Chapter 218 -

Chapter 218: Chapter

"You really know how to wreck a man, Yueqing..." Wenzhe murmured against her skin.

Yueqing’s hands hovered awkwardly in the air for a second before she slowly let them drop onto his broad back.

[Nine...] she whispered in her head, her face burning hot. [He’s actually leaning on me. The giant block of wood is leaning on me.]

[Host, just hold him,] Nine said softly, sitting on the edge of the wardrobe and swinging his small legs. [For ten years, he thought he had to carry the whole world alone. Let him rest for five minutes.]

Wenzhe didn’t say another word, and Yueqing didn’t push him. They stood together in the quiet room until the candle finally burned out, leaving them in the gentle dark.

The next morning arrived with a cool, crisp breeze sweeping across the imperial capital. The post-banquet events were officially over, and the guests were preparing to return to their respective estates.

Outside the palace gates, a long line of grand carriages creaked into position. Nobles bowed, servants loaded heavy chest trunks, and court officials exchanged last-minute, fake pleasantries.

Yueqing sat alone inside the luxurious Xi family carriage, leaning back against the soft velvet cushions. The curtains were half-drawn, allowing a narrow slice of morning sunlight to illuminate her face.

[Ah, freedom,] Yueqing sighed happily, sinking deeper into the padding. [No sneaky Crown Prince, no dramatic ministers, and no ladies asking me when I’m going to produce a mini sword-wielding baby. Just me, peace, and quiet.]

[Don’t get too comfortable, Host,] Nine snickered, popping up on the empty seat opposite her. [The palace drama might be over for today, but you just signed us up for a full-scale political revolution with Xiao Chen and Wenzhe.]

[Shh, let me enjoy my five minutes of ignorance,] Yueqing grumbled, resting her chin on her hand as she peeked out the small curtained window.

Outside, Wenzhe wasn’t sitting in the carriage with her. Instead, he rode high atop his massive black stallion, leading the Xi family escort.

Nobody looking at him now would ever guess that just last night, this exact same man had buried his face in his wife’s neck, utterly shattered by her words.

As if feeling her gaze on him, Wenzhe slightly turned his head. His sharp, dark eyes locked onto Yueqing through the carriage window.

For a brief, fleeting second, the freezing look in his eyes thawed, replaced by a subtle, warm glint. He gave her a tiny, almost invisible nod before turning back to face the road ahead.

Yueqing’s heart did a sudden, traitorous flutter behind her ribs. She quickly pulled her head back inside and snapped the curtain shut.

[Nope! Absolutely not!] Yueqing squeaked internally, fanning her hot cheeks with her hands. [Why does he look so good on a horse?! Nine, shield my eyes!]

[Host, you are hopeless,] Nine snickered, shaking his head. [Completely hopeless.]

"Advance!" Wenzhe’s deep, commanding voice echoed outside.

The carriage wheels began to turn with a low rumble, leaving the towering red walls of the imperial palace behind as they headed straight back toward the Xi family estate.

The carriage rumble finally slowed to a stop as they pulled up in front of the grand gates of the Xi family estate. Servants rushed forward to place footstools and pull open the heavy wooden carriage doors.

Duchess Xi stepped out gracefully, smoothing down her fine silk robes.

"It has been a long and exhausting few days at the palace," Duchess Xi said gently, her voice full of calm authority. "Everyone go back to your courtyards and rest. But be sure to be early for dinner tonight."

"Yes, Mother," they all replied in unison, bowing slightly.

Duchess Xi turned toward Aunt Ronghua, who was standing nearby with her hands tucked into her sleeves. "Ronghua, come with me. We should go pay our respects to mother first and let her know we have returned safely."

"Of course," Aunt Ronghua replied smoothly, stepping into stride beside Duchess Xi as they walked off toward the matriarch’s quiet, secluded courtyard.

With the Duchess gone, the group scattered toward their respective quarters.

Yueqing turned around, fully expecting Wenzhe to walk back to their courtyard with her. After all, after everything that happened last night the deep talk, the emotional breakdown, the quiet promise, she thought they were finally on the same page.

Instead, Wenzhe didn’t even look at her.

He handed his horse’s reins to a stable groom, adjusted his dark riding cloak, turned on his heel, and strode straight off toward his own private study in the outer courtyard, completely silent, ignoring her presence.

Yueqing stood rooted to the spot, her jaw practically dropping open in sheer disbelief.

Her brows furrowed into a tight, annoyed frown as she stared at his retreating, broad back.

[Are you kidding me right now?!] Yueqing screamed furiously in her mind, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. [Not a single word?! Not even a ’did you enjoy the ride, wife?’ Yesterday he was leaning on my shoulder looking like a sad puppy, and today he’s back to being a freezing block of stone!]

[Told you, Host. He’s a tsundere block of wood. The moment daylight hits, his masculine pride comes back at full capacity.]

[He is an ungrateful idiot!] Yueqing snapped back internally, stomping her foot as she turned around to walk toward her own courtyard. [Fine! If he wants to play the silent, brooding general again, see if I ever give him a motivational speech ever again! I hope he chokes on his tea!]

Qianqian, who was walking a few paces behind her, noticed Yueqing’s furious expression and the dramatic stomping of her feet.

"Sister-in-law?" Qianqian asked, jogging up beside her with a curious grin. "Why do you look like you want to bite brother’s head off?"

Yueqing caught herself, instantly smoothing her annoyed frown into a tight, fake smile. "Oh, nothing at all, Qianqian. I am just... deeply admiring your brother’s wonderful communication skills."

She turned around and left, with Lu Yue and Nine following close behind.

Once Su Yueqing was safely inside her room, Lu Yue let out a heavy sigh outside.

Leaning against the wall beside her, Nine shot a brief glance at Lu Yue.

"You seem worried about something. Are you alright?"

"Whether I’m alright or not is none of your business... but if you want to lighten my load, you can leave. That would certainly help," she said coldly, turning to walk away.

Nine’s next words stopped her in her tracks. "You see me as useless, don’t you, Guard Lu? You think my presence is nothing but trouble, and that I can’t protect the young Madame."

She stayed silent.

"You’re not wrong, though. There are many ways to save a person, but I lack that ability. I am better suited to be a spectator than a savior. That’s why you must always stay by her side... because I am useless."

Later that day, darkness was already settling over the manor, and the family would soon gather for dinner. Seated in her chamber, Duchess Xi was busy reviewing accounting reports.

"Make sure all of these are recorded and sent to the innkeeper. I want everything ready," she ordered, not looking up.

"Yes, your Grace," her head maid replied with a respectful nod before bowing out.

Suddenly, the soft sound of footsteps echoed in the room. Duchess Xi turned around to find her husband, Duke Xi, standing by the entrance. He remained silent, his heavy gaze fixed on her from across the room.

"You’re back. Welcome home," she said, her voice smooth and devoid of warmth. She stood up, neatly arranging the papers on her desk before turning toward her wardrobe to select a new dress for dinner. "Did you have a good chat with the Emperor... or were you wasting your time with the Empress instead?"

"Meiyun.. I—" Duke Xi took a step forward, his voice tight with hesitation, but the words caught in his throat

The Duchess stood still before she said, "You know very well that Wenzhe isn’t a child anymore. You can’t control him or deceive him forever. One day he will know who the man he has always called his father, the man he has always respected truly is..."

"To everyone, you are the great Duke Xi... an unstoppable general praised and adored by the Emperor, but the real truth of who you are is just a pawn... a pawn and nothing more."

"I saved Wenzhe years ago and stopped him from getting killed, and I will do it again if I have to. Whatever you and the Empress are planning... leave my children out of it. That’s all I ask of you."

"I will.. I promise I will not arm you or any of our children. That is why I must do what must be done.. but wooo your eve forgive me Meiyun.. will you ever what to see me again."

She didn’t answer she just turned around and left.

She knew what he meant by what he was saying.. that was why this dinner.. was very important.