FRGNM -Chapter 36 A Face Only for You

“What’s the matter?” Ye Ningfeng looked at Yimeng and withdrew his hand. “Six years ago, I already met your mother. Sleeping with a veil might be uncomfortable—how about I take it off?”

“No! When Mommy left the island, she said that no man in the world, except her future husband, could lift her veil. No one else! Mommy said our father is the strongest person, able to traverse heaven and earth, move mountains, fill seas. Uncle… do you know our father?” Yimeng’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. Every child dreams of a mysterious, powerful father.

Ling Ruoxi had also crafted this mysterious figure for her children. Even the Purple Sovereign could not accomplish this. She told her children stories to fill the void of the past six years, to make up for what they had lost.

Thus, both Yizhui and Yimeng were deeply averse to anyone attempting to lift their mother’s veil—even Ye Ningfeng in front of them was not allowed.

Is that so? Ye Ningfeng suddenly understood, recalling what happened in the Bamboo Sea six years ago. He was the first to discover that Ling Ruoxi had lost her innocence, and that naive girl had known nothing—not even the man’s identity. How could she casually make such claims to her children?

Seemingly sensing what Ye Ningfeng was thinking, Yimeng said in her baby voice, “Mommy said Daddy isn’t responsible, so we need a new Daddy. Any man who can traverse heaven and earth qualifies. Uncle, if you want to be our Daddy, that’s okay too!”

“Yimeng, don’t talk nonsense!” Ling Ruoxi awoke from sleep, frowning slightly. The severe dark circles under her eyes and her swollen, red eyes stared at Yimeng. There was none of the seductiveness she once had.

Yimeng lowered her head and returned to Ling Ruoxi’s side.

Ye Ningfeng smiled faintly. “Why nonsense, Ruoxi? Six years ago, I already said I’d take care of your children. I ask for nothing, only to make amends for my past mistakes.”

“What mistakes of yours? It was Ling Huiru who stabbed me, Ling Hu who shot the deadly arrow. None of this concerns you. My ties with them were severed long ago. Yimeng, let’s go. We’ve disturbed Uncle long enough; we should look for Yizhui ourselves.” Ling Ruoxi changed the subject, holding Yimeng’s small hand and heading outside.

Ye Ningfeng’s heart trembled, and he hurriedly stopped them. “I already sent the guards to search. You’re weak; stay and rest a few more days. Earlier at the palace, the Crown Prince learned you returned and is on his way here.”

“The Crown Prince? Hah, on his way? I don’t think there’s anything worth him hurrying over for.” Ling Ruoxi smiled faintly, holding Yimeng’s hand as they walked.

Those behind them did not dare stop her and could only sigh helplessly at the retreating figures.

A hurried figure entered the residence, eyes like a leopard searching for everyone. Nangong Mo almost burst into the room. “Ningfeng, where’s Ruoxi?”

“She just left. I didn’t stop her.” Ye Ningfeng smiled wryly. Perhaps this was fate. The arranged marriage had been annulled, the two unrelated. Yet the Crown Prince’s heart was still entirely on her.

If that’s the case, why had he disliked her and broken the engagement in the first place?

“She left? Impossible—I must go find her!” Nangong Mo’s face darkened, and he strode out.

The bustling streets were filled with shouting vendors, and the array of food was dazzling. One could almost dive in and feast.

“Uncle! Uncle! What is this?” Yizhui’s eyes were wide at the little sugar figurines shaped by skilled hands. On Glazed Island, he had never seen anything like this. He sniffed the aromas and nearly jumped in excitement.

Luo Mingyu bent down and smiled. “Which one do you like? Uncle will buy it for you.”

“I want this one—the Chang’e. Mommy said Chang’e is the most beautiful woman.” Yizhui reached for the sugar figurine of the most beautiful lady.

The candy master looked puzzled. “Little one, who’s Chang’e?”

“Huh? Uncle, you sell sugar figurines and don’t know Chang’e? Then who is this?” Yizhui looked at the candy master, then at Luo Mingyu.

The master laughed. “Child, she’s the top courtesan of the capital. Far more beautiful than this sugar figure. Her singing and dancing are rare. What drives men crazy is she only performs, doesn’t sell herself. She’s twenty-three now and still unmarried!”

“What? Uncle, what’s a courtesan?” Yizhui put the sugar figurine in his mouth. The sweetness spread over his tongue. He lowered his head, confused, and looked at Luo Mingyu. “Mommy said Chang’e is a fairy, forced by bad people to eat an elixir, so she was separated from Houyi and went to the moon. Every year, Mommy makes mooncakes for me and Yimeng—they’re so delicious.”

“Yimeng?” Luo Mingyu paused. He hadn’t heard these myth stories, but those two words caught his attention.

Yizhui rubbed his nose and continued, “Yimeng is my sister. Mommy said names carry meaning… she…”

“Prince of Dongling Kingdom visiting, bystanders step aside…”

Before Yizhui could finish, armored officers split the crowd. Spears held before them, keeping everyone away. The street parted into two lines, and people retreated.

On the wide avenue, a familiar entourage advanced. This time, the carriage curtain was drawn back. A man in red sat cross-legged inside, pale as ever, greeting the crowd.

“Heavens, that’s the prince of Dongling Kingdom! So cool!”

“I like him, he’s really handsome…”

“But I heard the Dongling prince is weak. Is he really capable? Looks aren’t enough—strength matters…”

That one remark shattered many dreams. Huangfu Xuan, sitting in the carriage, frowned. He hadn’t expected such blunt comments the moment he entered Beining Capital.

“Eh, Uncle Huangfu!” Overjoyed, Yizhui ran past the guards toward the carriage.

“Bold child, where did you come from?!” The lead guard’s face changed. This was the Dongling prince, no one dared act recklessly. He swung his whip toward the small figure.

“No!” Yizhui’s voice cried out. Huangfu Xuan, too weak to intervene, could only grip the carriage and shout.

The whip descended, but a silver-clad figure blocked it. With a swift grab, a “buzz” sounded. The whip tip landed in his hand, taut and dusty.

“He’s just a child.” Luo Mingyu stepped forward. Women around him looked confused at this man with a broad-brimmed hat. His magnetic voice made it clear he wasn’t someone to mess with.

The guards pulled with all their strength, but the whip seemed rooted to Luo Mingyu’s hand.

“Uncle, thank you! Uncle Huangfu, are you in the capital?” Yizhui waved his small hands and smiled sweetly, hiding behind Luo Mingyu.

Huangfu Xuan smiled faintly. Earlier excitement left his chest aching. He held his chest, scrutinizing the man ahead. Silver robes embroidered with gold, but the script was unclear. Tall figure blocked his view. “Who are you?”

“Just a passerby. Yizhui, do you know him?” Luo Mingyu released the child from his hold.

Yizhui clung to Luo Mingyu’s pants. “Sort of. I met Uncle Huangfu once—Mommy saved him. Uncle, don’t go! I want to find Mommy with you.”

“Ha, silly child. Uncle has other matters. Follow your Uncle Huangfu, okay?” Luo Mingyu smiled, lifting Yizhui into his arms.

Biting his lip, Yizhui rubbed his eyes and cried, “Waaah, Uncle, don’t leave Yizhui!”

“A real man doesn’t cry. If you don’t want to leave, stay with me.” Luo Mingyu sighed. Even he didn’t know why his heart panicked at the child’s cries.

Children… perhaps they were his weakness.

“Okay, Uncle, I won’t cry!” Yizhui grinned, hugging Luo Mingyu’s neck. “Uncle Huangfu, we’ll go now. Bye, Uncle.”

“Bye.” So they had also arrived in the capital. The guards cleared the way.

Luo Mingyu glanced at Yizhui’s empty little hands. “What about your sugar figurine? Ate it?”

“Uh… yes, ate it. Uncle, I’m hungry! Let’s eat!” Yizhui quickly nodded, secretly tossing the sticky figurine behind Luo Mingyu’s back.

Meanwhile, Nangong Mo emerged. The entire capital was blocked. Drums sounded ahead. Suddenly, he saw a white figure pass in front of him. That familiar silhouette—he could never mistake it!

“Ruoxi!” Nangong Mo grabbed the woman’s hand, eager. Yet she wasn’t the person he thought. “Sorry, wrong person.”