TPGA - 50

Chapter 50: Leaving the Mansion

Jiang Caiping acknowledged her response and said, “Didn’t Master Shimin and the others give you many pearls as a reward? This is a perfect chance to take them home. Your father will surely be delighted to see them.”

Yunyi casually replied, “Yes, Master Shimin said the same thing.”

“Master Shimin really treats you well.” Leaning close to Yunyi’s ear, Jiang Caiping whispered mysteriously, “Sister, do you think… does Master Shimin have feelings for you?”

Feelings? Yunyi inwardly sneered but outwardly smiled lightly, teasing, “You little rascal, do you even know what ‘feelings’ are?”

Jiang Caiping raised her chin confidently and said, “Of course I do! Liking someone means thinking about them all the time—while walking, eating, and even dreaming about them.”

Yunyi teased her with a mischievous grin, “You sound like you know so much. Do you have someone in mind? Tell me, who is it?”

Jiang Caiping blushed furiously and retorted, “Sister, don’t say nonsense! I don’t have anyone in mind. I’m just… just repeating what I’ve heard from others.” Quickly changing the topic, she continued, “Let’s talk about Master Shimin again. He’s truly wonderful—not only handsome and elegant, but also talented in both literature and martial arts. Most importantly, he has a good temperament. If you could be with him, it would be the best thing for you, Sister.”

“Perhaps.” Yunyi casually responded and retrieved the box of pearls from the cabinet. She took a few and placed them in Jiang Caiping’s hand, saying, “Take these home to your family. Let them exchange them for some silver coins to use.”

Jiang Caiping repeatedly declined, saying, “I’ve already accepted that pair of embroidered lanterns. I absolutely can’t take anything else from you, Sister. Please take them back.”

“If you call me Sister, then accept them graciously.” During their playful tussle, Yunyi accidentally aggravated the wound on her shoulder, causing excruciating pain that made her tightly furrow her brows.

Seeing her like this, Jiang Caiping asked with concern, “Sister, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

After the pain subsided slightly, Yunyi shook her head and said, “I don’t know why, but just now, I suddenly pulled a muscle in my shoulder—it hurt terribly. But it’s fine now. As for those pearls, please keep them. They’re not worth much. And as for repairing the house...” She thought for a moment and added, “I still have a few more pearls here, and together with that jade pendant, it should be enough.”

Jiang Caiping was deeply moved, her eyes brimming with tears. “Then... then I’ll accept them. In the future, if you ever need money, just tell me. Whatever I have, I’ll definitely give to you, Sister.”

Yunyi smiled gently and said, “Alright, I understand. Look at you—getting teary-eyed over such a small thing. Enough of that. Hurry up and pack your things. After dinner, let’s get some rest early.”

Jiang Caiping nodded repeatedly, carefully putting away the pearls. Then she packed everything she planned to bring home into a bundle and went to the kitchen to fetch their evening meal.

After she left, Yunyi removed the clothing from her left shoulder. The human-skin mask was still attached, but faint traces of crimson had seeped through. When she peeled it off, she saw that the wound, which had nearly healed, had reopened. If not for the layer of the human-skin mask, the blood would have soaked through her clothes, and Li Shimin might have noticed something amiss.

Enduring the pain, Yunyi retrieved the hidden human-skin mask and carefully cut another piece to match the size of the wound, reattaching it. Then, she picked up the vermilion brush used for painting lips from her dressing table, dipped it in rouge, and meticulously repainted a plum blossom over the wound.

Staring at the lifelike plum blossom reflected in the bronze mirror, Yunyi gave a bitter smile. From the age of six, she had begun learning how to paint, practicing for two hours every day. After eight years, her painted flowers were so realistic they could attract butterflies. Every teacher who instructed her praised her talent. But none of them knew that over those eight years, the paintings and calligraphy she practiced filled six-and-a-half tall cabinets. Nor did they realize that her persistence in painting for eight years was all for the slim hope that one day her father, the emperor, might praise her or even spare her a second glance. Alas… it had all been wishful thinking!

The next morning, as expected, the order lifting the restrictions was announced. Jiang Caiping joyfully dragged Yunyi to see Lin, the head steward. After reminding them to return before sunset, he handed over their passes.

Since the villages where they lived were in opposite directions, they parted ways immediately after leaving the mansion. Yunyi headed alone toward Shuangqiao Village. Though she didn’t recognize the way to Changshi Lane, she dared not ask anyone for directions. Last night, after retiring, she had lain awake for a long time, replaying the conversation she’d had with Li Shimin.

Ever since she attempted to assassinate Li Yuan, Li Shimin had locked down the entire governor’s mansion and conducted thorough searches for a long time, even suspecting her. Yet, on this very day, he informed her that the mansion was no longer under lockdown and that she could leave to visit her family. It all seemed suspicious. Perhaps… Li Shimin was using this as a test to see if she was truly Wu Meixue. It was possible that someone was following her right now. If she were to ask for directions, it would immediately expose her.

As Yunyi pondered this, she kept an eye on the road signs and looked around for osmanthus trees. Jiang Caiping had mentioned that there was an osmanthus tree planted outside Meixue’s house.

Along the way, she had seen several osmanthus trees, but none were near any houses, nor had she come across a sign for Changshi Lane. Could it be that she had taken the wrong path? Frustratingly, if she turned back now and someone was indeed following her, they would know that she didn’t actually know the way home.

After walking for a while longer and still not seeing the name “Changshi Lane,” Yunyi hesitated about whether to ask someone for directions when she heard a commotion coming from a butcher’s stall not far away.

A burly butcher with a menacing face placed his cleaver down and glared at a gaunt middle-aged man standing in front of the stall. “Wu Laosan, are you trying to pawn off another musk deer here?”

Wu Laosan forced a smile and said, “Brother Feng, this is top-quality musk deer meat—better and bigger than the last one. It took me a lot of effort to catch it, and the taste is incredibly fresh. Surely, someone will want to buy it soon?”

The butcher glanced at the musk deer carcass in Wu Laosan’s hand and sneered sarcastically, “If it’s so good, why don’t you keep it for yourself?”

Wu Laosan replied, “My daughter doesn’t like this kind of meat. I wanted to do the same as last time and leave it with you to sell. Then I can buy some pastries that my daughter likes.” Before the butcher could respond, he quickly added, “Brother Feng, rest assured—it’ll be split seventy-thirty, as usual.”

The butcher raised an eyebrow and asked, “Is Little Mei coming back today?”

At this, a hint of a smile appeared on Wu Laosan’s wrinkled face. “Today is the first day of the month. She hasn’t returned for over a month, but she should be back today.” He extended the musk deer carcass toward the butcher and said, “Brother Feng, take a look...”

The butcher rubbed his throat and complained, “Last time, helping you sell that musk deer made my voice hoarse. I begged and pleaded with customers to buy it, but for days afterward, I couldn’t speak properly. I even had to see a doctor and take some medicine before I felt better. Not only did I lose the few coins we split, but I also had to pay out of pocket.”