Nоticing the mаid’s gаzе sееmed rather unfriеndlу, Feng Yue smilеd and said, “I’m frоm Drеаm Rеturn Раvilion. I’ve сome to visit, as I’m grateful fоr thе yоung ladу’s саrе and mindful thаt shе hаs nо fаmily оr friends.”
A flickеr оf disdain instаntly apрearеd in the maid’s еуеs. Fоrсing а smilе, she led Fеng Yuе to а fоrk in thе pаth and sаid, “I hаve othеr mаtters tо attend to. Just wаlk ahead а fеw stеps, аnd you’ll seе а сourtуаrd. Gо in thеrе.”
Fеng Yue rаisеd an еyеbrow. “Arеn’t yоu Мiss Нe Сhоu’s mаid?”
Тhe maid bowеd to her, looking as thоugh she had no intеrest in saуing anоthеr word, thеn turned and left.
Feng Yue clicked her tongue, watched her retreating figure for a moment while holding the box, then followed the directions she had been given.
From the outside, the Commandant’s residence didn’t seem large, but inside, it was a different world—towering pavilions and sprawling gardens, grand and imposing.
But just a few steps ahead was a courtyard that looked old and worn. The gate was half-open, and not a single servant was in sight.
“Miss He Chou?”
Feng Yue called out from the entrance. There seemed to be some movement inside. After waiting a moment, she saw He Chou emerge on her own. He Chou looked her over, surprise in her eyes. “Miss Feng Yue?”
“I came to see you.” Smiling, Feng Yue walked over and placed the box in her hands. “A gift.”
Coming to see her at a time like this? He Chou pursed her lips and lowered her gaze. “My situation may not be as favorable as you imagine. If you’ve come seeking my help, I’m afraid I won’t be of much use.”
“You misunderstand, miss.” Feng Yue shook her head. “I was merely entrusted by someone to visit you. And to take a stroll around this courtyard.”
He Chou was taken aback and looked at her.
The person before her smiled with a meaningful expression, as if she knew what He Chou was doing and had come to make contact.
Feeling somewhat relieved, He Chou smiled. “I see. Then let’s go for a walk.”
With that, she set down the box, took Feng Yue’s hand, and led her outside.
“You’ve suffered, miss,” Feng Yue said softly as they walked along the path. “It must have been difficult.”
“Life hasn’t been easy, but there’s still hope.” Knowing Feng Yue was one of her own, He Chou’s attitude softened considerably. Gently, she said, “Look at this courtyard—so magnificent and grand. It must hold many secrets. It’s only natural that I’m treated poorly, given my lowly origins. But precisely because I’m lowborn and ignorant of the rules, I’ve stumbled upon some things in my clashes with others.”
Feng Yue nodded, about to praise her, when she noticed the dark bruises on He Chou’s neck.
“Miss?” Startled, Feng Yue stared wide-eyed.
He Chou was taken aback, then followed her gaze and touched her neck. Softly, she said, “It’s nothing serious. I’ve faced some difficulties, but I’m still alive.”
In such a grand and noble household, a fox spirit from a brothel would naturally have a hard time. Add to that Zhao Xi’s fickle nature—once he lost interest in her, she was left at the mercy of the other concubines.
Men were like that—fickle and forever drawn to new women. When they doted on you, they’d say anything. Once their affection faded, they couldn’t care less whether you lived or died.
Feng Yue frowned, her expression turning dark, which startled He Chou. Hurriedly, He Chou said, “It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry too much.”
“Mm.” Feng Yue closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her smile was alluring once more. “In this residence, can we move around freely?”"Of course not. The study area and the front courtyard where the Commandant resides are off-limits," He Chou said. "We can only wander in the rear courtyard. Last time, I pretended to be foolish and forced my way in. I only overheard talk about account books and glimpsed some mechanisms through a half-open window before being driven out and punished with household discipline."
"You've worked hard," Feng Yue replied. "Do me a favor. I have a way to enter openly and legitimately."
The Commandant is usually not in the residence, and the security here isn't as strict as in the General's Mansion, making it much easier.
He Chou nodded.
Zhao Xi returned after being scolded by his father, extremely displeased. He grumbled all the way back, "What does the trouble in the city have to do with me? Why take it out on me?"
A servant beside him bowed and said, "The master was just momentarily angry. Don't be upset, young master. Why not go to Miss He Chou's courtyard to relax?"
Women from brothel backgrounds are usually skilled in bed, much more to his liking than those proper girls who play hard to get and hesitate. However, he had grown tired of He Chou. If he wanted to vent, he should find something fresh.
Just as he was thinking this, he spotted two people standing on the path ahead.
He Chou still had that gentle demeanor, like a pot of kaffir lilies—comforting at first, but after a while, not as appealing as flowers. Zhao Xi shook his head and was about to turn away when he heard her call out, "Young Master."
He instinctively glanced back and saw the girl beside her turn her face toward him, looking at him with curiosity.
Her beauty was as radiant as a begonia, her figure slender and alluring. Wasn't this Miss Feng Yue from the Dream Return Pavilion? He had heard she was always reserved by important figures. Why would she come here today?
Lust stirred in him. Zhao Xi walked over with a smile, looking at Feng Yue. "We have a guest?"
He Chou nodded. "Miss Feng Yue has always been close to me. She had some free time today and came to visit. If there is any offense, I hope the young master will not blame her."
"Oh, there's nothing to blame," Zhao Xi said, still looking at Feng Yue. "Since you're here, why not stay for a while?"
"This..." He Chou seemed troubled. She subtly tugged at Zhao Xi's sleeve and whispered, "Feng Yue only entertains important guests and visits only the most prestigious residences. My courtyard is a bit messy and not yet tidied up. Could the young master help me by keeping her occupied while I go back to tidy up? At least let's not embarrass the Commandant's residence."
Seeing her nervous expression, he could guess at the subtle rivalries among women. Zhao Xi smiled knowingly and nodded. "Alright."
So He Chou said to Feng Yue, "You go with the young master for a stroll. I'll go fetch something."
Feng Yue agreed innocently, "Alright. I'd love to see the Commandant's residence. It looks so grand."
Watching He Chou leave, Zhao Xi stood beside Feng Yue with a smile. "If you'd like to see, follow me. The most impressive part of this residence is naturally in the front courtyard."
As he spoke, his hand rested on Feng Yue's waist.
Feng Yue paused, turning her head slightly to give him a light, flirtatious glance. That little seductive look sent a shiver down Zhao Xi's spine, making his desire even more direct. "Shall we go to my courtyard and sit for a while?"
Biting her lip and fiddling with her handkerchief, Feng Yue moved his hand away and leaned close to Zhao Xi's ear, whispering coyly, "What's so interesting about sitting in a courtyard? It's just an ordinary bed. If the young master wants to play, we should play something more exciting.""Oh?" Eyes gleaming with even greater excitement, Zhao Xi asked, "Where would the lady like to play?"
"Last time, I went to a certain household. It seemed strict with rigid family rules, but that patron enjoyed excitement, so he took me to his stern father's study... That rosewood desk was quite chilly."
A few coquettish words made Zhao Xi swallow hard, his eyes even turning red: "The lady truly is a rare treasure in this world. No wonder so many noblemen have fallen at your feet."
"Young master wants to try too?" Feng Yue blinked, reaching out to hook his belt.
With that hook, Zhao Xi was utterly bewitched, quickly taking her to Zhao Lin's study. Guards blocked the door, but he kicked one aside: "I'm here to study. How dare you stop me?"
The guard's face turned ashen, thinking, You're here to study with a lady? But a subordinate does not argue with a superior, so the guard wisely stepped aside, allowing Zhao Xi to push the door open. Before entering, he turned back and said, "No matter what sounds you hear, don't come in."
"...Yes."
Feng Yue gave a shy smile. Following him inside, as soon as the door closed, he pressed her against the wall.
"Why so impatient, young master?" She playfully pushed him away, swaying her hips as she walked further in. Glancing at the desk, she signaled to Zhao Xi with her eyes.
Overjoyed, Zhao Xi followed her over, only to be pressed onto the desk by Feng Yue.
The beauty was enchantingly seductive, tugging at her own collar, her scented handkerchief carrying a pleasant fragrance as it lightly brushed against his face.
Zhao Xi was entranced, opening his mouth to bite her handkerchief. Gripping her waist, he tried to take liberties.
The sensation was as beautiful as a dream. In his daze, Zhao Xi felt extremely drowsy, wondering if he was truly dreaming.
Feng Yue watched him with a smile, observing his heavy eyelids, and asked softly, "Is my gentle embrace lovely?"
"Lovely..." Before he could finish, his hands lost strength first, dangling by the desk, swaying a couple of times.
Standing up, Feng Yue glanced outside, quickly locating the hanging painting on the wall. After pondering the mechanism, she twisted it open, stuffed everything inside into her undergarment, then turned and pulled a silk tassel from Zhao Xi's waist pendant, hanging it on the mechanism.
Now she had to leave this place, Feng Yue smiled. She stripped Zhao Xi of his clothes, then disheveled her own, covering her mouth with a soft sob as she opened the door.
The guard outside was startled, meeting a pair of eyes filled with utmost grievance.
These eyes seemed to speak volumes, as if she had endured endless humiliation and could bear no more. Ashamed, she ran away.
Knowing what their young master was like, the guard didn't stop her, pretending to know nothing and even closing the door behind her.
Feng Yue ran all the way out, sitting at the entrance of the Commandant's residence and bursting into loud sobs, attracting many onlookers.
The gathered crowd pointed and whispered. They said, Whose daughter is this? Clearly bullied. The Commandant's residence is a powerful household, yet she can only cry outside the door. How pitiful.
Feng Yue cried with such realism, wiping her tears and snot on her clothes. She wanted all the surrounding commoners to see, so they could provide her a way out later.
However, something unexpected happened.
Someone pushed through the crowd, pulling her onto a carriage, his expression grim: "Miss Feng Yue, what is going on?"
Ye Yuqing!Startled into a hiccup, Feng Yue blinked at him, then glanced at the other two people in the carriage.
Yin Gezhi’s expression was dark and forbidding, while Yi Zhangzhu looked astonished.
What kind of ill wind had blown today, bringing these three together?
Wiping away her tears, Feng Yue lowered her head. “Greetings to both gentlemen, and to Miss Yi.”
It took a moment for Yi Zhangzhu to recover from her surprise. She frowned at Feng Yue’s disheveled appearance. “Have you come here looking for business, or what?”
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