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"I have thought about it," Yun Kexin nodded and replied, "but I cannot deceive the Crown Prince. I truly have feelings for Feng Yinxiao, indeed."
At this, both the Emperor and Consort Xiang were taken aback, sitting there somewhat at a loss. After a moment, Consort Xiang scoffed and said, "Feelings? What good is that! Can it be that our esteemed Crown Prince is not as good as a Young Marquis from the Duke of Yan's Residence? Seventh Sister, you are a sensible person; you should understand that the imperial decree is paramount. As long as you are not officially betrothed, if the Empress Dowager and the Emperor have set their sights on you, even if you are unwilling, you must enter the palace to become Consort Qin."
Yun Kexin's heart skipped a beat. In that instant, she met Consort Xiang's cold and resentful gaze again, which even held a hint of gloating.
Yun Kexin was about to retort but suddenly held back, lowering her head and remaining silent.
Qin Ke looked at her resigned demeanor, feeling both angry and pained.
"Yun Kexin, do you really not wish to enter the palace as Consort Qin?" The Crown Prince stared at Yun Kexin's flawless face and asked one last time with reluctance.
"Crown Prince, what needs to be said has already been said," Yun Kexin slowly raised her head and calmly looked at Qin Ke.
With that, Qin Ke had no further words. Instead, the Emperor felt a hint of disappointment in Yun Kexin's "performance." He had never seen the Crown Prince so heartbroken since he learned to walk and talk. This made the Emperor harbor some displeasure and resentment towards Yun Kexin.
"Seventh Sister, Consort Xiang is right," the Emperor coldly warned after losing his previous warmth and favor towards Yun Kexin. "No matter who you have 'private feelings' for, as long as you are not promised to anyone, once an imperial decree is issued, you must obey."
Yun Kexin nodded slightly and remained silent.
"Father, could you let Seventh Sister leave first?" The Crown Prince turned to the Emperor and said. "I wish to speak with you alone."
The Emperor glanced at the Crown Prince before his gaze fell on Yun Kexin again. He sighed and said, "Seventh Sister, since the Crown Prince has requested this, you may leave the palace for now. However, if I summon you back to the palace, do not refuse."
"Yes, I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. Crown Prince, Consort Xiang," Yun Kexin bid farewell. "I take my leave." She nodded and walked out of Fengyang Palace.
Yun Kexin exited Fengyang Palace and, not far from the palace gate, ran into Wei Qing and Yun Yan who were waiting there.
"Sister, Brother-in-law, what are you doing here?" Yun Kexin asked in surprise.
"Seventh Sister, we heard the Emperor summoned you to the palace, so we rushed over to see how things were," Yun Yan said, noticing her pale cheeks and hurried demeanor. "How did it go? The Emperor and Consort Xiang didn't make things difficult for you, did they?"
"No," Yun Kexin replied uneasily, her mind still racing with thoughts of her bold confession in Fengyang Palace. The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. With a trembling voice, she said, "Brother-in-law, sister, do you know where Young Lord is? I need to find him urgently."
"I don't know," Yun Yan said, holding Yun Kexin's hand. "We only saw him hurriedly leaving after meeting with the Crown Prince when we entered the palace."
Feng Yinxiao was summoned by the Crown Prince? What did they discuss?
"Seventh Sister, don't worry," Wei Qing comforted her. "We just informed the Crown Prince about your situation with Feng Yinxiao. I'm sure he will make a wise decision."
Yun Kexin was taken aback: so it was her sister and Brother-in-law who told the Crown Prince. No wonder Qin Ke's demeanor had changed so drastically.
"Sister, Brother-in-law, I need to find Young Lord right away," Yun Kexin said anxiously, furrowing her brow. "If you happen to see him on the way, please let him know I need to talk to him. Thank you."
"Hey, Seventh Sister—" Wei Qing and Yun Yan called out to her simultaneously, but she had already run off.
Yun Kexin first returned to Duke of E State Mansion to see if he was waiting for her at home. However, the servant informed her that Qingyuan Marquis had just been there and learned that Seventh Sister was summoned by the Emperor and Consort Xiang before hurriedly leaving. Yun Kexin felt speechless; she had missed him just like that. Thus, she had no choice but to call for a carriage to return along the same route.
When she arrived near the palace gate again, she was surprised to find Wei Qing and Yun Yan still there. Upon asking them, she learned that Feng Yinxiao had instructed them to wait for her at the Training Ground.
"Thank you, Sister, Brother-in-law, I will go to the Training Ground now, you don't need to follow," Yun Kexin said with an unprecedented urgency. "Please go back and inform Father that I have something to attend to and will return later."
Waiting at the Training Ground, Feng Yinxiao finally saw the person he had been waiting for as if it had been three autumns. He brought her into the tent.
"Yun Kexin, I heard the Emperor summoned you," Feng Yinxiao said, noticing Yun Kexin's pale face due to her emotional agitation. He gently held her hand and asked, "What happened?"
"Nothing much, but," Yun Kexin paused, meeting Feng Yinxiao's gaze. His dark eyes reflected her flustered and shy expression. "I admitted in front of the Emperor, Consort Xiang, and the Crown Prince that I—"
"Admitted what?" Feng Yinxiao was rarely seen so unsettled by Yun Kexin's demeanor and softly comforted her.
"The Crown Prince asked me if I have mutual feelings with Young Lord, if our hearts are connected. I... I did," Yun Kexin blinked lightly, her delicate face instantly flushed with color. "And very impulsively, without any reservations, I admitted my feelings for Young Lord..."
Feng Yinxiao inhaled sharply, seemingly stunned as if he didn't understand, yet his handsome face revealed overwhelming joy. Meanwhile, Yun Kexin felt anxious and lowered her gaze, speculating about Feng Yinxiao's reaction. Occasionally, she would sneak a glance at his face before quickly looking down again. Just as she was feeling anxious, she found herself enveloped in a broad embrace—those strong arms she was so familiar with were tightly holding her as if wanting to embed her into his life.
"Yun Kexin, is this true? You admitted in front of the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and Consort Xiang that you like me?" Feng Yinxiao could hardly contain his ecstatic heart. Holding Yun Kexin close, he repeatedly confirmed, "Is it true? I didn't mishear you, right?"
"Yes," Yun Kexin's flushed profile pressed against Feng Yinxiao's chest as she listened to the thunderous heartbeat coming from him. Feeling shy and guilty, she said, "I'm sorry, Young Lord. My impulsive admission without considering the consequences must cause you trouble and distress. I was too reckless..."
"Silly girl, there's no need to apologize," he released her slightly and cupped her lovely face with both hands, smiling as he said, "Yun Kexin, do you know? When I learned that the Empress Dowager wanted to make you Consort Qin, my heart felt empty. But now because of your words, it feels completely full again. Thank you for your honesty; I was so shocked and surprised. Yun Kexin, how fortunate I am to have met you."
His lips buried in her hair as he whispered his heartfelt feelings.
"But... I'm afraid the royal family won't let Young Lord go..." Yun Kexin still felt uneasy.
"It's okay, it's okay, I would rather it be this way," he gazed deeply at her, a brilliant light flashing through his dark eyes. He wasn't smiling, but the joy on his face was impossible to hide. "Even if we truly face hardships in the future, there will be no regrets."
Yun Kexin relaxed her expression and quietly looked back at the poised and graceful Feng Yinxiao, her fair and rosy face slightly blushing, resembling a delicious piece of fresh fruit that made one want to take a bite at first glance.
Feng Yinxiao managed to suppress the urge to "take a bite" of her red lips and abruptly said, "Yun Kexin, would you be willing to come with me?"
Yun Kexin was taken aback. "Go?"
Feng Yinxiao nodded seriously and said affectionately, "Come with me to Cape of the End of the World. It won't be long before I can give you a stable home. Trust me."
"Escape?" Yun Kexin blinked and asked unusually calmly.
It seemed he saw another question in her eyes. He raised his hand and gently brushed a few strands of hair away from her temple, saying, "Yun Kexin, you make me feel ashamed," Feng Yinxiao continued, "Previously at Chengqi Palace, during my conversation with the Crown Prince, I had countless opportunities to confess but hesitated and said nothing." His speech slowed down, filled with remorse and deep emotion. "But when you came to tell me everything, I suddenly felt there was nothing I couldn't let go of. Yun Kexin, I want to take you away from this place of strife." After Feng Yinxiao finished speaking, he anxiously wondered if Yun Kexin would agree to his "proposal," but her calmness and tranquility exceeded his expectations as she replied without hesitation, "When?"
"The sooner, the better," Feng Yinxiao said.
"I want to meet Fourth Uncle first."
Feng Yinxiao understood Yun Kexin's thoughts but did not point it out. He simply smiled in agreement, "Alright."
The two of them went to the store in Cloud City. In the pavilion of the store's backyard, Yun Kexin recounted everything in detail, then knelt down and said:
"Fourth Uncle, Kexin doesn't want this either, but the Emperor and Consort Xiang have made it clear that regardless of feelings, as long as an imperial decree is issued, I must obey. Fourth Uncle, I don't want to be Consort Qin; I just want to follow my heart. Auntie’s family will trouble you to take care of them more in the future. Kexin is unfilial."
Yun Kexin knelt there, waiting for Fourth Uncle's objections and reprimands. To her surprise, Cloud City merely glanced at Feng Yinxiao and Yun Kexin before absentmindedly saying two words: "Run away."
Yun Kexin gasped in shock: "Fourth Uncle, you... you don't blame me?"
Cloud City smiled bitterly and said, "Silly girl, why would I blame you? If only I had taken her away back then, perhaps—" He paused, closed his eyes, and did not continue. After a moment, he opened his eyes and looked at Feng Yinxiao with a faint smile. "Qingyuan Marquis, I admire your sincerity and courage towards Seventh Young Lady. Wherever you go, please let me know immediately. I have properties in Taihe Realm that will ensure you have a livelihood."
Yun Kexin was deeply moved: "Thank you, Fourth Uncle. I will remember you for a lifetime."
Feng Yinxiao helped Yun Kexin up. Once she stood steady, he said to Cloud City: "Thank you to Four Elders. I am confident that I can provide Yun Kexin with a stable home. Please be sure to inform Second Madam and Three Elders that once our lives are stable, we will find a way to contact them so they won't worry about us."
"That's settled then," Cloud City said with a serious expression. "You should go prepare your belongings now. I will get ready some funds right away. After dark, I will personally escort you out of the city."
Feng Yinxiao and Yun Kexin nodded in understanding, their hearts no longer filled with hesitation or confusion.
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