Chapter Thirty-Eight: You’re Really Such a Coward!

Feng Xiaoli supported Jin Ning as they slowly made their way out. The poor maid, terrified by the sudden turn of events, was so shaken that her legs felt weak, clinging to Feng Xiaoli for support. Understanding the cause of Jin Ning’s fear, Feng Xiaoli paid no heed to the distinction between mistress and servant, guiding her forward with care.

“Miss, I—” Jin Ning started to speak, but before she could finish, her brows furrowed with grievance, her eyes quickly welling up with tears.

“Say nothing more. Go home and find a good doctor. I refuse to let my maid’s lovely face be marred by the wound on her forehead!” Feng Xiaoli spoke only a few words, offering comfort to the frightened girl.

Today’s events had unfolded exactly as Feng Xiaoli had anticipated; the summons was merely a pretext, with the real intention being to suppress her. She was certain that Mu Xinmi would not disclose everything Feng Xiaoli had said to her that night to Empress Yuanmin. She remembered that the shadows watching them that evening were not limited to Zilin alone—there was another.

At this thought, Feng Xiaoli’s pupils contracted. If what she said to Yue Wanqing last night was mere speculation, now she was almost certain: those three men in black were sent by the royal family. Their purpose was to monitor every move between Feng Xiaoli and Mu Xinmi, and, if necessary, to kill Feng Xiaoli.

Yet, Feng Xiaoli couldn’t understand why. She had not crossed their bottom line, so why send assassins after her? Was it possible that Yuwen Hao was right after all? Throwing the imperial edict in anger had disgraced the royal family, a blow far beyond what they could tolerate. As the saying goes, good news rarely leaves the house, but bad news spreads far and wide. The tale of Feng Xiaoli hurling the imperial edict had traveled beyond Huaijing, becoming a favorite topic of gossip at every meal. Though foreign envoys said nothing, they were all well aware. The Yuwen royal family could not afford such humiliation. Their only options were to have Yuwen Hao marry Feng Xiaoli quickly to quell the storm, or to kill her and marry someone else.

If Feng Xiaoli’s guess was correct, the Yuwen royal family had chosen the second path.

Her death would make things much easier. Once she was gone, the focus would shift from her offense to the imperial edict to the mystery of her sudden demise. The subsequent questions would resolve themselves.

The real issue was: who would become the crown prince’s consort?

Many might assume Mu Xinmi was the ideal candidate, but it was not so. Even after Feng Xiaoli’s death, that position would not fall to her. In Feng Xiaoli’s view, it was most likely that the prince would marry a princess from another land.

As for which country’s princess, let them ponder as they wish. But—ha! Do they really think I am so easily killed? What a joke; I possess the resilience of a cockroach—I cannot be defeated!

With Jin Ning’s unsteady steps, Feng Xiaoli moved toward the Imperial Garden. She did not know the complex paths of the palace; it was best to retrace her original route.

After some time, Jin Ning, frail from her ordeal, spoke weakly, “Miss, Jin Ning is fine. Please let go, lest others see and think ill of it.”

“Jin Ning, don’t tell your mistress that appearances matter to others. Status means nothing to me. If I cannot even protect a maid, how can I be your mistress? Jin Ning, whether this is the first or the last time, from now on I will protect you. Don’t let anyone bully you!” Feng Xiaoli’s lovely face softened with a ripple of tenderness, her enchanting phoenix eyes tinged with guilt.

Jin Ning should not have to suffer for following her.

She was simply Empress Yuanmin’s scapegoat; a convenient target for her every move and every word. To avoid unnecessary confrontation with Feng Xiaoli, the Empress chose someone close to her—Jin Ning. The Prince Chun could not be touched, nor was it possible. Though he held little real power, his reputation in court was considerable, and Empress Yuanmin was well aware of this.

Since Prince Chun could not be harmed, Feng Xiaoli was chosen as the outlet. And if a scapegoat was needed, it could not be someone sharp-tongued. Jin Ning, being Feng Xiaoli’s close maid and confidante, was the perfect target. To break Jin Ning was to clip one of Feng Xiaoli’s wings; grooming a trusted servant took time, and in that interval, the Empress could easily plant her own people.

Yet, Empress Yuanmin’s scheme was fleeting; what she truly wanted was not this result. What she desired was for Feng Xiaoli to humble herself and beg on Jin Ning’s behalf.

Feng Xiaoli, known for her loyalty and affection, would not bear seeing Jin Ning suffer. The only recourse was to plead with Empress Yuanmin.

Feng Xiaoli knew well the Empress’s plan, but had no choice but to play along. She sensed clearly the hidden guards lurking in the shadows of the Pepper Chamber, waiting for the Empress’s command. With a single order, Feng Xiaoli and Jin Ning would be doomed.

The Empress had already prepared her explanation for Prince Chun; as long as a scapegoat was found, the matter would be resolved. The only uncertainty was which consort in the palace would suffer for it.

Thus, pleading was unavoidable.

Jin Ning looked at Feng Xiaoli with a complex expression, then lowered her lashes and said, “Miss, please do not treat Jin Ning too kindly. I am but a humble maid, and your noble status demands more restraint.”

A quiet smile rose in Feng Xiaoli’s eyes, though she feigned anger, saying, “Your mistress makes no distinction between high and low. If you treat me well, I will treat you well. Jin Ning, if you say such things again, I will have Empress Yuanmin deal with you!”

“Miss, please don’t!” Jin Ning trembled with fear, a chill enveloping her as if she had fallen into a bottomless abyss.

Seeing Jin Ning so frightened, Feng Xiaoli stopped teasing her. Yet, Jin Ning’s courage was so small—when would it grow to match her own?

“All right, all right, I was only joking. Next time, don’t kneel so quickly for others. You’ve done nothing wrong; why should you kneel? In my eyes, Jin Ning has cared for me diligently. It is only my weak body that fell ill, not your fault.”

“Yes, Miss,” Jin Ning replied quietly, her soft sigh lingering in Feng Xiaoli’s ear.

Suddenly, a thunderous voice rang out behind her: “Ali, why are you here?”

Feng Xiaoli turned at once and saw a figure smiling brightly at her.

Although her memory of this person was faint, Feng Xiaoli recognized her immediately: “Xiang Lian, it’s been a long time!”