cold clothes

Zhao Qun was still waiting in the carriage. When he saw Leng Yi get in, he closed his book with a smile on his lips.

Leng Yi proactively reported that she had chatted with her sisters for a while and also went to see her master. Zhao Qun raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this and smiled, "It's alright, as long as you're happy."

"May I bring my personal maid with me to your residence?"

Leng Yi's expression didn't seem so cautious, and Zhao Qun became interested in teasing her, saying, "It sounds like you're acting first and asking questions later."

"No, my maid is still outside the carriage," Leng Yi said frankly.

Zhao Qun chuckled. Leng Yi's answer was unexpected, yet it seemed like something Leng Yi could come up with, which he found quite amusing.

Leng Yi tilted her head in confusion, wondering what Zhao Qun was laughing at. However, she had a vague feeling that Zhao Qun looked at her like he was looking at a kitten, the kind of kitten that would find interesting and cute no matter what it did... She hoped she was wrong.

"Then let her get in the car," Zhao Qun said.

With permission granted, Leng Yi's lips immediately curled into a smile as she led Ling Cao into the carriage. Ling Cao was extremely apprehensive, after all, she never dreamed that one day she would be riding alongside the Third Prince. She glanced at Zhao Qun and then knelt down tremblingly to perform a grand salute.

"This servant greets Your Highness the Third Prince."

"Be flat."

"Thank you, Your Highness, Third Prince."

Lingcao rose shakily and sat down next to Lengyi. Lengyi glanced at her helplessly and said to Zhao Qun, "Your Highness, please don't be offended. Lingcao is not very worldly."

Zhao Qun certainly wouldn't blame him. Lingcao's reaction to him was normal. What was strange was Lengyi. As a woman of low status, she was neither humble nor arrogant when she first met him. Her demeanor was comparable to that of his cousin, Wang Yuqing.

Of course, he didn't know that Leng Yi was not only a time traveler, but also that the people around her were all extraordinary. Madam Hu's education of the courtesan was definitely at the level of a noble lady from a high-ranking family, and even more.

After sending Leng Yi and Ling Cao back to the villa, Zhao Qun did not get out of the carriage, which slowly drove towards the palace.

Lengyi brought Lingcao to meet Manager Liu and Hong'e. Hong'e was very enthusiastic and immediately went to tidy up the servants' room so that Lingcao could stay with her. Lengyi took Lingcao into her room and closed the door.

"Alright, now you should relax a bit, Lingcao." Lengyi said in a light tone, taking Lingcao's hand and looking into Lingcao's worried eyes. Lengyi's blue eyes lowered slightly, and her voice became soft, "From now on, you will be living with me in the Third Prince's territory. I can only rely on you, Lingcao."

Upon hearing the word "rely on," Bellflower's eyes widened, and she said firmly, "I will do everything I can to help you, Ningbi."

"I believe you." Leng Yi forced a smile, her eyes unconsciously welling up with tears. She suddenly hugged Lingcao, the warmth of their close embrace offering her comfort.

She was so tired... What did it matter if Fengxiang Tower was gone? The Third Prince's villa was also a cage, and her undercover identity only added to her shackles.

When will we be truly free?

Zhao Qun did not return by Shenshi. Manager Liu said that Zhao Qun might not come every day. Leng Yi was not discouraged. Seeing Zhao Qun less often made her feel less guilty.

Without the secret guards from Fengxiang Tower delivering letters every night, the nights felt lonely and long. There were no musical instruments in the house, and Lengyi's injuries hadn't fully healed, so she couldn't practice swordsmanship. Lengyi could only read the books that Hong'e had found for her, planning to go to sleep when she got tired of reading.

Bellflower and Red Calyx had originally planned to stay by her side, but since there was usually nothing to do at night, she dismissed them both. The room was dimly lit, with only Lengyi's shadow as she quietly read a book.

Suddenly, the lights in the room went out.

"Is Miss Ningbi resting? It seems she's gone earlier than before. I'll go check." Hong'e saw that the lights in Lengyi's room were off and made to open the door to go in.

Bellflower was taken aback: "You actually went in without Miss's permission..."

Hong'e pressed her hands against the door and gently pushed it open, but only a crack was left before a wary voice came from inside, "Who's there?"

Hong'e paused, not pushing the door open further. "Miss Ningbi, it's Hong'e. I saw you had turned off the lights, so I thought I'd tidy up the room."

"Really? You disturbed me." Leng Yi's voice clearly betrayed her displeasure.

Hong'e no longer wanted to go in, immediately admitted her mistake, and then closed the door.

"You tried to break into Ningbi's room before?" Lingcao looked at Hong'e in disbelief.

Hong'e felt a little guilty and said, "I will accept the punishment from Miss tomorrow. I will never dare to do it again."

Lingcao was still somewhat shaken. She had a vague feeling that Hong'e was no ordinary maid, and that Ningbi's situation here was not entirely safe.

Hearing the departing footsteps, Leng Yi's heart, which had been pounding, finally calmed down, and a cold sweat inadvertently broke out on her back.

If Hong'e really comes in, that would be terrible. She absolutely cannot be seen by anyone in her current state.