Plan A
The Days and Nights of the Courtesan 15
Heart pleased
“What? Leave?”
Qu Feiyun was shocked and felt it was unbelievable.
“No.”
Qu Feiyun shook her head firmly.
“You cannot leave.”
“Why?”
Su Xin found it strange why Qu Feiyun’s reaction was so intense.
Qu Feiyun and Qu Feiqing had no past grudges and were even quite unfamiliar with each other.
When Qu Feiqing stirred up bloody storms, Qu Feiyun was still young, and Qu Feiyun’s consort mother was the type to protect herself, cleverly taking Qu Feiyun away from these chaotic matters.
Qu Feiyun grew up without danger, but she was very afraid of her imperial sister, who became the emperor, while also highly admiring Qu Feiqing’s courage.
Qu Feiyun thought that there might be no other extraordinary woman like her imperial sister in the world.
From any perspective, Qu Feiyun always hoped for Qu Feiqing’s well-being. When Qu Feiqing was happy, their days were easier.
Qu Feiyun knew that since Su Xin came, her imperial sister’s mood had improved significantly. There was no longer that lifeless, chilling aura that made people fearful.
If Su Xin were to leave like this, her imperial sister would certainly become even more terrifying than before.
“Isn’t this palace good? Why do you want to leave?”
Qu Feiyun asked, puzzled. So many people dreamed of entering the palace but had no chance, yet this person wanted to leave.
“Has Imperial Sister not treated you well? If it were someone else speaking to her like you do, they would have died countless times already.”
Qu Feiyun had witnessed the interactions between Su Xin and Qu Feiqing many times, always feeling nervous for Su Xin. In her view, Su Xin’s behavior was offensive, yet Qu Feiqing never got angry. Instead, she seemed somewhat happy. Qu Feiyun didn’t understand this, but she understood that Su Xin must hold a significant place in Qu Feiqing’s heart.
“It’s too stifling. I want to go out and see other things. Princess, why do you laugh so easily?”
Su Xin had wanted to ask this question for a long time because, to her, it was clear that even the most boring things could make Qu Feiyun laugh very happily.
“If I don’t laugh, should I cry?”
Qu Feiyun, lacking the demeanor of a princess, shrugged her shoulders. To others, she might seem a bit crazy, but so what? She lived her own life, and it was none of their business.
“Boring… it’s not that bad.”
Qu Feiyun was used to it and didn’t think much of it.
After the conversation ended, Qu Feiyun immediately went to give a report to Qu Feiqing.
Qu Feiyun vividly tried to recreate the scene at that time. She sneakily glanced at Qu Feiqing’s expression, ready to shut up immediately if needed.
Qu Feiqing stood there with a cold face, showing no emotion.
“Leave now.”
Qu Feiyun exited the inner hall, while Qu Feiqing held onto the small table.
It couldn’t be considered deceit, as they had never made any verbal promises.
This time, she didn’t say the exact same words as last time, but what she was about to do wouldn’t make her much happier than saying those words.
Qu Feiqing let out a cold laugh, forcibly breaking off a corner of the small table.
Want to leave? It’s not that easy.
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Does she think my palace is some casual place where she can come and go as she pleases?
And what does she take me for, someone she can be with when she wants and leave easily when she wants to break up?
Impossible, I won’t allow it.
From the moment she began planning to seize the throne, Qu Feiqing knew that the things she wanted must be tightly held in her hands; otherwise, they would run away or be taken by others.
At night, as usual, Qu Feiqing went to find Su Xin and have dinner with her.
After finishing dinner, Qu Feiqing, as usual, took a walk with Su Xin in the palace, strolling a few laps to aid digestion and chatting along the way.
Qu Feiqing remained silent, but Su Xin was the first to speak.
“You know, right? She must have told you.”
Su Xin stopped, standing on the path, looking at Qu Feiqing.
It was dusk, and the sun was emitting the last light of the day, dyeing half the sky red.
The sky was about to darken.
“Must you leave?”
Qu Feiqing looked into Su Xin’s eyes. She took two steps closer, standing tightly beside Su Xin.
“Um… not really… it’s just that I’m very bored, but with you here, I can still stay.”
Su Xin thought for a moment and said, actually, she wasn’t tired of it yet. Actually, it would be great if she could leave with Qu Feiqing, but that was impossible. Su Xin didn’t want Qu Feiqing to leave the palace with her either.
Qu Feiqing’s position was extremely dangerous; Su Xin didn’t think she could make Qu Feiqing leave with her. She didn’t see herself as that important. Besides, even if Qu Feiqing could let go and leave with her, there would probably be endless dangers and troubles.
【Host… I don’t know whether to praise you for being smart or call you dumb…】
Calling her emotionally unintelligent and foolish seemed inaccurate, as she could somehow manage to salvage the situation. Fourteen, the system, didn’t understand emotions well but had seen quite a lot with other hosts. It wasn’t completely naïve, but it still felt that Su Xin’s emotional intelligence was even lower than its own.
“It’s only been a little over two months, and you’re already starting to get bored?”
Qu Feiqing sighed slightly in her heart, looking at Su Xin’s serious expression, not knowing what to say.
For a moment, she didn’t know whether to call her heartless.
“So… does that mean wherever I go, you’ll follow?”
Qu Feiqing no longer liked to refer to herself as ‘this lonely one’ in front of Su Xin; she always felt that this title seemed to reflect something.
“Ah… this… not necessarily… after all, we are neither kin nor acquaintance.”
“Neither kin nor acquaintance?”
These four words seemed to burst out from between Qu Feiqing’s clenched teeth, spoken with great emphasis. Her expression turned icy as she grasped Su Xin’s wrist.
“You tell me we are neither kin nor acquaintance?”
Qu Feiqing, extremely enraged, laughed instead. Her expression was terrifying, but her voice carried a hint of laughter and was very soft.
“Probably not kin but friends.”
A more compatible casual partner.
Su Xin was very puzzled. Why was Qu Feiqing so angry, as if she wanted to tear her apart alive?
Master Fourteen, did I do something wrong?
Clueless, Su Xin sought help from the system.
【Host, can you really not feel that the Emperor likes you?】
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Huh? What?
“You like me?”
Su Xin asked with some surprise.
Qu Feiqing’s expression changed, she took a step back and let go of Su Xin’s hand.
“Joke, how could I like you.”
Qu Feiqing straightened her body and revealed a smile.
It seemed as if she was the only one who invested emotions, and then like a fool, the other person didn’t care at all.
Ridiculous.
She clearly wanted to hold her in the palm of her hand, but when faced with such a straightforward question, she couldn’t lose her pride.
“Oh, that’s good.”
Su Xin let out a sigh of relief. Liking someone always felt like such a solemn matter.
That’s good.
The three words struck Qu Feiqing’s heart like a heavy hammer.
“Then can I leave the palace?”
Su Xin immediately asked.
Fourteen almost wanted to cover its face. It couldn’t even look at Qu Feiqing’s expression, feeling that the host was not just sprinkling salt on someone’s wound, but after sprinkling the salt, she stomped on it twice and then stabbed the wound again.
Tsk, really cruel, but Su Xin still had a completely bewildered and confused look, which made it impossible to get angry, only to feel sad.
“No.”
“Why?”
“You will die.”
“Leave me, you will die.”
Qu Feiqing’s gaze swept over Su Xin’s clothing, speaking very seriously.
“Huh?”
Su Xin raised an eyebrow.
“You are already tied to me. Both the front court and the harem know you are mine. This position of mine is not easy to maintain. Countless people are watching like tigers eyeing their prey. Since you stay so close to me, if you were to leave my protection, I cannot guarantee your safety.”
Qu Feiqing felt a persistent irritation inside. She was not trying to threaten Su Xin, merely stating the facts. However, whether Su Xin chose to stay or leave, she felt stifled.
Su Xin was about to say she wasn’t afraid when she received a reminder from Fourteen.
【Host, allow me to remind you that the strength and agility of this body are quite different from your original one, with significantly lower values. This era also lacks the cold weapons you are accustomed to, and the people in this world possess internal power.】
A powerless and unarmed ordinary person is better off staying quietly in a corner as quiet as a chicken. They won’t even give you a chance to engage in close combat.
Su Xin remained silent for a while, it seemed to make sense.
When she completed tasks, she always worked alone, emphasizing speed, ruthlessness, and precision—one shot to the head and she was done. Here, there were no guns, only this ridiculous internal power. The only handy cold weapon she had now was a dagger. Was she supposed to fight with just a small dagger? If those people had internal power, she probably couldn’t even get close.
“Then… I will stay. When will you be completely safe?”
Qu Feiqing shook her head. She knew, but why should she say it?
They returned to Su Xin’s sleeping quarters in silence. Qu Feiqing turned and left without taking Su Xin along.
“Not doing it tonight…”
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Su Xin murmured to herself.
Fourteen silently recited “prosperity, democracy, civility, and harmony,” feeling immense sympathy for that emperor. The host was incredibly dull in this regard, and her ability to twist the knife was first-rate. Even though the other person was already in great pain, she insisted on making it worse.
Qu Feiqing returned to her own quarters, standing before the desk, feeling agitated and restless.
Su Xin asked her, Do you like me?
How could I like you?
Actually, a little.
Seems like a bit more.
Probably a lot more.
I… don’t want to remain alone.
My heart is pleased with you.
The author has something to say:
Qu Feiqing: Does your conscience not hurt?
Su Xin: Our little fairy does not need a conscience.
