Chapter 047 Chapter 47
A small house among flowers.
After Fuqiu accompanied Xie Changning back to the house, she sent away the rest of the maids who were serving them.
There is no one else.
Xie Changning finally didn't have to continue to be as tense as before. She no longer concealed her emotions and sat in the chair with her head down.
He was obviously still regretting that he came back at the wrong time and was seen by his sister-in-law.
I don't know if my sister-in-law will believe what she just said. If she doesn't believe it, how can she hide it?
Xie Changning was a little worried.
She had a bitter face, lowered her head, and looked sad.
Fuqiu poured a cup of tea and brought it to Xie Changning. Seeing her dejected look, she couldn't help but squat in front of her and began to persuade her: "Girl, why don't we talk to the princess? With the princess' intervention, those people will definitely not dare to bully you again!"
"The princess will definitely keep it a secret for you and won't let the prince and Sanlang know!"
“No, no!”
Xie Changning rejected Fuqiu's proposal without even thinking about it.
She looked at Fuqiu and said, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law has already helped me a lot. I can't bother sister-in-law anymore."
Fuqiu said distressedly, "But you can't always be like this and let them bully you, right?"
Xie Changning's expression was obviously silent and hesitant for a moment, but after a moment, she spoke again: "No, no, it's a big deal. At most, I will not be in the classroom and continue to play the piano."
"As long as the gentlemen stop praising me, they won't be angry with me again. No, they won't continue to bully me."
When Fuqiu heard this, her eyes couldn't help but turn red.
She felt both distressed and annoyed.
Holding Xie Changning's hand, Fuqiu choked up and said to her, "They saw that you were good at chess, so they isolated you and stopped talking to you. From that day on, you never performed well in class and always lost to them."
"They thought you were good at needlework, so they deliberately used scissors to damage the purses and sachets you made, making it impossible for you to give them to the teacher, who then scolded you."
"Now they won't let you play the piano again!"
"Do you really want to be bullied by them every time? You are the most distinguished lady in our palace. Why do those people bully you like this?"
Fuqiu became angrier as she spoke, and her voice unconsciously rose a little.
If the girl hadn't stopped her, not allowing her to speak out or tell the prince and Sanlang, she really wanted to beat those people up to vent her anger!
Xie Changning lowered his head in silence.
She also doesn't want this. This book is compiled exclusively for you by the LK team. She also wants to study hard and be praised by her teacher.
But she didn't want to cause trouble even more.
It's better to have less trouble than more. Anyway, they won't really do anything to her. At most, they will just push her a few times and not talk to her.
She was used to it.
If they hadn't gone too far today and tried to snatch the music score her sister-in-law gave her, she wouldn't have run back crying.
"Girl——"
Seeing that she remained silent, Fuqiu couldn't help but shout again.
She thought the girl was moved by what she said and had already decided to take people to Linfeng Pavilion to complain to the princess.
Unexpectedly, the girl frowned and spoke, still saying words of rejection.
“Never mind.”
Xie Changning still shook his head.
"Girl——"
Fuqiu frowned, feeling unwilling. She looked at Xie Changning and wanted to say something.
"Stop talking, you are not allowed to go to see my sister-in-law." Afraid that Fuqiu would not listen to her, Xie Changning puffed up her cheeks and threatened as before: "If you go, I will ignore you from now on."
"I, I don't want it either. You, serve me."
Fuqiu looked at Xie Changning for a while, but finally gave in. She lowered her head and said in a hoarse voice with a depressed look on her face: "...I understand."
Seeing her like this, Xie Changning felt uncomfortable too.
Of course she knew that Fuqiu was helping her.
But with the situation at home like this, she really didn't want to cause any trouble, let alone make them worry or get angry about her.
I can only apologize for Fuqiu's hard work.
Fuqiu never mentioned the matter again.
But if she didn't mention it, someone else would.
Xie Changning cried for too long today, her eyes were red, and she was tired from crying. After all, she was just a thirteen-year-old girl. When she was tired of crying, she just wanted to sleep.
Fuqiu helped Xie Changning to sleep.
After everyone fell asleep, she tiptoed out.
She walked into the courtyard, called the maid, and instructed her, "Go back and tell Sanlang that the girl is here to have a rest today and she will not eat with him tonight."
She also couldn't bear to see the girl so sad, as she still had to act with Sanlang at night.
Therefore, every time the girl cried, in order to avoid being noticed by others, she would use such words to cover it up.
Normal problems are of course useless.
It might even make Saburo even more worried.
It's just my daughter's private affairs, which Sanlang doesn't want to ask about.
"Didn't the young lady come here a while ago?" The maid looked confused until Fuqiu looked at her. She was so scared that her face turned pale and she lowered her head and said, "I, I'll go right away!"
After she said that, she didn't dare to ask any more questions and immediately turned around and left.
Fuqiu watched her leave.
Just as he was about to look away and go in to look after the girl in case she needed anything, he suddenly saw an uninvited guest in the yard.
——The person who came was Miss Bixi who was beside the princess.
Seeing that it was Bixi, Fuqiu was surprised but did not dare to delay.
The steps that were about to go in were quickly put out to greet people.
"Sister Bixi, why are you here?" Fuqiu greeted Bixi politely.
Bixi also smiled and greeted the person first, then looked behind him and asked Fuqiu softly, "Where is the girl?"
Fuqiu replied: "The girl is asleep now."
She lowered her voice and asked Bixi, "But what instructions does the princess have? If it's not urgent, I'll talk to the girl later."
"The girl is a little tired today."
Fuqiu was reluctant to wake up Xie Changning at this moment.
"This has nothing to do with girls."
Bixi said to Fuqiu with a smile. Seeing Fuqiu looking at her with a puzzled look, Bixi continued to say to her: "I would like to trouble Miss Fuqiu to accompany me. Our princess has something to ask you."
When Fuqiu heard this, she realized that the princess did not believe what the girl said before.
The reason why she was summoned at this time was because of the girl's matter.
She also wanted to talk to the princess.
But the girl had warned her before...
Fuqiu looked embarrassed.
Bixi could see the embarrassment on her face, so she lowered her voice and continued to speak to the others: "Miss Fuqiu, you should know that our princess sincerely hopes for the best for the girl."
Fuqiu naturally knew.
Otherwise, she would not have proposed it to the girl before.
Fuqiu looked at Bixi with a thousand thoughts in her mind. Finally, she gritted her teeth and made up her mind: "I'll go with you!"
I dare not let the girl know.
Fearing that she would be anxious after knowing it, Fuqiu instructed a maid to go in and look after the girl, and also specifically told the maid that if the girl turned around and asked, she should just say that she had gone to the kitchen.
After the maid agreed, Fuqiu followed Bixi to Linfeng Pavilion.
…
A quarter of an hour later.
Inside Linfeng Pavilion, Xu Duanyi looked extremely ugly after hearing the whole story.
Not just her.
Even Shi Yu and Bi Xi looked very unhappy at this moment.
"How long has this been going on?" Xu Duanyi asked Fuqiu with a serious face.
She thought things might not be simple.
After all, the girls' school was opened by the Qu family, and Mr. Qu was a very upright person. It was impossible for those people to bully Changning openly.
But Xu Duanyi didn't expect that Changning had experienced so much!
Going to school should be a happy thing, studying and chatting with a group of girls of the same age.
Who knows, you might even have a few close friends of your own.
I never thought Changning would be bullied like this in such an environment!
Xu Duanyi has a calm temperament and rarely gets angry.
But at this moment, a fire was burning in her heart uncontrollably.
After being called up, Fuqiu didn't dare to sit down.
She buried her head in shame, and upon hearing that, she replied in embarrassment: "...Two years."
"What!"
Shi Yu was the first to lose control of his impatience. He frowned and said, "Your girl has been bullied for two years, and you just stood there and watched? Don't you know martial arts? Why don't you go and deal with those people? Avenge your girl!"
Fuqiu said nothing.
His face became even more ashamed and he buried his head even lower.
Shi Yu became even angrier when he saw how aggrieved she was. When he was about to continue criticizing her, Xu Duanyi spoke.
"alright."
Xu Duanyi stopped Shi Yu and continued talking.
Then, she looked at Fuqiu and said, "Changning must not dare to let anyone know, so she kept it secret."
Shi Yu didn't understand, but she did.
If she were Chang Ning, she would not let anyone avenge her, let alone let those who cared about her know.
She would just endure it and keep everything secret.
When a person is in an environment that is unfavorable to him, if he has no ability to fight back, he can only endure it.
What's more, Changning is a kind and good child.
She must have been afraid that Xie Qingya and Ping An would be sad and heartbroken after knowing this, and she didn't want to cause them any more trouble.
But thinking about how Changning had suffered so much at such a young age, Xu Duanyi couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
After she let out a long sigh, she looked at Fuqiu and said, "I have noted down everything you said. Don't worry, I will make the decision for your daughter."
Almost as soon as the words fell.
Fuqiu knelt down straight towards Xu Duanyi.
Without hesitation, Fuqiu kowtowed to Xu Duanyi several times. Her kowtow was so strong that her forehead turned red in an instant.
"What are you doing?"
Xu Duanyi frowned and quickly asked Bixi to help the man up.
芙蕖被扶起來後，仍舊淚眼婆娑看着徐端宜說道：“奴婢感激王妃，奴婢沒用，明明心疼女郎，卻瞻前顧後，怕這怕那，害得女郎屢次遭人欺負，卻什麽都做不了。”
“時雨姑娘剛才罵得沒錯。”
“奴婢學得一身武藝，本是為了保護女郎，卻什麽都做不了，實在是無用至極！”
徐端宜看着眼前愧疚難擋的芙蕖，輕嘆了口氣：“每個人所處的環境不同，所能選擇的，自然也不同。”
“時雨不是針對你，你別放在心上。”
芙蕖連忙搖頭：“奴婢知道的，奴婢沒怪時雨姑娘，何況時雨姑娘，原本也沒說錯。”
“奴婢就是沒用。”
她低着頭，紅着雙眼，仍舊沉浸于自責的情緒之中。
她這兩年，也不好過。
尤其看着女郎一次次委屈求全，她卻什麽都做不了的時候。
她本是暗衛出身，無名無姓。
當年女郎出事後，她被調遣到女郎的身邊，目的就是為了照顧女郎。
女郎賜她名字，待她如家人一般。
她卻只能看着女郎被欺負，什麽都做不了。
芙蕖心中豈會不難過，不自責？
徐端宜看着芙蕖，知道此時說再多也沒用，她也沒這個資格和立場，去評判她究竟做得對不對。
她沒揪着這個問題，繼續和人讨論。
何況事情都到這一步了，再去評判這些，也沒什麽意思。
現在最重要的，是解決問題。
看着她額頭處的紅，徐端宜便先吩咐碧溪，讓人去裏面拿一盒玉容膏給芙蕖先塗上。
碧溪很快就去裏面取了東西出來。
芙蕖卻不敢受。
她自覺自己無能，哪裏還敢受王妃的好意？
她都想着，這事要是真的鬧開，之後王爺和三郎怪她，她便是丢了自己這條命，也無妨。
這本來就是她該受的。
如今還茍活着，也不過是怕她沒了之後，女郎被更多人欺負。
可如今有王妃照看着，她倒也能安心了。
王妃一定會照看好女郎，不會令她再受人欺負。
“難不成你想頂着這個額頭回去？你應該，也不想讓長寧現在就知道吧？”徐端宜問她。
這顯然是戳中了芙蕖的心思。
芙蕖自然不想。
猶豫片刻，最後，她還是沒再拒絕。
她與徐端宜又彎腰道了謝，這才被碧溪帶到一旁去上藥。
上完藥，芙蕖只覺得自己那原本火辣辣的額頭，立刻變得涼津津的，很是舒服。
但此時不是顧及這個的時候，她也沒心思去想這些。
她重新起身，走過去，先與王妃道了謝，接着才又恭敬問道：“王妃，您準備怎麽做？”
“可有什麽奴婢能幫忙的？”
徐端宜也沒隐瞞，與她說起自己的打算：“明日我會去一趟屈家。”
芙蕖見王妃肯替女郎做主，自是高興萬分。
喜上眉梢。
她的雙眼都跟着亮了起來。
那些人，不過就是覺得女郎沒人護着，才敢如此嚣張！有王妃出面，看她們日後還敢這麽嚣張嗎！
芙蕖臉上的笑，藏也藏不住。
正想感謝王妃的時候，芙蕖忽然想到什麽，便又開始面露猶豫起來。
她遲疑道：“但這樣的話，王爺和三郎那邊，肯定也就瞞不住了。”
雖然她早就想過這個結果。
她倒并不是怕自己挨罰，她便是沒了這條命，也是她該受的。
她們這樣的出身，本來就是為了保護主子們而存在的，她也早就不把自己這條命當回事了。
但女郎——
她肯定不希望王爺和三郎知道……
還有王爺和三郎……若是他們知道，女郎這兩年經歷的這些事，他們又會如何？
三郎肯定第一個受不了。
依照三郎那個脾氣，絕對會跟那些人，鬧一個魚死網破。
若是如此，女郎絕對受不住。
她面上的遲疑，沒有一點遮掩，徐端宜自然瞧得見。
她也知道芙蕖在遲疑什麽。
“你以為，這些事情，能隐瞞多久？”徐端宜直接出言打斷了芙蕖的糾結。
在芙蕖雙目彷徨、失神般看過來的時候，徐端宜看着她說：“你們今日能被我撞見，又怎知，來日不會被王爺和平安撞見？”
“這世上，從來就沒有永遠的秘密。”
“何況，你們總想着隐瞞，可想過，這樣的隐瞞，或許對關心你們的人而言，并不是什麽好事。”
這也是徐端宜長大後，才明白的道理。
有時候，人與人之間的相處，實在奇怪，好似越是親近的人，反而越不知道該怎麽與他們相處。
報喜不報憂，那是常态。
但這樣的關系，其實并不好。
事情總有敗露的一天，真到那一天，那些關心他們的人，只會更痛苦，更自責。
“他們若知曉長寧這兩年受得這些傷害，只會自責悔恨，後悔自己沒有好好照顧她，繼續陷于更大的痛苦之中。”
芙蕖明白。
所以她慚愧地低下了頭。
“我知道，長寧是個好孩子，她不想給人添麻煩。”
“但有時候，這樣的做法，更加傷人心。”
“……奴婢明白。”芙蕖啞了聲。
“你放心，這事的決定權在長寧，我只會替她出頭，至于王爺和平安那邊，她究竟是如何打算，由她決定，我不會幹涉。”
芙蕖一聽這話，心下陡然一松。
對于王妃的感激之情，也是更為深厚了。
她又朝着徐端宜的方向，跪了下來。
這次徐端宜及時就阻止人繼續磕頭了，她讓碧溪把人扶住，嘴上則說：“好不容易才上了藥，別又浪費了。”
之後徐端宜看了眼滴漏。
怕長寧醒來後，不見芙蕖，便與芙蕖吩咐道：“你先回去。”
“先別讓長寧知曉，明日你只需與長寧照常去學堂上學。”
“其餘事，我自會安排。”
芙蕖現在已經對她佩服得五體投地，自是她說什麽，便是什麽，此時她也沒有半點猶豫，只點頭道：“奴婢省得。”
她彎腰，又沖徐端宜恭恭敬敬行了一禮，這才告辭離開。
碧溪親送她出去。
時雨在旁義憤填膺氣道：“這些人太過分了！”
“主子，您明日帶我去，我一定好好收拾她們！”時雨緊攥着自己的小拳頭，臉上滿是怒氣，顯然是真的生氣了。
徐端宜原本就有這樣的打算，此時也就未曾拒絕，只先囑咐人一聲：“替我磨墨，我先給知微寫封信。”
屈知微便是屈家大小姐，屈老的嫡長孫女。
要說這屈知微，卻也是個奇女子。
屈家衆多晚輩之中，這屈知微無論是才學，還是一手好字，都是最像屈老的。
但她于京城聞名，卻并非只因為這個緣故。
而是屈知微十六歲那年，便廣而告之，勵志不嫁人，為着這個，她平日沒少被人評判議論，就連其父母也沒少訓斥她。
覺得她丢盡他們的臉面。
可屈知微還是依然故我，從不會因為別人的評判，而改變自己的追求。
她今年二十有一，比徐端宜還要大上兩歲。
這五年來，她繼續著書，開辦清談會，甚至這些年，還開始研究天象，外頭對她的諸多議論還是不少，就連屈家中人對她也頗為不滿，但屈老卻十分喜歡自己這個孫女。
也因此，就算屈家人對她再不滿，也不敢做什麽。
徐端宜與屈知微的關系還算不錯。
徐端宜的字、棋、畫，也是其中翹楚，也因此，從前沒少被人拿來與屈知微評論。
偶爾碰上面，兩人也會切磋一番。
她們脾性投契，屈知微不是會附庸的人，徐端宜身份雖尊貴，卻也不是倨傲不遜的人。
兩人往來久了，關系自然便也稱得上熟稔。
前陣子，她與謝清崖大婚，屈知微在外地，未能趕回來。
但前兩日，屈知微遣人送來一件禮物，賀她大婚，徐端宜便知曉，她已回來。
原本也想着，尋個時間去與人見上一面，看看她近來又在研究什麽東西。
未想如今倒是先因為長寧的事，與人聯系上了。
徐端宜在信中，也未與知微說去屈家的來意。
倒不是怕打草驚蛇。
而是知微為人，并不是愛管這些俗事的人。
她也不想拿這些事打擾她。
何況對于有些人，只有屈家知曉，讓他們輕拿輕放，是沒用的。
這趟屈家之行，她是肯定要去走一遭的。
碧溪在一旁看着，見她落筆，不由擔憂道：“您直接與屈大小姐說明日要去屈府，會不會打草驚蛇？”
徐端宜拿過時雨遞過去的帕子，一邊擦手，一邊說：“不會，知微從不理會府中事宜，也不會與旁人說我明日要去的消息。”
“等墨幹，便送過去吧。”
“是。”
*
這夜。
徐端宜尋了理由，未去謝長寧那用膳。
也是怕小姑娘還得費盡心思，強撐着難過，陪她說話。
“謝女郎的事，您真不與南安王說一聲嗎？”快睡的時候，碧溪問了徐端宜這麽一句。
她是怕回頭南安王知曉後，責怪到主子身上。
徐端宜心中也不是沒有這個擔憂。
但她先前已經應允過芙蕖，也不想讓長寧難做。
這畢竟是長寧的事。
She could only advise her, but couldn't make the decision for her directly.
"Let's not talk about it for now. Let's wait until Changning makes a decision." Xu Duanyi spoke. He wanted to ask whether Xie Qingya had returned today, but after thinking about it, he decided not to ask.
She asked Bixi to go downstairs and rest, and she prepared to go to bed.
But after Bi Xi responded and left, she couldn't fall asleep.
Actually, I am very tired. I didn’t sleep well last night and I didn’t have time to take a nap today.
Brain fog.
But the spirit is like a tightly bound string, always tied and unable to relax.
Xu Duanyi turned her head to the side.
There is still one candle left in the house.
This was left here specially for Xu Duanyi's convenience when he needs to get up in the middle of the night.
The bed curtains were not drawn today, allowing a little light from outside to come in. Xu Duanyi tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep. Finally, she suddenly turned her head to the side and looked at the pillow inside that had not been slept on for a long time.
The same bright red quilt and pillow, embroidered with flowers and a full moon.
Xu Duanyi stretched out his hand as he did before, and gently touched the pattern with beautiful meaning. Then he curled up a little and leaned towards the pillow.
In fact, Xie Qingya had only slept with this pillow once.
There is no trace of him anymore.
But Xu Duanyi still felt relieved.
Gradually feeling sleepy, Xu Duanyi rested her head on Xie Qingya's pillow and slowly fell asleep.
…
Xie Qingya hasn't slept yet.
He went outside the city today, and a confidant reported that General Chen Qian, who was being kept outside the city, was dying.
This Chen Qianzong is the veteran who was brought here by the man in black. This book is compiled exclusively for you by the LK team.
Xie Qingya secretly raised the person outside the city and asked someone to take good care of him. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team. Xie Qingya was worried when he got the news today.
Therefore, when he came back, he did not even bother to have dinner, and went out of the city through the secret passage from Mei Xuezheng.
Running around all night.
Now that he had just returned, Xie Qingya was covered in dust and exhausted.
Lingji had been waiting outside. When he heard the noise coming from inside, he hurried in and opened the door for the two people.
I saw the master coming out wearing a cloak and his face was covered by a hood.
Unable to see the expression on his master's face at the moment, Lingji was about to open his mouth to ask about General Chen Qian's news when Changfeng grabbed his arm and shook his head at him.
Lingji's heart sank.
Xie Qingya didn't say anything the whole time. He just untied his cloak and went to wash up.
Changfeng glanced at Xie Qingya and pulled Lingji out first.
"Mr. Chen Qian..."
After going outside, Lingji looked at Changfeng and asked in a hoarse voice.
Changfeng's face was not good either. He was silent for a moment before he replied in a deep voice, "It's not very good anymore. Now we just have to endure..."
He was seriously injured that year.
The fire damaged his foundation.
Although he had been well taken care of over the years, he was still unable to recover.
Now I just have to hang on for dear life.
Let’s see if we can survive until the day when the truth comes out.
In fact, everyone knows it, including the master, but he still can't help feeling uncomfortable.
Chen Qianzong——
He was the only one left from the Battle of Nagano.
Lingji opened his mouth to speak, but his heart felt heavy and he couldn't utter a word. His eyes started to turn red. Suddenly, he gritted his teeth, turned around, and smashed the pillar under the corridor with his fist.
Changfeng did not stop him and let him vent silently.
After a while, Changfeng said in a hoarse voice: "Well, is there anything going on in the mansion tonight?" After all, he was more mature and calmer than Lingji.
With sadness weighing on his heart, he asked about today's situation.
I was afraid that something might happen in the mansion when they were away.
Lingji also calmed down and told others in a hoarse voice about Fuqiu's visit to Linfeng Pavilion today.
"Why would the princess call Fuqiu over for no reason?" Chang Feng frowned.
Then he asked, "What else?"
Lingji did not hide it and continued, "There is another letter. The princess wrote to the eldest daughter of the Qu family. Our people have read it secretly. There is nothing special in it. It just means that the princess will go to the Qu family to visit the eldest daughter of the Qu family tomorrow."
Changfeng frowned and thought.
They also made careful inquiries before the princess married into the palace.
Princess Zhixiao has a good relationship with Miss Qu.
But what about Lotus?
Before Changfeng had time to think, he heard the prince calling him from inside.
Changfeng quickly stopped thinking and went in first.
"My Lord."
Xie Qingya was ready to go to bed.
As usual, he called people in, just to ask about the situation in the mansion today.
He sat on the bed, pinched his brows and asked, "What did Lingji say?"
Changfeng heard this but hesitated and did not speak immediately. He looked at the prince's exhausted and tired face, and finally decided to keep the matter secret for the time being.
Although I don’t know what happened to Fuqiu.
But come to think of it, it shouldn't be a big deal. If there really was something, Fuqiu would definitely come and report it.
Let's find a time tomorrow and ask Lingji to go over and ask.
See what's going on.
The prince has been tired enough these days.
He was really afraid that if this continued, the prince's body would not be able to hold on.
"There's nothing special today. Please take a rest, Your Majesty."
After hearing this, Xie Qingya said nothing more and waved his hand to let the person go.
Changfeng responded and retreated outside.
Before leaving, he blew out the candles in Xie Qingya's room.
The room suddenly became dark. Xie Qingya lay on the bed with his clothes on, but he couldn't fall asleep.
Moonlight shines in through the window.
Xie Qingya just closed his eyes and watched silently.
He looked calm.
But his brain was in a mess, and his temples were throbbing.
The hand suddenly reached under the pillow.
There was a handkerchief embroidered with black orchid.
He hesitated for a long time, but finally couldn't help it and held the handkerchief. His noisy mind finally calmed down and Xie Qingya finally closed his eyes.