Chapter 80 The old lady’s main courtyard seems to be very compatible with her horoscope
The next day, Du Heng rose at the same hour as before. As usual, after washing up, he would go to his study for morning reading, then to the garden to relax his muscles and bones, laying the foundation for the day's study. However, due to the Lantern Festival yesterday, he had to adjust his routine, which had remained the same for three years.
Before leaving for the study, he instructed Qingquan, "Arrange someone to go to the old lady's courtyard. After she wakes up, ask her when she can pay her respects. Also, if your eldest cousin can go with you to pay her respects, that would be the best. If it's inconvenient for her, tell her. I'll accompany the doctor to change her dressing."
Grandmother had said that since Jinniang was injured while protecting him, he must shoulder this responsibility. However, there was always a difference between men and women. It was best if Grandmother was present. If Grandmother wasn't there, he could only visit when the doctor was present.
Qingquan agreed and was about to do as he was told, but unexpectedly, the young master called him back: "There is one more thing you must do in person."
Qingquan is all ears.
"Go to the library and leave a message saying I'm looking for a book and need help from my cousin. If she's free, she can come anytime."
Just as he finished speaking, Du Heng remembered that there was a portrait of the thief in his study that he had just painted last night, so he added, "Tell my cousin that I need to go to the police in person at 9:00 pm. I need to explain last night's incident in person and without delay. At any other time, as long as she sends someone to tell me, I will go."
Although Jinniang was injured, she had moved into the old lady's main courtyard and had a personal maid at her disposal, so she slept well last night without any dreams.
Just as she stood up, she heard someone from Du Heng asking if she would like to go with him to pay her respects to her grandmother. She felt that the old lady's main courtyard seemed to be a perfect match for her, and after just one night, everything was going as she wished.
How could she refuse her cousin's invitation?
Just as she was about to agree, she heard the visitor continue outside the door: "The young master also said that if the young lady is unable to move due to her injuries, she doesn't need to force herself. The young master will personally bring a doctor to change your dressing."
When Jinniang heard this, her heart warmed. Cousin Heng was truly a modest gentleman. Not only could he put himself in other people's shoes, but every word he said was based on her opinion, without a trace of imposing anything on her.
Such a good cousin, can she choose not only one but both?
In her aunt's courtyard, she had always tried to please her aunt, and unless her cousin came to pay his respects to her aunt, she would rarely see him. Now, she had to seize the opportunity, not just wait for her cousin to mention it, but also create more opportunities.
The young master was reading in the study in the morning, and Qingquan naturally did not disturb him. He waited quietly until the young master finished, and then went forward to reply to the cousin's reply.
"My cousin heard you were reading in the morning, and she told you to study peacefully. When you go to pay your respects to the old lady, just let her know and she'll be there. My cousin also said that it was you who accompanied her to the clinic. Besides the doctor, you're the only one who knows the most about her injury. If you could come with the doctor to change her dressing, she'd be very grateful. But if he's busy studying, she can wait for the doctor herself. Everything is up to you."
Jinniang was being polite, but she was injured because of him after all. Du Heng decided to stay in the main courtyard for an extra hour every day until Jinniang recovered.
However, he hadn't heard what he wanted to hear yet, so he asked, "Has there been any response from the library?"
Qingquan shook his head. "I went to the library myself, but my cousin wasn't there. However, I've left a message for Taoxi. When my cousin responds, Taoxi will pass it on."
Du Heng nodded. Ying'er must have been exhausted after all that happened yesterday. He also wished she'd rested more, and leaving a message was simply to reassure her. Since she hadn't replied, he could just wait patiently. Besides, he had to go to the government office today, so it would be best if Ying'er was alright.
After asking Qingquan to put away the portrait of the thief that he had placed on the desk, he went to the main courtyard.
Jinniang had already dressed up. Although her face was still wrapped in white cloth, it did not cover her facial features, so she still took some time to take care of her face and clothes.
Although she was a woman of the inner chambers, she had met several men of her cousin's age because her father was an instructor at the provincial school. Furthermore, her mother had told her that, based on her previous understanding, Du Heng preferred women who were as graceful as lotus flowers emerging from pure water. Therefore, she deliberately used only the Fujian-specific Pien Tze Huang ointment for moisturizing her skin, and chose simple and elegant clothing. Looking in the bronze mirror, she was indeed quite charming.
Feeling satisfied, he waited patiently to pay his respects to his grandmother with his cousin.
My cousin was indeed punctual. He said he would come at 7:00 PM, and someone informed him at 7:00 PM.
Jinniang was delighted. She looked at herself in the bronze mirror again before being helped out of the door by Biyu.
Jinniang lives in a wing room of the main courtyard. There is a small path outside the door leading to the flower hall. Wanyi and Su Ying usually listen to Mr. Bai's lectures here. After passing the flower hall, they can see the old lady's main hall not far away.
There are two magnolia trees planted on the left and right of the main hall. Just after the middle of the first lunar month, green buds have already appeared on the branches.
Du Heng was standing beneath one of the magnolia trees, hands behind his back, a scene that perfectly embodied the saying, "Standing like a delicate orchid and a jade tree." Although her cousin's expression was as pale as water, she knew that if he was happy, his smile would be "like the bright moon in one's arms."
Although the scene before her was like a painting, how could Jinniang let only her cousin be in it while she herself stood outside admiring it? So she gently called out "cousin," then released Biyu's hand, stepped into the painting, and when she reached her cousin, she bowed slightly.
"Cousin, have you been waiting for a long time?"
She raised her head slightly and asked, being extremely gentle.
However, Du Heng's gaze fell on the two patches of white cloth on her face. Yesterday, due to the darkness, he couldn't see clearly. Now, with the sun rising, the soft morning light reflected on her slightly raised face. He could see that the white cloth under her jaw had turned a slightly yellowish-brown color. Du Heng thought to himself, that must be the medicine the doctor had applied yesterday.
Hearing Jinniang's question, he withdrew his gaze and asked, "After paying respects to Grandmother, does my cousin have time to spare?"
Jinniang's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a slight flush on her face. Although she longed for it, she knew that if she hastily agreed, it would be a loss of dignity. She lowered her head shyly, looking at the ground, and asked, "Cousin, is there something wrong?"
When she lowered her head, the cloth on her forehead caught Du Heng's eye. Like the one on her chin just now, it had turned slightly yellow. It was indeed time to change the dressing.
He said, "I drew a portrait of that little thief last night. If you have time, could you help me take a look at the portrait and see if it looks like the thief?"
"In yesterday's incident, besides me, you were the only one who faced him head-on. If you think this image can be used, I will hand it over to the authorities. It will surely help the officers catch the thief soon."
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