Cheng was really sick this time.
As soon as the Duke finished court, he rushed to see her in a frenzy. All the imperial physicians and local doctors were invited to the mansion. When Zhao Hui saw that she was still lying in bed looking uncomfortable after taking medicine, he specially sent someone to take his name card to the palace to invite the imperial doctors. Medicines were delivered nonstop to Baomo Hall like flowing water.
Everyone in the mansion who had eyes could see clearly that this lady was still dear to the Duke's heart. No one dared to neglect Cheng anymore.
When the Palace sent invitations to the families for Concubine Wan's birthday celebration, Cheng naturally received one too.
Zhao Hui's favor had returned, and there was also an invitation from the Palace. Cheng was reinvigorated. In good spirits, she put Granny Sun's matter aside and concentrated on preparing to celebrate Concubine Wan's birthday in the Palace.
However, no matter how lively Baomo Hall was, Gu Ying didn't dare forget about Lin's death for a moment.
These last two days, she specially sent Hai Tang to probe Yuan Xing's attitude in Cheng's name.
Yuan Xing was a cautious man. At first he didn't believe Hai Tang was sent by Cheng, and even more unbelievable that Cheng would actively look for him. But no matter how cautious a man was, how could he not have any lingering feelings for Cheng after half a lifetime alone? Moreover, the two had a illegitimate child between them.
Gu Ying lightly wielded a brush as she stood at the desk in the study.
Yin Lan stood beside her, grinding ink for her. When she looked up, she could see her mistress' beautifully tranquil eyes.
She was stunned for a moment, unaware of when Yanzhi had come in.
"Mistress, we're back!" Yanzhi was an open sort of girl. The little restraint the Marquis of Dongping had raised in her was completely unleashed by Gu Ying in the Duke's estate Changfeng Pavilion.
She pulled Hai Tang in and excitedly and mysteriously said, "Yuan Xing accepted the purse Hai Tang gave him!"
Gu Ying's eyes flashed. Her wolf-hair brush paused slightly.
Peony was Cheng's favorite flower pattern. No matter if it was a purse or sachet that she embroidered for Zhao Hui, there was always a shadow of peony.
The noblewomen of Bianjing admired the Four Gentlemen; few would like the ostentatious magnificence of peony.
She looked at the sample of Cheng's handwriting she had been imitating, then looked at the sample of Yuan Xing's handwriting.
"What was his expression when he accepted it?"
Hai Tang thought carefully and replied, "Mistress, he was still rather calm, but looked a bit moved. After accepting the purse we embroidered, he stared blankly for a while before turning to leave."
Gu Ying understood in her heart. She had spent so much effort on Yuan Xing. It would be unacceptable if he was still unmoved.
It seemed he still cared about Cheng.
But she didn't know how much effect this emotion between a man and woman could exert. For the parents, the child was of immense significance.
She neatly folded the two notes she had written, giving one to Yin Lan and one to Hai Tang, as the corners of her lips slowly curved up. "Remember, don't deliver them incorrectly."
She wanted to arrange for Cheng and Yuan Xing to take a trip to Ruyi Lane. There couldn't be the slightest mistake in this matter.
Seeing Yin Lan carefully putting away the note, Yanzhi eagerly raised her hand to volunteer. "Mistress, let this servant deliver Cheng's note! I've mixed in the Duke's estate for so long, and also have some connections. I can deliver the note inconspicuously!"
Gu Ying considered for a moment. Yanzhi was a bit careless, but she had matured a lot recently. Compared to Yin Lan, this "slippery" servant girl might handle the matter more resourcefully.
So she smiled and said, "Alright then. If anything goes wrong, watch me forbid you from eating for half a month."
Yanzhi smiled as she took the note from Yin Lan's hand. "Mistress, don't worry. There's nothing your Yanzhi can't accomplish."
Gu Ying smiled and ruffled the girl's hair. "It's decided then. You and Hai Tang must deliver the notes to them personally. I'll think of a way to deal with the Duke."
"Yes, Mistress!"
Yanzhi was brimming with confidence, Hai Tang calm and steady.
Gu Ying looked out the window at the sky. Luckily tonight was an ordinary, mundane night.
Just like every other uneventful night, Cheng would dine at the first quarter past shenshi, then rest in Baomo Hall.
...
After leaving Changfeng Pavilion, Yanzhi went to loiter around Baomo Hall.
She finally found a chance to inconspicuously slip the note in, but accidentally bumped right into Granny Wang.
A slip of white paper fluttered to the ground.
Granny Wang's eyes were sharp. She immediately bent down to grab it.
Yanzhi's heart leaped to her throat. She plopped down on the note. "Ow, Granny Wang, you hurt me!"
Granny Wang squinted her old eyes and stood up. "What are you doing in the main kitchen, Yanzhi? Doesn't Changfeng Pavilion have its own small kitchen? What business could possibly require you to run over here yourself?"
Yanzhi swiftly pinched the note back into her palm. She was extremely nervous. "I came to see if there was any fresh vegetables...to bring back for my mistress."
Granny Wang snorted derisively. Everyone knew the vegetables for Changfeng Pavilion were specially purchased. As for fresh fruits, they were gifted by the Palace. Baskets and baskets were delivered to Changfeng Pavilion everyday that the servants like her didn't even get a look. Why would Yanzhi need to come to the main kitchen for anything?
It was obvious Yanzhi had another motive for coming here.
Granny Wang brusquely pushed her aside. "What fell on the ground just now? Move and let me see."
Yanzhi's heart dangled by a thread. "Nothing fell..."
Granny Wang glared at her. "Impossible. I clearly saw something."
Yanzhi forced a smile. "You must have cataracts blurring your vision."
Granny Wang looked around for a while but didn't find anything, so she gave up. Picking up the jujube silver fir soup she had simmered for Cheng, she shot Yanzhi another glare before heading towards Baomo Hall.
Yanzhi anxiously stroked the note in her palm...not knowing how much Granny Wang had actually seen.
If she messed this up today, Mistress would definitely beat her to death.
The more she thought about it, the more nervous and afraid she became...
Seeing the sky darkening more and more, even if she delivered the note now, if Granny Wang discovered it, she would certainly warn Cheng in time. Then...
Her mind went blank, too scared to think further.
...
The Heir Apparent wasn't dining at the estate tonight. If nothing unexpected happened, he would stay in the Palace to discuss state affairs. After Gu Ying finished dinner, she sent a letter to the Heir Apparent with Huai'an, telling him to come back early to enjoy the show.
Huai'an happily went to wait outside the Palace gates. Gu Ying then had a carriage readied to first make a trip to Ruyi Lane.
Yin Lan was still rather steady, but that girl Yanzhi was absent-minded, standing next to Yin Lan looking rather flustered.
Gu Ying held her icy little hand and asked what was wrong.
Yanzhi shook her head. "It's nothing, Mistress! Don't worry..."
Gu Ying looked at her meaningfully but didn't say anything. She got on the carriage.
Cheng was really sick this time.
As soon as the Duke finished court, he rushed to see her in a frenzy. All the imperial physicians and local doctors were invited to the mansion. When Zhao Hui saw that she was still lying in bed looking uncomfortable after taking medicine, he specially sent someone to take his name card to the palace to invite the imperial doctors. Medicines were delivered nonstop to Baomo Hall like flowing water.
Everyone in the mansion who had eyes could see clearly that this lady was still dear to the Duke's heart. No one dared to neglect Cheng anymore.
When the Palace sent invitations to the families for Concubine Wan's birthday celebration, Cheng naturally received one too.
Zhao Hui's favor had returned, and there was also an invitation from the Palace. Cheng was reinvigorated. In good spirits, she put Granny Sun's matter aside and concentrated on preparing to celebrate Concubine Wan's birthday in the Palace.
However, no matter how lively Baomo Hall was, Gu Ying didn't dare forget about Lin's death for a moment.
These last two days, she specially sent Hai Tang to probe Yuan Xing's attitude in Cheng's name.
Yuan Xing was a cautious man. At first he didn't believe Hai Tang was sent by Cheng, and even more unbelievable that Cheng would actively look for him. But no matter how cautious a man was, how could he not have any lingering feelings for Cheng after half a lifetime alone? Moreover, the two had a illegitimate child between them.
Gu Ying lightly wielded a brush as she stood at the desk in the study.
Yin Lan stood beside her, grinding ink for her. When she looked up, she could see her mistress' beautifully tranquil eyes.
She was stunned for a moment, unaware of when Yanzhi had come in.
"Mistress, we're back!" Yanzhi was an open sort of girl. The little restraint the Marquis of Dongping had raised in her was completely unleashed by Gu Ying in the Duke's estate Changfeng Pavilion.
She pulled Hai Tang in and excitedly and mysteriously said, "Yuan Xing accepted the purse Hai Tang gave him!"
Gu Ying's eyes flashed. Her wolf-hair brush paused slightly.
Peony was Cheng's favorite flower pattern. No matter if it was a purse or sachet that she embroidered for Zhao Hui, there was always a shadow of peony.
The noblewomen of Bianjing admired the Four Gentlemen; few would like the ostentatious magnificence of peony.
She looked at the sample of Cheng's handwriting she had been imitating, then looked at the sample of Yuan Xing's handwriting.
"What was his expression when he accepted it?"
Hai Tang thought carefully and replied, "Mistress, he was still rather calm, but looked a bit moved. After accepting the purse we embroidered, he stared blankly for a while before turning to leave."
Gu Ying understood in her heart. She had spent so much effort on Yuan Xing. It would be unacceptable if he was still unmoved.
It seemed he still cared about Cheng.
But she didn't know how much effect this emotion between a man and woman could exert. For the parents, the child was of immense significance.
She neatly folded the two notes she had written, giving one to Yin Lan and one to Hai Tang, as the corners of her lips slowly curved up. "Remember, don't deliver them incorrectly."
She wanted to arrange for Cheng and Yuan Xing to take a trip to Ruyi Lane. There couldn't be the slightest mistake in this matter.
Seeing Yin Lan carefully putting away the note, Yanzhi eagerly raised her hand to volunteer. "Mistress, let this servant deliver Cheng's note! I've mixed in the Duke's estate for so long, and also have some connections. I can deliver the note inconspicuously!"
Gu Ying considered for a moment. Yanzhi was a bit careless, but she had matured a lot recently. Compared to Yin Lan, this "slippery" servant girl might handle the matter more resourcefully.
So she smiled and said, "Alright then. If anything goes wrong, watch me forbid you from eating for half a month."
Yanzhi smiled as she took the note from Yin Lan's hand. "Mistress, don't worry. There's nothing your Yanzhi can't accomplish."
Gu Ying smiled and ruffled the girl's hair. "It's decided then. You and Hai Tang must deliver the notes to them personally. I'll think of a way to deal with the Duke."
"Yes, Mistress!"
Yanzhi was brimming with confidence, Hai Tang calm and steady.
Gu Ying looked out the window at the sky. Luckily tonight was an ordinary, mundane night.
Just like every other uneventful night, Cheng would dine at the first quarter past shenshi, then rest in Baomo Hall.
...
After leaving Changfeng Pavilion, Yanzhi went to loiter around Baomo Hall.
She finally found a chance to inconspicuously slip the note in, but accidentally bumped right into Granny Wang.
A slip of white paper fluttered to the ground.
Granny Wang's eyes were sharp. She immediately bent down to grab it.
Yanzhi's heart leaped to her throat. She plopped down on the note. "Ow, Granny Wang, you hurt me!"
Granny Wang squinted her old eyes and stood up. "What are you doing in the main kitchen, Yanzhi? Doesn't Changfeng Pavilion have its own small kitchen? What business could possibly require you to run over here yourself?"
Yanzhi swiftly pinched the note back into her palm. She was extremely nervous. "I came to see if there was any fresh vegetables...to bring back for my mistress."
Granny Wang snorted derisively. Everyone knew the vegetables for Changfeng Pavilion were specially purchased. As for fresh fruits, they were gifted by the Palace. Baskets and baskets were delivered to Changfeng Pavilion everyday that the servants like her didn't even get a look. Why would Yanzhi need to come to the main kitchen for anything?
It was obvious Yanzhi had another motive for coming here.
Granny Wang brusquely pushed her aside. "What fell on the ground just now? Move and let me see."
Yanzhi's heart dangled by a thread. "Nothing fell..."
Granny Wang glared at her. "Impossible. I clearly saw something."
Yanzhi forced a smile. "You must have cataracts blurring your vision."
Granny Wang looked around for a while but didn't find anything, so she gave up. Picking up the jujube silver fir soup she had simmered for Cheng, she shot Yanzhi another glare before heading towards Baomo Hall.
Yanzhi anxiously stroked the note in her palm...not knowing how much Granny Wang had actually seen.
If she messed this up today, Mistress would definitely beat her to death.
The more she thought about it, the more nervous and afraid she became...
Seeing the sky darkening more and more, even if she delivered the note now, if Granny Wang discovered it, she would certainly warn Cheng in time. Then...
Her mind went blank, too scared to think further.
...
The Heir Apparent wasn't dining at the estate tonight. If nothing unexpected happened, he would stay in the Palace to discuss state affairs. After Gu Ying finished dinner, she sent a letter to the Heir Apparent with Huai'an, telling him to come back early to enjoy the show.
Huai'an happily went to wait outside the Palace gates. Gu Ying then had a carriage readied to first make a trip to Ruyi Lane.
Yin Lan was still rather steady, but that girl Yanzhi was absent-minded, standing next to Yin Lan looking rather flustered.
Gu Ying held her icy little hand and asked what was wrong.
Yanzhi shook her head. "It's nothing, Mistress! Don't worry..."
Gu Ying looked at her meaningfully but didn't say anything. She got on the carriage.
