When Ji Feihua had controlled the Imperial Court, Qiqi had been only a child. Throughout the Imperial City, and indeed all of Great Kang, people paled at the mere mention of his name, as though hearing of a tiger. Qiqi had been no exception. Although she had never truly crossed swords with him, deep in her heart she still held him in a certain fearful awe.
Qiqi looked at Ji Feihua, and then, unexpectedly, she smiled.
Ji Feihua looked at Qiqi, who had blossomed into a young woman. Recalling how she had looked in the past, he tried to find the similarities. He smiled and said, "It's been a few years. You've grown into a young lady."
Qiqi nodded. "People always grow up, and slowly grow old, too. But the years don't seem to have left any marks on your face." She raised her chin proudly and said softly, "Sit."
A faint smile lingered at the corners of Ji Feihua's lips, and admiration for Qiqi showed in his eyes. "I thought your first reaction would be to call for help."
"If I called for help," Qiqi asked, "would you kill me right now?"
Ji Feihua shook his head. "There's no need to rush. Even if Murong Zhan charged in with all his warriors, I'd still have enough time to kill you."
"There doesn't seem to be any deep hatred between us," Qiqi said.
"So you can't understand why I would want to kill you?" Ji Feihua asked.
Qiqi walked toward him, without the slightest fear on her face. When fear could no longer help her, she would not waste an expression on it. She brushed past Ji Feihua and sat down at the table, looking at the candle that had already burned halfway down. Its flame danced, and translucent tears