by Ning er
Just now Pan Lan only heard things being smashed. But now Su Qing is speaking to her with an expression as warm as the spring breeze. Her heart couldn’t help but get the chill. She immediately knelt down and rushed to prove their loyalty: “Furen, nubi only want to serve Miss well in this life. Asking furen not to harm your body because of nubi, otherwise evil will enter nubi!”
While talking, Pan Lan began to kowtow to Su Qing. The originally wounded forehead turned redder at this moment.
It’s just that even if Pan Lan is really faithful, Su Qing has already set her mind. She looked at Wang mama once. Wang mama walked smilingly over to Pan Lan and helped her stand up. She smiled: “Silly girl, furen is benevolent, how can she be willing to let such a faithful girl serve people for a whole life? Just now, furen found a good family for you. The minister of justice is furen’s older brother, Miss’s biological jiujiu. With furen’s help when you go over you will have the identity of a yiniang. You will no longer need to serve people. Not only that, furen will look well after your parents and siblings at home. Such a grace and you are still not thanking furen?”
But when these words fell into Pan Lan’s ears they were cold like ice. She instantly paled, but Wang mama deliberately mentioned her family, making her develop a layer of fear. She can only kowtow to Su Qing and express her gratitude.
Su Qing saw that Pan Lan accepted her fate, smiled and gifted her a pair of green jade bracelet. Then she let her retreat from the inner chamber and continued to talk with Wang mama.
Wang mama saw that Pan Lan wasn’t willing, leaned in and whispered a remainder in Su Qing’s ears: “Furen, looking at Pan Lan’s expression, she must not be willing. If she go over and join hands with jiu furen, I’m afraid that jiu laoye will become rusty with us.”
Su Qing only humpfed coldly and her eyes burst of coldness. She said with hate: “Based only on her, she dare to rebel? The lives of her parents and brothers are in my hand. Can she turn the sky? Moreover, Pan Lan also participated in today’s matter. That da sao of mine will certainly not let her have a good life. By that time, won’t the two fight till the sky is turned upside down? We sending a person to gege is just to apologize for today’s matter. If brother accepted this gift, he will certainly help me more.”
Wang mama heard Su Qing’s reason and nodded. She thought to herself that now second Miss has someone less to serve her. She must go look for a maid of the second rank. She really can’t let second Miss suffer.
The next night, old madam called Yun Xuan Zhi to her Bai Shun Tang. Both mother and son together with Yun Qian Meng who came to pay her respect, quietly eat dinner. Yun Qian Meng saw that Yun Yi Yi isn’t by old madam’s side today. She saw that old madam seems to have something to talk with Yun Xuan Zhi, so she excused herself.
Old madam took a sip of tea before she opened her mouth: “Yesterday at Lao Tai Jun’s birthday, I saw many sons from good families. The four girls of our fu are getting big now. Does my child have any plans?”
Yun Xuan Zhi saw that old madam’s eyes are shining. He respectfully replied: “Does mother has any idea? Son will hear it.”
Old madam saw that Yun Xuan Zhi’s attitude is fairly satisfying. She put aside the cup of tea and smiled: “Although Meng er is from the legitimate line, but after all she has been rejected by the other party. And that person is the honorable Chen wang. No need to mention about marrying again into a good family, I’m afraid that in whole Xi Chu no one will dare to come ask for a marriage. It’s better to find a commoner family with some benefit and let Meng er marry into them. As for Ruo Xue and Yan er, they both are from the illegitimate line. They are not worthy enough to marry those legitimate young masters. At most they will marry into the concubine line. When both status are equal, then those two children won’t have to suffer at the in laws. And Yi Yi is your younger brother’s legitimate daughter. She has been raised by my side and is gentle and loving. There are also no bad rumors about her. A husband will not be hard to find. It’s only that she is the pearl of your younger brother’s palms. We cannot let this child suffer any grievances. This time, I saw Chu xiang at Lao Tai Jun’s. I felt that this person has an imposing and impressive appearance. He is a gold and jade pair with Yi Yi. What does my child think?”
What do I think? Yun Xuan Zhi only felt that old madam derogated his three children as worthless. Yet she put that Yun Yi Yi who hasn’t had the hairpin ceremony yet, like a goddess. First not mentioning about the four children birth, but where the appearance is concerned, Yun Yi Yi is at the bottom. She doesn’t have Yun Qian Meng’s refined beauty, she doesn’t have Yun Ruo Xue tender flirt and she also doesn’t have Yun Yan’s elegance. She is completely a faded child. But old madam has dispatched the daughters that he wanted to send into good families, to small doors and small yuans. And yet she send that Yun Yi Yi to Chu Fei Yang’s side. So bias. The three of his home isn’t worth one Yun Yi Yi. It’s visible how the mood of Yun Xuan Zhi is now.
It’s just that Yun Xuan Zhi saw that old madam is laughing so happily, he also laughed. But that smile is more and more false. He slowly opened his mouth: “Younger brother and his wife isn’t by niece’s side, we need to pay more attention to the good men around Yi Yi. This will also allow younger brother and his wife to be at ease. It’s just that this year, Yi Yi is only thirteen years old. To set a marriage is still too early. Those who doesn’t know will think that younger brother’s child is unwanted and hurrying to get married. As for Meng er and the two sisters, Meng er has the empress dowager and Fu Guo Gong Fu to worry for her. That marriage is not something that we can call the shots. As for Xue er and Yan er, they need to wait till the eldest sister is married before they can marry. There’s no need to hurry. Didn’t know that mother called son over for this. Apologizing for letting mother be worried.”
Originally old madam saw Yun Xuan Zhi smiling and thought he agreed with her statements, but he topped back her statements. Her expression immediately turned bad. She wanted to discuss with Yun Xuan Zhi, but when she raised her eyes, she saw that Yun Xuan Zhi put the prime minister appearance. He has an enigmatic smile. His body exudes an official aura, making old madam’s heart tighten. Then did she remembered that this is not the son who she can set her ideas on anymore. She barely suppressed the anger in her heart. With a bad expression she waved her hands. With a not so friendly tone, she said: “Since it’s like this, take it as if I didn’t say those words. That morning court must’ve tired you out. You can go back and rest.”
Yun Xuan Zhi also didn’t want to stay. So he stood up with old madam’s words and bended his body: “Asking mother to also take care of your body. Son will come see you again another day.”
After saying that, he walked away without looking back.
Old madam was really angry. She sat in the armchair sulking. At this time, Yun Yi Yi ran in laughingly and went into old madam’s embrace. She said like a baby: “Why is zumu unhappy? Just now, Yi Yi went to see my two geges.”
Old madam saw that it’s her beloved granddaughter who came in, her expression improved slightly. She asked: “How is the home work of your two geges? Did they improve?”
Yun Yi Yi thought for a while. Then she answered: “Needless to say about da ge. Studying and martial arts didn’t fall behind. As for er ge, although he doesn’t work as hard as a ge, but he is gifted. It will not be bad.”
Old madam saw that Yun Yi Yi praised her two brothers in a kidlike manner, she smiled. She hugged Yun Yi Yi and murmured: “Since it’s like that, zumu’s Yi Yi must not fall behind. Must marry into the best family to push the arrogance of those three down.”
Yun Yi Yi nested into old madam’s arms. She seemed like she didn’t clearly heard old madam’s words. She raised her head to look at old madam and saw that old madam is looking at the dark sky outside the widow without speaking further.
Yun Qian Meng went to Qi Luo yuan with her maids through the moonlight. While passing through xiangfu’s backyard, she heard someone crying. Fear came in
everyone’s eyes. For a time, the backyard is even quieter leaving only the depressed sound of crying behind.
“Mi mama and Mu Chun stay, the rest go back to Qi Luo yuan.”
Yun Qian Meng felt that the depressed sound of crying is somewhat familiar. So she send most of the people away only leaving the two she trust by her side.
“Miss, be careful. If this is a trap set by others, we won’t be able to talk out of it.”
Mu Chun saw that Yun Qian Meng is walking in the direction of the crying sound, she reminded her with concern.
At this time, Yun Qian Meng already determined the owner of the crying sounds. She made an action to let Mu Chun stay silent. Then she walked quietly forward. She looked over the corner and saw that Pan Lan is crying silently.
Yun Qian Meng nodded at Wang mama. Wang mama shouted towards the corner: “Who is there? Actually dared to pretend to be a ghost in xiangfu? Still not rolling out!”
Pan Lan who was with her back to Yun Qian Meng has been scared by this shout. She was even too late to wipe the tears from her face. Seeing that the eldest Miss is staring at her with her maids, made her get the chills from her soles. The color of her face turned paler. She stuttered: “El…eldest Miss, how come you are here?”
“Really a good maid. Eldest Miss hasn’t even asked, you already first asked. Did you eat guts? Do you want me to report it to xiangye let him judge?”
Wang mama saw that Pan Lan saw Yun Qian Meng but didn’t pay her respect and even went as far as questioning the masters. So she immediately snapped.
Pan Lan was startled by Wang mama’s shout. Only now did she get her senses back. Seeing that the one standing in front of her is the person that her Miss hate most in this lifetime and also seeing that Wang mama is pushing crimes onto her head, she bowed respectfully and said: “Nubi greets eldest Miss. Over there, second Miss is still in need of nubi. Nubi will retreat now.”
After talking, she wanted to get pass Yun Qian Meng, but how can Yun Qian Meng let such an opportunity get away? She looked at Pan Lan’s swollen red eyes and also smelled the same fragrant scent of that day at Fu Guo Gong Fu on Pan Lan. She said lightly: “Crying so sad. Can it be that you didn’t do the thing well that your master has told you to do and has now been scolded by your master?”
Hearing Yun Qian Meng asking like that, Pan Lan’s heart panicked. She didn’t know what the thing in Yun Qian Meng’s sentence is, so she didn’t know how to answer.
“Eldest Miss is asking you a question. Why aren’t you answering?”
Wang mama can’t take it that Pan Lan is hesitating. She glared with cold eyes at Pan Lan.
Pan Lan only felt that a shadow is looming above her head. She lifted her eyes to look. She saw Yun Qian Meng staring at her with cold eyes. That pair of eyes that shone in the moonlight is scarier than the color of the moonlight. Pan Lan felt her whole body turn cold. After a while her hand reach for her chest. Finally she couldn’t bear the silent staring of Yun Qian Meng anymore and whispered: “Nubi thought of nubi’s parents. So I thought about them in secret here.”
Yun Qian Meng heard that and only smiled lightly. She said softly: “You have filial piety and knows to think about your parents. It’s just that you signed a lifelong deed with xiangfu, so you’re xiangfu’s person. How can you put your aside your master and sneak out? Don’t you fear that if other people saw you they’ll think that you’re cursing your master?”
Pan Lan felt her breath stifle. She looked at Yun Qian Meng in fear. She never thought that Yun Qian Meng will say that. This is obviously putting her at a dead end. It’s just that today she has been caught by Yun Qian Meng and because she is second Miss’s people, eldest Miss certainly won’t let this opportunity slip away. Even second Miss has been punished by xiangye and she as a lowly servant will presumably die under the stick.
Thinking like that, Pan Lan’s whole body couldn’t help but tremble. Why is she so unlucky these two days? First she has been sent to the minister of justice as a yiniang and now she has been caught eldest Miss. She is afraid that it’s a matter about her going to be a yiniang or being accused by eldest Miss.
Yun Qian Meng carefully observed Pan Lan’s expression. She saw that under the fear in her eyes, there’s a small amount of hate. This hatred is not pointing against her, so she said: “Being a nubi suffering injustice is common. Why take it so hard and cry here? If this is seen by the mamas who are patrolling, with the current status of Su yiniang, do you think they will spare you?”
Pan Lan didn’t think that Yun Qian Meng didn’t blame her in the slightest but instead carefully reminded her. She couldn’t help but be full of doubts. She didn’t know what eldest Miss is planning inside her head. Why is she treating a maid by second Miss’s side so pleasantly?
Yun Qian Meng has long seen through Pan Lan’s thoughts. She didnt care about how others view her. She stretched out her hand that is inside dazzling embroidered sleeves and said lightly: “Since you miss your family so much, I’ll let Liu yiniang make arrangements to let you have a meeting with your family. It’s just that this matter, you can’t let er mei know.”
After talking, Mu Chun stepped forward to hold Yun Qian Meng. The three walked towards Qi Luo yuan leaving Pan Lan who is still in daze behind.
“Miss, why are you treating that nubi so well?”
After walking out of the garden, Mu Chun glanced back at Pan Lan. She said that with some anger.
Yun Qian Meng laughed gently. Then she said: “How can it be that she is crying because she is missing her parents? If the master is good to her, why would she think of her family?”
Wang mama already knows what Yun Qian Meng’s intention is. She whispered: “Miss is intelligent. Doing this will certainly deepen the hatred of Pan Lan towards second Miss. A heart to rebel will certainly be born. It’s just that Su yiniang has always been very strict to her servants and to second Miss’s servants. Even the lives of their families are in Su yiniang’s aunt. I’m afraid that Liu yiniang won’t be able to find Pan Lan’s family.”
After listening to that, Yun Qian Meng only showed an enigmatic smile. It’s because Pan Lan’s parents’ lives is in Su Qing’s hands that’s why she will let Pan Lan meet her parents. Like that, Pan Lan changing sides will only be a matter of time.
“Mama, let some people be sure to find Pan Lan’s family.”
Her eyes are slightly narrowed. The bright moonlight is shining in the front is hazy. Then she opened her eyes. It became clear in front again. Yun Qian Meng whispered at Wang mama.
After resting for three, four days, old madam boarded the carriage with her three granddaughters and rushed to Pu Guo An. Because the journey will take half a day, they departed at yinshi (2 to 5 am). Yun Yi Yi is still young. The moment she boarded the carriage, she slept in old madam’s arms. Yun Qian Meng saw that she is sleeping, closed her mouth from telling a few jokes.
Old madam let Rui mama put few more cushion pads for Yun Yi Yi. She, herself, closed her eyes and slowly rotated the beads of Buddha.
Yun Qian Meng saw her praying to Buddha with a heart full of greed. She felt it’s very amusing. She also lost interest in talking and leaned against the wall of the carriage. She lifted the curtain and looked at the white sky outside. She felt that the wet air is cooling with an unspeakable comfortable ease. Yun Qian Meng has been attracted by the scenery outside. Until old madam spoke was she forced to put down the curtain.
“Meng er, a few days ago I and your father discussed tat Chu xiang is suitable to be our xiangfu’s son in law. What do you think?”
At the same time that she is speaking, she slowly opened her eyes and carefully observed Yun Qian Meng’s expression.
Yun Qian Meng only smiled elegantly and said: “It’s alright if zumu and father find that it’s good. Marriage is something that the elders decide on. Zumu really shouldn’t ask granddaughter.”
Old madam saw that Yun Qian Meng is smiling like that, she thought that Yun Qian Meng misunderstood. She added: “
I see that Yi Yi and Chu saw are a pair made from heaven.”
After saying that, that pair of eyes stared at Yun Qian Meng.
Yun Qian Meng maintained the smile on her mouth. Her attitude is respectful and docile: “Zumu’s eyes are naturally the most accurate.”
Old madam heard that Yun Qian Meng is very sincere, her hanging heart slowly went down. As long as Yun Qian Meng is not looking to marry Chu Fei Yang, then she will have a way to let Chu Fei Yang marry Yun Yi Yi.
After that, the carriage restored it’s quietness. There’s only the sound of the carriage running over the blue stones……
When the carriage arrived at the foot of the mountain where Pu Guo An is, it’s already chensi (7-9am). Originally they can arrive at Pu Guo An within another quarter of an hour, but outside dozens of carriage stopped. The carriages parked respectfully on both sides of the road. Not even one person came down from the carriages. The servants are waiting next to the carriages without a sound.
“Guard Liu, go see what’s happening.”
Yun Qian Meng pulled down the curtain and softly ordered guar Liu.
“Yes, eldest Miss.”
Sound of hooves can be heard. Guard Liu ran with a horse forward. After half an hour, the edges of the hooves can be heard.
“Answering eldest Miss, today is the day that Rong Xian taifei3 will pray with Jiu Xuan shitai4. Every carriage of each fu is parked at the foot of the mountain. Only after Rong Xian taifei is finished will the imperial guards let people go up the mountain.”
“Then let our carriage also park at the side of the road. Order the others to not disturb the imperial’s carriage.”
