Chapter 26: Brother Yunming

The Lu family arrived at the Prince of War’s residence just before sunset, but the evening meal had been prepared with exceptional richness. Spoon Whisper gave Qingxia an approving glance. As the group sat down to dine, Spoon Whisper continuously served dishes to Duke Lu, which left Feng Jinye feeling somewhat gloomy.

He eyed the fish slices before him, his favorite dish that Spoon Whisper had always served him most frequently. Little did Feng Jinye know, this “most frequent” was about to change. Noticing that Spoon Whisper was not serving him, he picked up his warm jade chopsticks, preparing to take a piece of fish…

Spoon Whisper caught sight of his intention, and, quicker than him, took the fish slice he had been eyeing. Feng Jinye’s heart leaped with joy, expecting her to place the fish in his bowl.

But in the next moment, Spoon Whisper placed the fish into Duke Lu’s bowl, saying, “Grandfather, have some fish. Doctor Leng says it’s good for your health!”

Feng Jinye’s face darkened instantly, nearly blurting, “From now on, you’re not allowed to eat at my home anymore.”

Under her veil, Spoon Whisper pressed her lips together to stifle a laugh, then served Feng Jinye a chopstickful of greens, saying, “My lord’s stomach hasn’t been well these days; you shouldn’t eat anything rich, only vegetables.”

Feng Jinye was instantly reminded of how yesterday, Spoon Whisper had moved the evening meal meant for Tingfeng Pavilion to Ziyu Pavilion, and had ordered Chujio that only vegetarian dishes were allowed in Tingfeng Pavilion until the Lantern Festival.

His expression remained calm, saying nothing more as he put the greens in his mouth and chewed carefully—after all, they were served by Spoon Whisper.

Yesterday, Feng Jinye had already witnessed that this woman could not stand a single harsh word. Vegetarian it would be, then.

Thus, for the following dozen days, the dish Spoon Whisper served most often became vegetables.

After supper, the Lu family did not linger. Feng Jinye still held Spoon Whisper’s hand as he escorted Duke Lu and his group to the gates.

Duke Lu, deeply gratified, spoke to Feng Jinye with significant meaning: “Jinye, let bygones be bygones. Peace and happiness is all that matters from now on.”

After speaking, Duke Lu gave Spoon Whisper a meaningful look. She paused, not understanding what secret code her grandfather and Feng Jinye were exchanging.

Feng Jinye’s expression was impassive, but he nodded, as if he had taken Duke Lu’s advice to heart.

Once the Duke’s family had departed, Spoon Whisper clung to Feng Jinye, asking, “What was Grandfather hinting to you?”

Feng Jinye glanced at her, replying with indulgence, “Today, the Duke told me to properly discipline you.”

“Nonsense, Grandfather only spoils me…” Spoon Whisper knew her grandfather’s words were not so simple, but she didn’t press Feng Jinye further.

“You’ve already climbed to the rooftop—would the Duke really let me spoil you?” Feng Jinye recalled her tantrum yesterday and, oddly, found it endearing.

“Wasn’t the roof of Tingfeng Pavilion left intact?” Spoon Whisper shot him a glare, signaling he shouldn’t bring up old matters.

Together, Feng Jinye and Spoon Whisper strolled back to Tingfeng Pavilion. Yunming, robed in white, awaited them at the gate.

Seeing the pair approach, Yunming teased, “Congratulations! Yesterday, the Prince and Princess of War were like water and oil, and today they’re sweet as syrup and beans!”

Spoon Whisper was not embarrassed; instead, she laughed, “Perhaps Yunming should find a princess to sweeten his days?”

“I think Luo Yanqing would be a fine choice!” she added.

Yunming thought to himself, “Luo Yanqing would make a good secondary consort for your Prince’s residence,” but dared not offend the two nobles before him.

“I’ve seen Night Eleven return, just came to check in.” Yunming was not inclined to banter further, so he turned to business.

Hearing this, the three went together to the main courtyard. Feng Jinye tapped the table, and Night Eleven appeared immediately.

“Speak,” Spoon Whisper said, her tone mirroring Feng Jinye’s. Night Eleven was momentarily startled, then remembered the princess was Spoon Whisper, and grew accustomed to it.

“I discovered that Luo Yanqing attends every poetry gathering. She first saw the princess five years ago at such an event, though they had no contact. However, the girl from the Li family who accompanied her praised the princess’s talent and beauty endlessly, which displeased Luo Yanqing,” Night Eleven reported respectfully.

Spoon Whisper pondered—could it be that her poem from five years ago overshadowed Luo Yanqing?

Night Eleven continued, “Afterward, the princess did not attend any more poetry gatherings, and Luo Yanqing never mentioned her until last year’s event, when she was named the top talented woman. Only then did she claim her talent and beauty were inferior to the princess’s. Yunming attended last year’s gathering.”

At this, Spoon Whisper concluded that Luo Yanqing mentioned her only to attract Yunming’s attention.

“I’ve also looked into Yunming’s interactions with Luo Yanqing. Five years ago, the Prince, Yunming, and Lord Huangfu were tasting tea at Mingke Residence when Luo Yanqing appeared as well. Yunming tends to go out mainly in summer and spring, and wherever he is, Miss Luo always shows up!” Night Eleven said. Spoon Whisper found it even more obsessive than modern celebrity chasing.

“Yunming and the princess first met four winters ago at Wanlai Snow. The princess gave Yunming a warming pouch, and Luo Yanqing was at Mingke Residence across the street!” Night Eleven’s voice faded slightly as he spoke.

Spoon Whisper understood Night Eleven’s implication and remained calm: “We’ve analyzed this before. She mentioned me at the poetry gathering to draw attention, and last year Yunming was there. Her target is Yunming!”

“Congratulations, Yunming, you’ve caught the eye of a sorceress!” Spoon Whisper said, gloating.

She wondered—could Luo Yanqing’s reason for targeting her truly be so laughable? If it was jealousy over her friendship with Yunming, she was already married to Feng Jinye and posed no obstacle. Besides, Yunming treated Spoon Whisper as family, just as he did Feng Jinye.

Spoon Whisper knew this well: whenever she gave Yunming a warming pouch, his expression was the same as when Feng Jinye shielded him from the wind.

“One thing—five years ago at the poetry gathering, someone at Mingke Residence said Luo Yanqing was likely to be crowned the top talented woman!” Yunming, the elegant scholar, was truly convincing in his role.

“But then, the talented women chosen by the scholars were… you!” Yunming pointed his fan at Spoon Whisper.

“Hah, I never knew!” Spoon Whisper thought, if she had known she was the top talented woman, she would’ve played the cultured role. All those Three Hundred Tang Poems memorized in childhood, wasted!

“Your poem at the time was indeed unique.” Yunming wasn’t surprised she didn’t know about her title, though he dared not say she “resembled a shrew.”

“Which poem?” Spoon Whisper recalled reciting a poem by Nalan Xingde, but couldn’t remember which one.

She thought to herself: “Any immortal verse you want, I’ve been reciting poetry since I was three. Name it!”

“It doesn’t matter which, but you may have blocked her path. If the Water Moon Pavilion had burned and she hadn’t seen you, she might have realized you were Spoon Whisper from the start!” Yunming shifted from indifferent to serious.

“Think about it. If she wants to target Spoon Whisper, what would she do? The rumors to come might directly attack you!” Yunming remembered the rumors from two years ago about Spoon Whisper in Yue City, and warned her solemnly.

“Two years ago, I nearly drowned in gossip in Yue City. I haven’t thought about it these days—how foolish!” Spoon Whisper recalled it herself, realizing today’s Duke Lu performance was all for nothing.

“Feng Jinye, hurry and bring her back!” Spoon Whisper suddenly urged.

“Night Eleven, go!” Feng Jinye was curious why Spoon Whisper was so anxious.

“What rumors?” Feng Jinye asked, sensing the matter was serious from Yunming and Spoon Whisper’s words.

Yunming figured the couple would soon be back to quarreling and laughed, “You two talk, I’ll take my leave.”

“Hah, it’s better you don’t know!” Spoon Whisper replied awkwardly to Feng Jinye.

The more she hid, the more curious Feng Jinye became.

Night Eleven returned in less than half an hour, having knocked the person unconscious and carried them back.

Night Eleven was about to splash a basin of cold water to wake her up, but Spoon Whisper stopped him: “Wait, wait!”

“Brother Eleven, take her to some ruined temple, let’s put on a show! Otherwise, it’s hard for the Prince to explain!” Spoon Whisper grinned awkwardly. “Since you like acting, let’s act properly!”

“Isn’t she good at drama? I’ll find someone to give her a cameo!” Spoon Whisper wore a mischievous smile.

Luo Yanqing woke up in a ruined temple, only to be slapped hard across the face by a woman: “That’s for your foolish obsession with my Yunming. I’ll beat you to death!”

Chunxue knew that at a palace banquet, Luo Yanqing had let her maid slap Spoon Whisper. Now, Xuechun’s slap was delivered with full force!

Luo Yanqing was unsurprised, a smile still on her face: “Hah, your Yunming? No need for theatrics. We both know who sent you.”

She hadn’t expected Spoon Whisper to be so bold. As the legitimate daughter of Marquis Dingyuan, she believed that once she escaped, she would not let Spoon Whisper off.

Xuechun didn’t understand Luo Yanqing’s words and delivered another slap: “Stop mumbling nonsense to me!”

“Let me tell you, Yunming will be emperor one day. When he is, he’ll be the richest man in Yue City, which means he’ll be mine. The treasury will be mine, too!” This was what Dongnuan had told Xuechun, and she had taken it to heart.

To Xuechun, silver was the best thing in the world. The general’s wife had said being good to the lady was the best way to repay her, so Xuechun’s way was to earn as much silver as possible for Spoon Whisper.

Xuechun seemed rather silly, but anything to do with silver or Spoon Whisper made her very shrewd.

Luo Yanqing paused, surprised by the woman’s bluntness—claiming Yunming would be emperor and belong to her. Clearly, a fool.

“My engagement to Yunming was forced! Why have you kidnapped me?” Luo Yanqing’s beauty wilted, tears shimmering.

“Aren’t people in Yue City saying you have a phoenix’s fate? If Yunming marries you instead of me, I won’t have any silver!” Xuechun played her part to perfection.

Hearing this, Luo Yanqing realized Xuechun wanted her out of Yue City and asked in panic, “You want to kill me?”

“Don’t you fancy Lord Huangfu? Then I’ll deliver you to Marquis Qinbo’s residence for him!” Xuechun was sure Luo Yanqing was no good, judging others by her own motives.

Luo Yanqing breathed a sigh of relief, guessing Huangfu Xi wouldn’t harm her.

Xuechun, seeing Luo Yanqing’s trust in Huangfu Xi, threatened further: “I’ll strip you bare and deliver you at dawn!”

Luo Yanqing didn’t know Xuechun’s background, but seeing her confidence, feared she might really carry out the threat, and cursed, “Are you insane?”

“We’re two of a kind!” Xuechun acted as if she knew all about what Luo Yanqing had done.

Luo Yanqing grew tense, seeing that Xuechun seemed a bit simple-minded, and tried to provoke: “Even if you kill me, it’s useless.”