"My ladies blocked her and told her the young madam was unwell and could not receive guests. But... but the Princess of Xiliang refused to leave, saying that if the young madam was indeed unwell, she would only feel at ease after seeing her in person."
From the moment she learned the Princess of Xiliang had arrived, she hadn't dared to go to the front hall. Caiqing elder sister had been handling things, and these were all words she had heard from Caiqing elder sister.
Since they couldn't stall any longer, Caiqing elder sister had sent her to find the young madam for a decision.
Feng Jin's eyes darkened. She stood up from the bed and sat before the dressing table. "Chu Qing, help me with my makeup. Make my complexion as pale as possible."
Since they had already said she was unwell, they had to go all the way. Such superficial tricks had to be done meticulously.
"Yes, young madam."
Chu Qing's hands were always the most skillful. In no time, she had finished Feng Jin's makeup. After Chu Qing's efforts, she indeed looked a bit sickly.
Feng Jin looked at herself in the mirror with satisfaction. This slightly enhanced, delicate makeup was just right. She had to admit Chu Qing's hands were skilled. If it were that clumsy girl Caiqing, she certainly couldn't achieve such an effect.
"Young madam, the person outside is the Princess of Xiliang. For safety, I should not go. I am also worried about being recognized, which would cause trouble."
"What are you afraid of? Your people in Xiliang all know that I took you away. As the Princess of Xiliang, she naturally knows this. It's not as if you can avoid being known just by saying you won't go. It's fine, just come with me and we'll go openly."
She had openly taken Chu Qing away in the first place, and it was already common knowledge. Why should she hide? She might as well display it openly to the world.
Feng Jin, without any further ado, directly pulled Chu Qing to walk outside. On the way, she instructed Chu Qing to remain calm and that there was no need to be afraid.
When Feng Jin stepped into the front hall, Murong Jin Yun slowly put down her teacup and stood up. Her tone was gentle, "Young madam... are you feeling any better? Please do not blame me for the unannounced visit."
"It's nothing, just caught a cold. I would have recovered in a few days with quiet rest, so there's no need for the princess to worry..."
Although nothing was explicitly stated, Murong Jin Yun still heard the implied meaning in Feng Jin's words. Wasn't this a subtle reminder that her unannounced visit had disturbed her rest?
Although Murong Jin Yun was displeased, she still maintained a faint smile on her face. Seeing that Feng Jin was not engaging her further, she proactively initiated conversation. Her gaze fell upon Chu Qing, who stood to the side, her eyes deepening, and a faint smile playing on her lips.
"This girl has improved greatly since following the young madam. Her complexion looks even more radiant now, a far cry from when I saw you in the palace. It is evident that the climate of Dong Chu is truly nurturing, and of course, the young madam's care plays a significant role."
Chu Qing, having been addressed, raised her eyes to glance at Murong Jin Yun before immediately lowering them. She said with a composed voice, "The young madam treats me exceptionally well. I am truly flattered by the princess's concern."
"I originally intended to have you serve me personally, but I did not expect the young madam and I to have the same idea. You were taken by her first. In a way, this is also fate. However, you can visit me often in the future, see more of Xiliang's things, and perhaps alleviate some of your homesickness. I believe the young madam will not mind these small matters."
Murong Jin Yun smiled at Feng Jin, her gentle eyes concealing a deep intent to probe.
Feng Jin took a sip of her clear tea, not taking Murong Jin Yun's words to heart. She replied faintly, "These are all natural matters. If I were to obstruct them, wouldn't I seem inhumane? If the princess asks this way, you are truly humbling me."
Instantly, the smile on Murong Jin Yun's lips froze. She had not expected Feng Jin to reply in such a manner.
She then realized that this seemingly delicate woman before her was truly formidable. She had indeed underestimated her.
Gu Bei Chen, who had been sitting silently for a long time, finally spoke up at a crucial moment, saying something fitting. "Jin Yun, we came specifically to see the young madam. Why are you saying all these irrelevant things? I'm getting confused just listening..."
Murong Jin Yun quickly came back to her senses, realizing she had almost ruined things with a moment of impulsiveness. She hurriedly turned to Gu Bei Chen behind her. "I simply saw someone from my homeland, and it's understandable that I became a bit emotional. I just wanted to say a few more words. Young madam, please don't mind."
"Of course not. I believe the princess is also a person of sentiment, so I naturally wouldn't mind. And I believe Duke Gu wouldn't mind either, would you, Duke?"
"Naturally... Naturally..." Gu Bei Chen replied stiffly. His rigid expression almost made Feng Jin burst out laughing.
Suppressing her smile, Feng Jin cleared her throat to cover it. "My throat is still a bit uncomfortable these past two days, and I have a terrible headache right now. It seems I must take my leave..."
Feng Jin reached up to rub her temples, feigning intense pain, wanting to find an excuse to leave as soon as possible.
"If you are truly feeling unwell, we will not disturb you and will leave now."
Gu Bei Chen immediately understood Feng Jin's intentions. He stood up, took Murong Jin Yun's hand, and led her out.
"Young madam, they just... left like that!"
Cai Qing's eyes widened. Before, she had pleaded tirelessly but couldn't get rid of these two. Now, as soon as the young madam appeared, they obediently left. How could this be so unbelievable?
She was too useless, unable to even handle such a small matter. Cai Qing's spirits immediately drooped. She looked at Feng Jin, "Young madam, am I... am I quite useless? I couldn't even handle this small matter and had to trouble the young madam to come out."
Feng Jin picked up her teacup and took a sip of clear tea. "What happened today, they clearly came for me. If I hadn't appeared, they wouldn't have left so obediently. This is not your fault, so you don't need to blame yourself."
Murong Jin Yun's visit today was clearly aimed at her. Even if Gu Bei Chen wanted to mediate, he didn't have a suitable excuse. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stood up so quickly when he heard her mention feeling unwell and hurried away with Murong Jin Yun.