Chapter 90: Spicy Pot (Part 16)
Leng Yue mentally reviewed every word Master Jing had just spoken. By the time Master Jing had taken a plate of Almond Crisp from the altar and started eating, she still hadn't figured out what he meant.
From the moment she entered the ancestral hall, aside from questioning her identity, Master Jing had only been explaining why ancestral offerings could be eaten. When had he said even half a word about the Late Emperor summoning for discussions?
Leng Yue had no choice but to brace herself and ask, "When did you mention it?"
"Never mind, never mind... If you don't understand, let it be. It's nothing important..." Master Jing said casually, carefully tasting the Almond Crisp in his hand that seemed somewhat unsatisfactory, slightly furrowing his brows. "Don't you want to ask about Steward Qi?"
Since Master Jing could anticipate her question about the Late Emperor, it wasn't surprising he'd predict she'd ask about Uncle Qi. Worried he might speak in riddles again, Leng Yue quickly clarified as explicitly as possible: "Yes, I want to know who he is, when and why he started colluding with Xiao Zhao Ye."
Master Jing chewed the Almond Crisp slowly, as if seriously contemplating for a moment, then asked what seemed like a completely unrelated question: "I heard Jing Yi expelled a maid from the household because of you?"
Leng Yue was momentarily stunned before realizing Master Jing was referring to Ji Qiu.
That Ji Qiu who had become deranged from her obsession with Jing Yi - who had skinned Jing Yi's cat alive, poisoned his fish, and nearly got him disemboweled because of her twisted fantasies.
If elders in ordinary wealthy families asked such a question, it would usually carry reproach. Although the mistress of the household dismissing an unruly maid wasn't particularly remarkable, elders typically believed family harmony was what truly mattered.
Yet Master Jing's tone clearly held no blame toward her. Instead, like before, it carried that same patiently guiding quality.
So Leng Yue answered frankly: "Yes."
Seeing her admission, Master Jing immediately leaned closer like a noblewoman finally meeting her equally bored confidante after being confined to her chambers, lowering his voice mysteriously: "That's right then. Let me tell you - that maid you expelled is Steward Qi's niece... Don't tell anyone!"
Leng Yue was thoroughly shocked.
If such a relationship truly existed, then her beating Ji Qiu black and blue, combined with Jing Yi's merciless expulsion, made it somewhat understandable why Uncle Qi would resent them and switch allegiances.
But Master Jing's cautious "don't tell anyone" made Leng Yue vaguely sense there might be more to this.
She pressed further: "Why can't I tell anyone?"
This time it was Master Jing's turn to be surprised. "What? Hasn't Jing Yi explained the Jing family rules to you yet?"
Leng Yue's cheeks warmed slightly. When had Jing Yi ever explained any rules to her? Not only had he never explained the rules, he'd instructed the entire household to treat her words as the rules. She didn't know if being empress felt like this, but she was certain that even an empress's words wouldn't carry as much weight as hers did within those mansion walls.Seeing Leng Yue shake her head somewhat sheepishly, Master Jing narrowed his eyes with a faint smile and muttered "little rascal" in a voice so soft it was almost inaudible, before speaking kindly, "It's not really a rule, but to avoid messy incidents like this, relatives within the five degrees of mourning have never been allowed among the household staff. I turned a blind eye to Steward Qi's situation—no one in the family knows, and I've never confronted him about it. Jing Yi is the one who cares least about rules here, so I assigned them both to him. Who would've thought these two…"
Master Jing abruptly stopped, took another bite of almond crisp, chewed it slowly, and began anew with a light sigh, "The rules our ancestors devised should still be followed, after all…"
Somehow, these seemingly casual complaints from Master Jing tugged painfully at Leng Yue's heart.
Jing Yi had inherited at least seventy percent of his grandfather's meticulousness. How could he possibly have been completely unaware of his own uncle living under his nose day after day? It was simply his nature to accommodate others unless absolutely necessary. Over time, everyone—even her—had mistaken this for habitual negligence, never realizing it was his deeply sincere kindness.
No wonder he specifically had Uncle Qi deliver the heaviest slap when punishing Ji Qiu. He showed her no mercy not only because of her offense toward Leng Yue, but because that woman had long exhausted all his goodwill…
Thinking of the man currently enduring dual torment of body and soul, Leng Yue couldn't help glancing at his father, who was serenely sitting cross-legged before the ancestral tablets eating the offerings.
She ventured cautiously, "Are you aware that Jing Yi is in trouble?"
Master Jing, chewing intently, found a moment to reply, "You mean how he voluntarily took responsibility after the Late Emperor's passing and is now under house arrest being interrogated?"
Clearly, the old master knew just as much as she did.
Leng Yue nodded, pressing her lips together before asking softly, "Aren't you worried?"
"Worried?" Master Jing finally gave up on the unsatisfactory almond crisps, neatly rearranged the remaining pieces to look untouched, returned the plate to the altar, then retrieved a plate of cloud slice cake before answering offhandedly, "Of course I'm worried. The whole family's worried... Here, try this."
Leng Yue stared at the plate extended toward her, gathered her courage, and picked up a slice. As she pondered how to express her sense of injustice accurately yet politely, Master Jing said with a gentle smile, "Your teacher who taught you reading and writing passed away quite early—I suppose he never explained what 'worry' truly means?"
Looking at the old master's compassionate gaze, Leng Yue genuinely felt her literacy teacher had indeed departed too soon—otherwise why would she be at a loss for words now?
Worry was just worry—what more needed explaining?
As if reading her thoughts, Master Jing's expression grew even more tender as he explained slowly, "So-called worry means your heart gets lifted up by something, dangling midair, swaying unsteadily with nowhere to rest... Have you seen people carrying water? It's just like those buckets."Leng Yue unconsciously touched her barrel-like chest, which made Master Jing's smile grow even wider. "So you see, when you're worried, just let your heart wobble a bit. But you still need to eat normally and handle affairs as usual. Otherwise, it's not worry—it's just causing delays... Come now, don't just hold it. Try some."
Leng Yue had to admit that this seemingly simple logic was something no one had ever taught her.
Master Jing had spoken these words in one continuous stream. After processing the first few sentences, Leng Yue naturally accepted the last one and involuntarily brought the Cloud Slice Cake she was holding to her mouth.
"How is it? Not bad?"
"Mmm... acceptable."
Hearing this lukewarm response, Master Jing unhesitatingly returned the plate to the altar. His relieved expression—as if glad he hadn't eaten any himself—made Leng Yue's lips twitch.
This was undoubtedly Jing Yi's biological father...
Master Jing gloomily set down the plate, shook out his numb legs, patted his buttocks, and stood up from the kneeling cushion. "It's about time. I still have some official matters at court to attend to. You can kneel here a while longer if you wish. Eat whatever you like, just make sure to tidy up before you leave..."
As he spoke, Master Jing walked outward. Just as one foot crossed the threshold, he suddenly seemed to remember something. Pausing briefly, he slowed his pace but continued walking while saying, "Oh, and tell Jing Yi that the item he entrusted to me has been properly stored in a suitable place. He should stop worrying about it, lest I dream of him nagging in my ear about these trivial matters while I'm asleep..."
Before his voice faded, Master Jing had already left the ancestral hall courtyard.
Leng Yue felt it necessary to have a proper talk with Jing Yi before Xiao Zhao Ye and Uncle Qi could get him drunk again.
Clearly, the Crown Prince thought so too.
No sooner had Leng Yue quietly returned to the Crown Prince Manor after navigating the winding paths, before she could even pass the gatehouse, she was intercepted by Leng Yan who seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"Prince Hui is here. He wants the Crown Prince to lend you to him for assistance with a case. The Crown Prince agreed."
Leng Yan spoke very briskly, so briskly it seemed somewhat casual, as if Xiao Zhao Ye genuinely wanted to invite her to assist with the case.
Leng Yue responded just as lightly, "Alright."
Anyway, she needed to see Jing Yi. Having Xiao Zhao Ye take her there would save her the trouble of fabricating excuses.
"Alright? What do you mean alright..." Leng Yan frowned and glared at her, more worried than angry. "I'll have you know, we just received word from the city gate—Lord Xue Rucheng has returned to the capital."
Leng Yue's heart leapt with joy. "Has Prince An returned too?"
Even if Prince An couldn't directly intervene, just getting some guidance from him would ease her mind. But unexpectedly, Leng Yan shook her head, her expression grave.
Leng Yan lowered her voice, making it sound even more solemn. "They supposedly left the capital together, but handled separate assignments. After completing his own tasks, Lord Xue waited but received no news from Prince An. With the deadline for reporting to the Late Emperor approaching, he returned to the capital first."Leng Yue furrowed her brows, an instinctive unease stirring within her, but the meaning of "worry" that Master Jing had just taught her seemed to tap her on the head. The words that came to her lips emerged lightly, tinged with a hint of jest, "Perhaps Prince An is handling some shady business just like us, something that can't see the light of day."
The matters concerning Prince An were left to Wu Jiang, who accompanied him. Since she couldn't assist for the moment, she simply kept her concerns to herself, avoiding adding extra pressure to Leng Yan, who was already perpetually on edge.
Leng Yan was taken aback for a moment, then visibly relaxed a little. She raised an eyebrow and shot Leng Yue a sidelong glance, "What did you eat at Grand Tutor Jing's place?"
Leng Yue hadn't expected such a sudden question and nearly blurted out, "Tri...tribal... no, palace-style mung bean cakes."
Leng Yan rolled her eyes in exasperation, "Didn't he offer you any of his family's heirloom Carefree Pills?"
Carefree Pills...
If only such a medicine truly existed in this world...
The word "medicine" flashed through her mind, and Leng Yue abruptly remembered the packet of Spirit Focusing Powder still tucked in her sleeve. Her expression turned serious as she said in a low voice, "Second Sister... I recall you telling me that the few imperial physicians who knew about the Late Emperor's passing have all been silenced?"
Leng Yan neither nodded nor shook her head, only furrowing her brows imperceptibly as if somewhat absentmindedly replying, "What, you've seen one alive?"
"Yes."
Leng Yan was startled, though only for a brief moment. After the surprise faded, she responded as calmly as if someone had mentioned running into an acquaintance on the street, "Which one?"
Leng Yan asked directly, and Leng Yue answered without hesitation, "Ye Qianqiu."
Leng Yan lightly furrowed her heroic brows and uttered even more softly, "I see."
For some reason, Leng Yan's reaction made Leng Yue feel as though she truly did know something.
Before Leng Yue could speak again, a young guard came running up to the two of them. He took a deep look at her before steadying his slightly ragged breath and saluting Leng Yan, "General Leng, the Crown Prince sent me to check if you've found the person yet..."
Leng Yan glanced at the composed Leng Yue beside her, sighed silently, and gently pushed her forward.
"Just found her. Take her along."
"Yes."
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