Chapter 355: Moved
Furthermore, the young men outside were clearly nobles and aristocrats, yet they still treated Yan Yu Pingsheng with great respect. This showed just how extraordinary Yan Yu Pingsheng's status was.
"Yan Yu Pingsheng must really like Xinye as his disciple," Lin Feng thought to himself. Otherwise, he wouldn't have deliberately brought him here to try and bring them together.
"Lin Feng, I'll take my leave first. You can go back on your own."
Just then, a voice rang out, and Lin Feng saw a figure in the distance leap into the air and fly away. It was Yan Yu Pingsheng leaving.
Lin Feng was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a bitter smile. Yan Yu Pingsheng had actually abandoned him in the imperial city.
Duan Xinye also saw Yan Yu Pingsheng's departing figure. A strange glint flashed in her beautiful eyes before she spoke: "Lin Feng, what do you think of my painting?"
"It has more spirit and charm than the real me," Lin Feng said with a smile. Duan Xinye's painting skills were truly outstanding.
"Not at all!" Duan Xinye murmured softly, a hint of shyness in her voice. Then she took Lin Feng's hand and said, "Let me take you somewhere."
Duan Xinye led Lin Feng to a cave dwelling inside a stone wall. As they entered, Lin Feng found it was a hidden paradise inside—tables and chairs were arranged elegantly, creating a very refined atmosphere.
After a moment, Duan Xinye brought Lin Feng to a room within the cave dwelling. The air carried a faint, maidenly fragrance, as if it were a young lady's boudoir.
"Lin Feng, this is where I live. I like peace and quiet, so I chose this place. No one disturbs me here," Duan Xinye said softly, then pointed to the paintings on the wall.
Seeing those paintings, Lin Feng's eyes narrowed again. The walls were covered with figures, all of the same person—him, Lin Feng.
Looking at those lifelike images, Lin Feng felt a pang of emotion. If he hadn't met Meng Qing first, he might have unreservedly fallen for this beautiful and elegant, tender princess.
"Lin Feng, look at these. Aren't they better than the ones outside?" Duan Xinye's beautiful eyes gazed at Lin Feng, carrying a hint of hopeful light like flowing water.
"They're all very beautiful," Lin Feng replied.
Duan Xinye's eyes flickered, then she pulled Lin Feng to the edge of the bed and said, "Lin Feng, have a seat first. Try the tea I brewed."
"This..." Lin Feng showed a trace of embarrassment. This was Duan Xinye's boudoir, and this bed was where the princess slept, still carrying a faint, fragrant scent. Asking him to sit here really made him uncomfortable.
"Lin Feng, do you still care about such things with me?" Duan Xinye said softly, then walked away to brew tea for Lin Feng.
Lin Feng sat down with a bitter smile, watching Duan Xinye's slightly flustered hands. He couldn't help but shake his head with a smile. As a princess, she probably rarely had the chance to do things herself.
Looking up, the walls were covered with images of himself. Lin Feng couldn't help but wonder—was this how Duan Xinye spent her days, just looking at him?
"Xinye, let me do it myself." Lin Feng walked over to Duan Xinye and took the cup from her hand.
"No need, I can handle it." Duan Xinye pulled her hand back, and the water in the cup splashed out. She let out a startled cry, and the cup slipped from her hand, falling.
Duan Xinye quickly reached out to catch the teacup, but Lin Feng directly grabbed her hand. With a light clatter, the cup shattered. Duan Xinye seemed not to hear it, only lowering her head to look at the hand holding hers.
"It's just a cup of tea. No need to catch it." A wisp of true essence surged from Lin Feng's hand, soothing the burned area on Duan Xinye's skin before he let go.
Watching that strong hand move away, Duan Xinye felt a pang of loss in her heart, but a brilliant smile bloomed on her face.
"Let's go out for a walk," Lin Feng said. Staying in Duan Xinye's boudoir felt a bit strange to him.
"Mm, okay." Duan Xinye replied softly, nodding. The two of them stepped out of the cave dwelling together.
"Lin Feng, I want to ask you something."
After leaving the cave dwelling, Duan Xinye hesitated for a moment, glanced at Lin Feng, and spoke.
"What is it?" Lin Feng noticed a hint of uncertainty in Duan Xinye's eyes, as if her gaze was somewhat evasive.
Looking at Lin Feng, Duan Xinye's throat moved, as if she was nervous. Finally, she mustered her courage and asked, "Lin Feng, that beautiful woman in white—you really like her, don't you?"
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly. He hadn't expected Duan Xinye to ask this question.
"Yes, I really like her," Lin Feng nodded without denying it. That silent, icy goddess had always stood quietly behind him, like his own shadow, asking for nothing, doing everything for him. Though she was always cold on the surface, Lin Feng could feel her love for him. Especially every time he was injured or in danger, Meng Qing would release a truly furious, icy chill, caring more about him than he did about himself.
Even though she had long known the answer, Duan Xinye's eyes still couldn't hide a flicker of disappointment.
After a moment of silence, Duan Xinye and Lin Feng arrived by a stream. She sat down directly on a rock.
Picking up a nearby pebble, Duan Xinye tossed it into the stream, sending ripples spreading outward.
"Lin Feng, will you marry her and make her your wife?" Duan Xinye watched the ripples expand, her voice carried by the wind.
"Yes," Lin Feng's answer was still firm and decisive. Of course he would marry Meng Qing as his wife. True love doesn't need vows and promises; the heart is enough.
"She's so lucky," Duan Xinye's voice carried a hint of bitterness. "I also want to live here with the one I love, watching the sun rise and set, watching the gentle flow of water."
Lin Feng remained silent. He understood very well who Duan Xinye meant by "the one I love." The countless images on the walls had already said more than enough.
"But what does that matter? For the one you love, even giving up all of this is fine." Duan Xinye seemed to be murmuring to herself. Then she turned her gaze to Lin Feng, her face beaming with a brilliant smile, her tenderness completely unconcealed.
Some people, if you miss them, you miss them for a lifetime, regretting it for a lifetime. Since that's the case, why not fight for it once?
"Lin Feng, if I'm willing to give up my status as princess, give up my home, give up the title of wife—would you be willing to accept me?"
Duan Xinye's voice was soft, yet the words that would shock countless people came out of her mouth so naturally, so calmly. Even as she spoke of giving up her princess status and her title as wife, the smile on her face remained so brilliant. Sometimes, the power of love is enough to make one abandon everything, just for that one moment of heart-fluttering.
Even Lin Feng's usually unruffled heart trembled violently. Duan Xinye, a princess by birth, could have lived a life of boundless glory, marrying into nobility and receiving endless affection. But for him, Lin Feng, she was willing to give up this beloved home, give up her noble status as princess, and even forgo the title of wife—because he had just said he would marry Meng Qing.
In other words, Duan Xinye was willing to follow Lin Feng without any title or status. A princess, willing to be Lin Feng's concubine.
Such deep affection—how could Lin Feng's heart remain calm?
Looking at that radiant smile, Lin Feng's lips moved, but he didn't know how to speak, didn't know what to say.
"If you don't like me, you can still keep me by your side. I can be your and her maid, serving you both," Duan Xinye added, her smile still so brilliant, so captivating.
Lin Feng's lips trembled slightly. Then, he reached out his hand, wrapped it around Duan Xinye's delicate shoulder, and gently pulled her into his embrace, letting her head rest against his chest.
Given Duan Xinye's beauty, temperament, her tender affection, and her love for him, it would be impossible for Lin Feng to feel nothing—unless he were cold-blooded. But Lin Feng already had Meng Qing in his heart and had long decided to marry her. If he accepted Duan Xinye, what could he give her?
Nothing. But Lin Feng never expected that Duan Xinye asked for nothing at all—only him. She was even willing to be his maid or servant.
Feeling the warmth of Lin Feng's embrace, Duan Xinye smiled, as brilliant as a flower. Yet within that brilliant smile, a single crystal tear glistened. Love can be passionate and fiery, or it can be gentle and silent, flowing like a trickling stream through the heart.