No one knew what Feng Yexuan and Feng Qihe discussed.
However, that night, after parting ways with Feng Qihe, Feng Yexuan did not return to the prince's manor.
"Dingchen seemed to see the prince go to the back mountain," Dong Qing mentioned to Chu Qianli when delivering ginseng tea. "It seems he went to that patch of purple hyacinth garden."
No one knew what that sea of purple hyacinths meant to the prince, but it seemed he had taken his former princess there, and now he had taken Xiao Yao there as well.
In fact, Dong Qing vaguely sensed something. Anyone with a bit of awareness could tell that everyone's attitude towards Xiao Yao was one of great respect.
However, no one spoke of it, so Dong Qing didn't ask.
She was merely a maid serving Miss Xiao Yao.
Chu Qianli picked up the cup and took a sip.
Dong Qing's craftsmanship was still excellent; it was ginseng tea she had personally brewed.
That day, the girl had almost been beaten to death by the fake Chu Qianli, and it was Fu Ning who brought her to treat her.
Was it fate that she was now by her side?
Chu Qianli looked at her, but suddenly frowned.
Deep in her memory, it seemed there had also been a gentle and obedient little maid by her side.
Day in and day out, she followed her, calling her Princess Consort…
"Miss, is the ginseng tea not brewed well?" Seeing her frown, Dong Qing immediately became anxious. "Shall I go again…"
"My former maid… didn't call herself 'slave'."
Chu Qianli's frown deepened.
Some memories surfaced bit by bit, but they remained unclear.
Dong Qing tilted her head, looking at her, not understanding.
Not calling herself a 'slave' was a sign of disrespect, wasn't it?
Finally, Chu Qianli collected her thoughts, finished the ginseng tea, and returned the cup to her.
"From now on, don't be too formal. Be more relaxed in front of me."
"Slave…"
"Hmm?" Chu Qianli raised an eyebrow.
Dong Qing hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I understand."
"The prince went to the purple hyacinth sea in the back mountain?" She inexplicably felt like smiling.
Now, her mood was no longer so agitated.
Staying in this place didn't seem so bad.
"Did Leng Ji deliberately tell you?"
Dong Qing nodded. "It seems… deliberate. So, I guess he wanted me to tell you."
In any case, the intention was to inform Miss of the prince's whereabouts.
It was like a subordinate reporting the master's location to the mistress.
The subordinates were all thoughtful.
"I know," Chu Qianli nodded, lowering her gaze, still looking at the remaining few official documents.
"I'll handle a bit more business. You should go back and rest early."
"Miss, it's getting late."
"Your prince said that if I don't finish, he'll deal with me when I get back."
Hearing this, Dong Qing's face suddenly flushed for some reason. "Then I'll take my leave."
She quickly ran off.
Chu Qianli was somewhat helpless.
After finishing the last two letters, she wrote down things to note in a notebook beside her. For one of them, she immediately replied and took it out to give to Leng Ji.
Then she returned to her chambers. After bathing and changing, just as she was about to go to bed.
Suddenly, faintly, she seemed to hear the sound of a musical instrument.
A somewhat familiar flute melody, where had she heard it before?
A sense of unease inexplicably arose in Chu Qianli's heart. She put on her coat, walked to the window, and opened it.
The flute melody became even clearer.
Where on earth had she heard it?
Suddenly, her expression changed drastically, and she rushed out of the room.
"Miss Xiao Yao…" No one knew what she was going to do.
As Chu Qianli rushed out, she immediately headed towards Feng Yexuan's chambers.
The prince had not yet returned. Only Leng Ji, who had heard the commotion, rushed out. "Miss, what is it…"
"Where is my master imprisoned?"
Chu Qianli grabbed his sleeve and said urgently, "Quick! Take me to see Ye Qingying, it will be too late if we delay!"