In the dungeon.
The dim candle crackled. The jailer splashed a basin of cold water, and the man chained to the rack immediately shivered and woke up.
When he moved, he found his hands and feet tightly bound. Instantly panicked, he struggled violently, shouting, "Who are you? Why are you tying me up? I'm a good citizen. I haven't broken any laws. You can't tie me up!"
The jailer sneered, "If you dare to shout again, I'll cut out your tongue!"
Fu Mingde shrank his neck in fear. Then, still not giving up, he said obsequiously, "Sir, sir! I really haven't broken any laws. I just owe the gambling house fifty taels. I'll pay it back! I'll pay it back right away! Please, sir, loosen the ropes and let me out for the sake of my good attitude?"
This fool still thought he had been captured by people from the gambling house.
His eyes flashed as he remembered the one - hundred taels the woman had given him. He snorted coldly in his heart.
He had pestered that unfilial girl for her sake and suffered so much... Thinking of this, he moved his waist and immediately grimaced in pain.
That little bitch was really cruel, stabbing him without hesitation! It hurt so much!
Once he got out, he would definitely go to that woman to ask for another one - hundred taels first, and then find an opportunity to teach that ungrateful girl a good lesson!
The jailer ignored him and just walked to the corner and stood still, even softening his breathing as if he wanted to blend into the darkness.
Fu Mingde shouted and cursed for a long time. Seeing that no one paid attention to him, he coughed his hoarse throat and lowered his head to rest for a while.
Soon, a slow and steady sound of footsteps echoed in the cell. In this quiet environment, it was extremely distinct, as if it was stepping on people's hearts.
Fu Mingde was startled and immediately raised his head. When he saw the person coming, his pupils instantly shrank. "You... It's you. What do you want? Let me out!"
The dim yellow candlelight slowly illuminated the face of the person coming. His high nose bridge cast a small shadow on his face. He slowly raised his eyes, and his cold eyes locked tightly on the person in front of him.
The jailer moved a chair for him. He sat down and smoothed his robe. The whole person was like a venomous snake waiting for an opportunity to strike, cold and damp.
He didn't say a word. He just gently tapped the armrest of the chair with his index finger. The sound was extremely faint, but Fu Mingde only felt his heart tighten. All the surroundings in his eyes gradually faded away, leaving only this snake - tongued man in front of him.
"What on earth do you want! I... I haven't offended you, have I?" Fu Mingde shouted nervously and helplessly.
The man glanced at the corner, and the jailer immediately sprang into action. He took a whip from the wall and whipped it hard on the ground. With a "snap", a white mark appeared on the ground.
Fu Mingde dodged in fear. Seeing the jailer approaching slowly, he was furious, shouting, "What do you want to know? Ask, ask! As long as I know, I'll tell you, I'll tell you!"
He was really scared out of his wits by this quiet and extremely oppressive environment. He kept struggling, with tears and snot streaming down his face.
The man raised his hand, and the jailer stopped walking.
The moonlight outside shone in. The man took a few steps forward, and the gray - white moonlight landed on his eyebrows.
It was Chen Tingfeng.
His eyes were deep. Just as he opened his mouth and said something, Fu Mingde suddenly stared at him in horror with wide - open eyes.
In the early morning.
Swallows swooped low under the eaves. The slightly cool dew dropped from the branches and landed on the tender grass just emerging from the soil, making the leaves sway as if they were dizzy.
It was just dawn. Biyu got up early. She opened the door and was about to go to the big kitchen to get some food. But as soon as she opened the door, she bumped into someone head - on and was so scared that she stepped back repeatedly.
"Your, Your Highness? " Biyu opened her mouth slightly, looking a bit dazed. "Is there something you need, Your Highness?"
Chen Tingfeng seemed to have stayed up all night. There were dark circles under his eyes. His eyes were full of thoughts, as if he was secretly enduring something. But the moment he saw Biyu, he composed himself and returned to his usual calm look.
"Nothing." His voice was a bit hoarse, showing a hint of exhaustion.
He glanced inside, very restrained. His hand seemed to want to touch but then suddenly withdrew. After a while, he slowly exhaled and turned away.
Biyu looked at his back, quite puzzled.
What did the prince come for?
It seemed that he had been standing here for a long time, and there was even a little dew on his hair.
She shook her head, closed the door and walked towards the kitchen.
It was a cloudy and rainy day. The sky was overcast, as if it was going to rain the next second, but it never did.
Fu Zhen was sitting in front of the mirror, looking at the somewhat blurred figure in it. Suddenly, she was lost in thought.
Cuihuan was choosing accessories for her. Suddenly, she paused. "The hairpin the young lady wore last night..."
Fu Zhen looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the pear - shaped gold hairpin from last night was indeed missing from the dressing box. She lowered her eyes and thought for a while, then shook her head and said, "Forget it. Maybe it's lost."
Last night, she had played her part with seven parts acting and three parts true emotion. When Xie Yan coaxed her to let go, that hairpin was most likely in Xie Yan's hands.
Cuihuan didn't say any more. She picked a begonia - shaped hairpin and put it on for her.
After washing and dressing, Biyu came back with the meal. "Nanny Zhou somehow heard that the young lady was frightened last night. She made the cloud - cake that the young lady likes early and was eagerly waiting for me to pick it up."
Mentioning this, Biyu couldn't help laughing. "Nanny Zhou is really kind - hearted. She just got a little help from the young lady accidentally back then, and she still remembers it to this day."
Fu Zhen smiled slightly. "Since she's a good person, we should interact with her more in the future."
After crying last night, she still felt listless.
She had just taken a few bites when a young maid rushed in and said, "Second Young Lady, Steward Yuanbao is here."
Fu Zhen paused while picking up the vegetables. She slowly wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. "Let him in."
Biyu still remembered how Yuanbao made fun of her last night. She hid behind Cuihuan and looked everywhere but at Yuanbao who came in to pay respects.
Yuanbao was smiling. He was still holding a food box in his hand. He said, "Second Young Lady, may you be well. His Highness passed by Yongchun Tower this morning. Knowing that the young lady likes the new peach - blossom cakes there, he specially bought them for the Second Young Lady to try."
Fu Zhen gently raised her eyebrows, but there was a gentle smile on her face. "Please tell the steward to convey my thanks to my cousin for his kindness."
Yuanbao bowed. "Yes, I will definitely convey the message." After saying that, he bowed again and left.
Biyu snorted. Cuihuan secretly pinched her. Biyu pouted. "The peach - blossom cakes are delicious, and the cloud - cakes are also delicious. I really can't eat them all now."
Fu Zhen lowered her eyes and looked at the still - warm peach - blossom cakes inside. She wondered what Chen Tingfeng was up to. He showed her kindness out of the blue. Could there be some medicine in them?
"I'm not very hungry. You guys take this plate of snacks and divide them up."
Although it was unlikely that there was medicine in them, Fu Zhen still kept her distance from this plate of snacks.
When something is out of the ordinary, there must be something strange about it. Who knows what absurd things Chen Tingfeng would do after she ate these cakes?
Just thinking of his sarcastic tone, Fu Zhen couldn't help rolling her eyes.