Did Lord Pei Drop His Horse Today - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

In the carriage back to Prince Regent’s Manor with Fu Nanwei, we sat face-to-face without a word.

All I could think was: after framing him so brazenly, can I even make it out of Prince Regent’s Manor alive?

No, wait…

If he kills me, wouldn’t that hand the Emperor the leverage he wants?

Damn Emperor!

I jolted, looking around in a daze.

“Where… is this?”

Fu Nanwei: “…”

I clutched my head, pretending unbearable pain. “Prince Regent! When I was young, a vicious servant in my household beat me, and I’ve had amnesia disorder ever since. I must have mistaken the Prince Regent for that servant just now. Please forgive me! I won’t trouble you further-I’ll be on my way.”

I moved to jump out, but Fu Nanwei hauled me back.

He gripped my wrist; his palm was uncomfortably warm.

He watched me with a half-smile.

“What a coincidence. This prince happens to know a Divine Physician who treats amnesia disorder. Lord Pei, rest easy and come along with me.”

How is that any different from telling me to rest in peace?

I tipped my head back to stare at the sky.

My heart was already dead.

Fu Nanwei put me up in a guest room. He said the Divine Physician would take time to arrive and told me to tend my external injuries for a couple of days first.

Doesn’t this mean that if I find leverage on Fu Nanwei before the Divine Physician comes, I can finish the Emperor’s task early and leave Prince Regent’s Manor?

Do it, then.

I grabbed a ruler to measure Prince Regent’s Manor-damn it! No illegal expansions!

I turned Prince Regent’s Manor upside down-hell, not even a single concubine!

I even paid out of pocket for pastries to chat up the staff, asking about Fu Nanwei’s daily conduct.

When they hesitated to speak, I knew I was on the right track!

I said quickly, excited, “If there’s any grievance, just say it. I’ll see you righted!”

The pageboy frowned. “The Prince Regent keeps giving me days off. I’m too idle-I’ve even gotten fat lately.”

The maid sighed. “The Prince Regent rewards us too much. My family truly has nowhere to put it all.”

…

I’ve been an official for three years, and my place in the capital is still rented.

Seeing I was silent, the pageboy asked, “Lord Pei, anything else you want to ask?”

“Yes.”

I beckoned him closer. “Does Prince Regent’s Manor still need maids? I’ve got a younger sister looking for work.”

Pageboy: “…”

What I didn’t know was that that night, while I was racking my brains for more of Fu Nanwei’s misdeeds to catch,

the pageboy slipped into his study to report my daytime movements.

“Lord Pei first admired the residence, then combed the courtyards for concubines. When he didn’t find any, he asked us what kind of person you are. Something’s off.”

Fu Nanwei asked with interest, “What’s off?”

The pageboy had a sudden flash of insight. “Exactly like when my sister sizes up a potential husband’s family!”

Fu Nanwei’s hand paused over the page. Under the candlelight, the tips of his ears flushed slightly.

“Nonsense.”