Chapter 251: Minor Epilogue: Breakfast

Minor Epilogue: Breakfast

Minor Epilogue: Breakfast

Zheng'an Street, Wang Fu.

At dawn, a light rain drizzled as colorful-robed maids shuttled back and forth through the western garden, delivering various dishes to a pavilion by the lake.

Meiqiu squatted beside the small table, a napkin embroidered with dried fish wrapped around her neck, shaking her head eagerly as she waited for breakfast to begin.

Linghu Qingmo had spent the entire night at Ye Shirong's mansion and hadn't slept well; now, seated beside Meiqiu, she gazed at the distant corridor entrance, pondering silently:

Kissed me and then went straight to Lin Da's house—won't even come back in the morning…

I said I wasn't angry, so I really won't care anymore?

Once I've used up my three chances, I definitely won't speak to you…

…

Princess Changning leaned against the ornamental railing, holding a small bowl, feeding the colorful koi in the lake, her eyes filled with concern:

"Xie Jinhuan came home last night with his robes torn to shreds, didn't let Duoduo help him wash up, and then vanished—where did he go all night?"

"Gujii~"

Meiqiu lifted her wing, trying to wipe Linghu Qingmo's neck, but unfortunately couldn't reach.

Linghu Qingmo pulled her thoughts back and rubbed Meiqiu:

"He should be resting at Lin Da's house—he's been sleeping there these past two nights."

"Oh?"

Princess Changning turned her gaze: "So you followed Xie Jinhuan to Jingcheng, but all you did was investigate cases, and you didn't even spend nights together?"

Linghu Qingmo had spent the first night with him, but Lin Da arrived on the second day.

Lin Da had been Xie Jinhuan's lover since before she came to Jingcheng; she'd only recently met her, and without a legitimate case reason, how could she possibly show up to steal him away?

Facing her friend's veiled questions, Linghu Qingmo's demeanor was as icy and unwavering as a goddess of the Dao:

"I came to Jingcheng to investigate the case. Lin Da is his beloved companion; it's only natural he stays with her at night."

"Sigh…"

Princess Changning didn't know how to respond to this useless friend.

She'd known Qingmo first; despite her father and mother subtly encouraging her for days, she'd held back from stealing him, letting Qingmo have every advantage—almost drowning her in opportunities.

Yet Qingmo, with all this advantage, still hesitated; she asked:

"So aside from the case, have you done absolutely nothing with Xie Jinhuan these past few days?"

"Mm." Linghu Qingmo nodded, her expression as detached and frostbitten as a celestial master untouched by mortal desires!

Princess Changning didn't believe a word of it, and turned her eyes to Meiqiu.

"Guj?"

Meiqiu glanced at the table full of delicacies—since Xie Jinhuan didn't come back herself, how could she blame Meiqiu for giving in to the "Food Strategy"?

She tilted her head, thought for a moment, then pecked twice at the roasted duck head on the plate.

Princess Changning was sharp; after a moment's thought, her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the little ice lump across from her:

"Qingmo, did you kiss Xie Jinhuan?"

"Huh?!"

Linghu Qingmo hadn't expected Meiqiu to be so disloyal—she immediately pulled Meiqiu back from the reward she'd been about to snatch:

"She's just greedy for meat—don't jump to wild conclusions!"

"Heh~"

Princess Changning, seeing Qingmo's flustered, blushing expression, knew her friend wasn't as useless as she pretended—she said nothing more, picked up a small knife, sliced off a piece of meat, placed it on a porcelain plate, and set it before Meiqiu:

"Fine, fine, I won't guess. Let's eat. By the way, I've never kissed a man in my life—I'm actually curious what it's like."

That feeling was strange—like being struck by a Palm Thunder, leaving you restless and sleepless all night…

But Linghu Qingmo had no intention of sharing such an experience with her friend; instead, she maintained an unmoving, icy composure, using her chopsticks to pick up crispy bamboo shoots, small radishes, and mushrooms, placing them on Meiqiu's plate.

"Gujii?!"

Meiqiu lifted her head, eyes wide with shock, quietly trying to sneak toward the other side—but she was pinned down, and only looked pleadingly at the landlady, her gaze clearly pleading: Save me, save me…

Princess Changning still felt sorry for her informant, so she picked up Meiqiu and began feeding her; thinking of Xie Jinhuan still living at Lin Da's, she asked:

"Does Xie Jinhuan still have a house?"

"It's on Xianyun Alley, but it's been unoccupied for three years—fallen into disrepair. We plan to fix it up once things settle down."

"How could you let Xie Jinhuan do that himself?"

Princess Changning turned and called out to the courtyard:

"Old Hou! Go clean up Xie Jinhuan's house. Take the best furniture from the Young Master's room and move it over."

Overseer Hou poked his head out from the corridor, his eyes shifty and troubled:

"Your Highness, the Young Master's room is practically empty—only a bed remains. The golden sandalwood desk the Prince gave him? Now it's just two stacked boxes barely holding together…"

Princess Changning never went to the eastern compound unless forced; hearing this, she frowned:

"What about writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone?"

Overseer Hou spread his hands: "The last time the Young Master picked up a brush? I'd guess it was in Danyang. He doesn't need such things in Jingcheng."

"…"

Princess Changning had no reply; after a moment's thought, she asked:

"Did Xiao De get the eight thousand taels he borrowed from the Crown Prince yesterday?"

"If the Young Master got it, he'd rush to gamble it back immediately. Paying you back? That's tomorrow's problem—what if he wins?"

"…"

Princess Changning took a deep breath, glancing left and right, as if searching for a knife.

Linghu Qingmo had been maintaining her icy beauty persona, but upon hearing this, she could no longer hold it in; she tugged at the corner of her mouth, then quickly restored her cold, elegant expression.

Meiqiu understood the meaning and immediately flapped her head and extended her paws:

"Gujii!"

Princess Changning said sternly: "Do as Meiqiu says. Whether the man lives or dies doesn't matter—bring back the silver!"

"Got it."

……

——

This section was originally cut, but it was a pity to discard it, so I'm releasing it as a free bonus chapter…

(End of Chapter)