“Hey, Young General Di…”
Xue Ru opened her mouth to call him back, but he was already gone in a flash. Clutching her account books, she stood there, utterly baffled.
Di Tao had arrived by carriage, openly entering Jiyun Lane, so why did he climb over the wall into the residence? And what kind of person was he, leaving so abruptly without giving her a chance to respond? He seemed thoughtless at first glance, but now he was acting like a complete rogue.
Xue Ru muttered a few complaints under her breath but, having already agreed, she couldn’t back out. She turned and hurriedly returned to her courtyard.
After fetching a veiled hat and bringing a maid along to cover her face, she stepped out of the residence and was greeted by Di Tao’s beaming smile.
He personally drove the carriage, eagerly helping the mistress and her maid into it.
“My lady, Young General Di’s smile… it’s a bit silly…” her maid whispered.
Xue Ru: “…”
Her lips twitched. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
As the carriage left the gate, Hang Li emerged from behind the door. Watching the carriage move farther away, he could faintly see the smile on Xue Ru’s face earlier. His lips tightened.
“If you’re so unwilling, why didn’t you stop her?” Yue Jian, standing beside Hang Li with her arms crossed, spoke up.
Hang Li lowered his eyes. “Stop what?”
Yue Jian glanced at him. “You know what.”
Di Tao’s wall-climbing wasn’t a secret in the residence, Jiyun Lane would’ve been infiltrated long ago if it was that easy to sneak in. Hang Li had known Di Tao was coming to see Xue Ru but didn’t intervene.
“The Governor had you stay at the Tang residence because the young lady had no one by her side. He wanted to keep things proper to avoid gossip, so he temporarily assigned you to protect her. But later, I came to serve her, and the Gu family sent guards as well. She doesn’t lack protection now, and the Governor told you to return, yet you chose to stay.”
“You’re as trusted as Canglang and Jinyun, once leading the Xiao Guards. But now you’d rather stay at the Tang residence as a mere guard, going out of your way to teach a young lady martial arts and spar with her. Don’t tell me you have no feelings for her.”
Yue Jian, still pale from recovering from serious injuries, had sharp eyes. “Your gaze is fixed on Miss Ru. You were even punished for it before. Don’t say you’re just pitying her, helping her out, only to watch her marry someone else later!”
Her words pierced Hang Li’s thoughts. For a moment, he wanted to argue, but under Yue Jian’s gaze, he fell silent. After a long pause, he said, “Di Tao is young and outstanding, the son of a general with a bright future. If A’Ru marries him, no one will dare look down on her.”
Her past was full of hardship, and she’d only just begun to rise above it.
A general’s wife sounded far better than a guard’s.
“Coward!” Yue Jian rolled her eyes, scoffing coldly.
“Di Shuangcheng was once a nobody, orphaned and broken, who fought his way to his current status in the northwest. Di Tao merely basks in his father’s glory. Do you think you, serving under the Governor, have less promise than him? Or do you believe you’re inferior to that half-grown kid?”
“You stay at the Tang residence, quietly watching over her, caring for her every step, yet you feel inferior, thinking you’re not worthy. Instead of wallowing, why not focus on serving the Governor and doing what you’re meant to do?”
“The Governor is always fair with rewards and punishments. In time, couldn’t you become another Di Shuangcheng? Why torment yourself thinking you’re lesser?”
Yue Jian snorted, too lazy to argue further. “If you’re going to act so magnanimous, don’t stand there looking like that.”
“Di Tao’s not bad-looking, thicker-skinned than you, sweeter with words. His relentless pursuit is something few young ladies can resist. Just wait, he’ll win her over, and you’ll be left crying alone.”
Her words turned Hang Li’s face ashen. She walked off leisurely, leaving him behind.
Hang Li stood rooted, his expression shifting. His fists clenched, lips pressed tight. The self-doubt that had plagued him recently was swept away by Yue Jian’s words.
Suddenly, he felt foolish. His heart ached with care for her, and every time he saw Di Tao joking with Xue Ru, he wanted to step in and pull them apart.
He hated seeing her smile at Di Tao, hated another man standing by her side. Yet he played the generous fool, stepping aside to let someone else have her while wallowing in self-pity.
He was an utter idiot.
From her spot around the corner, Yue Jian saw Hang Li stride toward the residence’s exit. She peeked out, watching him chase after the carriage’s direction, and let out a smug laugh.
Stubborn fool.
He should learn from the Governor, who already had the young lady in his arms.
The sound of hooves approached Jiyun Lane. Yue Jian looked up to see a carriage arrive. As it stopped in front of the neighboring residence, a young eunuch helped someone out. Yue Jian’s face showed surprise.
“Eunuch Feng?”
Feng Lai had met Yue Jian before. When Xiao Yan was away from the capital, and he and Doctor Jiang visited Jiyun Lane, it was Yue Jian who had guided them. He knew she was one of Song Tang Ning’s people. Feng Lai asked, “Is Governor Xiao here?”
“He’s in the residence.”
Yue Jian didn’t know why Feng Lai had come but didn’t ask. She stepped forward. “I’ll take you in.”
…
Having bandaged his wounds, Xiao Yan was discussing matters about the south and the Mid-Autumn Festival with Jinyun and the others when someone reported that Eunuch Feng had arrived.
Tang Ning frowned. “Why is he here?”
Wasn’t Emperor An suspicious of Feng Lai? Her brother had just managed to deflect suspicion with a risky ploy today. Why would Feng Lai come now?
Xiao Yan said, “Bring him in.”
Jinyun went to relay the message, Tian Qing slipped away, and Tang Ning whispered, “I’ll hide behind the screen.”
“No need. He’ll find out sooner or later.”
“Let’s wait until then. Better safe than sorry.”
Feng Lai was different from Prince Zeng. Letting Prince Zeng know about her and Xiao Yan was to reassure him, making him think he had leverage over Xiao Yan, giving him the confidence to proceed with their plans. But Feng Lai was different.
He was too cunning, with too many schemes.
Though Feng Lai seemed to be on their side, those who served in the palace had countless agendas. Switching allegiances or seeking a new master was always a possibility.
Until their grand plan succeeded, any unexpected variable was a risk.
Tang Ning quickly slipped behind the screen to the right, hidden by the hanging curtains, just as Jinyun’s voice came from outside: “Governor, Eunuch Feng is here.”
“Come in.”
It wasn’t Feng Lai’s first time at Helü Hall. He followed Jinyun with ease to Yue Li Platform, where he saw Xiao Yan sitting in his inner robe.
Before him on the table were medicinal supplies, and on the floor nearby were blood-stained bandages yet to be cleared away.
“Is Governor Xiao’s health alright?” Feng Lai asked with concern.
Xiao Yan replied calmly, “It’s nothing serious, just some bleeding. Sit, Eunuch Feng.”
After Feng Lai sat, and Jinyun served tea before retreating, Xiao Yan asked, “I only just left the palace, and His Majesty’s suspicions may not be fully dispelled. Why has Eunuch Feng come at this time?”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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