After Mu Qingyang left, Lanqin pondered which children should be sent to learn Western opera from him. Should she send the steward out to buy a few young girls?
Lanqin quickly dismissed the idea; it was practically human trafficking. Although it was legal in this era, Lanqin couldn't get over it. Even though she used child laborers every day, when it came to deciding other people's fates herself, she still hesitated.
"Sihua, call Jinju, Shuiling, Lanqi, Putao, Baoqin, and Yuxiao over," Lanqin said. Cui Niang was nearing her due date, and Nianxue and Xicha were both pregnant. Lanqin hadn't let them come; they were all resting at home until they gave birth and then returned to serve her. At this moment, besides Sihua and Lanqi, who were the head maids, everyone else around Lanqin was relatively new. Among them, Shuiling and Jinju were the ones Lanqin relied on most.
Si Hua knew that Lan Qin wanted to hand these maids over to Mu Qingyang to learn Western opera, so she quickly said, "Master, these people all have things to do. If you send them to learn every day, who will serve you?"
Lanqin said, "It's not like they have to study all the time. They can go there to study for two or three hours every morning, and then come back to serve. We can make a schedule so the maids can take turns studying. That way, they'll have to work a little harder."
Si Hua knew that Lan Qin was a strong-willed person, so she had no choice but to call someone to speak to Lan Qin.
Several maids arrived, standing gracefully in the room. After listening to Lanqin's words, they all began to chatter and discuss among themselves.
"Master, I have to take care of the young master, how could I have time to learn opera?" Lan Qi said. Now that Nian Xue is not here, Lan Qi is Hongli's head maid, responsible for disciplining the several maids under her.
"Don't you have a few maids under your command? You can take turns with Grape and have a few maids help you. Also, bring Hongli over. It won't interfere with your opera studies!" Lanqin said.
The others seemed quite intrigued, even a little eager to try. Lanqin was happy to see them so happy; after all, it was just for fun, so there was no need to be professional or particularly good.
"Sihua, send another sample to Sister Song and Sister Wu, and tell them to send their trusted maids to learn as well. It'll be more fun with more people," Lanqin said.
"Master, I can't act, I'm afraid I won't do a good job," Jinju said, blinking her eyes. She was very calm, but she was also very timid.
“It’s not like we’re asking you to go out and perform on stage. If you don’t perform well, you can practice slowly. Your master won’t mind. We’re really quite idle in this courtyard, so why don’t we find something to do?” Lanqin said.
“Master, we don’t have those basic skills. The skills of singing and dancing can’t be learned overnight,” Baoqin said.
"You're learning Western opera, not Peking opera. It's unnecessary. Just go and learn properly from Young Master Mu. Just be able to perform for me, the concubine. From now on, I'll write my own scripts, and you can perform them," Lanqin said.
Before long, the fact that Mu Qingyang had moved to Yue Di Yun Ju to teach the maids Western opera quickly became known to the masters of the various residences. Moreover, Mu Qingyang no longer performed on stage, lived there alone, and forbade any unauthorized personnel from approaching.
Upon hearing this news, Liu was stunned and stood frozen on the spot as if struck by lightning. She had suspected from the beginning that someone was behind him, and it turned out that it really was Niohuru.
"Cuizhu, we have to think of something! Otherwise, with him living there and being instigated by Niohuru, who knows how he'll deal with me!" Liu felt like a knife was at her throat. She firmly believed that Lanqin had always been behind Mu Qingyang, and seeing that Lanqin had arranged for him to stay at Yue Di Yun Ju behind Wan Fang An He, she was even more convinced.
“Master, if the concubine wanted to use him to deal with the princess, she would have already told you. Why is there still no movement?” Cuizhu asked.
"But what bigger tricks is she planning? Cuizhu, we have to take action. As long as Mu Qingyang is not eliminated, I will not have peace in my bedroom," said Madam Liu.
Xiao Jinzi had been silent on the side, seemingly thinking about something. Seeing Liu Shi restless, she said, "Princess, since Mu Qingyang has moved to Yue Di Yun Ju, the only way to harm him is through his food and drink."
Upon hearing that Xiao Jinzi had finally spoken, Liu immediately asked, "Do you know anyone in the kitchen of Yue Di Yun Ju?"
Xiao Jinzi shook his head and said, "Although each courtyard has its own small kitchen and servants for food, the water comes from the same place."
Liu said, "They all come from the Xishan Reservoir. The water room in Yuanmingyuan is in the northwest corner of the courtyard. People from there send water carts to deliver water to various places every day for drinking."
“Exactly! Master, this is the only breakthrough we can find. We can’t get involved in any other places. I heard that the concubine has ordered that no one is allowed to see him unless Mu Qingyang himself wants to see him,” Xiao Jinzi said.
"Hmph, she must be trying to scheme against me because I'm pregnant with Master's child," Liu said darkly.
“Master, there’s no time to lose. Why don’t I go to the water room and see if there’s anyone I know there who can help me think of a solution?” Xiao Jinzi said.
"Alright, go quickly. If you need money, just tell me," said Madam Liu.
Another person who was quite dissatisfied with Lanqin's decision to place Mu Qingyang in Yue Di Yun Ju was Lady Fucha. She had wanted to see Mu Qingyang again, but now she couldn't even see him.
“I never expected that Niohuru would suddenly appear out of nowhere!” Fucha said. “Originally, we had already cornered Liu, and all we needed to do was add fuel to the fire to burn her down.” Fucha said bitterly.
“My lady, why don’t we go and tell the concubine to deal with Liu Shi? Wouldn’t that be better?” Hong Qiao suggested from the side.
“No, I was the one who discovered this, and it was a good opportunity to show off in front of the Fourth Prince. How can I give this credit to her for nothing?” said Lady Fucha.
“My lady, we can’t let Liu Shi have an easy time now. Now that the concubine has interfered, we can also curry favor with her and work together to deal with Liu Shi. I think the concubine definitely doesn’t want Liu Shi to give birth to her child safely,” Hong Qiao said.
Lady Fucha fell into deep thought before saying, "Let's see how things go. Anyway, Mu Qingyang is right here, and we can always find him to expose Liu. Let's wait and see."
What Ling Lanqin didn't expect was that she only wanted Mu Qingyang to teach her maids opera, but she didn't expect it to arouse the suspicion of Liu Shi and Fucha Shi.
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