Chapter 106 It turns out that it’s not just Hengge’er who’s interested in Ying’er
Rong was shocked. She had watched Du Heng grow up, so she knew that his statement of feelings meant that he had made up his mind, and that it had to be Ying'er.
However, the current situation is chaotic and complicated, and Du Heng's mother, Cheng, is still unaware of the rumors spreading outside the mansion and is still pinning her hopes on the Shangshu's daughter.
There is also Yuan Song, who is Ying'er's childhood sweetheart and is no less talented and handsome than Heng'er.
Rong sighed softly, not knowing how to respond for a moment.
Unexpectedly, Du Heng didn't wait for her to express her opinion. Instead, he spoke directly: "Second Aunt, you are not only my Second Aunt, but also Ying'er's aunt. I don't want to hide anything from you, so I am telling you my feelings now."
He paused here, then said frankly: "I know that Ying'er is a good girl, and hundreds of families are seeking her. I also know that now is not the time to decide these things. But I only ask that you can keep a place for me in your heart. I will do my best to deal with the current matters one by one. At that time, if you are willing to look at me together with others and make a choice, I will also..."
At this point, Du Heng suddenly paused.
He wanted to say, "If you think someone else is better, I'll give in." But what came to his mind were the words Ying'er had written between the pages of the book, the image of her smiling back while holding the dough figurine. He could no longer utter such words.
Rong looked at his expression, her heart filled with mixed emotions. After a long pause, she said softly, "Second Aunt knows what you mean. Don't worry, I know what to do."
Her tone was gentle, but every word was firm: "Right now, we should get to the bottom of this matter as soon as possible. Remember, Second Aunt wants you well."
When Su Ying went to the side hall of the main courtyard to look for her aunt, Du Heng had already returned to the study. He wanted to draw the portrait of the thief as soon as possible so that Li Mao could find him earlier.
Rong was slightly startled when she saw her return: "Didn't you just go back to the side courtyard?"
Seeing that the maids and stewards had all left, Su Ying told her aunt about Biyu's unusual behavior and how she had tested Jinniang. "Jinniang was really thrown off balance by my provocation. If you could send someone to keep an eye on her, perhaps you could find out how she got involved with all those people."
Rong was stunned when he heard this.
She originally confided her suspicions to Su Ying because she had no one to talk to, but she didn't expect that Ying'er not only listened to her, but also took the initiative to test and set up a trap.
Su Ying hadn't noticed her aunt's expression change. She was only focused on sharing what she had seen, her urgency evident. "I took a close look at Jinniang's injuries today, and they're indeed suspicious. Although there were only faint marks, they were intensely red. If you didn't look closely, you'd think the wound was still swollen. But when I mentioned that my cousin might not make it, her forehead broke out in sweat, and the sweat ran down the wound, turning it red in the blink of an eye."
"Aunt, you must send someone to keep a close eye on this. The sooner this matter is resolved, the sooner my cousin can prepare for the exam with peace of mind."
She finished speaking in one breath, with an expression that was rarely seen before, showing an eagerness and seriousness that actually made Rong a little dazed.
It turns out that Heng Ge'er is not the only one who is interested in Ying'er.
Rong then recalled that it was Ying'er who first brought Wanyi home, calmly handled the situation, and reported it to her. Later, Ying'er deliberately avoided the library and Mr. Bai's lectures. She had assumed it was at her urging, but now it seemed the shrewd Ying'er had already realized that the Du family might have made a promise to Jinniang because of her selfless protection, and so she took the initiative to avoid them. No wonder, even though Ying'er had retreated to the side courtyard those days, her expression was filled with unconcealed sadness.
Now it all makes sense.
Rong sighed secretly. Seeing through it but not saying it out loud was probably the only thing she could do right now.
She comforted Su Ying, saying, "I was going to send someone to keep an eye on the wing rooms. Based on what you said, I'm afraid we'll have to place spies there today. Ying'er, just go back to the side courtyard without worry. Your aunt is here to take care of everything else."
Su Ying heaved a sigh of relief after hearing this, and she didn't want to bother her aunt any further. Just as she was about to say goodbye, she heard her aunt say, "Brother Heng sent Taoxi here today, saying that she wants to come and wait on you. Now that I'm in charge of the household, Xiuyu is busy running around with me, and I thought you really should have someone by your side. But judging by you, I thought you were in the side courtyard, so I asked her to go look for you there. You'll be able to see her when you go back."
Su Ying paused. She had clearly said everything, so why did Taoxi still want to follow her?
As expected, just as her aunt said, before Su Ying even reached the side yard, she saw Taoxi waiting at the gate from afar.
Seeing her return, Taoxi knelt down and said, "Miss, I have thought carefully about what you said to me that day. You are kind and compassionate. I am willing to follow you. Even if you leave the Du Mansion one day, I will be willing to serve you. The young master also told me that since I have chosen to follow you, I must be a loyal servant to you."
"My lady, I did go to the library at the young master's behest, and I didn't mean to hide it from you. My lady, I will never do such half-hearted things again."
Taoxi kowtowed to Su Ying and then fell to the ground. After an unknown amount of time, he heard the young lady sigh from above his head: "Although it is spring now, the ground is still cold. Get up quickly!"
Taoxi looked up and said, "Miss."
Su Ying glanced at her and went straight into the side yard. Tao Xi immediately understood and stood up and followed Su Ying.
......
Ever since Su Ying said her cousin might miss the imperial examination because of the rumors, Jinniang's heart hadn't been at peace. She was afraid Su Ying was jealous and deliberately saying these things to provoke her. But she was also afraid that if Su Ying's words were true and harmed her cousin, the consequences would be greater than the gains.
She really didn't dare to take the risk!
So she hurriedly picked up a pen and wrote on the paper "The matter is over, no need to make a fuss anymore" in eight big characters, intending to put the note on the stone lion as soon as possible to ask Cai Jiu to stop.
After dinner, she used the same trick again and found an excuse to send Biyu away.
Perhaps it was because of the time of day, but the previous two times she'd been there, both during the day, she'd at least run into some people. She'd even had to duck for a moment when she reached the Chuihua Gate. But today's trip was surprisingly smooth. Even when she saw a servant approaching her from a distance, they'd turn around and leave in the blink of an eye.
And the concierge, twice before, she had to find an excuse to get rid of him. But today, the concierge was not there, and the small door was ajar, as if waiting for her to come.
On any other day, Jinniang would have been suspicious. But she was so flustered, afraid that she would miss her cousin's important event if she was late, that she really thought it was God's help.
Without even a second thought, she pushed open the half-closed door and hurriedly slipped the folded note under the stone lion standing on the hydrangea. Following her previous steps, she took out two copper coins and pressed them down.
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