c72 (2/2)

“You were just followed by someone.” The cold voice sounded in the silence of the night which was a scary and fearful thing, but Fu Ling was relieved. This voice… Is him. She recognised it.

Her already relaxed heart became tensed because of Ming Ze’s words

“Followed?” Fu Ling nervously looked around. In the dark palace road, other than both of them, there was no one else. Fu Ling thought for a while, since he appeared to tell her that she was followed, naturally he would have settle the person who was following.

Why? “After the fear in her heart has pa.s.sed, it left behind many deep doubts. Taking steps towards the silhouette in the shade, Fu Ling asked with confusion in her heart, “Why? Why… Did you help me repeatedly?” Yes, even though it was not deliberate each time, but she could felt that Ming Ze was always helping her. But why? There was no interaction between them right?

Ming Ze seemed to be shocked by her sudden question and closeness and wanted to turn to go.

“Wait!” Fu Ling did not have time to think when her hand had already stretched out and grabbed onto Ming Ze’s sleeve, “You still have yet to answer my question.”

Suddenly his hand got heavier and Ming Ze’s cold eyes darken, “Let go.”

Even though she was unable to see Ming Ze’s cold expression, Fu Ling was able to felt his displeasure. Thinking for a while, Fu Ling eventually let go of his sleeves but still stubbornly continued to ask, “Why?” She did not know why was her heart anxious to know the answer but she just wanted to know.

Why? Because he never thought about this before, his brows started to tighten. After a long time, he then replied coldly, “It was just a coincident. Moreover, I was not helping you.” Not helping her then who was he helping? That person in Qing Feng Hall? Being shocked by the idea in his heart, this time without any hesitation, Ming Ze leaped and fled away.

“h.e.l.lo?” Staring at the figure that had disappeared without a trace, Fu Ling’s mind was blank for a moment. Was it… Only a chance encounters only? Were there truly so many coincidences? Fu Ling gave a self-deprecating smile, if it was not an coincidence then what was it? What was she hoping Ming Ze to say? That very complicated heart eventually let out a sigh.

The Imperial Gardens during Chens.h.i.+ (modern timing: 7 – 9 am) in winter was slightly bleak looking thus at this timing, there would not be anyone braving the cold to come to enjoy the scenery. It was fortunately that there was still someone who loved the desolateness in the early winter morning. A purple clad figure stood by the ever-green trees by the lake, with eyes landed on a calm area of the lake at a distance. The lotus had already withered away and there weren’t any good views on the lake. The female however seemed to be engrossed with it, like the broken stems of the lotus were the most beautiful scenery in winter.

Don’t know since when, a palace maid clad in a light blue palace uniform quickly came and stood behind the female, yet did not say a single word until the female whispered, “During these days, was there anything strange at Imperial Concubine Qing’s place?”

The palace maid slowly raised her head and it was Xia Yin from Qing Feng Hall. But her devotion to the person she was facing, seemed like another person, “Ever since that day of the celebration after she came back from the sedan, she did not take one step out from her room. Even when Steward Gao came to enquire, it was Fu Ling who came out to answer.

Confine herself at home? Even though it was not a clever thing to do, otherw sill not be able to find an opportunity to dig things out, “Were there any changes to her diet or medication?”

There were some hints of weariness in Xia Yin’s pretty face but she forced herself to reply attentively, “There was no changes. The meals were served by Ru Yi, into the chamber. When mid-afternoon comes, Fu Ling will also head to the Medical Court to bring the medication over and will not let another one else do it.

“Did the Emperor go over?”

“Yes, two days ago after dinner but he only sat about the time of a cup of tea (about 15 mins) before leaving.” Like she had thought about something, Xia Yin looked around and lowered her voice, “Even though Imperial Concubine Qing did not leave the room, Fu Ling was somewhat strange. She did not serve much during the day and at night she sneaked out. Last night, this servant originally wanted to follow her to check out but… Not long after leaving the main doors of the hall… My pressure point was. .h.i.t.”

“Your pressure point was. .h.i.t?” Shui Xin stared at the slight ripple at the lake, “Who was it?”

With her head bowed, Xia Yin sheepishly replied, “This servant did not see anything as I suddenly could not move when I was walking. After half a s.h.i.+chen (1 s.h.i.+chen = 2 hours) the pressure points were released naturally.”

She did not even see anyone. Was it that someone had hit her pressure point from a distance? In this Palace that was filled with high martial personnels, there was someone like this protecting by Qing Feng’s side? Just as her mind was wrapping around this possibility, Shui Xin whispered, “You go back first. If there is anything out of the ordinary, then report it to me.”

Unable to see Shui Xin’s expression, Xia Yin paused several times but still plead softly, “Older sister Shui Xin, Imperial Concubine Qing has long suspicious of this servant. This servant is afraid that she will not be able to get detailed news. Please let this servant return back…”

“Do you think it is possible? You and I are just a p.a.w.n and should know our own role and position then we can live a long life, understand?”

Just a simple sentence and the gentle voice sounded appealing but Xia Yin was so scared that her entire body trembled as she quickly replied, “Under… Understand. This servant will retire.”

Not caring of the figure fleeing behind her in panic, Shui Xin’s thoughts were all on Qing Feng. She entered the Palace with Xin Yue Ning for so many years and had never met a prey that managed to slip out of her hands. Qing Feng only entered the Palace for less than a year but had actually escaped from her repeatedly.

Well, this time she need to spend more effort and thought. She wants to see if Qing Feng was thoroughly tough to handle or if the person protecting her was that good.

This person can protect her in the dark but can that person protect her in the open?

Haha…

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