Chapter 372 A Sleepless Night
Hu Xiner returned to the ground along the passage she came from. The study in front of her was still quiet and no one noticed that the door had been opened.
She pretended nothing had happened and returned to the room. The candle on the old lady's side had been extinguished. It was probably because it was late at night, and the old lady and Liu Se had both gone to bed.
In Lanxin Garden, Yun Qiu opened her eyes hazily and was startled to see Hu Xiner who had just returned.
"Young Madam, where have you been?" She was smart enough to ask in a low voice.
Hu Xin'er didn't want others to worry about her, so she smiled nonchalantly and said, "I just got up to go to the bathroom."
"Why didn't you wake me up?" Yun Qiu said half-believingly, but with some self-blame, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have slept so soundly."
The maid's sincere concern warmed Hu Xin'er's cold heart. She shook her head and smiled, comforting her, "It's nothing. Go back to sleep."
But when she returned to her room, she tossed and turned in bed, but couldn't fall asleep.
The thrill and fear she had just experienced in the dungeon seemed to still linger on her, and she only realized it belatedly now.
As soon as she closed her eyes, the scenes that had just happened would replay in front of her eyes.
Liu Se asked her to help find the key to unlock the chains before she was willing to tell the truth about the Lu family tragedy.
Even Hu Xiner might not be able to accept the truth, but the Lu family is in a critical situation now. She has thought of so much and must help the Lu family find evidence as soon as possible.
Where would the key be?
Hu Xiner stared at the ceiling of the bed in a daze. She guessed that the key must be with Old Master Liu.
But how to get the key is a problem.
Thinking about this question, Hu Xiner couldn't sleep all night.
When Hu Xin'er woke up the next day, she was just finishing her breakfast when she heard a knock on the door. It turned out to be Chen.
She is a gentle person and this time she came to persuade Hu Xiner.
Hu Xiner had a good impression of her aunt and asked her to sit down with a smile.
Chen looked at her face and said with a smile, "Didn't you sleep well last night? I have a few boxes of the best pearl powder, a gift from the Empress. It's delicate and gentle on the skin. You're pregnant, so heavy makeup isn't suitable. Pearl powder is perfect for you."
Hu Xin'er couldn't refuse, so she thanked him with a smile.
Chen then got to the point: "I've heard about the Lu family's affairs. You don't have to worry too much. Your uncle will take care of everything for you."
She paused, then continued, "It's just that the old man is old and can't stand being contradicted by the younger generation. You'd better restrain yourself in front of him and not be so tough."
Hu Xin'er thought of Old Master Liu's words, and a hint of displeasure unconsciously crossed her brows. "Does my aunt also think that I should get a divorce?"
Chen said angrily, "Why do you think so? Even in an ordinary family, no in-laws would immediately think of asking their daughter-in-law to divorce when something goes wrong."
"Then why did the old man do this? If I had known this would happen, I would not have recognized me back then." Hu Xiner felt uncomfortable whenever she thought of the word divorce, but she couldn't take her anger out on Chen, so she complained softly.
Chen held her hand and said, "What are you talking about? Blood ties are inseparable. I think the old man is too concerned about you and loves you so much. He's afraid that if something happens to the Lu family, you'll be implicated, so he wants to protect you as soon as possible, which is why he lost his composure."
Hu Xin'er remained silent. Who said blood ties couldn't be severed? Liu Se was still being held captive underground by his own father.
Seeing her expression of dismay, Chen glanced at the person beside her. She dismissed the servants and said softly, "I'm not saying these things to make you swallow your anger. Otherwise, our family wouldn't have moved out."
"Then what does aunt mean..." Hu Xiner asked gloomily.
Chen said quietly, "No matter what you plan in your heart, you must appear respectful on the surface so that no one can find fault with you."
Hu Xiner immediately understood.
Seeing that she understood, Chen smiled and said, "I'm only telling you this, don't tell anyone else."
"Who does my aunt think I am?" Hu Xin'er said angrily.
Chen added, "Old Master's birthday is coming up soon. You should behave well and mend your relationship with him. As for severing ties with the Liu family, never say anything like that again."
Hu Xiner nodded in agreement. Just when she was feeling sleepy, someone brought her a pillow!
If you want to get the key, don't you have to start with Old Master Liu?
Old Master Liu must have put the key in a relatively hidden place. It is impossible to take it by force. After all, the Liu family is heavily guarded and even the prince cannot get in.
The only thing I can do is to gain his trust and wait for an opportunity to get the key.
A birthday might be a good time!
On the surface, Hu Xin'er was still chatting with Chen, but her mind had already drifted to Old Lady Liu's birthday party.
She planned to make a unique birthday gift for Mr. Liu to please him, and then find a way to get the key!
When it comes to birthday gifts, Hu Xiner only thinks of birthday peaches. This is naturally not the big red birthday peaches of modern times. According to the production level and logistics in ancient times, they cannot be found at this time of year.
She thought of using flour to make pastries like longevity peaches.
But the problem is, using longevity peaches as birthday gifts has been a tradition since ancient times. If she can think of it, others can naturally think of it too. Ordinary longevity peaches are too common and not easy to stand out.
However, making flowers on pastries also involves her blind spot in knowledge.
After all, she is the woman who is recognized as a cooking black hole.
After Chen left, Hu Xiner thought for a long time but still couldn't come up with any solution.
She called Yunqiu and asked if there were any famous pastry chefs in the capital.
Yun Qiu was a little surprised to learn that she wanted to give Old Master Liu a birthday gift, but she didn't say anything. "If Young Madam wants to celebrate, why not paint a picture yourself? The most famous pastry chefs are basically employed by the rich and powerful. Even those who still do business outside rarely take private jobs."
Hu Xin'er sighed, "The Liu family has so many paintings and calligraphy. Even if I draw a picture, it may not be pleasing to the eye."
Yun Qiu smiled and said, "In fact, as long as the young lady presents a birthday gift, she is showing her filial piety to Old Master Liu, and Old Master Liu will definitely be happy."
Hu Xiner thought about it and agreed, this was the only way.
Besides, she didn't want to bother with Old Master Liu anymore.
"Or I can write a birthday message and stuff it inside the birthday peach? After all, I made it myself, so Old Master Liu shouldn't be ungrateful." Hu Xiner muttered, making up her mind.
She did it right away and learned how to make longevity peaches.
But in order to avoid being seen, she could only do it quietly in her room.
But... imagination is beautiful, reality is cruel.
Looking at the bizarrely shaped "longevity peach" in front of her, Hu Xin'er couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
"Do you think I can take this out?" she asked awkwardly.
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