Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Inside the new residence, two craftsmen were whitewashing the walls.

I stood in the courtyard, quietly watching them work.

After a short while, someone suddenly appeared by my side. It was Cheng Wei.

He was rarely seen in such fine brocade robes. Tall and handsome, he lacked his usual brooding, murderous aura and looked more like a noble young lord.

I kept my eyes fixed ahead. “Aren’t you supposed to be accompanying my sister while she composes poetry and paints?”

Cheng Wei looked somewhat weary and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Oh, I complimented those clusters of bamboo by your wall and asked her to paint a piece for me. I finally managed to slip away to get a moment of peace and quiet.”

I smiled faintly. “I didn’t realize you favored women like my Third Younger Sister.”

Cheng Wei said meaningfully, “In my eyes, there is no such thing as ‘favoring’ or ‘not favoring.’ There is only ‘useful’ and ‘useless.'”

With one hand behind his back, he also watched the craftsmen work. “By the way, some interesting news came from Wutai Mountain. Mr. Meng is quite skilled in medicine. The Empress Dowager has long suffered from vertigo, and after his acupuncture and massage treatments, she has improved significantly. Her Majesty appreciated him and intended to promote him. Unexpectedly, Chief Steward Gao, who serves by her side, said something that made her change her mind. I wonder why?”

At this point, he turned his head slightly to look at me. “I remember that night when Ah Heng went mad and tried to kill Eunuch Gao, you were the one who stood in front of him.”

I adjusted my hairpins. “I despise Meng Huaiqing. I merely asked Eunuch Gao to put in a few words.”

Cheng Wei curled his lips. “Is it because he refused to treat you immediately that night, causing you to miscarry, and now you hold a grudge?”

I nodded with a smile. “He is a worse person than you are.”

Cheng Wei didn’t take offense. “A word of advice: don’t go after him. Ah Heng likes him very much.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What kind of ‘like’? The way a man likes a woman? Or the way a man likes a man?”

Cheng Wei looked at me playfully. “The kind of liking that involves appreciation and trust. So, you’ve heard about Yun Sheng?”

I scoffed. “There was no need to ask around. The way the Marquis looks at him is so obvious; he practically grovels to please him. If I couldn’t sense that, I’d be blind and stupid.”

Cheng Wei was amused. “Then another word of advice: even if you know, pretend you don’t.”

I looked at him coldly, yet my smile was charming. “Just like ‘that matter’ between us? We know, but we pretend we don’t?”

“You don’t need to hate me.”

Cheng Wei crossed his arms over his chest. “I didn’t want it either. That night, Ah Heng drugged me too. You’ll understand in time-Ah Heng is so willful and reckless that he’s almost sinister.”

I shot him a sharp look and turned to leave.

“Ye Qingqiu.”

Cheng Wei called out softly to stop me. “The news I received says Ah Heng is copying scriptures and worshipping Buddha at Wutai Mountain, occasionally traveling around as if nothing happened. This is highly abnormal. Be careful once he returns.”

I gave a curt nod. “Thank you.”

Just then, a delicate young girl ran over from a small side gate. Her face was flushed, and she held a painting in both hands. “Lord Cheng, I’ve finished the bamboo.”

A fake smile immediately surfaced on Cheng Wei’s lips as he walked toward the girl.

As he passed me, he whispered, “If you need help in the future, you can find me.”

…