Chapter 58: A Lady Who Eats Five Meals a Day Is No Pig

Feng Xiaoli staggered out of the prison with Yue Wanqing in tow. Yue Wanqing had relied on her lightness skill all the way to the palace; if it weren’t for her desperate desire to see Xiang Lian, she would have collapsed midair long before, unable to hold on. At last, upon seeing Xiang Lian, her heart, tormented day and night, finally found peace. But as they left, she could no longer support her own body. Had Feng Xiaoli not been quick enough to steady her, Yue Wanqing would have fallen straight into the water with a splash.

The scene was reminiscent of the day Feng Xiaoli had helped Jin Ning out of the Pepper Chamber. Jin Ning had knelt repeatedly before Empress Yuanmin, begging for mercy, but the empress was resolute in her intent to punish her. If Feng Xiaoli hadn’t pleaded with the empress in a low and humble voice, Jin Ning might have already been nothing but a pile of bones, never to see the sun rise again.

Feng Xiaoli couldn’t help but sigh; it had only been a few days since then. Who could have foreseen such events and such a dramatic reversal? Without a strong heart and steadfast will, anyone’s body would have failed. Even Xiang Lian’s delicate frame had turned pale in the prison.

She thought of how Yue Wanqing had suffered just as much as she had these past few days. When they finally found a solution, someone beat them to it and ruined everything. And when, at last, the clouds parted and she could see Xiang Lian, she was told that Xiang Lian had already been sentenced to be escorted back by envoys from Tianshang. This devastating news finally broke Yue Wanqing’s strength; days of worry became an illness that gripped her.

The poor girl fell into a high fever. Even though the Left Prime Minister summoned imperial physicians, nothing helped. The doctors all said that the sickness lay in her heart and only a remedy for the heart could cure it. They speculated that it was Xiang Lian’s ordeal that had brought on Yue Wanqing’s feverish unconsciousness. Thus, the Left Prime Minister’s hatred for Xiang Lian deepened, and he included Feng Xiaoli in his loathing. Henceforth, Feng Xiaoli was forbidden to set foot in the Left Prime Minister’s residence again, on pain of severe consequences.

Naturally, Yue Wanqing, lost in fevered sleep, knew nothing of this edict. With the front door closed to her, Feng Xiaoli could only sneak into the Prime Minister’s residence at night to check on Yue Wanqing, and even slipped into the kitchen to add a little something extra to the medicine Luo Yu was brewing for her.

As she put it, "These imperial doctors are useless. Better to trust me!"

Xiang Lian’s departure had been postponed for a few days. Feng Xiaoli had no idea if Yue Wanqing’s fever had broken or if she was still unconscious. As long as she was alive, with a heartbeat, Feng Xiaoli was determined to carry her out, no matter what.

Sure enough, on that day, Yue Wanqing had not yet recovered.

Feng Xiaoli arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence in a flurry. The guards recognized her as a lady from Prince Chun’s household, but had orders to bar her entry. They crossed their spears to block her way.

Feng Xiaoli sneered and pushed them aside. They were merely ordinary soldiers and no match for her; they could only watch helplessly as she strode in. Exchanging glances, the two guards decided they’d better report to the Prime Minister.

Before she had even opened the door to Yue Wanqing’s chamber, the hidden guards lurking in the shadows leapt out and struck at Feng Xiaoli with their combined force. She scoffed at their overconfidence, but did not retaliate, letting the man behind her handle them.

This time, she had not brought Jin Ning. The Prime Minister had made his threats clear and would show no mercy. Bringing along Jin Ning, who didn’t know martial arts, would only slow her down. So she had borrowed a highly skilled bodyguard, Yan Xi, from Prince Chun, and left the four hidden guards for Yan Xi to deal with. She herself hurried inside to find Yue Wanqing.

“Luo Yu, quickly help your mistress dress and come with me. These clothes are far too cumbersome—why do you people insist on wearing such complicated things!” Feng Xiaoli grumbled as she fumbled to dress Yue Wanqing.

Luo Yu, ever obedient, immediately helped her mistress into an outer robe and followed Feng Xiaoli out at a brisk pace.

“Yan Xi, stall them for me. Don’t let them catch up!” Feng Xiaoli complained as she hefted Yue Wanqing onto her back. “Yue Wanqing, are you a pig? You’re so damn heavy! Once you’re better, you’d better go on a diet!”

Luo Yu replied, “Miss Li, my lady is not a pig. She just eats a little more than most, only a little bit! She eats five meals a day: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and a late-night snack. So really, Miss Li, you’re wrong—my lady isn’t a pig!”

“—”

She eats that much and isn’t a pig?

==

Before Feng Xiaoli could escape with Yue Wanqing, the Left Prime Minister was in his study, engaged in a private discussion. He hadn’t planned to see anyone, but the urgency in the guard’s voice convinced him otherwise.

Who would have guessed the news he’d receive?

Feng Xiaoli had barged into his residence and taken Yue Wanqing.

Furious, he led more than a dozen guards to block the gates, determined not to let Feng Xiaoli get away so easily this time. Thinking of Prince Chun, the Prime Minister snorted—if his own daughter dared set foot on his territory, her fate was her own to bear. After all, Prince Chun was a mere idle lord.

Feng Xiaoli, sweating profusely, hurried forward with Yue Wanqing slung over her shoulder. Luo Yu, her personal maid, followed behind, dabbing at her sweat with a handkerchief—a scene as bizarre as it was comical. The Prime Minister arrived just in time to witness this sight and was momentarily at a loss for words. Regaining his composure, he barked at his guards, “Stop them!”

Feng Xiaoli halted abruptly. She realized she’d wasted too much time with the clothes—they should have dressed while running!

Had Luo Yu known her thoughts, she’d have been mortified. Miss Li, how would you dress someone while running with her on your back?

“Feng Xiaoli, put Wanqing down at once! How dare you break into my residence and abduct her? I swear, once I report this to His Majesty, I’ll see you punished!” the Prime Minister shouted, visibly agitated.

“Very well, then, please do report me, Lord Prime Minister. I’d be delighted. But I won’t let go of her. If you want her, come and take her yourself. If you can’t, don’t blame anyone but yourself. If you must blame someone, blame your poor vigilance!” Feng Xiaoli retorted with biting sarcasm, leaving the Prime Minister red, then purple, then black with rage. He hadn’t expected Feng Xiaoli to speak so bluntly, without the slightest regard for his dignity.

“Fine! Since that’s how you want it, what are you all waiting for? Seize the young lady!”

Feng Xiaoli called out to the skies, “Yan Xi, she’s yours to handle now. I’m busy!”