Chapter 63: Angered

Liu Changning walked out of the bun shop carrying a package wrapped in oiled paper.

The night was gradually darkening.

The bustling market street from earlier now had sparse figures.

She looked up at the sky, then started walking towards the streets of Pingyao Ward.

She had promised the little girl called Shengzi that she would deliver the buns into the hands of Mingde Changdi Qing.

Her right hand held the paper bag emanating warmth, the open bag containing two soup buns larger than a palm.

She thought that with one for each of them, it surely wouldn’t go to waste.

Liu Changning’s almond eyes narrowed slightly, her mind flashing to a pair of blushing earlobes, her tea-colored eyes darkening three degrees.

Unfortunately, after walking just a few steps, her path was blocked by a colorful canopied carriage with green curtains.

The carriage woman tightened the reins, and the steed let out a neighing sound.

“Is that Member Liu ahead? My master Wang Jun requests your presence at Lanxiang Restaurant.”

The carriage woman dismounted and said respectfully with lowered head, seeing that the white-robed lady in front had not answered.

She untied the waist token from her belt and handed it over with bowed head: “This is my master Wang Jun’s waist token. Please follow this servant for a visit.”

“Did your master say what would happen if I don’t go?” Liu Changning’s gaze fell on the carriage woman’s hair whorl, a look of understanding flashing in her eyes as she asked nonchalantly.

The carriage woman lowered her head even more, repeating her master’s words verbatim: “The master said you would certainly go…”

Liu Changning narrowed her eyes, feeling the residual warmth of the paper bag.

She hesitated for a moment, then turned back to the bun shop and handed the oiled paper bag to the middle-aged man.

“Shopkeeper, please deliver these two buns to the residence of Mingde Changdi Qing. Hmm…”

She paused, seeming unsure. She took out a neatly folded cloth handkerchief from her bosom and stuffed it into the middle-aged man’s hand, instructing: “If the gate guards try to turn you away, present this handkerchief and someone will take the buns from you.”

The middle-aged man lowered his gaze to the linen handkerchief in his hand. The edges were yellowed, the fabric coarse. Though dry on the surface, it had been washed many times, appearing grayish-yellow.

On the right side of the handkerchief was embroidered a crooked green bamboo, the thread tangled and messy, with overlapping stitches, making the square cloth look even more shabby.

If not for the dignified lady across from him taking out this item, the Yang family husband would have thought it was some child’s tattered cloth for play.

He raised his head, looking at the linen handkerchief with hesitation. Unable to hold back, he added a comment: “…You must know the young master’s identity, how could this…this cloth handkerchief make the guards…”

Liu Changning’s eyes held a trace of smile: “Go on, this belongs to the young master… Ah, please help me convey a message. The embroidered green bamboo doesn’t truly capture its unyielding spirit. Painted on rice paper would better show its integrity. Next time, if you wish to keep a memento, a painting would suffice. Embroidery hurts both hands and eyes.”

After giving these instructions, she finally turned to leave with the carriage woman.

The handkerchief was an item dropped by yesterday’s “villain” on the beam. She had originally intended to return it along with the other things… but now her path was blocked.

The corner of her lips held a faint smile, her mind flashing to his hands beneath the dark red brocade robe, with distinct knuckles and rounded fingertips that would tremble slightly and curl into a ball when aroused… Such exquisite hands, suitable for adding incense to red sleeves, or clinging to her shoulders…

The darkness in Liu Changning’s eyes deepened several more degrees, blending with the gradually darkening night.

Tonight, even the air seemed to carry a seductive flavor. An inexplicable desire arose in her heart, for that person…

—

Lanxiang Restaurant, second floor private room

Liu Changning sat on a square stool not far from the window. As the sky darkened, a crescent moon hung high. In the moonlight, only a few shadowy figures could be seen on the two rows of streets below.

Two thick and long candles illuminated the private room.

On the eight immortals table before her was laid out a feast – auspicious rolled meat, chicken and bamboo shoots, drunken duck liver…

Jing Huan picked up a piece of West Lake vinegar fish, skillfully separating the flesh with her long chopsticks. In the candlelight, her eyes held a hint of smile: “This restaurant’s vinegar fish is most delicious. The fish meat is tender, with a balanced sweet and sour taste. It should suit your palate…”

As she spoke, her hands did not stop. The fish spine had already been removed from the blue and white porcelain bowl with gold trim.

She held it with both hands, methodically removing the soft bones from the fish meat.

Seeing that the woman sitting across from her paid no attention, she didn’t get upset, but continued to speak earnestly with a smile: “You have a mild temperament and usually dislike troublesome things. How about I pick out the bones for you…”

Liu Changning suddenly turned her head back, staring fixedly at the “woman” sitting across from her.

She wore a bright blue wide-sleeved python robe of silk damask, her jet-black hair coiled atop her head, adorned with a gold-tipped kingfisher feather hairpin.

Phoenix eyes, full lips, when she smiled the pearls and kingfisher feathers in her hair swayed, giving off an indescribable sense of incongruity in the candlelight.

“Who are you?”

Jing Huan put down the bamboo chopsticks in her hand and unhurriedly stood up. She walked leisurely to Liu Changning’s side.

She chuckled: “Why ask such a redundant question when Cang Yun could come here tonight? How do you like the red spider lily on the silk handkerchief? This disciple thinks green bamboo and red spider lily complement each other well.”

Liu Changning abruptly stood up. The round stool wobbled and toppled to the ground with her large movement, making a scraping sound.

She was half a head taller than Jing Huan with her hair pinned up in an ornate style. As she stood up now, a chilling aura emanated from her, forcing Jing Huan to take a step back.

But Liu Changning didn’t give her a chance to retreat, because she had mentioned her junior brother! Rape was the most unforgivable crime in her life… yet the culprit treated it as a joke!

Although furious in her heart, her face remained impassive. Liu Changning stepped forward one step at a time, forcing Jing Huan back against the wall.

“Why did the Viscount appear in the Empress’s bedchamber? It was you!”

She used a declarative sentence, her tea-colored eyes fixed tightly on her, showing no obvious emotion. But the overwhelming pressure emanating from her body pressed mercilessly towards her.