The Slender Waist-Chapter 778 - 553: Inviting the Thief into the Trap

Chapter 778: Chapter 553: Inviting the Thief into the Trap

The banquet was filled with fine wines and delicacies, lively as ever.

An attendant entered, and in front of all the guests, walked up to Feng Yun.

"My lady, there is an intruder in the garden."

"An intruder?" Feng Yun raised her voice incredulously, stunned for a moment, then suddenly laughed, waving her hand slightly drunkenly.

"Today is the King’s birthday banquet, the security inside and outside the residence is very strict, how could an ordinary person get in? Do not talk nonsense and spoil the mood for our distinguished guests."

The attendant bowed his head and clasped his hands, anxiously responding: "I have not spoken falsely. It was the patrolling guards who saw him; the person was sneaking around in a suspicious manner, and when discovered by the guards, he fled into the garden. There are many guests coming and going in the garden, and there are women present, so we didn’t dare to search extensively. Hence, I have come to ask for instructions..."

Not seeing the Prince of Yonghuai, he sought instructions from the Princess.

The guests looked at Feng Yun with more profound meanings.

Only then did Feng Yun seriously stand up, "Let’s go and see."

On such a day, what kind of petty thief would dare to steal from the residence of the Prince of Yonghuai?

The guests also became interested.

Some started to follow and slowly walked outside.

-

A few female guests at the back table also followed Lady Tao outside.

Saying they would take a walk in the garden to sober up from the wine.

Lady Tao, supported by a maid, was plump and smiling, walking while casually chatting with a few newly acquainted ladies: "The residence of the Prince of Yonghuai looks quite modest, if this was in our Nanqi, where those in high positions live, their mansions would be quite something else."

The ladies exchanged glances.

Isn’t this saying that Qi Country is richer than Jin Country?

"Madam Feng may not be aware, but our officials in Dajin mostly focus on practicality, even more so the Prince of Yonghuai who is straightforward, not fancying such grandeur..."

Another lady glanced at her, smiling:

"So, does this mean Minister Feng’s residence is exceptionally luxurious and imposing? Oh my, how much money would one need to maintain such a lifestyle."

Isn’t this implying that the Feng Family is corrupt?

Lady Tao’s face darkened, not looking as pleasant.

But as the saying goes, where there are three women, gossip is inevitable.

After all, she wasn’t here to make friends with them, just brought them along as witnesses, so she would just endure it...

"Oh, isn’t that the Princess of Yonghuai? What is she looking for?"

A lady’s remark disrupted Lady Tao’s thoughts.

She glanced sideways.

Feng Yun stood at the end of the garden, smiling at her.

By her side, several attendants and maids followed.

A large group of men and women, searching one by one.

"What’s going on?"

"Yes, what happened?"

Hearing the whispering of the ladies, Feng Yun leaned forward slightly.

"Dear guests, please be cautious, there is a thief in the garden, we are currently searching."

"A thief?! Where?"

A few of the ladies immediately became tense.

Feng Yun reassured with a smile: "No need to be too scared, there are guards everywhere, any petty thief who came would not be able to escape. For now, everyone is safe..."

Relieved by her assurance of safety, the ladies finally breathed easier.

"Princess." Zuo Zhong approached with two guards.

"Did you find him?" Feng Yun asked.

Zuo Zhong’s gaze darkened, suddenly looking towards a nearby room.

"We have searched everywhere, only this room is left."

As he spoke, he glanced again at Lady Tao, "A maid reported seeing the Fifteenth Miss of the Feng Residence enter this room, we did not dare to barge in to search."

Feng Yun also looked towards Lady Tao, "Fifteenth Miss is inside? That would be terrible, being together with a thief, hopefully nothing bad happens..."

Lady Tao laughed upon hearing this.

She was worried about finding enough people to testify, but Feng Yun brought them herself.

Good, to let her witness her own husband fooling around with a concubine, that really would hurt her deeply.

Lady Tao was certain the "petty thief" they were searching for was Pei Jue, convinced that he and Feng Ya were trapped inside, unable to make a sound, and she was quite satisfied inwardly, but pretended to be anxious.

"Fifteenth Miss is a pure and innocent maiden, we must not cause her such a misunderstanding... Shi’er Niang, could you have seen wrongly? How can there be a thief in broad daylight?"

She finished speaking with an awkward smile, then called to her maid.

"Go and ask, why hasn’t Fifteenth Miss come out yet?"

The maid immediately went forward to knock on the door of the room.

The door was tightly shut, bolted from the inside.

But no one answered.

The maid increased her effort.

"Fifteenth Miss, Fifteenth Miss, are you in there?"

She knocked for a long time, still no response.

The nosy ladies nearby were getting anxious, murmuring amongst themselves.

Feng Yun glanced at Zuo Zhong, "Break down the door."

Zuo Zhong responded, "Yes."

Two guards approached, forcefully ramming the door.

The door banged loudly, yet the room inside remained eerily silent, not a sound to be heard.