Chapter 468: Keep Watch for Me
Lin Feng did not ask about the location of the Southern Mountain Evening Banquet. It was only dusk when he arrived at the vast Imperial Palace. Instead of inquiring with anyone, he flew through the air above the palace, looking down at the palace pavilions, mountains, rivers, and lakes below.
Seeing the familiar stream and forest, Lin Feng descended toward the ground, arriving outside the stream valley.
A group of white-robed maids instantly flickered to Lin Feng's side, but upon recognizing him, they relaxed their vigilance, clearly knowing who he was.
"Have you come to see Her Highness the Princess, Young Master?"
A maidservant asked Lin Feng directly. Lin Feng nodded.
"Young Master, please wait a moment. I will go announce your arrival."
The maidservant said again, then walked deeper into the stream valley. Lin Feng stood outside, gazing at the scenery of the valley—fresh and refined, just like Duan Xinye's beauty, noble yet elegant, pure and untainted.
Before long, a figure rushed out from the front of the stream valley, a sweet smile on her face.
"Lin Feng."
Duan Xinye called out happily, clearly excited that Lin Feng had come.
The maidservants beside her watched their usually quiet and elegant princess, seeing the radiance in her eyes and the excitement that contrasted with her usual demeanor. They were all stunned, looking at Lin Feng with surprise. What kind of magic did this young man possess, making their princess act as if she were bewitched?
Lin Feng looked at the sweet smile on Duan Xinye's face, and his own face lit up with sunshine. Duan Xinye's smile seemed to heal wounds and make one forget all troubles and worries.
Stepping forward, Lin Feng smoothed a few stray strands of hair from Duan Xinye's forehead and smiled. "You could have just waited for me inside. Why did you have to run out?"
Duan Xinye pouted, then shook her head with a smile. "That's different."
"What's different?" Lin Feng said, a little speechless.
"If you came in to find me, it means you wanted to see me. But if I came out to find you, it means I wanted to see you too. Naturally, that's different." Duan Xinye said with an innocent smile, taking Lin Feng's arm with one hand and leading him into the stream valley.
At that moment, the maidservant who had gone in to announce his arrival ran out. Seeing Duan Xinye holding Lin Feng's arm as they passed by her, she was momentarily stunned. Then she exchanged glances with the other maidservants and shook her head with a wry smile.
Their princess had truly fallen.
Deep in the stream valley, against the mountain wall, a series of images were carved there—all human figures, lifelike and vivid.
"Lin Feng, look, has my painting skill improved?"
Duan Xinye pointed at the various images of Lin Feng and asked. Lin Feng looked at the different versions of himself, big and small, and shook his head with a wry smile. "They're much better looking than the real me. But Xinye, why do you have to spend so much time painting these?"
"Since you don't come to see me, I have to paint you. That way, when I open my eyes, it's like I can see you," Duan Xinye said softly, filling Lin Feng's heart with warmth but also a trace of guilt. The number of times he had accompanied Duan Xinye could be counted on one hand.
"In the future, after you marry into the family, you'll see me as soon as you open your eyes. Just don't get sick of me then," Lin Feng joked.
"Then when will you marry me?"
Duan Xinye suddenly stopped, looking into Lin Feng's eyes, her gaze filled with deep affection and a hint of anticipation.
Lin Feng was taken aback, then smiled bitterly. This was a case of the speaker being careless and the listener taking it to heart.
"I was just joking with you." Duan Xinye smiled, turning her gaze away, no longer looking into Lin Feng's eyes. But she said, "You just need to marry Sister Mengqing. As long as you can keep me by your side, I'll be more than satisfied."
Her smiling voice couldn't hide the trace of disappointment in Duan Xinye's heart, but she wouldn't let that disappointment show. She had already made up her mind when she confessed to Lin Feng last time. As long as she could be with Lin Feng, that was enough. Even without a formal title, she had no regrets, as long as Lin Feng had a place for her in his heart.
In truth, Duan Xinye's thoughts were very simple. Liking someone was just that simple.
Stepping forward, Lin Feng took Duan Xinye's hand, squeezing it gently, holding it tightly. The smile on Duan Xinye's lips grew even brighter.
"Xinye, tonight the Second Prince is holding a banquet, inviting people from Dragon Mountain Empire, Tian Feng Kingdom, and some from Snow Moon. You'll come with me later," Lin Feng suddenly said.
Duan Xinye was momentarily stunned, then looked at Lin Feng and asked, "Really?"
"Do you think I would lie to you?"
Lin Feng made a funny face and smiled.
"Thank you, Lin Feng." Duan Xinye's eyes reddened slightly, becoming a little moist. At this moment, her heart was very warm.
"Xinye, what are you doing?" Lin Feng wiped the tears from the corners of Duan Xinye's eyes, somewhat helpless.
"I'm just happy." Duan Xinye wiped her eyes with her sleeve, not caring about her image. She was truly happy. Lin Feng said he would take her to the banquet, which meant she wasn't going as a princess, but as Lin Feng's woman.
Moreover, tonight's banquet would surely be grand. On the Snow Moon side, many people of high status would be present. Lin Feng's actions were undoubtedly a declaration to everyone that Duan Xinye was his woman. This might seem trivial, but to Duan Xinye, it was a form of recognition.
"You've done so much for me. No matter how much I do, it's never enough," Lin Feng sighed.
Compared to his recognition of Duan Xinye, she had already acknowledged herself as his woman in front of others, which was harder. Duan Xinye was a princess, and back then, Lin Feng, aside from being a commander in Yangzhou City, only had some talent to offer. Many who pursued Duan Xinye had better status and strength than him.
Of course, the situation was different now. Lin Feng was the son of Yue Menghe, and Yue Menghe was a name whose significance went far beyond three words. Additionally, Lin Feng had announced his presence to Snow Moon on the banks of the Xiang River. Now, who in Snow Moon didn't know Lin Feng? He was now worthy of Duan Xinye.
Hearing Lin Feng's words, Duan Xinye smiled lightly and said, "Then I'll go bathe first. Wait for me."
"Alright." Lin Feng nodded. By now, the two had arrived at Duan Xinye's mountain residence. Behind her bedroom was a stone chamber with a dedicated hot spring bath. Such exquisite design was only found in wealthy and noble families. Since Duan Xinye was a princess, it wasn't surprising.
"Lin Feng, keep watch for me." Duan Xinye smiled sweetly, picked up her favorite clothes, and entered the hot spring stone chamber through the stone door behind the bedroom. From the bedroom, one could see the steam and the fragrance of flower petals seeping out of the stone chamber.
Soon, the faint sound of water entering the bath could be heard, and the splashing sound of bathing continuously drifted into Lin Feng's ears, making him feel quite frustrated. Duan Xinye was bathing and hadn't even closed the stone door. Was she really that trusting of him?
"Xinye, aren't you afraid I'll peek at you?" Lin Feng said in annoyance. Although his will was strong and his self-control was great, the temptation of the sound of her bathing was too much, always stirring up endless fantasies.
"It's not like you haven't seen me before." Duan Xinye's playful voice came through, leaving Lin Feng stunned for a moment. His memories seemed to return to the forbidden area of Purple Gold Mountain in the Moyue Kingdom, and his mind began to wander even more.
The brief process felt like an eternity to Lin Feng. When Duan Xinye came out, she had a sweet, shallow smile on her face, looking at Lin Feng with a hint of playfulness.
Lin Feng smiled bitterly, looking at the Duan Xinye before him, fresh as a lotus after a bath—beautiful, noble, and elegant, like the quiet beauty of an orchid in an empty valley. After bathing, Duan Xinye seemed to radiate a strange luster all over, very enchanting, and the natural fragrance she carried was intoxicating.
"This way, I won't embarrass you, right?" Duan Xinye said with a light laugh, making Lin Feng's heart feel indescribable. Duan Xinye, a princess, was still worried about embarrassing him.
"Xinye, standing beside you, I feel a lot of pressure," Lin Feng shook his head with a wry smile.
"Hmph." Duan Xinye ignored Lin Feng, stepped forward, and took his arm. A refreshing, heartwarming fragrance of a young girl instantly rushed into Lin Feng's nostrils, making him touch his nose and hold back.
"Lin Feng, let's go."
Duan Xinye said softly.
"Go?" Lin Feng smiled bitterly, pointing at the sky outside. "Do you think it's time for the banquet yet?"
Duan Xinye looked outside. The setting sun was shining into the residence, and it wasn't dark yet. This made Duan Xinye smile sheepishly. She had been a little too excited. If they went now, the banquet definitely wouldn't have started yet.