There is a bamboo curtain hung at the door of each wing room, embroidered with plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum and crabapple with silk thread.
The old woman took Zhao Yunzhu straight to the room with the crabapple bamboo curtain.
When he reached the door, he raised his hand and knocked five times. Then he turned to look at Zhao Yunzhu, bowed again, and said, "Madam, we are here. The master has instructed that you go in alone."
"Thank you very much."
Zhao Yunzhu ordered Linglong to wait outside, and only after the maid opened the curtain did she walk into the room.
Although it was winter, there were several pots of charcoal fire in the house, which was warm and made people not feel cold.
There was an unknown kind of sandalwood burning in the room, which made people feel refreshed both physically and mentally.
"Coming?"
Through the screen, Zhao Yunzhu vaguely saw a woman in a bright red dress. Her voice was loud and clear.
"Grandma Su."
Zhao Yunzhu bowed and saw Aunt Su walking out from behind the screen with a smile.
She looked Zhao Yunzhu up and down, and there was a hint of appreciation in her critical eyes.
"Your mother and I are of the same generation, so you can just call me Aunt Su." Aunt Su pointed to an empty chair and said, "Stop standing there, let's sit down and talk."
Zhao Yunzhu smiled and nodded in agreement, then sat down in the seat that Aunt Su pointed to.
"Aunt Su, I'm sorry for disturbing you."
Zhao Yunzhu raised her hand, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup of tea for Aunt Su.
Aunt Su didn't stop her. After drinking her tea, she smiled and said, "Don't be so polite with me. Tell me, why do you want to see me?"
Zhao Yunzhu put down the teapot and looked at Aunt Su. "I have something to ask Aunt Su."
"The young lady that Empress Dowager Liu brought to Chang'an is now living in the palace. Empress Dowager Liu has given her many gifts, but I heard that a few days ago, she secretly pawned all the gifts in order to open a school in Chang'an."
"Oh?" Aunt Su deliberately acted surprised. She actually knew about this a long time ago.
"I secretly redeemed the items." Zhao Yunzhu changed the subject and said, "I want Yongxinglou to help auction these things."
Aunt Su picked up the teacup and gently swirled the tea in it. She smiled without saying a word, and looked at Zhao Yunzhu with a meaningful look in her eyes. "Do you know what you are saying to me?"
Miss Wang dared to pawn the things given by the Queen Mother. If the Queen Mother were to make a fuss about it, it would be a capital crime.
Now Zhao Yunzhu also wants to use Yongxing Building to auction things.
Isn't this just hoping to drag everyone along to be buried with that idiot Miss Wang?
"Aunt Su, are you scared? I heard that Aunt Su and Empress Dowager Liu were close friends in their early years, but later -"
"Zhao Yunzhu!" Aunt Su interrupted Zhao Yunzhu's words harshly.
Her feud with Empress Dowager Liu was well known in Chang'an. In the past, the two of them were indeed close friends who could talk about anything.
But later, the two of them entered the palace together for selection. In order to kick her out of the selection list, her most trusted friend deliberately tampered with her makeup, causing her face to be covered with abscesses, and she missed the opportunity.
Later she was forced to marry far away, and her life was ruined.
How could she forgive Empress Dowager Liu?
But she also knew that the moment her best friend became the queen, she had completely lost. She could not use the future of the Chengping Marquis's Mansion to avenge Empress Dowager Liu for her own personal grudges.
All she could do was never see her old friends again.
Perhaps Empress Dowager Liu felt guilty about what had happened and she never troubled Aunt Su again.
"Aunt Su, are you really willing to accept this? I will definitely handle this matter properly and will not let Aunt Su and the Chengping Marquis's Mansion be implicated. Doesn't Aunt Su want to vent this anger?"
Zhao Yunzhu softened her tone and saw that Aunt Su's stern eyes gradually softened.
Things were clearly taking a turn for the better. She continued, "Aunt Su, this whole thing was caused by Miss Wang. It has nothing to do with us."
In the end, Aunt Su was persuaded by Zhao Yunzhu.
"You look like a lucky person. You still have a long way to go in the future. Don't worry."
When Aunt Su stood up to see Zhao Yunzhu off, she gave her a few words of advice.
Zhao Yunzhu was stunned when she heard this. Although she didn't quite understand, she still smiled and said thank you before leaving.
…
On the way back in the carriage, Linglong was still a little unconvinced.
"Miss, is this really the way it's done?" Linglong's eyes widened in disbelief. "Miss, what if the Empress Dowager gets angry and pulls us out?"
Linglong was only worried that her young lady would be implicated.
"Don't worry, I, your lady, won't act rashly unless I'm absolutely sure."
Zhao Yunzhu was full of confidence. She had ordered someone to secretly send the things to Yongxing Tower. She was just waiting for the right time. Then she would let Aunt Su spread the word and hold an unprecedented auction in Chang'an for the things that Wang Min had pawned as rewards from Empress Dowager Liu.
The carriage stopped in front of Prince An's mansion, and Zhao Yunzhu was helped out of the carriage by Linglong.
I happened to run into Wang Min returning home, who was exhausted.
Seeing Zhao Yunzhu, she managed a smile and stepped forward to greet her, "Concubine Yun."
"Miss Wang has been exhausted these days. I've noticed that your complexion isn't looking great. I'll have someone bring some nourishing soup to you later. Please don't overwork yourself."
"I'm sorry to have caused trouble to Concubine Yun." Wang Min was much more calm than before. He thanked her and then watched Zhao Yunzhu enter the palace.
When Zhao Yunzhu was no longer in sight, the smile on Wang Min's face disappeared in an instant.
She clenched the handkerchief tightly in her palm, her eyes filled with deep anger.
…
After Qin Zongzhi returned home, he heard that Zhao Yunzhu had left the house today, and the guard who had been protecting her secretly came to report.
"Your Highness, Concubine Yun went to Yongxing Tower to meet Aunt Su today."
In the study, the guard bowed and reported today's events one by one.
Since returning to Chang'an, Qin Zongzhi has been busy outside and has no time to take care of Zhao Yunzhu, and she is now pregnant again.
He was naturally extra cautious.
If Zhao Yunzhu knew that he had secretly sent people to watch over her, she would probably become suspicious again.
That's why he didn't tell Zhao Yunzhu about this.
"Oh? Why did you go to Yongxing Building for no reason?"
"My Lord, Miss Wang secretly pawned Empress Dowager Liu's reward and used the proceeds to open a school in Chang'an. When Concubine Yun learned of this, she secretly bought the items back and then sent them to Yongxing Tower. As for Concubine Yun's plans, I haven't investigated them yet."
The guard apologized, "But I heard that Yongxinglou will be auctioning some rare and valuable items in a few days."
"Oh? It seems really interesting." Qin Zongzhi's eyes lit up after hearing this.
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