Xue Xingyue woke up to daylight and quickly tidied herself before heading out. Meng Jiangming was already waiting in the main hall, but Ye Che was nowhere to be seen. Standing outside the door, she tried her best to conceal herself, hoping Meng Jiangming wouldn't see her.
"Xiao Yue, come in." Meng Jiangming called her name nonetheless.
Xue Xingyue lowered her gaze, uncertain if she might betray the killing intent in her eyes. She entered the room and bowed slightly to Meng Jiangming. "Marquis."
Meng Jiangming surveyed her for a few moments before asking, "Did Lord Ye visit your room last night?"
"Yes." Xue Xingyue did not conceal anything.
Since Meng Jiangming asked, he clearly knew what had happened last night. In that case, any attempt to hide it would only arouse his suspicion.
It was surprising how the once frivolous and cowardly Meng Jiangming had become so cautious.
Xue Xingyue couldn't quite place her feelings.
The past was vivid in her mind, but now everything had changed.
"You may withdraw," Meng Jiangming said.
This time, it was Xue Xingyue's turn to be astonished. Shouldn't Meng Jiangming ask what Ye Che had discussed with her? However, as she left the room, she realized that if Meng Jiangming knew Ye Che had sought her out in the middle of the night, he would surely know what they spoke about. This realization made her resolve to be even more vigilant in the future.
It was fortunate she hadn't revealed more weaknesses last night. So what if Meng Jiangming knew she practiced martial arts? Did anyone in the Xie family army lack combat skills?
Therefore, she didn't believe such a minor incident would lead Meng Jiangming to discover anything significant.
Ye Che needed three days to procure the necessary grain and fodder for Meng Jiangming, so Xue Xingyue would remain in Ye City for a few more days. Da Feng Novel Network.
Meng Jiangming did not summon her, and she was not idle. She casually left the Ye mansion to explore the surroundings. As soon as she passed the mansion gates, she sensed someone following her. She pretended not to notice, adopting the demeanor of someone visiting for the first time, finding everything curious.
After a circuitous walk, Xue Xingyue found nothing out of the ordinary and turned to leave.
Suddenly, the hem of her robe was grabbed. She turned to see a dirty little girl clutching her clothes. She crouched down and asked the girl, "What's wrong?"
The little girl shook her head, then suddenly pushed her away and ran off into the distance. Xue Xingyue blinked, reached up to scratch her head, and muttered to herself, "Do I seem that frightening?"
Upon returning to the Ye mansion, she heard that Meng Jiangming and Ye Che were no longer in the residence. She went back to her room. Once she sensed that the followers outside had dispersed, she opened the note that the little girl had slipped into her hand. It read, "Meet at Yuhua Pavilion at the third watch, a quarter past the hour."
Xue Xingyue's brow furrowed slightly. Yuhua Pavilion was a well-known place. But who was this person? What did they want by summoning her to Yuhua Pavilion? Could it be a trap?
Her thoughts drifted to the darkness. Ultimately, she decided she had to go. Whether it was real or a ruse, she needed to find out. At midnight, she changed into black attire and slipped out of her room.
She did not reveal herself directly at Yuhua Pavilion but hid behind a tree nearby.
A short while later, she saw a figure appear within Yuhua Pavilion. The silhouette seemed strangely familiar.
When the figure turned around, Xue Xingyue was utterly shocked. It was Feng Wu. Just as she was about to step forward, a voice suddenly echoed, "Feng Wu, I didn't expect to find you here."
Feng Wu turned to face the newcomer, her eyes blazing with hostility. "Meng Jiangming, how dare you show your face here! I will kill you to avenge Your Highness."
With that, Feng Wu sprang forward, her long sword aimed at Meng Jiangming.
Meng Jiangming retreated repeatedly. A large number of people emerged from behind him, surrounding Feng Wu.
Xue Xingyue clenched her fists tightly within her sleeves. She knew she could not step out at this moment, or her long-hidden identity would be exposed.
Feng Wu, outmatched by Meng Jiangming's four elite guards, was quickly at a disadvantage.
Xue Xingyue felt her fingertips dig into her flesh but couldn't feel the pain. She could only watch helplessly as Feng Wu was taken away.
Yet, she was utterly powerless. Even if she had stepped out, she couldn't have saved Feng Wu. Therefore, she had to find another way.
Returning to her room, she felt a subtle change as she pushed the door open. With a wave of her hand, the candles in the room flared to life, illuminating the space.
Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the person in the room, but her expression remained unchanged. She stepped forward and bowed. "Marquis, why are you here?"
Meng Jiangming stood up, his gaze clear and scrutinizing. Xue Xingyue lowered her eyes, her mind racing. Meng Jiangming had also gone to Yuhua Pavilion; why had he returned sooner than her?
"Xiao Yue, where did you go?" Meng Jiangming asked, standing still.
Xue Xingyue furrowed her brow slightly. "Speak when you look up."
She slowly raised her head. This was perhaps the first time she had looked at Meng Jiangming so directly since their parting in Jiangnan. She found that the once frivolous but kind-hearted Meng Jiangming was gone, replaced by someone full of schemes and darkness.
"Marquis, when I went out today, someone inadvertently handed me a note asking me to go to Yuhua Pavilion. I was hesitant at first, but thinking it might be some ploy, I went. However, halfway there, I felt I should report to you first," Xue Xingyue said.
"Is that so?" Meng Jiangming looked at her and asked.
Xue Xingyue replied, "I dare not deceive you."
She dared to say this because she had not revealed herself at Yuhua Pavilion. Without her presence, Meng Jiangming had no way to prove anything against her. If she had told the truth earlier, Meng Jiangming might already have known about it.
It was also possible that Meng Jiangming was deliberately testing her. With this thought, a chill ran through her. Regardless of which scenario was true, she had to maintain her composure.
"Rest well. Inform this Marquis if anything like this happens again," Meng Jiangming said, casting a glance at her.
"Yes, Marquis," Xue Xingyue replied, keeping her head bowed.
As Meng Jiangming reached the door, he suddenly stopped. "Do you know they apprehended someone today who claimed to be a guard of Princess Xingyue?"
Xue Xingyue's expression remained unchanged as she asked, "Is that so? But isn't Princess Xingyue long gone? Marquis, you must be careful not to be deceived. Many people are impersonating Princess Xingyue's guards these days."
Meng Jiangming said no more and left.
Xue Xingyue breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Meng Jiangming no longer suspected her.
However, she was now beginning to doubt whether the person who had invited her to Yuhua Pavilion was truly Feng Wu.
Whether it was or not, she could not appear as Princess Xingyue. If she did not appear, Feng Wu would remain safe. If she were to reveal herself, Feng Wu's situation would become the most precarious.