cold clothes

It was quite late when they returned to Fengxiang Tower. Madam Hu didn't say anything, simply telling everyone to go back and rest. Lengyi grabbed Nuandong's sleeve and parted ways with Xiahua and the other two.

Everyone present stared at Leng Yi in silence. Nuan Dong hugged Leng Yi in her arms, smiled at the others, and led Leng Yi back to Liuyun Pavilion.

When Lingcao heard that Lengyi was staying at Liuyun Pavilion, she rushed over. Before going to sleep, Lengyi told Lingcao that she never wanted to go back to Zhuoyu Pavilion. Lingcao smiled and replied, "Yes, wherever Miss goes, I will go."

This was Leng Yi's only solace that day. She lay down to sleep, but couldn't fall asleep no matter what. There must be a reason why Yin Jiu didn't come, but what could it be? What was Yin Jiu doing? Leng Yi couldn't guess. At this moment, a deep sense of powerlessness welled up in her heart. She knew nothing about Yin Jiu.

Leng Yi woke up with swollen eyes, which startled Ling Cao. She had to apply several layers of powder to cover up the fatigue in her eyes. As soon as she got up, she went to Zhuoyu Pavilion to practice.

Leng Yi inevitably became the last one to arrive at Zhuoyu Pavilion, but she wasn't late according to the usual meeting time. Mother Hu was also sitting in the hall of Zhuoyu Pavilion. Thinking about it, it wasn't surprising; after finishing a project, the leaders always held a debriefing meeting.

I don't know if she'll get a holiday; she hasn't had a day off since joining the department (Zhuoyu Pavilion).

Upon seeing Leng Yi arrive, Madam Hu began her proclamation: "Our Fengxiang Pavilion performed exceptionally well at last night's Xiuyun Lake Gathering, and all our performances received unanimous praise. In particular, Ningbi won the favor of the Third Prince and was bestowed with one of his personal jade pendants." As she spoke, Madam Hu looked at Leng Yi with admiration, drawing everyone's attention to her.

The admiring look in Mrs. Hu's eyes seemed genuine, which made Leng Yi feel uneasy.

Xia Hua looked unhappy, Wei Feng's jealousy and resentment were obvious, only Nong Yue could still maintain a smile and look at Leng Yi in a friendly manner.

"Now it's time to announce the results of the grand exam. Everyone already knows who came in first—it's Ningbi. And last place..." Madam Hu paused, making the hearts of the three people except Lengyi jump. Even if Wuxue's death meant she didn't have to leave Zhuoyu Pavilion, she would still have to undergo the torture in the torture chamber.

The other three waited anxiously for Mrs. Hu to announce the results, only to hear Mrs. Hu say emotionlessly, "It's Wu Xue, zero votes."

Leng Yi was utterly shocked and almost blurted out a 21st-century curse: "Are you out of your mind?"

Wu Xue has already passed away... Why hold a dead person accountable... Are you heartless?

"So, due to Wu Xue's passing, the punishment for last place has been cancelled, and Ning Bi has won first place. Is there anything you want?"

free.

I want freedom.

Lengyi's most pressing need was to fulfill this unrealistic wish, yet she knew deep down that it was impossible, hence her pessimism and anguish. Lengyi could only speak of practical matters.

“I want to move out of Zhuoyu Pavilion and live with Sister Nuandong, or the Herbal Medicine Hall would also be fine.”

Mrs. Hu looked at her for a while, then sighed and said, "I can understand how you feel, Ningbi, but the four of you are one. You need to get to know each other and help each other."

"Am I supposed to fall in love with the person who plotted against me? Who knows when they might poison me again?" Leng Yi said incisively, piercing through the breeze without mercy.

Breeze said excitedly, "I was coerced by Granny Qin before. I never thought of poisoning anyone. Don't wrong me. If I told you, I'm afraid you would kill me."

“I will,” Leng Yi said calmly. “Don’t be afraid, I definitely will.”

Wei Feng's face turned pale with fright, and she immediately looked like she was about to cry.