Feng Yao bit her lower lip, clearly annoyed with Lang Huan, but chose not to say anything. Instead, she simply leaned her head against Lang Huan's shoulder and closed her eyes. They were almost at Luo City. Neither of them spoke—they just held each other close, quietly cherishing the last few peaceful moments before duty pulled them apart.
In the distance, the sounds of the city slowly grew louder—the clatter of wooden carts, the chatter of merchants, and the steady beat of hooves on stone streets. As the carriage slowed near the entrance of the Duke Mansion, Feng Yao sat up slightly. She was about to get down with Lang Huan when the latter gently stopped her with a hand.
"No need," Lang Huan said softly. "Just stay in the carriage."
Then she leaned forward and kissed her cheek before quietly saying goodbye.
Feng Yao hesitated, clearly reluctant to let her go, but finally nodded. As always, Lang Huan entrusted Xiao Bai to her.
Lang Huan stepped down and patted Xiao Bai's thick fur. "Take care of the Princess," she whispered. Xiao Bai gave a slow blink and flicked his tail in reply, as if he understood perfectly.
Lang Huan turned and walked to the front of the carriage, where A Cai was still sitting stiffly in the driver's seat. She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Hey—why didn't you get down earlier? What, are you the Princess's new guard now?"
A Cai scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. His eyes flicked over to A Li, who was quietly stepping off from the other side. "See you, A Li," he called with a small wave.
A Li paused, glanced back at him with a blank face, then turned away and climbed into the carriage to serve the Princess.
A Cai immediately deflated on the spot.
Lang Huan chuckled. "You'll have to work a lot harder if you want her to like you."
A Cai groaned and slumped forward, resting his forehead on the reins. "Why is love so cruel...?"
Lang Huan shook her head, laughing quietly, then turned and walked toward the mansion, a faint smile still on her lips.
---
From the window of her room, Su Qing saw Lang Huan stepping down from the princess's carriage, and her expression turned cold.
Without hesitation, she made her way to the Duke of Huguo's study and entered the room without knocking.
Inside, the Duke looked up from his scrolls. His eyes lit up when he saw her.
"Su Qing," he said warmly. "What a rare visit. What brings you here?"
He stood, clearly pleased, perhaps expecting a pleasant conversation. But when he saw the look on her face, his smile faded.
"I came to talk about Lang Huan," she said sharply.
The Duke's brow furrowed. He gestured for her to sit, but Su Qing didn't move.
"Your son," she continued coldly, "has learned to lie for a woman."
The Duke's eyes narrowed.
"He didn't go with Master Xuankai, as A Cai claimed in his letter. He went with the Eldest Princess."
She took a step closer, her voice tight with frustration. "Why haven't you stopped him from seeing her? Everyone in Great Qi knows what kind of woman she is. She's using him to gain power."
Her eyes locked onto his, cold and intense. "Lang Huan is your only son. Don't you care what happens to him?"
The Duke was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I do care. And I understand why you're worried. Honestly, I don't fully approve of their closeness either. But Lang Huan isn't a child anymore. If I try to control him too much, he'll only resist. I want him to have the freedom to choose."
Su Qing's hands clenched at her sides. "You're being too soft."
The Duke hesitated, then said calmly, "Actually, I've been thinking… about arranging a marriage for him. The Eighth Princess will return soon from her martial arts training. I believe she could be a good match."
Su Qing's eyes widened. "What?"
The Duke blinked. "Why are you so surprised?"
"I heard the Emperor say at the banquet," she said, her voice rising. "And you're seriously considering it?
He opened his mouth to explain, but she didn't let him speak.
"You really think the Emperor is doing this for Lang Huan's sake?" she snapped. "He wants to tie your power to the royal family. Don't you see it? With your army and influence, of course they're trying to use your son. Why aren't you being more careful?"
The Duke stared at her, taken aback by the intensity in her voice. She wasn't wrong—everything she said made sense. But what struck him most was the emotion behind her words.
A strange bitterness rose in his chest. He let out a soft sigh, narrowing his eyes, studying her more closely.
"Su Qing," he said slowly, "do you... like Lang Huan?"
She froze. Her expression shifted—first to surprise, then to something colder.
"What are you talking about? Are you jealous of your own son?"
"You've cared for him since he was little," the Duke continued. "But this... feels like more than just that."
Su Qing turned her gaze away, her voice quieter. "I've raised him. Of course I care. Of course I worry."
The Duke studied her silently for a moment. Then he asked, "Do you want me to punish him? Make him kneel in the ancestral hall?"
Su Qing shook her head. "No need. I'll speak to him myself."
The silence between them said more than words ever could. Su Qing turned and left the room, leaving the Duke behind, still lost in confusion.
---
Lang Huan stepped into her room and quietly closed the door behind her. She sat cross-legged on the bed, ready to meditate. But just as she closed her eyes, a soft voice called from outside.
"Lang Huan."
It was Su Qing.
Lang Huan got up and walked to the door. When she opened it, she gave a faint smile. "Qingqing, come in."
Su Qing stepped inside and returned the smile gently.
"How was your training with Master Xuankai?" she asked, her tone light but with a hint of concern beneath it.
Lang Huan hesitated for a moment, then answered truthfully. "I didn't go with Master Xuankai. I asked A Cai to cover for me… so you wouldn't worry. I'm sorry."
But Su Qing didn't get upset. As always, she stayed calm—gentle and understanding.
"I miss the days when you used to stay home more," she said softly, taking a step closer. Then, she leaned her head against Lang Huan's shoulder and wrapped her arms around her.
Lang Huan unsure how to respond. She thought about this woman—how Su Qing's life wasn't as perfect as it seemed from the outside.
Gently, she lifted her hand and stroked Su Qing's back. "Then I'll stay home more often," she whispered. "I'll keep you company. Alright?"
But Su Qing shook her head, her embrace tightening slightly.
"That's not all I want," she murmured, her voice barely audible. She pulled back just enough to look into Lang Huan's eyes, her gaze full of quiet desperation. "Stop seeing the Eldest Princess. Don't get involved with her. Please… can you do that?"
Her voice remained soft, but there was a pleading look in her eyes.
"I don't know what kind of love potion she gave you," Su Qing added with a sad smile, "to make you unable to stay away from her…"
"I love her," Lang Huan said plainly.
Su Qing drew in a shaky breath. "What I'm most afraid of… is that you'll be the one who ends up hurt."
Her tone wasn't angry—only filled with concern and deep affection.
She stepped back, her eyes filled with painful clarity.
"Lang Huan… are you sure she truly loves you? What if she's only pretending? Have you ever thought about that? What if you're just a part of her scheme?"
She paused, her voice calm but firm. "A large part of Great Qi's territory was conquered by your father. You're the only heir of the Duke of Huguo. Can you imagine the power behind the Dragon Stallion Army? That kind of power is something people would go to any lengths to possess."
Lang Huan's brow furrowed as doubt crept into her mind.
How could she be sure? The Eldest Princess always said she liked her, even loved her— but were those feelings truly sincere? Or were they carefully chosen words, spoken with purpose?
Su Qing noticed the flicker of hesitation and knew—this was the moment she had been waiting for. Deep down, she was certain that Lang Huan would trust her more than the Eldest Princess.