As the weather gradually warmed up, Lu Yao's embroidery speed increased considerably.
Under the pavilion, Lu Yao was embroidering a purse, while Lu Qiqi was holding a storybook and staring blankly.
The maid who refused to let Zeng out back then has long since disappeared without a trace.
The only thing we can do is start with the gatekeeper who was suddenly replaced back then, hoping to find some clues.
During this time, she stayed at the Marquis of Lin'an's residence and spent time with everyone there.
All indications suggest that after her mother's death, she would never have been turned away by the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion.
As for what happened during that time, she still needs to investigate thoroughly.
She had considered asking her maternal grandmother directly, but she felt that if her grandmother knew the reason, she wouldn't still be searching for the truth about what happened back then.
To avoid alerting the enemy, she still chose to have the Shadow Guards conduct a thorough investigation.
After all, in this new capital city, apart from Song Yanqing's people, there was no one else who could make her feel completely at ease.
"elder sister."
"elder sister."
"Um?"
Lu Qiqi snapped out of her daze and realized that Lu Yao was already standing in front of her. "What's wrong?"
Lu Yao handed her the purse and said, "Sister, look at the gold ingots embroidered on this. Do you like them?"
If you don't like it, I'll revise it again.
Lu Qiqi took the purse and looked at the three round gold ingots stacked together in an endearing way.
She chuckled softly, "Ah Yao is so skillful. I love gold ingots like these."
Who doesn't love gold ingots? They'd love to have as many as possible!
Lu Yao was delighted to receive the praise and returned to her seat to continue embroidering the purse.
Madam Chen's courtyard.
Xuan Wenying and Ding Wanyue were both there, and the three women, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, sat together drinking tea.
Madam Chen remembered something and said, "Qiqi and Ayao have been back at the manor for some time now. Young ladies like pretty clothes and jewelry."
Before the Lunar New Year, arrangements were made for both daughters from the second wife.
"The two of them can't be left out either; Wenying should take extra care of this."
Ding Wanyue thought of taking over the work, but since the old lady had spoken directly, she couldn't say much.
The thought of her eldest daughter's hostility towards Lu Qiqi gave her a terrible headache, and she dared not ask her two daughters for advice.
After her daughter got married, only Lu Changping lived in the courtyard.
At the time, she didn't know why Lu Changping acted like a mouse before a cat whenever she saw her.
Looking back now, perhaps he was afraid she would discover some secret.
Xuan Wenying smiled and said, "Yes, Mother."
I really like those two girls, Qiqi and Ayao.
When I have some free time, I'll have the embroiderers come to the mansion to take their measurements.
Ding Wanyue sat to the side, unusually silent, and picked up her teacup to take a small sip of tea.
The tea was a bit too hot, and her tongue went numb instantly, but she only stiffened for a moment and didn't make any big movements that would make her notice.
......
Ever since Yuqing learned that Lu Changping's identity was fake, she has been restless.
After Yu Lu visited her, Lady Anchang assumed that she hadn't spoken out of turn, so she granted her the right to leave the manor.
After all, keeping someone locked up in the mansion might arouse suspicion.
Today, Yuqing was ordered to buy food.
Lady Anchang always prided herself on her intelligence, so she did this specifically for the people of the Marquis of Lin'an's residence.
Therefore, I specifically requested the ginseng chicken soup at Chenfu Restaurant.
The waiter packed the ginseng chicken soup into a food box and handed it to Yuqing, saying, "Miss Qing, if this ginseng soup gets cold after you get home, just warm it up over a low flame."
"Thank you," Yuqing said, taking the food box and turning to the nanny beside her. "Pay the money."
The old woman looked surprised, but when she saw that the shop assistant looked perfectly normal, as if it were the proper thing to do, she reluctantly took out the silver.
As the two left the restaurant, the old woman grumbled, "The Marquis of Lin'an's mansion is so stingy."
The fourth young mistress has only been married into the Anchang Marquis's household for a short time, and she has to pay for her own ginseng chicken soup.
He spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for Yuqing to hear.
The matter was made so obvious that if Yuqing still didn't understand what the nanny meant, then she would truly be a fool.
She pursed her lips and said calmly, "The Marquis of Lin'an's mansion has always been like this. The Marquis of Lin'an's mansion has never withheld the monthly allowance for the young lady in the mansion."
That's why, when Second Master runs his shop, he never lets anyone eat for free.
Upon hearing this, the old woman's face stiffened. She couldn't refute such a veiled insult, otherwise she would truly be known as a freeloader.
He simply remarked casually, "Miss Qing is indeed young and quick-witted!"
Yuqing said calmly, "I am not as good as you, Granny. There are still many things I need to learn from you."
For example, how to get a free meal.
The old woman was furious and snatched the food box from Yuqing's hand. "Madam is waiting to drink some hot soup. Miss Yuqing is young and has good legs, so why don't you walk back to the manor?"
After saying that, the old woman handed the food box to the servant, got into the carriage, and left Yuqing alone.
Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Yuqing muttered under her breath, "Old man, still trying to freeload? Keep dreaming!"
After venting her anger, Yuqing felt much better and decided to return to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence.
Lu Changping's identity was fake, but the dowry she brought was made of real gold and silver.
Now, all those things are firmly in the hands of Lady Anchang.
Lu Changping was still hoping to gain status through her son, but Qu Zikun never even entered the courtyard, so where would she get an heir?
"Trying to run away? If you don't pay up today, I'll break your legs!"
On her way to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence, Yuqing passed by a gambling den and saw a man being surrounded and beaten by several people.
There were quite a few onlookers standing around, and the road was blocked. If they took a detour, it would take an extra half hour.
Just as Yuqing was about to give up and return home, the man covered in footprints was lifted up by several people.
The man muttered curses, "Do you know who my niece is?"
"The fourth young mistress of the Marquis of Anchang, a cousin of the Marquis of Lin'an, has offended me. I'll make you regret it!"
Upon hearing this, Yuqing, who was about to turn back, immediately stopped.
She then recognized the man.
She and Lu Changping had seen this person when they left the mansion.
Lu Changping said that this person had saved her life, and in order to repay the favor, she had given him a lot of money.
In retrospect, it was all a lie.
"Alright, since you're still the young lady's uncle, let your niece pay off your debts!"
As he spoke, he was dragged away by the thugs from the gambling den and headed towards the Anchang Earl's residence.
Once the matter involves powerful and influential people, the onlookers gradually disperse, fearing that they might get involved in such sordid affairs and be implicated.
Anyone with eyes can see that a gambling addict who can't pay his gambling debts can't say anything.
If this group of people goes to the Marquis of Anchang's residence, they will likely be driven out.
It's best to avoid such an unlucky spectacle.
Yuqing hid behind the crowd and waited until everyone dispersed before giving up on returning to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence and instead heading back to the Earl of Anchang's residence.
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