After Su Su and the physician had walked far away, Tantai Jin opened his eyes.
Not long after, a servant in gray clothes brought food and water. Seeing Tantai Jin awake, the servant was startled.
"Hostage, it's time for your meal," the servant said, placing the food box down.
Tantai Jin propped himself up with his arms and began to eat.
The servant stood nearby and said indifferently, "For the next few days, this servant will bring meals to Your Highness the Hostage on schedule. Please do not leave the Eastern Courtyard."
Tantai Jin said, "Thank you."
Seeing the young man's humble attitude and clear voice, the servant felt a pang of guilt for a moment.
The servants sometimes treated Tantai Jin this way on purpose. After all, his status was special, and bullying him brought a peculiar sense of satisfaction.
But then again, this person might be living a life worse than theirs.
The servant couldn't help but say, "Your Highness the Hostage, the window in the Eastern Courtyard is broken. This servant will bring someone to repair it this afternoon."
Tantai Jin smiled apologetically and said, "No need to trouble yourself."
The servant thought to himself, the Hostage truly has a good heart. Despite being deliberately mistreated, he held no resentment toward them. He didn't mention the Third Miss, as she had forbidden him from doing so. Fortunately, the Hostage didn't ask, or the servant wouldn't have known how to respond.
After the servant collected the food box and left, the Eastern Courtyard fell completely silent.
A pitch-black crow flew over the snowy ground, circling above the Eastern Courtyard.
The General's Manor was heavily guarded and highly sensitive to messenger birds. If it were a pigeon, it would be shot on sight.
However, for an unlucky crow like this, at most, people would spit and curse upon seeing it.
Tantai Jin pushed open the window.
He stretched out his hand, and the crow landed steadily on his arm.
The young man's expression remained gentle as he softly stroked the crow's black feathers. The crow cawed once in his hand. Tantai Jin raised his pale fingers and snapped the crow's neck.
Its head drooped limply.
Tantai Jin meticulously tore open the crow's belly and retrieved a wax pellet. After crushing the pellet, he took out a folded piece of paper.
He read it quickly, his eyes scanning ten lines at a time, then tossed the crow's corpse out the window.
The young man's eyelids cast a shadow as he fell into thoughtful silence.
The black bird lay in the snow, and soon, heavy snow covered the crow's body.
On her way back, Su Su encountered a man in brown clothes.
It took her a moment to recognize who he was. "Second Brother, wait."
Ye Chu Feng turned around in surprise and quickly said, "Third Sister."
"Second Brother, are you leaving the manor?"
Ye Chu Feng looked uncomfortably at his boots and said, "I've run out of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. I'm going out to buy some."
Su Su studied him.
The man before her had refined features and appeared quite frail.
Among the four young masters of the General's Manor, this Second Young Master was the most inconspicuous. He had been brought back from the countryside by General Ye when he was three years old.
Ye Xiao had directly handed the child over to the steward back then.
"From now on, his name is Ye Chu Feng."
All the children in the manor had mothers, except for Third Miss Ye Xi Wu and Second Young Master Ye Chu Feng.
Ye Xi Wu's mother had died early, while Ye Chu Feng was born to a village widow with whom Ye Xiao had spent a few intimate days while recuperating in a village during a military campaign.
Everyone in the General's Manor was well aware of Second Young Master's origins and looked down on him.
Ye Chu Feng knew his status was awkward and lived like an invisible person in the manor. Even the six-year-old Fourth Young Master knew that this second brother was timid and easily bullied.
Ye Chu Feng had a solitary personality, and in the past, only Ye Bingshang had a somewhat better relationship with him.
Su Su thought to herself, Ye Bingshang really had a way with people.Let's not even mention Prince Xuan and Pang Yi Zhi—even someone as reticent as Ye Chu Feng actually got along quite well with Ye Bingshang.
Su Su grew increasingly curious about this half-sister of hers.
When Ye Chu Feng was stopped by Su Su, he looked very uneasy.
He lowered his head and asked, "What can I do for you, Third Sister?"
Su Su nodded. "Last time, Xi Wu accidentally caused Eldest Sister to fall into the water, and I feel very uneasy about it. I heard that Prince Xuan will be moving out of the palace in a few days to reside in his mansion outside the palace. I want to prepare a gift to apologize to Eldest Sister. Second Brother, I heard you used to have a good relationship with Eldest Sister. Do you know what she likes?"
Ye Chu Feng quickly waved his hands. "Third Sister, you’ve misunderstood. I only occasionally spoke with Bingshang. I don’t know what she likes."
From his expression, Su Su could tell he thought she was there to pick a fight.
The entire General's Manor knew that the eldest young lady had married the third young lady’s beloved, and that the third young lady was vicious and held grudges.
Su Su felt helpless. She said, "In that case, I won’t trouble Second Brother any further."
Ye Chu Feng cupped his hands in salute and was about to leave when Su Su twitched her nose.
"What’s that smell on you?"
Ye Chu Feng’s face changed slightly, and he uncomfortably pushed Su Su away as she sniffed around like a little animal.
"Third Sister..."
Seeing him blush with embarrassment, Su Su didn’t want to press him further and said, "I’m sorry, maybe I misjudged the smell."
Su Su was puzzled. The scent was indeed familiar, but where had she smelled it before?
Ye Chu Feng had already disappeared.
Su Su thought about asking the artifact spirit in the jade bracelet, but it was still dormant, so she had to let it go.
Chun Tao came running over, her little face flushed. "Miss!"
She cautiously asked, "I heard from Xi Xi that you haven’t been keeping Bi Liu by your side to serve you?"
Su Su nodded.
Chun Tao couldn’t help but smile.
Su Su tilted her head, and Chun Tao quickly waved her hands. "Chun Tao didn’t—didn’t mean to speak ill of Sister Bi Liu, nor am I jealous of her. It’s just... just..."
Chun Tao’s face turned bright red, and after a long pause, she said, "Since Sister Bi Liu hasn’t been by your side recently, Xi Xi and I have noticed that you’ve changed a lot. We’re afraid you might change back."
Realizing she had misspoken, she hurriedly explained, "This servant didn’t mean that you were bad before... This servant... this servant..."
Seeing her stammer and on the verge of tears, Su Su couldn’t help but say, "It’s fine, I’m not angry."
Although her change had nothing to do with Bi Liu, it was true that Bi Liu had often instigated the original host in the past.
Chun Tao and Xi Xi’s concerns weren’t unfounded.
"Any news from Second Young Master and Third Young Master?"
At this, Chun Tao quickly replied, "I asked the steward, Miss. He said that Second Young Master and Third Young Master have been going out frequently lately, especially Second Young Master. Sometimes he leaves in the morning and doesn’t return until evening."
Su Su was surprised. "Out all day?"
Chun Tao nodded. "But this servant doesn’t know what the two young masters are doing."
Su Su felt her intuition was correct—there was definitely something off about Ye Chu Feng. Today, he said he was buying ink and brushes, but what about other days? It couldn’t be that he needed writing materials every single day.
After some thought, she had the steward summon a few beggars and gave each of them a silver ingot."Keep an eye on the Second and Third Young Masters for me. Report everywhere they go, everything they do, and anything unusual you notice." She waved her small hand with great flourish. "Do well, and you'll get another gold ingot as reward."
The beggars' eyes gleamed as they repeatedly expressed their gratitude.
"Third Young Miss, rest assured, we'll notice even the slightest movement."
Su Su thought to herself, her martial uncles were absolutely right—in the Three Realms, money can make ghosts turn millstones.
Looking at this situation, not only could money make ghosts turn millstones, it could probably make millstones push ghosts too.
Sure enough, within two days, a young beggar came to report.
"Young Miss, I saw the Second Young Master going to a separate courtyard these past two days. There are several plum trees planted outside the courtyard, and a very beautiful woman in yellow lives inside. The Second Young Master goes there in the morning and doesn't leave until evening."
Su Su pondered this. So her invisible second brother was actually keeping a mistress in a golden house?
She gave the young beggar a silver ingot as promised.
Soon after, another beggar came to claim his reward.
"Yesterday the Third Young Master went out with the son of Minister Chen. They first had a meal at a restaurant, then went together to the Gambling House."
Su Su blinked.
The Gambling House—was it what she thought it was?
It seemed both her second brother and third brother had their secrets.
Before Su Su could investigate these two matters further, Great General Ye informed her that tomorrow was Prince Xuan's birthday, and he would bring Su Su along.
Prince Xuan had already come of age. Now that he had received his title and moved out of the palace, he was taking the opportunity of his birthday to entertain ministers.
Of course, he was being quite low-key about it, not making a grand spectacle.
With the emperor still in his prime, the princes had to maintain low profiles—the more mediocre, the better.
Ye Xiao shot Su Su a glance. "Behave yourself this time. If you dare cause any more trouble, even your grandmother won't be able to protect you. When you see your eldest sister, remember to apologize."
It seemed the whole world really thought Su Su would throw herself at the Sixth Prince again.
Su Su said helplessly, "Don't worry, Father. Your daughter understands."
Su Su didn't think General Ye was actually protecting Ye Bingshang.
In the past, when Ye Bingshang was unmarried, whatever happened between her and the third young miss was a family matter behind closed doors. But now that Ye Bingshang had married Prince Xuan, the Ye family had to show some respect.
Last time, when the original owner pushed someone into the water, countless eyes witnessed it.
Although Xiao Lin had a gentle temperament, he was still a prince. The Ye family couldn't simply ignore the royal family's dignity. Having Su Su apologize was already a rather mild way of handling the situation.
While it appeared he was protecting Ye Bingshang, wasn't he actually protecting Su Su too?
Seeing the little Demoness of the house being so obedient for once, Ye Xiao looked at her in surprise several times, snorted, and refrained from further scolding.
After a moment's thought, Ye Xiao said, "Bring the Hostage along."
Now that the two were married, it was only proper for the Hostage to accompany Su Su when she visited Prince Xuan's residence.
Su Su glanced at her general father. General Ye was only so calm because he didn't know about the complicated relationships among the four of them. Once he found out, he'd probably jump with anger.
Su Su was quite looking forward to meeting Ye Bingshang.
She had only heard about this gentle and beautiful half-sister from others, along with accidentally seeing that charming portrait.
Thinking of the woman's earring Tantai Jin had hidden, Su Su rested her chin in her hand. Perhaps the key to her mission of extracting the Evil Bone lay with Ye Bingshang.
Early in the morning, Chun Tao and Xi Xi woke Su Su up.
As Su Su sat before the mirror, her two maids looked as if facing a great enemy.Xi Xi brought out a light and beautiful purple dress, asking nervously, "What does Miss think of this? It was carefully made for you by Jinxiu Workshop."
"It's beautiful, but Xi Xi, this is an autumn dress. It's winter now." As a mortal, she couldn't withstand the cold.
Xi Xi thought to herself, when Miss used to go out to meet the Sixth Prince, she wouldn't hesitate to wear autumn dresses in winter—or even summer dresses, shivering all the while.
Whenever Eldest Miss was present, Third Miss would strut like a proud little peacock, afraid of being outshone.
Previously, it was Bi Liu who helped Miss dress up. Now that it was Chun Tao and Xi Xi's turn, the two maids were worried their clumsiness and poor taste would embarrass Third Miss.
Seeing their hesitation, Su Su pointed and said, "That one."
She indicated a peach-colored padded dress.
It looked warm.
Chun Tao smiled and said, "That's good too, so Miss won't freeze."
Xi Xi, skillful with her hands, finished styling Su Su's hair and said, "Miss, the red plum blossoms in the courtyard are blooming beautifully. Let me draw a floral decoration for you."
Su Su had never worn a mortal floral decoration before and was very curious. "Alright."
So Xi Xi carefully painted half a delicate plum blossom between Su Su's brows.
Su Su looked at the flower on her forehead and touched it curiously.
Her true form had been born with a bright red cinnabar dot between her brows.
Exquisitely beautiful.
This half plum blossom felt familiar and comforting to Su Su.
Chun Tao praised, "Third Miss is so beautiful!"
Su Su looked at her reflection in the mirror. Third Miss Ye's appearance carried an air of innocence.
Not particularly alluring, but full of spiritual energy. With her girl-next-door face, she looked lively, and paired with the peach-colored winter dress, she resembled a soft, fluffy snowball.
Having grown accustomed to it, Su Su found this face quite adorable and pleasing.
As she stepped outside, she noticed it was still snowing.
Xi Xi muttered, "Why does it snow every day this winter?"
Chun Tao quickly draped a cloak over Su Su and nodded in agreement.
As Su Su walked out, she saw a tall, slender figure standing in front of the General's Manor.
The youth wore a dark blue outfit, standing before the heavy snow.
His clothes seemed more like autumn wear, thinly outlining his gaunt frame.
Snowflakes settled on his raven-black eyelashes, and the delicate beauty unique to a youth made both Chun Tao and Xi Xi steal a few extra glances.
Chun Tao was somewhat dazed. Hostage was truly handsome—in her opinion, he was no less striking than Prince Xuan.
Great General Ye disliked carriages and rode ahead on horseback.
This was the first time Tantai Jin had seen Third Miss Ye wear proper winter clothing when going out in the cold. Perhaps because she was warm, the girl's cheeks were tinged with a light pink.
She walked alongside Chun Tao and the others, her expression gentle and smiling, displaying a rare childlike innocence that matched her age.
Tantai Jin reached out his hand to Su Su.
Su Su glanced at the slender, pale hand, her smile fading slightly. Ignoring him, she climbed into the carriage herself.
Chun Tao quickly glanced at the Hostage.
The youth withdrew his hand, lowered his eyes, and, as submissive as ever, followed Third Miss into the carriage.
The journey was boring, and Su Su glared at Tantai Jin.
This evil creature was truly peculiar. If you called him resilient, he often looked on the verge of death. But if you called him sickly, he’d recover quickly, like a weed in the wilderness.
She held a fluffy hand warmer, while Tantai Jin’s hands rested on his knees.
Su Su glanced at his reddened knuckles.Her mind preoccupied with understanding the creature's past, she reluctantly asked, "What happened to your hand?"
Tantai Jin was taken aback that the girl would initiate conversation with him. He pressed his slightly chapped lips together and replied, "Frostbite."
Then he saw a glimmer of schadenfreude sparkle in her eyes.
She quickly realized this was inappropriate and regretfully reined in her emotions.
Su Su put on a stern face. "You dress like this despite not fearing the cold—is it to meet your sweetheart?"
Quite the effort for Ye Bingshang.
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