On a day off, Gu Yaoniang accepted Princess Ruining's invitation to visit the princess's residence to enjoy the spring scenery.
Early spring is not warm, so the tables and chairs were not set up in a breezy place like a gazebo or garden, but rather in a warm pavilion.
Princess Ruining did not invite many people this time, only Wang Zhilan and Gu Yaoniang, plus Xie Danqiu who had not yet arrived.
It was a gathering of girlfriends.
Gu Yaoniang still remembers the first time she came to the princess's mansion, Xie Danqiu and Wang Zhilan accompanied her, which eased her initial awkwardness.
Now that they are good friends, they can't help but feel a little sentimental when they think back to the scene of their first meeting.
The princess's residence features winding corridors and staggered courtyards. The three of them did not confine themselves to the warm pavilion, but instead walked through the courtyard with their entourage.
The courtyard is already lush and green, and some of the carefully nurtured flowers have already bloomed, showing signs of the approaching spring.
As Gu Yaoniang walked, she unconsciously looked at the exquisite carvings above the corridor, marveling at the ingenious craftsmanship when the princess's mansion was built.
"What time is it? Why hasn't Ah Qiu arrived yet?"
Gu Yaoniang suddenly heard Princess Ruining scold her.
Linlang had been following at a close distance. When she heard Princess Ruining ask the question, she hurriedly stepped forward and replied, "Your Highness, it is already noon."
Princess Ruining paused in stroking the flower branch. The invitation clearly stated that the time was 9:00 AM, so that those with elders at home could come over after paying their respects to their elders and have lunch together at the princess's residence.
Xie Danqiu was the only one among them who got married, so going out was not as convenient as it had been when she was a young lady, which was quite normal.
But surely it shouldn't be an hour late!
She wondered if Xie Danqiu had run into trouble, and a worried look flashed across her face.
"Has the Qin family sent anyone over?"
Linlang had not received any news from the gatekeeper. Upon hearing that someone from the Xie family had arrived, she simply curtsied and said, "This servant will send someone to the gatekeeper to check."
Having said that, he turned and sent his maid to run the errand.
Gu Yaoniang comforted her, "Perhaps something came up at home that delayed you."
Wang Zhilan was also somewhat worried. Hearing Gu Yaoniang speak, she hesitated and said, "My cousin was never late before. Even if something delayed her, she would send someone to deliver a message. I wonder if that old hag has upset her again."
The three remained silent.
Last time, when Zhao Yao and Gu Yaoniang invited Xie Danqiu out, Xie Danqiu said she would handle it herself when she got home. The two thought that no matter how close they were, this was Xie Danqiu's own family matter, and it was not appropriate for them to interfere.
After that, Xie Danqiu didn't mention it again, so they didn't ask.
Xie Danqiu would only suffer some indignation, and it was likely that the Qin family wouldn't dare to truly harm her. Suffering some indignation was good; it would help her understand things and harden her heart.
If their friends were to interfere, it might actually be counterproductive.
"Ah Qiu now..."
Princess Ruining wanted to ask Wang Zhilan, since they were cousins and might know more information.
But I don't know how to start the conversation.
What's the question? Have you divorced?
Obviously not. Otherwise, she would have known.
Wang Zhilan sighed first before slowly speaking: "I heard it's gotten even more intense lately. Didn't the results of the annual examinations come out a while ago? My cousin was on the list, and we were all very happy."
But things got even more complicated at the Qin family's place. The Qin family matriarch disliked Xuanxuan, but insisted that since her cousin needed to focus on preparing for the exam, she wouldn't have much time to take care of Xuanxuan, and she insisted on taking Xuanxuan to her room.
My cousin is worried sick every day, and can't concentrate on her studies, yet she can't resist the old lady's high-sounding words.
Wang Zhilan clearly disliked the Qin family matriarch very much.
Indeed, they are sisters, and their relationship has always been close, so they see things more than others.
"I thought it was a good match, but I never expected it to turn out like this. If my cousin hadn't taken the imperial examinations, there probably wouldn't have been so much trouble."
"Ah Han! How could you think like that!"
Princess Ruining was somewhat reproachful.
"A-Qiu wants to have her own career; she hasn't done anything wrong. The Qin family is unwilling to let her break free from their constraints, and that's the Qin family's fault! How can you blame A-Qiu!"
Wang Zhilan was a little stunned. But aren't women supposed to take care of their families first before going out to work?
She looked at Gu Yaoniang for help.
Gu Yaoniang pretended not to see and did not speak.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Wang Zhilan seemed to harbor some resentment towards her just now. She, of course, refrained from speaking.
The sisterly bond between Wang Zhilan and Xie Danqiu, spanning over a decade, was incomparable to her own. It was understandable that she would resent her; there was nothing to be angry about.
However, she shared the same thoughts as Princess Ruining, so it was impossible for her to speak up for Wang Zhilan at this time.
The atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment.
At this moment, the maid who had gone to the gatehouse to ask questions returned, walked to Linlang's side, and whispered a few words in her ear.
Linlang walked up to Princess Ruining and gently shook her head.
Wang Zhilan and Gu Yaoniang's expressions also became more serious.
Princess Ruining was furious: "That old hag must be up to her again, trying to stop A-Qiu from leaving the house! She's gone too far! She dares to stop me from coming to my princess's residence! Linlang!"
Linlang quickly replied in a deep voice, "Yes."
"Take some men and go to the Qin family to see what's going on. Ask them if I have to personally go to the Qin family to fetch their daughter-in-law before I can even invite her out!"
Linlang responded and went out. Seeing that Princess Ruining was still upset, Gu Yaoniang comforted her, "Let's wait a bit."
For a moment, none of the three were in the mood for joking anymore. They returned to the warm pavilion, sat down, drank tea, and waited.
Nuange heard hurried footsteps approaching.
"So fast? Could it be that you already ran into my cousin on the way?"
Wang Zhilan stood up happily and went to greet the person outside the door.
The person who entered was an old servant whose clothes were somewhat disheveled, and he did not seem to be from the princess's residence.
Gu Yaoniang's expression changed when she saw the person who came.
"Uncle Zhong? What brings you here!"
Princess Ruining and Wang Zhilan noticed Gu Yaoniang's expression and knew something was amiss. They exchanged a glance and sighed inwardly—how come things all happened at the same time!
"Wife! Hurry home! Something terrible has happened!"
Uncle Zhong disregarded etiquette, hastily bowed, and then urgently addressed Gu Yaoniang.
"What is it? Is it your second uncle?"
Gu Yaoniang was also flustered. Why had she ever seen Uncle Zhong in such a hurry? Could it be that something had happened to her second uncle?
Uncle Zhong quickly interrupted her: "Second Master is alright, but something has happened at home. Madam..."
Gu Yaoniang looked at Princess Ruining and Wang Zhilan with a troubled expression. She was also worried about Xie Danqiu, who still didn't know anything about her and was somewhat concerned.
Princess Ruining and Wang Zhilan urged, "Go back quickly! It's alright. If anything happens, we'll send you a message."
Seeing Gu Yaoniang's hesitation, Princess Ruining gave her a push: "Go quickly! With me here, don't you feel at ease?"
Gu Yaoniang then led Uncle Zhong out the door quickly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
