"You will send this servant away..." Chu Qing's voice was especially soft on the last sentence.
She was worried that the young madam would send her away, which was why she had kept this secret and dared not speak of it.
"You may rise first."
Feng Jin stood and helped Chu Qing up. "From the moment you arrived, I told you that all I wanted was your loyalty. As long as you are loyal, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
"Young madam, this servant truly knows her mistake. As long as you don't send this servant back, I will do anything you ask!"
Chu Qing was truly terrified, and tears uncontrollably streamed down her face, her fair little face covered in them.
Seeing this, Feng Jin's heart softened. She could not stand such scenes, and moreover, in her eyes, she had always regarded Chu Qing as a child, which made it even harder for her to bear.
After a pause, Feng Jin sighed with a hint of helplessness. "In this matter, you did not say anything to Madam Sun. This time, we will let it pass. If there is a next time, I will not forgive you."
"This servant promises there will never be a next time. If there is, I will atone with my death!"
Chu Qing solemnly vowed, naturally vowing not to let such a thing happen a second time.
"If Madam Sun seeks you out again, just act as you normally do and remain silent. You don't need to say much."
"Yes, young madam."
Feng Jin's approach surprised Chu Qing. She had initially thought Feng Jin would have her deliberately pass false information to Madam Sun, and never expected her to be kept out of it and continue to remain silent.
"This servant greets the young madam."
Just as the two finished speaking, Zhenzhu arrived with hurried steps.
"Sister Zhenzhu, why have you come?"
Chu Qing, unaware of their plans, was slightly surprised to see Zhenzhu.
"Xiao Qi, do not cause trouble in front of the madam."
Zhenzhu's tone carried a hint of责怪 as she gently admonished her.
Chu Qing glanced at Zhenzhu, then at Feng Jin, and quickly closed her mouth, standing obediently to the side.
"Do you know how Yu Rong is doing now?"
Cai Qing had gone to gather information and had not yet returned, so she could only ask Zhenzhu for now.
"After Yu Rong assassinated Madam Sun, she was immediately controlled by those eunuchs. As for where she was taken, this servant is not entirely sure. Based on my guess, she should be in the hands of another mastermind, which is Madam Sun's superior."
She thought it must be the person she had overheard conversing with Madam Sun that day. Even Madam Sun was obedient to this person, so it was not difficult to guess that this person must be Madam Sun's superior.
Pausing, Zhenzhu seemed to recall something and quickly said, "Madam, when I was eavesdropping that day, I felt that person's voice was very sharp, yet somewhat deep. I suspect that person is a eunuch."
That kind of voice was truly difficult to forget once heard. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that voice belonged exclusively to a eunuch.
"There are a hundred eunuchs accompanying this marriage alliance, and they have always been under Madam Sun's command. If that person is indeed a eunuch, it seems there are many hidden matters among these eunuchs."
Why did she feel that this matter was becoming more and more tricky, almost exceeding her control? She hoped it wouldn't be completely ruined.
"His Majesty of Xiliang despises eunuchs the most. He has never chosen eunuchs when cultivating spies."
This was also because His Majesty of Xiliang, in his childhood, his birth mother was of low status and not favored, and even the eunuchs bullied His Majesty greatly.
After ascending to the throne, His Majesty of Xiliang suppressed eunuchs and only selected palace maids for the cultivation of spies, never eunuchs. In His Majesty of Xiliang's eyes, eunuchs were rootless beings, a bunch of spineless individuals, greedy for life and fearful of death.
Feng Jin's expression was dark and uncertain, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk, each tap like a knock on Zhenzhu's heart, making her nervous.
"Zhenzhu, you may return first. Be cautious with everything. Do not act without my command."
She still needed to think carefully about how to proceed. They would soon arrive in the capital, and she had to be careful with every move, leaving no trace. She absolutely could not let any ill-intentioned person use this matter to cause trouble for Ling Mohan.
"Yes, this servant takes her leave."
As Zhenzhu departed, her gaze inadvertently fell upon Chu Qing before she hurried away.
Chu Qing's gaze followed Zhenzhu's figure until the person at the doorway disappeared. Chu Qing's gaze lingered for a long time.
"It's been a few days, go up and have a chat with her," Feng Jin said lightly.
Chu Qing quickly withdrew her gaze and lowered her head even further. "No, our identities are different from before. It's better to have less interaction."
"If the young madam asks you to go, then it is fine. You don't need to worry about anything else. Just go."
In her eyes, there were no rules. As long as she felt it was appropriate, then it was appropriate.
"Yes, young madam, this servant obeys!"
Chu Qing was once again awed by Feng Jin's words, and her respect for Feng Jin deepened. After agreeing, she left with slightly hurried steps.
"Sister Zhenzhu..." Chu Qing called out loudly when she saw Zhenzhu.
Zhenzhu, walking ahead, heard the voice and thought she was hallucinating. Only when the voice grew closer did she realize she hadn't misheard. She immediately stopped and turned to look, only to see Chu Qing running towards her.
"Why have you come? Does the madam know? Hurry back!"
Worried that Chu Qing had snuck out, Zhenzhu urged her to return.
"I'm fine. It's... it's the young madam who permitted me to come. Sister Zhenzhu, are you alright? What did you say to the madam just now? It sounded like you and the madam were plotting something?"
A string of questions from Chu Qing, her heart truly filled with too many doubts that needed to be confirmed by Zhenzhu.
"The madam didn't tell you?"
Chu Qing shook her head. "The young madam told me nothing. Even when Madam Sun asked me to pass on messages, the young madam only told me to continue to ignore Madam Sun."
Hearing Chu Qing say this, Zhenzhu immediately understood what was happening. "The madam is telling you not to get involved in this matter. It is all for your own good."
After all, the less one knew about these matters, the better. The madam doing this was all for Chu Qing's consideration, a true sign of her deep care.
"Sister Zhenzhu, just tell me what exactly is going on. If I am kept in the dark like this, and then do something detrimental to you, it will be terrible."
After a moment of hesitation, Zhenzhu told Chu Qing the entire story, the twists and turns involved.