many," Rong Qi paused for a moment. "Why are you asking about the Sunset Technique?"
He assumed Feng Tiange might hold something back. In truth, Feng Tiange was forthright about everything except her identity as Silver Mask, including the fact that Xie Jin's body was found at the Prince's Mansion.
For Feng Tiange, sharing these details was a gesture of trust. For Rong Qi, he never imagined Feng Tiange would so readily expose him!
"Did Prince Rong steal Xie Jin's body?" Rong Qi feigned hesitation.
"The court's affairs are complicated, but fortunately, Rong Qi himself is not," Feng Tiange replied coolly.
Rong Qi appreciated Feng Tiange's tact, thankful she didn't outright call him foolish.
"Oh," Rong Qi nodded as if casually, "May I ask, since you know about the Sunset Technique, do you know someone who practices it?"
Previously, Feng Tiange had been open and forthcoming with her answers to the man's questions.
But at this moment, she hesitated. Seeing Feng Tiange's difficulty, Rong Qi didn't offer her an easy way out. He wanted this answer.
"One of the leaders of the Thirteen Sects, Bai Ze, practices the Sunset Technique."
In front of the man, Feng Tiange finally let go of her last bit of hesitation and revealed the secret only she knew.
Before Rong Qi could speak, Feng Tiange straightened her posture. "The day the leader extended a helping hand to me, I was deeply grateful. But there's something I've never confessed to him. Since we're discussing the Thirteen Sects today, I might as well share it."
Feng Tiange's eyes were resolute and unwavering, causing a pang in Rong Qi's heart. He thought enough time had passed that he wouldn't feel the same unbearable pain when the topic resurfaced. But it turned out, the longer it lingered, the more the regret festered within him. Perhaps it would never fade...
"I am not worthy, but I was the deputy under the former Crown Prince Consort, Dugu Yan, known as Silver Mask," Feng Tiange gambled on her intuition. Even though she had never met Wen Yu in her past life, she always felt a subtle, inexplicable connection with him. Banking on this mutual understanding, she wagered that Wen Yu would accept her.
Rong Qi remained silent for a long time before finally looking up. "I knew all along."
Feng Tiange was stunned, feeling a sudden chill as tears unexpectedly rolled down her cheeks. She finally understood why Wen Yu had helped her so selflessly, without expecting anything in return. It wasn't just her imagination; there was a genuine connection between them. The saying "it takes one to know one" perfectly described her relationship with Wen Yu.
Even after Feng Tiange left, Rong Qi didn't reveal that there was a traitor among the leaders of the Thirteen Sects. He feared that the news would be too much for her to handle and might lead her to make rash decisions. The path of revenge is long, and one misstep could lead to disaster. Besides, he could tell that Feng Tiange held Bai Ze in high regard, recounting several instances where Bai Ze had risked everything to save Dugu Yan. But then again, which leader among the Thirteen Sects hadn't faced such trials? The past was irrelevant; the one who survived was the traitor...
Outside the Imperial Academy, Wei Zixuan jumped off the carriage first, reaching out his hand, only for Feng Xueyao to seemingly avoid it unintentionally. "How about... I wait for you here?" Wei Zixuan, eager for a chance to talk with Feng Xueyao, was reluctant to part. Feng Xueyao quickly shook her head, "Prince Wei, you should go ahead. I..." "Xueyao will be joining me to the market to buy some paper and ink," Tang Siyan interjected, stepping out of the carriage to help Feng Xueyao out of her predicament.
Although Wei Zixuan was disappointed, he didn’t press further. “Well then... see you another day.”
Feng Xueyao bowed respectfully as she saw Wei Zixuan off.
“It’s obvious Prince Wei is interested in you,” Tang Siyan said, pulling Feng Xueyao along as they headed toward the Wenn Mansion.
“The incident at the Green Garden caused such a stir in town. I couldn’t defend myself and ended up offending everyone...” Feng Xueyao said bitterly, catching sight of Xie Ruxuan out of the corner of her eye.
Seeing Xie Ruxuan silently heading toward the Martial Academy, Feng Xueyao nodded apologetically to Tang Siyan before running over. “Ruxuan!”
Xie Ruxuan didn’t expect Feng Xueyao to call out to her. In just half a month, she had experienced the coldness of people and the harshness of the world.
“Ruxuan, I’m sorry. I wanted to pay my respects to your father, but my uncle...” Feng Xueyao took Xie Ruxuan’s hand. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine... really, I’m okay.” Looking at Feng Xueyao’s hand, a warmth spread through Xie Ruxuan’s heart.
How could she have thought Feng Xueyao was like that? It was clearly all Feng Tiange’s fault!
“No matter what, you have to stay strong. The honor of the Xie Mansion depends on you!” Feng Xueyao hadn’t given up on Xie Ruxuan. Without Xie Jin, Xie Ruxuan was her most reliable ally.
Moved to tears, Xie Ruxuan vowed to Feng Xueyao that one day she would reclaim the honor that belonged to the Xie Mansion.
After escorting Xie Ruxuan to the Martial Academy, Feng Xueyao finally turned around. Tang Siyan was still waiting for her. In Tang Siyan's eyes, Feng Xueyao's willingness to help Xie Ruxuan in her time of need was truly remarkable. This was a friend worth having.
The position at the Ministry of War had been decided, with Gu Yunyi, the eldest son of the Huaiyin Marquis, taking the role. Having returned from his experiences outside, Gu Yunyi was far more accomplished than Feng Ranxiu. His military achievements alone surpassed Feng Ranxiu's by threefold. In terms of experience and background, Gu Yunyi was undoubtedly the right choice. However, there were concerns about Gu Yunyi's character...