by Ning er
Mu Chun helped Yun Qian Meng into the fu and onto a soft sedan chair. They barely entered Qi Luo Yuan's garden when Yun Qian Meng hurriedly stepped off of the sedan and walking briskly towards her inner rooms.
Seeing the ink stick that she had been using earlier for practicing writing characters. The writing-brush and the blotting paper were still lying there, they had not been put away yet. She walked to the table, took up brush and dipped the tip into the already prepared ink. She grabbed a piece of paper and wrote a few words before folding it urgently and gave it to Mu Chun, "Pass it over to Jiao Da, he knows what to do.”
"But if nubi left then there would be no one to serve xiaojie." Now that the people who served Yun Qian Meng were all gone, Mu Chun felt somewhat anxious and dilly-dallied because she did not want to leave.
"Quickly go, then come back." For Yun Qian Meng's eye to be so fierce, Mu Chun understood that what was written on the letter was an important matter. She had no other choice but to bite on her bottom lip and trott out of Qi Luo Yuan.
Mu Chun, like a burst of wind, rushed in entering Tian Fu Lou and quickly reached the third floor. At that moment, Rong Yun He, who was sitting in the second floor's private room calculating this month's receipts, lifted his eyes by chance to see Yun Qian Meng's yatou in Tian Fu Lou once more. He immediately waved to beckon the shopkeeper over and muttered in his ear, “You must personally send some supplements to the third floor. You need not do it immediately.”
The shopkeeper was surely a wise man. With very little prompting, he immediately nodded and gave a bow of courtesy to Rong Yun He before quickly leaving the room.
"General, xiaojie asked nubi to hand this over to you." Though Jiao Da was Chu wang's personal bodyguard, but he was still a general of Western Chu with an outstanding reputation. It had been Chu wang who had nurtured him, and to show his gratitude, he had been willing to leave his military post to stay by Chu wang's to protect him as his bodyguard.
Jiao Da took the folded fine paper but just as he opened it slightly, he suddenly sensed someone approach them. Immediately, in a cold voice he said,"Who is it?”
Mu Chun was startled by his sudden noise. She turned to look, out only to find Tian Fu Lou's shopkeeper carrying a cup of tonic. Wwhole face smiling, he fluidly and naturally walked over to them. "This is what xiaojie had had me boil before she left.”
As he was talking, the shopkeeper's shrewd eyes took the opportunity to hide behind the tray in his hands and quickly swept over the paper in Jiao Da's hands.
Having heard what was said, Jiao Da still did not make a sound, but his eyes cautiously looked towards Mu Chun. Seeing her nod her head at him, he slightly let down his guard.
The shopkeeper, believing that he was allowed through, had intended to push the door open and enter the side room, but a broadsword blocked his path.
"Giving it to Mu Chun is fine.”Jiao Da vigilantly said. Since he had promised Yun Qian Meng to protect these people, he naturally would not let outsiders get close to the room.
This shopkeeper had been very taciturn in his approach. With his whole face smiling, perhaps he was harboring ulterior motives since he seemed to be particularly attentive in this matter.
Upon seeing this, Mu Chun did not wait for the shopkeeper to decide. She grabbed the tray herself and immediately said, "Many thanks to shopkeeper. You can go now.”
The shopkeeper's character was considered to be very persistent, but meeting Jiao Da, who was even more difficult to deal with and had a sword in hand, he naturally could not be careless and obliged to slowly leave the third floor.
After the shopkeeper left, Jiao Da opened the lid and cautiously looked at the tonic. Mu Chun only nodded so he let her enter the inner room, while he put away the note and continued to guard the door.
The shopkeeper quickly stepped into the private room. Seeing Rong Yun He standing in front of the window, he quietly started to say, "Shaoye!”
Chapter 93: Part 2: Lotus pond lecher's moral lesson | Chu Wang Fei
Having heard him, Rong Yun He hid the rare anxiety behind dull eyes and immediately turned around to ask, "What happened?”
The shopkeeper thought for a moment then cautiously said, “Nucai would like to borrow shaoye's pen and ink.”
Seeing Rong Yun He nod his head, he respectfully walked to the table, took a piece of paper, grabbed a brush. Relying only on seeing through the back of the paper, he slowly wrote it out.
When finished, the shopkeeper picked up the paper, blew at the ink then reversed the paper. Only then did he show it to Rong Yun He.
Rong Yun He looked, and with great astonishment, the word 'Hu' was written on top. His eyes could not help but stare in wonder before he immediately asked, "Did you hear their discussion?”
The shopkeeper shook his head and somewhat ashamedly said, "The man's martial arts is outstanding. Nucai only slightly got closer to them and immediately found that out. Fortunately, he was preoccupied with the slave for a short while. He forgot to put away the slip of paper and let nucai vaguely see a word.”
Hearing that, Rong Yun He heart understood. Jiao Da was a person who was always by Chu Wang side, his vigilance could not be compared to an ordinary person's. The shopkeeper folded back his hands to not lose face and vowed not investigate this matter. Waving the shopkeeper away, Rong Yun He stared blankly at the paper in his hand. What kind of difficult situation had she encountered that needed the man who was always by Chu wang's side?
Brow slightly creasing, Rong Yun He had Si'er put away the accounting books on the table. Si'er unintentionally saw the paper with the 'Hu' character and was somewhat puzzled. He cocked his head to think for quite a while and curiously asked, "Shaoye, what is this word? Why is it this so strange?”
Rong Yun He his eyes stare at the 'Hu' word in a daze and slightly shook his head. With some reproach, he said, "Usually, I allow you to read books, but you only want to have fun and now you can't even recognize this word.”
Hearing Rong Yun He speak like this, Si'er smiled in embarrassment. But he did feel that this 'Hu' word sounded very familiar.
But this was his master's business. He was just a manservant, he only needed to serve his master properly, so he quickly took out a cloth and properly wrapped up the important accounting books into a chest. Afterwards, he accompanied Rong Yun He out of Tian Fu Lou.
Quickly, 3-4 days had passed, Jiao Da's side still had no news. Those people who stole the Hu Ge seemed to have so flawlessly done so that there were actually no clues left behind. It was infuriating.
The remaining three months were almost out!
Hai wangfu was trying to avoid agreeing to Hai Chen Xi and Qu Fei Qing's marriage. Claiming that Hai wang had suddenly contracted an unpleasant illness, they would not entertain any guests for the month.
Not just the noble families, but even the man Emperor Yu Qian dispatched to scout the situation only sat in the living room and was unable to see any of Hai wangfu's masters.
Hearing this news, Yun Qian Meng's heart could not help but sneer. How good of Hai wang. Figuring out that Fu Guo Gong Fu had no choice and was forced to agree to Hai Chen Xi and Qu Fei Qing's marriage, he pulled this move so as to avoid unnecessary inconveniences.
Previously, Hai wangfei had personally come to Fu Guo Gong Fu propose the marriage. Soon after, there was an assassination attempted on Qu Ling Ao. It was clear where Hai wangfu stood regarding this matter with Qu Ling Ao. Could it be that Hai wangfu had nothing to do with it?
It seemed that Hai wangfu did not have any inclination of gaining in-laws, yet at that time the grand Hai wangfei had come personally. But now their attitude was like this. How was it not a contradiction? Or could it all have been a ruse in order to wash away the suspicions on Hai wangfu?
Suddenly realizing something, Yun Qian Meng's heart was greatly alarmed.
If the assassination was not the work of Hai wang, then whose?
Behind Qu Ling Ao was Fu Guo Gong Fu, behind Fu Guo Gong Fu was the Empre
ss Dowager. But if Fu Guo Gong Fu was eliminated, then the Empress Dowager's might become just a mere figurehead. In the entire Court, the one who desired most to completely defeat the Empress Dowager could only be Yuan de taifei.
If that was the case, then on that day, Chen wang had searched every so many people could testify his innocence as an assassin entered Fu Guo Gong Fu. These series of actions, though risky, ensured that no one could doubt him. To have so carefully thought this through was terrifying.
At this time, Mu Chun happily ran into the room. Yun Qian Meng's eyebrows knitted in concentration as she pondered over things, and Mu Chun immediately slowed down her pace. Steadily walking to Yun Qian Meng's side, she somewhat tinged with joy as she said, "Xiaojie, just now, Ying Xia came over to report. She said that Ying Qiu is already awake and her life is no longer in danger.”
Yun Qian Meng lifted up her head, her eyes had a rare, happy expression. "When did she wake up?”
"She said yesterday after midnight. She wake shouting that she was hungry." After hearing Ying Xia's quiet report, Mu Chun also sympathized, "Ying Xia just reported to say that Ying Qiu had seen the assassin wearing boots before she went into a shock.”
Boots?
Normal Western Chu citizens did not wear boots, only the aristocrats and officials did.
They could be distinguished through the workmanship; the style and the type of material were all different to some extent.
If Ying Qiu saw enough of it then was certainly a significant clue to get to the bottom of things.
"Was it satin or cloth?" only the imperial courts officials were entitled enough to wear satin boots, while the jailers could just barely manage adequate cloth boots.
If this was the beginning of the investigation, then the scope had certainly narrowed a lot.
When Yun Qian Meng had asked carefully, Mu Chun was unable to answer for quite some time. Ashamed, she lowered her head blaming herself, "Xiaojie please punish me. Nubi did not think it through properly and had not asked.”
Yun Qian Meng then put down the cup of tea and immediately ordered, "A carriage!”
But at this time, the Rui mama had just come. Seeing Yun Qian Meng, Rui mama immediately bowed her head in greeting and said, "Nubi greets da xiaojie and wishes you good health.”
Seeing her face smiling as she came in, it was not good to casually dismiss her. Yun Qian Meng sat down again, picked up the small cup of tea with both hands and sipped. "Mama, why have come today? Is there anything wrong with zumu? If there's anything you need, go look for Liu yiniang, she would surely serve zumu attentively.”
Yun Qian Meng spoke warmly like she did in the past, so the smile on Rui mama's face grew even more, then stood up and replied, "Thank you, da xiaojie, for your concern. All is well with the old madam. Today, she misses da xiaojie, so nubi was sent to ask da xiaojie to go to Bai Shun Tang.”
At her words, Yun Qian Meng raised an eyebrow as she looked at Rui mama's expression. Other than the smile on her face, there was nothing else but the kindness in her eyes so she laughed and said, "This is my fault. Many things recently happened recently, so actually hadn't been able to go and greet zumu. Since Rui mama has come today by chance. Let's go there together.”
Yun Qian Meng then stood up and lightly swept an eye at Mu Chun. Only when she saw that Mu Chun understood and nodded did she lead Rui mama and Mu Chun to Bai Shun Tang.
Though it was still early in the morning, the weather was quickly getting hot. Walking in the corridors for a little while, their foreheads already had a thin layer of sweat. Fortunately, xiangfu had quite a bit of vegetation and not everything was exposed to the sun, so moving around, there was cool and refreshing air occasionally.
They entered Bai Shun Tang's inner room along with Rui Mama, but Yun Qian Meng was a little surprised to see who were sitting there already.
Unexpectedly, Yun Yi Yi who was the old madam's favorite, was not here. Instead, the two brothers, Yun Yi Heng and Yun Yi Jie, were the sitting in the room, chatting and keeping the old madam company.
"Granddaughter is here to see zumu and also elder cousins." The three were talking happily but when Yun Qian Meng came in, the mood vanished. When the greetings were finished, the old madam then said, "Meng'er, quickly sit beside zumu. To have asked you here on such a hot day must be really hard on you.”
The old madam then gave Rui mama a meaningful glance, who then brought Yun Qian Meng to the old madam. The old madam then reached a hand out to pull Yun Qian Meng to sit her on the cold chair like a noble lady.
"Zumu are you well lately? Your granddaughter has been entirely unfilial; I did not listen to father words and haven't come over to Bai Shun Tang to pay respects. Rui mama had to tire herself to personally run over to Qi Luo Yuan." Yun Qian Meng neared the stool edge's and leisurely seated herself as she had slightly laughed while speaking.
"How could I blame you, good child? By all means, don't blame yourself. Today, Yi Yi, that girl, is also eager to stay cool. Qiu Bi Ju and Bai Shun Tang are quite close, yet she also has not been here every day to pay respects. Your Qi Luo Yuan is too far away, so don't put too much into that humble greetings, don't take it to heart.” How strange that the old madam words unexpectedly did not take a stab at anything and was actually so considerate of Yun Qian Meng. Mu Chun standing nearby was also feeling bewildered.
But at this time, Rui Mama interrupted, "Old madam does not know, but nubi just now had been to da xiaojie's courtyard. I saw that Mu Chun is the only one in the room serving da xiaojie. For da xiaojie status, these nucai are indeed being so lazy and should be punished.”
When the old madam heard these words, her eyebrows immediately screwed up. Her eyes looked at Yun Qian Meng with regret and immediately pulled Yun Qian Meng into her arms. Patting Yun Qian Meng's back, she whispered, "My child, ah! Truly you have been wronged. How about having two of Yi Yi's yatou's she has no need of to follow you back to Qi Luo Yuan to attend to you so you don't to employ new ones.”
Yun Qian Meng gave no indication of withdrawing from the old madam's embrace. With a sweet smile on her face, her tone was soft yet reserved as she said, "Thank you very much zumu. But those two yatou were chosen specifically by her, it would be inappropriate for me to take them. Secondly, zumu actually wrong about my courtyard's servants. I dislike the heat in crowds, so I sent them back to their rooms, leaving only Mu Chun to serve. They are not lazy like Rui mama says, every once in awhile somebody comes. So as not to disturb, my peace they just quietly enter the room.”
When she finished, she did not even wait for the old madam to reply before Yun Qian Meng's eyes looked at the still seated Yun Yi Heng and Yun Yi Jie. A little puzzled, she said, "Are cousins resting today? It has been a while since we last saw each other. Have cousins become accustomed to living in the capital?”
The old madam's brows slightly creased upon hearing Yun Qian Meng's words.
By her tone, it seemed like she was the one managing the xiangfu. She even inquired Yi Heng and Yi Jie's daily activities. Having said such things, Or was Yun Qian Meng saying that she had not payed her cousins any attention and was using this as a means to humiliate them?
Yun Qian Meng's eyes grew cold when the old madam knitted her brows, and immediately said, "The capital and the Su City are separated by a great distance, the weather must have been quite different. Cousins should take good care of yourselves.”
Only after her her explanation did the old madam relax her brows and then immediately laugh.
There was a long pause after his cousin spoke, but the conversation needed to continue so Yun Yi Heng answered in a warm voice, "Many thanks for Meng'er's concern. Although the capital and Su City are very far from each other, nevertheless they belong to the south of the long river. The weather may have some differences, but it is not overly evident. Meng'er seems to have grown thinner, have you been worrying too much about something recently?”
Looking at Yun Yi Heng, his eyes were calm, his speech eloquent and fluent
. At first glance it appeared that the old madam's legitimate grandson did not have many skills. Yet witnessing this Yun Yi Heng now, though young, he actually dealt things and conversed in such a steady way compared to Yun Yi Yi who was only younger than him by four years. One could see that that Yun Yi Heng was diligent in learning, and would bring honor to his family in the future.
"Thank you very much cousin's concern. Perhaps because summer has already arrived and the clothes are replaced with thinner fabrics than the thick-layered ones for winter; it made people appear to have lost weight. Actually, cousin looks slightly pale, probably caused by the excessive reading. Cousin doesn't have to exhaust yourself so hard, the Imperial Examination does not happen overnight. Lately cousin has been studying as if your life depended on it. If you force your body to endure so much, when the time comes, your gains might not be worth the losses and you will end up saving a little and lose a lot." Yun Qian Meng replied with a faint smile, yet behind the smile was a hidden chill.
It seemed that Yun Yi Heng was actually a person who concealed his true strength as he bided his time; he normally kept to himself and was occupied with his studies, but when dealing with people, even his greetings could instantly destroy his opponent's reputation.
Just now, he simply said that she was excessively worrisome. If he knew about the people in the capital, perhaps he was aware of the recent happenings in Fu Guo Gong Fu.
Yun Yi Heng was merely reminding outsiders that her mother's family was accused of committing treason for glory, and that she herself was no more than a sinner as well.
For such thoughts to have come from the mind of a mere 17 year old boy was really terrible.
And the old madam pretended not to have heard the banter between her grandchildren. All the while, she had a peaceful smile on her face.
When Yun Yi Jie had seen Yun Qian Meng step foot into the room, those bright eyes stared at Yun Qian Meng's lush and slender figure incessantly. From time to time, his eyes would go so far as to show a flash of loathsome lust.
