Chapter 1820: Chapter 1758: The Little Maid Who Can Read Faces
Wufu was determined to deal with Li Xuanji without resorting to any underhanded tricks. She simply dragged Li Xuanji to go horseback riding and shooting. What? Youāre a delicate lady and canāt do such things? Not doing them would imply looking down on this Princess Consort.
Thus, for three consecutive days, Wufu dragged Li Xuanji around to ride horses and wander the Martial Arts Training Ground.
On the fourth day, Li Xuanji āfell ill,ā and as a result, the wives of officials throughout the Northern Region learned of the Princess Consort of Jinās hobbies. They secretly commented on how crude she was, but Prince Jin claimed to greatly appreciate it, being most impatient with overly delicate ladies.
For a while, many women in the Northern Region took up learning horseback riding and shooting. Eventually, it developed into a practice where young ladies incorporated these skills into their standard education, leading to a scenario where women in the Northern Region were capable of riding horses to combat enemies and, when dismounted, could still cook a good meal. But thatās a story for another time.
Time moved to mid-June and the weather grew hotter. The sun was so scorching that it could rapidly evaporate water freshly sprinkled on the ground.
Ah Jiu had been very busy lately. Sometimes, Wufu would not see him return even after she went to sleep, and when she woke up, he was gone again, making her unsure if he ever came back to rest.
Purple Jade brought a bowl of chilled mung bean soup to Wufu.
Wufu took it and drank a couple of sips, then asked, "Is the Lord in the residence? Has some been sent over?"
"Heās here today. Heās in the study discussing matters with Yuan Ye and others, apparently because someone from the Capital has arrived," Purple Jade replied with a smile. "Iāve also instructed someone to send some over."
"Hmm. Whereās Xiao Qi? Still at the Martial Arts Training Ground? The weather is too hot; tell him not to practice too long and to guard against heatstroke." When Wufu came to the Northern Region this time, she brought only about ten people with her, including Xiao Qi.
"Heās training with Mo Lan," Purple Jade replied again. "These two practice every day; their progress is quite rapid."
"Sparing practice allows one to learn from each otherās strengths and make improvements naturally. However, for real enhancement, combat experience is quickest." Wufu sighed slightly; she hadnāt experienced real combat for quite a while herself.
"By the way, my lady, what do you plan to do with that young girl?" Purple Jade asked.
"What young girl?" Wufu was momentarily puzzled.
"The girl that Chi Wu brought over to me at your request that day; it was quite a rush at the inn, and I had someone press her mute acupoint, with Xiao Qi watching over her. Later, in this secluded house, sheās been kept in the servantsā quarters, though Iāve given her some Soft Muscle Powder."
"Sheās still here? You drugged her?" Wufu remembered who she was talking about ā that little maid from the brothel.
Purple Jade spoke sheepishly, "Thereās been so much going on, and her background is unclear, so..."
"If you hadnāt mentioned it, I would have forgotten about this person." Wufu was quite curious about that little maid who sought her out. How did she manage to find her? She instructed, "Bring her over, let me take a look."
Purple Jade agreed, and in a moment, brought the little maid over.
Perhaps due to the medicine, the girlās face was pale, and her eyes showed some panic. When she saw Wufu, her eyes widened, looking at her intently.
Wufu smiled mildly and asked, "Donāt be afraid, who are you?"
"Are you that Young Master Zhou?" the little maid hesitantly asked.
Wufu noticed her hand clenched into a fist but maintained an expressionless face as she replied, "Youāre looking for Young Master Zhou?"
"I know you are," the little maid pursed her lips and said. "This is your true appearance."
Can she read faces? Wufu narrowed her eyes and scrutinized the young girl, then said to Purple Jade, "Have her cleaned up, let her take the antidote and recover a bit, then bring her over for a conversation."