Joy of Life: Starting by clinging to the eldest princess's coattails!

Chapter 17 News from the West

Just as Wu Feng returned to the servants' quarters next to the small garden, before he could even sit down, footsteps sounded outside the door.

It's Anita Mui.

When she pushed the door open, Wu Feng was standing by the window. The morning light shone in from the window, casting interplay of light and shadow on his profile.

"Little Wuzi," Mei Gu's voice was very calm.

Wu Feng turned around with a smile on his face: "Sister Mei, you've arrived."

Mei took a few steps closer and looked him up and down.

Although Wu Feng's face and hair had been dried, Mei Gu still noticed something was wrong...

Her nose twitched slightly.

She smelled a very faint, but unmistakable fragrance on Wu Feng.

That was the scent emanating from His Highness, a unique and rich blend of precious spices and natural body fragrance, which was now faintly emanating from Wu Feng.

Anita Mui's eyes flickered, but she didn't ask any further questions.

Having spent so many years in the palace, she knew all too well what she should and shouldn't know.

Now that Wu Feng is by His Highness's side, it's safer to remain unaware of certain matters, big or small.

She cut straight to the point, "What did His Highness say?"

Wu Feng replied softly, "Sister Mei, I asked His Highness. He said there's no need to go to the Imperial Garden to find anyone; just find two clever palace maids to manage it."

"Really?" Mei asked with some doubt.

His Highness has always been picky about flowers and plants. The gardeners in the past were all specially trained. Can a palace maid do the job?

Wu Feng nodded: "Of course it's true. But His Highness said that I will be in charge of the small garden from now on. Even if problems arise, His Highness will not punish anyone else, so please rest assured, Sister Mei."

Hearing this, Aunt Mei felt a little more at ease. She looked at Wu Feng and suddenly felt that the young man was much more composed in his speech and actions than before.

"Alright," she said, "I'll arrange for someone to come over later. You can teach them then..." She suddenly changed her mind, "Never mind, I'll teach them myself. You've just been transferred to His Highness's side, I'm afraid you won't have time."

Wu Feng said gratefully, "Then thank you very much, Sister Mei."

Mei nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave the small garden to arrange manpower.

After she walked away, Wu Feng gently closed the door, leaned against the door panel, and slowly exhaled.

He had clearly seen the way Mei Gu had looked at him. That woman must have smelled something, but wisely chose not to ask.

Wu Feng composed himself and silently said in his mind: Open the system panel.

A pale blue light screen appeared before my eyes:

[Host: Wu Feng]

[Identity: Personal eunuch of the Eldest Princess]

[Cultivation Level: Rank 3]

[Exercise Method: Qi Stream]

[Skills: None]

[Mood Value: -7950]

[Item: Hidden Sand Projectile (Concealed Weapon)]

The debt owed to the system dropped by more than a thousand points at once.

Wu Feng looked at the number and couldn't help but smirk.

At this rate, earning 10,000 emotion points doesn't seem too difficult.

It's a pity he's not strong enough right now, otherwise...

He shook his head, suppressing those thoughts, changed into a clean set of clothes, straightened his collar, and went out the door.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Guangxin Palace Flower Hall.

Li Yunrui was already having breakfast.

Chunmei stood to her right.

When Wu Feng walked in, Li Yunrui was sipping bird's nest porridge.

Hearing footsteps, she raised her eyelids and glanced at them, her eyes indifferent and devoid of emotion.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Wu Feng bowed.

Li Yunrui didn't speak, but simply gave a soft "hmm" in response.

Then she continued to eat her breakfast slowly and deliberately, as if nothing had happened in her bedchamber that morning.

Wu Feng naturally walked to her left and stood respectfully.

Li Yunrui ate very slowly, savoring each bite.

She ate beautifully, taking small bites, her lips glistening with the porridge.

Wu Feng stood quietly, eyes downcast and mind at ease.

Fifteen minutes later, Li Yunrui finally put down his chopsticks.

"I'm full," she said softly. "You can eat the rest."

Chunmei immediately handed over a plain white handkerchief.

Li Yunrui took it, gently wiped her rosy lips, then put it down and stood up. Her skirt brushed against the chair, making a soft rustling sound.

She didn't look at Wu Feng and walked straight out of the flower hall.

Wu Feng looked at Chunmei.

Chunmei immediately said, "I've already eaten breakfast, you eat. I'll go serve His Highness first, please come quickly."

"I understand, Sister Chunmei," Wu Feng replied softly.

Chunmei nodded and quickly followed Li Yunrui.

Wu Feng walked to the table and looked at the remaining breakfast.

There was also half a bowl of bird's nest porridge, a few pieces of delicate pastry, and a bowl of soup. He skipped the soup and only ate the porridge and pastry.

After finishing his meal, he looked at the maids waiting to clear the table and said, "Sisters, you can have the rest."

The maids exchanged glances, then curtsied slightly in thanks.

Wu Feng picked up the handkerchief, put it in his pocket, turned around and left the flower hall, heading towards the main hall.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The main hall of Guangxin Palace.

When Wu Feng walked in, Li Yunrui was sitting on a soft couch, holding a piece of paper that had just been unfolded in her hand.

The paper was thin, with some wrinkles at the edges, as if it had just been taken off a carrier pigeon's leg.

Chunmei stood beside her, her expression somewhat serious.

Wu Feng walked over quietly.

Chunmei glanced at him, said nothing, and did not stop him from getting closer.

He walked behind Li Yunrui, naturally reached out, gently placed his hand on her shoulder, and began to knead it.

Li Yunrui paused slightly, but said nothing and continued looking at the paper in her hand.

[Ding~ Mood points +20!]

From this angle, Wu Feng was able to see the contents of the paper clearly.

The handwriting is small, but very clear:

"...His Majesty decisively defeated the Xihu, inflicting heavy losses on them. The Qing Kingdom occupied vast swathes of Xihu territory. All the generals distinguished themselves in this battle, especially the vanguard general Yan Xiaoyi, who killed the Xihu vanguard general with a single arrow in the final battle..."

Upon seeing this, Wu Feng realized why he hadn't seen Yan Xiaoyi; it turned out he had gone on a western expedition with the emperor.

But the following content:

"...However, His Majesty is seriously injured and has lost all his martial arts skills, but his life is not in danger. He is currently being escorted back to the capital by Fan Jian and the Tiger Guards."

Wu Feng felt Li Yunrui's fingers tighten suddenly as she gripped the note.

Her shoulders stiffened under his hands.

"Has the news been confirmed?" Li Yunrui's voice rang out, lower than usual, and trembling slightly. "His Majesty... has he really lost all his martial arts skills?"

Chunmei immediately replied, "Your Highness, the message was sent back by our people who are infiltrated into the Overwatch Council, so it should be accurate. However, Your Highness can rest assured that His Majesty's life is not in danger."

Wu Feng's mind raced.

Has Emperor Qing lost all his martial arts skills?

It seems it's about to begin. With Ye Qingmei dead, what she left behind is a grand feast for the entire Qing Kingdom. He's thinking about how to let Li Yunrui gain more benefits.

The stronger Li Yunrui is, the safer he will be, and the more "benefits" he will gain.

Thinking of this, he unconsciously stopped what he was doing.

"What are you thinking about?"

Li Yunrui's cold voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Wu Feng's thoughts.

Chunmei immediately looked at Wu Feng, her eyes filled with warning.

Wu Feng snapped out of his daze and heard the anger in Li Yunrui's tone.

He immediately released his grip, walked to Li Yunrui's side, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, I'm wondering... why His Majesty has lost all his martial arts skills."

Li Yunrui looked up at him.

Her face appeared somewhat pale in the light of the main hall, but her eyes were frighteningly bright.

This lunatic... it seems there's no way to change her twisted ideas anytime soon.

Wu Feng continued:

"His Majesty led the expedition in person, so his guards should have been very strong. Moreover, we have already defeated the Western Hu, so who exactly injured His Majesty? The intelligence report didn't specify. Therefore, I feel... there's something fishy about this."

Li Yunrui is very smart.

She understood Wu Feng's meaning almost immediately. The panic on her face lessened, replaced by a thoughtful expression.

She looked at Wu Feng, her eyes narrowing slightly: "You mean to say that what this intelligence says... is very likely false?"

Wu Feng took a deep breath and slowly exhaled: "Your Highness, I cannot be certain yet. I need more information before I can give you a definitive answer."

Li Yunrui stared at him for a few seconds. She had said she was anxious earlier, but now that she thought about it, the content of this intelligence was indeed strange.

Now, she wanted to see what Wu Feng was thinking, and then her gaze turned to Chunmei.

Chunmei understood immediately and looked at Wu Feng: "Come with me."

Wu Feng immediately followed.

Li Yunrui was still sitting on the soft couch, clutching the note tightly in her hand.

Her expression had returned to calm, but something was churning deep within her eyes.