On the long street, Feng Yinwan, who was supposed to be untouchable, sneezed twice unexpectedly.
The first sneeze was barely noticeable, but the second was exceptionally violent.
The commotion caused Feng Jinlin, who was ahead, to turn back.
"Mother, are you alright?"
That last sneeze, it was probably thiiiiis big!
Feng Yinwan waved her hand, her nose still feeling a strong discomfort.
"I'm fine."
It must be some scoundrel or other badmouthing her behind her back again.
What bad luck.
She glanced up at the golden signboard in front of her and stepped forward. "Let's go."
Feng Jinlin, holding her hand, tilted his head in response.
"Si Si Yun Yun."
He said it so seriously that Feng Yinwan was stunned for two seconds before realizing he was actually referring to Sihai Yunyan.
Her lips twitched slightly, but before she could speak, she heard him say again.
"Mother, did I say it right?"
Feng Yinwan: "..."
What was with that proud yet expectant look on his face?
Pressing her temples, she spoke with a headache, "Chenchen, tell Mother, who taught you to say it like that?"
What the heck was "Si Si Yun Yun!"
Feng Jinlin looked at her with an innocent expression.
"Mother, Uncle Wang said I'm still young and don't have to recognize all the characters, I only need to read the ones I know."
Feng Yinwan: "!!!"
It was that scoundrel again!
Sensing a change in her expression, the little dumpling looked down and whispered.
"Mother... are you angry?"
Feng Yinwan was furious, her molars grinding so hard they almost broke.
But considering she was in front of her own son, she forced a gentle smile, trying her best to appear less ferocious.
"How could I be? Look at Mother's peaceful face, I'm clearly not angry!"
This scoundrel really didn't know how to educate children. Once they got back, she would work overtime refining pills and get her son out of here as soon as possible!
Muttering "I'm not angry" three times in her mind, she took Feng Jinlin's small hand again.
"There's a lot of delicious food here, let's go in quickly."
When the dishes were served, Feng Jinlin was certain.
Mother hadn't lied to him; there really was delicious food here!
After days of cruel "mistreatment," being able to eat such fragrant and sweet pastries again made him so happy that tears welled up in his eyes.
This time, he didn't have to pretend; these were genuine emotions!
"Mother, Mother, I want to eat that one! And that one... and that one too! And that one..."
His little mouth was already full, yet he kept calling out with his cheeks puffed out.
Feng Yinwan sighed, looking at her son's unsophisticated appearance.
"Alright, eat more later. Save some room for the main dishes, they haven't been served yet."
Feng Jinlin's hand, reaching for a pastry, paused. His eyes widened.
"What! Mother, why didn't you say so earlier!"
After this meal, Feng Jinlin's belly was so full it looked like a bowl had been placed on it.
He slumped in his seat, his little face listless.
"Mother, I feel a bit unwell..."
Feng Yinwan only noticed his discomfort when she heard him speak. Her eyelids twitched heavily, and she immediately found a digestive pill and fed it to him.
"Why did you eat so much? You had to stuff yourself until you felt unwell, didn't you?"
The little face in front of her turned sad in an instant. "I was afraid I wouldn't be able to eat it tomorrow..."
Feng Yinwan: "...Never mind."
There was still quite a bit left on the table. She turned and called a waiter to pack it up, also ordering several pastries to be taken away.
However, she didn't notice that behind her, Feng Jinlin's small brows furrowed slightly.
"Mother, have you been here before?"
This was the capital, so far from Xuanmen.
Yet, he somehow felt that Mother's ordering of dishes was a bit too practiced.
Feng Yinwan turned and heard his question. Her movements froze, and she felt a sudden stiffness.
"Been... where?"
The little dumpling looked at her with his round eyes, "Here."
Feng Yinwan: "!"
Wasn't this the same as admitting she'd snuck food without him?
So, she decisively shook her head, "Of course not. If there's good food, how could Mother eat it all by herself and not bring it for you!"
Feng Jinlin had some doubts about the sincerity of her words, but he rubbed his stomach. Before he could ask further, the door to the private room was pushed open.
The moment he saw Qi Xuan, his heart tightened, and he almost sprang up from his chair.
"Uncle Qi Seven..."
His voice already held a hint of fear.
On the other hand, his mother calmly sipped her tea, her expression utterly composed.
"Guard Qi, you've arrived at just the right time. The Ink King's Manor is wealthy, surely they wouldn't mind paying for a meal, would they?"
Qi Xuan was taken aback. He stepped forward to check and realized she remembered the bill belonged to the Ink King's Manor!
Not only did he fail to capture her, but he also had to fork out such a large sum. He, a capable secret guard, clutched the bill and couldn't even stand steady.
Feng Yinwan glanced at him and helpfully reminded him.
"Chenchen, your Uncle Qi Seven has been traveling for a long time and is probably still hungry. Hurry and get him something to eat too."
Qi Xuan's expression changed, and he quickly tried to refuse.
But as soon as he opened his mouth, a soft pastry was stuffed into it.
The little dumpling stood on the chair, looking at him with innocent eyes.
"Uncle Qi Seven, how is it? Is it delicious!"
Qi Xuan: "..."
Forced onto this ship of thieves, he really couldn't explain himself!
Worse still, Feng Yinwan added fuel to the fire from the side, "Look at him, he's so moved by the food he can't speak."
Qi Xuan: "!!!"
Don't stop me, let me die!
He had come out on a mission to capture someone, but now he was leaving as a carrier.
Feng Yinwan led Feng Jinlin ahead, while he followed behind, carrying stacks of brocade boxes, looking like he was specifically there to do manual labor, which was incredibly frustrating.
He glanced up at the sky and made a final plea.
"Um, can we perhaps walk a little faster..."
There was still a quarter of an hour before the time specified by Ye Tinglan.
Ahead, Feng Jinlin let out a loud burp in response.
"Uncle Qi Seven, it's not that I don't want to walk faster, it's just that my stomach is too full and uncomfortable."
He had already digested quite a bit after taking that pill, and his stomach had gone down, but it still felt heavy.
Qi Xuan said sheepishly, "How about I use my Qinggong to send you back first?"
"Cough cough."
Fine, let's just walk slowly then.
Feng Yinwan satisfiedly withdrew her gaze and was about to step forward when a commotion erupted in the crowd ahead.
The flowing crowd suddenly halted, forcing them to stop as well.
The brocade boxes in his hands tilted slightly. Qi Xuan frowned and straightened them.
He looked up, intending to move aside, but froze the moment his gaze fell upon the scene.
It was an escort of soldiers in light armor.
The Prince of Dingnan had entered the capital.
Beside him, Feng Yinwan had also noticed. The hand holding Feng Jinlin's tightened, and a cold glint instantly appeared in her eyes.
She had not forgotten the events of that year!