Chapter 28 – Does Lord Chancellor Fei Not Like Enchantresses?

The middle-aged man and the man in the blue robe entered a quiet little courtyard.

Inside, it was utterly silent.

They stepped into the main hall and, standing behind the screen, respectfully bowed toward the figure behind it.

The man in blue bowed low, then spoke in a soft voice, “Master, everything has been arranged, just as you instructed.”

“You will leave Jin State at once,” the man behind the screen said lazily.

The man in blue and the middle-aged man exchanged a glance.

The middle-aged man dropped to his knees and said, “Master, would you like Qing Yi to remain behind to protect you?”

“No need.”

The middle-aged man said nothing more. He rose to his feet, and together they cupped their hands in salute before turning to leave.

The man behind the screen slowly emerged. He wore the fiercest kind of Hashi eagle mask, and his robe fluttered softly around him.

**

When Tang Chaoyang returned to the estate from the bookshop, she immediately soaked herself in hot water to drive away the chill inside her body.

She wanted to investigate the middle-aged man and the man in the blue robe, but she had no suitable people to entrust with this matter.

The Ma brothers would not do—she didn’t want to drag them into danger over something like this.

Tang Chaoyang wiped the water droplets from her face, her gaze turning cold. For now, she could only suppress her suspicions.

Keeping An’an safe was the most important thing.

Tang Chaoyang stepped out of the bath, beads of water dripping from her smooth, radiant skin.

She casually picked up a clean towel. As she dried her hair, she pondered: What did she have that was worth anyone scheming to use her for?

She also couldn’t rashly try to probe Fei Yan.

Tang Chaoyang let out a quiet sigh. She truly couldn’t think of what value she had that would warrant such plotting.

She pulled on her clothes and walked out of the bathing room.

Nanny Wu hurried over as she sat down, wrapping her hair in a towel and gently rubbing it dry.

“Miss, Second Young Miss just had a maid deliver something for you.”

“Oh? Liu’er, go fetch it for me.”

Tang Chaoyang was a little surprised—Su Ling disliked her. She couldn’t imagine why she would send her anything.

Liu’er took a delicate little box from the stand and handed it over.

Tang Chaoyang accepted it and opened the lid to find an orchid hairpin inside.

She looked at the hairpin and instantly understood Su Ling’s intent. With a helpless little laugh, she shook her head.

Tomorrow, when Grandmother asked what jewelry she’d bought today, she would have to say she bought this hairpin.

She placed it back in the box, and Liu’er took it away to put it away properly.

Just then, a maid came in to announce that Eldest Young Miss Su Miao had arrived.

Tang Chaoyang told her to come in. Nanny Wu paused her work drying her hair.

Su Miao stepped inside, instantly feeling the warmth. It was so cold outside. “Cousin.”

She lifted her gaze and saw Tang Chaoyang leaning languidly against the couch.

For an instant, Su Miao was utterly dumbfounded.

She had always known her cousin’s features were exquisite and lovely, but she had never realized someone could possess such natural allure.

Wearing only a thin, strapless crimson robe beneath a black fur mantle, Tang Chaoyang was so captivating at a glance it could steal one’s soul.

The delicate fullness of her chest and the graceful curves of her figure made even Su Miao—herself a woman—feel a twinge of envy.

Lord Chancellor Fei actually didn’t like this kind of enchanting beauty? He preferred someone like Dong Xinrui, with that plain, thin figure?

Cough cough cough—Su Miao realized her thoughts were straying too far.

Tang Chaoyang noticed her elder cousin seemed distracted and called softly, “Cousin?”

Su Miao snapped out of it, her face reddening as she remembered what she’d been thinking. “Cousin, I brought this for you. Ling’er was rude today.”

Tang Chaoyang glanced at the box she set on the table. She didn’t even need to look to know it held jewelry as well.

Her eyes curved in a smile. “Thank you for the gesture, Cousin. As for Second Cousin, she’s still young. I won’t hold it against her.”

Su Miao gave her a formal curtsey.

There really wasn’t much else to talk about between them. Staying longer would only be awkward, so she quickly found an excuse to leave.

Tang Chaoyang asked Nanny Wu to see Su Miao out. Her finger rested lightly on the jewelry box as she pondered what had happened to Su Miao in her past life.

In that life, Su Miao and Su Ling had not entered the imperial harem in the end—Grandfather had begged the new emperor for mercy on their behalf.

But in this life, the imperial selection had been delayed. Tang Chaoyang couldn’t be sure whether things would unfold differently.

She decided not to think about it any longer. Checking the time, she rose and changed into coarse clothing.

She was going to the kitchen to make some little treats for Fei An’an and to send some to her grandparents as well.

When she entered the small kitchen, she saw milk, eggs, flour, and sugar all prepared. Rolling up her sleeves, she began to work.

The milk and egg pastries she was making would fill the air with a sweet, creamy fragrance once ready. An’an loved them most, and they were also suitable for her grandparents.

Tomorrow, she planned to go out in search of medicinal herbs. She wanted to brew tonic wine for her grandfather herself—something that could satisfy his cravings and nourish his body without forcing him to sneak around hiding bottles.

Tang Chaoyang’s lips curved into a faint smile. She truly enjoyed the life she had now.

**

Elsewhere, Ling Gurong finally managed to find a little time to leave the palace and look for “Tang Dahong.”

These past two days, his chest had often felt stifled and irritable. He wasn’t sure whether it was because he hadn’t been taking opium.

He went to Vermilion Bird Lane, walked all the way to the last house, and knocked on the door.

After a moment, the door slowly opened.

An elderly, blind servant stood there.

The servant’s voice was a little hoarse. “Who are you looking for?”

Ling Gurong gave a very polite bow. “I am Gu Yuan. I have come to see Sister Tang.”

The young emperor wore sumptuous clothes today. When he smiled, he looked like a peacock utterly without aggression.

The old servant replied, “Miss is not home at the moment. When she returns, I will pass your message. You may come again tomorrow.”

Ling Gurong’s gaze darkened faintly. “Very well.”

His eyes flicked toward the courtyard, then he turned and left Vermilion Bird Lane.

He did not return to the palace right away but went instead to the Prime Minister’s residence to see Fei Yan.

Fei Yan hadn’t expected the emperor to leave the palace.

He rose to greet His Majesty at the gates, then instructed the steward on the way inside, “Go. Tell the madam that we have a most distinguished guest.”

The steward received the order and hurried away to the rear courtyard to inform the mistress.

Dong Xinrui was chatting with Fei Li about the upcoming flower-viewing banquet on the fifteenth.

Fei Li was the right age to attend.

“Li’er, this flower banquet is really meant as a selection for the future Empress. You must conduct yourself well,” Dong Xinrui said softly.

In truth, she knew perfectly well that Fei Li had no real chance of being chosen—she wasn’t educated, and her looks were no more than average.

Still, for this banquet, Fei Li had specially asked Dong Xinrui to invite a palace matron to teach her court etiquette. “Sister-in-law, I will do my best.”

At that moment, the steward entered the hall, led by Nanny Huang.

“Madam, His Excellency asked me to inform you that a most honored guest has arrived.”

Dong Xinrui was momentarily startled, then immediately understood who the steward must mean: the emperor.

She quickly rose to her feet. “Li’er, you return to your rooms. I have something to attend to now. Nanny, see to it the servants behave properly. Someone, help me change my clothes.”

The steward bowed and withdrew from the hall.

Fei Li returned to her own courtyard, her face filled with curiosity. Who was this distinguished guest?

Could it be…the emperor himself?

Her heart pounded wildly.

Should she find a way to “accidentally” encounter this exalted guest in the outer courtyard?