Chapter 4
After Gu Yanling gave the purse, she didn't go to see Chang Feng the whole next day, and she looked very content.
Chang Feng just thought that he had figured it out, but Li Youfu didn't think so.
"Your Highness, do you really like that sachet?" Chang Feng didn't know that the Crown Prince had trouble sleeping at night. In his opinion, this kind of mosquito-repellent sachet could be made by the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital.
Li Youfu knew clearly what Chang Feng was thinking. It was indeed not a rare thing. His Highness was of noble status, and all the things he used were of the best quality. Ambergris was even more priceless, but His Highness did not like those smells and never allowed incense in the house. This sachet was made of ordinary materials and had a light smell, but it was such an ordinary thing that made him feel at ease when he was on guard for the past two days.
"If Your Highness disliked it, you wouldn't have allowed me to hang it above your bed."
Chang Feng thought it made sense, and thought of what Gu Yanling said when she left yesterday: "Did His Highness mention any rewards?"
Li Youfu laughed and said, "What kind of magic potion did that kid put on you? In just a few days, you've been asking for a reward on his behalf. But Your Highness didn't mention it. Besides, wasn't that kid sending you the sachet just under the pretext of thanking Your Highness?"
Chang Feng didn't care about his joke, but since His Highness didn't give him a reward, he would inevitably be disappointed.
Li Youfu was thinking that the boy was very cunning. Maybe he would really ask him to please his master in the future. Would he still be able to escape his reward then?
-
Gu Yanling deliberately didn't hang around, and around evening, Chang Feng came to see him.
"Brother Chang Feng! Why are you here?" He had known that Chang Feng would come to see him, but he pretended to be surprised.
Chang Feng: "Master Xiangbao has accepted it."
Gu Yanling put on a look of delight: "That's good, you came here, what does the master want to reward me with?"
Chang Feng met his pair of dark eyes. Not wanting Gu Yanling's expectations to be disappointed, he took out a silver ingot from his purse and said vaguely, "Take this."
Gu Yanling didn't think a sachet alone would be enough to please that young master. This big shot from the capital had seen everything, so how could he get close to him so easily? He had only casually mentioned waiting for the young master's reward yesterday, but he didn't expect Chang Feng to actually pay him money out of his own pocket.
Seeing that he didn't take it, Chang Feng stuffed it into his hand. When he touched it with his palm, he felt that Gu Yanling's skin was quite tender. He didn't expect that although she looked dark, her fingers were soft and didn't look like she had ever worked. He didn't think much about it and said, "Take it. Save it for when you get married."
This silver ingot was heavy in her hand, and seemed to be official silver. How could Gu Yanling take Chang Feng's silver? "I don't want it. Keep it for marrying a wife."
Chang Feng was not surprised when he saw that he could tell that it was given by him.
Gu Yanling poured a glass of water for Chang Feng: "If the young master didn't give me a reward, then he didn't give me one. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you, not to ask for a reward."
Chang Feng saw that he didn't look disappointed about not receiving the reward, so he picked up the cup and asked, "What's this?"
Gu Yanling doesn't like tasting tea, but prefers to drink some sweet water in the summer. "The tea is fried and then boiled with milk. It tastes good when hot, and it can cool you down when it's cold."
If this were made at home, with various small meatballs added and chilled, Gu Yanling could drink several large bowls. Even though he was just a servant now, he couldn't treat himself too badly and could still eat it. After all, the supervision in this mansion was not strict.
Chang Feng wasn't used to this kind of drinking, but he nodded in agreement and said, "You can keep this money. I don't need it."
Seeing him put the silver on the table, Gu Yanling asked, "How can you not use it? You are already old, so you must have married before me."
Chang Feng's marriage was decided by His Majesty, and he would be rewarded with a lot in the future. It was difficult to tell him about these things, so he just said, "Take it and go to bed early."
When Gu Yanling saw Chang Feng stand up, she followed him and saw him out. When she came back, her eyes fell on the silver ingot on the table. She picked it up and looked at the base. It was indeed cast by the government. This man was very generous. Such a silver ingot was enough for an ordinary family to spend for a year.
However, Gu Yanling did not intend to take it. In his eyes, Chang Feng was working under someone else after all, and it must not be easy for him to make money. He put the silver ingots in his bag and kept it, and would find a chance to return it to him in the future.
In the next two days, Gu Yanling did whatever she was supposed to do and didn't come over during the day. It seemed that she had really given up the idea of serving the young master. Of course, this was just what Chang Feng thought.
Li Youfu: "Hasn't that kid come to see you these days?"
Chang Feng: “No.”
Li Youfu: "Could you please show me Commander Chang's sachet?"
Chang Feng untied the purse and handed it to him. Li Youfu laughed and asked in confusion, "But what's the problem?"
Li Youfu: "I've always said that boy is very clever. The purse I gave to Your Highness has lost its flavor in just a few days. It's clearly intentional."
Chang Feng: “…”
Li Youfu: "You dare to play tricks on His Highness."
Chang Feng had not expected Gu Yanling to do this: "Ignorance is not a crime. Country people don't know the rules."
Li Youfu: "But His Highness always hates people who are scheming."
Chang Feng knew this and couldn't help but worry: "Did His Highness say anything?"
Li Youfu shook his head, but when he was helping His Highness wash and change clothes this morning, His Highness glanced at his purse thoughtfully.
How could these little tricks be hidden from His Highness?
-
When Chang Feng came over, Gu Yanling was lying on the bed. When he heard the footsteps, he knew who was coming. Apart from Awang, only Chang Feng would come to his room. People who practiced martial arts had different steps.
"Brother Chang Feng, why are you here?"
Chang Feng walked to the bedside and heard his nasal voice. He raised his hand and touched his forehead, which was hot. He frowned and said, "Are you sick?"
He was still full of energy two days ago.
Gu Yanling said weakly, "I caught a cold."
Chang Feng was about to say something to him, but seeing that he looked sick, he said, "I'll ask the doctor to come and check you out."
Gu Yanling said pitifully, "No, I've already taken the medicine. I'm not in a precious body. Later on, I have to clean the front yard, prune the flowers, and check the railings of the pavilions in the mansion. I have a lot of chores to do."
Although Chang Feng was upright, he was not stupid. After hearing his suggestion, he said helplessly, "Yuanbao, what the young master dislikes most is people who like to play tricks. Your actions have been noticed by the young master. If you continue like this, you will really be kicked out of the mansion."
Gu Yanling quickly sat up: "I'm not leaving!"
Chang Feng: "Are you well again?"
Gu Yanling said without blushing, "I feel much better after taking the medicine."
Chang Feng didn't expose his pretense of illness.
Gu Yanling said in the most sincere tone: "Brother Chang Feng, I really don't like to play tricks. You know I am a simple and honest person. I just want to please the young master. I am doing odd jobs in the front yard and don't have much hope. If I serve the young master, I can't say that I will have a bright future, but at least I will get more monthly salary."
Chang Feng did not comment on his honesty and simplicity: "The young master has people to serve him, so he doesn't need anyone else."
Gu Yanling didn't take it seriously: "He's already that old, how can he be as careful as me."
Chang Feng thought that if Eunuch Li heard this, he would be the first to say no: "If you still want to get married, don't even think about serving the young master."
After all, the ones serving His Highness are all eunuchs. It's okay now, but if he really pleases His Highness, and then His Highness brings him back to the palace in the future, the only fate he'll have is having his penis cut off.
Gu Yanling heard his strange tone, and thinking of his previous guess that the young master was a homosexual, her thoughts suddenly went astray -
Could it be that Chang Feng was worried that if he served the young master, he would be favored by him? In that case, he would not be able to marry and would only be able to be a male concubine.
But can he still be liked in his current state? Gu Yanling felt that Chang Feng was really overthinking it. He looked so safe now that he couldn't be safer.
Gu Yanling knew that Chang Feng had good intentions, but he had come to the mansion with a purpose. "Brother Chang Feng, don't worry! I know what's going on, so you don't have to worry about me. But thank you for your concern. When I can please the young master in the future, I will definitely say a few good words for you."
Chang Feng felt helpless when he saw that he didn't listen to his advice.
Gu Yanling quickly got up from the bed, picked up the clothes beside her and put them on. "I will go to the young master and apologize now."
Chang Feng: “…”
Without stopping, Gu Yanling ran out in a hurry. Chang Feng had no choice but to chase after her. "The young master didn't say anything about this matter, but this time-"
Gu Yanling interrupted, "No, I can't let the young master misunderstand me!"
He just wanted to take the opportunity to meet the young master.
The two guards at the door saw that Chang Feng did not stop them. After the two entered the yard, Chang Feng felt that he should still persuade them, so he pulled Gu Yanling's arm and said, "Yuanbao, listen to me——"
"What are you doing?" Eunuch Li's voice sounded at the right time, and he walked towards the two of them.
Gu Yanling: "I want to see the young master."
Li Youfu scolded him, "You have no manners. How can you meet the young master whenever you want?"
Gu Yanling wasn't afraid of him. She said loudly, "You haven't even told the young master, so how do you know he won't see me? Are you afraid that I'll please the young master and take your place?"
Li Youfu laughed out loud: "Hey, you still want to take my place?"
Chang Feng had a headache: "Yuanbao, don't be unreasonable."
Gu Yanling acted as if she didn't know her place in the world: "Anyway, I want to see the young master."
Li Youfu: "You may not be that old, but you're quite brave. I don't know what to say to you. Okay, I'll go tell the young master that you want to see him."
Gu Yanling gave him a fake bow: "Then I would like to thank you in advance."
Li Youfu shook his head and turned to walk towards the study.
Chang Feng said earnestly, "Li Youfu is an old man who has served the young master for many years. If you really want to serve the young master, you must behave yourself and not be so rude to him."
Gu Yanling: "I know my limits. He doesn't look like a stingy person, that's why I said that."
Chang Feng: "He doesn't care about you."
Gu Yanling said with a smile: "When I can serve the young master in the future, I will definitely apologize to him."
In the study.
Xiao Xinghan was practicing calligraphy, and Li Youfu did not disturb him. After waiting for quarter of an hour, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince put down his pen.
Li Youfu then spoke: "Your Highness, that boy is clamoring to see you."
Xiao Xinghan heard everything Gu Yanling was yelling about in the courtyard. He wiped his hands and said, "He's going to replace you. What do you think?"
Li Youfu smiled and said, "If he really has the ability to please His Highness and serve His Highness well, I can let him take this position and I will feel at ease."
Xiao Xinghan said calmly: "Bring the person in."
Gu Yanling waited in the yard for a while, and seeing that Li Youfu didn't come out, she walked to a tree and sat down on the ground. Chang Feng couldn't help but say a few more words to him, but Gu Yanling laughed it off, and continued to do her own thing.
As soon as Li Youfu came out, Gu Yanling hurriedly stood up, patted her clothes, and went to greet him: "Master, do you want to see me?"
Li Youfu: "Come with me."
Gu Yanling followed immediately, and Chang Feng followed her for fear that Gu Yanling would break the rules.
Xiao Xinghan was sitting on a chair sipping tea at the moment. Seeing the three people coming in one after another, his eyes fell on Chang Feng, "When did Chang Feng have so much free time?"
Chang Feng was called out by the Crown Prince, and knowing that the prince would not allow him to interfere, he had to retreat. Li Youfu also followed him out after receiving the prince's gaze. Soon, only Gu Yanling and Xiao Xinghan were left in the room.
Gu Yanling walked to Xiao Xinghan's side and poured tea into his empty cup, "Young Master, please have some tea."
Xiao Xinghan remained unmoved: "What do you want from me?"
Gu Yanling had already thought of the words and took the initiative to say, "I heard that the young master's sachet has lost its fragrance. I was afraid that the young master would misunderstand that I did it on purpose, so I wanted to explain to him."
Xiao Xinghan placed his slender fingers on the teacup, and tapped it subtly with his fingertips: "Did you do that on purpose?"
Gu Yanling didn't argue and directly admitted: "Master, I did it on purpose."
Xiao Xinghan: "Then it's not a misunderstanding."
Gu Yanling observed him, but could not see anything. This important figure was cold from the inside out, and seemed to care nothing about anything. Although his words and actions did not show any condescension, he gave people an aura of dignity and inviolability. "Master, I heard that you don't like people who play tricks. Did I offend you by doing this?"
Xiao Xinghan said calmly, "What do you think?"
Gu Yanling was also incredibly bold. She stood aside, looking down at Xiao Xinghan openly. Xiao Xinghan didn't look at her, but only lowered his eyes to the teacup in his hand, but it seemed that he was not looking at the teacup at all. Gu Yanling judged from his emotionless expression and flat tone, "I don't think the young master is angry. The young master has a broad mind and is not a stingy person."
Xiao Xinghan: "Really?"
Gu Yanling: "If the young master was really angry, I'm afraid I would have been kicked out of the house and would not have the chance to serve him now."
Xiao Xinghan: "Is this the chance?"
Gu Yanling swallowed hard, "Then will the young master give me a chance? I know a lot, I'm sure I can please the young master!"
Xiao Xinghan stopped talking again.
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