Reborn as the Regent's Beloved

Unlike Xiao Qingyin, she disliked coveting other people's belongings and did not like to plunder.

Xiao Fengyi told Feng Xingye her thoughts, "These betrothal gifts are too valuable, I cannot accept them. Moreover, if they were taken from someone else, I do not want them either."

In her past life, Xiao Qingyin stole many things from her. She didn't realize it before, but after being reborn, she felt that she was really too stupid before and deserved to be killed.

"So I was right, you really don't like things that are stolen." Feng Xingye had already stood up and walked to the woman's side.

Upon hearing his words, Xiao Fengyi was amazed by his insight, realizing that he had already discovered her true thoughts.

The man said in a deep voice, "Actually, apart from the phoenix crown of the Empress of Yong Kingdom, the rest of the betrothal gifts I gave you were not spoils of war, but items from the Zhao Prince's warehouse. Most of them were gifts from the Emperor. These items either came from the Great Yun's textile bureau or were tributes specially made for Great Yun by other countries. None of them were stolen."

Xiao Fengyi was amazed that the man would explain to her so gently, "I'm sorry, I misunderstood."

The man continued, “I don’t like to steal other people’s things either. Besides… we’re fighting to protect Dayun, not for territorial expansion. Yong and Chao are not as wealthy as Dayun, so their things aren’t worth stealing. Even that phoenix crown was offered to the Emperor by them. If you don’t like the phoenix crown, I can’t take it back, because the Emperor ordered Princess Zhao to keep it safe.”

The implication is that even if Xiao Fengyi dislikes the phoenix crown because it was used by several empresses of Yong Kingdom, she cannot return it.

"I know."

Xiao Fengyi wouldn't get bogged down in such an important matter.

She noticed that when the 23-year-old general spoke these words, he stood up straight and had an arrogant air of looking down on the world and being unassailable, which Xiao Fengyi particularly liked.

She felt apologetic for offending Feng Xingye earlier. "Your Highness, I was unaware of the economic situation of your countries, so I misspoke."

Feng Xingye didn't argue with her and raised his hand, saying, "It's not your fault. You're a young lady living in a secluded room, so it's understandable that you don't understand the economies of different countries."

However, after hearing these words, Xiao Fengyi still wanted to return the betrothal gifts to Feng Xingye, on the grounds that their marriage was a sham.

“Your Highness Prince Zhao, since our marriage is a sham, why not just go through the motions? There’s absolutely no need for such extravagance and ostentation; it will only attract attention. Otherwise, should I have the Xiao family send the betrothal gifts back to Prince Zhao’s residence?”

Hmph, those twenty cartloads of betrothal gifts have already made Shen Shi and Xiao Qingyin eager to make their move. If Feng Mingjing finds out, who knows what he might do? She doesn't even dare to think about it.

"Send it back?" The man looked at her strangely. "If you send it back, it will make more people suspicious. Not to mention Dayun, even in other countries, I have never heard of a woman daring to return royal betrothal gifts. This is not the common people, Fengyi."

His earnest address to Fengyi made the woman feel somewhat uncomfortable, and after he finished speaking, there was an awkward and oppressive atmosphere in the air.

Xiao Fengyi stopped talking, and Feng Xingye also felt a little awkward.

Seeing her with her head down, he finally spoke first, "You...did you only ask me to come here about the betrothal gifts?"

Xiao Fengyi had not yet recovered from the incident and said abruptly, "Ah, it was about the betrothal gifts. Since we can't return them now, we'll wait until we've resolved everything before returning them to Your Highness intact."

Keeping everything exactly as it is was a plan Xiao Fengyi had devised long ago, which is why she had Zi Hua and Xuan Hua check the items against the gift list with her.

Since she wanted to return it, Feng Xingye couldn't stop her. "Suit yourself. I have another case of selling official positions to investigate, so I won't accompany you."

Selling official positions—isn't that related to Feng Mingjing?

Xiao Fengyi was just about to discuss some important matters with the man when, to her surprise, he had already vanished into the darkness of the Xiao residence without a trace.

With Feng Xingye gone, Xiao Fengyi was left to sit alone at her desk, contemplating the matter of selling official positions.

In her previous life, she aided and abetted evil, knowing full well that Feng Mingjing, relying on the Seventh Prince's status, opened doors of convenience for high-ranking officials and noble families, selling official positions.

There were two reasons why she didn't care at the time. One was that she loved Feng Mingjing too much. Every time she tried to persuade him not to do something so unfair to those who had studied hard for years, she was fooled by his sweet words. The other reason was that although she was the eldest daughter of the Xiao family, she was still not as noble as the Seventh Prince and had no power to interfere in such matters.

Once, she overheard her subordinates under the Fengming Mirror saying to him, "Seventh Prince, please don't let Miss Xiao interfere too much in our affairs. She's just a woman who doesn't understand anything. We sell official positions and titles to build up our future careers and raise funds. We recruit soldiers and horses to cultivate our own loyal talents. She doesn't understand anything, so what right does she have to criticize us?"

When Xiao Fengyi heard this, she was carrying a bowl of nourishing soup. She wanted to rush into the room to argue with the person, but after hearing Feng Mingjing's words, she gave up.

She remembered what Feng Mingjing had said at the time.

“You’re right. I also think it’s inappropriate for Fengyi to interfere in my affairs. I’ll talk to her about it.”

For some reason, after hearing Feng Mingjing say that words were in the way, her feet seemed to be fixed in place, unable to take a single step, and she had no courage to fight for it.

Later, when Feng Mingjing actually came to talk to her about this, she suppressed her displeasure and obediently agreed.

In her past life, she had suppressed her true nature to please Feng Mingjing far too many times, so much so that even after being reborn, that uncomfortable feeling still lingered in Xiao Fengyi's body, making her feel nauseous.

As her thoughts returned, Xiao Fengyi stared at the Xuan paper laid out in front of her. Only then did she notice that the ink on the brush had dripped onto the white paper, leaving it mottled. She then remembered that she was originally going to write a secret letter about Feng Mingjing selling official positions and have Ye Si deliver it to Feng Xingye. Her past thoughts interrupted her, and after regaining her senses, she was about to continue.

After changing to fresh Xuan paper, Xiao Fengyi stopped overthinking and wrote the superstition in one stroke. After the ink dried, she put it in an envelope, summoned Ye Si, and instructed him to make sure to deliver the letter to Feng Xingye.

"You can't let the people from Prince Zhao's mansion discover our whereabouts. They're all skilled fighters; it's not easy for them to come and go."

Before Ye Si left, Xiao Fengyi repeatedly reminded him not to reveal his whereabouts.

The other party assured her, "Young Miss, don't worry. I've even been inside the palace to deliver messages to Prince Zhao's residence. I'm sure I won't be discovered."

After he finished speaking, he left the Xiao residence with the superstition.