cold clothes

The next day, Zhao Qun left early, and Leng Yi accompanied Wang Yuqing to breakfast. After breakfast, she followed Wang Yuqing to handle the affairs of the Wang Mansion.

Upon learning of Hong'e's disappearance, Leng Yi remained vigilant, constantly alert to her surroundings. The Prince's residence was actually very well-guarded, with half of its security personnel being elites from the Wang family. Hong'e likely didn't possess Zhao Yin's elusive abilities, but that fellow seemed ruthless and reckless, and also had a talent for poisoning; it was truly unpredictable what he might do.

Wang Yuqing, being perceptive, had long noticed that Leng Yi had seemed lost in thought and preoccupied all day. During their afternoon break, she couldn't help but ask, "Ningbi, is something on your mind today?"

Leng Yi was taken aback for a moment, then her expression returned to calm. She had actually guessed that Yu Qing would ask, so she had prepared her answer in advance.

"Yuqing, do you have any news about Hong'e?" she asked tentatively.

“So that’s what you were worried about,” Wang Yuqing smiled slightly. “Hong’e has already been sent out of the capital by the Empress, so you don’t need to worry.”

It seems Yuqing doesn't know that Hong'e escaped... Lengyi thought to herself, and despite her burning anxiety, she smiled happily and said, "That's good, I finally don't have to live in fear anymore."

Wang Yuqing felt slightly relieved to see Leng Yi's smiling face, and at the same time understood why Leng Yi was so worried, after all, she had been attacked by Hong E that night... Wang Yuqing's gaze fell on Leng Yi's waist, and she noticed that Leng Yi always wore a silver belt hook, which was usually worn by men, so she was very concerned about it.

“Ningbi, I’ve noticed you always wear the same belt hook. It must be something special to you,” Wang Yuqing asked, covering her mouth with her sleeve.

Leng Yi followed Wang Yuqing's gaze to the soft sword at her waist and replied in a calm tone, "This is a soft sword that my master gave me for self-defense."

"A soft sword?"

Leng Yi noticed Wang Yuqing's surprise, so she demonstrated by drawing her soft sword. The blade instantly straightened, becoming slender and sharp, as if she were holding a sliver of moonlight in her hand.

"Amazing..." Wang Yuqing exclaimed, her eyes glued to the screen.

"Heh." Leng Yi chuckled lightly and sheathed the soft sword at her waist.

"Who is your master?" Wang Yuqing asked with great interest.

"His name is Qingyou, and he is known as the best swordsman in the capital."

"Was he a man? Did he teach you swordsmanship personally?"

"Yeah, that's not surprising, is it?"

"I can hardly imagine what it would be like to be close to a man. I haven't been able to get too close to my father and brothers since I was six years old," Wang Yuqing said with a mix of melancholy and envy. "Ningbi's life must be much richer than mine."

Is the daughter of a high-ranking official envying prostitutes?

Leng Yi suddenly felt a bit ironic and smiled, saying, "Rich? Perhaps. I was locked in the backyard of Fengxiang Tower since I was a child, learning music, chess, calligraphy, painting, flower arranging, and tea ceremony. At night, I also had to practice swordsmanship, and... other things I needed to learn. It was indeed quite rich."

Wang Yuqing realized her mistake and quickly apologized.

Leng Yi shook her head: "You don't need to apologize. The past is history. Although I am not grateful for my past, it is the past that has shaped who I am today, and I accept it with equanimity. It is also thanks to my hard work in Fengxiang Pavilion that I was able to dance for you when Yuqing plays the zither and grind ink for you when you paint."

Leng Yi smiled gently, her blue eyes shining brightly, as if illuminating Wang Yuqing's heart, causing her heart to flutter slightly.

A short while later, a maid came into the room to report that the matchmaker had arrived. Yuqing took Lengyi's hand and stood up. "Come on, let's go and choose a few maids that we like. You should also choose a few maids to help with dressing and grooming."

“Okay,” Leng Yi agreed.