Ning Yi didn’t expose her but said leisurely, “Even if you are completely unkempt and grimy, I won’t mind.” After looking at her for a while, he suddenly took her hands and carefully wiped them clean. His movements were focused and gentle. His long eyelashes were lowered, casting a half-moonlit circle of shadow. Feng Zhi Wei’s gaze flickered over him for a fleeting instant before she immediately averted her eyes, focusing her attention instead solely on the pile of papayas.

Ning Yi wiped her hands clean, put the handkerchief in his pocket, and said with a laugh, “I just came back from Haoyun Pavilion. His Majesty may really be sending you out. Is there anywhere you would like to go?”

Feng Zhi Wei thought for a moment and said, “Of course I hope for a good place. As you know, me being sent out is just a transition, a preparation for entering the cabinet. With that being the case, then don’t give me any poor and remote place for me to govern. Jianghuai seems like a good option, and it’s close to the capital.”

“You wish.” Ning Yi chuckled, “That’s the richest place in the world. The most lucrative post that’s practically raining money. You are hoping I will fight until my head is bloodied for this post?” 

“Isn’t His Majesty planning to manage the grain transport and open the Jinghuai Canal?” Feng Zhi Wei smiled and said, “You are in charge of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, so this task will fall on you. You could think of a way to cause some trouble for the Provincial Governor of Jianghui, and then just let me take over.”

“Woman, when will you stop using underhanded tactics to control people?” Ning Yi patted her head and said, “Alright, I will do my best. In my opinion, why must you be sent out? Plenty of exceptions have already been made for you, what’s one more? I always hope for you to stay close to me, so that you don’t fly away when I am not looking.” 

“Your Highness, this humble subordinate’s wings are firmly in your grasp.” Feng Zhi Wei smiled sweetly, “If you point east, I dare not go west. If you point north, I dare not fall head down first.” 

Ning Yi smiled slightly, glanced at her, and said, “I think your words would have been more correct if it were the other way around.” Not continuing on with the subject, he said, “I still have things to do tomorrow, so I will go back first. You should go to sleep soon.” 

Feng Zhi Wei hummed in agreement, her expression a bit hesitant, but didn’t say anything more. Ning Yi, always observant, took a step forward, then turned back, staring at her intently, and asked, “You seem to have something else you want to say to me?” 

“Nothing.” Feng Zhi Wei slowly raised her chin towards the room not far away, “Since I came back this time, Shao Ning seems to have been much quieter. I want to know what happened to her while I was away.”

Her gaze fell on the wellhead, which had once been inscribed with words but was now smooth. What she really wanted to ask was those two words. 

“Something is a bit off with Shao Ning.” Ning Yi said, “But after you left the capital, she didn’t stay in the Imperial Temple the whole time. Under the pretext of traveling to better her mood, she went to pay homage to the golden statue of the seventh patriarch of Zen Buddah. She stayed there for quite a long while and returned to the capital not long before you came back.” 

Feng Zhi Wei was taken aback, a sense of unease passed through her mind, but then she immediately smiled and said, “That’s good if she is truly willing to devote herself to studying Buddhist teachings. I am always worried about that temperament of hers. That stab Qian Yan gave her back then left lasting damage. She still hasn’t fully recovered from it.”

“Qian Yan did a good job handling your documents on this trip to Xiliang. I am planning to speak with the Ministry of Personnel and get him appointed to an official post.” Ning Yi replied casually, seeming to have something on his mind. He quickly went down into the well and reached to activate the well mechanism. Feng Zhi Wei rose instinctively to see him off. Just as Ning Yi was about to disappear into the well, he suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered softly, “Mm…papaya is a good thing. Steamed together with snow frog, the effect is even better…you know what I mean.” 

Feng Zhi Wei, “………..” 

(According to my very casual research on the internet, there is no scientific proof that papaya will help with the female chest area. However, it is still a fairly common belief and is certainly often used in jokes among the Chinese people.)

—————————————-

The well returned to calm. Feng Zhi Wei sat silently by the well for a while. Feeling restless, she absentmindedly took a few bites of papaya before suddenly sprang into the air, vaulting over the high wall and heading through the back alley toward the neighboring imperial temple. 

As she leaped away, she gestured to indicate that no one should follow her. Too many people following her would only make it easier to be discovered in a place like the imperial temple. 

The imperial temple was very quiet. Through the window, she glanced toward the princess’s room. It was dark and still, with no sign of movement. She was about to move closer when she suddenly heard a rush of wind behind her, coming at her extremely fast. 

Feng Zhi Wei’s heart lurched, and she quickly retreated backward, but the other person was even faster. She vaguely heard a sharp whistling sound, and something was already coming straight for the back of her head! 

The attacker’s move exceeded all imagination. Feng Zhi Wei had never seen martial arts such as this since meeting Gu Nan Yi, nor had she ever stood so close to the edge between life and death. In the split second she had to react, she abruptly threw herself backward, hopping headfirst off the wall. 

Her fall caused her opponent’s attack to miss. Midair, she vaguely glimpsed a flash of crimson beneath the fluttering black robes. Feng Zhi Wei had just begun to twist herself upright when the shrieking wind came at her again. 

Somewhat disheveled now, she retreated again and again. 

Her qinggong was already exceptional, yet her opponent’s technique was just as swift. (qinggong- a type of martial art focused on being extremely fast and light on your feet. The type you see on the Chinese dramas when someone could fly up to the rooftop with a single tap on the ground.) Amid the constant howling wind, one pursued, and the other fled. In mere moments, they had already left the imperial temple grounds. After running for some time, Feng Zhi Wei turned a corner into an alley, and suddenly, the relentless sound of pursuit stopped. In the darkness, she turned back. The road behind her was empty and silent. The slightly damp ground shimmered with a bluish light from the moisture. There was no one around at all. The seemingly endless pursuit, and the titering on the edge of death seemed to be nothing more than a nightmare. 

She stood there, stunned, cold sweat running down her back, feeling utterly bewildered at the same time. This person appeared out of nowhere and vanished just as suddenly. What exactly was he trying to do?

She looked around and only then realized that during the chase, they had gone far beyond the imperial temple grounds. Looking at the surrounding buildings, she seemed to be in the vibrant all-night flower market district on the southern side of the imperial capital. (flower-market= brothels and bars) Indeed, not far ahead was the Rouge River, where she had once drunk wine. 

She stood there, dazed, the cold wind howling all around her. Most people, after such a terrifying battle, would probably have turned back and gone home immediately. But Feng Zhi Wei had always been suspicious and cautious by nature, so she was in no hurry to return home. She took a few slow steps forward until she reached the very rock where she had once sat drinking. Deep in thought, she lowered herself onto it. By chance, she lifted her head and saw the signboard reading “Lanxiang Courtyard.” 

This courtyard had been her first hiding place after leaving her uncle’s place. Seeing it now stirred an unexpected sense of familiarity and warmth in her heart. 

She suddenly had the urge to go visit Yin Er. Or perhaps she could also see Yan Hong and Cui Er, and find out how they had been doing all these years. 

All text copyright @ www.Ninja-Reflection.com  　

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