Chapter 16
In the study, Song Xuan sat by the desk, looking down at the red jade earring in his palm.
Under the candlelight, that touch of red appeared exceptionally vibrant, like a hint of crimson between the collarbones of a young girl.
With my eyes slightly closed, the blurry scene from that day in the dilapidated temple resurfaced. Though not very clear, the girl's smooth skin, the faint scent of jasmine, and the allure between her fair collarbones would always linger in my mind...
Besides, today, Shen Qingnian squatted outside the dilapidated temple, her thin figure and pale face kept appearing in his mind.
The other person's words, "The smoke and dew are thick with fragrance, I remember meeting you under the moon on the Jade Terrace," reminded him of the Jade Terrace in the night.
That night at Yaotai, although he didn't see the other person's face clearly, he could miraculously imagine the other person's flushed cheeks and watery eyes after getting drunk.
Song Xuan rubbed his temples and looked up to see the Yaotai painting hanging on the wall.
He couldn't help but murmur aloud: "Smoke and dew mingle with a rich, lingering fragrance; I remember meeting you beneath the moon on the Jade Terrace..."
The same jasmine scent, the same red mark on the wrist, and the same red jade earrings that Shen Qingnian also owns.
Could they be the same person?
A moment later, Song Xuan called in Xia Zi, who was guarding the door, and slowly stroked the red jade earring in his hand.
He ordered, "Go and fetch a purse."
Xiazi responded and went out. A moment later, she returned with a light blue purse, simply embroidered with auspicious clouds.
Looking at the delicate stitches, Song Xuan asked, "Was this embroidered by the Empress Dowager?"
“Your Highness, this purse was embroidered by the embroiderers of the Imperial Wardrobe,” Xia Zi replied, head bowed.
Last time, His Highness also asked for a purse, and he brought a purse embroidered by the Empress, but His Highness did not use it. He vaguely remembered that His Highness put that item in the drawer at that time, and that item was very small, similar to the one His Highness is holding now.
That's why he took the purse embroidered by the embroiderer.
Song Xuan said calmly, "Go and fetch the blue purse that Mother Empress embroidered."
A moment later, Xiaxiazi took the purse embroidered by the Empress and handed it to her with both hands.
After picking up the purse, Song Xuan carefully put the red jade earring inside, and then hung the purse around his waist.
He then instructed, "From now on, I will carry this purse with me."
Xia Zi readily agreed, thinking to herself, "His Highness's thoughts are truly unfathomable. Just a few days ago, he casually placed the items inside in the drawer, but tonight he has carefully stored them away."
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The next day.
Shen Qingnian changed into some light clothes, took some embroidery tools, and prepared to leave through the side door with Xiaoju and the housekeeper.
Before leaving the mansion, Xiaoju stood in front of Shen Qingnian and checked her with her hands to see if she had brought anything with her.
When Xiaoju touched the obvious hard lump on Shen Qingnian's waist, her expression stiffened for a moment, but she quickly relaxed.
The butler, who was standing guard outside the door, asked through the door, "Miss, is the carriage outside the manor ready and prepared?"
Shen Qingnian looked at Xiaoju.
The question was addressed to her, but it was actually directed at Xiaoju, who was checking her clothes.
Xiaoju pursed her lips and replied, "Butler, everything is ready for Miss."
After saying that, she helped Shen Qingnian out the door.
The carriage was extremely simple. Every time Shen Zheng sent Shen Qingnian to see Aunt Liu, he was extremely careful, afraid that something might go wrong and outsiders would notice, and also afraid that Shen Qingnian might secretly bring money to see Aunt Liu.
“Miss, the master has instructed that you only have one hour,” Xiaoju said softly to Shen Qingnian, her head slightly lowered, as she sat in the carriage.
Shen Qingnian looked at her and asked, "Xiaoju, you look much more haggard today. Did you not sleep well last night?"
Xiaoju's face was slightly pale, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes, indicating that she hadn't slept well all night.
Upon hearing Shen Qingnian's question, Xiaoju immediately knelt down, kowtowed several times, and then pleaded, "Miss, please save me! I don't want to be a concubine..."
She thought it over and over last night and felt that she was heading down a dead end. She had also witnessed her mistress's wisdom these days, and her only way out now was to join her mistress.
Therefore, when she was checking the young lady's clothes, she did not mention that the young lady had taken money with her when she left the mansion.
Shen Qingnian looked at Xiaoju, a glint of light flashing in her eyes. She sighed, "You are also a pitiful person. From now on, stay by my side."
She needed Xiaoju, or at least someone to cover for her. She didn't care what kind of person that was; as long as the other person could help her now, that was enough.
Xiaoju stood up and promised, "Miss, I will serve you well from now on. As long as you allow me to leave the manor, I will never betray you!"
This was her only request.
Shen Qingnian simply said, "If you keep your promise, I will too."
The carriage stopped at this moment, and Xiaoju's expression had returned to normal. She helped Shen Qingnian down from the carriage.
The steward stood guard in front of the carriage, exchanged a glance with Xiaoju, and the servant guarding the door opened it.
You can see Aunt Liu standing in the courtyard, looking at Shen Qingnian with tears in her eyes. It has been some time since I last saw her, and she seems to have lost some weight. Her clothes look loose on her.
Shen Qingnian's heart tightened slightly. She quickly entered the courtyard, and Xiao Ju followed. The steward and the servant stood guard at the door.
“Aunt, let’s go inside and talk,” Shen Qingnian said, pulling Aunt Liu’s hand as they headed for the house.
Xiaoju stood in the courtyard, not following him inside as she had done the previous times.
inside the house.
Aunt Liu looked at Xiao Ju standing in the courtyard, somewhat puzzled: "Why didn't she come in today?"
She knew Shen Zheng's caution and prudence.
“I bribed her,” Shen Qingnian said, taking out a gold ingot hidden at her waist and placing it on the table.
Aunt Liu was surprised. She looked at the gold ingots on the table and then at Xiao Ju: "Niannian, how did you do that?"
“Aunt, you don’t need to worry about these things. Just keep these gold ingots safe. They will be our support in the future,” Shen Qingnian said, unwilling to say more.
Her aunt was the best person, and also the simplest person. All her aunt needed to do was live a good life.
Aunt Liu knew she didn't have the brains for it. Holding Shen Qingnian's hand, she choked up and said, "Niannian, I can't help you. You must be careful out there."
She kept repeating the same sentence, but it was also the only thing on her mind...
Shen Qingnian's smile was very gentle, and her eyes shone with a faint light. She squeezed Aunt Liu's hand tightly and said, "Aunt, wait for me a little longer. Soon I will be able to take you far away."
As long as she gives birth to her firstborn son, she will definitely give birth to her firstborn son!
When mother and daughter met, Aunt Liu's spirits improved considerably. She talked to Shen Qingnian for a long time before she quickly became tired.
Shen Qingnian left after watching over Aunt Liu until she was fast asleep.
In the days that followed, Shen Qingnian never stepped out of the Shen residence again. She stayed in her boudoir every day, preparing for Song Xuan's birthday.
The most crucial battle is about to begin—
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