Chapter 56 Chapter 56 Bad News
She drank all of Wan Ning's wedding wine indirectly from the Fourth Master, and didn't stop until the second watch.
The next morning, Chu Xian was lazily curled up in the Fourth Master's arms having breakfast when Su Peisheng came in with a tray.
"Master, the palace sent someone to the Eighth Master's residence today to announce the decree, promoting the Eighth Prince to the rank of Eighth Beile."
"Oh." Yinzhen's face was expressionless, but the woman in his arms was so happy that she almost jumped up. He was so angry that he pushed her back into his arms.
"Why are you so happy? My eighth brother can only be a Beile in this life. Just wait and see." Yinzhen said in a firm tone.
Chu Xian's face instantly fell. In history, the Eighth Prince was only a Beile during the reign of Emperor Kangxi. It was not until the Fourth Prince ascended the throne that he was granted the title of Heshuo Lian Prince.
"Even if she's a Beile, Wan Ning is a Beile's wife. Only the wives of a Duke or a Prince can surpass her. My Lord, you are so wise and powerful. You should work harder and become a Prince soon. How dare you laugh at the Eighth Master for being a Beile?"
"No, I want to be the wife of a prince, so I don't have to be servile to the wife of a county prince anymore."
"Okay, I will work harder and make you the prince's wife as soon as possible." Yinzhen secretly made up his mind that becoming the prince's wife was just the beginning of Xian'er's honor and favor in this life.
For fear of frightening her, he did not dare to tell Xian'er that he wanted her to be the queen and rule the country.
"Actually, I don't really want to be a prince's wife."
Chu Xian was unhappy: "According to the rules, the prince can ask for three concubines. The harem is too full for them to live."
And Nian was the person she feared most in her life, and she didn't want to let Nian enter the house.
She didn't want other women in the backyard to get close to the Fourth Master.
"Don't worry, as long as you don't agree, I will never take the initiative to ask for the title of concubine in this life." The smile on Yinzhen's lips froze for a moment, and behind her, where she couldn't see, worry flashed in his eyes.
He would abide by the agreement of loving her exclusively for ten years as promised, but she... seemed to have never let it go and was still obsessed with it.
Ten years later, what should we do?
Yinzhen couldn't help feeling depressed and at a loss as to what to do.
Although he promised not to ask for the title of concubine in this life, if the Khan Father arranged the marriage, he would not and could not refuse.
Chu Xian keenly grasped the implicit meaning of the Fourth Master's words. What he said was that he would not take the initiative to ask for the title of concubine, but Nian was the concubine bestowed upon the Fourth Master by Emperor Kangxi.
Although he did not take the initiative to take a concubine, he had made it clear that he would not refuse to take a concubine. He felt extremely sad in his heart. She and he were unable to stop themselves from heading towards the destined ending of separation.
She and him were destined to have no future, but... at least there was the present, wasn't there? At least she and the Fourth Master still had the present.
Then just live in the present, that’s fine.
Although it is regrettable, it seems that this is the only possible ending for her and him.
After having breakfast with his wife, Yinzhen returned to the study in the front yard with a heavy heart.
"Master, something terrible has happened. Liang Jiugong sent someone to bring news saying...that Lord Fei Yang...is about to die." Su Peisheng said in a sad tone.
"Prepare the carriages and go to Tangshan." Yinzhen stopped and said, "Make sure to suppress the news."
If Fu Jin knew that Fei Yanggu was seriously ill, the consequences would be disastrous. Worried about the safety of Fu Jin and her child, Yinzhen gritted his teeth and decided to suppress the matter and wait until Fu Jin was out of confinement.
"Master Fei Yanggu and Master Wu Ge are also suppressing this matter. Today, Master Wu Ge will announce to the public that Master Fei Yanggu has been sent back to Shengjing City to recuperate. When Master Fei Yanggu passes away... the funeral will be kept secret. Everything will be discussed after Concubine Fu Jin has finished her confinement."
"Okay, go to the main courtyard of the concubine and tell her that I have received a secret order from the Khan and need to leave the capital for two months."
"Master, where are you going? I need to prepare my luggage."
Su Peisheng was filled with wonder. His wife was about to give birth in mid-February, and his father cared deeply about her. What had happened that forced him to leave her?
"To carry the coffin and observe mourning for my father-in-law."
"Master! Please think twice. If His Majesty knew about this, he would be furious."
Su Peisheng's eyes were filled with shock. His master was a prince, yet he had condescended to observe mourning for Fei Yanggu. If this were to get out, he would definitely be criticized.
"Just keep the death a secret. It's okay to observe mourning for two months."
Su Peisheng secretly broke into a cold sweat, feeling fortunate that his master and Fei Yanggu were both Manchus.
When a Manchu's close relative passes away, they only need to observe mourning for two months. There is no Han custom of mourning for three years, otherwise the truth will be revealed.
But I had to carry the coffin of Lord Fei Yanggu to Shengjing and then return day and night without sleep, so I could get back to the capital within two months.
I have just recovered from a serious illness and cannot bear the hardship of traveling.
Su Peisheng gritted his teeth and wanted to continue persuading her, but was forced back by the Fourth Master's cold eyes. He had no choice but to go to the front yard with a bitter face to deceive the Lady.
Chu Xian was shocked to hear that the Fourth Master was secretly arranged by Emperor Kangxi to leave Beijing for business. She felt unhappy, but she could not ask about the secret order issued by Emperor Kangxi. She could only prepare luggage for the Fourth Master with a sad face.
He left in such a hurry that he couldn't even wait to say goodbye to her and left the mansion in a hurry.
Tangshan Palace.
Liang Jiugong and Cao Yin fell on Fei Yanggu's sickbed, wiping away their tears in sorrow.
"Your Majesty... What I can't let go of the most is my useless daughter. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy on me and help me take care of her... Please..."
"Don't even think about it, Fei Yanggu. Why should I take care of your daughter? I won't allow it!"
Emperor Kangxi asked in a hoarse voice, with his back to the sickbed.
"Your Majesty, please, this slave... this slave is in so much pain... I don't want to endure it any longer, cough cough cough cough..."
"Fei Yanggu! Imperial Physician! He is vomiting blood! Wuuuuu!" Liang Jiugong sobbed and covered the blood that flowed out of Fei Yanggu's mouth with his hands.
Scarlet blood gushed out from between his fingers and could not be stopped at all.
"Your Majesty, the plum blossoms are blooming at Qingliang Temple in Mount Wutai. From now on, I can no longer go to Mount Wutai for you. You should go on your own."
"That person is also looking forward to your visit, every year..." Fei Yanggu's voice was weak and his tone was getting weaker.
Several imperial physicians rushed in. After an unknown amount of time, the emperor heard the imperial physician's trembling plea for mercy from behind him: "Your Majesty, I am incompetent. Master Fei Yanggu has... has passed away..."
The bright yellow figure remained standing there. After a long moment, Emperor Kangxi walked away: "Okay."
Liang Jiugong was crying his heart out, and when he heard the low, hoarse words of the emperor, he cried even more heartbrokenly: "Wuwuwu, Fei Yanggu, you old man, get up quickly and thank the emperor. The emperor has agreed, you get up right now, wuwuwu!"
Cao Yin wiped his tears silently and wiped the blood off his old brother's face with his sleeve: "Don't worry, as long as I am still breathing, as long as the Cao family is not defeated, I will protect Xian'er's life even if I spend all my wealth."
"The funeral must be kept secret from Xian'er. The imperial physician has told her that Xian'er cannot be overly happy or too sad, otherwise she will easily give birth prematurely." Liang Jiugong wiped away his tears.
"Wu Ge, you must immediately secretly carry your father's coffin to the ancestral tomb in Shengjing and bury him next to your mother."
"We must keep the news a secret and never let anyone else know, especially Xian'er."
Cao Yin gave sad instructions.
Wu Ge and his wife had already burst into tears. Their father had told them that if he was gone, they could not make decisions on their own. If they were unsure of a decision, they had to discuss it with Liang Amu and Cao Shishu.
If the two of them are not around, then we have to go and seek the Emperor's help for a decision. If the Emperor is not around, then everything has to be discussed with my brother-in-law, the Fourth Prince.
"The Fourth Prince is here."
"The Fourth Prince just asked for permission to carry the coffin for his father-in-law, and the Emperor agreed." Cao Yin's wife, Li, wiped her tears.
"Jiugong, let's set up the mourning hall with Wu Ge and his wife first." Cao Yin helped up the crying Liang Jiugong.
Liang Jiugong turned around and saw the Fourth Prince in mourning, and felt extremely relieved.
Everyone arranged the mourning hall, and the first person who came to pay his respects changed into a solemn crow-colored dragon robe.
Yinzhen and Wu Ge and his wife knelt in front of the coffin to express their gratitude.
After Khan Ama paid homage, he stood in front of him for a long time without saying a word.
"Give him a good send-off for Father."
"Your son obeys your order."
"Pass on my order. I want to go to Mount Wutai. Go immediately!"
Upon hearing about Mount Wutai, Liang Jiugong and Cao Yin, who were mourning Fei Yanggu, looked at each other in surprise.
His Majesty has not set foot on Mount Wutai for almost forty years.
Liang Jiugong hurriedly got up and prepared to go to Mount Wutai in disguise.
.....
On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Wan Ning came to visit.
The Eighth Master went to Jiangnan two days ago to preside over the imperial examination in Jiangnan. Wan Ning was so bored that she came to look for her every day.
"Xian'er, my period hasn't come this month yet. Am I pregnant?"
"You and the Eighth Master have been married for less than a month. Even if you are pregnant now, the imperial physician won't be able to tell by your pulse. I think they will be able to tell by the time the Lantern Festival is over."
"I've been feeling unwell these past two days. My lower abdomen and chest hurt." Chu Xian's face lit up with joy. "I'm probably pregnant. Remember to take the pregnancy medicine every day."
"Xian'er, are you going to the palace banquet tomorrow on New Year's Eve?"
Chu Xian shook her head. "I'm not going. Remember you also claimed illness as an excuse to decline. This year, His Majesty and the Crown Prince are not in the Forbidden City. The Empress Dowager is seriously ill, and the Crown Princess is presiding over the palace banquet. I get a headache just seeing the Crown Princess."
Wan Ning smiled and said, "I knew you would decline. This morning, I turned down the palace banquet under the pretext of going to Tanzhe Temple to pray for the Queen Mother, and I also mentioned your name."
"Then how about we celebrate the New Year at Tanzhe Mountain Villa this year, just the two of us?"
"My fourth brother took my father to Shengjing to recuperate. He wrote home a few days ago saying he wouldn't be back for the New Year. We're just going to Tanzhe Temple to get some quiet time and wait until after the first lunar month."
Wan Ning lowered her eyes and suppressed her panic.
Feeling guilty, for the safety of Xian'er and her son, she was once again dragged into the pirate ship by the Fourth Prince and concealed the sad news of Xian'er's father's death.
Today, I urged Xian'er to go to Tanzhe Temple to seek some quiet time, also because of the Fourth Prince's request.
For this reason, she even gave up the opportunity to go to Jiangnan to celebrate the New Year with Yinsi.
Yinsi must have been extremely angry, and he didn't even write home for several days.
Wan Ning was full of worries, but when she looked at Xian'er's bulging belly, she could only swallow all her grievances deep in her heart and dared not show any of it.
"Xian'er, it's settled. I also have a dowry farm near Tanzhe Mountain. Would you like to go to your farm or mine?"
"You should go to my farm to celebrate the New Year. Your farm was burned down and was rebuilt a few days ago. It has a strong smell of red paint, which is not good for your health." Wan Ning handed the peeled apple to Xian'er.
Chu Xian waved her hand. She hated eating apples the most. She would rather starve than eat apples.
It would have been fine if the Fourth Master had been nagging her to eat apples on a normal day, but she didn't expect that after leaving Beijing, the Fourth Master would instigate Wan Ning to become an executioner.
"Don't be picky about food. The Fourth Prince sent me a letter asking me to urge you to eat an apple every day. I have already accepted his gift of gratitude, so I must watch you eat."
Chu Xiancui said, "Alright! You big traitor! Just wait for me. You hate eating apples even more than I do. From now on, when Mr. Ba gives me a gift and asks me to force you to eat an apple, I will show no mercy."
Wan Ning jokingly said, "Madam Gui, please bring a basket of apples to the farm later. Please make sure that the Fourth Lady can eat fresh apples every day."
Chu Xian was so angry that she reached out and tickled Wan Ning.
The two chatted and laughed while having lunch, and then set off for Tanzhe Mountain that day.
"Wan Ning, are you worried? Did you have an argument with Master Ba? Why are you so anxious to come to the manor to celebrate the New Year?"
Inside the carriage, Chu Xian handed the peeled apricots to Wan Ning.
"I'm just mad at him. He went to Jiangnan just a few days after our wedding and left me here. Now I suspect I'm pregnant, but I don't dare to travel all the way to Jiangnan to find him. Who knows if he's been so distracted by his skinny horse in Jiangnan that he can't remember me."
Wan Ning calmly changed the subject.
"Eighth Master is not the kind of person who lives a life of debauchery. Don't let your imagination run wild."
"Hmph." Wan Ning threw back the carriage curtain and shouted angrily, "Madam Gui, tell those eyes of Yinsi to get lost and go back to the Prince's Mansion!"
Having experienced the nightmare that nearly caused Xian'er to have a miscarriage last time, Wan Ning was extremely wary of the lackeys around Yinsi. She was afraid that Yinsi would be instigated by Prince Zhi to tell Xian'er the sad news of her father's death.
If she puts Xian'er's life in danger again, she will be so guilty that she will commit suicide to atone for it.
"As you command," Nanny Gui followed the order and drove the servants that the Eighth Master had assigned to the Concubine back to the mansion, leaving only four or five of the Concubine's most trusted servants who came with the dowry to serve her.
Seeing Wan Ning dared to take the servants beside the Eighth Master, Chu Xian also called Sui Qing and said, "Let the guards following in the dark go back."
Wan Ning considerately drove away the servants of the Eighth Master. She could not bring the servants arranged by the Fourth Master with her, lest those people be arranged by the Fourth Master to harm Wan Ning.
The Fourth Master only promised not to cause trouble before or after Wan Ning's wedding, and now Wan Ning's wedding is about to be held in a month.
She wasn't sure that the Fourth Master wouldn't take the opportunity to use Wan Ning to deal with the Eighth Master.
"Xian'er, don't withdraw your servants. I didn't say I don't trust your servants. I just don't trust Yinsi." Wan Ning complained.
He originally wanted to avoid Yinsi's eyes and ears, but unexpectedly he indirectly sent away the servants arranged by the Fourth Prince.
"I don't believe the Fourth Master either." Chu Xian said bluntly.
"Xian'er, I'm sorry. If I hadn't trusted Yinsi last time, you wouldn't have nearly died. I even considered burying you with me."
"Pah, pah, pah, pah, tomorrow is New Year's Eve, don't say such depressing words."
"I suddenly miss my father. I don't know how he is doing. When I am out of confinement, I will go to Shengjing to accompany him."
Wan Ning was silent for a moment, then said comfortingly, "Master Fei Yanggu has always been in good health. He might be back next month."
Chu Xian worriedly shook her head, "No, I always feel that my father is seriously ill. I am very worried, but Shengjing City is a long way away, and I am pregnant and it is difficult for me to travel by boat. I wish I could go to Shengjing to see my father right away."
"A few days ago, I had a dream about my father..." Chu Xian choked up and cried, "I was very scared."
"Xian'er, you're pregnant, so you're naturally sentimental. If you're worried, I'll send someone to Shengjing City to see how your father is doing."
Chu Xian stopped crying and burst into tears of gratitude. "Then I'll leave it to you. Please help arrange for someone reliable to visit my father. The servants around me haven't been acting well lately. I guess the Fourth Master is instigating them to deceive me again."
"How could that be? Madam Chun and Sui Qingxianrong are loyal and devoted, don't let your imagination run wild."
"Do you miss the Fourth Prince too much? When he returns, let him spend more time with you, so that you won't be obsessed with random thoughts all day long."
"Don't mention him. I don't even know where he's secretly working, in the south or the north. The letter he sent home was only ten days ago."
Chu Xian complained angrily.
"Xian'er, you don't know that the missions sent by Emperor Kangxi under his secret decree are confidential. If you tell others before returning, it will be considered a crime of deceiving the emperor. Once, Yinsi disappeared for four months, causing me to be terrified every day. Later, when Yinsi returned, I found out through indirect inquiries that the Emperor had sent Yinsi to the southern desert to secretly instigate a rebellion against some king or khan."
"Recently, there have been frequent civil unrests in Junggar. Perhaps the Fourth Prince was sent by Emperor Kangxi to negotiate secretly. I heard from Yinsi that His Majesty sent a secret envoy to Junggar."
"The Fourth Prince happened to be leaving the capital on a secret decree, and must be going to Dzungar as a secret envoy."
Wan Ning was lying. The person who went to Junggar as a secret envoy for peace talks was the Prince of Zhi, not the Fourth Beile.
The Fourth Prince was carrying the coffin north to send Lord Fei Yanggu's coffin back to the ancestral tomb in Shengjing.
"Ah? Really?" Chu Xian was so frightened that her body tensed up instantly.
"Well, don't tell anyone. It would be bad if people knew that the secret envoy is the Fourth Prince." Wan Ning pretended to fool Xian'er.
"Okay, okay, I won't tell you. Is it dangerous for him to go to the enemy country? I don't know if he can bring enough people with him."
If she had known that he was going deep into the enemy country as a secret envoy for peace talks, she should have prepared more self-defense weapons for him.
Chu Xian regretted it so much. No wonder he didn't write home for ten days or half a month.
"Don't worry, the Fourth Prince is with the most elite Eight Banners soldiers of the Qing Dynasty, and he is also protected by the Imperial Guards. Nothing will go wrong."
As they were talking, the carriage left the city gate. Wan Ning lowered the carriage curtain and lowered her head to peel an apple.
On New Year's Eve, fortunately, they had the cheerful Wan Ning to keep them company. The two of them sat together with the maids and servants to celebrate the New Year.
At this time, Xianrong and Suiqing, who were supposed to go down the mountain to get the supplies needed for tomorrow, turned back.
"Fujin, something terrible has happened. The mountain is closed due to heavy snow."
"The mountain is closed every year. It's not too late to go down the mountain tomorrow morning after the snow stops. We have five or six days' worth of food prepared on the farm. If it's not enough, we can go hunting in the mountains." Wan Ning said nonchalantly.
"Live by the mountain and you'll never starve. You and I haven't hunted in a long time. How about we go hunting early tomorrow morning?"
"Forget it. Let Xianrong and the others go hunting. When you are out of confinement, we will go hunting together in Mulan in the fall."
Wan Ning stared at Xian'er's big belly and didn't dare to urge her to go hunting.
Chu Xian was about to nod in agreement, but when she remembered that the Fourth Master would never be able to draw a bow and shoot an arrow again in his life, her eyes suddenly became sore.
I still remember that when we were in Jingshan, I even laughed at him and called him a useless guy who couldn't even draw a bow and arrow.
He was sensitive and suspicious, so how could he not see her joking intention?
He must have been heartbroken at that time.
"Xian'er, why are you daydreaming? Eat an apple." Wan Ning stretched out her hand and waved it in front of Chu Xian.
"No, I'm not going to the Mulan Autumn Hunt. I'll never go in my lifetime. I don't like it, and I don't like horseback riding or archery."
Chu Xian's nose felt sore, and she suddenly missed him very much. She didn't know how he would spend New Year's Eve alone in the enemy country.
"You used to be very fond of horseback archery. The Fourth Prince is an expert in horseback archery. If you are worried, ask him to teach you again."
"Yinsi and I were discussing a while ago how your riding and archery skills are exactly the same as the Fourth Prince's."
Chu Xian felt even more guilty after hearing this. It turned out that everyone around her could see the Fourth Master's feelings for her, but she was the only one who realized it later.
"I really don't like riding and shooting. I like wielding swords. From now on, I will learn swordsmanship from my master and I will beat you to a pulp."
"Oh, you are so arrogant. When it comes to sword fighting, my Yinsi has never lost. I am his personal disciple."
"Xian'er, I'm going to Tanzhe Temple early tomorrow morning to be the first to burn incense, to get a good start."
"It's time to add incense money to the eternal lamps of my father and mother." Wan Ning sighed sadly.
"I'll also add oil to my mother's lamp."
"No need, I'll go. I want to eat the sachima you made, with more black sesame seeds." Wan Ning reached out and carefully stroked Xian'er's bulging belly.
"You are about to give birth in February. The mountain path is steep. Don't be willful. If anything goes wrong, the Fourth Prince will make me buried with you and your child."
Wan Ning touched her nose and said dejectedly, "If you make any more mistakes, even if the Fourth Prince doesn't say anything, I won't be able to live anymore."
"Look at what you said. I won't go. I'll make you sachima and your favorite almond milk."
"Xian'er, do you think I can really get pregnant? Ever since I told Yinsi that I might be pregnant, he hasn't dared to touch me. No matter how I try to seduce him, he just can't get pregnant..."
"Puff!" Chu Xian spat out a mouthful of scented tea, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Wan Ning! That's not how you say 'accidentally planting willows'. Use fewer idioms."
"Isn't that how it's used? Then how do you describe a couple like that, like that?"
"Ahem..." Chu Xian held her forehead awkwardly. "Eighth Master is worried about your health. If you are really pregnant and he sleeps with you without caring, I will definitely scold him."
"You should read more books!"
Chu Xian took out a dictionary from the bookshelf and put it in Wan Ning's hand.
At lunch, she discovered that the study in Wan Ning's manor was filled with easy-to-understand notebooks and picture dictionaries.
You can tell at a glance that it was carefully prepared by Mr. Ba, but it's a pity that the books in the study are still brand new when opened, but can only stay on the bookshelf to gather dust.
"As long as you and Yinsi don't laugh at me, why should I care about others?" Wan Ning put her hands on her hips and took out her treasured notebook from the chest of drawers with a smile.
"Xian'er, would you like to read Jin Ping Mei? It comes with pictures."
"Fujin! The Fourth Fujin is still pregnant." Nanny Gui frowned when she heard this, and immediately frowned and snatched the pornographic book from Fujin's hand.
Chu Xian's outstretched hand dropped awkwardly, and she winked at the deflated Wan Ning.
Wan Ning understood, stamped her foot, and glared at the servants: "Everyone, go away. I have something private to say to the Fourth Lady."
"Madam, the Fourth Lady is about to give birth, please don't make trouble." Aunt Gui reminded her again and again with concern.
"I understand." Wan Ning waved her hand towards Aunt Gui, "Everyone, go away."
Nanny Gui frowned and walked quickly to the chest of drawers. She stuffed all of Fu Jin's treasured storybooks into Xianrong and Suiqing's hands before leaving.
"Mammy~" Wan Ning wanted to cry but had no tears.
Chu Xian covered her lips and laughed secretly: "Stop it, Aunt Gui will go and complain to the Eighth Master. The Eighth Master has taken away all your treasures."
Wan Ning stomped her feet and sat down at the desk obediently.
"Xian'er, I will go to pray tomorrow, you don't have to go." Wan Ning knew that it was difficult to persuade Xian'er, so she could only remind her again and again.
"But... I want to pray for a peace amulet for my Fourth Master, my father, and my brother. It would be better if I don't go to the Hall of the Dead."
"I've been feeling uneasy these past few days, and I always feel like something's not right."
"I'm worried about the Fourth Master and my father. I'm afraid something might happen to them."
"Xian'er, stop imagining this. It's not good for the child." Wan Ning quickly changed the subject. "What could possibly happen to them? I've already sent someone to Shengjing City to visit your father. If you continue to be suspicious, I'll definitely write a letter home to tell your father about your paranoia."
"I also wanted to ask for amulets for Liang Amu and Uncle Cao, as well as my brother and sister-in-law, and you."
"Xian'er, you used to ask for amulets for me, but from now on, I'll ask for yours. At least don't fight with me for this year's amulet."
"Xian'er, you're about to give birth. Nothing is more important than the safety of you and the little prince, mother and child. Do you understand?"
"What can happen to me? I just need to wait for the fruits to ripen and fall to the ground, and then I can sleep peacefully after the confinement period." Chu Xian's eyes were gentle as she gently stroked her belly.
"Xian'er, if you really want to go, then go."
Wan Ning hesitated for a long time and decided to coax Xian'er first.
"After you pray for the amulet, wait for me in the main hall."
"Okay. I'm not going anywhere." Chu Xian agreed repeatedly, fearing that Wan Ning would change her mind.
"Go and get some rest. I'll call you tomorrow morning."
"I'm really sleepy. I haven't had enough rest these days, and my feet are swollen like pig's trotters." Chu Xian rubbed her swollen cheeks and yawned repeatedly.
"Be sure to wake me up tomorrow."
"Okay, you go and rest early, I'll take a look at the accounts." Wan Ning watched Xian'er leave, and the smile on her face gradually became solemn.
"Madam Gui, tomorrow ask them to be quiet when they get up so as not to disturb Xian'er."
"Fujin, didn't you agree to go to Tanzhe Temple with the Fourth Lady to offer incense? Why didn't you call her?"
Wan Ning shook her head: "Xian'er is about to give birth, and nothing can go wrong. Tomorrow morning, you remind me to get up early, so I can go and come back early."
Nanny Gui nodded, and before dawn the next day, Wan Ning got up yawning. She didn't even dare to ask the kitchen maid to prepare breakfast. She just ate two balls of date paste cake and walked through the remaining snow to Tanzhe Temple to pray.
Not long after she left, Chu Xian tossed and turned, rubbing her brows and stood up.
She had been feeling very upset these past few days, as if some bad news was happening. She got up in a daze, but was shocked to hear that Wan Ning had gone to Tanzhe Temple alone to pray for blessings.
"Suiqing, change your clothes quickly and bring me my pair of seven-point spiked shoes."
"Fujin, before leaving, the Eighth Concubine specifically told me not to go to Tanzhe Temple because the mountain paths are slippery with remaining snow."
"It's okay. I'm wearing the seven-spike shoes that Lord Beile prepared for me. I can walk on the ice as if it were flat ground."
Chu Xian hugged the hot water bottle tightly, her eyebrows throbbing violently. She wanted to go to Tanzhe Temple immediately to ask for amulets for the Fourth Master and Father to calm their anxious emotions.
She also wanted to go see her mother and Wan Ning's mother.
Every time Wan Ning went back to light the eternal lamp for her parents, she would cry heartbrokenly. She was worried that Wan Ning would hurt herself from crying.
After all, Sui Qing and Nanny Gui took turns taking Wan Ning's pulse last night, and both felt that Wan Ning might be pregnant.
But the pregnancy is still young and we haven’t confirmed the pregnancy yet.
"Mammy, get ready quickly." Chu Xian smiled.
Nanny Chun couldn't persuade the Lady, and was about to send someone to inform the Eighth Lady, but the Lady's half-smile looked at her and made her feel cold on her back.
The concubine and the fourth prince look more and more like a couple. They are intimidating without even getting angry, and a single look from them can scare people to death.
"Fujin, the carriage we went out to buy supplies has overturned into a ravine."
Sui Qing's eyes were filled with anxiety: "Something seems to be wrong. The stone bridge leading out of the mountain collapsed last night."
"I ran to the back of the mountain to leave, but the narrow path there was blocked by rocks and I couldn't get out."
"Let Xianrong go find the Flying Guillotine and have it immediately enter the mountain to protect us."
Chu Xian always felt uneasy and vaguely sensed something unusual.
"Bring your weapons and follow me to find Wan Ning."
"Fujin, we're shorthanded right now. Including this servant and Suiqing, there are only four of us waiting on you. How about we wait for the Blood Dropper to arrive before we go look for the Eighth Fujin?"
"I will help you put on your armor first." Nanny Chun realized that danger was lurking everywhere, so she cautiously took out her chain mail and helped Fu Jin put it on.
"Fujin, please be patient and let Xianrong go find the Eighth Fujin. You are too heavy to take such a risk!"
"No, Wan Ning is in danger! I can't abandon her! Xianrong Suiqing! Follow me immediately to find the Eighth Lady!"
Chu Xian's steps were hurried. Wan Ning had fewer servants serving her than she did. There was only one nanny and two maids.
She drove away all the servants left to her by the Eighth Master. Wan Ning's skills were comparable to hers, but they were all fancy moves and could barely deal with three or two petty thieves.
If the thief is a skilled martial artist and comes after Wan Ning...
Chu Xian was so frightened that she held her breath and immediately drew her sword and approached the dark mountain path.
As he walked around a bamboo forest, he saw Wan Ning's servant lying in a pool of blood.
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