"Thank you for your concern, elder sister. I just had a stomachache, but it's nothing serious now." Yan Yu carefully observed the expression on the Fujin's face.
"That's good, go and rest early," said the wife.
The two sisters each had their own thoughts and were trying to guess what the other was thinking.
After Yan Yu left, the Fujin asked Li Mama to summon Doctor Zhou. When the latter arrived and inquired about Yan Yu's condition, Doctor Zhou looked blank and claimed that he had not examined Yan Yu's pulse that day.
Doctor Zhou's words immediately aroused the Fujin's deeper doubts, and then she asked Granny Li to summon the sedan chair bearers.
Two sedan chair bearers, one named Wang De and the other Zhang Chu, approached the Princess Consort with trepidation. Both were robust men in their early twenties. However, the Princess Consort was cautious. She met with Wang De alone, while sending Granny Li to another room to meet with Zhang Chu, questioning them separately and then comparing their accounts.
"Wang De, tell me in detail where Yan Yu Gege went and what she did after leaving me today. Don't miss a single word, or you'll be punished according to family rules!" the princess said coldly.
Wang De and Zhang Chu had already received bribes from Yan Yu, so they naturally couldn't tell the truth. They followed Yan Yu's instructions and said, "Reporting to Your Highness, since Princess Yan Yu had a stomachache, and because it was far from the manor, we went to a nearby clinic for treatment. After the consultation, the Princess said she wanted to go to Niuda Hutong. Zhang Chu and I are just sedan chair carriers; naturally, we let the Princess go wherever she wanted. Please punish us, Your Highness!"
Wang De's explanation made the Fujin frown deeply. It didn't seem to have any problems, but Yan Yu always made her uneasy.
After Wang De was sent away, Li Mama finished her questions, and the two of them gave the exact same results.
"Granny, it seems I've been overly suspicious. That girl Yan Yu always makes me keep an eye on her." The Fujin picked up the blue and white porcelain cup and said a word about tea.
“I’ll just send more people to keep an eye on her. What can she do under our noses?” said Granny Li.
As for Wang De and Zhang Chu, they had naturally received instructions from Yan Yu beforehand, which is why they spoke with one voice. The two were usually poor sedan chair carriers, earning only so much each month, unlike servants in other places who would occasionally receive rewards from their masters. Now, suddenly seeing that they had each received ten taels of silver, they were quite excited and nervous.
"Brother Dezi, are we alright? What if the Fujin finds out we were lying for Princess Yanyu? What should we do then?" Zhang Chu was young and a bit timid.
“As long as we stick to our story, Princess Yan Yu herself will definitely not tell. How will the Fujin find out? I’m telling you, you absolutely cannot change your story again, otherwise you know what will happen,” Wang De instructed.
Zhang Chu swallowed hard, nodded emphatically, and they each returned to their own lodgings to rest.
Inside the East Courtyard, Madam Li learned from the gatekeeper that the Fujin and Yan Yu had gone out together today but returned at different times. She pondered this for a long time but couldn't come to any conclusion.
"Let's go see Yan Yu. It's been a long time since we've been to her place," Madam Li instructed Que'er.
After the master and servant left the east courtyard, it was already completely dark. Lanterns were lit everywhere, and the night wind made the lanterns and tree branches creak and groan. People with a weak heart usually dared not come out at night.
Li Shi, holding Que'er's hand, walked along the alleyway in the mansion. As they walked, they suddenly heard a low whisper, as if two people were talking.
Li and Que'er immediately stopped and stood quietly by the roadside, listening to what the two people were saying.
"Wang De, you and Zhang Chu must insist on the place where the princess went today. The Fujin is suspicious, she will definitely ask again. You can't give anything away, otherwise when Princess Yan Yu is in trouble, you won't be able to escape either." A woman's voice deliberately lowered as she spoke.
"Don't worry, Aunt. Zhang Chu and I have already covered it up for the princess, and we must keep it a secret forever, otherwise the princess will not forgive us." A man's voice said gruffly.
"You know it's for the best. Take it; this is from the princess. As long as you can keep this a secret for the princess, the benefits in the future will be much greater than this," the woman said again.
"Thank you, thank you. I will certainly serve you, Princess, and do not fail in my duty," the man said happily.
After the two people left, Li Shi emerged from behind the bushes, supporting Que'er's hand.
"Que'er, hurry and follow that man! I need to know who he is!" Madam Li said hastily. Her intuition told her that what they had just conspired about was definitely not a simple matter.
Que'er immediately chased after her, leaving Li Shi standing alone. She gazed at the crescent moon that had climbed above the treetops, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Que'er followed the person with the heavier footsteps all the way. When they reached a brightly lit area, she realized that it was Wang De, who was a sedan chair carrier under the care of the head nanny.
"Wang De!" Que'er suddenly shouted.
As expected, Wang De was terrified that someone would suddenly speak up behind him, especially at this time. He was so frightened that his soul almost left his body. When he turned around and saw that it was a maidservant from Consort Li's household, he smiled and said, "My dear aunt, you almost scared me to death."
Sparrow laughed, and said meaningfully, "You haven't done anything wrong, so why are you so afraid?"
Upon hearing her words, Wang De's eyelids twitched, and he asked, "It's so late, young lady, is there something you need from Granny?"
Que'er said, "Wang De, our concubine wants you to come over. She has something to ask you."
Wang De immediately became wary and declined, saying, "I am just a sedan chair carrier. What could Consort Li possibly have to ask me? If you need a sedan chair, just come to the head nanny's office tomorrow to report it."
Que'er walked up to his ear and said in a tone that no one else could hear, "The concubine knows what you've done. If you don't go, don't regret it tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Wang De froze on the spot as if struck by lightning. His mind raced as he thought about what Que'er had said. He and Yun Yuan had just discussed the matter, so how did Consort Li find out the next moment?
"So, whether you go or not, it's up to you. I'm going back now." Que'er turned around and pretended to leave.
"Wait, young lady, I'll go with you," Wang De said hurriedly, beads of sweat already forming on his forehead.
"Then come with me." A slight smile appeared on Que'er's lips, though Wang De couldn't see it.
The two soon arrived at the East Courtyard. Li Shi had already returned and was sitting in the house drinking tea, waiting for Que'er.
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