Chapter 86

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Chapter 86: Title

With a few days until the beginning of spring, Madam Dou had not seen her daughter since the New Year. She felt concerned and missed her. After writing several letters mentioning her wish to visit, all were declined by Gu Hengbo with various reasons. Madam Dou had no choice but to send some of her daughter’s favorite food with Qingfeng.

Upon Qingfeng’s arrival, she learned that her young lady was not there. She heard that Lian Rong followed the group into the palace. Each time they delivered goods to the palace, she always went in with them. Qingfeng thought to herself that her timing was indeed off, but since Madam Dou allowed her to stay a few more days, she wasn’t in a hurry. The people at the farm all knew her, and they had all gotten along well before, so when they saw her arrive, they busily prepared the big tent where she would stay.

For some reason, her right eyelid kept twitching on the way there, making her feel uneasy. However, she thought it might just be her imagination.

After a night’s stay, as Qingfeng was a waiting maid, she usually woke up very early; it had become a habit. The next day, she got up early as usual. The winter on the grassland was still very cold, particularly in the morning. She wrapped herself in a cloak and planned to go outside for a walk. According to Gu Hengbo, morning exercise was good for health, even though the latter was as lazy as a pig yet spoke complete nonsense.

Feeling cheerful, Qingfeng strolled slowly toward the farm. When she reached the farm gate, she saw two young men from the grassland dozing on the ground. Hearing her footsteps, one of them sprang up immediately.

“Qingfeng, young lady!”

Qingfeng smiled at the big man, “Didn’t my lady arrange for a shift change?”

The big man scratched his head and chuckled, “Last night, the second one drunk too much, so I filled in for him, and accidentally fell asleep.”

Qingfeng smiled but didn’t say anything else and went straight inside.

After walking for a while, out of sight of the big man, Qingfeng stopped and suddenly darted to the side, flipping her palm to strike backward.

A white figure charged forward without dodging, and the long sword in her hand flew out, aimed straight at the opponent’s vital points.

In a matter of moments, two figures, one in blue and one in white, were entangled in fierce combat, neither side willing to back down, exchanging over a hundred moves without pausing for breath.

“Wuyang, are you done yet?” came a furious shout as the white figure finally halted.

“Zhan Guard, what a temper you have!” the retort was unmistakable.

Due to the recent sparring, Qingfeng’s face flushed. She raised an eyebrow, “What are you doing here?”

Wuyang sheathed her sword and said, “If I don’t come, you’ll be dead.”

Qingfeng no longer carried the soft demeanor she showed in front of Gu Hengbo; she coldly smiled, “My lady is not here today.”

Wuyang clicked her tongue, “What do you think your master would say if she heard that?”

Qingfeng remained silent with a cold expression. She could not understand Wuyang’s purpose for being here and naturally did not dare to act recklessly.

"Qingfeng, you don’t need to be so hostile towards me," she said, thinking it was about Gu Meisheng.

"I am not hostile to you. The young lady is indeed not here. You can come back in a few days," Qingfeng said expressionlessly.

"It’s not about the young lady; it’s about Princess Rong," Wuyang corrected her.

"Jiyu Wuyang!"

"What benefits did that girl give you to win you over in just a few months?" A familiar voice came from behind.

Qingfeng froze and knelt straight down before turning around. "Your servant greets you, master!"

Lian Rong wore a long black robe with cloud patterns. Her attire seemed a bit out of place on the grassland, something Gu Hengbo had arranged to be custom-made from Northern Region Capital. Although different from her usual robes, it fit well enough.

"Get up," Lian Rong said flatly.

"I have sinned and am willing to accept your punishment, master," Qingfeng replied, kneeling with a dignified expression.

Lian Rong looked down at her. "What sin can you have? If you wish to betray me, I cannot stop you. Today it is you; tomorrow it might be Wuyang or Qian Yue, and I will not punish any of you."

"I dare not," Qingfeng said, looking terrified.

Lian Rong replied softly, "You dare not? What else do you not dare to do?" Knowing the consequences of angering her yet ignoring everything to take people away, what courage you have!

Qingfeng straightened her back and knelt on the ground, saying, "My life is given by you, master. Whether I live or die is decided by you."

Lian Rong shook her head. "Then I will now order you to take Gu Meisheng’s life. Will you go?"

Qingfeng suddenly raised her head, looking incredulous. "Master?"

Lian Rong smiled gently and patted her shoulder. "Don’t you want to serve her? You can sever your own meridians and be a true servant by her side. Jiulong Villa does not keep useless people. Think carefully." She finished, ignoring the shocked expressions of the other two, and leisurely walked away. That girl had already been gone for two days and knew there was still an injured person at home, yet she did not say she would return early.

Wuyang’s eyes remained calm. She knew the master would not let this matter go easily, but she did not expect it to be like this. This was a threat—an outright threat!

Now, Qingfeng had only two choices: either to cripple herself and stay, which meant completely leaving Jiulong Villa, or to leave Gu Hengbo forever. She did not understand why Lian Rong would do this. There were many other ways to punish her, rather than presenting this gentle and talkative guise to leave her with such a dilemma.

Stay or leave?

Cripple herself or not?

Qingfeng felt weak. If only the young lady were nearby! But even if she made a choice, would the master truly let her go?

Such a proud person would never allow those around her to betray her.

Wuyang sighed, "Maybe you could take a risk and try."

Qingfeng felt helpless. "Take a risk? Try what?"

Wuyang glanced at the distant figure and whispered, "Find a way to let the crown princess know about this. Only she can protect you now."

Qingfeng looked up, confused. "Why?"

Wuyang gave her a complicated look and summarized the events of the past few days, including everything that had happened between the two of them. "So, now you understand? The crown princess is the master’s Achilles’ heel. As long as she protects you, the master cannot touch you at all." Right now, her master was using various tactics, all for one purpose. Even if the world fell into chaos later, at least this matter would be taken care of.

Qingfeng appeared more revitalized, as if listening to a story. "So, what should we do?"

Wuyang looked at her in disgust. "Who said ‘we’? This is your own problem. I provided you with a clue; you need to find your own way."

Qingfeng’s small face fell. "Wuyang… I’m sorry! Can you please help me?"

Wuyang shot her a sideways glance. "Where did that dignified attitude go? When it came to fighting, you were lethal! How much do you hate me?"

Qing Feng stood up and tugged at Wuyang’s sleeve, saying, "Who said I hate you? I love you too much, Wuyang~."

Wuyang frowned and asked, "Where did you learn that?"

Qing Feng cleared her throat and said softly, "Wuyang, you see, the three of us get along well. Why do you treat Qian Yue differently from how you treat me?"

Wuyang tilted her head and asked, "How so?"

Qing Feng leaned closer. "I want to ask you a personal question, do you, like the master, prefer women?"

Wuyang’s smile stiffened. "Can I choose not to answer?"

Qing Feng’s eyes widened. "Wuyang, you wouldn’t really be, would you? That’s not okay! Qian Yue likes Jingzhi, and that’s well known."

Wuyang silently looked at her without speaking.