Ms. Li only found out this morning that Ms. Zhang had been sent out yesterday. She had returned home with Meng Qi last night, and it was so late that she had just washed up and gone to bed, and she hadn't noticed that there was no light on in the room opposite.
This morning, the little maid who had been taking care of her told her that after they left yesterday, Ms. Zhang's cough became more severe. Yuandong brought a doctor to see her, but the condition was not good, so Mother Liu asked someone to harness a carriage and take her to the farm to rest.
Ms. Li drank the white porridge, and she knew in her heart that Ms. Zhang had been ill for such a long time and had not recovered. It was impossible for her to stay in the yard forever, especially at the end of the year. If something really happened, it would be a big taboo.
Ms. Li tried hard to recall when Ms. Zhang's cough had started to get worse. It seemed like she had been able to go to Yinyan Pavilion to chat with Concubine Wu just a dozen days ago, and she had been there quite frequently during that period.
By the time Concubine Wu stopped going to Jing'an Garden, Ms. Zhang was also unable to leave the house.
"Do you know which farm to send it to?" Ms. Li always felt something was wrong, so she asked the little girl softly.
The little girl was clearing away the dishes. "I don't know. They took her away on an oxcart. Sister Yuandong personally took her to the West Corner Gate and comforted Ms. Zhang, saying she'd pick her up when she was better. How about I ask Sister Yuandong? Is Ms. Li planning to go see Ms. Zhang?"
In the little girl's opinion, the two of them were both female historians, who came to the mansion together from the palace. They usually sat in the left and right rooms of the east wing of the east courtyard, and they had a good relationship.
Ms. Li shook her head. "No need. Don't ask. It has nothing to do with us."
Watching the little girl carrying the food box out of the yard, Ms. Li took out a piece of red rope from the box on the dressing table and walked out.
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Seeing Xiao Lin's half-smile, Meng Qi said coldly, "You've been very supportive of Bai, yet you're asking for something like this on her behalf."
Xiao Lin smiled softly, "After all, she was my sister's maiden who came with her as a dowry, and we both came from the Lin family. Ever since my sister's time, we've given her this grace, allowing her to go to the temple every year to offer sacrifices to her parents. Later, when my sister passed away, Sister Gong took over the household, but she didn't care about these trivial matters and pushed them all onto me. As for Bai's matter, it's even more difficult for me to change it. Now that the princess has entered the house, I should naturally ask for your instructions."
"Why doesn't she come herself? I'm not that evil mistress, so how can I not allow her?" Meng Qi said unhappily.
Xiao Lin said, "She is timid and cautious. She doesn't dare to bother you with such a small matter."
Meng Qi snorted coldly, "I see, you're a brave one. Okay, she used to go every year, but I didn't ask her to go this year. It's like I'm blocking her."
Xiaolin heard this, smiling but thinking to herself, "You've got to be able to hold it back. These days you've been so focused on asserting your authority within the mansion, you don't realize I've already managed the outer courtyard so well. I'll give you a big gift in a few days, and see how you can still act so arrogantly in front of me."
"Thank you, Princess. I will tell Mrs. Bai right away and ask her to pray for you when she goes to the temple."
"No need. I don't need a concubine to pray for me. Tell her to choose a day and go quickly. It's the end of the year and there are a lot of things to do in the mansion. There are people everywhere."
Xiao Lin nodded in agreement and continued, "If the princess needs a maid, just let me know and I will be at your service."
Meng Qi raised her eyes and said sneerfully, "I heard you've been visiting the Young Master of the Outer Court quite frequently lately. How about I hand over the Young Master's Outer Court affairs to you?"
Xiao Lin was delighted and pretended to be embarrassed, "It's all the prince's idea. Besides, the eldest young master has been with me since he was a child. This is the first time he goes to the outer courtyard, so I have to take care of him. If the Viscount's Mansion asks about it later, I won't be left without an answer."
Meng Qi looked at Xiao Lin's smug expression and snorted coldly, "I heard that it was you who suggested to Madam Hai and the prince that Baochun be placed in the eldest young master's courtyard?"
"No, that was Madam Hai's own idea. It has nothing to do with me."
"You know how Baochun got out of Jing'an Garden. Don't break the rules." Meng Qi said seriously.
Xiao Lin agreed without hesitation, but she felt disdainful in her heart. Thinking about what Bai had said to her that day and the paper package handed to Baochun, she couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth.
Watching Xiao Lin twist and turn and leave Jing'an Garden, Yuan Dong came in and said, "Princess, everything has been arranged. Jiang Wu has already brought her brother out."
"Oh? No trace left?"
"No, there was a fire in the second house of the Guan family yesterday, and a young master who was staying there was burned to death."
Meng Qi nodded and looked at the snowflakes floating outside the window again. "Bai, don't blame me for being cruel. It was you who betrayed me first. I'm already doing a good deed by sending you and your sister together."
After a while, Lixia came into the house, brushing off the snow on her body, and signaled Xiaoman to pass on the message. Xiaoman smiled and said, "The princess said that if you bring back any news, just report it."
Yuan Dong heard the two talking outside and opened the door to the east room with a smile. "The snow is getting heavier. Don't you have a cloak?"
Lixia hummed, "When I first went there, it was just a light snowfall, so I didn't take it seriously. When we came back, Changsheng actually gave me an umbrella, but I thought it was too much trouble. It's not raining. Princess, are you not taking a break?"
Yuan Dong nodded, "No, I'm waiting for your reply."
Lixia took a sip of the hot tea handed to her by Xiaoman and went into the east room.
Meng Qi listened to Lixia's report with her eyes closed, "Pills?" Meng Qi asked with her eyes open.
Lixia hummed, "It's said that Aunt Bai took it to the outer courtyard a few days ago. Xiaoyan clearly remembers putting it in a box. She said Concubine Lin gave it to the eldest young master to refresh his mind after studying. But yesterday I saw it in Baochun's cabinet."
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