She ought to find a moment to question Zhu Yan — had something happened to him? Had he run up some romantic debt out in the world and someone’s kin come looking for retribution? If Zhu Yan had known what Mu Fengqie was thinking, he would have choked on his tea. He’d been single his whole life; where on earth would he go and pick up lovers?
Caige watched Mu Fengqie’s smug expression and sneered. This time she rose to leave; Zhu Fei did not stop her. She only watched quietly as Caige walked away. Not long after, sounds of fighting drifted from the yard.
“Alright, let’s not just stand here. Go see,” Mu Fengqie said, taking Zhu Fei with her. They stepped outside and found Caige grappling with a man in black. When Mu Fengqie caught a clear look at his face, she glanced at Zhu Fei with surprise. Zhu Fei’s own puzzled look answered the question — Caige hadn’t brought him; Lou Ming had come on his own.
Lou Ming had only just entered the courtyard when a woman charged him. He’d assumed she was one of Mu Fengqie’s newly hired female guards and paid her no mind. Then she attacked without warning. Some things were simply intolerable. He wasn’t one to coddle every flower that crossed his path; apart from Zhu Fei and his sister, few stood a chance of softening him. This woman was simply outrageous.
Caige, seeing Lou Ming, thought he must be Mu Fengqie’s lackey come to stop her, and her contempt turned to amusement. She drew her sword and charged — she wanted Mu Fengqie to see, to be shown there were people more dangerous than she seemed.
But as the fight dragged on, Caige’s surprise grew. This man was skilful, far more than she’d expected. Her battle blood rose; it had been ages since she’d found a worthy opponent. Excitement replaced scorn — this one deserved her full force.
Lou Ming’s face betrayed little, but his confusion deepened. Who was this woman? He looked toward the two who had been watching and silently asked for an explanation.
Zhu Fei shot Mu Fengqie a look, and when Mu nodded, she spoke. “Lou Ming, this woman cheated one of your in-laws — seduced him, stole his money, and threatened our mistress.”
Lou Ming’s expression hardened. Family business could wait; the fact that Caige had dared humiliate Zhu Fei made it personal. He stopped humoring her. His movements turned deadly serious, and within three exchanges Caige was sent flying by a single palm.
Applause broke out. Mu Fengqie clapped first. “Miss Caige, you see? You won’t be getting past this courtyard. Save yourself the trouble.”
Caige spat a glare at Mu Fengqie. “I’m not convinced. Try someone else,” she snarled. She’d underestimated him at first and hadn’t used her true strength — given another chance she’d win for sure.
Mu Fengqie shrugged, indifferent. “As you wish.” She called Anye forward. Free muscle was free muscle.
This time, Caige opened with her best tricks. She expected Anye to be easily hurled aside, but when she saw how fluidly he parried and maneuvered, she faltered. In a flash of distraction she was cut, and she abandoned dignity for tricks — throwing hidden weapons and spraying poison.
Mu Fengqie watched the white mist unfurl and her face darkened. So Caige resorted to such dirty methods. To poison someone in front of her — that was unforgivable.
She pulled a packet of antidote from her sleeve and scattered it into the air. The fumes mingled with Caige’s toxin and neutralized it. At first Caige was smug; she’d assumed Anye would succumb to the poison and collapse. But when Anye deflected her hidden darts without flinching she froze. Why hadn’t the poison worked? Even unusual constitutions succumb after this long — why was he untouched?
Mu Fengqie smiled, cool and unhurried. “Curious, are you? Wondering why your poison didn’t take?”
Caige’s eyes snapped to Mu Fengqie. She ground her teeth. “You set this up? Despicable. Shameless!”
Mu Fengqie’s lip twitched. She’d seen plenty of shamelessness, but this was on another level. “Excuse me. Which of us is being despicable?” she asked. “You ambushed us with hidden weapons and then attacked with poison. Were it not for my rudimentary medical knowledge, do you know what would've happened?”
The look in Caige’s eyes shifted, complex and unreadable. Her lips pressed together. Her plan had been to drug them, kill Lou Ming, and then use Mu Fengqie as leverage to see Zhu Yan. Those words, though, she would not voice.
“You don’t understand,” Mu Fengqie went on, eyes sharp. “If you’d actually done that — believe me — you wouldn’t even get close to me.” She had guessed Caige’s thinking at once. Young, foolish.
“Fine,” Caige said, eyes cold. “If I lose, I accept the consequences. Kill me if you will.” Her voice was steady. “But I’ll tell you this — even if you are Zhu Yan’s mistress, if you hurt me, Zhu Yan will never forgive you.” She shut her eyes and waited for whatever punishment would come.
Minutes passed and no pain; no strange fumes reached her. Confused, Caige opened her eyes and stared at Mu Fengqie.
Mu Fengqie chuckled softly. “I won’t kill you. I still want to know who your master is.” She gave Caige a look, then gestured for Zhu Fei to bind her.
Zhu Fei had someone fetch a thick, sturdy rope. As Zhu Fei approached, Caige took a step back, keeping her face smooth.
She fixed Zhu Fei with a look then turned to Mu Fengqie, raising her voice. “I truly love Zhu Yan. No matter what you say, I will not leave him. Miss, you should give it up. You won’t win.”
Zhu Fei: …