Xu Wenlin was the head snake among the local snakes, even the city gates were his territory.

Madam Xu: “Ah?”

“Mother has thought about it too, right? A higher official can crush a lower one. There are officials in the royal court more powerful than Xu Wenlin. If the Feng business were to establish connections with them, Xu Wenlin wouldn’t dare to do anything to you. After all, he’s an official, not a bandit—he can’t just abduct someone and flee Yao Capital.”

“Well,” Madam Xu hesitated, “I have thought about it, but what does the Feng business have that would catch anyone’s eye?” If someone outranked Xu Wenlin, their standards and status would correspondingly be higher. What assets did the Feng business, a foreign merchant house, have that would make someone willing to offer assistance?

Feng Miaojun smiled sweetly: “Beauty, of course.”

Madam Xu wasn’t normally a soft-natured person; she had only been speaking softly until now because she felt guilty. But after being teased like this by Feng Miaojun, she finally couldn’t help but show her temper, exclaiming: “An’an, what nonsense are you talking about! Are you suggesting that your mother should offer herself as a gift to someone?”

Feng Miaojun replied in astonishment: “What is mother saying? I meant we could buy a beauty to give as a gift.”

Madam Xu knew she was talking nonsense and frowned: “Your mother is at her wits’ end, and you still have the heart to joke!”

“If you’re at your wits’ end, why didn’t you plan to tell me from the beginning?” Feng Miaojun’s gaze was piercing, instantly seeing that Madam Xu had intended to conceal the Feng business’s difficulties, but Peng Bai had revealed them. After all, Peng Bai’s loyalty was to Princess Changle.

Madam Xu sighed: “An’an’s situation is so precarious; you shouldn’t add more worries. The Feng business’s troubles are, in the end, just changes in the account books. If Xu Wenlin makes any more outrageous moves, I can close the business and go to another country. What An’an needs to focus on now is dealing with the State Preceptor of Wei.”

Every word was filled with a mother’s sincerity. Moved, Feng Miaojun couldn’t help but put away her smile and said solemnly: “I heed mother’s teachings. I was wrong.” But in her heart, she silently warned herself—she used to be such a steady person, when had she become so glib? Hmm, could it be that staying by Yun Ya’s side for too long had rubbed off on her? Like how ink stains what’s near it?

“As for Xu Wenlin, I will think of a way. The Feng business should maintain its current state for now.” Seeing that Madam Xu was about to object, she quickly added, “Does mother have feelings for Peng Bai?”

Madam Xu nearly choked: “What nonsense!” Her eyes widened, but her cheeks were red.

Feng Miaojun stopped there, not probing further, but stood up and said: “I must go back. If I stay away too long, Yun Ya might become suspicious.” Exposing this place would expose the Feng business and Madam Xu, as well as her weaknesses.

Madam Xu understood the stakes and quickly composed herself, reminding her daughter to be careful above all else, before accompanying Peng Bai to see her off at the front hall.

Feng Miaojun changed her face again before leaving, and only reverted to her Red Cloud appearance in a secluded spot, then strode away confidently.

She had left Peng Bai behind to protect her foster mother and support her, not expecting these two to develop feelings for each other.

Thinking about it, it wasn’t surprising. Madam Xu had been widowed for many years and was at a woman’s most flourishing age. Peng Bai was steady, capable, and had a decent appearance. With Madam Xu and him spending time together day and night, it was natural for feelings to develop quietly.

Most importantly, Madam Xu held many secrets in her heart that she couldn’t tell anyone, and only Peng Bai understood her.

Feng Miaojun knew that both Madam Xu and Peng Bai’s difficulty lay with her. She was Peng Bai’s master—how could she allow her subordinate to have an emotional entanglement with her foster mother?

But although Feng Miaojun was surprised, she truly didn’t mind very much. Looking at it from another angle, if Madam Xu were to remarry, marrying Peng Bai would be better than marrying a stranger. This way, Princess Changle’s secret would be less likely to be exposed.

The sun hadn’t set yet when Feng Miaojun returned to the guesthouse. But passing by Yun Ya’s room, she was startled to discover that he had already returned.

How strange—he usually wandered until the middle of the night. Why was he suddenly early today?

Yun Ya was leisurely sipping tea and reading, with incense burning beside his couch. With one sniff, she knew it was her blend. People these days mostly use agarwood and sandalwood—who would add freesia? That sweet, gentle scent wasn’t accepted by the current fashion.

Why did Yun Ya like it?

This thought only flashed through her mind briefly before she saw Yun Ya raise his head, quirking his lips at her, his handsome face showing a thin layer of displeasure: “Where have you been? Not caring that your master is starving?”

“Didn’t you give me time off?” The past few days he had been nowhere to be seen; how was she to know when he would return?

He threw down his book with a “bang”: “Quick, accompany me to dinner.”

“The guesthouse kitchen has just prepared yam and lamb soup…”

“Who wants to eat yams!” He was impatient at first, but then his handsome eyes brightened. “Though lamb does sound good. Hmm, let’s go eat antique soup!”

Feng Miaojun knew that the so-called “antique soup” was a hot pot, named after the “plunk” sound food makes when dropped into the pot. “…Alright.” Did she have the right to say no? Though thinking of the delicious lamb sliced thin, curling when scalded in the pot, then dipped in sauce, she also became hungry. Feng Miaojun swallowed: “I’ll go arrange for a carriage.”

“No need,” Yun Ya said with a smile. “There’s a place called ‘Shun Dong Feng’ just two hundred paces from here. Their lamb hot pot is quite good.”

Feng Miaojun quickly fetched a cloak and draped it over him. As she was adjusting his collar, Yun Ya suddenly lowered his head and sniffed: “Smells nice, is it mountain dream flower?”

She had just raised her head slightly, and his movement made it seem as if he was about to bury his face in her hair. Feng Miaojun quickly withdrew her head, giving an “mm” in response, but her heart skipped a beat. The long street outside the Renhe Hall medicine shop she had visited in the afternoon indeed had many daphne flowers growing, also known as mountain dream flowers.

Did this fellow have a dog’s nose? One sniff and he could identify it. She didn’t know if he spoke with intention or not. If he deliberately investigated… This reminded Feng Miaojun that no matter how cautious she was, in the eyes of such an expert, there would still be traces to follow.

She bit her lip and suddenly asked: “Does the young master still plan to take me to Wei?”

His voice came from above her head: “You don’t want to go?”

“I do.” Did she dare say she didn’t? “But I’m afraid the young master will abandon me in Yinzi City.”

Warmth spread under her chin as Yun Ya lifted it, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Why do you say that? Haven’t you been enjoying yourself lately?” He gave her time off, and now she was displeased?

“The young master has been out early and returning late recently. Could it be you have earth-shattering plans?” She was Yun Ya’s attendant, yet she hadn’t been involved, showing that she had no place in his plans.

She understood the great State Preceptor Yun better and better, knowing that dispensable people were likely to be treated as sacrificial pawns by him. The best outcome would be to throw her to fend for herself; the worst outcome… she dared not imagine.