380: Chapter 380 Infertility?

The sky corridor was suspended amidst a sea of clouds, the wind whistling through the pillars with a hint of bleakness.

Feng Ming gazed at the churning mist outside the walkway and couldn't help but turn to Xun Luoyuan beside him, whispering, "Though the scenery of this covered walkway is exquisite, your father doesn't need to stay here every day, does he? Is it that he's unwilling to leave even to rest or sleep?"

Hearing this, Xun Luoyuan's nose wrinkled, and her eyes instantly reddened. "Since Mother passed away, Father has never left this place, except for necessary outings."

"Is he afraid that returning to the bedchamber will evoke memories of her?" Feng Ming followed up softly.

Xun Luoyuan lowered her eyes, her voice as faint as tattered fluff in the wind: "Perhaps... Back then, Mother passed away quietly in Father's arms right here on this sky corridor."

Feng Ming was speechless for a moment. Others thought he lived outside the palace to avoid touching painful memories of the past, but who knew that guarding this covered walkway was to immerse himself in old memories day and night, every moment—a longing that pierced the bone, an inch-by-inch torment.

"I didn't expect King Xibei to be such a man of deep affection and sincerity."

Just as they finished speaking, the heavy stone door of the covered walkway slowly opened, and the Master Gu walked out slowly.

Upon seeing Feng Ming and Xun Luoyuan, the original impatience and coldness on his face instantly transformed into a somewhat hypocritical and kind smile.

Feng Ming and Xun Luoyuan exchanged a glance, both understanding clearly; they had already thoroughly grasped this Master Gu's temperament.

Such a deliberate change in expression might not be scrutinized on a normal day, but at this moment, it was seen exceptionally clearly—it was definitely a sign of a guilty conscience.

The Master Gu didn't say much, only nodding at the two with a fake smile before hurriedly departing.

Xun Luoyuan appeared calm on the surface, but her hand hanging by her side was already clenched into a fist, her knuckles turning white. Had Feng Ming not repeatedly warned her beforehand to endure for the time being, she probably wouldn't have been able to suppress the killing intent in her heart and would have rushed forward to fight the Master Gu to the death.

"Let's go." Feng Ming lightly patted her shoulder, comforting her in a low voice.

Xun Luoyuan exhaled a long breath of turbid air, her tense body softening slightly. Only then did she lead Feng Ming into the sky corridor that carried half a lifetime of King Xibei's sorrow and secrets.

The furnishings inside the walkway were simple, with only a stone couch and a few chairs.

King Xibei sat on the couch with his eyes closed. Xun Yu and Fang Zhao stood as attendants on his left and right, their expressions solemn. As Feng Ming and Xun Luoyuan entered, all three of their gazes turned toward them.

King Xibei frowned, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure: "When did this King say I wanted to see you?"

Xun Luoyuan hurriedly took a step forward and said softly, "Father, Feng Ming and I have come today for an important matter..."

"An important matter?" King Xibei interrupted her, his gaze landing on Feng Ming with scrutiny and dissatisfaction. "I think you've lost your mind! Do you really want to be so reckless as to entrust your whole life? What exactly is it about this boy that makes you so devoted?"

"Father, I..." Xun Luoyuan wanted to argue further but was gently stopped by Feng Ming's hand.

Feng Ming stepped forward with a calm expression. "Lord Xun, the County Princess and I have not come today for the matter of Your Majesty's bestowed marriage."

"Then what have you come for?" King Xibei's frown deepened, his gaze as sharp as a blade.

Feng Ming did not answer directly but instead cast a faint glance at Xun Yu and Fang Zhao.

How perceptive was King Xibei? He immediately understood the meaning and said in a deep voice, "No need to test them; these two are both this King's confidants, following me through life and death. If it's a secret that even they cannot know, then what is the point of this King hearing it?"

Seeing this, Feng Ming no longer hesitated. His expression suddenly became solemn, and his voice lowered: "One last word of caution. What I am about to say is of great importance. I only hope that the four of us present know of it and that it must not be leaked in the slightest. Can you all do this?"

Xun Yu stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Young Master Feng, rest assured. With Fang Zhao and me setting up a soundproofing Restriction here, it will be foolproof."

"Indeed, there are personal guards stationed outside the walkway, allowing exit but not entry. It's impossible for outsiders to spy in the slightest," Fang Zhao also added in a deep voice.

Feng Ming finally felt relieved and solemnly cupped his hands toward King Xibei, his voice resonating: "Lord Xun, I take the liberty today to speak plainly about one thing. I already know that the County Princess is not your biological child."

King Xibei's pupils contracted slightly.

Feng Ming's gaze was burning as he looked directly at him, asking word by word, "I want to know, have you... long known that you are unable to bear children in this life?"

As soon as the words fell, it was like a thunderclap!

The faces of King Xibei, Xun Yu, and Fang Zhao suddenly changed drastically! Especially King Xibei; his body shook violently, and he immediately began to cough intensely. The Qi around him instantly became violent and chaotic, as if he would suffer from Qi Deviation at any moment.

"Master!" Xun Yu was shocked and hurriedly stepped forward to soothe his breathing.

Xun Luoyuan also stepped forward quickly, her face full of worry.

Fang Zhao, however, was so anxious that he spoke without thinking, smiling bitterly at Xun Luoyuan: "County Princess, we understand that you and the Consort set up an isolating Formation in the room yesterday. Young people, after all... but you can't tell him all of these secrets!"

"Hmm?" Hearing the words "Consort" and "isolating Formation," King Xibei's aura suddenly became more chaotic, and his face looked even worse.

While soothing his Master's breathing, Xun Yu shouted at Fang Zhao, "If you can't speak properly, then shut up! Are you trying to anger Master to death?"

Fang Zhao then realized he had misspeaking and hurriedly covered his mouth, his face full of regret.

Feng Ming was also speechless in his heart.

He hadn't even revealed the real key yet, and Fang Zhao's mouth had almost angered King Xibei into a bad state.

He immediately spoke to clarify: "Lord Xun, please calm your anger! Yesterday, the County Princess and I were pure and innocent! Setting up the isolating Formation was only to discuss the mystery of the County Princess's birth in detail, nothing else! I am willing to swear a Blood Oath on my Dao Heart that there is no falsehood!"

King Xibei stared at him for a long time before his aura gradually calmed and his expression softened slightly.

After a moment of silence, he spoke hoarsely, "Why do you suddenly bring this up? Could it be that knowing Luo Yuan is not this King's biological child, you want to defy the decree and not marry her?"

"This Junior has no such intention!" Feng Ming said solemnly. "It's just that the matter I am about to speak of is too significant; it concerns your life, the safety of Xun Prefecture, and even the overall situation of the imperial court. Therefore, I must first confirm the truth of this matter. Junior asks once more, do you know that you are unable to bear children?"

King Xibei closed his eyes, and after a long time, he slowly uttered two words, carrying endless vicissitudes: "I know."

This sentence caused Xun Yu and Fang Zhao to shake all over, their faces full of shock. They had followed King Xibei for hundreds of years, yet this was the first time they had learned of this!

Xun Luoyuan also suddenly looked at Feng Ming, her eyes full of disbelief. She had always thought her father was kept in the dark, but she never expected that her father had already known he was unable to bear children!

Could it be that her father had long known she was affected by that strange Child-Swapping Poison?

Feng Ming was equally suspicious and hurriedly asked, "How did you know? Who told you?"