Chapter 570 - 407 Sudden Fright

He responded doubtfully, adjusted his clothes, and walked out slowly.

A luxurious carriage was parked outside the manor.

The carriage curtain was lifted to reveal Yuan Kang’s smiling face, "Brother Zifang."

Puyang Zong was taken aback for a moment, excitedly shook his sleeves, and stepped forward to give a fist and palm salute.

"Brother Cunjian."

The two men looked at each other, Puyang Zong sized him up, and burst into hearty laughter.

"It seems Brother Cunjian has recovered well?"

That was exactly the wrong thing to mention.

Yuan Kang had flirted with Feng Yun at Little Jieqiu, nearly got chopped by Chunyu Yan, and afterwards suffered serious injuries, nearly losing his life. Everyone in Andu County knew about it, and Yuan Kang felt extremely embarrassed. Where would he want to be reminded of it?

He smiled faintly, a fleeting chill flashing in his eyes that Puyang Zong failed to notice. Puyang Zong casually strolled over as usual and skillfully boarded Yuan Kang’s carriage.

"How did Brother Cunjian end up in this broken place? What, did you come especially to see me?"

Yuan Kang’s face was expressionless, his gaunt visage framed by an overly prominent aquiline nose, appeared even colder.

"I came to get medicine from Doctor Yao, and to see you while I was at it."

Yuan Kang’s injury had initially taken a very long time to heal, with the Royal Residence of Hui Prince of Xingyang searching everywhere for skilled doctors. It was eventually Doctor Yao from Huaxi Village who had gradually helped him get better.

Puyang Zong knew this.

But Yuan Kang’s expression made him feel uncomfortable, as if he had been scraped by some thorn, and he suddenly felt uneasy.

"You’ve been recuperating for several months now, and you’re still not fully recovered?"

Yuan Kang forced a bitter smile, shook his head, and suddenly fixed his gaze on Puyang Zong.

"Zifang, are we good brothers?"

Upon hearing this, Puyang Zong stared at him with wide eyes, "Isn’t that obvious? With the friendship we’ve built since childhood, don’t you know what kind of person I am?"

Yuan Kang pulled down the curtain, suddenly gripped Puyang Zong’s shoulders, and gave a firm pat.

"Good brother, do me a small favor."

Puyang Zong hesitated and then said, "Go on."

-

Feng Yun caught up with Puyang Yi outside the gate of her new residence.

Before she even approached, she could faintly hear Puyang Yi’s suppressed sobbing.

Two maidservants followed nervously behind her, not daring to make a sound.

Feng Yun called to her, and the maidservants quickly stepped aside.

"Princess."

Puyang Yi cared about her face.

She secretly lifted her sleeve to wipe her tears, then turned around and smiled at Feng Yun.

"I’m fine, Lady Yun, don’t worry about me..."

Feng Yun looked at her forced composure and smiled slightly.

"Didn’t the County Lord invite me to come and see your new residence?"

Puyang Yi was taken aback, and immediately her face relaxed.

"Then come quickly and help me look around, there are many places I’m unsure about..."

As she spoke, she walked back, intimately linking her arm with Feng Yun’s.

Puyang Yi was fragrant and soft, and Feng Yun did not repel her closeness. She smiled lightly, allowing her to guide them inside. Unintentionally, her gaze drifted toward the new residence being constructed a hundred steps away.

Wen Xingsu’s new residence had already started construction at the end of last month.

A glance revealed the foundation was initially set, with craftsmen carrying foundation stones inside...

At the start of the construction, she had sought Wen Xingsu’s opinion, but he had none. Therefore, the final construction plan was decided by Feng Yun.

To show sincerity, Feng Jingteng sent a supervisor to oversee the matter, who did not dawdle or delay the progress.

But the supervisor brought a letter.

It was not written by Feng Jingteng, but by Xiao Cheng.

The letter was given to Feng Yun but was not meant for Feng Yun.

"To Brother Xingsu," it began politely, reminiscing briefly before continuing, "I understand the construction of this residence was not your intention. A gentleman of humility takes not a single thread or blade, Brother Xingsu must feel troubled. However, in my opinion, we need not reject Ayun’s kindness; let us just go along with her."

The tone was courteous, graceful, and dignified.

As if the author of the letter was none other than Qi Jun, not the Grand Princess, merely an old acquaintance of Wen Xingsu and Feng Yun’s fiancé in name...

Feng Yun had forgotten to pass the letter to Wen Xingsu, and recalling it upon seeing the house, her mood darkened when she turned to look at Puyang Yi again.

She felt sorry for her, and for the Feng Yun of her past life...

The new residence was completely tailored to Puyang Yi’s preferences and style: carved stone bricks, spacious porches, mystical grasses and immortal vines, fishponds with artificial hills, ancient zithers and bronze mirrors, precious inkstones and pen holders – not a single spot lacked delicacy.

It could be said that it was the most exquisite residence in Huaxi Village to date, befitting the noble threshold of the Grand Princess Residence.

Puyang Yi showed Feng Yun around the house, talking and walking with a smile blooming like flowers. Feng Yun occasionally chimed in, never mentioning her lapse of composure and tears earlier, as if nothing had happened...

Some people are unwilling to show their wounds to others.

Puyang Yi didn’t speak of it, not wanting Feng Yun to pity her...

Feng Yun didn’t mention it, showing a keen understanding of the heart, knowing that empty words of comfort were unnecessary.

When it comes to emotions, outsiders are often powerless.

Those nuanced states of mind are not something that can be fully expressed in just a few words...

She did indeed give some opinions about Puyang Yi’s residence and then, amidst Puyang Yi’s joyful expressions of gratitude, she took her leave to head home.

Upon returning home, Feng Yun received the report that Yuan Kang had come to look for Puyang Zong.

As for what the two of them talked about, the gatekeeper was unaware.

But when Puyang Zong got on that carriage, he never came down, just peering out from behind the curtain to shout at the gatekeeper,

"I have urgent business and must leave the village. Please request a three-day leave from the village school on my behalf, and I’ll make up for it when I return."

He is the Prince of Danyang, beyond the gatekeeper’s purview.

His lectures in the village were also commissioned by the Grand Princess, and nobody else had the right to interfere.

However, upon hearing this, Feng Yun’s complexion changed, and she promptly left for the house next door.

In the medicine chamber, Doctor Yao was busy grinding medicine. Seeing her, he wiped his hands and moved forward to greet her.

"My lady..."

"Doctor Yao, I have something to ask you," Feng Yun said urgently, signaling him to dispense with formalities and speaking immediately, "Has the Princely Heir of the Xingyang Hui Royal Residence been here?"

Doctor Yao nodded, "He has, but he left nearly an hour ago."

Feng Yun asked, "What did he come for? What did he say?"

Doctor Yao smiled, "He didn’t say much, just came to get medicine. However, it’s quite strange. Usually, the Xingyang Hui King sends someone to fetch me to the city, but this time, the Princely Heir came in person. The Princely Heir seems much more humble since his escape from death..."

"I understand."

Feng Yun didn’t wait for Doctor Yao to finish, hastily bowing and then quickly stepping out to have Ge Guang ready the carriage.

"Hurry, I need to make a trip to Andu."

Although Puyang Zong was planted in Huaxi Village by the Grand Princess herself, if anything were to go wrong, Feng Yun knew she would ultimately be held accountable.

Unable to catch up with Puyang Zong, Feng Yun boarded her carriage, had someone inform Puyang Yi, and then headed straight for Andu...

Andu, like any other city, would close its gates at a certain hour, preventing free entry or exit for the citizens.

When the carriage arrived at Andu, Feng Yun lifted the curtain to glance at the towering city gates.

"Ge Guang, faster."

"Yes." Ge Guang responded, and with a crack of the whip, the carriage sped up...

Feng Yun’s attention was entirely fixed on the closing city gates, utterly unaware of a fast horse passing by her side.

Suddenly, the carriage seemed to jerk, and in the blink of an eye, someone slipped inside...

Feng Yun was startled, unable to see clearly, and as she sensed someone entering the carriage, she reached for the Jian Shui hidden in her boot...

Her wrist was caught.

The next moment, before she could react, she found herself in a firm embrace.

Meanwhile, the carriage did not stop.

Feng Yun’s heart pounded violently as she came back to her senses and glared across inquisitively.

"What are you doing, your Highness?"

"Keep quiet," Pei Jue’s voice was icy cold, his gaze not even on her but fixed unmovingly on the carriage window.

Not knowing what had happened, Feng Yun looked at his expression, intending to lean over when suddenly, the carriage curtain was pierced by a long sword, its cold glow thrusting into Feng Yun’s eyes. She widened her eyes, ducked her neck, and then buried her head in Pei Jue’s chest.

"Your Highness, be careful."

She clutched at Pei Jue’s clothes, her palms slick with cold sweat.

Pei Jue wrapped her in his cloak and pulled her into his arms, grabbing the sword tip and yanking hard.

The person outside lost their footing and crashed directly into the carriage.

The collision produced a loud thud.

Pei Jue seized the long sword and, without blinking, thrust it back out.

"Ah!"

A scream tore through the sky, blood splattering on Feng Yun’s carriage. The lilac-colored curtain was stained with a layer of blood, darkening it ominously and looking all the more terrifying...

Realization struck Feng Yun, "Someone tried to assassinate you?"

Pei Jue was silent for a moment, "It was an attempt on your life."

Feng Yun: ...

Before she could grasp the whole story, she glanced at Pei Jue and with a cool curve of her lips, she said, "Puyang Zong has been taken away from Huaxi Village by Yuan Kang. I was about to go to the Grand Princess Residence to report this..."

Pei Jue hummed, "There’s no need now, the Grand Princess is already aware."