Feng Yan Union actually knew when they would arrive at the capital! Naturally, that meant that they had checked out their identities and also knew their itinerary. However, along the way, Ling Chuxi had not even noticed a single person spying on them! Was this Feng Yan Union actually so terrifying?
“Big Brother Fu, can you tell me a little more about what kind of organization Feng Yan Union is?” asked Ling Chuxi solemnly with a frown. If this much was possible for them, was it also possible for them to uncover other matters regarding her identity?
“Let’s return to my residence first. I’ll take the time to explain it to you there,” said Fu Chengyu with a smile as he gestured to Ling Chuxi to look around them.
Ling Chuxi regained her senses and only then did she realize that everyone around them was watching them intently.
“Okay. Let’s leave this place first.” Ling Chuxi climbed into the carriage and the fifth princess immediately rushed to follow her from behind, climbing into the carriage as well. Fu Chengyu frowned slightly and followed behind them together with Ling Yichen. To be honest, he did not like his unruly imperial sister. But because of Ling Chuxi, he did not express it.
The carriage slowly left its spot and headed towards Fu Chengyu’s residence. Fu Chengyu’s residence in the capital was not fanciful unlike those belonging to his other imperial brothers. It was a quiet residence. The fifth princess leapt off the carriage and pursed her lips. This mansion belonging to her ninth brother was probably the worst one amongst all the residences of her imperial brothers.
Ling Chuxi, on the other hand, liked that it was such a quiet mansion. The moment she stepped inside the main gate, there was an elegant courtyard surrounded by plum blossoms. The amazing thing was that they were not of a single color but were all of different colors. The trees almost seemed to be competing to see which of them could blossom the most and the resulting abundance of blossoms caused an intoxicating fragrance to permeate the air, making one feel relaxed and happy.
There were not many servants in the courtyard, but of those who were—each one was well-trained. Seeing Fu Chengyu bring back guests, they did not show any differing emotions but rather went on with their own business after giving their greetings. A servant girl very knowingly stepped forward to serve them tea.
After sitting down in the hall, Fu Chengyu started to explain the Feng Yan Union to Ling Chuxi in detail.
“The Feng Yan Union is stretched across the five lakes and four seas. They have eyes and ears everywhere. They are well known for supplying any kind of information to whomever as long as they can pay the price requested. Their clients vary in social standing. A high official in the imperial court could very well be amongst their clientele. A small hawker by the streets could also be amongst their clientele. Naturally, the price to be paid for the information they procure is also not always necessarily in the form of money. If there is a piece of information that cannot be weighed by money, they would perhaps request for the person to give them certain items in exchange for such information.” Fu Chengyu explained patiently and in great detail. “Miss Chuxi, is there some information you want to obtain and thus require the assistance of the Feng Yan Union?”
“Yes,” answered Ling Chuxi honestly with a nod. She paused before continuing, “Big brother Fu, could you kindly arrange for me to meet up with someone from Feng Yan Union?”
“Of course I can. I will help arrange it as soon as possible,” replied Fu Chengyu with a nod.
The fifth princess pursed her lips as she mumbled to herself where she stood by the side. “I can also arrange for such people to meet you. How biased you are, master. You only favor Ninth Brother and do not favor me. You really love the new and dislike the old, unfaithful…”
Everyone in the house could very clearly hear each and every word the fifth princess muttered. The corner of Ling Chuxi’s lips twitched as she stretched out a hand to smack into the fifth princess’ head. The fifth princess yelped in pain, yet she did not dare retort.
Fu Chengyu who was watching this, was left stunned. The unruly, never-taking-a-loss fifth princess was actually not retorting after she was smacked by Ling Chuxi? And he even sensitively noticed that a hint of happiness flashed in the fifth princess’ eyes. She was still so happy after being smacked? Why was that so?
“Are you illiterate? I asked you to read more and practice. Did you even read anything? You are simply using idioms without properly understanding them again!” barked Ling Chuxi angrily at the fifth princess. How was it appropriate to use an idiom such as “love the new and dislike the old, unfaithful” in a situation such as this? Such an idiom was commonly used for lovers and not acquaintances.