cold clothes

"You're just worrying about things that don't concern you." Leng Yi rolled her eyes, pretending to be very self-righteous. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Yin Jiu had already gone to the North, so there was no way to find any dirt on her. Besides, Yin Jiu was the Fifth Prince's subordinate, so she shouldn't be considered a member of Langxuan Pavilion.

Of course, she and Yin Jiu were just friends.

Warm Winter smiled and still reminded Cold Clothes, "Before New Year's Eve that year, the guards caught you sneaking out of Zhuoyu Pavilion several times. After New Year's Eve, they rarely saw you. Madam Hu even told me to keep an eye on you. Madam Hu is very suspicious. Any unusual activity in Fengxiang Tower must be reported to her. I guess Madam Hu will know about your nighttime trip to the back mountain tomorrow."

"It's alright, even the most careful plans can have oversights." Leng Yi said calmly, "I'm sure no one saw me cursing Hu Mama and Xia Hua behind their backs, otherwise they would have come looking for me long ago."

Warm Winter paused for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh, looking like she couldn't do anything about the cold clothes.

"In short, you must be careful. You were young before, but now that you understand the feelings between men and women, you must keep your distance from men and lest you be caught by someone in the shadows. Madam Hu is quite strict in punishing affairs between men and women. Do you still remember Yunqiu and Huailou?"

"They're having an affair?" Leng Yi was stunned. She became extremely alert and put aside her suicidal thoughts.

"Yunqiu's child is Huailou's. How long they've been together is unknown to outsiders. A few years ago, Yunqiu had an abortion. Huailou risked his life to sneak into the Duke's mansion, but was discovered by the guards and seriously injured. Fortunately, he wasn't recognized, and the Duke's mansion only thought he was an assassin sent by a political enemy. After Huailou returned, he was severely tortured. Mama Hu cut off one of his fingers and then sent him to the north."

"No wonder I haven't heard anything from Huai Lou for so long. This has happened. All I know is that Yun Qiu had an abortion."

A chill ran from her feet straight up to her forehead. It seemed that the information she received daily was only what her mother wanted her to know; her understanding was merely a superficial glimpse. Confined in her cage, she had never been to the vast world. Even if she received information from the outside world through a window, it was only partial, and she was greatly deceived.

Leng Yi suddenly regained her will to live. Why die? I haven't even seen the beauty of this land in my life yet, how can I die willingly like this?

Hardships will pass, think positively. Actually, Hu's mother never really mistreated her; on the contrary, she treated her with great favor. Hu's mother had a clear goal in everything she did to her: to cultivate her into an excellent tool for revenge that she could control. As long as she could still be of use, her life wasn't too bad.

To exchange unfreedom for freedom.

In the ensuing training, Leng Yi constantly reminded herself of this phrase to be patient, and gradually she could complete the tasks obediently without the need for aphrodisiacs. She was indeed not a very morally upright person; her only bottom line was to live, and nothing was unbearable except death. At this point, she understood Qing You's advantages; he could remain unmoved at any time, a perfect tool that relieved her of much psychological burden.

Leng Yi's wildness had been tamed considerably, but the two old women were still dissatisfied. Although Leng Yi was obedient, she still lacked charm. They disliked that Leng Yi was like a withered leaf rather than a flower petal, and even remarked in front of her that Wei Feng was much better than her.

Leng Yi was unmoved by their belittling; the more they tormented her, the more indifferent she became. She might be somewhat frigid, and knowing this brought Leng Yi a profound sense of pleasure, as if she had won some kind of victory.