"Father, Yuyan isn't feeling well, so I'll take my leave first."
During this meal, Ji Yuyan felt as if there was a fishbone stuck in her throat. Seeing Ji Yunxi and Feng Xingzhi sitting together like a perfect match, she was consumed by jealousy. So, before the meal was over, she made an excuse to leave.
Ji Qilin nodded in response.
"If that's the case, rest well."
After Ji Yuyan left, the atmosphere at the table immediately became much more lively.
After the meal.
Feng Xingzhi called out to Ji Qilin.
"Prime Minister."
Ji Qilin turned around and saw Feng Xingzhi bowing with clasped fists, respectfully performing a junior's salute.
Ji Qilin was flattered.
"Your Highness, just say what you want. I can't bear such a grand salute from you."
Feng Xingzhi was from the royal family, with a much higher status than Ji Qilin. In the past, when they met, Ji Qilin, as the prime minister, would bow and clasp his fists respectfully, addressing Feng Xingzhi as the Prince Feng.
The position of prince was extremely noble. Except for the current emperor, Feng Xingzhi didn't need to perform such a grand salute to anyone.
"Prime Minister, you're being too humble. Now that I'm discussing marriage with Yunxi, you're her elder and naturally mine too. This salute is well-deserved."
Ji Qilin burst into laughter.
On the surface, he declined a few times, but in his heart, he was very pleased with Feng Xingzhi's words and actions.
"Prime Minister, I've already had someone calculate the wedding date between Yunxi and me. It's said that a month from now will be an auspicious day."
Feng Xingzhi behaved gracefully and spoke appropriately.
Ji Qilin immediately said, "Wasn't the imperial decree for the wedding bestowed just yesterday? Why did you have someone calculate it so long ago..."
Hearing this, Feng Xingzhi's complexion remained as fair as snow, showing no sign of uneasiness. However, his earlobes turned red at a visible speed.
Ji Qilin burst into laughter again and naturally understood the situation.
"However, isn't a month too hasty?"
As Ji Qilin said this, he looked at Ji Yunxi, asking for her opinion.
Feng Xingzhi also turned his expectant gaze towards Ji Yunxi.
Ji Yunxi's heart fluttered like a deer, but she still had to maintain a maiden's reserve.
"Since it's a specially chosen date, it's not good to change it casually. It's not too hasty. Let's set it a month from now."
Hearing this, Ji Qilin's gaze shifted back and forth between his daughter and Feng Xingzhi, then smiled knowingly. Since his daughter was willing, he didn't say anything more.
The wedding date was set.
Since Feng Xingzhi was still an outsider, he couldn't stay overnight at the Ji Mansion, as it would affect the reputation of Ji Yunxi, who hadn't yet left her parents' home.
Although Ji Yunxi didn't care, Feng Xingzhi still took the initiative to bid farewell. He couldn't let her be gossiped about because of him.
At night.
Ji Yunxi was practicing her spiritual power in her courtyard when a maid told her that her father had invited her to the Ji family ancestral hall.
She rushed there in a hurry.
When she arrived at the ancestral hall.
Ji Qilin was offering incense to the ancestors of the Ji family. Ji Yunxi also took three incense sticks from the side, lit them, bowed, knelt, and offered the incense.
Looking at his most beloved daughter being so sensible and about to get married now that the marriage had been arranged, Ji Qilin's eyes became a bit red.
He was reluctant to part with Ji Yunxi.
"Yunxi, you should know that now that the wedding date is set, there's no turning back. Even if you regret it later, it won't help."
Ji Yunxi replied firmly and seriously, "Father, I won't regret it. Prince Feng is definitely someone worthy of my trust."
Ji Qilin sighed and said earnestly, "Although Prince Feng has a weak body and isn't very talented in practicing spiritual power, after these recent events, at least it can be seen that he is sincere and caring towards you. Moreover, since you like him, this marriage can be considered a happy one."
"Right. Father, you have such a good eye for people. If you can see that he's good to me, then he really is."
Hearing his daughter's words, a look of relief appeared on Ji Qilin's face.
The father and daughter talked for a long time.
Later, Ji Qilin seemed to remember something and suddenly said, "Yunxi, tell Daddy honestly. Have you liked Feng Xingzhi since you were a child?"
Ji Yunxi chuckled playfully, finding it unbelievable.
"Daddy, what are you talking about? I don't understand. I didn't know Feng Xingzhi when I was a child."
Ji Qilin was even more surprised upon hearing this.
He blurted out, "How could you not know him? Daddy remembers that you've stood up for him many times."
"What?" Ji Yunxi looked completely confused.
"Do you really not remember Feng Xingzhi?"
Ji Yunxi nodded firmly.
"Prince Feng was the chubby kid who used to follow you around when you were a child. Don't you remember? He was often bullied by his peers because of his low spiritual power. I saw you often protecting him and him following you around."
After Ji Qilin's reminder.
Ji Yunxi seemed to have a vague memory.
There used to be a chubby kid who always followed her like a tail when she was young. However, that chubby kid was too timid to talk to her and only dared to follow her from a distance.
Every time she turned around, he would immediately turn away. His timid and cautious appearance even made Ji Yunxi wonder if her gaze was too fierce and had scared him.
"I haven't seen him for a long time, so I've even forgotten about him."
Ji Qilin said, "It's normal. Later, Feng Xingzhi got seriously ill and then stayed at home in seclusion. His body became thinner and thinner."
Hearing this.
Ji Yunxi felt very distressed.
Now that Feng Xingzhi was so thin, she didn't know how much suffering he had endured.
Ji Yunxi secretly swore in her heart.
After they got married, she would definitely protect him and take good care of him. She would never let anyone bully him.
After saying goodbye to her father, Ji Yunxi returned to her courtyard.
She lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
Although the wedding date was set, she still felt uneasy.
"It should be okay. Maybe it was just a dream."
Ji Yunxi remembered that in her previous life, she had died at the hands of Ji Yuyan on her wedding day.
There were also those two extra memories where she had died in Feng Xingzhi's arms.
It seemed that no matter what, her final outcome was to die on her wedding day.
There was a faint uneasiness in her heart.
But she didn't know where that uneasiness came from.
Ji Yunxi always felt that there was an invisible black hand secretly manipulating everything.
The other party was like a venomous snake, keenly observing her every move and always ready to ambush her.
Or perhaps.
To kill everyone she cared about.