#121: Peeping

Seeing that Li Shimin had nothing more to say, Li Jiancheng reluctantly accepted the medicine and departed under their watchful eyes. After Li Jiancheng’s group had walked far enough, Li Zhiyun approached Li Shimin and expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you, Second Brother.”

Li Shimin patted his still-youthful shoulders and smiled, “Alright, let’s go back.”

What Li Shimin didn’t know was that as he turned and headed back toward the mansion, Li Jiancheng, seated in his carriage, stuck his head out and gazed at his retreating figure with a complicated expression…

Meanwhile, on Chunxiu’s side, after washing her face with cold water to refresh herself, she went to the music hall. However, before she even reached the entrance, she ran into Yunyi and Jiang Caiping. Normally, Chunxiu would have exchanged some sharp words with them, but this time, she remained unusually quiet, giving them a quick glance before walking past without uttering a single word.

Jiang Caiping, surprised, remarked from behind, “What’s wrong with her today? So peaceful?”

Yunyi chuckled, “Isn’t peace a good thing? Or do you prefer quarreling with her for fun?”

Jiang Caiping quickly replied, “Of course not! I just find it strange—she’s usually not so well-behaved.”

Yunyi said nonchalantly, “She must have learned her lesson. She’s probably afraid of being sent back to the firewood shed if she acts up again. With Ji Rong no longer around, there’s no one to protect her.”

“That’s true,” Jiang Caiping agreed, wrinkling her delicate nose. “By the way, Ji Rong really is lucky. Even after everything, she’s fine now and has followed the eldest master to Hedong.”

Upon hearing this, Yunyi’s brows darkened, and she murmured softly, “It’s all because of that Zhang Chenyue.”

Jiang Caiping didn’t catch what she said and asked casually, “What did you say, Sister?”

Yunyi snapped out of her thoughts and smiled, “Nothing. Since Master has spared Ji Rong, it’s clear he has already determined that the poison in the tendon-renewal ointment wasn’t added by her. She was falsely accused.” Without waiting for Jiang Caiping to respond, she continued, “Enough of this talk. Let’s go inside.”

That day passed without incident. After practicing their dances, Chunxiu, following Ji Rong’s advice, informed Head Nurse Yang about moving in with Lady Sun. The latter readily agreed.

When passing by Yunyi and Jiang Caiping, Chunxiu kept her head down and hurriedly pulled Lady Sun away, as if fleeing from some monstrous danger behind her.

Chunxiu’s behavior gave Jiang Caiping an odd feeling, as though… Feng Chunxiu wasn’t afraid of being sent back to the firewood shed, but rather… Lady Wu. However, she soon found herself amused by the thought. It was already miraculous that Feng Chunxiu didn’t bully Lady Wu. To think she might fear her? That was simply impossible.

But beside her, Yunyi was lost in deep thought. From Feng Chunxiu’s actions today, it was clear she had begun to suspect her. If only Wu Lausan hadn’t stopped her that morning, she would have killed Feng Chunxiu. What a pity.

Feng Chunxiu had to be eliminated—it was unavoidable. However, now that they were within the mansion and the latter was on guard, killing her unnoticed would be quite tricky.

Lost in her thoughts, Yunyi returned to the room. Jiang Caiping glanced around and said, “Every time we finish dancing, I’m drenched in sweat. It’s so uncomfortable. Sister, rest here for a while. I’ll go heat some water, and then we can bathe together, hehe.”

When Chunxiu returned from delivering the Divine Jade Powder to Yuxiu Pavilion, it was already dark. She happened to see Jiang Caiping carrying buckets of hot water in and out, realizing they were about to bathe. She cast a casual glance and continued toward her room. But halfway there, she suddenly stopped, turned around, and crept back to the window of Yunyi and Jiang Caiping’s room. After ensuring no one was around, she quietly punctured a small hole in the paper window and peered inside.

Jiang Caiping and Wu Meixue shared the same room. If the latter was indeed related to the assassins, Jiang Caiping couldn’t possibly be unaware. Perhaps she was also an accomplice. This was the perfect opportunity to eavesdrop on their private conversations. If luck was on her side, she might even uncover Shen Yunyi’s hiding place.

Through the tiny hole, she saw the two of them undressed and bathing playfully in wooden tubs filled with water. Through the steam, she could make out a lifelike plum blossom tattoo on Yunyi’s left shoulder. Their conversation revolved around trivial matters, revealing no obvious abnormalities.

Just as she was engrossed in watching, someone suddenly tapped her on the shoulder, and Zhao’s voice rang in her ear, “Chunxiu, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. So you’re here—what are you looking at?”

Startled, Chunxiu quickly turned around and covered Zhao’s mouth, but it was too late. A cry of alarm came from inside the room, “Who’s outside?”

Chunxiu hastily pulled Zhao toward their own quarters, but it was already too late. Jiang Caiping, her hair still dripping wet and barely clad in a robe, burst out of the door, furious, and called out to Chunxiu, “Why were you spying on me and Sister while we bathed?”

Zhao quickly waved her hands, “I didn’t see anything! It was…”

Chunxiu discreetly stepped on her foot and interjected, “Don’t spout nonsense. Who was spying on you?”

Jiang Caiping fumed, “You can’t deny it—I heard everything just now! Besides, if you weren’t guilty, why did you run the moment you saw me?”

Chunxiu feigned calmness and replied, “Ridiculous! Which eye saw me running? I just happened to pass by here. As for you…” She eyed Jiang Caiping’s disheveled appearance and smirked, covering her lips with her hand, “Coming out dressed like that—are you trying to seduce someone?”

Jiang Caiping flushed red with anger, pointing at her and shouting, “You clearly were spying! Come with me to Head Nurse Yang—we’ll settle this matter!”

“Hilarious! Go to Head Nurse Yang and say what? That I was peeping at you? Do you think anyone would believe that?” At that moment, Yunyi emerged from the room. Chunxiu’s expression shifted uncomfortably, and she said, “I have things to do—I don’t have time to deal with your nonsense.” With that, she dragged Zhao back to their room.

“Stop right there!” Jiang Caiping refused to let it go and tried to chase after them, but Yunyi held her back, saying, “Forget it—it was probably just a misunderstanding.”

Still seething, Jiang Caiping walked over to the window and examined it closely. Sure enough, she found that light was leaking through a tiny hole. Pointing at it, she exclaimed, “Sister, look at this! What misunderstanding? She clearly meant to spy on us!”

Yunyi frowned, puzzled, “But she’s not a man. Why would she spy on us?”

“Who knows? I foolishly thought she had changed after being disciplined, but it turns out dogs can’t stop eating feces!” Jiang Caiping grew angrier the more she thought about it, wanting to confront Chunxiu directly. However, Yunyi kept holding her back, saying, “Forget it. Bringing this matter to Head Nurse Yang will only create confusion. It’s better to return and avoid catching a cold—you didn’t even wear a coat.”

Under Yunyi’s persuasion, though still indignant, Jiang Caiping eventually returned to the room. As for Chunxiu, after entering her room, she pressed her ear against the wall, listening intently to the commotion outside. When she heard Jiang Caiping and the others close the door and enter their room, she finally exhaled in relief, collapsing weakly into a chair.