Chapter 29: Making Things Difficult IV

Yu Qingyan frowned. "Get up. I know you didn't do it."

Cui'er stood up and looked at Yu Qingyan. "But the Prince..."

"Let him think whatever he wants."

"How can you say that, Miss? Lady Yin clearly framed you. What if the Prince believes her?"

Yu Qingyan raised an eyebrow. "How do you know she framed me?"

Cui'er’s face turned pale. "Miss..."

"Well?"

"Miss has a kind heart; you would never..."

Yu Qingyan gave a soft laugh. A kind heart? To describe a professional assassin?

"Cui'er, do you truly think that since I woke up that day, I am still the kind-hearted Yu Qingyan you once knew?"

"Miss... your personality has indeed changed somewhat, but you are still my Miss."

Yu Qingyan looked at her sparkling eyes and said coldly, "Even if I were to take a life in an instant?"

"Miss... if you did it, there must have been a reason. I am just a maid; I only need to follow your instructions."

Yu Qingyan looked at her with a faint, enigmatic smile. "You are very clever."

Cui'er shook her head. "I am not clever. You are my only family."

"I did not kill Fang'er," Yu Qingyan explained.

Cui'er was startled. "You didn't need to tell me that, Miss."

Yu Qingyan glanced at the guards outside. "I wonder if it is still safe to go to the bamboo grove without drawing attention. Cui'er, go to the bamboo grove. If you see Gu Jinshi, tell him I am fine."

"Very well, I will go at once."

After Cui'er left, Yu Qingyan was left alone in the room. She idly toyed with a teacup. In all likelihood, Lady Yin had killed Fang'er to frame her. She wondered if Chu Yuchuan believed her identity or not, though if she were in his position, she would have taken the opportunity to eliminate a Princess Consort of unknown origin to avoid further trouble.

However, it seemed Chu Yuchuan had no such intentions yet.

So be it. She would not go out for the next few days and would instead study the books Gu Jinshi had given her.

Suddenly, Yu Qingyan grew alert and whirled around.

"Why are you here?"

"I saw your residence suddenly surrounded and thought something had happened!" Gu Jinshi frowned.

"I sent Cui'er to the bamboo grove. Did you not see her?"

"I came straight here."

Yu Qingyan frowned at him. "Is it really safe for you to sneak in like this?"

"Rest assured, no one noticed."

Yu Qingyan sat down. "I am fine. I just won't be going to the bamboo grove for a few days so I can focus on studying the mental cultivation technique you gave me."

Gu Jinshi remarked, "The Prince seems to care for you quite a bit. Why would he surround this garden without reason? What exactly happened?"

Yu Qingyan sighed. "It is merely a case of petty jealousy between women."

Gu Jinshi was taken aback. "...Since you are unharmed, I shall take my leave."

As soon as he finished speaking, he vanished. Yu Qingyan watched the spot where he had disappeared and pulled out the manual he had copied for her. She wondered when she would be able to master such a level of stealth.

The following two days were peaceful. Chu Yuchuan did not punish her, and Gu Jinshi did not return. Apart from the soldiers standing like statues outside, it was as if nothing had happened. She did not return to the bamboo grove, though Cui'er would occasionally go there to practice.

Having not slept all night, Yu Qingyan got out of bed and stretched her limbs. This technique was truly remarkable; not only did she feel no fatigue, but she felt completely refreshed.

Yu Qingyan moved her arms and legs, suddenly shifting from the bedside to the window in a blur. She sighed to herself, noting that her speed was still not what it used to be, even though the technique had made her body feel significantly lighter.