For a moment, Feng Yue even wanted to give him a military salute and ask, “General, will I be under your command from now on, protected by you, charging into battle for you?”
But she knew without asking – yes, Yin Gezhi was extremely protective of his people. Once you were in the same boat with him, he would shield you from any incoming storms. Being behind him was safer than anywhere else.
She patted the object and tucked it directly into her bosom, then rubbed her bottom. The material was peculiar – neither soft nor hard, and extremely light. Using it as a cushion had somewhat relieved the pain, though she still had to endure some discomfort. Limping into the room, Feng Yue asked, “Nanny, may this servant sleep with you tonight?”
“I have extra bedding, we can make a bed on the floor.” Leading her inside, Nanny Xun opened the cabinet and began making the bed, chattering away, “These are winter quilts. They might be a bit warm, so I’ll put a bamboo mat on top for you. It’s been a long time since anyone stayed here – I’ve been living alone, so you’ll have to make do.”
Feng Yue nodded, suddenly feeling that this nanny seemed to enjoy having company. She wasn’t as frightening as those young ladies had said. If they found her scary… it was probably because they couldn’t endure the hardship of learning proper etiquette, unlike herself who was tough as nails and used to standing watch on battlefields – nothing felt tiring to her.
Once the bed was made, Feng Yue slowly lay down on her stomach, sighing contentedly before turning to smile at Nanny Xun, “Thank you, Nanny!”
She could put on an act for anyone, but with kind elderly people like this, she just wanted to crouch before them and wag her tail.
Nanny Xun sighed happily, appearing to be in good spirits, and offered her some hemp balls from the table, saying, “I talk quite a bit. Since I’m bored, let me tell you about the General’s mansion, if you don’t mind this old woman’s chatter.”
“Not at all, not at all.” Feng Yue smiled, “Please go ahead, this servant loves to listen.”
She truly did love to listen! She would have had to put in effort to gather information otherwise, and might not even have succeeded. Now she had an elderly insider specifically telling her everything – what more could she ask for?
So Nanny Xun took out her embroidery frame and needle, and began speaking while embroidering a handkerchief, “Speaking of the General’s mansion, we must start with the Great General himself. General Yi came from common origins, his family ran a small business. Though their status wasn’t high, his martial arts were excellent and he knew how to fight, so he became a centurion within just two years of joining the army. Then there was Miss Yi… General Yi’s sister, Yi Yuxuan. She was fortunate enough to enter the palace, and within a year was elevated to Noble Consort. This led to General Yi being promoted to general after the bandit suppression campaign, receiving many imperial favors. Later, during the war with Wei, General Yi’s military achievements were illustrious, and His Majesty bestowed this mansion upon him.”
Blinking, Feng Yue couldn’t help but ask, “Were you serving Noble Consort Yi?”
“Yes.” Nanny Xun said, “Noble Consort Yi was stunningly beautiful and remained in the Emperor’s favor for ten years, though it’s a pity she had no children. Even with all that favor, she remained just a Noble Consort. But His Majesty didn’t reject her, continued to bestow many favors, and she lived quite well.”
No children, no competition for the position of Empress or the throne – what secrets could she have that would make the General keep all her former palace servants confined within his mansion? Feng Yue couldn’t figure it out, her eyes full of curiosity.
Seeing her expression, Nanny Xun guessed what she was thinking and smiled, “Those who can maintain high positions naturally leave no loose ends. Even if we know nothing, we still can’t leave this General’s mansion.”
Carefully glancing around, Feng Yue supported herself up while holding her waist, moved closer to Nanny Xun, and blinked as she asked, “So you don’t know anything?”
With a momentary flicker in her eyes, Nanny Xun said, “Whether I know anything or not, it’s all going to the grave with me. What does it matter?”
“It matters!” Feng Yue said earnestly, “This servant wants to hear!”
Her eyes sparkled like those idle people in teahouses who, having eaten their fill, wanted to hear others’ private affairs and gossip. Nanny Xun laughed and tapped her head, “Haven’t you heard that knowing too much leads to an early death?”
“This servant has figured it out – since we don’t know when we might be beaten to death by our masters anyway, might as well know more before dying.” She looked behind herself with gritted teeth, full of indignation.
Finding this girl quite amusing, and having nothing else to do, Nanny Xun thought for a moment, put down her embroidery needle, and got up to close the door.
“For all these years, there’s one thing this old woman has never understood,” Nanny Xun crouched beside her and spoke slowly, “Noble Consort once carried a child, a most precious imperial offspring, but she miscarried it herself, and in the process caused the death of a Zhao Yi. Using her child to deal with Zhao Yi – doesn’t that seem wasteful?”
Imperial secrets! Feng Yue grew excited, “She miscarried it herself?”
With a somewhat confused look, Nanny Xun seemed to be recalling something, then muttered, “She was in a bad mood and drank too much, staying in her palace drinking day and night. The physician had clearly said she couldn’t drink… Then one day she stopped drinking, bathed, changed clothes, and took a long walk, during which she encountered Zhao Yi. In the ensuing pushing and shoving, she fell, and the child was lost. His Majesty was furious and confined Zhao Yi to the Cold Palace, but this old woman didn’t understand – if she truly wanted the child, how could she drink so much? But if she didn’t want it… why wouldn’t she want it?”
Listening in shock, Feng Yue instinctively blurted out, “Could it be that it wasn’t the Emperor’s?”
Turning pale, Nanny Xun gave her a horrified look.
Frightened by her expression, Feng Yue quickly waved her hands, “This servant was just talking nonsense, please don’t take it to heart.”
Opening and closing her mouth, Nanny Xun shook her head. After letting out a long breath, she changed the subject, “But General Yi was very caring toward Noble Consort, visiting the palace three times a month to pay respects when in the capital. It was because of him that the Noble Consort wasn’t bullied by anyone.”
“Nanny,” Feng Yue blinked, “May this servant ask a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“When the Great General went to the palace to pay respects, what did he usually discuss with Noble Consort?”
Shaking her head, Nanny Xun said, “When the siblings talked, all servants waited outside, so naturally no one could hear what they discussed.”
“I see.” Feng Yue nodded, then smiled, “Let’s rest early. This servant’s body probably needs two days of rest, perfect timing to not work and keep Nanny company instead.”
“You mean you listen while I talk? And you call that keeping me company?” Nanny Xun shook her head, “Taking advantage and still acting clever!”
“Nanny is the best!” Feng Yue grinned, burying her face in the pillow and pretending to doze off.
Nanny Xun got up, tucked her in, then fetched water to clean up the courtyard before going to bed herself, lying flat with hands folded over her stomach, sleeping properly.
As she slept, Feng Yue suddenly felt her body float, and the sensation of weightlessness made her eyes snap open!
Night had fallen. There wasn’t even a moon tonight – perfect weather for murder, arson, and thievery.
His Highness Yin Gezhi, who was just about to engage in some thievery himself, was wearing unseasonably thin clothes, his black hair tied high, and was carrying her as he flew out of Nanny Xun’s courtyard.
“Hey, hey?” Feng Yue asked quietly, “What are you doing?”
If you’re going to steal something, just go steal it – why steal her?
Looking at her with disdain, Yin Gezhi directly threw her into a deserted corner, then reached out to grab her chest!
“Hey!” Feng Yue gritted her teeth, crossing her arms over her chest, “Your Highness, even if you want this servant, shouldn’t you consider the location?”
Rolling his eyes, Yin Gezhi pulled her hands away, pinning them against the wall behind her, then lowered his head, his snow-white fangs tearing open her clothes to retrieve the heart-protecting scale.
Feng Yue: “…”
Was he a part dog?
“Shouldn’t you be in the guest room?” With her hands freed, Feng Yue awkwardly adjusted her clothes and asked quietly.
Yin Gezhi didn’t respond, but took something from his bosom and held it out to her.
Squinting in the darkness for a long while, she finally saw that what he held was the earring she had thrown away.
He already got it?! Feng Yue was stunned, “So quickly?”
There hadn’t been any disturbance in the mansion at all, not even a diversionary tactic like shouting “Fire!” – and he had already retrieved it?
Looking at her contemptuously, Yin Gezhi said, “If you didn’t have some use, with such a stupid brain, I should have let you be beaten to death.”
She was stupid?! Feng Yue glared. Since it was dark all around and no one could see anyone else, her courage instantly swelled: “How is this servant stupid? If it weren’t for this servant, you wouldn’t have found the place so easily!”
“That’s why I said you have some use,” Yin Gezhi said, “The rest is stupidity.”
Damn, so now that he’d succeeded he was in the mood to mock her? Feng Yue narrowed her eyes and stomped hard on his foot!
“Ugh.” His Highness Yin winced in pain and said angrily, “What are you doing?”
“Sorry, this servant couldn’t see and thought there was ground to step on,” Feng Yue blinked innocently and said, “Since you’re done, and have taken back the heart-protecting scale, this servant will go back to rest.”
“Wait,” Yin Gezhi pressed his lips together, “There’s one more thing I need you to do.”
“What?”
“The things in the guest room,” Yin Gezhi pressed his lips, “There’s too much for me to take out alone. They’re all piled behind your courtyard now. Think of a way to transport those things to the back gate by daybreak.”
What?! Feng Yue’s face turned green, “Transport them at daybreak? Do you think this is the envoy’s mansion where people can come and go freely? With so many confidential items, how is a mere servant girl like me supposed to explain?”
“That’s not my concern,” Yin Gezhi’s lips curved slightly, “I trust you.”
Trust your ghost! Ghosts can float, she can’t! Feng Yue glared, about to speak again, but this beast in human clothing hoisted her up and silently threw her back.
Heavens above! Feng Yue was distraught – what should she do? Never mind everything else, how was she supposed to explain to Nanny Xun tomorrow morning about that pile of things that appeared out of nowhere?
Burying her face in the pillow with a headache, Feng Yue thought, to hell with it! She’d just pretend she knew nothing and play dumb with Nanny Xun tomorrow – better him than her!
However, early the next morning, when Nanny Xun opened her eyes, she saw Feng Yue smiling sweetly while holding a brush, asking, “Nanny, do you know how to read?”