Before Xiao Chengyou put down his chopsticks, he saw Butler Zhang walking over and leaning over to report the matter to the old lady.

Fu Ling raised his eyes for a casual look, but was suddenly stunned.

The clothes that Butler Zhang was wearing were so familiar that it was almost blinding. Fu Ling suddenly realized it and felt a shiver crawling up his spine.

The knife-wielding man I saw in the backyard a few days ago was Butler Zhang.

I originally thought that Butler Zhang was just relying on Chen Yuxiao's power to oppose her that day, but I didn't expect that he would dare to act like a local emperor in the general's mansion, ignoring the rules. He has been working in the mansion for many years, and I don't know how long he has been acting unscrupulously. , the power entrenched within him should not be underestimated.

If she hadn't hid in the heavy courtyard that day, she might not have been able to escape from him.

Thinking of this, Fu Ling couldn't help but wince and looked away.

"Heat the stove some more." Xiao Chengyou's voice rang in his ears.

His eyes almost didn't fall on Fu Ling, as if giving a casual order, he lowered his head and picked up the dish handed by Fu Ling and ate it, while Jiang Qian's piece was left to dry.

Feeling Jiang Qian's angry look, Fu Ling suddenly came back to his senses.

The silver charcoal in the stove burned brighter, and a dry and warm breath floated in the air, completely blocking out the cold air, as if being gently wrapped by someone.

Xiao Chengyou has been stationed in the bitter cold areas of the frontier for many years. It is absolutely impossible for him to be afraid of the cold. He almost seems to have no arrogance like any other son of aristocratic family. He is not picky about the environment and will not ask his attendants to do anything that is acceptable.

Fu Ling thought of her tiny flinch just now, which even she didn't notice.

But Xiao Chengyou has always been indifferent, so why would he pay attention to such a small move of hers? Fu Ling sighed in his heart, thinking that he was overthinking it.

Butler Zhang reported the income from the properties under the jurisdiction of the General's Mansion to the old lady, and the old lady was obviously very satisfied.

"Well done." The old lady praised, and then asked Butler Zhang about matters related to New Year's Eve. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, and asked Xiao Chengyou, "Your father wrote a letter saying that a distinguished guest will be coming soon. Who is it?"

Xiao Chengyou was stunned for a moment, seeming to remember Fu Ling's offensive behavior of breaking into his study that day, his face was a little gloomy, "She is the daughter of my father's former subordinate, and she is staying in the General's Mansion for a while."

The old lady's expression changed slightly after hearing this, thinking that this was the concubine arranged by the general for Xiao Chengyou. She couldn't help but show some satisfaction and said with a smile, "I am getting old too, so I like this house to be more lively."

Fu Ling was already prepared and did not show any surprise. He just secretly observed Xiao Chengyou's expression.

His expression was natural, and he did not show that he was too familiar with this woman. However, Fu Ling couldn't help but worry. If it was just ordinary, why did the crown prince never mention this woman in the letters he wrote to her before entering the palace? The two of them The letters exchanged in secret were so hidden that she didn't want her to see them.

Jiang Qian on the side obviously understood the old lady's hint, and her face turned pale with anxiety.

"Then I also want to visit my cousin often." Jiang Qian pulled Xiao Chengyou's sleeve and said coquettishly.

Xiao Chengyou ignored her, and she became even more uneasy and couldn't help but wink at Fu Ling.

This "daughter of a subordinate" sounds like she has some friendship with His Royal Highness in the border area. Such an enemy is about to live in the mansion. Why does Fu Ling look so indifferent? Doesn't she have any sense of vigilance?

Feeling Jiang Qian's gaze, Fu Ling also looked away and ignored her, leaving Jiang Qian alone on pins and needles and worrying.

"I wonder if this woman..." The old lady was obviously very interested in the "daughter of a subordinate" and was about to take Xiao Chengyou to talk in detail, but he was a little uninterested and interrupted after a while.

"The Spring Hunt will be held soon. Your Majesty has arranged for the children of the aristocratic family to participate. My grandson still needs to practice hard to bring glory to the General's Mansion."

After saying that, Xiao Chengyou stood up and resigned. He was justified, and the old lady did not hold him back.

Returning to Wenyun Hall, Fu Ling silently meditated at the table for a long time and said to Xianglan, "It's cold in the martial arts arena. Let me warm up a hand stove and send it to His Royal Highness."

She didn't plan to pursue Xiao Chengyou so fiercely, but soon a new person would enter the house. If she didn't take this opportunity to have more contact with him, I'm afraid Xiao Chengyou would completely ignore her when the "daughter of a subordinate" came.

Xiang Lan agreed, but after a while, she suddenly came back with a solemn expression and nothing in her hands.

"Wen Yun Tang's charcoal is not enough," Xiang Lan's words were full of indignation, "It's only been a few days, that housekeeper must have deliberately withheld Wen Yun Tang's charcoal!"

"So blatant..." Fu Ling's eyes flashed with slight surprise, and then he said, "Let me go and inquire."

When Butler Zhang saw someone serving dishes, he actually insulted her, a concubine of the imperial family, and Fu Ling had complicated thoughts.

If Chen Yuxiao was not behind this, she would not believe it, but if they wanted to use these small means to force her to obey their orders, she would never give in easily.

Butler Zhang's place was not far from Wenyuntang, but as soon as he left Wenyuntang, a drizzle began to fall from the sky.

The mixed rain and snow made it difficult to walk, so Fu Ling was forced to stop under the verandah and wait for Xiang Lan to get her umbrella.

In just a moment, there was a sound of footsteps behind him.

Fu Ling was just wondering how Xiang Lan could move so fast. When he turned his head and faced Shen Hui's smiling face, his expression suddenly turned sinister.

Shen Hui walked straight towards her. The attendants around him did not dare to disobey Shen Hui, so they all stepped aside and remained silent.

"Second Young Master."

Fu Ling couldn't walk out of the corridor and could only watch Shen Hui approaching.

The black hair at the end of his eyebrows trembled with his winking gestures, which looked very strange.

Shen Hui stepped forward, with obvious teasing intentions, "Why is sister-in-law here alone?"

The strong smell of alcohol and sweat from him that had not been washed for an unknown amount of time entered his nose. Fu Ling couldn't help but hold his breath, turned his head and took a step back.

"I'm here to find His Highness the Crown Prince. If you have nothing to do, just go away." Fu Ling's tone was unceremonious.

Ever since the last time Shen Hui touched the old lady's feet in front of her, she had been wary of it.

Whenever she travels, she will hide some numbing powder in her sleeves. If he really dares to act recklessly, she will not be hurt at all.

But even if Xiao Chengyou moved out, Shen Hui was not threatened by her. As if he was used to being domineering, he said shamelessly, "I am the concubine of His Highness the Crown Prince. If my sister-in-law plays with me, Your Highness will be happy."

As he spoke, his footsteps moved closer and closer, almost touching Fu Ling. The tip of his nose was twitching, and he couldn't help but inhale the soft fragrance on her temples.

None of the attendants standing in the dark dared to offend Shen Hui. They all lowered their eyebrows and pretended not to see the scene in front of them.

Fu Ling felt sick in his stomach.

With a slight movement of her wrist, she was about to sprinkle the powder on Shen Hui's face, but suddenly she heard a call from behind.

"Fu Ling."