Chapter 30: Strange

Qiao Qingyun smiled patiently as he gave his guidance. In truth, the affairs between these siblings were none of his business; he could have chosen to remain detached. Yet, on second thought, since he had brought them both here, how could he simply watch as they quarreled?

“Miss, you needn’t worry about him. He’s been like this since childhood, and it’s better than risking him offending Miss Le again. Why don’t I accompany you for practice today instead?” Zhong Shi suggested just as a sudden voice rang out from behind—Hong Ying’s voice, clear and quick, as she hurried over to Qiao Qingyun’s side.

“Miss, I’m here! Don’t spar with my brother—he’s never known how to go easy on a lady,” Hong Ying declared.

Zhong Shi frowned, watching as Hong Ying, seemingly unaffected by any prior events, led Qiao Qingyun away for practice. Qingluo followed close behind as the two women stepped onto the platform—sparring together was, after all, the best way to improve. Qiao Qingyun was quite experienced by now, and after so many bouts with Hong Ying, she’d grown familiar with her opponent’s tactics.

“Be careful, Miss! I’m going to start!” Hong Ying called out, her expression shifting, eyes sharpening as she launched a swift attack at Qiao Qingyun’s face.

Zhong Shi immediately sensed trouble—this girl likely intended to injure Qiao Qingyun for her own hidden agenda. The thought twisted his heart with anxiety as he watched the two women exchange blows, not daring to look away.

“Go, Miss!” Qingluo cheered from the sidelines, oblivious to the tension between the combatants. Qiao Qingyun, unconcerned, treated it as further training for her reflexes.

But as Hong Ying’s attacks quickened, Qiao Qingyun began to struggle. In the final exchange, Hong Ying suddenly struck at Qiao Qingyun’s waist. Forced to dodge, Qiao Qingyun stepped to the side—but her foot slipped!

“Careful!” Zhong Shi rushed forward, catching Qiao Qingyun in his arms and setting her safely on the ground. He glared furiously at Hong Ying, who stood atop the platform.

“Miss, are you all right?”

Qiao Qingyun calmly brushed the dust from her clothes and shook her head. “I’m fine. In fact, it seems I’ve improved quite a bit, don’t you think, Hong Ying?”

She turned to ask, but this time received no answer. Instead, Hong Ying turned on her heel and stormed off in a huff.

Zhong Shi’s gaze nearly blazed with fury, as if he might swallow Hong Ying whole.

His little sister had always been like this—whenever something happened, she would lose her composure, jeopardizing their plans. If she continued this way, who knew what disaster might befall them? And had he not caught Qiao Qingyun in time, that fall might have ended far worse.

“Hong Ying!” he called after her.

Qiao Qingyun, baffled, turned to Zhong Shi. “What’s wrong with your sister? She doesn’t seem in a good mood.”

Zhong Shi merely shook his head. “Miss, you’ve had a fright. Please, return to your chambers and rest.”

“No, I still need to go out. I want to visit the Little Green Kitchen,” Qiao Qingyun refused.

“Very well, I’ll accompany you,” Zhong Shi agreed, unable to hide his worry. He was especially wary of Feng Ke from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, who had clearly had his eye on Qiao Qingyun for some time—he would not let any harm come to her.

He did not go after Hong Ying, but followed Qiao Qingyun instead, waiting as she bathed and changed. Only Qingluo was allowed to assist her, as others were not permitted in the room.

“Miss, did you notice that Hong Ying seemed rather strange?” Qingluo asked thoughtfully.

Qiao Qingyun chuckled. “Just pretend not to notice. There’s no need to worry about the rest.”

She had sensed something off from the start. Though Hong Ying’s attack was fierce, it didn’t seem intended to kill—only to injure. Why? This was the mystery that troubled Qiao Qingyun. The only explanation she could imagine was that these siblings harbored some secret between them.

“Shouldn’t you take precautions just in case, Miss?” Qingluo pressed.

“No need. So long as Zhong Shi stays by her side, that alone is enough to restrain her.”

“What do you mean?” Qingluo asked, puzzled.

Qiao Qingyun waved her hand, signaling Qingluo to help her up. She quickly changed clothes, applied a simple touch of makeup, and then, with Zhong Shi and Qingluo, slipped over the wall and out.

When they arrived at the Little Green Kitchen, they found the workers busy with renovations. Upon seeing Qiao Qingyun, they immediately bowed with respect, “Greetings, Boss Yun.”

“Hello to you all,” Qiao Qingyun replied with a casual air, idly twirling a paper fan, looking on as if she were an outsider.

Yuan Rou had already arrived, hoping to catch a glimpse of “Yun Jian.” She waited a long while, and it was only with her maid’s reminder that she finally spotted Yun Jian standing aside.

“Young Master Yun!” Yuan Rou called gently, stepping forward. She was a calculating woman, yet she still had some reservations about Yun Jian.

“Oh? Your Highness the Princess?” Qiao Qingyun quickly bowed in return, inwardly sour—why was Yuan Rou eyeing her now?

“Are you planning to renovate this place, Young Master Yun?”

“Yes. I struck a deal with Boss Feng of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. He was most generous, and so we’re renaming the place ‘Hundred Flowers Courtyard’ for business convenience.”

“Boss Feng?” Yuan Rou clearly didn’t recognize the name. Her maid, Pin’er, explained, “He’s the owner of the tavern Your Highness loves most.”

“Oh! So that’s who it is. Young Master Yun must be quite talented—otherwise, such business wouldn’t be easily arranged.”

Qiao Qingyun smiled on the surface, but cursed inwardly. Was this just a roundabout way of probing into her affairs? One wrong step and she might give herself away.

“I dare not claim such talent, especially before Your Highness. I have only a bit of wit. Were you seeking Miss Qiao?”

Quickly shifting the topic—after all, she appeared here under a different identity. Yuan Rou surely wouldn’t suspect a thing.

“Yes… Indeed. Miss Qiao will soon be my sister-in-law—I must show her the proper attention.”

Yuan Rou smiled with perfect composure, the very picture of a proper noblewoman. Yet Qiao Qingyun could not help but sneer inwardly.

Better not to pay too much attention. With care like yours, who knows when you’ll care her to death.

“Indeed, but Miss Qiao has not appeared in public much lately. It may not be so easy for you to meet her.”