Chapter 29: You Lied

Qiao Qingyun spoke with feigned seriousness, “If you want to work with me, you’ll have to provide all the funds at the start. All expenses are on you, of course. I’ll be making plenty of delicacies, so you needn’t worry about that.”

“As an exchange, your chefs may learn from me. What do you think?”

Hearing this, Feng Ke’s eyes lit up, but then he paused and asked, “Aren’t you afraid our chefs won’t work for you after they’ve learned everything?”

“What’s there to fear? What they can learn from me is limited, but the dishes I can make are endless.”

Qiao Qingyun was not exaggerating. Though she mainly practiced medicine, with so many modern delicacies, only a fool wouldn’t indulge in them.

Feng Ke considered it, recalling the second waiter’s earlier report. That had already proven Qiao Qingyun’s words true.

If they worked with her, the profits would ultimately be theirs.

“Alright, I agree. But, Boss Yun, next time don’t use a woman’s voice. It’s too easy to give yourself away.”

Feng Ke teased, but Qiao Qingyun didn’t mind. She instinctively switched back to her scholarly voice, “Very well.”

After their discussion, Qiao Qingyun climbed over the wall with Zhong Shi and the others in the dead of night, and, returning to her room, immediately wiped every trace of makeup from her face.

Better safe than sorry—what if Uncle Li saw her? How would she explain?

While Qiao Qingyun was busy with her schemes, Yun Rou in the palace was restless all day.

She recalled her hands clutching Yun Jian’s clothing—the fabric was the finest cloud brocade, clear proof of a distinguished background.

And those deep, fathomless eyes of Yun Jian, as if they could drown her in their depths.

“Your Highness? Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”

Pin’er, hearing restless footsteps from within, grew worried and hurried inside, only to find Yun Rou visibly nervous.

“Your Highness?”

“Hm? What is it?”

Startled by Pin’er’s entrance, Yun Rou looked at her, a hint of displeasure in her eyes.

“Why haven’t you rested? You must take care of your health.”

“Pin’er, what do you think of the young master Yun we met today?”

Pin’er paused, realizing something, and instead of answering rashly, began to analyze carefully.

“That young master Yun is elegant and courteous. The only breach of decorum was holding the princess in his arms.”

“That’s not true! He was merely protecting me from falling,” Yun Rou protested immediately, making Pin’er even more astonished. “Miss, could it be that you’ve fallen for him?”

“Nonsense!” Yun Rou denied again, but her blushing face betrayed her true thoughts.

Pin’er couldn’t help but laugh. In her eyes, Yun Rou had always been proud and aloof. Even though the emperor had selected many suitors, all had been rejected by her with the same excuse: not suitable.

“So, will Your Highness go out for another excursion tomorrow?”

Pin’er tried to test her mistress’s feelings, but Yun Rou sensed it was unwise. If discovered, others might seize the opportunity to make a scandal of it.

After a moment’s thought, she shook her head. “Let’s see what tomorrow brings.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

In the courtyard, Zhong Shi practiced his sword alone. The force of his strokes sent fallen leaves swirling into the air.

Watching from nearby, Hong Ying felt something was amiss. Zhong Shi had never been one to let his emotions rule him. Why today…?

“Brother!”

Her shout snapped Zhong Shi out of his trance. He instinctively sheathed his sword and turned toward her.

She ran over, brows furrowed, gravely asking, “Brother, tell me the truth—what’s troubling you?”

Zhong Shi froze, silent, gazing at the bright moon. In his mind’s eye, he saw Qiao Qingyun dancing gracefully under the moonlight.

“Nothing.”

“You’re lying!”

Hong Ying saw right through him. Growing up together, they could read each other’s thoughts in a glance. Wasn’t it simple to see through each other’s hearts?

“What is it?”

Zhong Shi looked at her, somewhat annoyed, which only made Hong Ying more anxious.

“Brother, whatever’s on your mind, our parents’ deaths cannot be in vain!”

As she spoke, her voice trembled and her eyes reddened again.

Indeed, they had witnessed their parents’ deaths. All because of the Seventh Prince, Yuan Zaihao, who, for the sake of seizing the so-called ‘hidden silver’, had framed their parents with all the blame.

“But… if we act, we might endanger the young lady.”

Zhong Shi’s words made Hong Ying’s eyes widen. “Brother! She will become the crown prince’s consort, a member of the imperial family!”

“So what?” Zhong Shi rebuked, frowning. “The young lady saved us. Do you want to bring harm upon her? Hasn’t her care for us all these days been enough?”

“Brother, have you lost your senses? Our parents died at the hands of the royal family!”

“That has nothing to do with her! Even if she marries into the family, so what? She’s not going of her own will! If anything we do brings her the slightest harm, I won’t allow it!”

His words left Hong Ying stunned. She instinctively took two steps back, murmuring, “Brother… you…”

“Enough, I’ll decide what to do. You’re not to act on your own, do you hear?”

Zhong Shi’s mood darkened as he spoke. Hong Ying’s tears streamed down her face as she turned and ran off.

Zhong Shi stood alone, gazing at the moon, as if only the moonlight could gradually untangle the turmoil in his heart.

The next morning, Qiao Qingyun rose early, planning to check on Hong Ying and Zhong Shi’s progress before sneaking out again. To her surprise, she found only Zhong Shi.

“Where’s Hong Ying?”

Qiao Qingyun was puzzled; after all, Hong Ying was never the first to leave.

“She’s in a bad mood, acting childish. Don’t worry about her.”

Hearing this, Qiao Qingyun’s mood soured. “Did you bully her? Don’t think you can just because you’re her brother. Girls like to hear kind words, you know.”