When they met again, their eyes met, both smiling warmly. Chu Ye…
"It's Aunt Baozhu."
“Recently, I noticed that she always goes down the mountain alone after Her Majesty’s afternoon nap. One day, when Eunuch Ding asked her about it, she said that she went down the mountain to find some folk tales. Her Majesty has been preoccupied lately and has been having trouble sleeping at night. When she played them for Her Majesty, Her Majesty was able to sleep soundly. Eunuch Ding said no more after seeing this.”
"Did you discover something?" Qin Weixi frowned slightly. "Eunuch Ding didn't say anything more afterward?"
Cui Lu said, "Later, when Aunt Baozhu went down the mountain again, Eunuch Ding saw her but pretended not to see her. He only focused on urging the palace servants to take care of the Empress's flowers."
"Then one day, Aunt Baozhu came down the mountain again, but I had been watching her closely for several days and noticed that she had applied a lot of makeup that day. The little palace maids on the mountain would always ask me to go down the mountain to buy some lip rouge and face powder, saying that it could make a young lady's face look beautiful and also cover up her haggard appearance. But that day, I always felt that Aunt Baozhu had been crying."
"Did you find out who she met when she went down the mountain?" Qin Weixi suddenly asked.
Cui Lu suddenly raised his head: "Miss, how did you know?"
"I guessed."
Ever since she returned to the capital and first climbed Xiaguang Peak, she felt that Aunt Baozhu was not quite the same as before. However, none of them remained unchanged after what happened back then. So, when she went down the mountain, she asked the young eunuch who had been saved by Grandmother Zhao back then to keep an eye on her.
But later, Baozhu slapped a palace maid in Xiaotaoyuan and forbade the mention of the character "Xue," which implicitly confirmed her suspicions.
"Is it Qingpai from Kunning Palace? Or someone else?"
Cui Lu's eyes remained wide open, but he quickly understood. He replied respectfully, "It is Qingpai, Miss."
Pu Niang then spoke up, "This Baozhu has always been loyal to Your Majesty. She is an old servant in the Kunning Palace and now the Cining Palace. She has been with Your Majesty for many years. How could she do such a foolish thing?"
Cui Lu said, "At first, I thought it might be that Her Majesty the Empress was concerned about her, so I asked Aunt Qingpai to inquire about Her Majesty's recent situation every now and then. But there is really no need to hide it like this. If Qingpai comes to the mountain, Eunuch Ding will definitely let her in no matter what."
"Eunuch Cui, that day you said that Eunuch Ding took money to appease the palace maid's family, so Eunuch Ding didn't go in person?"
Cui nodded.
"No. That's not right." In the quiet, cold night, Qin Weixi paced back and forth in the Lotus Viewing Garden, lost in thought.
When Chu Yening learned of the palace maid's fall into the lake upon arriving at Xiaguang Peak, he sent people to search for her hometown after descending the mountain. However, he learned from the neighbors that the old couple, fearing that their daughter's passing would remind them of her by the sight of familiar objects, had moved away after handling the funeral arrangements, as their home was filled with traces of their daughter's past life.
They had no idea where she moved to, and the palace maid's size was different from what the wooden boy had described that day, so they did not investigate the matter further.
Qin Weixi continued, "Eunuch Ding is also somewhat off. Because Eunuch Ding used to be a very meticulous person. When I was young, I often went in and out of Grandmother Zhao's Cining Palace, so I am very familiar with it."
Pu Niang stepped forward and said, "Then what should we do now? Why don't we go and inform the Empress Dowager?"
Qin Weixi said, "No. We can't let Grandmother Zhao be upset any further. We don't know why Baozhu came down the mountain to see Qingpai. If we rashly step forward, we might end up blaming her."
She looked at Cui Lu and said, "I'll trouble you, Eunuch Cui. Now you just need to stay by Grandmother Zhao's side at Xiaguang Peak and protect her. As for Baozhu, you don't need to keep an eye on her anymore. First of all, you need to protect yourself. I will think of a way to transfer her away tomorrow."
Attorney Cui agreed.
Qin Weixi remembered the purpose of coming to the mountain today and asked, "Eunuch Cui, were there any other people in that side room who seemed different from ordinary people besides Chen Guiyi?"
She thought that Ma Lianren, who had never revealed her true face, might be hiding in the inconspicuous side room of that year. Appearances can change, and so can identities.
Cui Lu thought for a moment and said, "At that time, I was not often with them."
At this moment, Qin Weixi thought of the old eunuch Zhou Quan had mentioned earlier, who was now in the care room of Cining Palace, and she asked him about it.
Cui Lu said, "I know that old eunuch. He went to Cining Palace later. But the old man is a bit eccentric." He then turned to Qin Weixi and said, "How about I tell Your Highness that I want to go back and take a look at the flower room? And meet with this old eunuch?"
Qin Weixi looked at Cui Lu, who was still standing with his eyes lowered and hands clasped in service. He had come alone to deal with Gao Jian's matter in the spring, and in the end, Grandmother Zhao suffered a stroke, a fact known to everyone in the court and the palace. Now, there was no longer room for Cui Lu in the palace.
Her heart ached, but she still smiled faintly and said, "Eunuch Cui, wherever Her Majesty is, that's where you are. Remember what I said, don't go back to the palace. It's getting late, you should rest early. Thank you for today."
Cui Lu repeatedly said he dared not, but then repeatedly agreed. It was already late at night, and Qin Weixi had Pu Niang hand him a palace lantern that was usually lit by the palace servants on the mountain after nightfall.
Cui Lu accepted the palace lantern with both hands, turned around and took his leave, when he suddenly heard the girl behind him say, "Eunuch Cui, you are a very, very good person."
Cui Lu's hands trembled as he received the palace lantern, then he lowered his head, turned around, and bowed: "The same goes for you, Miss."
The next morning, as dawn broke, Qin Weixi got up early, dressed neatly, and took Pu Niang to Wansong Pavilion to serve the Empress Dowager breakfast.
The small kitchen prepared two small bowls of sticky white porridge, along with several plates of refreshing pickles and a dish of minced chicken freshly mixed with sauce and vegetables.
The Empress Dowager was getting on in years and could no longer eat hard food, so the freshly mixed chicken leg meat was cut into small pieces for easy consumption. Even so, Qin Weixi still took a spoon and stirred it again before putting it into the Empress Dowager's small porcelain bowl, stirring it together with the congee.
This way of eating was a favorite of the Empress Dowager back then.
As she put a spoonful into her mouth, the Empress Dowager smiled and took her hand: "Grandmother Zhao's maid is so good at taking care of people. Which young man will be so lucky in the future? Quickly sit down and eat. I don't need you to serve me anymore."
Qin Weixi smiled and quickly sat down as instructed, but she couldn't help but think of the young man who had insisted on taking her to see the stars the night before. Her eyes crinkled as she said, "We will take care of each other."
The Empress Dowager was slightly taken aback, and asked anxiously, "Have you found a young man you like?"
"some."
"I'll tell you after Grandma has eaten."
The Empress Dowager repeatedly said "good," and Qin Weixi also picked up a bowl of white porridge and began to eat his breakfast. At this moment, Baozhu lifted the curtain and came in carrying two bowls of steaming almond tea.
She seized the opportunity to say, "Grandmother Zhao, the New Year is just a few days away. I really like the food Aunt Baozhu makes, especially that sweet almond tea." Then she looked at Pu Niang, who was serving her, and said, "Even my Pu Niang can't make it taste like Aunt's. How about we let Aunt stay at the Luo residence for a while?"
Upon hearing this, Baozhu looked up and saw Pu Niang smiling helplessly beside her: "Grandmother, our young lady has been in Jiangnan all these years, and Madam has prepared all sorts of dishes for her. Look at her now, she has developed such a discerning palate. This old servant has no choice!"
The Empress Dowager laughed heartily and said, "So you came to dine with me today under the pretense of borrowing someone's services!"
Qin Weixi put down the porridge bowl, grasped the Empress Dowager's wrinkled hands, and said, "Grandmother Zhao?"
The Empress Dowager smiled and patted her: "Baozhu! She has served me for almost half her life, and I have long been used to her. Without Baozhu reading stories to me all day long, I would not be able to sleep."
"Later, let Baozhu teach your Pu Niang how to make this almond tea, or you can choose any of the other girls on the mountain."
Seeing the Empress Dowager's resolute attitude, Qin Weixi felt somewhat puzzled, so she pulled the Empress Dowager aside and tried to persuade her again. But the Empress Dowager only looked at her with affection and smiled without saying a word.
After breakfast, Qin Weixi and the Empress Dowager, who insisted on going to the small Buddhist hall to pray for her, were about to descend the mountain at 9:00 AM.
If she could, she would like to spend a lot of time with this old man with a full head of white hair. Though the beauty has faded with age, she still remembers his former elegance and grace.
Before descending the mountain, she left Fenghua at Xiaguang Peak, citing her concern for the Empress Dowager. Upon hearing about Baozhu, Fenghua also insisted on staying at Wansong Pavilion to take care of the Empress Dowager.
After descending the mountain, Qin Weixi did not rush back to the Luo residence, but instead went to the Jingning Marquis's residence. The moment he saw Chu Yening, the tension that had been building up since the previous night's ascent to Xiaguang Peak and into the Marquis's residence finally began to ease.
In the study of the Marquis's residence, she recounted everything that had happened the previous day to Chu Yening. Chu Yening immediately ordered Songyang to find A Xiao. The Cining Palace was a place of great importance; others might not be allowed to enter without permission, but as the Crown Prince and the current Empress Dowager's grandson, he was naturally allowed to enter.
Chu Yening took the cloak that had been covered in frost when she arrived and brought it to the stove to dry. She then took a hand warmer, poured a cup of hot tea, and handed it to her, saying gently, "Are you feeling any better? After you left the manor, I had Songyang and Queshe follow you. When I saw that you went to Xiaguang Peak, I told them they didn't need to follow anymore."
Qin Weixi's almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise. Yesterday, two people had been following her without her noticing.
Upon seeing this, Chu Yening smiled and took the black fox fur coat hanging on the back of the chair, draping it over her back.
The familiar scent, the warm hand warmer in his hand, and the steaming tea instantly warmed Qin Weixi's heart. Then he heard Chu Yening say, "Do you believe that back then, the Empress conspired with Sun Shaopu and others to bring down Father and Old Man Qin?"
Qin Weixi nodded, her five fingers gripping the cup trembling slightly at that moment. Soon after, Chu Yening took it in her hand.
She said, "Fourth brother, when you climbed to the top of Xiaguang Peak, you heard that Grandmother Zhao refused to see you. I have always wondered if it was Baozhu's doing, or the Empress's doing."
“But the Empress only has one son, the Crown Prince. What good would it do her to overthrow her father and Old Man Qin?” As Chu Yening spoke, a long-forgotten scene suddenly flashed through his mind.
He suddenly recalled his youth, when Tao Ning, then the Crown Princess, had risen to become Empress and resided in Kunning Palace. One day, at a palace banquet, the Empress summoned him to Kunning and jokingly and subtly mentioned marrying a princess. But at that time, he had resolutely denied it, saying that he had a girl he liked. However, no one knew about this back then, not even his father.
Perhaps the empress at the time felt that both her father and the Qin family behind Qin Laoye had rendered meritorious service that surpassed the emperor's, and that if one day the Chu family harbored rebellious intentions and hindered her only son from ascending the throne...
Chu Yening immediately told Qin Weixi about the matter.
Qin Weixi suddenly recalled how the emperor of that time had ruthlessly confiscated the property and exterminated her family under the pretext of giving an account to the world.
They all believed their father had not plotted rebellion, so why did the emperor, who was as close to their father as a brother, not believe it at all?
The Empress, only his beloved wife, the Empress, could protect him.
Chu Yening gave her no further chance to think about it. He ordered Aunt Ruan to prepare lunch, and since there was no one else around, he simply set out the food in Taoran Residence for the two of them to eat lunch.
One chopstickful of vegetables and meat after another was placed into her bowl, and before long her empty little rice bowl was piled up like a small mountain.
Qin Weixi opened her bright black eyes and looked at the person in front of her, suddenly remembering the young man that Grandmother Zhao had mentioned. She smiled sweetly and said, "Fourth Brother, if I keep eating like this, I'll gain weight."
Chu Yening suddenly smiled slyly, staring at her intently: "I like her whether she's fat or thin."
But Qin Weixi saw it clearly; for a moment, his gaze inadvertently drifted from her face to her neck.
With a flick of her bright eyes, Qin Weixi suddenly placed a piece of fish in front of him, and Chu Yening ate it without thinking.
Qin Weixi looked at him and gave a low hum, saying softly, "A lecherous man from a storybook."
"What?" Chu Yening was taken aback upon hearing this.
“Storybooks, lecherous men, Songyang Nine Bends…” Warm, soft lips pressed against hers in an instant, stopping her from saying what she was about to say.
A moment later, he pulled away from her cherry-red lips and chuckled, "Qin Luo, your fourth brother hasn't done a single lecherous thing."
"However, today at Taoranju, the two of us ate together. Don't we look like a newlywed couple eating together?"
A moment later, Qin Weixi heard his bright laughter echo throughout Taoranju.
Bah! You lecherous scoundrel!
After the meal, Songyang quickly reported Ah Xiao's reply: Jiang Yuanjun had already sent someone to inquire with a eunuch in the Eastern Palace who knew the old men in the palace. The palace servant said that there was indeed a strange old eunuch in the warm room of Cining Palace. Many people disliked him and avoided him, but Chen Daban, who was by the Emperor's side, often bought food for the old eunuch and would invite him to drink during his leisure time.
After listening, Chu Yening said, "With the old man from Yongzhou who pretended to be mute in front of us, the old eunuch in the flower room may not be really crazy. Maybe he saw something in the annex back then and pretended to be crazy to protect himself. Perhaps Chen Guiyi is Sun Shaopu's younger brother. As for Ma Lianren, maybe he was there at the time. Maybe the old eunuch saw Ma Lianren's true face."
He turned around and grasped Qin Weixi's hands: "However, these are just my guesses. We still need to find a way to let the two brothers meet, or find out who Ma Lianren is. In short, both of them are inextricably linked to Sun Shaopu and the case from back then. Maybe we can find out who was behind it all."
"I will find a way to get into the palace."
After Songyang left, Taoran Residence returned to its usual tranquility. Chu Yening noticed that her fair, snow-white face had become even paler. He embraced her, but his eyes were fixed on the snow-covered garden outside the window.
"Qin Luo, next spring you will see many magnolia trees in the courtyard. I will spend this New Year with you."
Qin Weixi looked up at his bobbing Adam's apple and slightly stubbled chin, then heard him say softly, "I haven't told you yet, but Xiaohe, Ping'an, and that Xiao Jiubao are very compatible and get along well. But this brat is nothing like your brother when he was little. Who do you think he takes after for his mischievousness?"
Qin Weixi smiled, her eyes crinkling: "Who do you look like?"
"Of course he looks like his aunt."
Their eyes met, both smiling warmly. Chu Yening looked intently at the girl in front of him: "Well, I have a little surprise for you?"
What is it?
Chu Yening smiled slyly and simply pulled her back into his arms, reluctant to part.
"Little Qin Luo, when will Fourth Brother be able to see you every day?"
It wasn't until dusk that Qin Weixi, accompanied by Pu Niang and another trusted guard appointed by Luo Lingxin, drove back to the Luo residence. Unlike others, Luo Yuan had mentioned this matter to her brother more than once after returning to the capital. Now that she had Que She, Mu Tong, and Zi Jin by her side, it would be a waste of Luo Yuan's talents to continue serving as her coachman.
But as she left today, passing through Taoranju and the main hall of the Jingning Marquis's residence, Qin Weixi saw a young man dressed as a guard of the Marquis's residence brush past her. The young man stared at her for a moment and then bowed respectfully to her.
She felt that the person looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him before. She could only nod and smile, and soon left with Pu Niang.
It was dusk at the Luo residence.
The snow in the courtyard had been completely cleared by the servants. Upon learning that Luo Ling had not yet returned home from her shift, Qin Weixi was about to take Pu Niang back to Tingyuxuan when she turned around and saw Gu Han smiling at her with a loving expression.
She was momentarily bewildered: "Uncle Gu? Did something happen while I was away these past two days that made everyone happy?"
Gu Han suddenly became mysterious, saying only, "Miss, we have a guest visiting today, and he is currently waiting at Tingyu Pavilion."
Inside Tingyu Pavilion.
Qin Weixi had not yet shaken off the frost and chill from her body when she pushed open the door on the first floor.
A cup of hot tea appeared on the octagonal table in the dining hall, its aroma filling the air, with a faint scent of peaches.
That's her habit; from childhood to the present, she always picks out a few dried peaches and puts them into her teacup whenever she drinks tea.
Soon, a girl dressed in a deep purple long coat and with her hair styled in a bun came out of the small kitchen.
Several springs and autumns have passed, and to this day, the scene of leaping into the rolling river, willing to stand tall and die rather than fall under the enemy's blade, is still etched in the hearts of the master and servant.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and Qin Weixi cried out joyfully and excitedly, "A-Xia!"
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