“You know very well that Consort Li cannot have peace, because she was framed, isn’t that right?” Lanqin stared intently at Que’er.
Que'er's face turned pale, and she forced herself to be calm and said, "What Princess Niu said, this servant does not understand~~" Unconsciously, Que'er started referring to herself as "this servant" again, and by the time she realized it, it had already come out.
Madam Geng couldn't help but say, "Didn't I just tell you that Consort Li was framed and cursed by someone? Que'er, as her personal maid, you are even more trusted by Madam Li than Mingyan. You can't be completely unaware of what happened to her that day, can you?"
Que'er was about to turn around and leave, but was blocked by several maids outside the house.
"I'm a geisha here to perform today. I don't understand what the ladies are saying," Que'er said, wanting to leave. She had assumed that Lady Geng was taking her to see the Fujin (the wife of the deceased), because when she left the main courtyard, Lady Geng was clearly showing goodwill to Yan Yu. Now, it seemed that Lady Geng had already become friendly with Lady Niu and Lady Song?
Lanqin seemed to have anticipated her response, and slightly raised the corners of her mouth, saying, "What would the Fujin think if she knew I had already sought you out?"
Que'er, who was about to leave, had to stop abruptly because of these words. The shock in her heart made her thoughts turn around several times. She couldn't understand why Niu Shi would say these words, and how Fujin knew that she was in the South Courtyard.
Oh no, this is a trap from the start!
Que'er suddenly realized that she was in the South Courtyard right now. If the Fujin knew, she would really mistakenly think that she had been plotting something with Lanqin and the others.
"I'm not talking about now. Actually, you've been 'plotting' with us for a long time now~~" Lanqin saw that Que'er didn't move, and knew that she was having a fierce internal struggle.
"You're talking nonsense! I didn't! I've never conspired with you about anything!" Que'er turned around and stared fiercely at Lanqin.
"So you conspired with Chen Shou?" Lanqin suddenly felt a little cruel, but for a woman like Que'er, it was nothing.
Upon hearing the name "Chen Shou," Que'er was struck dumb, her mouth agape, barely able to utter a word.
Seeing the alternating blush and pallor on her face, Lanqin felt a pang of guilt. After all, it was her idea to have Chen Shou "seduce" Que'er.
"Chen Shou is your man?" Que'er forced out these words. Being deceived by the person she loved was too much to bear. Fortunately, Que'er might not have really fallen in love with Chen Shou, so after calming down from the shock of being deceived, she gradually calmed down.
"Yes, I'm sure the Princess Consort knows that Chen Shou goes to the music hall almost every time and sees Cui Nong every time." Lanqin saw that Que'er calmed down quickly, and she knew that she really hadn't fallen in love with Chen Shou.
"What exactly do you want?" Sparrow was still the same Sparrow, and soon revealed her clever and shrewd nature.
“We just want you to tell Fourth Master that it was Wang who put that witchcraft doll under Li’s bed.” Song walked to Lanqin’s side and helped her up.
“The Fujin is naturally suspicious. If she finds out how intimate you are with Chen Shou in Lan’er’s courtyard, do you think she will still trust you? Knowing her nature, I’m afraid you’ll disappear very soon,” Geng Shi said.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Que'er's eyes, but her suspicion and ego quickly brought her back to normal. She asked, "Help you defeat the Fujin? What benefit would that bring me?"
Lanqin smiled. As long as she was willing to say those words, she was seven or eight out of ten sure that she would get her to report the matter to the Fourth Master.
"There are many benefits. With the Fujin gone, you won't have to worry about your safety anymore. You can also get a large sum of money to live the life you want instead of having to work in a place like an entertainment venue. I can ask Master to help you get rid of your status as an entertainer." Lanqin thought to herself: No matter how wicked a woman is, she is still a person of flesh and blood. As long as she can repent and stop harming people, what harm is there in giving her a helping hand?
Que'er fell silent, seemingly pondering the weight of Lanqin's words.
Seeing that she remained silent, Madam Song grew anxious and said, "Now, as long as you are willing to cooperate with us, Lan'er will immediately find a way to bring Fourth Master over. You just need to tell us what you know, and you can take the money, get rid of your artistic status, and live a free and unrestrained life."
Que'er pondered Song's words, seemingly hesitant and unable to make a decision.
Seeing that she wouldn't answer, Lanqin bit her lip, thinking to herself: If bribery doesn't work, I'll have to resort to coercion. Sigh, when did I end up like this? Suppressing the discomfort rising within her, Lanqin said, "Que'er, you have no choice. Even if you refuse to speak now, the Fujin won't let you off the hook. You've served Li Shi for many years, you must know the Fujin's temperament. Cooperate with us, go and explain things to the Fourth Prince, and perhaps you'll have a chance to survive. Otherwise, given the Fujin's suspicious nature, even if she doesn't act herself, who knows what her family might do, right?"
Que'er's face turned deathly pale. She knew Lanqin was right. Given the Fujin's temperament, things probably wouldn't be as peaceful as before; she might have already sent someone to keep an eye on things. However, she still had a trump card. Thinking of that person, a glimmer of life returned to her pale face.
"Thank you for your concern, Princess Niu. Your safety is no concern for me. I must go back now." With that, Que'er turned to leave.
Both Madam Song and Madam Geng showed expressions of disappointment and quickly looked at Lanqin, who also seemed somewhat anxious.
Lanqin hadn't expected Que'er to be so guarded. If she insisted on not telling anyone, there was nothing she could do.
Que'er turned and walked out. Song Shi wanted to go forward to pull her away, but Lan Qin stopped her with one hand.
“She hasn’t made up her mind yet. If we force her, she’ll only become more resistant. Let’s see if the Princess Consort will come looking for her,” Lanqin said.
"Lan'er, we need to send someone to keep an eye on her," Geng said worriedly.
“No rush, she’ll come on her own, why keep an eye on her? Let’s just wait here and see if she comes. Nianxue, go get the things I’ve cut out. With two skilled needlework ladies here, how can we waste time?” Lanqin put aside her thoughts, pulled Song’s hand, and said to Geng.
"How can you be such a mother? You need others to help you with your own child's clothes. Aren't you ashamed?"
Geng said.
"Hmph, his two older sisters are his aunts, what's there to be ashamed of?" Lanqin said playfully.
Song and Geng exchanged a smile, then helped Lanqin to the main bed. The three of them began doing needlework, chatting and laughing, as if the incident from earlier had never happened.
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