“Miss, I never thought Xianglan could be so vicious. This must have been orchestrated by the eldest young lady and the madam—otherwise, she wouldn’t have the courage. But how did she manage to plant the waist token on someone else and even wound the young master? Miss, this matter…”
Wanqing’s words made Chunhong’s expression turn grave. She knew the young lady’s waist token better than anyone—every scratch and missing corner was familiar to her.
Thinking of what Xianglan had done, Chunhong looked at Wanqing with heartache. Still uneasy about the waist token, she said,
“I don’t understand how Chunhong could be involved with such villains. But remember, if anyone asks, you know nothing—this is a matter of life and death. As for my elder sister and stepmother plotting against me, I’ll make sure they regret it. Hang the clothes to dry. Oh, and bring me the clothes I wore earlier—I need to deal with them quickly. No matter what, if the young master finds out I went to the brothel, we’re both dead.”
Chunhong’s thoughts made Wanqing feign ignorance. She glanced at her cautiously and then gave another instruction.
“Miss, I accidentally wet these clothes. What should we do with them?”
For some reason, Chunhong trusted Wanqing completely. Tonight, the young lady had effortlessly outmaneuvered the master and madam. Though she was still the same young lady, her difference was now clear to Chunhong, who finally understood her earlier words.
Now, she looked at Wanqing with admiration, fetching the basin of clothes. Watching her take the wet garments and examine them with a frown, Chunhong couldn’t help but ask worriedly,
“Stay here for a while. I’ll go out and be back soon.”
Originally, Wanqing had planned to burn the clothes to dispose of them, but since Chunhong had already washed them, she wrung them out and stepped outside.
Leaving the courtyard, Wanqing headed straight for the small garden between the front courtyard where her elder sister Mu Wanxia and Madam Liu resided.
If these two dared to scheme against her, they’d have to face the consequences.
Reaching the garden, she found no one around—it was late at night, and after Leng Mingye’s earlier commotion, they were likely gathered at Madam Liu’s, plotting something.
She didn’t dwell on it. Kneeling in a secluded corner of the garden, she used a branch to dig a hole near the vine-covered wall.
“This is a good spot to bury things—not only is it rarely visited, but even if someone finds it, they can blame someone else.”
Just as she was about to place the clothes in the hole, a cool, detached voice spoke up.
“Who exactly are you? Why are you haunting me like a ghost? If you’re here to kill me, go ahead. But don’t you dare spread what I’m doing—or I’ll haunt you even after death…”
Wanqing looked up and saw the black-clad man from earlier, now leisurely sitting on the garden wall, swinging his legs like a child on a swing.
Realizing he knew her intentions, she quickly stuffed the clothes into the hole, tamped them down with her foot, and covered them with wet soil and branches before standing to glare at him.
“Hah, I’m not afraid of the living—why would I fear a ghost? I’m Qingfeng. If I wanted to kill you, do you think you’d still be alive to threaten me?”
Amused by Wanqing’s prickly defiance, the man chuckled, leaping down soundlessly. He clasped his hands in a rare show of courtesy and countered,
“Qingfeng? That name doesn’t suit your sharp tongue at all—it’s almost an insult. Listen, before I saved you, we had no connection, and I’m not a gossip. If I were, I’d have already told the young master and my father about rescuing you in the hall earlier—you wouldn’t be standing here mocking me.”
Assured he wasn’t here to kill her, Wanqing relaxed slightly and replied with equal arrogance. When he merely shook his head without responding, she smiled faintly and changed the subject.
“If you’re not here to kill me, then why follow me? Don’t tell me the illustrious Qingfeng has nothing better to do than watch me bury clothes—that’s petty behavior, unbecoming of your status and skills.”
She couldn’t resist taunting him about witnessing her secretive act.
“Hah, you’re not only an exceptional actress who fooled even Leng Mingye, but your medical skills and sharp tongue are equally impressive. I came to tell you that since you saved me, I, Qingfeng, am not ungrateful. Earlier, I was overly cautious and petty. This is a token from the Prince of Ning’s residence. If you ever need help, present it there, and someone will assist you.”
Qingfeng’s tone was earnest as he pulled a piece of mutton-fat jade from his robe and pressed it into her hand.
“So you saw everything in the hall earlier. A token from the Prince of Ning’s residence? Are you the Prince of Ning? No—you’re not. Then how do you have this? Don’t tell me you stole it, trying to use me as a pawn. Let me be clear—I already have a token from the young master. I won’t accept unearned favors. Take it back. I should go now. If I’m caught, I’ll be in deep trouble.”
Wanqing now realized he had seen through her schemes against her father and Leng Mingye. Suspicious, she examined the jade pendant. Though he was handsome, he lacked the innate nobility and aura of royalty—nothing like Leng Mingye’s natural dominance.
Firm in her distrust, she shoved the pendant back at him and turned to leave.
“Wait—Miss Mu, please stay. This token is genuine, not stolen. My connection to His Highness the Prince of Ning is why I’m giving it to you.”
Qingfeng hadn’t expected her refusal. Remembering his master’s instructions, he followed her, sincerity in his eyes as he extended the pendant again.
“Brother Qingfeng, though this jade looks valuable, I can’t accept it based solely on your word. I appreciate the gesture, but you should leave. This is the general’s residence—if we’re caught, it’ll be trouble for both of us. Farewell.”
Wanqing held fast to her belief: unsolicited kindness was never without ulterior motives. This man had nearly strangled her earlier—now he was offering gifts? Accepting an unrelated token to seek favors from the Prince of Ning’s household would be signing her own death warrant.
Despite his earnestness, she remained unmoved, waving him off as she walked away.
“It seems I’ve failed my master’s task. Sigh.”
Qingfeng sighed, watching her retreating figure. Rarely had he lowered his pride to offer peace, yet she had outright rejected him. Glumly clutching the returned pendant, he muttered before following after her.
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