096 We Must Return

Zi Yu was led away by Xiao Siyi, leaving only Yun Xueyan and Feng Xilou in the room.

“I...” She parted her lips and spoke only a single syllable, yet she did not know where to begin, or how she was supposed to tell him.

“I already know. It was my fault. I did not know you still had a mother, or I would have brought her here.” Feng Xilou’s voice was filled with apology.

Back then, he had not dared to investigate her too deeply, and because of that he had made such a terrible mistake.

Yun Xueyan shook her head in denial, doing her best to force a smile. “None of this should be blamed on you. If anyone is to blame, it is my miserable fate. Destiny has always loved to toy with me.”

Propping herself up on one arm, she stopped Feng Xilou from helping her.

“Take me back.” Her tone was faint, showing none of the resignation that should have gone with it.

Wasn’t this exactly what Duan Nanyu wanted? Then she would return with this face, return with nothing but hatred for him, return...

“I will not allow it!” Feng Xilou sprang upright, his tall figure rigid, his brows drawn tight in anger as he rejected it without the slightest hesitation.

He could not push her into the fire again. He could not do it.

“You promised me you would stay by my side, Yan’er... You must not go back on your word!” His chest burned with irritation. He was furious—how could she cast herself aside like this and still insist on returning?

How could she bear to make him abandon her once more? He could not do it. He was afraid, truly afraid.

That kind of anguish, that soul-rending worry and heartache, he did not dare endure again. He did not have the courage to face the agony of nearly losing her a second time.

Blinking softly, her eyes bright with a gentle smile, Yun Xueyan kept her voice calm. Looking at the complicated emotions flickering in Feng Xilou’s eyes, she knew exactly what he was thinking.

“What I said then was, if I could, I would. But I cannot now. My mother is still in the Xiao Prince’s Manor. I must go back!”

Feng Xilou was momentarily at a loss for words. He had been too overjoyed at the time to hear the meaning beneath her words. His fingers curled inside his sleeves as he spoke anxiously, none of his usual composure remaining. “I will help you bring your mother out. You... do not go back!”

“How would you bring her out? That is the Xiao Prince’s Manor. Xilou, you are the grand chancellor, yes, and you hold great authority, but what can that do against Duan Nanyu? Would you have to fight to the death with equal power?” Her calm question shattered the hope in Feng Xilou’s heart.

She had no choice. Duan Nanyu gave her no room to choose.

He had already decided that she would return on her own, without needing him to storm the chancellor’s residence and forcefully take her away. Even if he came, Feng Xilou would not hand her over.

Her lips trembled into a bitter smile, and once again she found no way out.

“Even if it came to a fight to the death, with my ability I could absolutely stand against him.” Feng Xilou’s words were calm and unruffled, revealing not the slightest trace of fear.

He could handle anything with complete confidence, except her. With her, he had no answer.

“But Xilou, how long would that take? How long am I supposed to wait? No matter how great your power is, you are still a subject. No matter how strong your influence is, it can never surpass the entire empire.” Yun Xueyan struck back without mercy.

She had heard of Feng Xilou’s brilliance, but what use was that?

Like water unable to quench a fire far away, she had also heard of Duan Nanyu’s cold-heartedness. Feng Xilou was water, while Duan Nanyu was fire. If it could not be extinguished, why force it?

After Yun Xueyan’s words, Feng Xilou was left without a reply...

Once she had dressed and made herself ready, Yun Xueyan turned back with a faint smile. “If there is ever another chance, Xilou, I will surely repay your kindness. This time, I mean what I say.”

Feng Xilou shook his head. He... did not need it.