"Is it alright?" Zihe was puzzled by Xie Lingqin's question.
Seeing that Zihe truly believed it was impossible, Xie Lingqin stopped talking and composed herself, saying, "Never mind, let's go to sleep early."
Zihe was about to retreat when she suddenly stopped, looking at Xie Lingqin with a surprised expression. "Miss, you took the Heavenly Fragrance Snow Jade Pill?"
Xie Lingqin glanced at her and said, "Your nose is quite sensitive."
“Miss, it’s not that I’m clever, but this medicine was personally prepared by the Crown Prince… Having been in the Crown Prince’s residence for a long time, I’m somewhat familiar with it.”
Zihe became more and more confused as she spoke.
This medicine is so precious and valuable, yet now, the young lady has taken it.
It certainly wasn't stolen by the young lady, so it must have been given by the Crown Prince.
"Well, your former master begged me for food, and I couldn't refuse, so I reluctantly agreed," Xie Lingqin said seriously.
Zihe's lips twitched.
She didn't quite believe it.
"Then, Miss, I shall take my leave."
Just as Zihe reached the door, Xie Lingqin called out to her, "Has anything unusual happened with the giant clam shell lately?"
"Miss, no, apart from not being very talkative and having a dull and rigid personality, she is very conscientious in everything she does. Every time I ask her to brew medicine, she is very careful. I feel that she is more attentive than I am."
Xie Lingqin nodded thoughtfully, and after a moment, she said, "In two days it will be the birthday of the Ninth Miss of the Marquis of Anping's mansion. It will definitely be very lively. If I go to such an occasion, do you think I will steal Xie Lingyu's thunder?" After Xie Lingqin finished speaking, her clear and penetrating gaze fell on Zihe.
Zihe immediately understood and curtsied, "This servant understands. Miss is worried that Second Aunt and Second Miss might cause some trouble at this time. Don't worry, this servant will be careful."
"Well, since Second Aunt can't win back Father's heart all at once, she might come up with another trick."
"Yes." Zihe bowed and withdrew, closing the door behind her.
The room fell silent immediately.
Xie Lingqin slept soundly until dawn.
After exercising indoors, Xie Lingqin opened the door, looked at the bright sunshine outside, and asked Zihe to bring her breakfast.
However, just then, I saw the giant clam's figure disappear at the courtyard gate.
So early, where are you going?
With her eyes slightly lowered, Xie Lingqin pretended not to know.
After Zihe brought in breakfast, she reported, "Miss, this morning, the wife of the Second Concubine's sister, the Vice Minister of Revenue, came to the mansion with her son."
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingqin tightened her grip on her chopsticks slightly. "It seems that Second Aunt is still losing her composure."
Zihe ladled out the porridge and placed it in front of Xie Lingqin. "What trouble could a mere vice minister's wife, whose son is nobody, possibly cause?"
Xie Lingqin paused as she was about to drink her porridge, glanced at Zihe, and said with a mocking expression, "Her son is trying to take advantage of me."
Xie Lingqin spoke each word casually, yet Zihe was shocked. "Miss, no matter how unfavored you were before, you were still the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion. How could a mere son of a Vice Minister be so rude?"
"So, the other party only talked a lot without taking any real action. I remember one time..." Xie Lingqin stirred the white fungus porridge in front of her with a spoon, her eyes filled with coldness.
"When he couldn't bully me, he pushed me into the lake. In the dead of winter, Xie Lingyu came over and insisted that it was my own carelessness, and that I had disgraced the General's Mansion. After that fall into the lake, I lay in bed for more than half a month, with no one caring for me. My second aunt withheld the medicine, and the maids in the courtyard were not attentive. At that time, although Tinglan was loyal, she was powerless to help..."
As Xie Lingqin spoke, she put a mouthful of porridge into her mouth. Amidst Zihe's furious expression, she calmly chewed gently until she swallowed before saying, "To be able to survive is truly remarkable."
At that time, she remembered that if her maternal grandfather hadn't come to see her, she was afraid... the original owner might not have been able to wait for her arrival.
Zihe felt a pang of sympathy; how difficult it must have been to survive under such constant bullying.
However, the young lady remained remarkably calm.
What an incredibly strong heart that must take!
“Miss, you have suffered so much, and the old lady just stands by and watches? After all, the General's wife was once a woman who commanded respect and influence. How could she…” Zihe felt indignant for Xie Lingqin.
Xie Lingqin glanced at her, her eyes cold and her lips icy. "I was only thirteen back then. Everyone wished I were dead, that one day I wouldn't be able to take it anymore and might reveal the secret my mother left behind, Grandmother..."
“However, since Qin Qi has come today, it’s not that he won’t let me go, but that I won’t let him go.” Xie Lingqin stood up, a chill spreading through her body.
Zihe lowered her head, "Miss, let me help you."
"Miss, Second Madam sent word that the weather is nice today and we have guests visiting. She invites you to go to the front garden to enjoy the scenery."
As soon as Zihe finished speaking, the sound of giant clam shells came from the doorway.
Zihe glanced out the window and, sure enough, Liu Mama, who was by the side of the second concubine, was standing in the courtyard looking towards the main house. She immediately frowned and looked at Xie Lingqin, "Miss, there's something fishy going on here."
Xie Lingqin had already finished her breakfast. She picked up a handkerchief and wiped her lips. "I've been waiting for this trick." After saying that, she stood up and instructed the giant clam shell by the door, "Tell Granny Liu that I'll tidy up and go there in a bit."
Tridacna bowed its head, replied "Yes," and went to do it.
Watching Liu Mama leave through the window, Xie Lingqin's eyes flashed with coldness before she looked at Zihe and said, "Let's go."
Zihe was slightly taken aback. "Miss, didn't you just say you were going later?"
Xie Lingqin's eyelashes fluttered, her starry eyes filled with a chilling intent that Zihe could not discern.
"It'll be too late in a minute. Pack the corn cakes on the table into a food box and take them with you." Xie Lingqin said as she stepped out the door, glancing at the giant clam out of the corner of her eye without saying anything.
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