Chapter 740: I Don’t Want to Deceive Feelings

Chapter 740: Not Here to Toy with Feelings

Xingxing feigned a hesitant nod, putting on a show of reluctant belief.

Pang Jinkang was practically bursting to reveal every detail about his uncle’s background to Xingxing.

Xingxing didn’t push too hard either. Having gathered enough information for now, she decided to drop the subject for now.

After all, going too far would backfire.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Pang Jinkang watched as Xingxing’s smile returned, blooming like a flower. Mesmerized, he couldn’t help but murmur, "Miss Feng, it’s so strange… I've only been drinking tea, but somehow, seeing you smile makes me dizzy, as if I’ve had wine..."

The comment was downright inappropriate, bordering on flirtation.

The moment the words left his lips in a daze, Pang Jinkang realized his blunder.

Sure enough, Xingxing reacted like any offended young lady—her expression darkened instantly, and she stood up.

"Master Pang, I’m feeling unwell today. I’ll return to the inn to rest," Xingxing said stiffly, ignoring Pang Jinkang’s desperate apologies as she strode away without looking back.

Pang Jinkang collapsed into his chair, slapping his forehead in regret.

Xingxing marched out decisively, her face stern for a long while after exiting the tavern.

Only when she returned to her room at the inn did she finally relax, flopping onto the bed with a sigh.

Truthfully, she wasn’t actually angry at Pang Jinkang’s words.

If possible, she would’ve liked to dig for more information. But after such a remark, if she hadn’t reacted "normally," not only might it raise suspicions, but she also feared leading him on—making him believe she reciprocated his feelings.

Xingxing thought to herself that once her fourth brother returned that evening, she’d ask him to casually mention that she was already betrothed, deterring Pang Jinkang from further advances.

She was only here to gather information, not to toy with anyone’s feelings.

Xingxing stayed in her room for the rest of the afternoon, having her meals brought to her room.

By dusk, when Yu Yonggui returned, Xingxing immediately said, "Fourth Brother, I need to talk to you."

Yu Yonggui paused. "Alright, go ahead."

Xingxing quickly filled him in on the day’s events.

Yu Yonggui slammed the table and stood up. "That jerk! How dare he come on to my sister? I won’t stand for it!"

Xingxing grabbed his arm. "Fourth Brother, I told you this so you could find a way to mention to Pang Jinkang that I’m already engaged."

Yu Yonggui was still fuming. "That chubby guy—you really think he blurted that out in a daze? He’s just trying to fool an inexperienced girl like you! He’s feeling you out with those half-serious words. If you get angry, he’ll later claim he couldn’t help himself and apologize, patching things up. If you don’t react, then his goal is achieved—he’ll think you’re interested, and who knows what he’ll do next!"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became.

Xingxing widened her eyes at him. "Wow, Fourth Brother, you know a lot about this stuff. Sounds like you've got experience."

Yu Yonggui stammered, "N-no, that’s not—"

Xingxing couldn't help laughing. "Alright, Fourth Brother, I’m just teasing you. Did you find out anything today?"

Still annoyed, Yu Yonggui shared his findings.

Anjiang was a remote place, and Chaoyang Tower's reach didn't extend this far yet.

To avoid tipping them off, Yu Yonggui had initially only sent two top operatives to investigate the area.

And they actually found something.

For instance, in a remote village outside Anjiang, nothing special to look at, there were actually fifty soldiers in full armor hidden within.

They passed themselves off as farmers, storing their armor in the granaries of their homes.

These soldiers appeared to be from Great Xia, yet they didn’t resemble regular military personnel—probably someone's private army.

Raising private soldiers, especially in such numbers and fully armored, would mean losing your head if caught.

At this point, Xingxing and Yu Yonggui both looked serious.

Xingxing also shared what she had learned that day, along with the dream she had the previous night. After some discussion, they decided to first visit the location from Xingxing’s dream the next day. Meanwhile, Xingxing handed Yu Yonggui the imperial envoy's seal, given to her by Emperor Jiazheng when she left.

She instructed Yu Yonggui’s men to get some troops ready near the border and be on standby.

Given the current situation in Anjiang, things looked pretty bad.

The next day, after carefully applying the disguise potion to her face, Xingxing went downstairs with Yu Yonggui.

To their surprise, Pang Jinkang was waiting in the lobby again, like clockwork.

Seeing Xingxing and Yu Yonggui descend, Pang Jinkang rushed over excitedly: "Brother Feng! Miss Feng!"

Yu Yonggui didn't bother being polite, scowling coldly as he shielded Xingxing behind him, his tone sharp: "Master Pang! I considered you a brother at first sight, yet you treat my sister this way? We're through!"

Clearly, he had already heard about Pang Jinkang’s words from Xingxing.

Pang Jinkang bowed deeply, so low he nearly touched the ground in shame: "Brother Feng, Brother Feng! Please listen—yesterday, I was foolish, not thinking straight, and spoke those offensive words to Miss Feng. I—I reflected deeply afterward and wanted to apologize last night, but feared disturbing Miss Feng’s rest and making things worse. So… so I came today instead…"

Yu Yonggui flicked his sleeve and sneered: "Save your apologies, Master Pang. My sister is already betrothed, yet you openly spoke such words to her—such disrespect needs no further elaboration! Please leave!"

Pang Jinkang looked as if struck by lightning.

"B-betrothed?"

Yu Yonggui scoffed: "My sister is drop-dead gorgeous, and our family's loaded with dowry money. Isn’t it only natural she’d be engaged?"

Pang Jinkang turned deathly pale, completely crushed: "Y-yes, of course…"

Yu Yonggui showed no mercy, speaking bluntly: "Then please step aside, Master Pang. My sister and I have places to be."

Pang Jinkang numbly moved out of the way.

Yu Yonggui escorted Xingxing into their carriage and took off without looking back.

Pang Jinkang staggered home to the prefect’s residence like a zombie.

Luo Shi, the prefect’s lady, happened to be drinking tea in her chambers when her maid informed her that the young lord had returned. She chuckled in surprise: "These past few days, he’s been leaving earlier than his father goes to the office. Why is he back so soon today?"

The maid hesitated: "The young lord… seems rather upset…"

"Oh? Then I’ll go check on Kang’er." Luo Shi leaned on her maid’s arm and went to Pang Jinkang’s courtyard, only to find his door tightly shut, with all the servants dismissed.

Luo Shi grew even more puzzled: "What's eating the little rascal now?"

She knocked on the door herself: "Kang’er? Kang’er, what’s wrong? Why have you locked yourself in? Didn’t you go out with your friends today? Or have you run out of cash? If so, just tell Mother—I’ll spot you some."