Feng Jiu’er had by now become something of a favorite at Consort Ya’s side, and the servants of Yaxiang Palace all treated her with great respect.

Consort Ya had originally offered to arrange separate lodgings for them, but Feng Jiu’er said she’d grown used to the thatched house, and the matter was quietly dropped.

Once the soldiers left, the two who had come out of the separate rooms both looked up at the same moment.

Time was short — they hadn’t yet had the chance to deal with their night-travel clothes.

At that moment, a bundle of black cloth was stuffed up into the rafters at the top of the house.

The next morning, Feng Jiu’er went as usual to attend to Consort Ya.

Today, Consort Ya seemed to be in a better mood than usual.

The maid Xiao You asked with a smile, “Consort, you seem to be in especially good spirits today.”

Consort Ya’s mouth curved upward. “Tomorrow there’s a happy occasion in the palace — isn’t it only natural that I’d be in good spirits?”

Feng Jiu’er, who was working the meridians of Consort Ya’s legs, glanced up.

“This one has heard that tomorrow is the day of the Night Prince’s grand wedding — is that true?”

“Of course.” Consort Ya answered with a smile.

She kept her head turned to the side, gazing at the sky beyond the drapery, the smile never leaving her lips.

“Consort, might this one be bold enough to ask which family’s daughter the Night Prince is marrying?” Feng Jiu’er pressed further, seizing the opening.

“It isn’t any family’s daughter at all — it’s an old woman!” Only then did Consort Ya draw her gaze back, letting out a sigh.

“I don’t know what His Majesty is thinking, giving away his own attendant to the Night Prince.”

“The Night Prince is a man of upright character and impeccable virtue — what a waste, marrying that woman!”

Feng Jiu’er’s hands paused for a moment as she massaged Consort Ya’s feet, then continued.

That old woman — could it be Han Ying?

She recalled Han Ying’s appearance, her fine crescent brows drawing together slightly.

That woman was both vicious and unsightly — not fit even to polish Father’s shoes!

“What a pity indeed!” Feng Jiu’er shook her head. “Still, His Majesty must have his reasons for doing this.”

“By the way, does the Consort know whether tomorrow’s wedding will be held inside the palace, or outside at the Night Prince’s own residence?”

“This one has always heard it said that His Majesty and the Night Prince are both men of rare, exceptional looks — it’s such a pity this one has never had the chance to lay eyes on them.”

“If tomorrow’s wedding is held at the Night Prince’s residence, this one really must go and join in the excitement.”

Consort Ya swept a glance over Feng Jiu’er, a hint of disdain in her eyes.

“Even a little servant girl like you dares to fancy the Night Prince — how utterly presumptuous!”

Feng Jiu’er set down Consort Ya’s foot, knelt, and bowed low.

“This one begs the Consort’s forgiveness — how would this one dare to fancy the Prince?”

“This one was merely curious what the most handsome man of the Feng Clan actually looks like. There was not the slightest improper thought.”

“Keep massaging.” Consort Ya rolled her eyes and closed hers.

“The wedding seems to be held at Feng Luan Hall, but I hear there will also be a procession out of the palace. His Majesty said the whole realm must share in the celebration!”

“Keep your eyes open tomorrow — perhaps you’ll get the chance to glimpse half of his face.”

“The Night Prince truly is a handsome and graceful man — the title of the Feng Clan’s most handsome man is well deserved.”

Feng Jiu’er, too, could now guess that she’d likely be able to see Feng Li tomorrow.

Feng Qiongcang was making such a grand show of it precisely to draw them out.

He wouldn’t possibly keep Father confined in the palace on such an important day.

Feng Jiu’er felt increasingly ill at ease. Father might be resigned to Han Ying — but Father surely didn’t actually like her.

Fifteen days. In fifteen days, she absolutely had to take Father away!

Feng Jiu’er shifted forward on her knees, took Consort Ya’s foot in her hands again, and continued pressing the sole.

“Consort, today makes the seventh day. Since your face won’t relapse, starting tomorrow, this one won’t need to come into the palace anymore, will she?”

“Of course you will.” Consort Ya opened her eyes, tilting her chin up slightly to look at her.

“You’ll live in the palace from now on. Your reward money won’t be reduced.”

“That won’t do.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head. “This one’s shop still needs tending to — this one can’t stay in the palace all the time.”

“Besides, this one doesn’t go out purely to treat patients.”

“Isn’t running a shop just about making money?” the maid Xiao You said, glancing at Feng Jiu’er while continuing to fan herself.

“In business, you can’t only look at the profit in front of you — you have to think of the long term.” Feng Jiu’er, without looking up, kept her hands moving.

“If we don’t keep developing new techniques to suit more people and more situations, the business won’t last.”

“Consort, don’t worry! Whenever you need this one, this one can still come into the palace at any time — it’s only a bit more troublesome, but that’s no matter.”

Feng Jiu’er gave Consort Ya no chance to speak and instead looked up to meet her eyes.

She leaned in and lowered her voice. “Consort, to be honest with you, our shop has recently introduced a new wellness treatment.”

“This one is about a woman’s…” She flushed and glanced down at Consort Ya’s abdomen.

“It’s a treatment that benefits both husband and wife.”

“It’s just that this technique is quite new, and this one hasn’t dared recommend it to you yet.”

“What sort of technique is it?” Consort Ya perked up with interest at once.

Her face had been improving day by day, and by now she had virtually no doubts left about Feng Jiu’er’s skill.

Feng Jiu’er looked at Consort Ya, who had half sat up, and pressed her lips together. “Does the Consort wish to try it as well?”

Consort Ya gave a light cough and lay back down again.

“This new technique you mention — what does it do?”

“It will make things more… tight.” The words slipped out of Feng Jiu’er’s mouth.

Consort Ya understood at once and pretended to look uninterested as she closed her eyes.

After a moment, she said, “It wouldn’t hurt to try — I trust your skill well enough.”

“Does the Consort really wish to try it?” Feng Jiu’er set down one of her feet and picked up the other.

Consort Ya opened her eyes and raised an eyebrow. “I can give it a try.”

“But it can’t be done here.” Feng Jiu’er shook her head, continuing to press the sole of her foot.

“If the Consort has time later, might I trouble you to come with this one out of the palace?”

“Very well!” Consort Ya nodded without hesitation and closed her eyes again.

Half an hour later, Consort Ya took Feng Jiu’er and Feng Jiang and left the palace.

On the way to the wellness pavilion, Consort Ya suddenly thought of something and drew a token from inside her robe, holding it out.

“This is the token needed to pass through the palace gates. Whenever I summon you, you must enter the palace at once.”

“Even without a summons, if you have a treatment suited to me, you may enter the palace at any time to find me — understood?”

Feng Jiu’er rose, bent forward, and took the token with both hands. “This one understands.”

“Mm.” Consort Ya nodded, satisfied.

Soon, the carriage took another route, heading straight into the back courtyard of the wellness pavilion.

Feng Jiu’er brought Consort Ya into a room, and a full hour later, she finally saw her out.

By the time they’d seen Consort Ya off, it was already past noon. Everyone had their midday meal together, then went once more into the underground chamber.