Chapter 1493 - 1488: Guard Against Fire, Theft, and Your Best Friend (First Update)
Mu Shuangshuang settled into the City Lord Mansion in Ye City. On the first night, she used the excuse of cooking a midnight snack for the City Lord’s Wife to observe the mansion’s defenses.
No wonder it was the border town of the Da Wei Dynasty; the City Lord Mansion was heavily guarded. Even at night, every place was patrolled by guards.
In such circumstances, let alone people, even a fly coming in would likely be quickly killed.
Housekeeper Zou assigned a maid named Chunhua to Mu Shuangshuang and taught her a series of rules of the City Lord Mansion.
Of course, he said Mu Shuangshuang could order her around, but Mu Shuangshuang knew that with her halfway-entered identity, she couldn’t gain Ye Fantian’s full trust.
So Mu Shuangshuang just casually dealt with Chunhua.
For two consecutive days, she found no useful information, and three days quickly passed toward the agreed five-day deadline.
Until the morning of the third day, the City Lord Mansion suddenly became lively.
Not only were chefs instructed to prepare a grand feast, but also performers from the Song and Dance House and various acrobat troops were invited.
The City Lord’s Wife enjoyed peace and quiet. Given that she had just given birth, she should’ve been recovering.
This sudden big event was undoubtedly suspicious.
Mu Shuangshuang, like a cat that stole a fish, probed for information on the visitors.
Unexpectedly, she truly found something out.
It was the Second Prince of Da Wei again, a name Mu Shuangshuang had heard countless times.
He sounded like quite a formidable figure.
She just didn’t know exactly what kind of role he played.
Mu Shuangshuang also wasn’t sure what impact this Second Prince’s visit would have on the situation between the two countries.
So, Mu Shuangshuang seized several opportunities, attempting to get close to the Second Prince.
However, with her identity as a cook, approaching such distinguished guests wasn’t easy.
Thinking it over, Mu Shuangshuang decided to have Chunhua, the little maid, pave the way.
In just two days of interacting with her, Mu Shuangshuang realized Chunhua had the heart of a mistress despite being a maid.
As a maid, she lacked the awareness a maid should have, instead eagerly dressing up daily, seemingly trying to charm Ye Tianfan countless times.
She flaunted herself before Ye Fantian.
Now, when Mu Shuangshuang mentioned that the Second Prince’s woman would at least be a Princess Consort, and possibly a future Empress, Chunhua immediately became infatuated, excitedly winking at Mu Shuangshuang.
"Miss, do you think I can be a Princess Consort and future Empress admired by the world?"
Mu Shuangshuang nodded sincerely, "Of course you can! Miss Chunhua, you’re as beautiful as a flower, young, and have a good character. You are undoubtedly the best choice for the Imperial Family!
If the Second Prince takes a liking to you and marries you, you’ll be the most favored concubine of Da Wei!"
Mu Shuangshuang spoke blatant lies.
Yet Chunhua believed every word as truth.
But soon her face fell.
"I can’t go to the front hall; those of us in the back courtyard can only stay in the back, unless ordered by the City Lord and his wife!"
Chunhua wasn’t entirely blinded by greed.
At least she remembered the rules of the City Lord Mansion.
"Can’t go? How about sending some sweet soup or some tea?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.
She hadn’t considered that maids from the back courtyard couldn’t go to the front.
"Miss, I can’t go; you can!" Chunhua suddenly said.
"What?"
"Miss, you can go, go see the Second Prince! Once you see him, you only need to tell him, ’Chunhua holds him in her heart’!" Chunhua said with an infatuated look.
"..."
Mu Shuangshuang was utterly stunned.
She’s really tempted to open up this little maid’s head to see what’s inside.
There’s a saying: guard against fire, theft, and your wooden-headed friends—although they’re not friends, seeing a Prince is such a big deal, can she substitute?
Aren’t you afraid she won’t mention this matter at all?
Mu Shuangshuang remained silent, and Chunhua, thinking she was unwilling, quickly lowered her voice to plead.
"Miss, I beg you, this matter is truly important to me! Out of everyone in the backyard, only you can go to the front hall, apart from the City Lord’s Wife. You’re a cook; make some good food and give it to the Second Prince, the City Lord won’t mind!"
"No way!" Mu Shuangshuang firmly declined.
A dead friend is better than a dead self. Her identity as a cook surely wouldn’t get her into the front hall.
If she startled the snake, how would she steal the city defense map?
"Miss, please do me this great favor? I beg you! If I become Empress, you’ll be the Empress’s sister. Please, Miss..."
Chunhua’s skill in clinging was top-notch. If Mu Shuangshuang didn’t agree, she would keep pleading until Mu Shuangshuang was annoyed and scared enough.
Mu Shuangshuang swore that she wasn’t moved by the plea but rather annoyed to the point where she had no choice but to go.
"I’m not even sure whether I can see the Second Prince. If I don’t, don’t blame me!" Mu Shuangshuang said.
"Yes, yes! As long as you agree, it helps me!" Chunhua replied.
Maybe Chunhua’s response was too quick, but Mu Shuangshuang sensed something was off.
Yet she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong.
After preparing a nutritious ginseng black chicken soup, Mu Shuangshuang truly went to the front hall looking for the so-called Second Prince.
With the principle of facing humiliation head-on, she headed toward the front hall.
She expected to be stopped at the entrance by guards but ended up in the front hall directly.
Most terrifying of all, standing outside the door, she heard the voice of a man inside.
Mu Shuangshuang summoned her courage and walked toward the voice.
Only dared to glance, she saw City Lord Ye Tianfan and greeted him.
"City Lord, I heard there’s a distinguished guest in the mansion. I happened to brew ginseng black chicken soup this morning, both you and the guest can have a bowl!"
Mu Shuangshuang kept her head low but still sensed a probing gaze staring directly at her above.
It seemed to burn a hole through her.
Ye Fantian watched it all, as if watching a play, allowing the Second Prince to size up Mu Shuangshuang.
Without saying a word.
Until Mu Shuangshuang couldn’t stand it and softly coughed, then reminded them.
"City Lord and the guest don’t like black chicken soup? Then I’ll take my leave!"
Mu Shuangshuang held the black chicken soup and was about to leave.
But she had only taken a step back when a male voice came from above, "Wait a moment!"
Mu Shuangshuang was taken aback.
Why did this voice seem oddly familiar to her?
Mu Shuangshuang really wanted to look up but feared it would ruin things.
She kept holding back, but that man said nothing more after speaking one line.
Unable to bear it anymore, Mu Shuangshuang abruptly raised her head.
The man above, in black clothing, with a face more beautiful than a woman’s, appeared before her.
And with that familiar knife at his waist, who else could it be but Shen Feng?