Feng Yue was also curious. Although she hadn’t searched carefully, even at a glance, this courtyard was built with meticulous attention to detail. How could there be such a major oversight?
“Come look at this,” Ye Yuqing put away his fan and pointed toward the entrance.
Yi Zhangzhu immediately stood up, and Feng Yue also went over to look. They saw three-clawed golden dragons painted on the door lintel, swallowing clouds and breathing mist, quite impressive in bearing.
Yi Guoru, with his illustrious military achievements, was highly favored by the emperor. Not only was he granted permission to build this mansion, but he could even use three-clawed golden dragons as decorative patterns, showing how much the Prince of Wu relied on him.
However… looking carefully, something seemed off about these dragons.
Yi Zhangzhu noticed it too and exclaimed in surprise, somewhat puzzled: “Where are the eyes?”
How could these perfectly fine dragons be painted without eyes?
Ye Yuqing smiled and said, “Perhaps the craftsmen were careless. There are one hundred and eight dragons in this courtyard, and none of them have eyes painted.”
Feng Yue suddenly understood and let out a huge sigh of relief. Yi Zhangzhu was particularly displeased, glancing at Ye Yuqing with gritted teeth, her expression rather hurt.
Since childhood, the Crown Prince had always taken care of her, acting like both a brother and a suitor, protecting her in everything and always taking her side. Today, just for the sake of a courtesan, he wouldn’t help her?
Though bitter inside, a bet was a bet, and she had to accept defeat. Yi Zhangzhu darkened her face and waved for someone to bring out a recently acquired fine Hetian jade hairpin, pressing it into the Crown Prince’s hand. “Zhangzhu isn’t feeling well, so I won’t see you off. Take care on your way, both of you!”
Though she said “Take care,” she still shot an angry glance at Ye Yuqing, clearly having something to say.
Playing with the jade hairpin in his hand, Ye Yuqing acted as if he hadn’t seen Yi Zhangzhu’s expression and said, “I’m heading back to the palace. Feng Yue, come with me in my carriage, I’ll give you a ride.”
He was really leaving? Yi Zhangzhu was stunned, looking at him several times, then at Feng Yue.
This fox-like woman smiled enchantingly, bowed in acceptance, and left with the Crown Prince, completely ignoring her displeasure.
How could this be?!
Feng Yue knew the young lady would be angry, but since the Crown Prince wasn’t planning to give face this time, someone of her lowly status certainly couldn’t say more. She just lowered her head and followed along.
Behind them came the sound of Yi Zhangzhu stomping her feet and running away, with several maids shouting “Young Miss!” However, Ye Yuqing walked ahead without looking back, his robes flowing, maintaining that impossibly elegant demeanor.
How strange, Feng Yue couldn’t quite understand. From the earlier situation on Yi Su Street and popular rumors, wasn’t he quite fond of Yi Zhangzhu? Yet now he had completely dismissed her without showing even a hint of tenderness.
Entering the carriage, Feng Yue sat carefully and properly beside Ye Yuqing, who lazily leaned against the carriage wall, still playing with the hairpin, seemingly lost in thought.
Secretly glancing sideways at him, she saw his lips still carried that gentle smile, but his half-lowered eyes were dark and shadowy. When she accidentally met the faint gleam that escaped them, Feng Yue stiffened and quickly covered her eyes with her hands.
Such a gentle person could show such a terrifying look.
After a moment of silence in the carriage, Ye Yuqing opened his eyes and chuckled softly: “You’re so bold, yet you’re scared of me?”
Feng Yue trembled: “This servant isn’t bold at all, even the slightest thing can startle me.”
“That’s quite surprising.” Sitting up straight, Ye Yuqing leaned closer to her: “If you’re not bold, how dare you run wild in General Yi’s mansion, hmm?”
Yi Zhangzhu might not have seen through her intentions, but such tricks were far too obvious to him. It just happened that he was also curious about General Yi’s residence, but due to his status, he never had the chance to investigate closely, and others couldn’t enter that place either. Her act of playing fool today had helped him.
However, he was very curious about why this courtesan, not content with seducing Yin Gezhi, would want to spy on the General’s mansion.
Blinking her eyes, Feng Yue’s gaze was clear and completely innocent as she said: “This servant was only running for her life! When fleeing for one’s life, mustn’t one run wherever possible? This servant only thought that places with more people would be safer, so seeing that courtyard had the most people, I rushed in.”
Then, biting her lip, she added with lingering fear: “That Sun Li is truly frightening, he moved against this servant without a word, fortunately, this servant ran fast enough…”
Her expression was genuine, the fear and relief in her eyes absolutely real, leaving Ye Yuqing slightly stunned.
Had he suspected the wrong person? Was she truly there by accident?
But everything she had said had provoked Yi Zhangzhu into letting her look around that courtyard freely – could that also be a coincidence?
“But did this servant offend Young Lady Yi today?” The woman before him sighed, quite troubled: “I had planned to deliberately lose the bet to make Young Lady Yi happy, who knew Your Highness would be so unrelenting? Now she must be even more angry with this servant.”
She had planned to lose? Ye Yuqing frowned: “If you lost, you would truly have had to serve Sun Li. After you publicly rejected him earlier, if you fell into his hands, he certainly wouldn’t have treated you well.”
“This servant understands all that.” Feng Yue lowered her head, her small frame curling into a ball: “But what choice does this servant have? In this profession, we fear offending people most of all. Who knows when we might die in an alley, without even someone to collect our bodies.”
His heart stirred slightly, and Ye Yuqing pressed his lips together, saying with some pity: “With my protection, no one can cause your death.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Looking up at him with a smile, Feng Yue let out a sigh of relief: “With Your Highness’s protection, this servant can now sleep peacefully.”
Nodding slightly, Ye Yuqing said softly: “When we get to Menghou Tower, I’ll book your services while we’re there.”
Yin Gezhi’s previous booking of her for several days should have just ended today.
Her heart skipped a beat, but Feng Yue’s face showed only coy bashfulness as she nodded in agreement.
What was meant to be would always come to pass. She had planned from the start to climb into the Crown Prince’s bed, and now after several twists and turns, it was finally going to happen.
No backing down now!
Clutching her handkerchief, Feng Yue happily watched the road through the window, as if eagerly anticipating their arrival at Menghou Tower. Ye Yuqing watched her and shook his head with a smile.
Perhaps he had overthought things.
“Oh my goodness, my dear lady, you’re finally back!”
As soon as they entered Menghou Tower, they heard Madam Jin’s extremely loud voice and her robust figure rushed toward Feng Yue: “My good girl! That gentleman has booked you again for several days, quickly go upstairs… Oh? This gentleman is here too, please come in!”
Confused by her words, Feng Yue blinked, looking back at Ye Yuqing.
The Crown Prince unhurriedly came to Madam Jin’s side, fanning himself as he asked: “Who has booked Miss Feng Yue?”
Looking at this handsome young gentleman, Madam Jin touched her temples coyly and said: “Who else could it be? The gentleman who booked Feng Yue a few days ago took a real liking to her. He came today and extended for several more days.”
The door on the third floor opened, and someone stood there, coldly looking down from behind the railing.
Feng Yue looked up and saw Yin Gezhi’s sneering face.
Her vision went dark, and Feng Yue almost wanted to shake her fist at him! What terrible luck! Couldn’t she properly seduce a Crown Prince in peace? Why did he have to be everywhere?!
Somewhat annoyed, she turned and said: “Madam Jin, I’ve already accepted this gentleman as a client. How can you say I’ve been booked by someone else at this time…”
“In our line of work, such conflicts often arise,” Madam Jin smiled. “That’s why we have rules – whoever pays first and registers with me has priority. Young gentleman, if you’re looking for company, we have plenty of beautiful ladies in Menghou Tower. Would you like to look at others?”
Ye Yuqing shook his head, closing his fan and gently tapping it on Feng Yue’s forehead: “I’ve set my heart on her.”
“Well…” Madam Jin smiled apologetically: “Everything has its rules.”
“I understand the rules,” Ye Yuqing nodded: “So, how many days has that gentleman booked?”
“Five days.”
“Very well, then I’ll register with Madam now for after that.” He tossed her a silver ingot and nodded slightly toward the third floor, then turned to leave: “I’ll return in five days then.”
Madam Jin’s face wrinkled with smiles as she accepted the silver, following him out several steps while calling out: “Take care on your way, sir! Mind your step!”
Letting out a heavy breath, Feng Yue resigned herself to lifting her skirts and going upstairs.
Yin Gezhi sat in the room drinking tea. Seeing her enter, he barely lifted his eyelids: “What were you doing at the General’s mansion?”
Startled with a shiver, Feng Yue stepped back twice, watching him warily: “How did you know this servant went to the General’s mansion?”
Impatiently pulling at the robe she wore, Yin Gezhi frowned: “I may not know other things, but I recognize the outer robes of the General’s mansion’s maids.”
Oh, so that’s how. Feng Yue smiled coquettishly, snuggling into his embrace to sit as she said: “Today this servant was invited by Young Lady Yi to the General’s mansion, had some tea, and when my clothes were damaged, I borrowed a maid’s robe to return.”
Unconsciously gripping her waist to steady her, Yin Gezhi said coldly and sarcastically: “Your clothes seem to get damaged quite easily.”
Isn’t that all because these awful men always love tearing at people’s clothes? Feng Yue bared her teeth, like a fierce tiger about to complain, when she suddenly caught his glance sweeping over. Immediately her fur softened and her tail drooped, transforming from a tiger into a fawning cat: “You speak truly, sir. Madam Jin should buy some better clothes.”
With a light snort, Yin Gezhi said: “I’ll stay here tonight. Get yourself ready.”
“Yes, of course!” Feng Yue nodded, immediately going to find Ling Shu to help her bathe and change.
“Miss,” in the bathhouse, Ling Shu whispered innocently in her ear: “We just met Mrs. Zhao who sells mung bean cakes! She was very concerned about you and said with the recent weather changes, you should take care of your health.”
Listening, Feng Yue smiled sweetly and said: “Since she’s so thoughtful, shouldn’t Ling Shu buy more mung bean cakes to support her business? Here’s some silver, go to Xiangyu Street later.”
Without suspicion, Ling Shu cheerfully agreed.
As night fell, Feng Yue wrapped herself in gauze robes and went upstairs. Suddenly feeling a breeze above her head, she instinctively exclaimed: “Who’s there!”