Early the next morning, Princess Qin went to An Yang Marquis’s mansion.
After paying respects to the Grand Princess and Lady Jiang, Yue Ning pulled Princess Qin out to buy paintings.
“That art gallery Wei Qi Zhi mentioned last time – I don’t know if the proprietor is in today. Wei Qi Zhi said he’d take me there next time when the proprietor was present, but that’s rather inconvenient. Let’s go look today.”
Princess Qin asked, “You mean Master Ning’s gallery?”
Yue Ning nodded. “That’s the one. That day we only bought a few displayed paintings, but didn’t see any originals. By the way, are you skilled in calligraphy and painting?”
Princess Qin thought for a moment. “I’m not skilled in either. Though I’ve met Master Ning once, we’re not acquainted. How about this – let’s visit the Meng mansion and have Meng Yao come with us.”
“Who is Meng Yao?” Yue Ning didn’t know her.
Princess Qin briefly explained Meng Yao’s family background and Yue Ning understood. The two left the mansion and headed straight for the Meng residence. When they arrived, seeing two princesses visiting, the doorkeeper hurried in to announce them.
Meng Yao rushed out with Meng Zi Chen to welcome them.
Since returning from the spring hunt, Princess Qin hadn’t seen Meng Yao. This visit was both social and to seek her help. Meng Yao excelled in the four arts – zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting – and was particularly skilled in appreciating artwork. Moreover, Ning Bu Yi had painted for the Meng family before and personally delivered the paintings. Having Meng Yao accompany them to the gallery couldn’t be more perfect.
Meng Yao didn’t know Yue Ning, but once she learned of her identity, she understood the close relationship between her and Princess Qin. She wanted to invite them to sit for a while, but Princess Qin explained their purpose with a smile, adding, “You probably don’t know, but Young Master Wei stayed at An Yang Marquis’s mansion while in Jin Zhou. Last time, he took the Princess to the gallery, but Master Ning wasn’t there. So this time we want to see some famous paintings again. You know Master Ning, so it’s perfect if you come with us. I haven’t seen you in days either – it’ll be nice for the three of us to go out together…”
Meng Yao quickly said, “Oh, so the Princess knows Young Master Wei too? Speaking of which, my father has been unwell these days, so I’ve been staying home and haven’t gone out. Perfectly, you came to find me – I could use some diversion too.”
She invited them to sit while she went to change clothes.
Princess Qin smiled, “Young Master Wei was originally Minister Meng’s student, so he knows Meng Yao too.”
Yue Ning nodded. “The capital is small.”
The capital was neither large nor small. Princess Qin said, “It’s all fate.”
After Meng Yao changed, Princess Qin chatted briefly with Meng Zi Chen and the three-headed at the Ran Mo Art Gallery. It was now early summer, and by noon the weather showed hints of heat. People on the streets had changed into summer clothes, and tourists bustled about creating a lively atmosphere. The carriage soon arrived at the gallery.
As soon as the carriage stopped, a servant came out to greet them. Yue Ning had been here before, and Meng Yao was a regular customer. The servant cleverly led the three inside, and Meng Yao asked, “Is Master Ning in?”
“Yes, yes, but Master Ning is currently entertaining guests. Please, ladies, wait in the upstairs private room.”
The servant respectfully led the three upstairs and served tea and snacks. Being an art gallery, the private room had several paintings hanging, all famous works. However, being displayed in a reception area, they were naturally reproductions.
Yue Ning looked around and praised, “This Master Ning is indeed remarkable.”
Meng Yao smiled, “I heard Master Ning came from a wealthy family but had no interest in officialdom. In his early years, he sought out master painters everywhere to study, achieving his current success. Now he no longer needs to make a living from painting and selling art. These reproductions alone are good enough to pass for originals. Yet in his early years when his reputation in the capital wasn’t established, he moved among official families, and even now doesn’t put on airs about his status. If any family invites him, he still goes to paint for them – he couldn’t be a better person.”
Yue Ning nodded at this, about to speak when they heard the sound of something heavy falling.
The sound seemed to come from a nearby room, startling all three women. Yue Ning opened the door and stood in the corridor, looking up to see the sound coming from the third room ahead.
Moreover, the sound of more objects falling followed from that room. Yue Ning raised her eyebrow and hurried forward. Princess Qin, worried for Yue Ning’s safety, quickly followed, and Meng Yao, supported by her maid, hurried along too.
Just as the three reached outside the room, they heard a low roar from inside!
“Please restrain yourself, Young Master! If Young Master seeks entertainment, go to Feng Qi Tower. This is not a place for your impropriety!”
The voice was extremely low but full of anger and humiliation. Hearing these words, Yue Ning could imagine the speaker’s flushed, angry face!
As soon as the words fell, another voice rang out, “Ning Bu Yi! Are you refusing my goodwill?! What are you playing at, acting so pure?! Hm?! Don’t you believe I could tear down this gallery of yours?!”
“Please let go, Young Master. I am an upright and honorable man. If Young Master tries to force me, I can only die to preserve my integrity! Let go! Let go—”
“Oh my, look at you, putting on such airs. An upright and honorable man?! If you’re such a man, why do you wear powder and rouge?! Don’t think I don’t know about your private dealings with many noble families in the capital. You call them private dealings, but aren’t they just trysts?! I happen to like your looks, what’s wrong with letting me have a taste?!”
“Young Master! I am but a merchant. If Young Master uses power to oppress me, I have no means to resist. If so, I can only end my life…”
The words from inside were shocking. Meng Yao listened with a pale face and wide eyes, while Yue Ning’s brow furrowed tightly. As for Princess Qin, her eyes flashed coldly. The bully inside – though Meng Yao and Yue Ning didn’t know who it was, she recognized the voice immediately!
Princess Qin quickly whispered in Yue Ning’s ear.
Yue Ning’s eyebrows shot up, and she stepped forward to kick open the door.
As the door opened, they saw overturned tables and chairs, a broken vase by the door, and by the window, the Young Master of the Loyal Duke’s mansion, Feng Zhang, had Ning Bu Yi pinned against the windowsill. One hand gripped Ning Bu Yi’s hand while the other disgustingly caressed his face. Ning Bu Yi’s upper body was leaning out the window – he looked about to fall!
Feng Zhang caught in his evil act, never expected anyone to burst in. He became angry. “Who?! Get out of here!”
Hearing no one leave but instead footsteps approaching, Feng Zhang’s eyes filled with rage. He turned to curse, “I said get out—”
Before he could finish “out,” Yue Ning’s fist landed on his right eye!
Feng Zhang cried out in pain and toppled sideways. Ning Bu Yi didn’t recognize Yue Ning but knew Princess Qin and Meng Yao. His face flushed red as he straightened his clothes. Feng Zhang came to his senses, touching his blackening eye, and glared furiously at Yue Ning and the others. He didn’t know Yue Ning, but seeing Princess Qin there, his eyes immediately widened!
“You… why are you here?!”
Princess Qin laughed coldly as she stepped forward. “I should ask you that, Young Master! What are you doing here?! This is an art gallery, a place of refinement, yet you bring your thuggish behavior from the Loyal Duke’s mansion here. Have you forgotten your previous beating?”
Mentioning his beating by Yan Chi immediately enraged Feng Zhang further.
Since being beaten by Yan Chi, healing his injuries was the least of his concerns – he had been thoroughly cold-shouldered by the Emperor. Even the Noble Consort didn’t dare let him enter the palace often. These past months, he had been confined by the Loyal Duke for a long time. He had only been released for a few days when he came to the gallery, unable to bear the boredom and anxiety. The Loyal Duke had warned several brothels not to receive him, and even if he went, they wouldn’t dare entertain him. Thus, he turned his attention to harassing Ning Bu Yi.
But how did Princess Qin end up here, and who was this person who struck him?!
Now that Princess Qin had been granted the title of Yong Ci Princess, he could no longer treat her as before. Her status was clear – if he showed her disrespect again, he would be thoroughly despised by both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
He couldn’t provoke Princess Qin, but surely he could deal with the person who hit him?!
Though Yue Ning wore men’s robes, Feng Zhang, experienced in reading people, immediately recognized her as a woman. But what of it? A woman dared to strike him?! Who gave her such courage?
Feng Zhang spat and pushed himself up with one hand. Without a word, he struck at Yue Ning. Though his martial arts weren’t exceptional, he had trained in horsemanship and archery since childhood. His sudden attack terrified Princess Qin!
“Feng Zhang! Do you know who she is?! How dare you!”
Feng Zhang laughed coldly. “I don’t care who she is!”
Princess Qin was about to speak again, but Yue Ning glanced at her – telling her to stop. Princess Qin swallowed her words and pulled Meng Yao back a step, watching the fight between Yue Ning and Feng Zhang with concern.
They exchanged blows back and forth, several rounds passing in the blink of an eye. Though Feng Zhang was a man, he gained no advantage. This made him increasingly angry and vicious. At one point, a cold glint flashed from his sleeve – he had secretly drawn a dagger and thrust it toward Yue Ning!
Princess Qin was horrified. “Yue Ning! Watch out!”
Feng Zhang only caught the name “Yue” and couldn’t recall any powerful family in the capital with that surname. This made him even more reckless. With a soft “swish,” the cold-gleaming dagger slashed past Yue Ning’s sleeve. Though she dodged, Yue Ning still let out a soft grunt—
“Yue Ning!” Princess Qin cried out, hurrying forward. A shocking red mark appeared on Yue Ning’s hand.
Yue Ning raised her hand to stop Princess Qin, frowning as her eyes grew fierce. She immediately attacked Feng Zhang again. His first success had only come from a sudden sneak attack. Now alert, Yue Ning disarmed him in three moves, threw aside the dagger, and began punching him, landing blow after blow on his eyes and nose. Soon, Feng Zhang was crawling out the door, howling with a swollen face. “You’ll all pay for this! Especially you!”
After this threat, Feng Zhang ran away. Princess Qin hurried to Yue Ning’s side. Yue Ning had worked up a light sweat from fighting, and the wound on her hand had opened wider, blood dripping down. Nearby, Ning Bu Yi approached apologetically. “Princess, I’ll get some medicine. Please wait in the next room!”
Princess Qin nodded, and Ning Bu Yi immediately left. His clothes were disheveled from Feng Zhang’s harassment, and he straightened them as he hurried out. Princess Qin took out a handkerchief to wrap Yue Ning’s hand before helping her out.
Seeing Princess Qin’s worried face, Yue Ning said helplessly, “It’s nothing serious, just a small wound!”
Princess Qin replied irritably, “I know you wanted to teach him a lesson, but this person is treacherous and vicious. To use such underhanded methods against a woman – he’s truly the height of shamelessness…”
Princess Qin wasn’t one to curse, but she wished she knew more vicious words to berate Feng Zhang. Yue Ning found it amusing. “Alright, the Young Master of the Loyal Duke’s mansion, is it?” She looked at her hand. “Since we can’t hide it anyway, let’s go to the palace with this injury.”
Yue Ning wanted the Empress Dowager to know about this. If it became a big issue, Feng Zhang would surely suffer.
Meng Yao hadn’t expected this outing to result in Yue Ning’s injury and felt very uneasy. Moreover, the attacker was Feng Zhang, and with her father demoted, the Meng family no longer held their former influence. She could be of no help at all.
Princess Qin squeezed her hand. “It’s fine, don’t worry.”
Meng Yao smiled bitterly. Just then, Ning Bu Yi returned with a servant carrying medicine. In this brief time, he had changed clothes and tidied his black hair. Princess Qin immediately began treating and bandaging Yue Ning’s wound.
Ning Bu Yi stood nearby and bowed to the three ladies. “Thank you all. I’m ashamed to say this matter was too embarrassing to speak of, yet you ladies witnessed it and saved me. I am deeply grateful.”
Princess Qin quickly said, “It’s not Master Ning’s fault. Feng Zhang was too overbearing. Master Ning shouldn’t receive him anymore.”
Ning Bu Yi smiled bitterly. “Young Master Feng is a young master, while I… ah…”
The status gap was too great, and with Feng Zhang’s spoiled nature, refusing to receive him might cause even more trouble. The three ladies could only sympathize with Ning Bu Yi, unable to offer any real solution.
As Ning Bu Yi was apologizing, suddenly the sound of hoofbeats came from outside the gallery. Ning Bu Yi frowned and went to the window. Looking down, his expression changed. “Princess, Young Master Feng has returned with men from the Nine Cities Patrol!”
Princess Qin frowned, as did Yue Ning. They exchanged glances, and Yue Ning stood up. “We haven’t even gone to the palace yet, and he delivers himself to us. Let’s go down and see…”
Yue Ning led Princess Qin downstairs, with Ning Bu Yi and Meng Yao hurrying after them.
Outside the Ran Mo Gallery, Feng Zhang was angrily pointing at the main door. “The criminal is inside! Go in and arrest her for me!”
Feng Zhang’s face was truly pitiful with its bruises. The commander, Qin Yi, stepped forward. “May I ask, Young Master, what exactly does this criminal look like?”
Feng Zhang snorted coldly, his eyes shifting as he said, “Looks like a woman…”
If he said it was a woman, Feng Zhang feared these officers might be lenient, so he deliberately left it ambiguous.
Just as he spoke, Princess Qin and Yue Ning appeared at the door. Feng Zhang’s eyes lit up as he pointed at Yue Ning. “That’s her! That’s her, arrest her! She injured me, I want her severely punished…”
Qin Yi’s brow deeply furrowed. He had met Yue Ning before, not to mention his sister stood beside her.
Qin Yi raised an eyebrow. “Young Master, you mean… her?”
Qin Yi sought confirmation repeatedly, and Feng Zhang kept nodding. “Yes, her! Arrest her already!”
Qin Yi dismounted somewhat helplessly and walked toward Yue Ning. Feng Zhang, thinking Qin Yi was going to arrest her, showed a vicious smile. No matter how well she could fight, she couldn’t resist so many officers!
As Feng Zhang was feeling triumphant, he suddenly froze, looking incredulously at the gallery entrance.
He never expected that when Qin Yi reached Yue Ning, instead of arresting her, he would kneel before her.
Qin Yi announced loudly, “Greetings to Princess Yong Ning—”
Feng Zhang’s heart lurched. Princess Yong Ning? Who was Princess Yong Ning?!
Feng Zhang’s mind raced, and suddenly his spine went cold as he remembered! He remembered! Princess Yong Ning was surnamed Yue! Who else could it be but the young princess from An Yang Marquis’s family?!
Having been imprisoned for many days, upon release he had heard the Grand Princess had returned to the capital, but he had forgotten it immediately, paying no attention. How could he have imagined that in avoiding Princess Qin, he had attacked someone of even higher status?!
Feng Zhang’s knees went weak. He was finished, finished!