The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Chapter 117 A Small Feast
In the capital city, at the western hunting grounds.
On the third day of winter hunting, the sky was overcast, and it seemed like snow was on the way. However, this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants for the hunt.
In the early morning, Xie Changyuan, accompanied by the Northern Imperial Guards, escorted Emperor Hui into the hunting area, with a group of officials following.
At the edge of the forest, Qin Nian, Qin Ming, and their entourage of young masters and ladies watched as Qin Xi and Qin Lin, clearly escorted by the guards of the Taizifei, entered the woods. They wore expressions of intrigue.
“The Taizifei really too biased; I don’t know who her real sister is…”
“Exactly…”
The group merely expressed their jealousy, but they certainly did not have the guts to plot against the pair of twin sisters.
The last time those involved at Taiye Pool were dealt with, they were still locked up in their mansions.
Qin Nian was well aware of the reasons behind Qin Yan’s indifference toward the two siblings.
Qin Nian wasn’t naive enough to expect Qin Yan to engage in any kind of sisterly affection with them. It was a relief that the Taizifei wasn’t actively causing trouble for them.
She glanced at her younger brother, Qin Ming, who seemed rather dispirited. Something didn’t seem quite right with him. Just as Qin Nian was about to ask her brother what was bothering him, a distant shout interrupted her thoughts.
“There’s a deer, chase it! Hurry!” It was Qin Xi’s voice.
Qin Xi galloped ahead, pursuing the deer into the forest, with two guards quickly following her. The remaining two guards stayed by Qin Lin’s side.
Qin Lin, still feeling embarrassed from the previous day when she had been forcefully taken by Feng Subei and then awkwardly had to ride back with him, was determined to avoid a similar situation. Early that morning, she had dragged Qin Xi out of bed to teach her how to ride a horse. Now, though still a bit unsteady, she managed to ride slowly in Qin Xi’s direction.
Not wanting to run into the twins and risk more unpleasantness, Qin Nian and her group headed in the opposite direction.
A man sitting on his horse not far away kept his gaze fixed on Qin Lin’s departing figure, ready to follow her. Just then, the sound of galloping hooves approached.
Feng Subei turned to see Song Zhi rein in his horse beside him.
“Shizi, the Taizifei has summoned you,” Song Zhi said.
Feng Subei glanced past Song Zhi and saw Taizi Feng Zhan and Taizifei Qin Yan on horseback, escorted by their personal guards. Nodding, he turned his horse and rode toward them with Song Zhi.
——
Qin Yan had been suspicious ever since Feng Zhan stopped her from sending someone to search for Feng Subei and Qin Lin the day before. Feng Zhan hadn’t mentioned it since, but Qin Yan sensed it might be linked to An Yanxi, the Taizi’s past interest, and now the wife of Feng Subei. Given An Yanxi’s history of targeting Qin Yan and the empress dowager’s previous matchmaking efforts, it seemed likely she still had designs on the Taizifei position, with Feng Zhan possibly aware of it.
Despite the rumors of Feng Subei’s former deep affection for the Eldest Young Lady An, and whether his marriage was a calculated move to strengthen the bond between the Grand Scholar and the Taizi’s faction, this remained the real reason the Taizi shielded Feng Subei.
Earlier that morning, rumors spread through the western hunting camp about Feng Subei riding with a woman on his horse the previous day. Though the woman’s name wasn’t mentioned, it was clear that Feng Subei lacked discretion.
Before long, Feng Subei arrived on horseback in front of Qin Yan and Feng Zhan, greeting them with a respectful bow.
“Taizi, Taizifei.”
Qin Yan waved off the attendants and spoke to Feng Subei in a calm, detached voice, “Rumors may be mere trifles for men, easily laughed off. But for women, they can sometimes be fatal.”
“If there is no future, don’t provoke it.”
“I don’t want the matter between you and Qin Lin to reach the point where I must personally intervene.”
After Qin Yan and Feng Zhan rode away, Feng Subei remained standing in place for a long time, deep in thought.
He gazed in the direction where Qin Lin had disappeared, but in the end, he didn’t follow.
Yesterday, he had indeed been too impulsive and reckless.
But to let go just like that?
He couldn’t bring himself to do it.
——–
As Feng Zhan and Qin Yan entered the forest, neither seemed particularly interested in hunting. They simply trotted along on their horses, with Song Zhi, Shen Ying, and a group of guards trailing at a distance.
At a certain spot, just as Qin Yan felt a sense of familiarity with the surroundings, the man beside her suddenly reached out, grabbing her waist and pulling her up.
In an instant, Qin Yan found herself moved in front of Feng Zhan, now sitting face-to-face with him on the horse.
She immediately recalled their first close encounter on horseback during the autumn hunt. That time…
With one hand holding the reins and the other gripping her waist, Feng Zhan’s strong legs squeezed the horse’s sides, urging it into a swift gallop.
“Ah…” Qin Yan let out a soft gasp, her arms instinctively wrapping around his shoulders as they raced together on the bumpy ride.
The horse galloped for a while, and soon, the two riders began to feel a rising warmth between them. Feng Zhan leaned down, his lips brushing against Qin Yan’s ear as he whispered something. Qin Yan shot a sharp glare at the man in front of her.
“Feng Zhan!”
In the cold, rushing wind, Qin Yan clearly felt the vibration in Feng Zhan’s chest. He seemed to chuckle softly. Then his rich voice resonated in her ear, “I know you’re afraid of the cold. Next spring…”
“Feng Zhan!” Qin Yan’s voice was filled with anger again.
Feng Zhan pulled the horse to a stop and buried his handsome face into the crook of her neck, his tone suddenly tinged with a hint of grievance.
“Yan Yan, you used to enjoy teasing me. Is it that now, after getting me, you no longer care…?”
The sensation of Feng Zhan’s breath tickling her neck made Qin Yan squirm. She lifted his chiseled face between her hands, her nose brushing against his straight and tall one as she tilted her head slightly, her lips parting ever so slightly.
“How could I have known Taizi was this… capable?”
The moment she spoke, both of them were suddenly reminded of that night behind the rockery during the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in the Imperial Garden when they had stumbled upon Xie Changyuan.
Feng Zhan’s words from that night echoed in both their minds, “I’ll make sure you know… how fast.”
Now, a wave of satisfaction swelled in Feng Zhan’s chest. He leaned forward, his grip tightening around the woman in his arms, and claimed her lips with a deep, possessive kiss.
———–
In the afternoon, the hunters began returning to camp, preparing for the evening banquet in the western outskirts.
Qin Yan and Feng Zhan, however, had no interest in lingering. They instructed their guards to send their prey back to the residence for processing, intending to leave early.
But a few people had caught wind of their departure and came over to join.
Feng Yunchao and Feng Yuyao both wanted to tag along to the Taizi Mansion to enjoy the plum blossoms.
Qin Xi had another agenda. Having returned empty-handed from the hunt, she was eyeing the deer that the Taizifei had caught with a gleam in her eyes. She rushed over with excitement.
“Elder… Taizifei, will there be venison for dinner tonight?”
Feng Yuyao couldn’t help but laugh at Qin Xi’s eagerness and answered on Qin Yan’s behalf, “Go fetch your sister too, little glutton.”
“Got it!” Qin Xi hurried off.
As the group set off, they ran into Feng Subei, who had arrived after hearing the news.
Feng Zhan cast a warning glance at Feng Subei but ultimately allowed him to join them.
———–
As preparations for the banquet at the western camp were underway, Emperor Hui was informed that the Taizi seemed to be planning a smaller gathering at the Taizi Mansion. This suddenly reminded the Emperor of the plum grove between the southern and northern palaces. On a whim, he decided to leave the camp in the care of the Third Prince, Feng Yi, and head to the Taizi Mansion with Imperial Concubine Xu by his side.
Due to the fright she had endured the day before while taming a horse, Imperial Concubine Ning was left resting in the camp. Emperor Hui was also mindful not to cause any unnecessary tension by bringing her along to the Taizi Mansion, where she might provoke discomfort for Qin Yan.
Halfway through the journey, they encountered a carriage on the side of the official road, respectfully pulled aside by a group of guards to make way.
Li Fuquan, the Emperor’s attendant, approached the Emperor’s carriage and reported, “Your Majesty, it seems the one ahead is the Shizifei of the Duan Wang Mansion.”
The Emperor’s brow furrowed slightly, recalling his dissatisfaction with the Shizifei’s repeated absences from palace banquets.
“And where is Feng Subei now?” the Emperor asked.
Li Fuquan responded, “Shizi is currently accompanying the Taizi and his party to the Taizi Mansion.”
There was a brief silence inside the Emperor’s carriage before his voice came again.
“Summon her to join us at the Taizi Mansion.”
Li Fuquan immediately delivered the imperial command to the Shizifei.
Upon hearing the decree, An Yanxi’s heart began to race. The Taizi Mansion… surely the Taizi himself would be there, too…
But then it hit her that Qin Yan, the Taizifei, would also be there.
……
Young Lady, weren’t you supposed to be looking for your husband, Feng Subei, the Shizi of Duan Wang Mansion?
———-
The small gathering at the Taizi Mansion was held near the plum grove, specifically at the Princess Mansion’s side. Qin Yan, who always appreciated life’s finer comforts, had the event carefully prepared. She had Ji Nanfeng arrange for hot spring water to be diverted from the Zishan, flowing along a winding corridor beneath the pine-covered slopes by the lotus pond. Along the path of the flowing spring water, she had spring and summer flowers planted, creating a rare and beautiful sight in the middle of this harsh winter.
Today’s gathering was set beneath this corridor, by the lotus pond, with the spectacular plum grove in full bloom nearby. Light snow had begun to fall from the sky, creating a picturesque scene as two princesses and the twin sisters played freely among the blossoms, their carefree laughter echoing through the grove.
Qin Yan and Feng Zhan sat leisurely in the corridor, sipping tea. Qin Yan glanced at Feng Subei, who was gazing intently in the direction of the plum grove, and remarked softly, “Those two aren’t going to work out.”
Feng Zhan gently brushed a snowflake from Qin Yan’s dark hair but didn’t reply.
At that moment, Song Zhi approached quickly, bowed, and reported, “Your Highness, the Emperor has arrived.”
He then added, “Accompanying him is the Shizifei of the Duan Wang Mansion.”
Both Feng Zhan and Qin Yan exchanged a look and then glanced over at Feng Subei, who was still fixated on the plum grove. A sigh passed silently between them.
———-
The small gathering became noticeably more tense with the Emperor’s arrival. Leading the Northern Imperial Guards that escorted him, Xie Changyuan had been stationed outside the Taizi Mansion. He felt a sense of relief, grateful that he didn’t have to witness the affectionate interactions between the Taizi and Qin Yan firsthand.
When Feng Subei caught sight of his wife, An Yanxi, he instinctively glanced at Qin Lin from the corner of his eye. Her expression remained calm, but he couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling in his heart. Qin Lin was a perceptive woman, and being in such a situation must have been difficult for her. She was likely trying hard not to lose composure.
It was Feng Subei’s actions that had caused Qin Lin’s discomfort. A sharp and intelligent woman like her shouldn’t have had to endure such an awkward situation.
An Yanxi, taking in the unfamiliar sight of the twin sisters, bowed respectfully to the Taizi and Qin Yan.
“Greetings to His Highness Taizi, and the Princes Zhaoren.”
Her words, however, caused the faces of several people in the room to change.
Feng Subei immediately scolded her in a stern voice, “Yanxi, this is the Taizifei.”
An Yanxi had been trying her best to endure, but when she saw the Taizi just moments ago taking Qin Yan’s hand and pulling her into his embrace, she could no longer hold back her feelings.
How could someone as composed as the Taizi act so recklessly in front of everyone just because of Qin Yan?
Seizing the moment before the Taizi and Qin Yan were officially married, An Yanxi took the opportunity to address the situation.
“Greetings to the Taizifei.” An Yanxi re-bowed.
Taizi Feng Zhan lifted his gaze toward her, his tone icy, “Say it again.”
A chill ran through An Yanxi’s heart at his cold words directed toward her.
“Yanxi,” Feng Yunchao whispered, trying to prompt the stunned An Yanxi.
Snapping back to reality, she finally replied, “Taizifei.” An Yanxi bowed once more to Qin Yan.
In that moment, An Yanxi began to regret the humiliation brought on by her moment of rashness—humiliation in front of Qin Yan.