Chapter 43: The Considerate Young Master
Chen Pingting didn’t want to be threatened by her, but she just couldn’t help herself.
She hesitated before moving closer, even raising a hand to wave the surrounding people back. Leaning in, she snarled through gritted teeth, "Don’t even think you can threaten me again."
Xiao Li found it amusing. ’If you won’t be threatened, why did you come over?’
She shot out a hand, grabbed Chen Pingting’s lapels, and gave an unceremonious yank, forcing her to kneel alongside her.
"You... HISS..." Chen Pingting wanted to curse, but the pain contorted her face. She tried to rub her legs, but Xiao Li held her fast, making it impossible to move.
’Now *this* is a fair way to have a conversation.’
"I have Lu Yanzhi under house arrest in the Princess Mansion. He can’t take a single step outside, and I control every aspect of his life, from his food and clothing to his daily expenses."
"For every grievance I’ve suffered in the palace today, I’ll make him pay for it twofold when I get back."
Chen Pingting was so furious she bit her gums until they bled. "How can you be so vicious?"
Xiao Li’s lips curved into a smile, but it was chillingly cold, her eyes like a venomous snake flicking its tongue. "I am vicious. What can you do about it? The poor Prince Consort has fallen into my hands. The Lu family can’t save him. Does Miss Chen want to be his savior?"
Chen Pingting couldn’t stand being manipulated. She was livid, hating Xiao Li to the core, but there was nothing she could do.
The thought of that ethereal, Immortal-like man, Lu Yanzhi, being tormented by Xiao Li... How could she possibly stand by and do nothing?
"Someone as wicked as you will get what’s coming to you sooner or later! You just wait!"
Muttering curses, Chen Pingting ultimately went to the Empress Dowager. She had her kneeling punishment waived and arranged for Xiao Li to take the Buddhist Scripture home to copy. The original task was three times; now it was ten.
Xiao Li grudgingly accepted. ’Besides, who knows who’ll end up copying them anyway?’
As she passed along a palace path, she saw Lou Yan in the distance, leading a group of men. They walked with hurried steps, an aura of murderous intent hanging about them.
The Emperor’s attack dogs were on the move, their presence overwhelming.
She was suddenly reminded of the day Lou Yan had killed Gu Ling. He was cold-blooded and decisive, like a merciless weapon. The spray of fresh blood... it was so handsome it made her knees go weak.
She rather wanted to poach Lou Yan from the Emperor, but that was unrealistic for now. ’How depressing.’
She swayed gently in her sedan chair on the slow journey back, the Buddhist Scripture in her hand. ’Lu Yanzhi seemed to have a fever last night. Cen An is such a good doctor; it’s been more than half a day, so he should be fine by now, right?’
’He likes peace and quiet, and he enjoys reading. He should be more than happy to copy the Buddhist Scripture ten times. Besides, he’s the one who caused this mess, so he should be the one to clean it up.’
As Xiao Li’s mind churned with schemes on how to exploit Lu Yanzhi, the sedan chair came to a stop at the entrance of the Princess Mansion.
Just as she stepped out, someone came forward to greet her.
"Feng Yu greets the Princess."
Xiao Li was a little surprised to see Feng Yu waiting at the gate. "What are you doing here?"
Feng Yu took out a box that was wrapped in layer upon layer of cloth. "My younger brother asked me to deliver this to the Princess personally."
Xiao Li looked at the box and immediately understood.
’That day, Feng Yin had escorted her back, but the weapons she had on her person were gone. That young master might look naive, but he’s actually quite clever.’
’I wonder if he guessed anything after seeing those things.’
’If he did, he hasn’t said a word for days. He probably hasn’t been sleeping well.’
A trace of apology rose in her heart. She glanced at Feng Yu and asked nonchalantly, "What is it?"
Feng Yu shook her head. "I don’t know. He was very secretive about it and wouldn’t let me see, no matter what."
Hearing this, Xiao Li’s lips curved. ’Such a considerate young master. How adorable.’
"Come in."
Xiao Li was in no hurry to take the items back, even though they could easily be used as evidence to convict her if they fell into the wrong hands.
Feng Yu, on the other hand, remembered her brother’s instructions clearly. She clutched the box tightly, determined to hand it to Xiao Li personally.
Only after they went inside and tea was served did Xiao Li have Hong Yue take the box and set it down.
"I’m very grateful to Young Master Feng for saving me the other day. I might have been in danger otherwise. I should be the one thanking him, but I’m afraid it might be inconvenient for him."
Feng Yu was clearly aware of the situation and quickly replied, "You’re overstating things, Princess. You saved him in such a dangerous situation; all he did was escort you home. It was an opportunity for him to repay you. It’s what he should have done. There’s no need for the Princess to thank him."
Xiao Li lowered her gaze, her fingertips toying with the lid of her teacup. "Was he frightened that day?"
Feng Yu said, "He’s a man. It’s not so easy to frighten him. More importantly, has the Princess’s health improved?"
Xiao Li replied, "Much better."
Feng Yu breathed a sigh of relief. "That’s good to hear. The Princess must take care of her health."
Because Xiao Li had saved Feng Yin’s life, Feng Yu’s concern was genuine.
Xiao Li didn’t care about this world, but she could still tell friend from foe. "Thank you for your concern."
Feng Yu felt she didn’t deserve the Princess’s thanks and quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of which, it was my brother’s good fortune to run into you that day. Not only did he get to help the Princess, but he also avoided a disaster."
"Oh? How so?" Xiao Li asked, raising an eyebrow.
Feng Yu sighed in frustration. "It’s all that scoundrel He Changyu’s fault. He took my brother drinking with his degenerate friends. Drinking is one thing, but they even hired female companions! If my brother hadn’t left early, he might have been corrupted by them."
She then explained to Xiao Li, "He Changyu is my husband. He’s a good person, really, but he has too many rotten friends. He always does infuriating things when he drinks."
’Hiring female companions when he’s drunk? That’s not just infuriating, that’s a death wish, isn’t it?’
Still, Xiao Li was taken aback. "You’re already married?"
Feng Yu was amused by Xiao Li’s shocked expression. "I’m three years older than you, Princess. I’m already twenty-one this year. If I weren’t married by now, wouldn’t people laugh at me for being an old maid?"
Only then did Xiao Li notice that Feng Yu’s hair was styled in an updo. It wasn’t an elaborate one, looking similar to a young maiden’s hairstyle. At the hunting grounds that day, everyone wore riding attire and had their hair in ponytails, making it even harder to tell.
Xiao Li didn’t understand. "If you’re already married, then why are you still targeting Liu Xueyin?"
Feng Yu hadn’t expected Xiao Li to suddenly jump to the topic of Liu Xueyin, but she answered immediately, "We’ve never gotten along, not since we were children. It’s not like I just started targeting her yesterday. It has nothing to do with whether I’m married or not."
She had only meant to answer Xiao Li’s question, but once she started, she couldn’t help but vent. "The Princess has never seen what she used to be like, but it’s not much different from how she is now. It’s... how do I put it... I don’t know what sorrows she’s supposedly carrying, but she always has this pitiful, broken look on her face. Back when we were little, we used to play together. But every time I’d dress up beautifully, hoping to dazzle everyone, she’d show up in a white dress like she was in mourning, making all the splendid colors look dull in comparison."
"If she were actually trying to compete with me, that would be one thing. But every time, she’d act all high and mighty, saying she wore white because she didn’t want to steal the show. But in the end, she’d steal the show anyway!"
"At first, I actually believed her! But then, behind my back, everyone started comparing us. They’d say she was pure as a lotus, rising from the mud unstained, while I was just gaudy and vulgar. The most infuriating part was that she’d just sit right there, not saying a word, tacitly allowing them to say those things. I got so mad I confronted her, and she just said that if one lives an upright life, why should one care about the opinions of others? I was furious! I just like wearing pretty clothes! How is that not living an upright life?"
It was obvious Feng Yu was genuinely angry; just recalling the memory made her puff up like a blowfish.
Xiao Li said, "The rumors outside say you were deeply in love with Prince Chen and that you only target her because you’re bitter about losing the position of Princess Consort."
Feng Yu admitted it freely. "Yes. What young woman doesn’t dream of love? I did have feelings for Prince Chen. But my family upbringing is strict. Before I could even act on my feelings, my mother arranged my engagement. My husband’s status may not be prominent, but he’s a decent man and treats me well. What is there for me to be bitter about? I don’t normally do anything, but whenever I run into her, I just can’t control myself. I know about the rumors. I’ve tried to explain, but no one believes me. There’s nothing I can do."
She sounded quite helpless talking about it and could only let out a long sigh.
’So that’s how it is.’
Xiao Li studied Feng Yu’s features. They were sharp and spirited, but not harsh. She seemed like a generous and straightforward person.
She believed Feng Yu was telling the truth. The more she looked at her, the more she liked what she saw.
’Any girl who isn’t desperately chasing after the male lead is fine by me.’
After Feng Yu left, Xiao Li returned to her room and opened the box.
Her shotgun, which she had disassembled, was wrapped in cloth and neatly placed inside the box, along with her crossbow bolts and dagger.
They were all deadly weapons.
’I wonder what was going through the young master’s mind when he packed these up.’
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