The Slender Waist-Chapter 823 - 581: Sudden Change in the Weather

Ge Guang froze.

The people of Huaxi hadn’t mentioned Chunyu Yan for years.

About two years ago, in the house Chunyu Yan had left behind, the two caretakers packed their belongings and left in the dead of night.

The abandoned house became overgrown with weeds; its doors were faded and mottled, eerie in appearance, so much so that the children of Huaxi dared not venture near to play.

Ge Guang had heard rumors that someone had tried to find Chunyu Yan, who had once been the Crown Prince of Yunchuan, to purchase the house, only to be beaten savagely by him. Since then, no one spoke of it again.

How could the Crown Prince of Yunchuan possibly lack money?

Certainly, he wouldn’t need to sell a house for it.

But such matters were ones the Princess never concerned herself with.

Why did she suddenly decide to send a whip?

Ge Guang carried countless unanswered questions in his heart, but he dared not voice a single one. He merely cupped his hands lightly in salute.

"I understand."

He bowed in respect and had just turned to leave when Feng Yun stopped him.

Ge Guang turned back to see the Princess with her brows faintly furrowed, a peculiar glint in her eyes, which vanished as quickly as it appeared.

"Deliver it yourself."

Ge Guang cupped his hands once more. "Understood. I will set off immediately."

Over the years, those who had served Feng Yun each had their own fortunes and paths, but Ge Guang and Ge Yi had always remained by her side.

Ge Guang’s son was Rui Bao’s study companion, an arrangement he knew had been the Princess’s favor.

A study companion to the Crown Prince—to Ge Guang, this envisioned a future of boundless prospects. Thus, from an early age, he taught his son to be loyal to his master, and he himself had led by example all along.

Ge Guang departed with Qiu Tong in tow.

Xiaoman observed Feng Yun silently and let out a faint sigh.

"Princess, you obviously don’t wish to part with it. Why ask Brother Ge to return it to Yunchuan?"

Feng Yun withdrew her gaze and smiled faintly at Xiaoman.

"Not all of the things we cannot bear to part with are meant for us to keep."

Xiaoman had a vague understanding of this sentiment.

Back then, the Crown Prince of Yunchuan and the Princess, though often clashing and seemingly at odds, actually got along quite well most of the time. They connected deeply, especially when discussing trade and commerce, their conversations lasting hours on end.

But for reasons unknown, they eventually severed all ties and never interacted again...

When Xiaoman thought of this, she couldn’t help but sigh wistfully.

"I hope the Crown Prince marries a virtuous Princess and finds a good match, receiving his share of blessings."

Feng Yun glanced at her with an amused look.

Chunyu Yan, a man so steeped in wickedness—if he ever learned that there were people sincerely wishing him well, he might find it utterly unbelievable.

"Princess, I still fail to understand." Xiaoman muttered again in confusion.

"What?" Feng Yun lifted her chin slightly and smiled carelessly. "Speak your mind."

"That whip has been kept all these years, untouched by you. Why today, of all days, do you suddenly remember to return it to the Crown Prince?"

Feng Yun curved her lips lightly, gazing at the sunlight breaking through the morning mist, its radiant glow dyeing the horizon. A serene smile crossed her face.

"For him to receive a good match, and also his blessings."

Xiaoman found herself more bewildered than before.

What could returning a whip possibly have to do with a good match and blessings?

Feng Yun offered no explanation.

The ambitions and desires of men, the ruthless battles for supremacy over the world, and the sacrifices and costs behind them—those who do not understand are, perhaps, the fortunate ones...

-

Ge Guang returned after the autumn season had passed.

Once back in Xinjing, he wasted no time in entering the palace to report back to Feng Yun.

Feng Yun asked, "Was the soft whip delivered?"

"It was delivered."

"Did you meet the Prince of Yunchuan?"

"I did."

"What did the Prince say?"

Ge Guang raised his head, his brows furrowed tightly.

"The Prince of Yunchuan didn’t say a single word."

Not a word?

Feng Yun’s lips curved slightly. "Good."

Ge Guang retrieved a large bamboo tube from his bag, holding it with both hands as he placed it before Feng Yun.

"As I was leaving the city, Eunuch Xiang rode up hurriedly from behind and handed me this, asking me to bring it back to you."

Feng Yun cast him a questioning glance.

"What is it?"

Ge Guang replied, "You will know once you look, Princess."

This suggested he had already inspected it, ensuring there was no danger.

Feng Yun removed the stopper from the bamboo tube and discovered it was filled with fireworks.

They were identical to the ones she and Chunyu Yan had set off together on the mountainside near the Yanwu Residence at the Tu Family Fort years ago.

"Could it be that he has truly lost his mind?"

If Eunuch Xiang had delivered it, then it was undoubtedly under Chunyu Yan’s instruction.

Sending her fireworks—this was clearly Chunyu Yan’s intention.

But without it being a festival or a celebration, why would he send a bundle of fireworks?

Feng Yun lowered her lashes and placed the fireworks back into the tube. Unable to reinsert the stopper smoothly, she then noticed another item at the bottom...

It was an iron whistling arrow, shaped like a small date, bored with holes for the whistle chamber, whistle body, arrowhead, and whistle funnel—all polished to an immaculate sheen and tied with a red cord.

Feng Yun narrowed her eyes slightly.

After holding it in her palm for a while, she motioned for Ge Guang to take the fireworks away.

"Bring them to Huaxi. Let the children enjoy them."

-

Shortly afterward, Rui Bao somehow caught wind that the children of Huaxi had seen particularly stunning fireworks, and he longed for them enviously.