Chapter 1357: Smoke of War Rises

waste time on Feng Linglong and Princess Zhaoran.She's not competing with her for men, so what is she even trying to compete against獨孤城看了她一眼，笑著說：“本王倒覺得她們都不是你的對手。”Feng Lingxi gave him a glance and sai...The smile on Xiao Li's face gradually disappeared, and she nodded.

"The mistress sent a message to me, saying that she will be back to find me in a while and asked me to protect the princess well."

"When did this happen, I have no idea"

Wind Ling stared at Xiao Li. This girl actually didn't tell her about such an important matter. Her mother kept in touch with her, but she didn't know. Was this girl loyal to her mother or herself

Xiaoli saw the Queen's serious expression and knew she hadn't told her everything, so the Queen was angry.

"It was the mistress who prevented the maidservant from telling the princess before coming here."

"Why don't you listen to my mother She tells me nothing."

Xiao Li hurriedly got up and knelt down, this action made Feng Lingxi a little annoyed, "What are you doing"

"This servant knows she was wrong. It was the mistress who ordered her not to tell the princess about this matter. Your Highness may recall that when the Lu family came, the princess was quite troubled by their affairs. That was when the mistress instructed this servant."

"So she knew the Lu family came to look for me."

Feng Lingxi whispered, seeing Xiaoli nod, explained, "When Madam was just recovering from her injuries and preparing to leave, she knew that the Princess was worried, so she instructed her maidservant not to tell you. Then she left."

"Get up."

Xiaoli got up and, looking at the displeasure on the princess's face, her eyes were full of apology.

"Mother knew Lu Hao had come to find her, but she avoided him. It seemed she was utterly disappointed in him."

"Your Highness, I believe the Mistress's mind is preoccupied with her own affairs. This Lu family matter and she are long in the past. Her handling of it is also good, lest people misunderstand that the Mistress still thinks of Master Lu."

"You're right."

Wind Ling Xi looked at Xiao Li, "Besides these, has she contacted you"

Xiao Li shook her head, “There’s only this one thing. I was going to tell the Princess when we return to the city.”

"My mother let you follow me because she trusts you."

Upon hearing the princess's words, Xiaoli lowered her head even further.

The princess was still angry, she shouldn't have told her husband these things without telling her lady-in-waiting first.

"Xiao Li, no matter what time it is, I hope you remember clearly that you are mine. Since you followed me, you should remember the words I said to you at the beginning: don't hide anything from me, I am your master."

"I understand."

Feng Ling Xi opened her eyes, “I don’t want there to be a next time.”

Xiao Li nodded, but her eyes were clouded with mist. Feng Ling Xi knew she was feeling wronged, but no matter how her mother instructed her not to say anything, Xiao Li should understand. She belonged to her; if she followed her, she shouldn't hide anything from her. She remembered what they had said.

She should be like that.

This time she helped her mother hide something, next time who knows who she'll help. She doesn't want to end up losing Xiao Li's trust.

"Your Highness, don't talk about her like that, it's hard for her. Your mother told her not to tell you, and if she had, your mother wouldn't tell her next time." Gu Li watched from the side, speaking up for Xiao Li.

"I know, but I'd rather not have news of my mother, than to be so indulged."

But...

Gu Li looked at Xiao Li, seeing her shaking her head towards herself, biting her lip and not daring to speak anymore.

"My mother has too many secrets, even I don't know them all. Telling Xiao Li would be like putting her in danger, Xiao Li is mine, I can't just stand by and watch her get hurt. I'll bear the burden alone. Since she's mine, then she'll face it with me."

"The princess is right, it's my fault for not handling things well. I am the princess's handmaiden and shouldn't keep anything from her. Guli girl, please don't say any more."

Xiao Li gave Gulì a wink. She didn't think there was anything wrong with what the Princess had said. If it were the Princess's temper from back then, she would probably have been driven away by now. She remembered the Princess saying that if she did it again, she would be kicked out.

Now that she can still remain by the Princess's side, the Princess has been magnanimous, and moreover, the Princess also hopes for her safety and well-being.

"As long as you understand my heart, I don't want anything to happen to you."

Her words might not be pleasant, but her heart is truly for Xiao Li's well-being.

She truly cared for Xiao Li and, of course, hoped she could stay by her side. Whether she had children or got married, she would be happy. She was just afraid that Xiao Li might get involved in the Yao Clan's affairs, afraid that she would hide things from her and fall into danger without realizing it.

The atmosphere in the carriage became a little oppressive because of this. Feng Lingxi lowered her head to look at the woven rope on her wrist, thinking about the last time Lu Hao helped her open it. What was hidden inside

By the time they returned to Linxi County, it was already dusk. In May, the weather was quite hot. The people of Linxi County learned that Duguxing and the others were back, so they all came out to greet them. Seeing that they were all safe and sound, cheers filled the air, making Linxi County lively once more.

Feng Lingxi poked her head out of the carriage and watched the cheering crowd, a smile finally appearing on her face.

"I wonder if Wan'er is thinking of me"

Xiaoli suddenly spoke, her eyes full of excitement. She really missed Wan'er; she hadn't seen her in over a month and wondered if Wan'er had grown taller or heavier.

"Your Highness, may I go out and buy some food to bring back"

"Let's return home first, freshen up, and then go out. After all, we just came back from Tumu Town, so it's best to get rid of any lingering illnesses."

These ancients cared a lot about this, let alone the fact that they returned from Tu Mu Town, with dust and wind all along the way. They really should take a good wash and get rid of the dirt.

"Yes."

Xiao Li was a little embarrassed as she explained, "I got so excited about [the happy event] that I forgot about this."

Feng Lingxi smiled, looking at the attitude of the common people towards them. This return to this place felt like returning home, it was really good.

"Get out of the way, get out of the way."

A noisy sound came, the people of Linxi County heard the sound and retreated one after another. Feng Lingxi saw a carriage coming over, followed by a group of soldiers. This lineup was even more imposing than theirs.

The team was blocked by the opposing side. Dugu City looked at the luxurious carriage ahead, his eyes slightly cold.

Who are you to stand in my way

Upon hearing the words of his leading soldiers, Dugu City raised an eyebrow and glanced at the ornate carriage with curiosity.

"Who are you, and why are you blocking our way"

"This is Hua Yun, the eldest son of the Prime Minister's Mansion in the capital."

Upon hearing that the visitor was the eldest son of the Prime Minister's residence, Du Gucheng couldn't help but frown slightly. How dare someone from the Prime Minister's residence act so arrogantly on his territory

The First Young Master of the Prime Minister's Residence, Nangong Huayun

That's right.

Dugu Cheng had never seen the son of this Prime Minister's mansion before. This was the Emperor's brother-in-law, a very noble status indeed.

When the other party saw that Dugu City still had no intention of giving way, he angrily rebuked, "Since you know our young master's identity, why don't you get out of the way"

"When will this king return to the mansion, and still have to give way to the eldest son of the Prime Minister's residence"

Dugu City's words clearly shocked the other party. The guard's attitude changed drastically, looking at Dugu City and then at the surrounding crowd of onlookers. His attitude immediately shifted, "I am blind to Mount Tai, I have bumped into Prince Chen, please forgive me, Your Highness."e a word until they saw her. Then, Lady Liu approached Empress Cen and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Fourth Princess has arrived.""I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."Feng Lingxi bowed, and Empr...