Chapter 259: First Confrontation
The Cuiyuan and Lanxiyuan are located in the east and west, and are far apart from each other.
Lu tossed and turned in bed the next morning, unable to fall asleep.
He was worried about Qiushi who was suffering from torture, and also worried about Nanny Wang whose whereabouts were unknown.
Liu Yue only found out that the Marquis' wife had ordered Nanny Wang to be sent to a farm outside the city for recuperation on the grounds that she was suffering from an acute illness.
As to which manor it is, there is no information yet.
In the night wind, there seems to be a faint foreshadowing of sad sobbing.
For a moment, Lu Mingchao couldn't tell whether his ears were restless or his mind was restless.
Qingtang, who was on night watch, asked softly through the gauze curtain, "Madam?"
Lu Mingchao simply sat up and lifted the curtain. "Qingtang, did you hear any strange noises?"
Qingtang listened attentively and shook his head in doubt, "No."
"If the night wind bothers you, Madam, I will close the windows."
Lu Mingchao was uneasy and waved his hands.
"Let Liu Yue go to Lanxi Courtyard and set it on fire, and stay in the dark to protect Qiushi from death."
After the welcoming banquet, Qiushi took the initiative to mention Chunhua. Considering Lu Minghui's violent temper, Qiushi will definitely have a hard time tonight.
"Tell Amber to go see Miss Ming II and tell her that I have persistent abdominal pain. I ask Miss Ming II to ask Lord Lerong to bring the imperial physician to treat me."
As expected, County Lord Lerong did not return to the Princess's Mansion, but stayed in Ming Mansion for a while and talked with Ming Tian by candlelight at night.
"It's up to you to figure out how to deceive the imperial physician."
There were obviously many things she could have done. There was no need for Qiushi to risk her life to create a storm that no one might care about.
She still couldn't be so hard-hearted and selfish as to take death for granted.
Even if the life span of autumn fruits is only three months, one should still listen to the chirping of cicadas and birds, admire the blooming flowers in the summer rain, and leave with a relaxed brow and no worries.
"Hurry up!"
Liu Yueshen blended into the night without anyone noticing.
Amber left the mansion from the corner gate in a hurry.
Before long, thick smoke billowed from Lanxi Courtyard and orange-red flames rose.
"The fire broke out. The fire broke out."
"Someone come, there's a fire in Lanxiyuan!"
"Put out the fire, put out the fire quickly."
The continuous shouts and disorderly footsteps broke the silence of the night.
The Yongning Marquis and his wife, who had rarely slept in the same bed for more than half a year, hastily put on their clothes and hurried to Lanxi Courtyard in two steps.
Lu Minghua, who was reading by lamplight at night, put down the book, picked up the lantern, thought for a moment, and decided to go to the Cuiyuan first.
Chaochao is pregnant and can't stand the fright, so he has to go and see her before he can feel at ease.
The lights inside and outside the Cuiyuan were all on.
Lu Minghua felt nervous, wondering if Chaochao had gotten into trouble too.
There were knocks on the door one after another.
Lu Mingchao frowned. It was impossible for Mingzhou and Lord Lerong to come so quickly.
Lu Minghua?
In the huge Yongning Marquis Mansion, only Lu Minghua would care about her in times of crisis.
"Qingtang, go tell the prince about the situation in the Cuiyuan."
Lu Mingchao lay in bed with his clothes on and said softly.
Lu Minghua is a polite and upright person and would not break into his girlfriend's room late at night.
Qingtang responded and left.
"Prince." Qingtang bowed.
Lu Minghua nodded slightly to indicate, his expression seemed anxious, but his eyes did not wander around.
He spoke politely, his voice revealing concern: "Qingtang, I noticed that the lights in the Cuiyuan are brightly lit right now. Chao Chao, is everything okay?"
Qingtang lowered his head and said politely, "Your Highness, Madam had a miscarriage at night and has had constant abdominal pain. The pain has eased a little now and she is about to fall asleep."
"Miscarriage?" Lu Minghua suddenly raised his voice.
The usually gentle voice was tinged with anxiety, and thus seemed cold and stern.
"Why don't you go get a doctor?"
"I will inform my father and bring his jade token to invite the imperial physician into the palace."
Qingtang explained, "Prince, please be patient. Madam has arranged for Amber to go out of the house to ask for help from the Second Miss Ming and the Lord of Lerong County. The imperial physician will be here soon."
"Why go far away instead of near?" Lu Minghua blurted out.
As soon as I said it, I knew it was inappropriate.
What happened last year is a chasm that can never be crossed.
Immediately, she changed the subject and asked, "Do you know what caused Chao Chao to be upset and have a miscarriage?"
It's a long journey from Changhe to Shangjing, but every day is safe and secure.
On the day she returned home, she had a miscarriage.
If you say there is no reason, he doesn't believe it.
Qingtang sighed lightly and looked embarrassed.
"Qingtang, tell the truth." Lu Minghua said in a deep voice, "Chao Chao has been pregnant for a long time. If we don't solve the problem that worries her, she will not be able to feel at ease."
Qingtang gritted his teeth and asked, "Sir, do you know that Chunhua is lame?"
Lu Minghua nodded and said, "I heard from the servant next to me that Chunhua accidentally fell on the stairs last winter, breaking her knee and spraining her ankle."
Seeing Qingtang's serious expression and hesitation, Lu Minghua became suspicious, "Isn't that the case?"
"Since the prince has asked this question, I will tell you frankly." Qingtang spoke like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.
"Chunhua's legs were severely injured in the last winter when she broke porcelain while kneeling. The old injuries were not healed and new ones were added. The torture day after day caused her legs to suffer serious damage. From then on, she could no longer walk freely like a normal person."
"When the lady learned about this, she was extremely anxious, fearing that Chunhua had other undiscovered injuries, so she asked more questions. Unexpectedly, this question led to another shocking incident."
"The eldest lady actually fed Chunhua the strong sterilization drug prepared for animals. The damage this drug causes to the human body is beyond words."
"Chunhua's experience was tragic enough, but Qiushi's experience is even more unbearable to hear."
"The young lady inserted countless silver needles as thin as cow hair into Qiushi's body, causing Qiushi to suffer unspeakable pain day and night."
"Chunhua and Qiushi were once the maids that Madam was closest to and relied on the most. After hearing the news, Madam was furious and vowed to seek justice for Chunhua and Qiushi, so she went to question the eldest lady."
"I didn't expect that my lower abdomen would ache as I was out of breath."
"Your Highness, my wife is not meddling in Lanxiyuan's affairs. She is just cherishing our old friendship and cannot bear to see her old friend suffer like this."
Lu Minghua's face looked extremely ugly, as if covered with a layer of frost.
Qingtang ignored it and continued, "I heard that Lanxi Courtyard was on fire. I beg you to apologize to the Marquis and his wife on behalf of my wife. Due to my health, it is difficult for me to come in person."
Lu Minghua's expression was stiff. "Take good care of Chao Chao."
"She doesn't have to go to Lanxiyuan."
"Also, tell Zhaozhao not to worry. I will protect Qiushi and send her to the Cuiyuan safely."
"Thank you, Prince." Qingtang bowed again.
Lu Minghua turned and left, furious.
He never knew Lu Minghui was so vicious and cruel!
My mother is so secretive!
…
The fire in Lanxiyuan was not fierce, and it was not known whether it was intentional or unintentional, but Lu Minghui left Qiushi, who was in so much pain that he could not move, in the room.
Liu Yue couldn't hold back her anger any longer, and using the thick smoke as a cover, she kicked the stool towards Lu Minghui.
A huge force came at her, and Lu Minghui's body tilted and she fell heavily on the doorstep.
When he touched it again, his mouth was full of blood.
Lu Minghui ignored the curses and hurriedly got up and continued to run out.
Liu Yue was unable to show up, so he could only move Qiushi to the front of the door, and Qiushi crawled into the yard with his last bit of strength.
"Qiushi, stay alive."
"The lady is fulfilling your wish."
"She's still waiting for you."
"Survive."
Finally see the light of day