Chapter 106: Close questioning, locking onto the target (2/2)

Mu Qingwu nodded. “Most of them are, they have the Celestial Fragrance logo on the tins. But oftentimes there’s tins without logos as well, probably gifts from someone else.”

Gifts from someone else? Things were getting complicated.

Han Yunxi was in no rush. She’d follow the clues one by one. Casting a glance outside, she saw that the skies had already dimmed. By the time they reached the Celestial Fragrance Teashop, it’d be completely dark.

“Young General, how about we go to the Celestial Fragrance Teashop tomorrow?”

“Everything will be as esteemed wangfei says,” Mu Qingwu was easy to talk to. Even though he had many affairs to manage in the military, he didn’t dare delay this matter. On the one hand, it concerned the lives of his family; on the other, the Duke of Qin was keeping his eye on things…

After scheduling a time to set out tomorrow, Mu Qingwu took his leave, but Han Yunxi didn’t grow idle.

“Green tea…flower-scented green tea…” she muttered to herself as she dove into the study. Even as night fell, she didn’t come out.

Zhao mama paced back and forth in front of the study door multiple times, unsure whether she should knock. This mistress hadn’t eaten her morning, midday, or afternoon meals! It was already dark out, and dinnertime was due to pass at any moment. Zhao mama really couldn’t bear it and carried the dishes to the door. She was about to knock when Long Feiye entered.

Seeing this, Zhao mama set the dishes aside and hurried over to pay obeisance. “Your Highness.”

Long Feiye looked travelworn; he’d probably been busy all day. His eyes swept around the room before asking coldly, “Where is she?”

Zhao mama clearly knew who he meant but pretended not to. “Your Highness is asking after…esteemed wangfei?”

Long Feiye’s voice grew even colder as he persisted. “Where is she?”

Zhao mama didn’t dare to feign ignorance anymore and hurried to answer. “Esteemed wangfei is inside the study.”

She thought he’d go over and prepared to mention the matter of dinner, but Long Feiye tossed over a package with a surly air. “Give it to her, tell her to look after it. This isn’t something she can lose haphazardly.”

It was a bright brocade package wrapped around a small object. Zhao mama held it in her hands and secretly felt the package, but she didn’t know what it was. Of course, she didn’t dare to ask either, but only said, “Yes.”

Long Feiye seemed to want to say more, but only pursed his lips and kept silent. He rose and prepared to leave.

“Your Highness, please wait!” Zhao mama called out hastily. Long Feiye looked over without saying a word. Silence really was golden for him!

Zhao mama was long used to it and laughed secretly as she spoke. “Your Highness, it’s getting late. Why don’t you have your meal here?”

“No need,” Long Feiye didn’t even think twice before refusing. Aside from banquets, he never had the habit of taking meals with others. Even if it was an invitation from Grand Concubine Yi, he frequently refused.

But Zhao mama only heaved a soft sigh before speaking helplessly. “Your Highness, esteemed wangfei’s been in the study the entire day. She’s completely skipped her three meals. This old one can’t exhort her, but perhaps she’ll heed the duke’s words.”

Unhappiness flickered past Long Feiye’s eyes as he looked towards the shut study door. Zhao mama had served him for many years and naturally knew his temper. He definitely had thoughts about this, or else he would’ve left long ago. Inexplicably she began to anticipate what would happen next, but Long Feiye only looked before speaking coldly, “Whether or not she eats is her own business. It has nothing to do with your lordship, so there’s no need to tell me these things in the future.”

This…

All right, Zhao mama more or less expected it, but she was still somewhat disappointed. And yet Long Feiye had just finished speaking when with a creak, the study door opened. Han Yunxi boldly walked out, face expressionless. Since when had she stayed in the study all day? She spent half of today just sleeping, all right? Since when did she refuse to eat her three meals? She was just too busy and forgot, all right?!

She’d never treat herself poorly, so she’d find something to eat as soon as she felt hungry. Who knew that she’d overhear Zhao mama “tattling” on her right before she came out? And then afterwards, Long Feiye’s ruthless reply?

This unfeeling, indifferent soul!

Han Yunxi’s sudden appearance surprised both Zhao mama and Long Feiye. The former was left in an awkward situation, afraid that her words would be exposed. But Han Yunxi wasn’t that bored. Her foot still hurt, so she hobbled over to make a bow. “Your Highness.”

“Un.” The word was squeezed out from between stiff lips as Long Feiye furrowed his brows. He wasn’t even sure where his discomfort came from.

Han Yunxi rose and turned. “Zhao mama, I’m hungry. Get dinner.” As she spoke, she walked towards the hall on one side, not sparing Long Feiye another glance. Once again, Long Feiye knit his eyebrows. Seeing this, Zhao mama couldn’t help but swallow, but didn’t dare to speak. She only lowered her head and went to deliver the dishes. Long Feiye was left to dry in the guest hall with no one to receive him.

Zhao mama didn’t even dare to walk past him with the tantalizing dishes, but took a meandering path to deliver them to the side rooms. Han Yunxi was famished and started taking large mouthfuls as soon as the dishes arrived. But she’d hardly taken a few bites when a brocade package was tossed inside to land before her.

She looked back and saw Long Feiye still wearing his ice cube face as he walked inside.