Chapter 49 Farewell at the Long Pavilion: A Fierce Attack on Qin Jin
“My lady, Zhong Yuan has already taken Bu Hui to report to the authorities. Luo Zhen has led his men to clean the house inside and out, leaving nothing untouched.”
Jingnu stepped forward and offered a cup of hot tea, her words tinged with worry: "After all, Bu Hui has a past grudge against us. Will he really not betray us?"
Xue Rongyue took the hot tea: "He's a smart man. Once he exposes us, the man in black will also be exposed to Cao Mingyu. We might not be able to do anything to him, but Cao Mingyu won't let it go. At that time, the man in black won't let him off either, and he'll only be in more trouble."
“It would be better to be sensible and stick to the pre-arranged story. That would save us a lot of trouble. Don’t worry, even if he’s not afraid of me, he’s seen Cao Mingyu and the man in black’s methods before, and he understands the risks better than we do.”
Upon hearing this, Jingnu became somewhat unwilling: "If I had known this would happen, I would have really reported it to the Guard Division and let Lord Cao handle the case swiftly. I don't believe that the man in black could hide his tracks."
"Why."
Xue Rongyue sighed softly, "It's a pity that no one can predict the future. Things have escalated to this point. If it really gets to the Imperial Guard, I'm afraid even I, your wife, will be in trouble."
Using vigilante justice and committing murder at night, regardless of the reason, the Guards could rightfully convict her. Not to mention, there was also a high-ranking man in black robes who was eyeing her covetously.
She couldn't gamble, and she didn't dare to gamble.
Aside from the fact that the man in black was pulling the strings behind the scenes, if they had known earlier that Bu Hui's scheme to harm her stemmed from a childhood grudge, there might have been a chance for the Guard Division to intervene and investigate the matter.
But as the saying goes, no one can predict the future. At the time, her mind was filled with the system's description of the General's Mansion being executed, and she feared that there might be a bigger conspiracy brewing behind her falling into the water. What if they really found out some messy things? Wouldn't that have harmed her for nothing? Therefore, she didn't consider using the power of the government at all.
Jingnu also sighed, saying dejectedly, "Now we're caught in a dilemma, unable to move forward or backward."
The rising steam from the tea slowly obscured Xue Rongyue's eyes and brows. After a moment of silence, Xue Rongyue lowered her eyes and said in a relatively calm tone, "There will always be a way."
Just then, Steward Geng from the Xue family came in after sending someone to announce his arrival: "Madam, the Jade Courtyard has been cleaned and tidied up. All the utensils and items are the best according to your requirements. Would you like to go and take a look?"
Jingnu's expression froze.
The Jade Courtyard is the largest and best-laid-out courtyard in the mansion. Hundreds of orchids are planted in the courtyard. It was originally the residence of Madam Cui, but after her divorce from General Xue, the courtyard was left empty.
General Xue sent someone back to Chang'an early on to tell them to prepare the best accommodations and food for his adopted daughter. The servants of the mansion worked tirelessly to tidy up the courtyard. Although this was only natural, Jingnu felt inexplicably depressed and suffocated.
If she was already like this, she was naturally even more worried about Xue Rongyue, so she took the initiative to say, "My lady, I have nothing to do anyway, so why don't I go instead?"
Xue Rongyue, however, felt little emotional.
Perhaps it was the lack of childhood memories that made her take this unexpected kinship less seriously, or perhaps it was the appearance of the system that allowed her to learn about her past life's experiences and destiny. Now, when facing these grudges again, she is no longer attached to them, and she is not filled with resentment and bitterness. Instead, she is much more at ease.
However, she was too lazy to go through the trouble of making arrangements for this matter. Upon hearing this, she nodded and said, "Go ahead. If there is anything amiss, just tell them to make corrections. Remember to come back early."
Knowing that there was something important to do tonight, Jingnu quickly agreed and left with Geng Weng.
Xue Rongyue slowly drank a cup of hot tea before standing up and walking towards the wardrobe in the inner room.
She was staying at Princess Yu'an's residence this time, and although she brought some changes of clothes and hairpins, it was not enough. Otherwise, she would not have made a special trip back to the residence today.
Even though her father ignored her, her birth mother left her the dowry of a grand wedding procession after leaving the mansion, along with some paddy fields, estates, shops, and houses. Over the years, she has made a lot of money through her management, so she naturally wouldn't be stingy with herself.
There was no fashion item in Chang'an that she couldn't get. Spring clothes alone filled three wardrobes, but now, looking at all these dazzling clothes, she couldn't find anything she liked.
Even when Jingnu returned, she still hadn't chosen one she liked.
Looking back, Xue Rongyue saw Jingnu storm in, her face filled with undisguised frustration. She knew something must have gone wrong, so she casually asked, "What happened?"
Jingnu opened her mouth, initially afraid of angering Xue Rongyue and not wanting to speak, but then she thought that this matter could not be kept secret, so she still spoke: "Those old servants, relying on their past service to the old lady, have become increasingly pretentious, and have even started to interfere in the young lady's courtyard. I think they have forgotten the lesson learned from Li Mama's family a few years ago!"
"They said that there weren't any good wardrobes in the manor's storeroom for the time being, and that it would take a lot of time to build new ones, not to mention that the wood wasn't as good as what you used. So they tried to get the few that you hadn't used yet from your small storeroom. They've got a good plan!"
"A bunch of old fogies, they're trying to curry favor with that adopted daughter, eyeing a new powerful backer for their household in the future!"
Xue Rongyue laughed: "What's there to be angry about?"
Jingnu was taken aback by these words: "My lady, when did you develop such a kind heart?"
"Tsk." Xue Rongyue rolled her eyes at her. "They think that now that Father is coming back, they can act arrogantly again. But I am still the one in charge of the household. Go and tell Old Man Geng to slap these people twenty times and send them to the country estate."
Jingnu immediately perked up: "I'll go right away!"
She ran out in a flash. Old Man Geng was a smart man after all. Hearing this, he did not hesitate for a moment. After receiving the order, he immediately ordered his men to tie up the old women, beat them, stuff them into the carriage, and send them to the most remote village.
This whole flurry of activity didn't even take half an hour.
Jingnu returned happily after watching the show, only to find Xue Rongyue still standing in front of the wardrobe, struggling with her decision. She said, "My lady has been too busy lately and hasn't had time to make new clothes for a while. It's too late today, so I'll call the embroiderer tomorrow."
In the end, the two chose a pink embroidered butterfly top and a light green brocade skirt with beaded flowers and willow branches, along with a pink shawl. After changing her clothes, Jingnu redid Xue Rongyue's hair and makeup: "My lady, are we really going to see the young master off tonight?"
Tonight, Qin Jin will leave the city and depart from Chang'an.
Xue Rongyue affirmed, "Of course, otherwise why would I redo my makeup?"
Jingnu paused, her hand holding the comb still. She thought to herself, "This is the crux of the matter! Were you two the kind of people who meticulously dressed up before parting ways? Shouldn't one of you be doing everything to conceal your whereabouts, and the other doing everything to kill the other out there? Now you're not even putting on an act in front of me?!"
Jingnu forced out a sentence through gritted teeth: "If Madam Zheng knew that you were so reluctant to see Prince Qin off, she would probably faint from anger."
This Lady Zheng was one of her husband's few close friends, and naturally they shared the same hatred for each other. She often took it upon herself to deal with Prince Qin and Prince Ji. Before returning to her maternal grandparents' home for a short stay, she was very worried when she said goodbye to her husband. She held her husband's hand and repeatedly reminded him, fearing that her husband would be at a disadvantage in a two-against-one situation. Fortunately, not long after, Prince Ji got a job and left Chang'an, which barely maintained the balance of the battle.
But only a short time has passed, and her mistress has actually made peace with Prince Qin. The two drank and chatted happily the night before, and tonight they are even seeing each other off.
Jingnu couldn't help but wonder how Zheng Niangzi and Ji Langjun would react after they returned to Chang'an and learned of this.
"First of all, I wasn't reluctant to see you off. I just... never mind, I can't explain it to you."
Hearing Jingnu mention Zheng Shuman, Xue Rongyue felt genuinely guilty. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "How about I write her a letter to let her know first? By the time she returns, even the biggest anger should have subsided."
Jingnu expressed doubt: "Are you sure that Madam Zheng won't get angrier and angrier and come back with a knife to see you?"
"How could that be? Shuman is the gentlest and most introverted person; she wouldn't dare to take a knife." Xue Rongyue said with a smile, then, remembering how Zheng Shuman had devoted herself to helping her devise a plan against Qin Jin, working tirelessly and not sleeping for several nights, she couldn't help but feel weak again. "...It shouldn't be, right?"
Jingnu rolled her eyes at her: "You ask me, how would I know?"
Xue Rongyue began to fidget: "I've had too many worries these days, and I've forgotten that she hasn't replied to the letter I sent to Shuman last time. Could it be that she already knows and doesn't want to talk to me anymore? But I hadn't made peace with Qin Jin back then."
"Never mind, I'll write another letter to sound out their opinion after I'm done getting ready."
As night fell, lanterns were hung in the Xue residence, and the candlelight under the eaves cast halos of light onto the paper windows. Xue Rongyue racked her brains for several hours, writing on a basketful of scrap paper, but still couldn't figure out how to explain to her close friend who had confided in her.
With the time for Qin Jin to leave the city fast approaching, Xue Rongyue had no choice but to put things aside for the time being and focus on the matters at hand.
The carriage was ready. The night was chilly, so Xue Rongyue put on a cloak and left the mansion with Jingnu.
Although it was unknown where Qin Jin was going, as long as he left the city, he would inevitably pass by the vicinity of Fangcao Pavilion. When Luo Zhen drove the carriage to the pavilion, there was still a quarter of an hour before the time Qin Jin had mentioned earlier when he was leaving the city.
Xue Rongyue instructed Luo Zhen: "Go and guard the city gate. When you see Qin Jin, tell him that I am waiting for him here."
Luo Zhen responded and was about to step back when the sound of galloping horses rang out not far away. With his sharp eyes, Luo Zhen immediately recognized the tall figure on horseback: "My lady, Prince Qin is here!"
Xue Rongyue quickly grabbed Jingnu and asked, "Is my face red enough?"
When she was putting on her makeup, she specifically instructed her maid to apply a lot of rouge to her.
Jingnu nodded, then asked, puzzled, "Why do you say that?"
Xue Rongyue sighed.
She had finally managed to get Qin Jin to lower his guard a little, and the night before last, she had reached a consensus with him and shook hands to make peace. She should have pressed her advantage, but he suddenly decided to leave Chang'an and wouldn't return for at least two months. Who knows how many variables might occur during that time?
Having no other choice, she could only launch a fierce attack on Qin Jin during their farewell.
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Author's Note: What kind of fierce attack should we have? [Let me see][doge]
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