After flipping through the account book and finding Wu Yuanqing’s name, Ji Changqing couldn’t help but waver in his speculation about Feng Qingsui’s identity.
This Wu Yuanqing was the adoptive parent of a girl named Cuique. Cuique was the same age as Feng Sui and died in the third year after being adopted due to an incurable rash from smallpox.
The account book included the coroner’s autopsy report for Cuique, but having served as a local official, Ji Changqing knew how much could be manipulated in an autopsy and wouldn’t take the records as fact.
“Tomorrow, go investigate Wu Yuanqing and the child he adopted back then.”
He instructed Shi An.
Shi An nodded. “Alright.”
The next day, after returning from court, Shi An reported the findings and added, “Wu Yuanqing and his family of three left the city early this morning with all their belongings. Their whereabouts are unknown.”
Ji Changqing: “…”
How swift.
Just as he began investigating, Feng Qingsui had already relocated the related individuals.
Was she Cuique or Feng Sui?
Recalling the medical texts that described Cuique as bitter, cold, highly toxic, and capable of killing insects, along with the suspicious death of Physician Xun from Ping’an Hall, Ji Changqing felt the name suited her well.
Just as Feng Qingsui stepped into the courtyard of the Rongchang Marquis Mansion’s heir’s wife, she suddenly felt a chill.
Her footsteps paused involuntarily.
Who was gossiping about her behind her back?
Wuhua suddenly tugged her sleeve. When Feng Qingsui looked over, Wuhua pointed ahead.
Two men, one tall and one short, were walking from the distant corridor ahead. The tall one was none other than Han Ruixuan, the heir of Marquis Rongchang. The short one… recognizing it as Cuique in disguise, Feng Qingsui turned and led Wuhua toward the pavilion on the right.
The pavilion was surrounded by a dense circle of bamboo, shielding their figures completely.
As the two passed by, Cuique cooed, “Master, if you lose this time, please find the one I mentioned for me.”
Han Ruixuan clicked his tongue. “What kind of talk is that?”
“I only said that because I heard the new fighting slave is formidable, having won several matches in a row. I’m worried for the Ever-Victorious General.”
“Do you know why it’s called the Ever-Victorious General? It has never lost!”
“Alright, I was overthinking it.”
“Don’t worry. Just watch carefully later.”
…
After the two left the courtyard, Feng Qingsui gave Wuhua a look. Wuhua nodded and headed toward the courtyard gate.
Feng Qingsui went alone to see Madam Wei.
“My maid suddenly had a stomachache, so I sent her back.”
She told Madam Wei.
Madam Wei paid no mind, busy looking in the mirror.
“Look at my chin. Has its contour become much sharper?”
Feng Qingsui nodded. “There was a bit of a double chin before, but now it’s completely gone. Your face looks much smaller.”
Madam Wei was pleased for a moment before sighing again. “No matter how small, it’s still a round face, nothing compared to those with delicate, oval faces.”
“A peony doesn’t need to compete with other flowers for beauty,” Feng Qingsui comforted her. “Your face is naturally suited to be the wife of a household.”
Madam Wei brightened again. “You really know how to flatter.”
Seizing the opportunity, Feng Qingsui asked, “Just now, when I entered the courtyard, I saw the heir and a slender man leaving. I was so startled I hid immediately. Isn’t this the inner courtyard? How can other men come and go here?”
Madam Wei’s round face instantly darkened like a gloomy cloud.
“How could a man enter!” she said bitterly. “It’s that little vixen dressed in men’s clothes. It’s not the first time. During the old madam’s birthday celebration, she also disguised herself as a servant and followed the men around. No sense of propriety at all!”
So that’s how it is.
Feng Qingsui lowered her gaze.
On the day of the birthday banquet, Cuique had disguised herself as a man and followed the Rongchang Hou Shizi.
“No wonder you have a headache,” Feng Qingsui smiled faintly. “She is indeed far too favored.”
“She’s nothing but a demon!”
Madam Wei cursed a few times, then revealed a hint of smugness.
“Fortunately, the moment I first saw her, I knew she was a seductress. I added a sterilizing drug to the contraceptive soup she was given. No matter how bewitching she is, without offspring, she won’t be able to stir up trouble.”
Feng Qingsui: “…”
No wonder Han Ruixuan’s rear courtyard had so many women, yet not a single child.
Madam Wei suddenly thought of something and leaned in closer. “Do you really plan to remain faithful to Ji Changfeng for the rest of your life?”
Feng Qingsui nodded slightly.
“Without even a child, how unbearable it must be,” Madam Wei sighed deeply. “It would be best to adopt one from the clan. At least when you’re old, there will be someone by your side, a bit of life around you… By the way, has Prime Minister Ji’s marriage prospects made any progress?”
Hearing this, Feng Qingsui knew she had thoughts about Ji Changqing’s marriage.
“Not for now.”
“It’s about time it was settled.”
Later, while taking a walk, Madam Wei chatted with Feng Qingsui about her own group of younger sisters-in-law, emphasizing the Third Miss Han.
“…Third Sister and the current Crown Princess are known as the Two Beauties of the capital. Both are stunningly beautiful, well-educated, and accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. The largest women’s poetry society in the capital was founded by Third Sister. She is determined to find an exceptional man, and even at the age of sixteen, she hasn’t yet been betrothed.”
“It seems none of the capital’s talented young men have caught Third Miss’s eye.”
Feng Qingsui chuckled lightly.
“Exactly!” Madam Wei agreed. “She looks down on those relying on their ancestors’ prestige, and she also scorns those with low official positions. She wants someone young, highly placed, and powerful, yet also as handsome as Pan An. Tell me, how many such men are there in the Xi Kingdom?”
Feng Qingsui: What a coincidence, their Ji Fu happens to have one.
She didn’t respond to Madam Wei’s remark, only saying, “With Third Miss’s background, she should indeed choose carefully.”
Madam Wei gave her a deep look.
“When the nine-lotus lantern in Third Sister’s courtyard blooms, I’ll take you over for tea. The flowers come in several colors—purple, pink, green—absolutely beautiful. They were tribute from Hexi to Her Majesty the Empress, who then bestowed them upon her. You won’t see them anywhere else.”
Feng Qingsui agreed.
She drove the carriage back to Ji Fu herself.
Wuhua was already waiting in Polang Pavilion.
“They went to Paiyun Tower.”
Wuhua said with a tense expression.
“There’s an underground beast-fighting arena there. Han Shizi is a regular. They run betting pools, pitting men against dogs. Whoever’s dog kills the man wins.”
“Did Han Shizi win just now?”
“No. The person who fought today was a foreign youth, likely bought from the border, possibly from Xi Rong. He killed all the dogs instead.”
Feng Qingsui couldn’t help but recall what Cuique had said to Han Ruixuan—if he lost, he should seek out the one she mentioned—and the image of the big black dog flashed through her mind.
The big black dog had once bitten Cuique. Given Cuique’s vengeful nature, she would never let the big black dog go.
Earlier, when she saw the big black dog safe and sound at the Charity Orphanage, she had thought Cuique had forgotten about it.
So this was where it was waiting.
She then said to Wuhua, “Go keep an eye on the big black dog. If someone comes to capture it, stop them.”
“How long should I watch?”
“Start with five or six days.”
“What about you here?”
“Polang Pavilion has other maids. When I go out, Ji Changqing’s people will follow.”
Ji Changqing: ??? Is that how you use my Shadow Guards?
Wuhua did as instructed.
The next day, just as Feng Qingsui was about to take the maid from Ji Fu out, Wuhua hurried back.
“The big black dog has been taken away!”