Chapter 326 - 229

Feng Yun tried to pull her hand back, but Ao Qi held on tightly.

"Xiaoqi."

Her gaze was sharp, a cold warning in her voice.

"Be mindful of your place. I am your aunt by marriage."

Ao Qi’s eyes were bloodshot as if he hadn’t heard her,

"But do you have uncle in your heart? You never did, right?"

Feng Yun didn’t know what to say.

"That is between your uncle and me. Besides, who told you that I do not have your uncle in my heart?"

"You just don’t. I can see it. Your heart is empty." Ao Qi’s hands drooped, as he stubbornly stared at her. His voice contained a coldness Feng Yun had never encountered before, like frosty daggers piercing towards her.

"My uncle doesn’t have you in his heart, either. Both of you, heartless people, never took that wedding seriously."

Feng Yun’s complexion changed slightly, and she remained silent.

"I’m sorry." Ao Qi lowered his head, suddenly feeling ashamed.

The destructive force born from jealousy suddenly deflated. The knife aimed at her had not wounded her but instead pierced through his own heart, causing an inexplicable pain.

"I was speaking nonsense."

He wanted to ruin them, yet he was powerless, and he couldn’t bear to do it.

His contradictions made him seem like a child, hating himself for his immaturity, yet committing childish mistakes before her time and time again.

"I am powerless and unwilling to accept it. I cannot surpass Uncle Ao in any way, and that’s why I said such outrageous things, to defend my pitiful pride..."

"It’s okay. Maybe you’re right."

Feng Yun calmly pushed his hand away.

"But one thing, no matter what happens between your uncle and me, I will never be with you."

Her eyes held a smile, her pupils gleaming. She didn’t intend to wound him, yet every word was like a knife, shattering the young man’s foolish heart into pieces.

"Xiaoqi, have you ever considered that perhaps Lady Cui Si might not be so bad and that she could be a good match for you?"

Ao Qi shook his head, "My heart is full of you. Even if she were better, what use would that be? I don’t want any Lady Cui Si, but parental orders and the matchmaker’s word—whether I want it or not, I have to marry."

He looked at Feng Yun awkwardly.

"You tell me, what pleasure is there in such a life?"

The young man’s feelings were simple and determined, but Feng Yun knew they would dissipate.

One day, when he had his wife and concubines by his side, he would look back on these sentiments and simply smile it off.

Seeing her silent, Ao Qi’s voice was hoarse, "I know you won’t leave with me, and I never thought to force you. I don’t care if you have me in your heart or not, but I will always keep you in mine."

Feng Yun’s brows furrowed imperceptibly.

"Why must you..."

"I like you. So much."

Ao Qi’s eyes seemed to mist up, his throat choked once, as he forced himself to calm down, as though he’d made a decision.

"You don’t have to like me. But I will stand guard over you, be your guard for a lifetime. I swear to the heavens, Ao Qi in this life, will marry none but Feng Yun. I’ll never marry. Otherwise, let the heavens strike me with lightning and grant me no peaceful death!"

"Xiaoqi." Feng Yun’s voice was stern, "Do you know what you are saying?"

"I am serious." Ao Qi said, "You will see, Feng Yun. My feelings for you have always been serious. I am not a child."

"I never took you for a child, but one should not rashly make a deadly vow."

Ao Qi’s eyes were red, "I’ve already made it, and the heavens have heard it. It will be counted."

Feng Yun: ...

Ao Qi looked at her, smiling with a gentle voice.

"I’ve thought it through. I am younger than Uncle Ao. If one day, Uncle Ao passes away before me, then I will take care of you..."

The child has really thought too much.

Feng Yun: "Then I have to thank Uncle Ao on your behalf..."

Ao Qi was taken aback, not catching the jest in her words, his heart pounding excitedly, "I mean what I say, and I will wait for you, always wait..."

Feng Yun regarded him as if he were a silly child, utterly speechless.

"Ahem!"

A soft cough.

Outside came Wen Xingsu’s voice, "Ayun."

Feng Yun glanced at Ao Qi, watching him dejectedly retract his hand, put on a smile, and turned to look at Wen Xingsu.

"Eldest brother is looking for me."

Wen Xingsu emerged from the inner room, glanced at the blushing Ao Qi, and said coolly:

"The Qi Country Delegation has arrived."

Feng Yun’s heart relaxed.

Her elder brother always knew when she was in a predicament and appeared when she needed him.

"Did you see them?" Feng Yun asked.

Wen Xingsu nodded gently, "I saw them just now at the entrance of the council hall."

Among those from the Qi Country Delegation, besides Feng Jingteng, there was also the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Feng Jun’s eldest uncle, Feng Jingyao.

Feng Yun pursed her lips, "What happened?"

Wen Xingsu’s gaze dimmed, "Family misfortune. A wayward stepson, what else is there to say?"