"Ever since Liu Lang and I eloped from the palace, we've been hiding in a farmer's home outside the city. Our food and clothing are entirely dependent on the jewelry I pawned when I left the palace."
Dong Xinhui recounted the story slowly, "However, as the days passed, the money I earned from pawning gradually became insufficient to cover my expenses."
"Later, Liu Lang started drinking and gambling with the farmers there. All the jewelry I brought with me was quickly pawned, and we were eventually driven out by the farmer who rented the house to us."
"For a while, we had nowhere to go. I remember there were some pavilions and tents on Liquan Mountain that were usually open to people for viewing. Now, with the arrival of the Western Rong delegation, no one was visiting, so we two hid there. It felt like we had a place to stay."
Hearing what happened to her daughter, Mrs. Dong felt very distressed and shook her head repeatedly.
Dong Zhanqing asked anxiously, "Then how is Chun Hong related to you?"
"One night, a carriage drove up, and out got several Xirong people and a Hua Niang. They seemed to be here to enjoy the moon and drink. Liu Lang and I hid in the tent, not daring to breathe," Dong Xinhui recalled. "But I recognized the woman. I had seen her several times at Baolin Hall. I didn't expect it to be the Hua Niang who accompanied us for drinks."
"For some reason, the Xirong people discovered us. Liu Lang was so frightened that he begged for mercy. They muttered a few words we couldn't understand and then left."
"I thought the matter was over, but Hua Niang recognized me and asked for a folk remedy for my heart disease." Dong Xinhui smiled bitterly, "But where do I even have a folk remedy? I lied about finding the remedy and my improved health so I could elope with Liu Zixue. I just wanted to use this to reduce the number of maids and servants serving me so I could escape from the mansion."
"The so-called illusion of recovery was simply the Five Stones Powder Liu Zixue secretly gave me, creating the illusion of mental recovery. Now that the drug has stopped, my body has become even weaker. I collapse even when I get off the carriage."
No matter how much Mrs. Dong felt sorry for her daughter, she lost control of her emotions when she heard this and hit her twice with a tone of deep reproach.
"How could you do such a stupid thing for that bastard? ...Then why did you hurt people's lives?"
Dong Xinhui hurriedly explained, "I told her the truth at the time, but she realized Liu Lang and I were eloping. She got angry and made some sarcastic remarks about us... Liu Lang wasn't convinced, and when he saw her turning to leave, he pulled out a dagger and stabbed her in the back, killing her instantly."
The coffin in the mourning hall was carefully carried out. Whether what Dong Xinhui said was true or just her one-sided statement still needs further verification.
The Ministry of Justice will make a further conclusion after interrogating Liu Zixue.
The commotion in Dong's mansion early in the morning attracted onlookers from outside the mansion, and a coffin was carried out from inside and transported to the Ministry of Justice, which caused even more discussion.
…
On the other side, at the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion, although everything was finally safe last night because the Jingzhao Yin came in person to convey a message to Xue Yuanchu, Jiang Shuxiu tossed and turned in Tingyu Pavilion all night and had a restless sleep.
She got up a little later than usual this morning. Rui'er and Lai Xi helped her wash and dress as usual, and breakfast was also set on the table.
Jiang Shuxiu still had a poor appetite. After just a small bowl of rock sugar water chestnut and lily soup and half a yam bun, she lost her appetite.
Thinking of Xue Yuanchu yesterday, she couldn't help but say with concern, "The weather is getting warmer. Ask the kitchen to prepare less meaty and greasy dishes for the prince to avoid getting angry easily. He likes sweet-scented osmanthus, glutinous rice, lotus root, and bamboo fungus. Ask the kitchen to prepare lunch and send it over."
Rui'er nodded in response, while Lai Xi couldn't help but chuckle with his hands covering his mouth. The atmosphere in the room became relaxed and cheerful.
At this moment, Mother Han suddenly appeared. She looked into the house, as if looking for something, but seemed to have found nothing. A look of confusion appeared on her face, and she shook her head slightly.
Lai Xi saw this and immediately stepped forward to ask, "Mom is here, what's going on?"
Mother Han finally came to her senses and greeted Jiang Shuxiu, "Good morning, Madam. It's nothing important. I just went to Lanyue Pavilion to deliver breakfast, but I didn't see the prince. I don't even know where Guanqi went, so I came to see you, Madam..."
Jiang Shuxiu was slightly stunned when she heard this, then she understood what Mother Han meant. A blush appeared on her face and she shook her head gently: "Mom, I think you misunderstood. The prince didn't stay here last night..."
"...Oh, I was confused. I guess the prince went to the garden. I will go look for him, otherwise the breakfast in Lanyue Pavilion will get cold." Mother Han said as she left Tingyuxuan with a slightly embarrassed smile.
Rui'er watched Mother Han's back until she completely disappeared outside the courtyard gate. She then looked away and couldn't help but chuckle, "I really didn't realize Mother Han was so troublesome."
Jiang Shuxiu shook her head slightly. "When people get older, they always like to care about trivial things. Mother Han has been in the mansion for so many years, and her concern for the prince is also from the heart. Don't make fun of her."
"As you wish," Rui'er replied respectfully, suppressing her smile. She then accompanied Jiang Shuxiu to the Prajna Hall to pay her respects to Madam Hong Yingrong.
Walking slowly through the winding corridors of the mansion, you will see lotus buds in the garden pond, about to bloom. Soon, the pond will be filled with the fragrance of lotus, a picturesque scene that will make you intoxicated.
As soon as I stepped into the Prajna Hall, I saw Hong Yingrong and her younger sister Xue Shanqiu having breakfast.
Xue Shanqiu playfully said to her mother, "I just woke up and Fourth Sister has already gone to the embroidery room, busy embroidering her wedding dress. In my opinion, Mother, you should let her marry Brother Jiang as soon as possible."
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