Chapter 349 (1/2)

Chapter 349: Ploy

Jun Huang got bored listening to their conversation. She excused herself and made her way through the hallway instead of returning to her room.

“What did Oleg Cragfiend say about her health?” Ji Bo asked after Jun Huang had left. “Is she recovered now?”

Nan Xun frowned and gave Ji Bo a onceover. Realizing that he'd sounded too eager, Ji Bo cleared his throat and explained. “I saw Prince Qi Yun yesterday. Hearing that I'd be visiting you, he told me to ask after Jun Huang.”

“Please tell him that Jun Huang is fine and he doesn't have to worry,” Nan Xun said bluntly. “He should be focusing on Northern Qi.”

Ji Bo nodded awkwardly. Something unreadable flashed through his eyes, but Nan Xun didn't notice.

Meanwhile, another trouble storm was on the horizon.

Since the empress dowager took Shangguan Yue under her wing after the fall of her family, the two of them had been staying in the imperial manor, separated from the mortal world by a river. Now, though, the empress dowager was returning to the palace. Shangguan Yue naturally would accompany her.

“Remember that the palace is different from the imperial manor,” advised the empress dowager. “You have to watch your every move.”

“Don't worry, Your Royal Highness. I understand.” Shangguan Yue put on a smile. The empress dowager knew her well. She dismissed the girl and told her to follow a palace maid to get to know the place.

Shangguan Yue dropped her smile and followed the maid into the royal garden. This was her only opportunity. If she missed it, she'd have to stay by the empress dowager's side forever.

“How is Prince Nan Xun?” Once she'd built a rapport with the maid, Shangguan changed the subject.

The maid didn't suspect a thing. She knew Shangguan Yue used to be on friendly terms with Nan Xun and a.s.sumed that she was merely asking after a friend.. “Prince Nan Xun has just returned with his troops and received a great many rewards. He's garnered more and more respect in Northern Qi.”

The maid blushed. Anyone would be lucky to be with the general.

“Has he married?” Shangguan Yue asked carefully. “He isn't still with Feng Baiyu, is he?”

The maid shook her head. “His Highness hasn't gotten married, and Feng Baiyu is nowhere to be seen. However, it's said that there is a beautiful woman staying with the prince. None of us know what she's like. I hear that many young mistresses from esteemed families have sought the woman out, but they were all driven away. The prince even forbids anyone from bothering her.”

Shangguan Yue had never given up on Nan Xun. The fact that Nan Xun had gained a lot more influence further cemented her resolve. When she heard that Nan Xun had cast Feng Baiyu aside and instead favored a woman, she perked up and got curious about her.

She'd forgotten about the maid in her musings. The maid noted her thoughtful look and her frown. “What is it, Miss Shangguan?”

The maid's pat on her shoulder interrupted her musings. She flinched, her face darkening in remembrance. The maid asked worriedly, “Are you feeling alright, Miss Shangguan?”

Shangguan Yue knew she wasn't in a good mental state. To avoid slipping up again, she pretended to be ill and nodded, “Apologies, I'm feeling sick all of a sudden. Please excuse me. We'll do this next time.”

“Will you be alright? Do you need a doctor?”

“It's fine. I'll be okay after some rest.” With that, Shangguan Yue turned around and hurried away. The maids didn't suspect anything.

Once she was back in her room, Shangguan Yue sat down on her bed, her mind filled with thoughts about Nan Xun. She had decided then. She wasn't going to give up now. She needed Nan Xun not only for her happiness, but also for her plan to recover her family's reputation.

The empress dowager noticed her unusual mood when they were having dinner. The girl had finished eating, but she hadn't put down her bowl. Her brows were furrowed in deep thought.

“Has a maid offended you by mistake?” asked the empress dowager. She couldn't help but worry.

Shangguan Yue was jerked out of her trance. Her bowl dropped to the floor and made a loud clink. With a pale face, she rushed to kneel down before the empress dowager, asking for forgiveness.

The empress dowager reached out to help her up, but Shangguan Yue shook her head with gritted teeth. Puzzled, the empress dowager asked, “What is it?”