Feng Linyuan said as he picked up a slice of bread on the table, tore off a piece, and popped it into his mouth. He savored the fragrant, sweet yet not cloying taste, finding it extremely delicious.
Unable to resist, he reached out and tore off another slice. As he ate, he sighed, "What a waste. Such a wonderful thing, and you actually fed it to Liufeng?"
As if understanding the meaning behind his words, Liufeng glared at him with its round eyes and let out two indignant whimpers.
Feng Linyuan kicked it gently and said, "You even have the nerve to bark? You ungrateful thing."
Bai Zheng had no mind to listen to their banter. She just used the back of her hand to wipe the sweat off her forehead, picked up the dough in her hand, and murmured to herself, "It should have formed a film this time, right?"
Feng Linyuan looked at her. Due to staying by the oven for a long time, her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and her bangs were sticking to her forehead in strands. There were streaks of white on her cheeks from where she had wiped the sweat with her hands.
But she was completely oblivious. She was observing the dough in her hand intently, looking at it again and again against the candlelight.
He couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity. He took out his silk handkerchief, walked up to her, and gently wiped the sweat from her face. "Let's call it a day today. If you really wear yourself out and lose weight, your father will surely blame me for not taking good care of you at the betrothal banquet in a few days."
Bai Zheng looked at him blankly. "Betrothal banquet? What betrothal banquet?"
Feng Linyuan smiled. "Our Third Highness will soon have a new princess consort."
Only then did Bai Zheng realize what he meant. She let out a cold laugh. "Well, that's really a great, happy occasion."
The last time Feng Jingxuan got betrothed, the innocent Zheng Yan was killed.
This time, with Bai Sheng, who hated her even more, around, would this betrothal go smoothly?
Thinking of this, a chill filled Bai Zheng's eyes.
I'm afraid this time it will be even more exciting.
Seeing the change in Bai Zheng's expression, Feng Linyuan smiled gently, but his words sent a shiver down one's spine. "If they behave themselves, it will be a great happy occasion. But if they insist on asking for trouble, I'll grant their wish."
Bai Zheng's eyebrows relaxed. Just as she was about to speak, she heard someone calling from outside.
"My lord, there's someone asking to see you."
Feng Linyuan was a bit surprised. "Who could it be at this late hour?"
"He Qing," Mo Li replied in a low voice.
Hearing this, Bai Zheng almost dropped the dough in her hand in shock.
He Qing came to them on her own initiative?
She really acted fast. It had only been five or six days, and she had already found out everything about the matter Bai Zheng had asked her to investigate.
Feng Linyuan and Bai Zheng quickly exchanged a glance.
"I'll go too," Bai Zheng said immediately.
Feng Linyuan smiled and tapped her nose with his finger. "Sure. This is all your doing, my lady. If you don't step in, who will?"
Fortunately, when she accompanied He Qing in acting for a whole day last time, Bai Zheng had insisted on wearing a light veil all day despite the heat, so He Qing had never seen her true face.
Now, if she showed her original appearance and slightly changed her voice, He Qing wouldn't recognize her.
Bai Zheng quickly freshened up and then walked into the main hall with Feng Linyuan.
In the main hall, a plain-dressed woman was anxiously leaning against the door, looking outside from time to time.
So, as soon as the couple entered, the woman's eyes lit up. She knelt on both knees and said, "My lord!"
Feng Linyuan looked at the woman coldly. "You're He Dong's daughter, He Qing?"
The woman looked up, and only then did Bai Zheng get a clear look at her face.
The woman had an ordinary appearance. Apart from a pair of slender and somewhat charming eyes, her nose was flat, and her face was narrow and short. She was far from being a beauty.
At the mention of "He Dong," a flicker of panic flashed across her eyes. She lowered her head, and her voice choked with sobs. "Yes..."
"How dare you come to us?" Mo Li beside them immediately glared at her fiercely, wishing he could kick her to the ground. "Do you think we don't know what that traitor He Dong did?"
He Qing shrank back in fear. With a crying voice, she said, "My lord, please investigate thoroughly! My father was forced to do it. It's all my fault... I was blind and fell in love with a heartless and ungrateful man!"
Hearing He Qing's explanation, Feng Linyuan remained very calm. He neither stopped Mo Li's rudeness nor comforted the crying He Qing.
He just led Bai Zheng to the upper seats in the main hall. He first let Bai Zheng sit down, then walked to his own seat, dusted off his clothes, and sat down. He asked calmly, "What do you want to see me about?"
He Qing immediately stopped crying. She blinked her eyes, crawled on her knees in front of Feng Linyuan, and kowtowed heavily. "I've come to pay off my debt, my lord."
"Oh?" Feng Linyuan raised his eyebrows.
He Qing straightened up, looked up, and stared at Feng Linyuan sincerely with her eyes. "Back then, I was blind. I was so eager to marry Zhao Yujin, the eldest son of the Grand Preceptor's Mansion, that I forced my father to betray you, which brought about the destruction of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
I know I've committed a heinous crime and have no face to live on. I originally wanted to end my life to atone for my sins. But since I still have some debts to pay off, I want to clear them before I die.
I've come here this time. Firstly, to return the old item my father stole back then. Secondly, to show my sincere desire to atone for my sins. I want to join you, my lord, to avenge the old marquis for his murder."
Saying this, she reached into her sleeve and took out a wrapped white handkerchief. She unwrapped it layer by layer.
Feng Linyuan took a closer look. It was the long-lost key to the Qianji Diagram.
Mo Li immediately flew into a rage and wished he could kick her again. "So it was you heartless people who stole this key!"
Tears welled up in He Qing's eyes immediately. "It's all my fault. I forced my father to steal it. My father was loyal to you, my lord. He was originally reluctant..."
But Feng Linyuan's expression didn't change at all. He just stared at the key in He Qing's hand indifferently, not even showing the slightest intention of reaching out to take it.
He Qing anxiously held the key in front of Feng Linyuan. "Although I forced my father to steal the key, as soon as it came into my hands, I hid it well. Zhao Yujin asked me for it countless times, but I never gave it to him! My lord..."
She held the key even higher, as if she wanted to press it against Feng Linyuan's face. "My lord, take a look. This is the real deal. It's the key that can unlock the place where the Qianji Diagram is hidden!"
"I know," Feng Linyuan said calmly.
"Then..."
Why are you still so calm?
He Qing looked at him in astonishment.
Feng Linyuan couldn't help but smile. In the eyes of outsiders, the Qianji Diagram was a mysterious and precious treasure, the most precious item to safeguard the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
But in fact, it was just a book about strange and ingenious skills.
He had read it back and forth countless times since he was a child and had memorized it all in his mind.
Whether there was a key or even the book itself no longer mattered to him.