When Zhao Yun came out of the Prince Rui's mansion, he saw Yu Ming pacing anxiously at the door like an ant on a hot pan.
As soon as she saw Zhao Yun emerge from inside with a relaxed expression, she rushed forward, grabbed her arm tightly, and together they boarded a simple donkey cart.
On the swaying donkey cart, Yu Ming asked cautiously with concern, "Judging from Miss's appearance, has Prince Rui already agreed to help us?"
Zhao Yun was exhausted, both physically and mentally. She weakly responded with a "Mmm".
On their way back to the Duke's Mansion from the Prince Rui's Mansion, they had to pass through a bustling market.
Zhao Yun covered her face with a handkerchief, not wanting to be recognized.
However, even so, some people still recognized Yu Ming who was next to her.
Before long, the surrounding crowd began to chatter amongst themselves.
"Isn't that Zhao Yun, the eldest daughter of the former Grand Secretary?" someone pointed and whispered.
"Yes, she married Prince Li. Look at her belly, she's quite far along in her pregnancy, so why is she riding in a donkey cart?" another person asked curiously.
"Brother, you don't know, do you? Duke Li has become infatuated with a woman from the Hidden Spring Pavilion, and that woman is pregnant with his child. For the sake of his new lover's child, the Duke has abandoned his wife and his heir. How could he possibly care about the child in his daughter-in-law's belly!" another person said indignantly.
"I heard that the Duchess of the State went back to her maiden home in Chaoyang County in a fit of anger," someone gossiped.
"Oh, poor young mistress. Master Zhao moved away with his whole family before the New Year. Now she's in this situation, with no one to help her. She looks quite pitiful," someone said sympathetically.
"Stop pitying others! We can't even afford to ride in a donkey cart! Let's go!" someone said sarcastically.
These unpleasant words reached Zhao Yun's ears. She held back her tears all the way back to Han Dan Courtyard, where she finally broke down in tears. Seeing Zhao Yun cry, Yu Ming couldn't help but feel sorrow herself and began to weep as well. The two, mistress and servant, wept loudly, creating a very poignant scene.
Just as the two were weeping, the servant who had been watching over Liu Mei in the kitchen came over, knocked on the door, and called out, "Aunt Yu Ming—"
He gestured for Yu Ming to come out.
Yu Ming wiped away her tears and asked him in a low voice what was wrong.
"Liu Mei is dead." The servant boy, his eyes fixed on the room, said in a low voice, "She must have been scared to death; her eyes were wide open—"
"Alright, stop talking, it's creepy." Yu Ming interrupted him and ordered, "I know about this. I'll find a chance to tell the young mistress. Find a sack and throw her away somewhere!"
As she spoke, she took out a few taels of silver from her bosom and handed them to the servant, saying, "Do this quietly, so that no one with ulterior motives can find any fault with it. Go on."
The servant took the silver, thanked him profusely, and left.
When Yu Ming returned to the room, Zhao Yun's crying had gradually subsided, leaving only a few sobs, making her seem particularly helpless.
She walked lightly to Zhao Yun's side, gently helped her up, and the two looked at each other without saying a word, yet there seemed to be an endless tacit understanding flowing between them.
Yu Ming knew that the greatest comfort at this moment was silent companionship.
"Miss, cry it out. You'll feel better after you cry," Yu Ming said softly, her eyes reddening again. She couldn't help but feel sorry for her young mistress. First, her parents moved away and then disappeared without a trace. She had thought that getting married would give her someone to rely on. But the young master was unreliable. At this crucial moment, he actually abandoned her young mistress and Aunt Zhao and went to live with his mother, Bai Wei.
"If only the Second Miss were here," Yu Ming murmured. "The Second Miss is clever and has her own opinions." She sighed and said, "I wonder where the Second Miss is wandering around right now? I miss her a little!"
Zhao Yun nodded, leaning weakly against Yu Ming's shoulder. Once her emotions had calmed slightly, she asked softly, "Have you dealt with Liu Mei's matter?"
Yu Ming nodded and briefly recounted the conversation. Finally, she added, "Don't worry, Miss, I've instructed the servant to handle it properly so that no trace will be left. However, people in this mansion are truly unpredictable, so we must be even more careful."
Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Zhao Yun's eyes, which then turned into deep helplessness. She had once been a proud daughter of heaven, from a distinguished family, but now she had fallen to such a state that she couldn't even decide the life or death of a maid.
But she also understood that now was not the time to wallow in grief; she had to pull herself together and fight for a chance of survival for herself and her unborn child.
"Yu Ming, I'm about to do something that's a bit dangerous, but it can save us from this predicament. I need your help." Zhao Yun leaned over and whispered his plan into Yu Ming's ear.
Yu Ming pondered for a moment and said, “Miss, since Prince Rui has agreed to help us, we should make good use of this opportunity. However, we cannot rely on him completely, after all, things are unpredictable. Collecting evidence against the master is too dangerous, and it is inconvenient for you to hide while you are pregnant. I have been by your side since I was a child and have grown up with you. I can read and write. You can entrust this matter to me.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun's eyes reddened slightly. She held Yu Ming's hand tightly and choked out, "Yu Ming, you...you are the only person I can rely on now..."
Yu Ming looked back at Zhao Yun with determination and said, "Miss, I entered the manor at the age of six and have lived and eaten with you ever since. In my heart, I have long regarded you as my own family. No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, I will walk with you. Moreover, we have no way out now. We can only do our best to strive for a bright future for ourselves and the future young master."
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