Fortune Across the World

Chapter 142: Modifying the Flaming Whip and Stirring the Beauty's Wrath (Part 1)

Two letters? Le Zhuyi was surprised to find that Ding Qiyu had written two letters destined for entirely different locations. She first opened the letter addressed to Xing City, where Ding Qiyu reassured her family of her safety, explaining that she had safely returned to Yinzou from the west. The letter was filled with thoughtful reminders for her family to take care of their health, with no mention of any other matters.

Next, Le Zhuyi picked up the letter meant for Fu Ruqing in Yinzou. The name "Fu Ruqing" was not unfamiliar to her. Given Qianli Palace's strong presence in Jiangnan, she had certainly heard of the Fu family's eldest daughter. Remembering Mengchun's words about the little carpenter being with Fu Ruqing's caravan, Le Zhuyi assumed the letter would be about business matters related to mechanistic craftsmanship. As she unfolded the paper, she mused aloud, "This little carpenter does seem capable-hmm?" Her curiosity piqued by the intimate salutation at the start, "Ru-Ru Qing? Is the little carpenter that close to the Fu family's eldest daughter?"

Skimming through, she found no mention of business matters, just an explanation that Ding Qiyu's disappearance was due to a "mysterious client" inviting her to work on mechanisms, reassuring Fu Ruqing not to worry, and reminding her to take care of herself. Throughout the letter, Ding Qiyu referred to her as "Ru Qing," without any overly intimate language, so Le Zhuyi thought nothing of it, assuming they were simply good friends. She swiftly checked the letters and had them sent from Qianli Palace. If Le Zhuyi had known Ding Qiyu actually called her "Qing'er," she might have felt a chill down her spine.

...

With two days granted by Yi Girl to rest, Ding Qiyu carefully stood from the writing desk, her limbs still weak from the prolonged rest. She had been lying down for days, her body stiff and numb. Attempting to stretch, she noticed the young girl in the room watching her intently, as if afraid she might vanish like a magician. Ding Qiyu took the initiative to ask, "Young lady, what's your name?"

Le Mengchun, whose thoughts often drifted to her sisters, was bored. Though her charge was a "villain," she welcomed the chance for conversation. "I'm Le Mengchun. 'Le' as in music, 'Meng' as in dream, and 'Chun' from the water radical. And you?"

"I'm Ding Qiyu. 'Qi' as in 'certain,' and 'Yu' as in feather," Ding Qiyu replied, smiling awkwardly. "Uh, could you not stare at me like that?"

Le Mengchun, on high alert, responded, "No way! Are you planning to escape?!"

Ding Qiyu rubbed her shoulder. "Not at all. I promise I won't run, but you can't watch me all the time. It's... a bit much."

"Of course I can! Sister Yi instructed me to do this properly," Le Mengchun declared righteously.

"Uh, I... I want to bathe. Surely you can't watch me do that?" Ding Qiyu genuinely wanted a bath. Her back still hurt, but she thought she could manage.

Le Mengchun blushed, glancing at Ding Qiyu. "Anyway, you're a woman. It's not like I can't watch."

So, they knew she was female. But since her clothes had been changed and the doctor had examined her pulse, it was understandable. Ding Qiyu realized this, noticing Le Mengchun's fake composure. "Do you really want to watch?"

Le Mengchun's bravado crumbled. "Then... then I'll stand guard outside. You won't get away!"

Ding Qiyu had anticipated this outcome, smiling as she asked, "By the way, is there any clothing I can change into?"