"You're going to send this servant away…" Chū Qíng's voice was barely audible on her last sentence.
She had been afraid that the young madam would dismiss her, which was why she had kept it a secret and dared not speak of it.
"You may get up first."
Fěng Jǐn helped Chū Qíng to her feet. "From the moment you arrived, I told you that all I require is your loyalty. As long as you are loyal, I will never mistreat you."
"Young madam, this servant truly knows her mistakes. As long as you don't send me back, I'll do anything you ask!"
Chū Qíng was truly terrified, tears uncontrollably streaming down her face, wetting her fair, small face.
Seeing this scene, Fěng Jǐn's heart softened. She couldn't stand such scenes, and besides, she had always treated Chū Qíng like a child. This made it even harder for her to bear.
After a moment's pause, Fěng Jǐn sighed with a hint of helplessness. "Ultimately, you didn't say anything to Granny Sūn about this matter. We'll let it slide this time. If there's a next time, I will not forgive you."
"This servant guarantees there will be no next time. If there is, I will die to atone for my sins!"
Chū Qíng solemnly promised. Naturally, she would not let such a thing happen a second time.
"If Granny Sūn approaches you again, just remain silent as usual. There's no need to say too much."
"Yes, young madam."
Fěng Jǐn's approach surprised Chū Qíng greatly. She had initially thought Fěng Jǐn would have her deliberately pass false information to Granny Sūn, never expecting her to stay out of it and continue her silence.
"This servant greets the young madam."
As the two finished speaking, Zhēnzhū arrived with hurried steps.
"Sister Zhēnzhū, why are you here?"
Chū Qíng, unaware of their plotting, was slightly surprised to see Zhēnzhū.
"Xiao Qī, do not be unruly in front of the madam."
Zhēnzhū's tone carried a hint of reprimand as she gently admonished.
Chū Qíng glanced at Zhēnzhū, then at Fěng Jǐn, and quickly closed her mouth, standing obediently to the side.
"Do you know how Yù Róng is now?"
Cǎi Qīng had gone to gather information and had not yet returned, so she could only ask Zhēnzhū for now.
"After Yù Róng attempted to assassinate Granny Sūn, she was taken control of by those eunuchs. As for where she was taken, this servant is also unclear. Based on my guess, she should be in the hands of another behind-the-scenes figure, that is, Granny Sūn's superior."
She thought it must be the person she had overheard speaking with Granny Sūn that day. Even Granny Sūn was obedient to this person, so there was no doubt that this person was Granny Sūn's superior.
Pausing, Zhēnzhū seemed to recall something and quickly said, "Madam, when I was eavesdropping that day, I felt that the person's voice was very subtle, yet somewhat hoarse. I suspect that person might be a eunuch."
That voice was truly unforgettable. The more she thought about it, the more she felt it was a voice unique to eunuchs.
"There are a hundred eunuchs involved in this marriage alliance, and they have always been under Granny Sūn's command. If that person is indeed a eunuch, it seems there are many hidden affairs among these eunuchs."
She felt that this matter was becoming increasingly troublesome and was about to exceed her control. She hoped it wouldn't all fall apart.
"His Majesty of Xīliáng detests eunuchs the most. He has never chosen eunuchs to cultivate spies."
This was also because when His Majesty of Xīliáng was young, his birth mother had a low status and was not favored, leading even the eunuchs to bully him.
After ascending the throne, His Majesty of Xīliáng suppressed eunuchs and only selected palace maids to cultivate spies, never eunuchs. In His Majesty of Xīliáng's eyes, eunuchs were rootless beings, a bunch of spineless, cowardly individuals.
Fěng Jǐn's expression was inscrutable, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table, each tap resonating like a drumbeat in Zhēnzhū's heart, making her nervous.
"Zhēnzhū, you may return now. Be careful with everything, and do not act without my orders."
She still needed to carefully consider how to proceed with the next steps. They were about to reach the capital, and she had to be cautious with every move, leaving no room for fault to be exploited by those with ulterior motives to trouble Líng Mò Hán.
"Yes, this servant takes her leave."
As Zhēnzhū departed, her gaze briefly fell on Chū Qíng before she hurried away.
Chū Qíng's eyes followed Zhēnzhū's figure until she disappeared at the doorway, her gaze lingering.
"It's been a few days, why don't you go up and have a chat with her?" Fěng Jǐn said lightly.
Chū Qíng quickly withdrew her gaze, lowering her head even further. "No, our statuses are different now. It's better to have less interaction."
"If the young madam wants you to go, then it's fine. You don't need to worry about anything else, just go."
In her eyes, there were no such rigid rules. As long as she felt it was appropriate, then it was appropriate.
"Yes, young madam, this servant obeys!"
Chū Qíng was once again awed by Fěng Jǐn's words, her respect for her deepening. After agreeing, she left with slightly hurried steps.
"Sister Zhēnzhū…" Chū Qíng called out loudly when she saw Zhēnzhū.
Zhēnzhū, walking ahead, thought she had misheard. It wasn't until the voice grew closer that she realized she hadn't. She immediately stopped and turned around, only to see Chū Qíng running towards her.
"Why have you come? Does the madam know? Hurry back!"
Worried that Chū Qíng had sneaked out, Zhēnzhū urged her to return.
"I'm fine. It was... the young madam who allowed me to come. Sister Zhēnzhū, are you well? What did you mean just now when you were speaking with the madam? It sounded like you and the madam were plotting something?"
A string of questions poured out. Chū Qíng indeed had too many questions that needed to be confirmed by Zhēnzhū.
"Didn't the madam tell you?"
Chū Qíng shook her head. "The young madam told me nothing. Even when Granny Sūn asked me to pass on a message, the young madam only told me to continue to ignore Granny Sūn."
Hearing Chū Qíng say this, Zhēnzhū immediately understood. "The madam is telling you not to get involved in this matter. This is all for your own good."
After all, the less one knew about these things, the better. The madam was doing this for Chū Qíng's well-being, a true display of her thoughtful intentions.
"Sister Zhēnzhū, please tell me what's going on. If I remain in the dark like this, and inadvertently do something that harms you, it will be terrible."
After some hesitation, Zhēnzhū recounted the entire story, its twists and turns, to Chū Qíng.