"Brother Mo, what's going on?" Shen Qingfeng was utterly confused.
Mo Yunchen paused for a moment. He glanced at Shen Qingfeng, then withdrew his hand and said, "I'm here to take him back."
Shen Qingfeng asked in bewilderment, "Back? Back to the Qi Mansion?"
Mo Yunchen nodded.
"I'm not going back! I just managed to escape!" Qi Siyu clung to Shen Qingfeng's shoulder and wailed, "Besides, if I go back now, I'm bound to run into my father. I don't even know how many blows with the bamboo board I'll get. It'd be better to hide in the Bian Palace for a while. I'll go back after you all leave for the Three Saints Mountain."
Shen Qingfeng was taken aback. He turned his head and asked, "You're not going to the Three Saints Mountain?"
Qi Siyu snorted and said, "I'm not going."
"But..."
"He's currently under house arrest by Lord Qi," Mo Yunchen explained in a deep voice.
Shen Qingfeng was speechless. He turned to look at Qi Siyu and thought to himself that this guy was really out of favor with Qi Shuhuan. He got punished at the slightest provocation.
"What happened?" Shen Qingfeng asked.
Qi Siyu pouted and said, "I just ate a bit of something sweet, and my father punished me for it."
Shen Qingfeng was full of questions. "Ah?"
"I like sweet things. Yesterday, I saw some honey delivered to the mansion. I couldn't resist taking a jar to have a taste, and I got caught," Qi Siyu said aggrievedly. "Father is so controlling. He manages everything. He won't even let me eat what I want. Why is he so nice to my elder brother and elder sister?"
Shen Qingfeng sighed. He couldn't tell if Qi Siyu was truly stupid or just pretending to be stupid. Given his situation, he should have known long ago that his father was biased against him. But his optimistic attitude still amazed Shen Qingfeng.
"Is there honey available on such a cold day?" Shen Qingfeng asked.
Qi Siyu nodded and said, "There is. I heard it was specially imported from the Western Regions and was meant as a tribute for the king."
Mo Yunchen scolded from the side, "And you still ate it?"
Qi Siyu stamped his foot in anger. "I couldn't help it!"
Shen Qingfeng didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He patted Qi Siyu's hand and said, "Well, it's quite close to the Eastern Palace from here. You can go to the Eastern Palace to lie low for a while. Wait until the sacrifice starts and most of us have left. Then you can go back from the palace. That way, you won't run into your father."
Qi Siyu cheered and hugged Shen Qingfeng. "Thank you, Qingfeng!"
Mo Yunchen clicked his tongue. He seemed quite dissatisfied with Shen Qingfeng covering for Qi Siyu. "Young Master Shen, his father is very strict with him. If he's discovered when he goes back later, he'll surely get beaten."
"I don't care. If I get beaten, so be it. It's none of your business," Qi Siyu said angrily.
Hearing this, Mo Yunchen's expression suddenly turned stern. Qi Siyu was so frightened that he immediately lost his bravado and timidly hid behind Shen Qingfeng.
Shen Qingfeng patted him and said, "Young Master Mo, since things have come to this, you might as well take him to the Eastern Palace first. I'll ask someone to show you the way."
Mo Yunchen frowned. His eyes lingered on Shen Qingfeng's and Qi Siyu's faces for a while. Finally, he sighed as if in compromise and nodded. "Then I'll have to thank Young Master Shen."
Shen Qingfeng still had some unfinished business. He called out to a maid beside him and asked the maid to lead the two of them to the Eastern Palace.
At first, Qi Siyu was very reluctant to go to the Eastern Palace with Mo Yunchen because it meant he had to hide in the Eastern Palace with this emotionless man. But in the end, he couldn't withstand Mo Yunchen's intimidating gaze. He obediently gave in and dejectedly followed the maid away.
Before leaving, he didn't forget to turn back and give Shen Qingfeng a very hurt look.
Shen Qingfeng gave him a reassuring smile.
Just like in the previous life, Qi Siyu always managed to cheer him up whenever they talked.
Finally, all the preparations were completed before noon. In the Mountain and River Hall, it was crowded with ministers and official sons with ranks. A long red carpet was laid from the main entrance of the Mountain and River Hall all the way to the gate of the Bian Palace.
Shen Qingfeng wiped the sweat off his forehead and let out a long sigh. For some reason, although he had reviewed the sacrificial utensils and procedures many times and found no problems, he always felt a sense of unease in his heart.
He frowned, took a deep breath, and tried to suppress the uneasiness in his heart.
"Qingfeng." Suddenly, Xia Chuli's voice came from behind. Shen Qingfeng turned to look and saw Xia Chuli wearing the golden sacrificial robe he had put on this morning. He looked like a messenger descending from the temple to the mortal world, extremely solemn.
Shen Qingfeng looked at him. For some reason, the image of Xia Chuli ascending the throne in the previous life suddenly flashed through his mind.
At that time, just like now, he stood in the spotlight of everyone, shining brightly.
It was a pity that by then, a seed of hatred had already been sown in his heart. He was tyrannical, bloodthirsty, and inhumane. All in all, he was forced into this state. But judging from his capabilities, Xia Chuli was definitely capable of becoming a wise king. So in this life, he must protect Xia Chuli well, spare him from those torments, keep him in a normal state of mind, and ensure his smooth succession to the throne. Shen Qingfeng believed that in this way, Li Xia would surely usher in a prosperous and peaceful era.
"What are you looking at?" Xia Chuli walked up to Shen Qingfeng and reached out to touch his face. "Are you looking at me?"
Shen Qingfeng was startled. He quickly turned his head to avoid Xia Chuli's hand and took a big step back. "I've never seen you like this, A Li."
Xia Chuli frowned. Looking at his empty hand, his heart ached again. "Qingfeng, why are you avoiding me?"
Shen Qingfeng pursed his lips.
He had to admit that he had started to avoid physical contact with Xia Chuli. After all, their current relationship was just that of a subject and a lord. There was nothing more. And he didn't think there was anything wrong with his actions. After all, Xia Chuli had never liked him, right?
He was just used to Shen Qingfeng's affection, but had he really ever been in love with him?
Shen Qingfeng said, "A Li, there are so many people here. Let's go to our designated positions. King Xia Jie will be here soon."
Xia Chuli stared at Shen Qingfeng with red eyes for a long time. Finally, he said nothing. He flicked his sleeve and said, "Qingfeng, you must stay within three feet of me."
Shen Qingfeng: "Yes..."
Shen Qingfeng followed behind Xia Chuli. Unexpectedly, a burning gaze fell on him. As if telepathically, he looked up and his eyes met Lu Yan's who had just arrived.
Their eyes met through the vast crowd, and both of them felt a warm feeling in their hearts.
Due to the large number of people, Lu Yan couldn't come over. He could only stand there, wink at Shen Qingfeng, and smile.
Shen Qingfeng's heart softened. A faint smile appeared on his lips.
This smile was caught by Xia Chuli, who turned around to check if Shen Qingfeng was following. He followed Shen Qingfeng's gaze and saw his uncle, Lu Yan.
A sudden surge of jealousy welled up in Xia Chuli. He immediately turned around, grabbed Shen Qingfeng's arm, and without hesitation, dragged him forward under the surprised gazes of others.
"Stay by my side, Qingfeng," Xia Chuli gritted his teeth. At that moment, he suddenly felt jealous of his uncle.