Chapter 043: Accusing in Secret!

A woman's voice spoke.

Wu Tan was not afraid in the slightest. She halted her steps.

From a concealed side path, the same woman they had encountered when entering Xiao Yue's courtyard emerged, still carrying the tray from before. She had evidently been waiting here all along.

Wu Tan cast a sidelong glance over the items on her tray.

The woman, seeing Wu Tan's indifferent and brazen demeanor, immediately felt dissatisfied.

Apricot and An Qiao pressed nervously closer to Wu Tan, as if faced with an enemy.

Wu Tan made no attempt to engage the woman. She neither provoked her nor asked questions, leaving the woman unable to find a reason to confront her directly. Frustrated, the woman quickly steadied herself, her tone clearly laced with warning: “I don’t care who you are—this rear courtyard of the Sheng Prince’s residence is not somewhere you can wander at will. Mind yourself!”

Her words were already quite rude.

Wu Tan remained unfazed, rebellious yet refusing to argue back. She didn’t even bother to look at the woman’s face, her gaze lingering with interest on the bottles and jars atop the tray.

The woman noted Wu Tan’s disdain but, since Wu Tan said nothing, dared not pick a fight. After a moment’s wait, she turned away, face cold, and left.

Once she had gone far enough, Apricot muttered in a low, unhappy voice, “The people of the Sheng Prince’s residence have no manners. How so discourteous?”

Only then did Wu Tan lift her eyes, tilting her head thoughtfully, her expression devoid of displeasure—instead, she turned back with an easy smile, walking away.

“Miss!” Apricot and An Qiao cried out in alarm. Both were terrified of the Sheng Prince, fearful that their mistress might provoke some trouble. Yet Wu Tan doubled back, not to the courtyard, but to the doorway, where she leaned against the gate and beckoned to Lei Ming inside: “Hey! I… can’t remember the way. Could you show me out?”

Apricot and An Qiao exchanged glances, breathing a sigh of relief.

“Miss…” Apricot tugged at her sleeve—if you don’t remember, I do.

Wu Tan shot her a warning glance.

Inside, Lei Ming glanced uneasily at the tightly shut study door, weighed his options, and decided it was better to escort the troublemaker out. Gritting his teeth, he hurried over.

“This way, I’ll walk Second Miss out!” He slipped out of the courtyard, leading the way.

Wu Tan followed, but after only a few steps, she paused, eyebrow raised: “Your name is Lei Ming, isn’t it?”

“Yes!” Lei Ming stopped and turned, uneasy from past experience.

“The young woman leaving the courtyard as we arrived—who is she?” Wu Tan asked.

Xiao Yue had yet to take an official wife; everyone knew that. Yet the girl’s temperament didn’t seem that of a servant, and her dress was not that of the prince’s concubine.

“She’s our residence’s physician,” Lei Ming replied, suspicious, but truthful. Seeing that Wu Tan was not satisfied, he added, “She came back with us from the northern army, caring for the prince’s wounds.”

“A physician? A female physician?” Wu Tan mused, recalling the bottles and jars she carried, finally piecing things together.

It was not a matter of consequence, so Lei Ming continued, “There’s an old military doctor named Feng who has served in the army for over forty years. The Seventh Miss is an orphan—her family died in the war years ago. Doctor Feng rescued her when treating wounded townsfolk, and since it was the seventh day of the month, he named her Feng Qi.”

Raised in the military camp? No wonder she’s wild and unruly…

“She belongs to your prince?” Wu Tan pondered aloud.

“Huh?” Lei Ming was caught off guard, mouth open, but then his face stiffened as he stared past Wu Tan’s shoulder in silence.

Wu Tan, thinking she hadn’t been clear, asked more directly, “I mean, is she your prince’s concubine?”

Perhaps because Lei Ming had left his post, Xiao Yue came out of the courtyard looking displeased; now his expression was downright frightening. Lei Ming felt it was his doomsday, and dared not answer Wu Tan, quickly bowing with hands clasped: “Your Highness…”

Wu Tan: “…”

“Your servant takes his leave.” Lei Ming decided he preferred survival, and slipped away.

“Hey…” Wu Tan tried to call him back, but seeing Xiao Yue’s robes, she refrained.

She lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.

Xiao Yue stood before her, hands behind his back.

Sunlight streamed from behind, casting his shadow over her, cloaking her in darkness. Wu Tan felt a chill.

She hesitated, considering whether to proactively leave—

Above her, Xiao Yue abruptly snapped, “No.”

“Huh?” Wu Tan was bewildered, instinctively lifting her eyes to him.

Though she hadn’t been thinking of the question she’d just posed to Lei Ming, when their eyes met, Xiao Yue felt uneasy and shifted his gaze aside, coolly asking, “Why are you asking about this?”

“Oh!” Wu Tan finally understood. “Just curious, that’s all.”

She covertly observed him from the corner of her eye—

Though his face remained as aloof and cold as ever, his attitude had softened; he was even willing to answer such questions. Wu Tan felt this was a chance to communicate.

A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes, and she pressed further: “So, Your Highness brought that girl with you to the capital—are you planning to take her into your household?”

The two maids’ legs gave way, dropping to their knees. Even as they prostrated themselves, they tugged at Wu Tan’s skirts—Oh heavens, will we survive leaving this prince’s residence today?

“What?” Xiao Yue was taken aback, frowning in confusion.

Is this girl meddling in his household affairs? Where did she get such notions?

“Seeing as Your Highness didn’t blame me for my rashness just now, and seems reasonable, may I offer a suggestion?” Wu Tan smiled, and as he continued listening, she finished: “That Seventh Miss—either marry her off early or send her away. When a woman gets jealous, it can be dangerous, especially one with skills like hers. If she’s upset, a little poison or a few needles could bring Your Highness endless trouble.”

Xiao Yue certainly didn’t detect any jealousy in her words. Perplexed, his brow furrowed deeper.

“I was only here to deliver a gift, and she dared to confront me in your residence? Your Highness, choose wisely when marrying! Of course, a beauty who serves by charm is inconsequential, but I think that girl’s looks are quite ordinary—surely Your Highness isn’t set on her?”

She spoke eloquently, making her case thoroughly.

Was she just finding ways to give Feng Qi a hard time? Xiao Yue, hearing her out, was amused and said, “Better mind your own affairs first.”

Wu Tan shivered at his smile, suddenly sensing some ominous hint in his mocking gaze. She followed his line of sight and turned—only to freeze.

The steward was personally leading little Prince Xiao Yun toward them.

——Extra——

Tan: [secretly delighted] Rotten peach blossoms of the royal uncle, pluck them all! Let him remain a bachelor!

Royal uncle: [schadenfreude] Yours are coming too—shall I pluck those as well?

This book is first published—please do not repost!