Chapter Fifty-Nine: Easy to Command

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"Eleven, go to the Duke's manor and bring Lu Yanran here!" After a moment’s thought, Tailscoop Qingyu spoke.

In the past, Lu Yanran had been hidden by Western Yan spies in the late Prime Minister’s residence. She was once the biological sister of Consort Liu and had never suffered the bullying of Liu Xiangya since childhood...

Losing in person but not in spirit—though Lu Yanran was unreliable, she could at least serve as a guardian, keeping the little devils at bay!

The greatest grievance between the Liu and Lu families was precisely Lu Yanran. The moment she appeared, she could slap Consort Liu in the face, and Tailscoop Qingyu rather wanted to see a good show!

Consort Liu had brought the legitimate daughter of the Luo family, who had past grudges with the Princess of the War King, making her intentions all too clear...

As for Luo Shuqing, though Tailscoop Qingyu had never met her, the mere fact that she came herself made Qingyu shake her head—shouldn’t matters have ended with Luo Yanqing?

Could it be that the Marquis Dingyuan’s residence still couldn’t see through Feng Jinye’s schemes? Could Luo Shuqing still not see clearly, insisting on rushing to her doom?

“Where are Qingxia and Xuechun?” Tailscoop Qingyu asked Dongnuan.

Dongnuan hadn’t wanted to let her know that Xuechun was ill, but now had no choice but to say, “Xuechun is sick, and Qingxia is looking after her.”

At once, Tailscoop Qingyu recalled the matter of Wanlai Xue and sighed in silence...

“You go and invite Imperial Physician Leng to take a look at Xuechun, and you as well...” As she spoke the latter part, her eyes directly threatened Dongnuan.

Dongnuan mischievously raised her eyebrow and said, “Imperial Physician Leng already came by this morning. Night Eleven brought him.”

“Night Eleven?” Tailscoop Qingyu suddenly recalled that the previous night, when the fire broke out at Wanlai Xue’s place, Night Eleven had pulled her along and hadn’t forgotten to bring Xuechun too...

That was a good thing. A smile tugged at Tailscoop Qingyu’s lips. It had been a long time since she’d heard such good news—her maids had all grown up...

She scrutinized Dongnuan, who shivered under the gaze and quickly changed the subject: “There are two people left waiting outside the gate. What is Mistress planning to do?”

Liu Xiangya and Luo Shuqing had been left outside the residence for quite some time...

Since Dongnuan’s arrival, Feng Jinye had intended to leave as well, but Tailscoop Qingyu and Dongnuan, as mistress and maid, completely ignored his presence and chatted freely...

Feng Jinye had little interest in the covert battles of the inner court, but for some reason, he was curious to see how Tailscoop Qingyu planned to outmaneuver her opponents...

As Dongnuan finally got to the point, Feng Jinye played it cool, waiting nonchalantly for Tailscoop Qingyu’s little countermeasures...

“No rush, Night Eleven hasn’t brought her back yet...” Tailscoop Qingyu smiled faintly. “When you do, bring her to the side hall...”

Outside the War King’s residence, in a luxurious carriage, Liu Xiangya’s face was full of resentment. She was, after all, the Emperor’s favored consort—how could she be made to wait outside...

By contrast, Luo Shuqing appeared much calmer. She picked up a cluster of grapes and offered them to the consort, flattering, “Please don’t be anxious, Your Highness—it may be that the Princess is still recovering and not able to walk quickly to greet us at the gate...”

Hearing this, Liu Xiangya felt somewhat mollified, but in the next moment recalled how, when she used to return to the Prime Minister’s residence, the whole household would bustle about for her. Even before her arrival, crowds would wait outside in welcome...

Her brow furrowed. Times were not as they once were, yet she nodded perfunctorily to Luo Shuqing. “Since she’s injured, this palace will forgive her a little.”

No sooner had she spoken than a maid outside the carriage reported, “Your Highness, someone is coming out.”

Luo Shuqing immediately reached out to help Consort Liu out of the carriage, and the two caught sight of a female guard emerging from the War King’s residence...

Dongnuan approached slowly and bowed. “Please, both of you, follow me inside.”

Consort Liu’s face darkened instantly—she, a noble consort, was being received by a mere servant?

Luo Shuqing sneered inwardly. This maid was quite good—she hadn’t even helped them down from the carriage. That was enough to earn the resentment of the already disgruntled consort...

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In the Zhi Yu Pavilion, Feng Jinye watched as Tailscoop Qingyu stubbornly tried to rise, his face full of displeasure. “Have you considered why the Empress Dowager suddenly sent someone here?”

He had assumed Tailscoop Qingyu wanted Lu Yanran to deal with the two visitors, never thinking she’d insist on going herself, which inexplicably made him angry...

“All she wanted to say that day, she’s surely said. Sending someone now is likely just to remind me...” Tailscoop Qingyu mused.

Consort Liu was a dispensable pawn. The Empress Dowager sent her purely for amusement, yet Consort Liu couldn’t see that, thinking the Empress Dowager was displeased with Tailscoop Qingyu and so brought Luo Shuqing along—waving a chicken feather as if it were an imperial command...

Feng Jinye gazed at Tailscoop Qingyu in confusion. How could she be so foolish all of a sudden?

“Luo Yanqing died by my hand; the Empress Dowager knows it well. By sending Liu Xiangya, she’s showing she cares nothing for her fate. Send her back—why bother getting up to meet her?” Feng Jinye spoke angrily.

He remembered well what Cold Order had instructed: “Do not move carelessly!”

Tailscoop Qingyu’s clear black-and-white eyes spun as she looked at Feng Jinye, nodding pitifully. “But, if they leave, I’ll miss out on a great drama...”

Feng Jinye felt helpless under her pleading gaze. Resigned, he lifted her into the wheelchair...

“After the Empress Dowager summoned me to the palace last time, I swept through the entire residence. She’s likely sent someone to probe for news.”

Feng Jinye pushed Tailscoop Qingyu out of the room. The Zhi Yu Pavilion was empty, not a single servant in sight...

He didn’t know how long she’d want to watch the show, and she hadn’t even had breakfast yet...

He noticed the breakfast laid out on the side table and pushed her over, handing her a steamed bun...

Tailscoop Qingyu pursed her lips and shook her head. She didn’t like these...

Feng Jinye suddenly remembered the morning after their wedding, when they’d eaten together—she had soup dumplings and shredded chicken congee...

He hesitated, about to serve her porridge, when she whispered, “Help me take off the veil... If I try, it hurts...”

Feng Jinye paused abruptly. According to Cold Order, the scar on her face should have healed...

He stared at her in a daze. Months of acquaintance had fixed his image of her as always veiled—the only time he’d ever seen her face was a year ago, the day she tried to assassinate him...

In his mind, the image of a woman in fiery red grew clearer...

His gaze settled on her—beneath elegant brows, her clear eyes darted nervously under fine, long lashes...

Feng Jinye unexpectedly smiled; her features overlapped with the woman who’d once attacked him, yet were utterly different...

He hesitated, and as Tailscoop Qingyu, anxious, reached to remove the veil herself, he caught her hand, as if he had known she’d try...

She was nervous...

The thought filled Feng Jinye with joy...

He gripped her hand tightly, a smile in his eyes, gazing straight at her...

Tailscoop Qingyu didn’t miss the amusement in his eyes. He was secretly enjoying her discomfort, which made her sulky...

Her image in Feng Jinye’s memory became clearer and clearer. He held her hand, and with the other, gently removed the red veil...

He gazed at her, utterly entranced. In a flash, Tailscoop Qingyu turned her head away, lips pressed tight. Feng Jinye snapped out of his daze and laughed aloud...

But when she turned back, the flood of longing in his heart was overwhelming and inexpressible...

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Seeing Feng Jinye laugh at her, Tailscoop Qingyu immediately pouted, turning away in mock anger. “I’m not eating anymore!”

Feng Jinye paused, looking over at her in the wheelchair—she was at his mercy now. “If you don’t eat, I won’t take you outside.”

Normally, Tailscoop Qingyu slept past mid-morning, and before she awoke, only Xuechun and Qingxia would be in the pavilion. Today, only Feng Jinye was here...

“I can go by myself...” she said, about to rise—she didn’t have to remain in the wheelchair...

Seeing her move, Feng Jinye instantly regretted it—he’d forgotten he had to indulge this little woman...

“I was wrong, I was wrong...” Feng Jinye quickly admitted, showing complete fear of his wife, and picked up the shredded chicken congee to coax her. “Eat a little, otherwise I’ll feel sorry for you...”

Tailscoop Qingyu was stunned by these words...

How had his demeanor changed so much in just a day?

She acted spoiled. “I want soup dumplings...”

Feng Jinye set down the congee, took a soup dumpling from the small steamer, and offered it to her. Tailscoop Qingyu complained, “You took it from the top—it’s already cold. The bottom layer is much better!”

As a prince, Feng Jinye had never served anyone. Even at meals, a look sufficed for someone to serve him...

Soup dumplings were steamed directly in small baskets, and the top layer would always be a bit greasy. He frowned at the sight...

“Chu...” He was about to call for someone, but the little woman beside him threatened, “Not... eating...”

“All right, all right, wait...” He relented immediately, for this little one could never stand being slighted—she just wanted to get back at him for laughing at her...

With a sigh, he took off the top layer of the steamer and served her a soup dumpling from below. At last, Tailscoop Qingyu was content, eating with satisfaction...

“It tastes good, but you didn’t pick it up properly—the skin broke and the soup’s all gone!” Even as she ate, she didn’t forget to critique...

Feng Jinye was utterly helpless, carefully picking up another for her...

“Mmm, this one’s good—much better!” Tailscoop Qingyu nodded approvingly. “There’s one left—I’ll reward you with it!”

Feng Jinye couldn’t help but laugh. “You eat it—I’ll have another basket...”

Tailscoop Qingyu, seeing he still wouldn’t listen, turned away again. Feng Jinye, resigned, ate the dumpling he’d already picked up himself...

“Good girl!” Tailscoop Qingyu said with satisfaction. “Now drink your porridge...”

Today’s breakfast wasn’t prepared by Qingxia—just a big bowl of shredded chicken congee. To everyone’s surprise, Tailscoop Qingyu finished it all, perhaps because having the War Prince serve her made the meal especially enjoyable...

As Feng Jinye served her, he grew more adept at it. When she finished, he neatly wiped her mouth with a kerchief, then twisted another to clean her hands, all in one smooth motion, as if he’d done it countless times...

“Were you always this bossy with me before?” Feng Jinye asked with a smile blooming in his heart.

Tailscoop Qingyu shook her head. “I haven’t bossed you around at all this morning!”

He paused again, looking at her and shaking his head with another laugh—she not only took advantage, she played the innocent as well!