by Ning er
Yun Qian Meng saw that there was a peculiar expression beneath his smiling eyes. Her heart tightened, as if a bad premonition suddenly came to her mind. Being unable to deal with this assassin business, she nodded and rose. Following Chu Fei Yang out of the Floating Fragrance House, she once again sat inside the carriage.
Jiao Da ensured that both people were now in the carriage before he hopped up the horse. One hand pulled on the reigns while the other held the whip and firmly whipped the horses a few times for them to quickly pull the carriage and glide into the night.
The people in the carriage sat across each other. Chu Fei Yang looked at Yun Qian Meng with a cold expression as he shared Jiao Da's news. “This night, there were people that infiltrated houfu. Houye was stabbed.”
Yun Qian Meng raised her head, her eyes narrowed at Chu Fei Yang, as she looked at him with astonishment.
It was no wonder that he had looked at her like that when he heard the news. She felt extremely anxious as the feeling of a bad premonition descended on her. This event was completely unexpected for her.
Her thoughts turned to the assassin who was lying in the brothel at this very moment. Suspicions and a myriad of thoughts that could not be formed into words piled up in her head.
Apart from that assassin, who in this busy night would attack jiujiu?
Qu Ling Ao had always been straightforward and honest. He was not a rude or impetuous person that offended people easily. His assessment of the imperial court and among the common people was rather good, add that to the support of the Empress Dowager, what kind of self-destructive person would dare to attack Fu Guo Gongfu? Who had the nerve to attempt assassination while her biaoge was not in the capital?
The suspicions formed and churned in her heart. Yun Qian Meng's eyes remained cold but her eyebrows furrowed into lines of worry, her hands under the cloak clenched her skirt tightly. She didn't notice that at this moment all her feelings were laid bare for Chu Fei Yang to see.
She turned to face Chu Fei Yang again and saw that his face no longer had a smile. Her whole heart tightened as she asked in a soft voice. “Is jiujiu's condition very serious?”
Yun Qian Meng held her breath as she waited for Chu Fei Yang's answer. Her cold eyes held rarely seen anxiety that Chu Fei Yang could not bear to see. He quickly replied with the truth. “His heart and lungs were harmed and he is currently in a comma.”
Hearing this, all the blood in Yun Qian Meng's body froze. A creeping coldness sharply rose from her feet and through her body. With great effort she steadied her heart and said in a calm voice. “Take me to xiangfu.”
She must go to Fu Guo Gongfu from xiangfu. If she was seen in her current state it would attract unwanted gossip.
Right now biaoge was not in Fu Guo Gongfu, jiujiu was seriously wounded and unconscious. Only laotiaijun and other females remained in the fu. Outside the fu, san jiujiu was eyeing houye's position and would naturally not let this good opportunity slide. She could not let herself make any mistakes so as to avoid giving laotaijun trouble.
Chu Fei Yang knew that she was very worried and understood her apprehensions. He immediately called out to Jiao Da outside to give his orders. The carriage immediately darted forward like an arrow springing out from a bow. In the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, they had arrived at an alley. Chu Fei Yang did not immediately let Yun Qian Meng out. He gave Jiao Da a command and the carriage slightly swayed as Jiao Da dismounted and disappeared into the darkness.
“Are there people hiding around the xiangfu?” If it were not because of people lying in ambush in all four corners, why would they be this cautious?
Chu Fei Yang smirked, his calm eyes gradually emitted a superiority as he said in a careless manner. “Just a bunch of shrimp soldiers and crab generals.”
Hearing this, Yun Qian Meng confirmed that her guess was correct. But Chu Fei Yang was here to handle it so she didn't have to worry. She could use this time to carefully organize her thoughts about today's events.
“Xiangye, all is well!” At this moment, Jiao Da had returned and respectfully announced from outside the carriage. Chu Fei Yang nodded to Yun Qiang Meng before he pulled her body up like before and carried her out of the carriage. He leaped and flew over the walls of the xiangfu, delivering her into Qi Luo Yuan's inner room.
Yun Qian Meng removed the cloak from her body and handed it to Chu Fei Yang, expressing her gratitude in a lowered voice. “Many thanks.”
In these few words of thanks, Chu Fei Yang could feel Yun Qian Meng's sincerity. The corners of his lips suddenly curved into a kind smile before he turned around and left the room.
Seeing him leave, Yun Qian Meng slowly sat on the bed. With a slightly trembling expression she categorically filtered through the thoughts in her brain. Soon the sky gradually suffused with white. The morning cries of a rooster could be heard.
At this moment, outside the door came the voice of Mu Chun anxiously knocking at the door. “Xiaojie! Xiaojie!” Yun Qian Meng immediately undid her outer clothes and sat on the bed. She said in a nasally voice. “Enter!”
Mu Chun immediately pushed the doors open. Her face was full of worry as she urgently walked towards Yun Qian Meng and placed the candle in her hand on the bedside table. Urgently saying, “Xiaojie, not good, something bad has happened in houfu!”
Yun Qian Meng rubbed her eyes and slowly said, “What happened that has made you this anxious?”
Mu Chun saw Yun Qian Meng looked drowsy and somewhat tired and replied slowly, as much as possible relaxing her tone, so as not to frighten her xiaojie. “Xiaojie, just now Ji furen sent a messenger to say that houfu had been attacked by an assassin in the middle of the night, and for you to please go to houfu immediately!”
“What?” Yun Qian Meng was suddenly startled and rose. Her outer clothing flew into the air and onto the floor because of her movement. Mu Chun raised her eyes to look and saw Yun Qian Meng's pale face, she seemed to be very frightened. She suddenly said in a warm voice. “Xiaojie don't be anxious, perhaps houye only suffered a small wound.”
How could Mu Chun know that Yun Qian Meng already knew Qu Ling Ao had suffered severe wounds. What she was most worried about now was apart from her, whether or not people from other fu also knew.
Her face full of worry, Yun Qian Meng said in a gloomy voice. “Help me get dressed!”
Mu Chun did not dare waste time. From the wardrobe she pulled out a long dress, the thin fabric was the color of the crescent moon. She helped Yun Qian Meng into the dress and styled her hair into a simple bun. With a CHA sound as a silver hairpin was inserted into her hair, the preparations were complete.
Yun Qian Meng saw her simple and neat appearance in the mirror. It occurred to her that if people saw her they might think she was rushing to Fu Guo Gongfu for a funeral. From her jewelry box she personally picked out a ruby-encrusted, jade and pearl gold hairpin. Then with Mu Chun's support she exited the room.
“Xiaojie, laonu will go with you.” Mi mama came to greet her at this time, her brows full of worry as she spoke. But Yun Qian Meng shook her head.
When Yun Qian Meng saw Ying Xia and Yuan Dong standing in the outer room her expression became severe and she immediately asked Mu Chun. “Who else in xiangfu knows that jiumu sent a messenger to report this matter?”
“Ji furen sent her personal mama to come. When she arrived at the fu, she went straight to Qi Luo Yuan. Even xiangye is not aware of this matter.”
When she heard Mu Chun say this, Yun Qian Meng relaxed. Qu Ling Ao's life was in danger. If this piece of news were to spread, whether inside Fu Guo Gongfu or in the imperial court, it would cause too much controversy.
Ji Shu Yu had secretly sent her own mama to ask her over, she must also not want the news to be spread so fast.
Since that was the case, Yun Qian Meng naturally would not allow this matter to spread out from her own Qi Luo Yuan.
“Let today's matter rot in your stomachs. Do not open your mouths to explain, no matte
r who asks or guesses. Otherwise, don't expect me to show any mercy.” Yu Qian Meng said in a cold voice to the four people in front of her.
“Yes” The four replied in unison.
“Mama, you stay and watch the courtyard. If somebody comes to make inquiries, tell them waizumu was afraid that I was frightened last night and sent somebody over to take me to Fu Guo Gongfu to be examined by a physician.” Yun Qian Meng carefully briefed Mi mama.
Mi mama took in Yun Qian Meng's instructions to heart and made an earnest sound of assent.
Yun Qian Meng indicated for Ying Xia and Yuan Dong to leave with her. The four were led by the old mama carrying a lantern into Fu Guo Gongfu's carriage.
They proceeded wordlessly. The inside of the carriage was silent like the dead of the night. The wheels of the carriage rolled across the limestone path, making a soft sound. When they were near Fu Guo Gongfu, Yun Qian Meng felt her heart tense.
After all, the information she had came from Chu Fei Yang the night before, right so much time had already passed, she feared that there were new developments in Fu Guo Gongfu.
The more Yun Qian Meng analyzed the situation, the more grave her expression became.
The carriage slowly came to a stop. The mama who accompanied them personally helped Yun Qian Meng off the carriage. An already prepared sedan was brought forward and Yun Qian Meng entered it. The sedan immediately went towards Qu Ling Ao's Qing Song Yuan.
Even though it was still early in the morning, Fu Guo Gongfu's maids and pages were already up and about sweeping the courtyard. Yun Qian Meng's hand opened the curtain slightly and observed that the expressions of those maids and pages were no different than usual. She knew now that the matter of Qi Ling Ao's injury was hushed by laotaijun and the others. She couldn't help but be glad at her earlier decision.
“Biao xiaojie, laotaijun and furen xiaojie are both in Qing Song Yuan right now.” The taciturn mama suddenly opened her mouth to quietly remind Yun Qian Meng as they approached Qing Song Yuan.
Yun Qian Meng released the curtain and replied in a low voice “Thank you, mama.”
The porters steadily laid the sedan down in front of the gates of Qing Song Yuan. Mu Chun opened the curtain and helped Yun Qian Meng step out of the litter. Only now did Yun Qian Meng notice that the entrance was guarded by servants. It made Yun Qian Meng discreetly knit her brows. It seemed as if the situation was more dire than she thought.
“Biao xiaojie, please enter.” The mama bowed her head and indicated to Yun Qian Meng to enter Qing Song Yuan.
Upon entering Qing Song Yuan they were assailed with the strong smell of medicine. Each door they went through was guarded by two sturdy pozi. It looked as if laotaijun made arrangements in case somebody were to somehow trespass.
They had yet to enter the bedroom, when Yun Qian Meng heard the low sounds of sobbing. The instant the yatou opened the curtain Yun Qian Meng immediately stepped through.
Laotaijun was seated beside the bed, Ji Shu Yu and Qu Fei Qing were beside her. Qu Fei Qing was wiping away her tears with a handkerchief. Her delicate face, which was usually rosy, was pale and tired. It seemed that ever since last night when Qu Ling Ao was attacked, Qu Fei Qing had not gotten any rest. Both her eyes were now read and puffy, she must have been crying all night.
Yun Qian Meng's heart ached when she saw her look so pallid. She immediately took Qu Fei Qing's hands in hers and softly said. “Biaojie, I have come.”
Chapter 79: Part 2: Trouble in houfu, harboring evil intentions | Chu Wang Fei
When Qu Fei Qing saw that Yun Qian Meng had arrived, tears started to roll down her face. Her voice choked with sobs, called out. “Meng'r!”
When Yun Qian Meng heard her hoarse voice struggling to get words out, she realized that the heat must be dehydrating and noticed that the atmosphere of the room was oppressive. She called Mu Chun who was standing behind her and commanded, “Quickly help biao xiaojie out to the outer room and have her drink some water.”
After saying this, she walked towards the bed and greeted Gu laotaijun and Ji Shu Yu. “Meng'r greets waizumu, jiumu.”
Laotaijun saw that Yun Qian Meng had arrived and that she had showed concern for Qu Fei Qing. Suddenly, all sort of feelings welled up in her heart. She bent down to hold Yun Qian Meng and sighed. “Meng'r has come!”
Only now was Yun Qian Meng able to see laotaijun and Ji Shu Yu's expressions clearly. Both their foreheads were lined with worry and their faces showed fatigue. Compared to Qu Fei Qing, there was not much difference.
But laotaijun was more experienced in these type of things, so in the current situation, compared to Qu Fei Qing, she was naturally more unflustered and cool-headed.
Laotaijun was already getting old, after the vigil beside the bed all night, her body was having difficulties. Even so, when she looked at the state of her own son, laotaijun clenched her teeth and continued watching over Qi Ling Ao, foolishly waiting for him to regain consciousness.
“Waizumu, you have to take you care of your health. Fu Guo Gong Fu can't manage without you.” Gu laotaijun's temples had a layer of perspiration. Yun Qian Meng's heart ached as she looked at this laotaijun keeping watch beside her son's bed, still hoping for him wake up. She took the proffered bowl of ginseng soup from an old mama's hands, scooping a spoonful she brought it to laotaijun's lips and urged laotaijun to open her mouth.
At this moment Ji Shu Yu was also very sorrowful. When she saw Yun Qian Meng coaxing laotaijun she felt gratified. It seemed that Yun Qian Meng's words were sincere and hit the nail on the head.
Right now Zhang Qing was far away in a border station and her own husband was attacked by an assassin. Fu Guo Gong Fu really needed laotaijun's support. Otherwise based on the actions of Qu Yan these past few years, if he found out that two of pillars of the fu were successively unavailable, she feared that he would take the opportunity to snatch away the houfu.
But laotaijun's heart was still clinging to Qu Ling Ao. She shook her head at the ginseng soup and lifted a hand to push it away. Ji Shu Yu immediately said. “Mother, you've already kept watch for one night, have some ginseng soup then return to Rui Lin Yuan to rest. Xifu will stay here, and Meng'r is also here. You can relax.”
Laotaijun understood their good intentions. Even though she had no appetite she opened her mouth to swallow some ginseng soup. Soon after she was supported by mama and yatou as she left Qing Song Yuan.
“Jiumu and biaojie should also rest. Meng'r will keep watch now. I won't let anything happen to jiujiu.” Now that laotaijun finally left to rest, Yun Qian Meng said this with a voice full of concern as she looked at Ji Shu Yu's eyes that were puffy from crying all night.
But compared to laotaijun, Ji Shu Yu was more obstinate. She firmly shook her head, her knees bent as she sat down to take the spot that laotaijun previously occupied. She held Qu Ling Ao's hand which had been placed on his chest and said faintly. “No, if I am not watching him my heart would not be at peace.”
After saying this, Ji Shu Yu fixed her eyes on Qu Ling Ao's face.
Only now did Yun Qian Meng look at Qu Ling Ao. Lying on the bed, he looked like was only asleep. But his pale face and ragged breathing betrayed his real condition. His life was currently in grave danger and he could die at any moment. It was no wonder that Ji Shu Yu did not want to leave his side. The strain and suffering in her heart was a hundred times worse that what she showed in her face. As the marquis' furen, she had to uphold her noblewoman's dignity, she couldn't allow this emergency to ruin her strong front.
When Yun Qian Meng saw that Ji Shu Yu was determined to stay, she did not insist anymore. She quietly stood beside her to keep watch over Qu Ling Ao.
“Furen, houye's medicine is ready!” Ji Shu Yu's personal yatou carried over a bowl of just prepared medicine.
“Give it to me.” Yun Qian Meng turned around to receive the warm bowl of medicine. She used the spoon and stirred it gently to help the medicine cool down.
The smell of the medicine p
ermeated the air in the room.
“Xiaojie, please let nubi take look.” At this moment, Ying Xia who had taken a whiff of the medicine stepped forward and whispered into Yun Qian Meng's ear.
Yun Qian Meng raised her eyes and saw that Ying Xia looked very grave. Her brows were knitted and those usually smiling eyes stared fixedly at the bowl in her hands. She then understood that there was something strange about the medicine and immediately handed it over to Ying Xia.
Ying Xia pulled out a silver hairpin from her hair and gently stirred the medicine before she carefully pulled out the silver hairpin. The tip had turned green. Yun Qian Meng was suddenly astonished and seized the hairpin from Ying Xia's hands, lifting it into the light and carefully examined it. “How concentrated is the poison?”
Ying Xia saw that Yun Qian Meng's expression was full of killing intent and quickly replied. “Based on the reaction of the silver hairpin, the concentration of the poison is weak. Taking it a few times wouldn't be fatal. Only a person proficient in poisons can detect it. But houye's body is currently seriously hurt, if he had taken that poison, two times would be enough to take his life and nobody would be wiser.”
“They are so impatient to take my fujun's life!” Ji Shu Yu had realized the situation clearly and vehemently said this. She immediately made to stand but her body was so weak she swayed, scaring Yun Qian Meng who immediately advanced to support her. She said with concern. “Jiumu please watch over yourself. Whoever it is that wishes to injure jiujiu, Meng'r will not let them prevail.”
Ji Shu Yu looked at Yun Qian Meng's face full of protectiveness for her family and the anger in her heart subsided a little. She took Yun Qiang Meng's hand in hers with some gratefulness and said in a tone full of sadness. “That was the original reason mother asked them to leave, since both side plotted for the juewei, it was decided that they live separate from the main family. I did not expect that san laoye and si laoye had set their eyes on this houfu's position. Now that fujun has been hurt, with their impatience, they come throw stones at a person who has fallen down the well!”
