"I'll go check and make sure nothing goes wrong. All the head maids are busy in the main courtyard. I have nothing to do anyway, so I'll help out the Fujin. Is that alright?" Geng deliberately rambled on, leaving Xiaozhuzi completely confused and wondering why this Niu Gege had come.
"Of course, that's fine. Please come with me, Princess." Little Pillar finally agreed, thinking of the red envelope.
Geng followed Xiaozhu to the house where the geisha were housed, which was right next to the head nanny's house.
As soon as the door opened, five or six brightly dressed women were scattered around the room. When they saw someone coming, they all immediately focused their attention on the newcomer.
Geng's gaze swept subtly over everyone, finally settling on the woman sitting in the innermost chair. Noticing Geng staring at her, the woman lowered her head, trying to avoid Geng's scrutiny.
"Gege Geng, they are all here. Please take a look, Your Highness." Xiao Zhu really didn't know why Lady Geng was coming to see these courtesans. They were all so delicate and charming; what could be wrong with them?
"Xiao Zhuzi, you go ahead, I'll just sit here for a while," Geng Shi said when she saw that Xiao Zhuzi showed no sign of leaving.
Xiao Zhuzi wanted to hear what Geng Shi was planning, since all these women were stunningly beautiful, and he was quite pleased with himself. But since Geng Gege had already told him to leave, he could only chuckle awkwardly and go.
After seeing Xiaozhuzi leave, Lülan immediately closed the door.
Meanwhile, Xiao Zhuzi was muttering to himself as he walked back when, without noticing someone suddenly walking towards him, he bumped into the person.
"Hey, Xiao Zhuzi, can't you watch where you're going?" Zhao Quan said irritably. He had been feeling down lately, always working under Su Peisheng, unable to get a chance to get close to Fourth Master, and there was no profit to be made.
"Oh dear, it's Brother Zhao, did I bump into you?" Xiao Zhuzi quickly said with a smile. Although Zhao Quan didn't have the same influence over the Fourth Master as Su Peisheng, he was still serving the Fourth Master, which was much better than those of them who guarded the gate every day.
"What are you thinking about, kid? Why aren't you watching where you're going?" Zhao Quan noticed that Xiao Zhuzi looked like he was thinking about something as he walked over.
“Brother Zhao, I just took Princess Geng to the head nanny’s place. I don’t know what’s wrong with those geishas. They’re all delicate women, what could they possibly cause! Isn’t that strange?” Xiao Zhuzi said.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Quan blinked a few times, put an arm around Xiao Zhuzi's shoulder, and said in a low voice, "How about we go and eavesdrop?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhuzi was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Brother Zhao, this might not be good. If Geng Gege finds out, that would be terrible."
Zhao Quan sneered, "Gege Geng is favored by the master, what are you afraid of!"
Xiao Zhuzi shook his head again, but he didn't dare to offend Zhao Quan, so he said, "I have some things to do at the gatehouse. If the master finds out I'm not here, he'll scold me to death."
Zhao Quan knew he wanted to slip away, so he patted Xiao Zhuzi's shoulder disdainfully and waved at him.
After Xiao Zhuzi left, Zhao Quan stood there for a moment, then walked towards his room. With Su Peisheng and Fourth Master absent, he had nothing to do. He was too lazy to do things like tending to flowers and cleaning; if he was going to do anything, it had to be something done in front of his masters.
Zhao Quan sat in his room, drank a cup of tea, and then lay on the bed for a while. He still felt uneasy, and Xiao Zhuzi's words kept coming to mind.
“Geng is on good terms with that person in the South Courtyard. Why is she suddenly in the front yard? Could something be wrong?” Zhao Quan’s eyes darted around. He sat up abruptly, thought for a moment, then immediately put his legs down, slipped on his shoes, and went out the door.
Zhao Quan walked out of his room, turned around and looked left and right, but saw no one, so he turned and went towards the head nanny.
Just as he was about to reach the house, he saw Madam Geng coming out, followed by her maid, Qingping.
Zhao Quan's heart sank. He regretted not coming sooner, but he forced a smile, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "This servant greets Lady Geng."
"Yes, these geishas are all pitiful. Don't forget to send some food in. We don't know when things will be finished at the main courtyard. Don't let them go hungry." Geng Shi walked past Zhao Quan and said this without stopping.
Zhao Quan politely agreed, though he didn't actually need to listen to her, but he still had to give her a polite response.
Watching the departing figures of Geng and her servant, Zhao Quan felt something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.
After leaving the main courtyard, the two chose a narrow path and headed towards the south courtyard.
At this time, Lanqin and Madam Song were already waiting in the South Courtyard. Doctor Wu had already left with the medicine, only instructing them to lie down properly and not to overexert themselves before leaving.
Inside the room, ice was dripping and releasing cool air in a cloisonné copper basin. Madam Song was wearing a dark green jacket and skirt, while Lanqin was wearing a light purple jacket and skirt. The two of them were reclining on the main couch, waiting for Madam Geng.
“Sister, do you think she will join us in pointing the finger at the Fujin?” Song asked.
“We might not have known before, but now we know that Li was framed and poisoned before her supposed ‘suicide.’ She can’t escape. If she doesn’t talk, perhaps we can find someone else.” Lanqin picked up a cup of cold milk tea and took a sip.
Before she could even put down her teacup, she heard Lan Qi outside call out, "Geng Gege and the others are here."
Overjoyed, Madam Song quickly stood up, walked to the hexagonal window, and looked at the two people outside. "Why has Qingping changed?"
She spoke with a tone of surprise, as if she couldn't believe her eyes. Song Shi exclaimed, "It really is that Sparrow!!!"
Before Lanqin could get up, Madam Geng had already brought Que'er in.
"Que'er greets the two princesses." Que'er bowed to Lanqin and Song Shi as before.
"It's truly heartbreaking to see Miss Que'er in this state. Back when Sister Li was around, Miss Que'er was her most favored maid. Alas, it's a pity that Sister Li passed away so unjustly, unaware that the person beside her has now become a courtesan." Madam Song was no longer as taciturn as before, and her words became sharp and eloquent.
Que'er's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and smiled gracefully, "Things are unpredictable, and the two princesses are still as charming as ever. Que'er has no choice but to come out and show her face in public for a living. I dare not think back to when Consort Li was alive; I only wish her peace and that she may soon ascend to paradise."
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