Chapter 49: Growing Apart

After returning home, Wei Jing Mo’s life returned to tranquility.

Because the Seventh Princess’s residence had few people, it was even more leisurely and carefree than his days at the Northern Marquis’s mansion.

Aside from occasionally going to the palace to pay respects, Wei Jing Mo’s daily routine was reading books in his room or strolling around the courtyard.

The household affairs were managed by Steward Yin, and there were no other men in the back courtyard to trouble him.

Except for Feng Bai Su occasionally liking to tease him to anger, he had no worries.

Today, there weren’t many matters at the Jingzhao Prefecture, so Feng Bai Su finished processing them and returned to the Seventh Princess’s residence early.

Just as she stepped into the room, she looked up and saw Wei Jing Mo lying on the soft couch with his eyes closed, asleep, with books scattered on the floor.

Seeing this, a hint of a smile flashed through Feng Bai Su’s somewhat flirtatious peach blossom eyes.

The usually dignified young master had become more and more casual and lazy lately!

She softened her footsteps and walked to his side, bending down to slowly pick up the scattered books. Just as she turned to place the books on the table,

She heard a soft, unclear voice from behind: “Your Highness… why are you back?”

Wei Jing Mo had woken up upon hearing the noise, and opened his eyes to see Feng Bai Su in the room.

He blinked his misty eyes and slowly sat up.

Hearing the voice, Feng Bai Su immediately turned around and saw the young master rubbing his eyes with a confused look.

She walked over with a smile on her lips and sat down on the edge of the soft couch.

“There weren’t many matters at the Jingzhao Prefecture today, so I came back early.”

Seeing his dazed appearance, with his usually cold ink-black eyes full of moisture, looking both obedient and adorable.

She couldn’t help but reach out and pinch his cheek, “Have you been too bored lately? Why do you seem so drowsy these past few days?”

After pinching a few times, she let go, and immediately saw a flush appear on his face.

A smile flashed across Feng Bai Su’s eyes, and she spoke in a lowered voice, “A invitation card was sent from the First Imperial Sister’s residence, inviting you to attend the Winter Banquet. If you’re tired of staying in the residence, you might as well go take a look.”

“Winter Banquet? Which day?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

“Mm…” Wei Jing Mo softly hummed, his voice soft: “Then I’ll go take a look.”

“Alright.”

—

On the day of the banquet, Wei Jing Mo set off for the First Imperial Princess’s residence in high spirits, bringing Dong Qing and Dong Gua with him.

Today he wore a lake blue robe, with his jet-black hair like silk simply fastened with a jade hairpin.

Just as he walked out of the gate, he saw Feng Bai Su standing by the carriage.

Wei Jing Mo’s clear and pure ink-black eyes brightened slightly, and he lifted his skirts and ran over.

“Your Highness, why are you here? Don’t you need to go to the Jingzhao Prefecture today?”

Dong Qing and Dong Gua followed behind Wei Jing Mo, seeing him lift his skirts and run over with light steps, no longer the dignified and proper appearance of before.

The two couldn’t help but exchange glances, looking at each other in bewilderment.

Since the young master got married, his temperament had become more and more lively and pampered!

Looking at the young master in front who was unconsciously acting coquettishly with the Seventh Princess, the two couldn’t help but cover their mouths and laugh lightly.

Feng Bai Su let him grab her sleeve, and said softly to him: “There’s no rush, I’ll send you to the First Imperial Sister’s residence first, then I’ll go to the Jingzhao Prefecture.”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo’s eyes seemed to have starlight flickering, shining brightly.

He smiled with his eyes curved and said softly: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Seeing this, Feng Bai Su raised an eyebrow slightly, her voice somewhat casual: “You only know how to say it with your mouth, usually without much sincerity.”

She reached out her arm to circle the young master’s waist, using a bit of strength to lift him onto the carriage.

“Get in quickly.”

Wei Jing Mo steadied himself by pressing on her shoulders, then suddenly lowered his head and bumped her lips.

Afterwards, he sat inside the carriage with a red face.

Through the thick curtain, his muffled voice came through, “I am sincere.”

“Heh~”

Feng Bai Su stood stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but let out a light laugh after coming to her senses.

“Not bad sincerity, keep it up…”

Her peach blossom eyes were filled with laughter as she replied casually.

As soon as the words fell, a light thud was heard from inside, as if something had been bumped into in panic.

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su couldn’t help but laugh lightly again, her eyes full of joy.

After sending Wei Jing Mo to the gate of the First Imperial Princess’s residence.

Feng Bai Su fastened the cloak for him, and stuffed a small hand warmer into his hand, softly instructing: “Remember not to drink, and wait for me to pick you up in the evening.”

The young master was good in every way, except he couldn’t handle alcohol. His one-cup knockout constitution had never failed.

Feng Bai Su, who loved to drink, now had to drink secretly, afraid of letting the young master Wei see.

Who would have thought that after that cup of wine on the wedding night, it would awaken the young master’s love for drinking, yet he had a one-cup knockout constitution!

Wei Jing Mo met Feng Bai Su’s meaningful gaze, and couldn’t help but blush.

He lowered his gaze, feeling a bit guilty and not daring to meet Feng Bai Su’s eyes.

But Feng Bai Su reached out to pinch his chin and lifted it up, forcing him to look into her eyes as she said in a deep voice: “Hmm? Do you understand?”

Wei Jing Mo: “…”

He replied somewhat unwillingly: “…Alright, I won’t drink.”

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su finally let go of her hand, satisfied.

She patted his head lightly and said gently: “Good, then go in. I’ll leave first!”

After Feng Bai Su left, Wei Jing Mo finally dared to look at her back and puff out his cheeks, letting out a light snort: “Don’t don’t! Always saying don’t!”

His voice was soft and sweet, sounding a bit willful and spoiled, obviously someone who had been pampered.

Dong Qing and Dong Gua looked at their outwardly strong but inwardly weak young master.

They couldn’t help but think to themselves: The young master only dares to say this behind her back, in front of the Seventh Princess he’s still as obedient as can be!

Shen Ruo stood opposite with He’er and Lian’er, witnessing everything just now.

Seeing Wei Jing Mo’s rosy complexion, clear and bright eyes, full of vitality, it was obvious that his married life was comfortable and carefree. Thinking of the Seventh Princess’s actions just now, it wasn’t hard to imagine that the relationship between the two was very harmonious.

Everyone had misjudged, unexpectedly there was a good match in the royal family!

Shen Ruo’s expression was somewhat cold, lowering his eyes to hide the flash of sarcasm in them.

Before, he had even felt sympathy, but now it seemed rather ridiculous.

He’er and Lian’er stood quietly behind Shen Ruo, seeing him standing silently, just quietly looking at the young master across from them.

The two looked at each other, both somewhat cautious: “Master, do you want to go greet the Seventh Prince Consort?”

Ever since the young master returned from paying respects with the Fifth Prince that day, his entire person had become somewhat gloomy, often sitting alone in the room lost in thought, who knows what he was thinking about.

His lively and cheerful personality had become more and more silent, making the two feel somewhat distressed watching him.

Not only that, but the young master and the Fifth Prince also seemed to have grown somewhat distant.

In the past, if the Fifth Prince didn’t return, the young master would always send someone to ask about him. Now it was as if he didn’t care anymore, hearing the news that the Fifth Prince wasn’t returning, he would just calmly hum in response and that was it.

The two could only anxiously watch.

Now that he had finally come out for a walk, He’er and Lian’er both hoped he could cheer up and not continue to be so negative.

Seeing Wei Jing Mo, thinking of how close the young master was with his cousin before he was married.

Now that the two happened to meet, perhaps talking with his cousin could resolve the knot in his heart.

Hearing the two’s words, Shen Ruo opened his mouth, but ultimately fell silent.

Since discovering the clues that day, all those trivial matters from before floated up in his mind one by one. Those details were terrifyingly meticulous.

Shen Ruo had never thought his memory would be so good!

The expectations in his heart suddenly shattered, and he discovered that the person he liked was not in love with him. Shen Ruo could be said to be disillusioned, his entire person losing all vitality.

He had regretted, resented, and hated…

Thinking too much, he could no longer treat things wholeheartedly as before.

He knew that the best outcome in this life would just be to live respectfully as husband and wife.

Actually, most wife-husband relationships in this Feng Ling country were like this. If he hadn’t seen the interaction between Feng Bai Su and Wei Jing Mo…

Just now seeing Wei Jing Mo smile so brightly, a dark thought flashed through his mind.

Shen Ruo’s face turned somewhat pale, his lips trembling slightly, terrified by such thoughts of his own.

He clearly knew it had nothing to do with his cousin, he could resent Feng Bai Wei, he could resent himself, but he couldn’t blame Wei Jing Mo!

Shen Ruo felt self-loathing for being like this.

“Cousin?”

Suddenly, a soft call came from across.

Wei Jing Mo had just retracted his gaze when he inadvertently saw Shen Ruo standing opposite.

Since bumping into each other that day when paying respects on the first day after the wedding, the two hadn’t met again, even when going to pay respects they hadn’t seen each other. He didn’t know if Shen Ruo was deliberately avoiding him.

Seeing Shen Ruo, Wei Jing Mo’s expression paused slightly, but he still called out to him.

The relationship between him and the Fifth Princess had always been pure and without any intersection. Moreover, he was now married, and Shen Ruo also knew his feelings for Feng Bai Su. He didn’t want to ruin the friendship of many years because of those unfounded matters.

Hearing this familiar voice, Shen Ruo’s expression froze slightly.

Suppressing the complex emotions in his heart, he looked up and replied with a smile: “Cousin, you’re here too.”

Although the smile on his face was as sincere as ever, it seemed to carry a hint of distance.

Seeing this, Wei Jing Mo’s eyes dimmed slightly, the smile on his face fading a little.

Shen Ruo, however, seemed not to notice his dejection and spoke softly again: “It’s getting late, the banquet is probably about to start. Let’s go in together.”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo’s gaze swept over his face.

He replied in a low voice: “Mm, alright.”

The two were somewhat silent along the way, just following the servants of the First Imperial Princess’s residence to the banquet hall.

Until they reached the banquet hall and were pulled to their seats by the First Prince Consort, the two hadn’t said another word to each other.

Dong Qing, looking at Wei Jing Mo’s downcast expression, hesitated for a moment before finally offering some words of comfort: “Master, some things can’t be forced. As long as you have a clear conscience, let other things take their natural course!”

“Mm, I know, it’s just that I still care a bit for now. After all…”

He didn’t finish the rest of his sentence, his clear and bright ink-black eyes dimming slightly.

—

When Feng Bai Su came to pick him up, she saw Wei Jing Mo being supported by Dong Qing and Dong Gua as he walked out.

His small face was flushed, his gaze hazy, his steps swaying east and west, his whole body looking drunk and tipsy.

Seeing this, she couldn’t help but frown.

She stepped forward.

“What’s going on? Why didn’t you stop the master from drinking?”

Seeing Feng Bai Su’s slightly dark face, looking displeased,

Dong Qing and Dong Gua’s bodies tensed for a moment, and they couldn’t help but lower their heads.

Wei Jing Mo, however, upon hearing Feng Bai Su’s voice, looked over with hazy eyes.

Then, breaking free from Dong Qing and Dong Gua, he instantly threw himself into Feng Bai Su’s arms.

Hugging her waist, he said pitifully: “Your Highness, Jing Mo feels unwell…”

Feng Bai Su was pushed back a step by his pounce, but her hands firmly locked around his waist.

Hearing his murmur, she clicked her tongue with an unpleasant expression: “You brought this discomfort upon yourself, didn’t you? Serves you right! Let’s see if you’ll listen to me next time.”

Although her words were fierce, her body bent down and picked him up horizontally in her arms.

After wrapping the cloak tightly around him, she carried him towards the outside.