Feng Shao Cheng stood outside the tent.
A rare gentleness was on his brow.
But after waiting for a long time without a reply, that hint of softness inevitably faded a bit.
Just as he was about to turn and leave.
The person inside finally answered him.
“Mm, what is it?”
The previously somewhat dejected Feng Shao Cheng instantly wore a smile again, but that hoarse voice made him frown involuntarily.
“I wanted to see you, are you feeling unwell?”
“I’m fine.”
“I’ll come in and see you,” Feng Shao Cheng said, reaching for the tent flap.
But he heard the person inside grow anxious.
“Don’t, don’t come in.”
Feng Shao Cheng’s hand, holding the tent flap, paused. But in the end, he complied with Song Qing Chao’s words and withdrew his hand.
“Alright then, rest well. If you need anything, send someone to find me.”
“Okay.”
The person inside readily agreed.
But Feng Shao Cheng knew this was likely just a perfunctory response.
His hand gripping the fan tightened, his fingertips pinching the handle, wishing he could break it.
“Has anyone suspicious been around lately?” he asked the guards at the entrance in a cold voice.
“Replying to the Attendant, no. The only people entering and exiting routinely are Miss Ying Ying.”
“I see.” Feng Shao Cheng said gravely, “Have Su Ying Ying come find me.”
“Yes.”
The soldiers didn’t understand what was wrong with Attendant Feng so early in the morning.
But when they saw Su Ying Ying carrying pastries inside, they did as Feng Shao Cheng had instructed.
Su Ying Ying’s hand paused, and then her expression became somewhat awkward. “Why is the young master looking for me?”
The soldier answered blankly, “You’ll know when you go, Miss.”
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Su Ying Ying’s eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
“Then please, little brother, deliver this plate of pastries to Miss Song?”
The soldier looked at the pastries and then took them.
Su Ying Ying, clenching her handkerchief, turned to leave.
She was very flustered, but the thought of seeing Feng Shao Cheng made her heart involuntarily beat faster.
After being led in.
Su Ying Ying lowered her amorous eyes and called out coquettishly, “Young Master?”
Feng Shao Cheng did not rest his gaze on her for too long.
“What has Chao Chao been doing lately?”
Su Ying Ying’s previously happy mood instantly plummeted. “Miss Song has been mostly reading, eating some pastries, and occasionally walking around the tent, saying she’s exercising.”
She wrung her handkerchief, her voice growing softer.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t bring herself to say it, but she felt Song Qing Chao’s life was truly dull.
Waking up to eat, eating to sleep, sleeping then eating again…
How could a lady from a good family be like this?
However, Feng Shao Cheng had no other opinions on this.
As long as Chao Chao was by his side, he would always have an opportunity.
He rested his elbows on the desk, his index finger against his forehead, his thumb massaging his temple.
“From now on, you must stay close to Chao Chao. If she disappears, you don’t need to stay by my side anymore, understand?”
Su Ying Ying was so frightened that she directly knelt down.
She hadn’t expected Feng Shao Cheng to threaten her like this!
“Don’t be afraid. As long as Chao Chao returns to Chang’an with me, you won’t have to do this anymore.”
Su Ying Ying had no choice but to agree.
She had already angered Feng Shao Cheng before. If she refused again, she bet that Feng Shao Cheng would definitely abandon her.
“You may go.”
Su Ying Ying looked up at the weary Feng Shao Cheng, softly replied “Yes,” and then withdrew.
She twisted her handkerchief all the way, wishing she could break her own fingernails.
But then, someone who couldn’t read the situation approached.
“Miss Ying Ying, the pastries you made are delicious.”
Su Ying Ying cast a contemptuous glance at the person before her. Judging by his armor, he was a minor leader among the soldiers.
The minor leader’s eyes were constantly darting at her.
But she still spoke to him without any good temper. “How did you get to eat my pastries?”
The minor leader was startled, then he rubbed his head. “Miss Song rewarded us with them. We thought since we ate your pastries, we should come specifically to thank you properly.”
Su Ying Ying took a step back, covering her nose with her handkerchief.
She was a little angry, but after calming down, she stared at the minor leader with his prominent yellow teeth and conceived a plan.
Her retreating foot stepped forward again, and the handkerchief from under her nose, with the swing of her hand, fell directly onto the minor leader’s arm.
“Are my pastries delicious?”
The minor leader was very surprised but still smiled. “Of course, they are, made by Miss Ying Ying.”
“It’s good that they are delicious,” Su Ying Ying said, subtly withdrawing her hand. “I’ll send some more to the young general tonight.”
The minor leader’s eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this. “Thank you for your trouble, Miss Ying Ying.”
“It’s nothing.”
As Su Ying Ying walked away, she turned back and winked.
However, as soon as she turned back, her charming eyes were filled with ice.
Truly, anyone could covet her now?
Did they even look at themselves to see if they were worthy?
She slowly sauntered back to Song Qing Chao’s tent and lifted the flap to enter directly.
She didn’t care at all if Song Qing Chao would scold her.
Song Qing Chao merely glanced up at her, then returned her gaze to her book.
As long as Su Ying Ying didn’t provoke her again, she could temporarily not pursue the matter of poisoning.
The main reason was that she felt the person behind Su Ying Ying might be Feng Shao Cheng, or perhaps someone else.
These things would have to be investigated when they returned to Chang’an.
For now, she was more curious about something in the book. If it could really be developed, it would be a great weapon in this age of cold weapons.
“Miss?”
“What is it?” Song Qing Chao replied softly, but without much interest, only hoping she wouldn’t cause any trouble.
“Yesterday, a hot spring was discovered in the woods. I wonder if Miss has any interest?”
“Hot spring?”
Song Qing Chao merely murmured the word twice and then dismissed the thought.
Seeing that Song Qing Chao did not react much.
Su Ying Ying took the opportunity to lean closer, wanting to see what book Song Qing Chao was reading.
“They say soaking in hot springs is very good, not only for beauty and complexion but also for relaxing the whole body. Why doesn’t Miss go and rest? It must be stuffy always staying in the tent, isn’t it?”
“There’s a hot spring here?” Song Qing Chao was somewhat intrigued by what she said.
However, her interest was not in beauty and complexion.
Gunpowder needed sulfur, and hot springs had sulfur!
“Yes.” Su Ying Ying immediately became all smiles. She hadn’t expected Song Qing Chao to change her mind so quickly. “If Miss wants to go, we can change our clothes later and go. No one will be there, and it’s very quiet. Miss doesn’t need to worry about danger.”
“Alright.”
Song Qing Chao’s immediate agreement made Su Ying Ying beam. She directly took out the prepared clothes.
As thin as cicada wings, just looking at them made one’s face redden and heart pound.
“Then this servant will help Miss Song change?”