Chapter 147: Keeping silent, no one asks (1/2)
Chapter 147: Keeping silent, no one asks
Today was the fourth day since Madame Li had died. Though she wasn’t clear on the Han Family’s fate, Han Yunxi still took quite some care in its household, making sure that everything was properly taken care of.
Long Feiye hadn’t returned at all through the night and she didn’t see him all day either. Han Yunxi didn’t ask after him on purpose, but waited in silence. As long as the Han Family was all right for one more day, she could follow his lead for one more day.
After eating dinner at the Han estate, Han Yunxi returned, only to see the lights lit in his quarters. It signified that Long Feiye had come back. Ensuring the Han Family’s safety was something that he promised, so he should come explain things to her, rather than the other way around. After some hesitation, Han Yunxi walked with long strides back toLeisurely Cloud Pavilion, where she grabbed a medical text and started reading it in the courtyard.
Zhao mama brought over a cup of tea and said under her voice, “Esteemed wangfei, the duke’s returned.”
“Mm,” Han Yunxi responded without reacting.
Zhao mama’s doubts grew. These two days, the mistress seemed to be in low spirits, so she wondered whether it had anything to do with her master. But now it seemed that she didn’t care much about the master at all!
At this very moment, Long Feiye was also in the courtyard outside his own quarters, sitting in his own chair as he read over some secret reports that had just been delivered. He was very busy, not only with the matter of the hidden spies, but other affairs as well. A silent stillness enveloped the entire Hibiscus Courtyard. Before long, thin snowflakes drifted down from the skies. He didn’t seem to mind when they langded on him.
Soon enough, Chu Xifeng arrived.
“Master, the Celestial Fragrance Teashop’s been all sealed up. We’ve paid for the title deed to the land, too. But Gu Qishao never showed up and gave plenary powers to Guard Shangguan to take care of things,” Chu Xifeng reported.
When His Highness and esteemed wangfei returned, all the hustle and bustle had revolved around the issue of the Ten-Thousand Snake Poison. No menton had been made of the Celestial Fragrance Teashop until yesterday. Before His Highness had left for the palace, he’d specifically asked him to close up the shop.
Long Feiye’s face remained expressionless until he finished reading another secret missive. Then he spoke. “Thoroughly investigate all of Gu Qishao’s businesses in the capital city. Temporarily close them all down under suspicion of colluding with the enemy.”
This…
Did that fellow Gu Qishao touch one of His Highness’s sore spots?
But what could that sore spot be? Chu Xifeng had served him for so many years and still didn’t know. He didn’t dare ask, but only nodded his head. “Your subordinate understands.”
He was about to leave when Long Feiye opened his mouth again. “Simultaneously, check to see if Gu Beiyue’s been having a lot of free time recently.”
Urk…?
Chu Xifeng was even more mystified. Why investigate Imperial Physician Gu? Were there new developments in the spy case that implicated him? Though, that didn’t seem too plausible.
“Your Highness, I heard that Imperial Physician Gu’s been in the palace these recent days. He became seriously ill upon returning home. As your subordinate sees it, he’s probably treating his illness now,” Chu Xifeng reported frankly.
Still, Long Feiye only tossed three words at him: “Investigate him thoroughly.”
“Yes,” Chu Xifeng felt a bit resentful. Judging by His Highness’s current attitude, he wouldn’t get a clear reason as to why even if he asked.
The snowfall grew heavier and heavier.
Long Feiye stood up and dusted off the snowflakes from himself and his hair before grabbing an umbrella and walking towards Leisurely Cloud Pavilion. He was a naturally reticent person, and the evening snow only made his tall form seem more lonely and desolate. He hadn’t walked far when he stopped, seeing Han Yunxi coming his way. She was dressed in thin robes and had no cloak, allowing the snowflakes to pile up on her shoulders.
Was she here to look for him?
From a distance, she saw his form as well and halted.
Was he planning to find her at Leisurely Cloud Pavilion?
Very quickly, he entered the covered walkway and looked at her coldly. Seeing that she still hadn’t moved, he opened his mouth to speak. The words were loud and carried a faint touch of anger. “Still not coming over?”
She didn’t reply, but lowered her eyes as she ran over, her body looking pitiful while covered in snow. He examined her icily, only to find that the temperature had turned her lips white and her face pale shades of purple and green. He took off his cloak and extended it towards her before commanding, “Put it on!”
“Many thanks to Your Highness, but chenqie will be returning soon so there’s no need,” she refused very politely.
His stare turned icy before he tossed over the fox-fur cloak. She had no choice but to catch it in her arms, but that was all she did. Still, she had to admit that just holding the cloak immediately warmed her hands. This luxurious, sumptuous robe still radiated with his warmth.
She really had come to find him. After finding it hard to go to sleep, she decided to simply have it out with him and clarify the situation. Was the Han Family going to live, or die?
But now that she saw him, she suddenly lost all her desire to speak.
He too, had truly been on his way to find her and talk about the Han Family’s matters. He didn’t promise others easily, especially women. But once he made a promise, he’d fulfill it no matter how much effort or cost it took.
“Madame Li’s case will be wrapped up by tomorrow. The justice courts will issue a proclamation, but it won’t implicate Han Yunyi or anyone else in the Han Family,” his answer was clear-cut and straightforward. Before, he’d only promised to protect Han Yunyi, but now he’d secured the lives of the entire Han clan.
Hearing this, the downcast Han Yunxi suddenly raised her head to meet Long Feiye’s icy eyes. She was filled with doubt and blurted out, “Really?”