“I hope so!”
Although Jin Feng understood that the Ninth Princess’s confidence must have a reason, he still did not want to wait even a moment longer. “Your Highness, delays may cause trouble. We should set off early.”
But who would have thought that the Ninth Princess not only did not move, but instead sat down. “These steamed buns look good. This palace has waited long enough to feel a bit hungry. Qin’er, get me one.”
Hearing the Ninth Princess say this, Guan Xiaorou’s face, which had just returned to normal, instantly turned red again.
Jin Feng was also speechless for a moment.
As an engineering guy, Jin Feng liked to speak and act straightforwardly. He did not enjoy beating around the bush to guess hidden meanings in other people’s words.
But the Ninth Princess’s words were so direct that even Guan Xiaorou understood them, so naturally he understood too.
She was complaining that the wait had been too long.
The Ninth Princess was not someone without measure. Since she was acting this way, she must have complete confidence.
Thinking of this, Jin Feng was no longer in a hurry.
He pulled over a chair, sat next to Guan Xiaorou, served her some porridge, and said, “Your Highness, Xiaorou and I are a properly married couple. We have been apart for many days, so it is only natural for us to be affectionate for a while!
We agreed to depart at the hour of Chen. I was not late. If the wait was too long, it is because Your Highness arrived early. You cannot blame others for that.”
After speaking, he deliberately kissed Guan Xiaorou on the face as if showing off.
“Husband, are you trying to get yourself killed!”
Being kissed suddenly in front of so many people, Guan Xiaorou felt both shy and annoyed. She pinched Jin Feng hard, stood up, and wanted to run away.
But she was sitting in the innermost spot, blocked by Jin Feng. She could not escape, so she could only bury her face on the table like an ostrich.
Tang Xiaobei’s eyes darted around, glancing at Jin Feng one moment and at the Ninth Princess the next.
Although she saw nothing unusual, her instinct told her that something was definitely going on between Jin Feng and the Ninth Princess.
But Tang Xiaobei could not judge how serious the matter between them was.
In plain terms, she did not know how far they had gone.
Guan Xiaorou was simple and innocent, and did not realise the purpose behind Jin Feng’s words just now. But Tang Xiaobei understood clearly.
Jin Feng’s tone was clearly establishing dominance, standing up for Guan Xiaorou, and warning the Ninth Princess that Guan Xiaorou was his legitimate wife.
Even if the Ninth Princess was a princess, she should not try to challenge Guan Xiaorou’s position. If she wanted to enter this family, she had to follow this family’s rules.
This touched Tang Xiaobei deeply.
By doing this, Jin Feng was not only protecting Guan Xiaorou, but also protecting her in a way.
After confirming this, the fire of gossip flared up in Tang Xiaobei’s eyes.
Goodness, this was the formidable Ninth Princess. Being lectured by Jin Feng like a concubine being scolded, she would surely explode, right?
Tang Xiaobei almost wanted someone to bring a pot of good tea and a plate of snacks so she could enjoy the show while eating.
But to her surprise, the Ninth Princess did not lose her temper. Instead, she rarely showed a girlish attitude, pouted cutely at Jin Feng, and threw her chopsticks in a spoiled manner. “Fine, this palace came too early, alright!”
Jin Feng ignored Qin’er’s murderous glare and gave a slight nod. “Good that you know you were wrong. Let’s eat.”
Crack!
Qin’er’s fist clenched so hard it made a grinding sound.
Bei Qianxun, who had been quietly drinking porridge on the side, pulled her chair over and sat next to Jin Feng.
She said nothing, just lowered her head and continued drinking her porridge.
Seeing this, Qin’er became even angrier. She looked around, then kicked the gossip-loving Da Liu flying with one leg.
Da Liu landed on his backside, face full of question marks, and slid several metres across the ground before stopping.
He had been happily eating melon, so how did he suddenly end up at the door?
Who could tell him what just happened?
“Why did you kick me?”
Da Liu asked in grief and indignation.
“Want to spar with you. Is that not allowed?”
Qin’er glanced at him. “Looks like you’re still not convinced. Want to spar a couple more times?”
“Granny, I surrender! I admit defeat! I am not worthy to spar with you!”
Da Liu instantly gave in, clasped his hands, and begged for mercy.
Yesterday in the small grove he had blocked Qin’er, so she must have been holding a grudge. If she found an excuse to strike, would she not beat him to a pulp?
Qin’er gave a cold snort and finally turned away.
“Good heavens, when will this day ever end!”
Da Liu slapped the ground and wailed.
He had already been kicked by Bei Qianxun before, and now by Qin’er too.
He was practically becoming a punching bag for Jin Feng.
Pfft!
The guard standing at the door could not help laughing at Da Liu.
Seeing Da Liu glare at him, the guard quickly held it back.
But it was already too late.
“For not wearing a hat!”
Da Liu stood up, kicked the guard on the backside, huffed angrily, and walked back inside.
This time he did not dare stand at the door. Instead he found the corner farthest from Qin’er.
Jin Feng also knew when to stop while he was ahead. Seeing that Da Liu was fine, he smiled and picked up a steamed bun, placing it in the Ninth Princess’s bowl. “Your Highness, have a bun!”
The Ninth Princess smoothly took the chance to save face, regained her usual grace, and smiled. “Many thanks, sir.”
“Your Highness is too polite.”
Only then did Jin Feng ask, “May Your Highness tell us what your plan is?”
When it came to serious matters, the Ninth Princess’s expression grew solemn.
She put down her chopsticks and said, “Sir, handling great affairs is like cooking a small dish. One must never be impatient. So right now, we must stay calm and wait patiently!”
“Wait for what?” Jin Feng frowned and asked.
“Wait for Brother Xinyao’s reply.”
The Ninth Princess said, “These people represent their respective families. The forces they can mobilise are truly terrifying. If we do not act, fine. But once we act, we must strike with thunderous force!
Otherwise, if they escape back to the capital, let alone you and me, even Father Emperor would have to think twice before moving against them.”
“Since Your Highness says so, you must already have a foolproof plan?”
“No one dares claim a foolproof plan against these people. We only have some initial ideas.”
The Ninth Princess shook her head. “This palace has already sent a message to Xichuan. Whether it will work depends on Brother Xinyao’s reply. That is why we must wait.”
Jin Feng nodded slightly upon hearing this.
The powerful families must have people watching the village. The moment they moved, the other side would know immediately.
Once the other side started to flee, the plan would be considered a failure.
When Jin Feng reviewed the plan that morning, he had also been worried about this problem.
He had originally planned to have the escort masters disguise themselves as a merchant caravan and sneak out of the village.
But that method was too easy to see through, and Jin Feng had been hesitating whether it was feasible.
Since the Ninth Princess had another plan, Jin Feng could only hold back his impatience and wait for Qing Xinyao’s reply first.
…
Inside Xichuan City, the powerful families argued all morning. Only under the supervision of the chief eunuch did they finally settle all the details of the plan.
The chief eunuch asked everyone once more to confirm that each person understood their role before announcing the meeting adjourned.
As the powerful figures left the secret meeting place and had not even started to carry out the plan, their respective stewards came rushing over in panic.
“My lord, bad news! The Weisheng Army has sealed the city gates!”
