In the next two or three days, Bai Zhi’er had no chance to see Feng Fuce.
She felt that the two of them would not et again, and even if they did, they wouldn’t talk.
Qingi might have heard sothing from Chu Ping.
She occasionally probed Bai Zhi’er by saying, "Marquis Wan has been doing his utmost to investigate the skinning murder case in the city lately."
"Because his thods are too harsh, it has stirred so resentnt among the people, and many officials who hold a grudge against him have taken the opportunity to impeach him, listing his cris one by one."
Bai Zhi’er was practicing calligraphy.
Upon hearing this, she was a bit angry: "Why impeach him? Marquis Wan is investigating the case to find the murderer, there’s nothing wrong with that!"
Qingi saw Bai Zhi’er’s expression and asked, "Then, Princess, should you speak to the Marquis? If his thods were less aggressive, the people wouldn’t have complaints."
Bai Zhi’er suddenly felt deflated.
"I won’t go..." she muttered, lowering her head, "I still have to practice calligraphy."
Qingi nodded, indicating understanding.
After a while, Qingi watched Bai Zhi’er focused on practicing calligraphy and reading, and then lifted the curtain to leave Ruizhu Palace.
Chu Ping was waiting at the corner outside the palace.
"So, Xiao i, how does the Princess currently feel about the Marquis?"
Qingi shook her head: "Although the Princess is still leaning towards the Marquis, it’s clear she’s trying to draw a line with him."
Chu Ping’s face showed disappointnt: "What? Have they really ended their friendship?"
Qingi sighed along with him and suddenly thought of sothing, glancing at Chu Ping sideways: "So, what exactly did Marquis Wan do to upset the Princess, and make it so serious?"
Chu Ping spread his hands: "How would I know? The Marquis has been all stern, like King Yama. I get either scolded or beaten every day."
"Not to ntion , even Guoguo gets a small beating morning, noon, and night. If he’s caught by the Marquis getting up in the middle of the night, he gets scolded too."
Qingi frowned in confusion: "So irritable..."
"Exactly! Everyone’s saying life is tough now." Chu Ping sighed, hands on his hips.
As he spoke, he took out a box of rouge from his sleeve.
"Xiao i, this is for you, the Marquis has been watching closely, if he finds out I ca to Ruizhu Palace, who knows how he’ll reprimand ."
"I can’t co to see you often, so you have to keep in mind, take this rouge, I’ve seen the girls in the Capital using it, you’ll surely look prettier with it."
Qingi gave him a look: "Who would want to miss you! Which girl did you see using it?"
Chu Ping suddenly laughed brightly.
"Xiao i, are you jealous?"
Qingi paused: "You’re acting up again!"
Who would be jealous!
She was extrely embarrassed and annoyed, punched Chu Ping, and walked away.
Chu Ping stood still, happily chuckling for a while.
He ca to his senses: "No, I have to hurry back, or the Marquis will be terribly upset, while I’m here indulging in romance. If he finds out, he’ll skin alive."
...
The heavy snow that fell for several days finally stopped.
It’s almost New Year, so Mingyang Academy is on holiday, allowing Bai Zhi’er to visit Fengchao Mansion at ease.
Today, she took the carriage, accompanied by Qingi to Wen Mansion.
Jun Kuang knew Bai Zhi’er was coming and waited early at the door.
When he saw the carriage, he stepped forward to help Bai Zhi’er alight.
"Your Highness, you ca just in ti, last night a woman fainted at the gate of Wen Mansion. We students discussed, worried she might freeze to death outside, and brought her into the mansion."
"She’s awake now, she said she’s a villager nearby, argued with her family and ran off, starved for several days and had nowhere to go, so she fainted at our mansion’s gate."
"Princess, please have a look, if you want her to leave, I’ll arrange it right away."
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