When Xiu Rong returned to Lan Yue Courtyard, Qiao He also happened to return.
After listening to Xiu Rong's words, Jiang Segu waved for her to leave. Qiao He then stepped forward and whispered, "Qiu Xia went to the First Madam's courtyard in a panic after leaving the courtyard. She didn't come out until two incense sticks had burned. As for what she said, this servant doesn't know."
However, I heard from Sister Xiuhe that Mama Lin was originally the First Madam's dowry maid, and was only recently assigned to serve the eldest young lady.
"What about the young woman's previous mother?"
"She used to be the eldest daughter's wet nurse, but later she was said to have fallen ill and was sent away from the manor!"
Jiang Segu didn't quite believe this.
You can never judge a book by its cover when it comes to the affairs of the first wife.
"Go and find out what Lin's mother has been doing at Huilan Courtyard these past two years!"
"yes!"
Before Qiaohe could even leave Lanyue Courtyard, she saw Liang Shaojie hesitating at the gate.
She frowned, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "Young Master Liang, what brings you here?"
"I've come to see your girls..."
Looking at girls?
Could it be that Young Master Liang knows something?
But how did Young Master Liang know that?
Qiaohe's thoughts raced, and she replied with a smile, "Our young lady is staying at Lanyue Courtyard because she sees that Third Madam is ill and doesn't trust anyone else to take care of her..."
"You don't need to lie to me, I know everything! My third uncle and third aunt... are both gone!"
Qiaohe was shocked, but still tried to defend herself, saying, "On such a joyous day, Young Master Liang should think twice before he speaks!"
"Brother Wenlin has told me everything. I just wanted to come and pay my respects to my third uncle and third aunt, and also to see your daughter!"
Qiaohe was unsure what to do, so she could only curtsy and say, "Please wait here for a moment, Young Master Liang. I will go and inform the young lady first!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Segu's eyes flashed with a dark glint, and he finally said in a deep voice, "Please invite Young Master Liang in!"
After Liang Shaojie followed Qiaohe in, he first paid his respects to the Third Master Jiang and Third Madam Jiang on the bed, and then said to Jiang Segu, who was kneeling by the bed, "Azi, don't be too sad! I know you're in pain, but you have to take care of yourself!"
Jiang Segu did not answer.
Liang Shaojie didn't make a fool of himself at all, but said again, "If there's anything I can do to help, you must ask. It's just a small token of my filial piety to my third uncle and third aunt!"
Seeing that Jiang Segu still didn't intend to speak, Liang Shaojie shook hands and explained the purpose of his trip: "I wonder if anyone has been sent to Baoding to inform them? If not, I'm willing to make the trip!"
Jiang Segu's indifferent gaze finally stirred something within him!
So they were still eyeing the Yin family!
"No need for you, Cousin Liang, to worry about this. Someone will handle things in Baoding! If you have nothing else to do, please return to the front courtyard!"
"Are you still going to be so formal with me now? The Marquis forbids this matter from being made public, and your brother has to shoulder the heavy responsibility of entertaining guests for the third branch of the family. This is precisely the time when you need someone to share the burden..."
“I appreciate your kindness, Cousin Liang! But as you can see, everything in the courtyard is in perfect order, and there are people taking care of everything that needs to be prepared. I really can’t think of any way you can help me!”
By the way, if Cousin Liang really wants to help me, there's something I absolutely need his help with!
Young Master Liang's eyes lit up, and he asked with a smile, "What is it?"
"Cousin Liang, please stop bothering me. It's not good for me to be sad and annoyed by you on top of that!"
The smile on Liang Shaojie's face immediately cracked, and the stinging pain from his palm prevented him from going crazy on the spot.
"I know you are..."
Jiang Segu, impatient with his polite words, said with great annoyance, "Qiaohe, see the guest out!"
"Young Master Liang, please!"
***
Huilan Courtyard.
Jiang Chuhui was favored by the Emperor, and the Huilan Courtyard should have been the happiest in the entire household, but the reality was quite the opposite.
The servants in the courtyard all forced smiles, which made Granny Qi and Granny Zhang unable to bear it any longer. They scolded them, "It's a joyous occasion for the young lady to enter the palace today. What are you all doing putting on such a show!"
The servants were so frightened that they immediately knelt on the ground, heads bowed, not daring to defend themselves.
Mu Ying stepped forward and explained, "Granny, they are all people who cannot enter the palace with the eldest young lady. They just can't bear to part with her. I hope you can understand!"
The two old women's expressions softened a bit. "Whatever your intentions, cheer up! Otherwise, when the guests arrive and see you looking so dejected, they'll think the Marquis's mansion doesn't want their eldest daughter to enter the palace!"
That would be a serious crime!
No one dared to be dejected anymore; they all perked up and practically stretched their smiles to their ears.
But in a secluded corner, one can't help but feel sorry for oneself.
The second-class maids in the courtyard, in particular, lamented their bad luck!
Once the eldest daughter leaves, they don't know where they'll be assigned to do menial tasks!
The difference between being demoted from a second-class maid to a lowly maid is actually quite small.
Therefore, everyone's minds started to wander.
This brought Qiaohe a bargain.
Qiaohe had only asked a few questions before several second-class maids rushed to tell Lin Mama everything that had happened over the past two years.
However, she talked about many things in bits and pieces, but none of them made Qiaohe smile.
Until one of the maids said, "Since Lin Mama came, her behavior hasn't been anything wrong. It's just that ever since Caiju died, she's been going to the First Madam's courtyard all day long. I don't know what she's doing there, but she's gone for more than an hour at a time, and she often comes back with red eyes..."
"Yes, yes, yes! It wasn't just that her eyes were red; as soon as she came back, she locked herself in her room, and afterwards, she didn't serve the eldest young lady as attentively as before!"
The crowd started talking all at once, but most of it was useless or just speculation and exaggeration.
Qiaohe made an excuse to leave Huilan Courtyard, and with a slight glint in her eyes, she went to the First Madam's courtyard.
Guests were already arriving in droves, and the First Madam should not be in the room at this time. Qiaohe thought that if she offered a small favor and relied on the friendship she had built up over the years, perhaps she could find out something useful!
However, as soon as she arrived at Jiyue Courtyard, she saw Zijin carrying a bundle, sneaking out of the courtyard, and then heading northeast like the wind!
As the First Madam's right-hand woman, why isn't she serving her on such an important day? Where is she sneaking off to?
Qiaohe followed at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
Zijin arrived at the northeast corner gate. The old woman guarding the gate was considered one of their own. Upon seeing Zijin, she shamelessly greeted him, her eyes filled with greed as she looked at the bundle in Zijin's arms.
Zi Jin took a tael of silver from his sleeve and tossed it to the old woman, saying, "Keep a close watch, don't let anyone come!"
The old woman accepted the money and obsequiously agreed.
Qiaohe hurriedly stepped aside, and after only a few breaths, Zijin returned, but the bundle in her arms was gone...
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