Ever since Wet Nurse had died, Yanu was the only person in this world that Feng Jiu’er trusted.
If even he had betrayed her — Feng Jiu’er knew she would never again trust another living soul!
Seeing through her, Yanu showed not the slightest panic. He simply gazed at her steadily, shaking his head with gentle, soft eyes.
Feng Jiu’er breathed out in great relief. So — Yanu had done this to protect her.
Just now…… she had actually suspected him.
“I’m sorry, Yanu.”
Perhaps Yanu had been right. If the old Feng Jiu’er had possessed a face of such celestial, nation-toppling beauty, she would long since have been destroyed countless times over.
Because she was plain enough — thoroughly unremarkable — the people in the manor paid her face no mind and would not have gone to the added trouble of disfiguring her further.
Yanu had always guarded her with his silent devotion.
Feng Jiu’er took his large hand in hers and drew him to sit down. She was just about to say something when, all at once, her long fingers brushed against the pulse point at his wrist. Her brow furrowed.
“Yanu, your body……” Why? Yanu’s pulse was so strange. He…… carried poison in his body!
But it was a peculiar poison — not one that Feng Jiu’er could identify at a moment’s notice.
Yanu’s eyes held a smile as he gazed at her face, slightly transfixed.
He likely had no idea about his own condition. Feng Jiu’er decided she would not speak of it until she had found a way to cure the poison within him.
From outside the door, the sound of hurried, somewhat disorderly footsteps suddenly reached them.
Whoever it was seemed reluctant to come, yet was being pushed by something or someone — and in the end, after much hesitation, came anyway.
Yanu’s expression changed slightly. He immediately snatched the scar-shaped soft skin mask from Feng Jiu’er’s hand and pressed it back onto her face.
Feng Jiu’er did not resist. By the time a knock sounded at the door, her face had once more resumed its ugly appearance.
“Little Sister Jiu’er, it’s Elder Sister Qingyin — may I come in?” From outside came Feng Qingyin’s voice.
The nerve of this woman to still dare to show her face!
Feng Jiu’er glanced at Yanu; the latter’s expression was visibly displeased.
She patted his hand in reassurance, gave a faint smile, then said lazily: “Oh, is that Elder Sister Qingyin? Come in then.”
She grabbed an apple from the table and took a bite, settling into her chair with both legs dangling — the very picture of carefree ease.
Feng Qingyin had clearly been very reluctant while still outside the door, but the moment she stepped in, her face was all soft and gentle warmth.
“Little Sister Jiu’er, Elder Sister saw you were injured today and came especially to check on you. Are you all right, Little Sister?”
“Yes, I was injured — I’m not sure if it happened while catching the thief. I’ve already forgotten.” Feng Jiu’er grinned cheerfully and took another bite of the apple.
“Oh, Elder Sister Qingyin — weren’t you also injured? You were crying in the back courtyard this morning.”
The smile froze on Feng Qingyin’s face. What had happened that morning was the greatest humiliation of her entire life!
If it were not for Father and Mother repeatedly warning her that the current Feng Jiu’er was a favored figure in the Ninth Prince’s household — and the Feng family’s lucky star — and that she could not afford to offend her for the time being——
She absolutely would — absolutely — tear this contemptible wretch apart with her own hands!
Feng Jiu’er, however, looked as though she had not the faintest idea that her words had wounded anyone.
She turned to look at Yanu, her expression all guileless innocence: “Yanu, the weather is turning warm now — when you go out, you can dress more lightly too.”
“Just like Elder Sister Qingyin — she was only wearing an inner bodice in the back courtyard this morning. How refreshingly cool that must have been.”
Feng Jiu’er still wore her look of complete innocence: “What’s the matter, Elder Sister Qingyin? Are you trying to take off your clothes again?”