The moment the door closed, the sleeping Chen Baoxiang opened her eyes.
She covered her face with the blanket in a rare flush of embarrassment, then, like a thief, tiptoed out of bed, draped her outer robe over her shoulders, picked up her embroidered shoes, and slipped out through the window.
Bi Kong was waiting in the small courtyard. The moment she saw the vivid color in Chen Baoxiang’s face, she clapped her hands. “It actually worked.”
A visible flicker of anger crossed Chen Baoxiang’s face. She walked past without a word in reply.
Bi Kong’s conscience pricked her, and she quickly said, “Her Highness said you no longer need to go to Xiaoyong Fang — you may report directly to the Front Court Imperial Guards under the Princess’s banner.”
Was this supposed to be a slap followed by a sweet treat?
Chen Baoxiang looked downward, still silent.
The usually compliant Chen Baoxiang had rarely shown such resistance, and Bi Kong was plainly unable to hold her ground. She kept glancing nervously toward the shadows.
The room stayed quiet for a moment, then a shadow guard stepped out from the corner and clasped his hands toward Chen Baoxiang. “Her Highness requests your presence.”
Chen Baoxiang composed her expression, changed her clothes, and followed the shadow guard outside.
She had expected to go straight to the Princess’s manor, but to her surprise, he led her left and right through winding streets until arriving at an unremarkable teahouse.
“You’re here?” Li Bingsheng was leaning elegantly against a second-floor windowsill and waved her over.
Chen Baoxiang gave her a proper, measured bow according to protocol, then stood stiffly half a zhang away from her. Her emotions were plain on her face — anyone could see her displeasure at a glance.
Though she was a subordinate in another’s service, when she had been wronged she had to make it known — otherwise the wrongs would keep coming. Chen Baoxiang understood this very well.
She did not like the method Li Bingsheng had used against Zhang Zhixu, nor did she like being treated as a tool to be discarded once used.
Li Bingsheng studied her expression with a hint of curiosity. “You are quite something. When we first met you seemed ruthlessly ambitious — not much genuine feeling for Zhang Fengqing, as if you only wanted to use him as a stepping stone to climb higher. Yet looking at you now, it seems you have changed.”
“This has nothing to do with Zhang Fengqing.” Chen Baoxiang replied coldly.
“Then you feel that I am unscrupulous and unworthy to be your master.”
“This subordinate would not dare say so.”
Li Bingsheng laughed. “You dared to injure guards of Baoxin Palace — what is there left that you don’t dare to do?”
She had faced over a hundred imperial guards, and not only won — she had become famous for it. Quite capable indeed.
From beyond the open window, faint sounds of reading aloud could be heard.
Chen Baoxiang glanced out, puzzled.
“Come here.” Li Bingsheng came back to herself, beckoned to her, and gestured for her to look below.
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