Chapter 20: The Secret Meeting Was with Uncle Jiu!
*
Footsteps could be heard coming from the other side of the artificial hill.
A short while later, the two approached each other and began to speak in hushed tones.
One of them said, "Several people are missing from the young lady's side. Sister Magpie has smallpox, and if she has marks on her face, she probably won't be able to come back. I heard that the madam is planning to transfer a few people from other courtyards to fill in. It's a pity that I haven't saved up any money, otherwise I would definitely go and show my face to Granny Yu."
"You're really thinking too much. Even if we lowly maids managed to save a little money from between our teeth, it wouldn't be enough to fill someone else's teeth. How could Granny Yu possibly look down on us? Let me tell you, I just saw Sister Qiulu in front of the Old Madam..."
The other person's voice was lowered, presumably spoken close to the first person's ear.
Although Shen Qinglu and Xia Chan on the other side of the artificial hill could not hear clearly, it was not difficult for them to guess Qiu Lu's thoughts from those few words.
The master and servant appeared quite some time after the two men left.
As soon as they returned to Ruianju, they saw Qiulu standing at the gate from afar. The moment Qiulu saw them, she seemed to let out a long sigh of relief.
"Where did you go, young lady?"
Shen Qinglu's face remained blank, as if she hadn't heard her speak.
She didn't seem to mind and looked at Xia Chan with a questioning gaze.
Xia Chan explained, "The young lady was tired from practicing calligraphy and wanted to go out for some fresh air, so I accompanied her for a walk in the garden."
"So that's how it is."
She smiled, her gaze towards Xia Chan clearly carrying a hint of sympathy, as if she felt that Xia Chan, having followed such a master, would likely face endless troubles in the future.
Xia Chan smiled and said nothing more.
Shen Qinglu had entered the house before them. Seeing that Xie looked tired, a look of worry immediately appeared on her face. She went over in a daze and placed her hand on Xie's head.
"Grandma, are you sick?"
When Xie met her slightly bewildered eyes, she couldn't help but feel distressed.
"Grandma is fine, she's just tired."
These past years have been filled with agonizing choices: my daughter on one side, my granddaughter on the other. They are both my flesh and blood, and it would be unbearable to give up either of them.
Xie was truly exhausted.
"Ali, if Grandma does something to wrong you, will you forgive her?"
How can a dead person forgive others?
But the living need this sense of guilt!
She pretended to be innocent and patted Xie's head, as if to comfort her, "Grandmother, don't be afraid. If you know you're wrong, you'll correct it. You're still a good child."
Madam Xie was heartbroken and murmured, "Ali is right. It's never too late to admit your mistakes and correct them."
She felt comforted and realized that the most urgent thing now was to teach the child well so that he could speak confidently in front of his son and daughter-in-law in the future.
Thinking of this, she mustered her spirits and continued to teach Shen Qinglu to read and write.
Despite the different fonts, for someone with a past life, learning is naturally much easier and faster than for ordinary people.
In just half a day, Shen Qinglu had learned half a book, much to Xie's delight. She privately remarked to Granny Li, "If this child is good, she will certainly be outstanding."
Granny Li knew her thoughts best and comforted her, "In my opinion, even so, given time, you will be able to impress everyone."
While they were talking, Shen Qinglu buried herself in practicing calligraphy at the table, so focused that she seemed oblivious to everything around her.
As soon as they left, Xia Chan came in from outside and handed over something.
“Miss, these are the snacks that Qiulu gave me just now. She said they were a gift from the madam, and she shared a few with me.”
Shen Qinglu looked at the few delicate pastries wrapped in a handkerchief, her eyes flickering slightly. "Is there something wrong with these pastries?"
“I grew up on the estate. When I was little, if I had indigestion, my mother would pick some awns, grind them into powder, mix them with water, and make me drink it. This snack is coated with awn powder, and I could smell it right away.”
The air was filled with the scents of paper and ink, and the room was quiet.
Shen Qinglu pondered Qiu Lu's intentions, repeatedly considering them in her mind, and then asked her, "If you eat this snack, apart from diarrhea, will there be any other harm?"
"It's nothing serious. If the diarrhea is severe, it will take several days to recover. Don't worry, Miss, I know my limits and will not let myself eat too much."
She understood what Shen Qinglu meant and immediately ate two pieces.
As soon as night fell, the symptoms of the herbal powder flared up, and she ran to the outhouse several times in a row, making quite a commotion until late at night. This alerted Granny Li, who immediately reported it to Madam Xie.
When servants make mistakes, the mistress naturally has to make some adjustments. However, Shen Qinglu herself wouldn't make such adjustments; Xie Shi would take charge.
With a flick of her finger, Xie pointed at Qiu Lu and made her temporarily take Xia Chan's place.
Upon waking up and seeing that the person in the room had changed, Shen Qinglu only asked one question: "Will Xia Chan come back?"
"Of course." Madam Xie was touched by her sentimentality and looked at her with even more affection.
Today she was going to visit the Marquis's residence. Her new clothes were not yet finished, so she changed into another peach-colored new dress given to her by Yu Liuzhu. Her forehead, which was not yet healed, was covered with a hair ribbon of the same color.
Before leaving, Qiu Lu took out a porcelain bottle, saying she wanted to sprinkle some floral dew on her clothes. She seemingly pushed it away casually, and the entire bottle of floral dew was poured all over Qiu Lu herself.
The lily-scented dew has a very pleasant smell.
Qiu Lu paused for a moment, then her expression changed.
Hearing the commotion, Xie, who was walking ahead, turned around. She quickly pretended that nothing was wrong and hid the porcelain bottle in her sleeve.
The group arrived at the main courtyard and met up with Shen Linlang and her daughter Yu Liuzhu.
When Xie saw Yu Liuzhu's clothes today, she couldn't help but frown.
In the past, Yu Liuzhu would always wear red when meeting guests, but today, just like that day, he wore a green outfit and his attire was extremely plain.
"Tang'er, why are you dressed like this today?" Madam Xie ostensibly asked Yu Liuzhu, but in reality, she was asking Shen Linlang.
Shen Linlang looked utterly helpless, because Yu Liuzhu hadn't been able to use any of the new clothes and jewelry she had chosen. She was still trying to persuade her to leave, but Yu Liuzhu stubbornly refused.
This child is probably still haunted by that dream, and doesn't really want to marry into the Marquis's household.
When she saw Shen Qinglu, with her rosy cheeks and peach-red dress, dressed like the most vibrant flower in spring, she became even more dissatisfied with her daughter's attire.
Yu Liuzhu was also looking at Shen Qinglu, then quickly moved away, passing by Qiu Lu.
*
The Marquis of Yongyi's residence was hosting a banquet, and the ladies of the house naturally began preparing early in the morning.
Madam Ning, the matriarch of the Mu family, came from a prestigious clan. Despite her advanced age, she still possessed an extraordinary air about her. As the old matriarch of the household, she was capable of simply sitting in charge.
Her daughter-in-law, Madam Jiang, who is now the Lady of Yongyi Marquis, is the current mistress of the household.
Shen Linlang was familiar with them, and as soon as she entered, she greeted them with affectionate terms such as "Grandma" and "Yingshui," and offered her greetings.
After exchanging greetings, Madam Xie and Madam Ning took their seats in the place of honor.
Ning squinted at Yu Liuzhu and Shen Qinglu, who came to pay their respects to her.
"Sister, is this your Ali?" Of course she recognized Yu Liuzhu, and she pointed to Shen Qinglu, asking Xie Shi.
Madam Xie forced a smile, "This child's temperament is a bit different from ordinary people, please bear with him."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yingshui looked at Shen Qinglu intently for several moments before finally saying indifferently, "This child looks just like her mother."
Suddenly her expression changed, she covered her nose, and sneezed several times in a row.
"Madam Hou, what's wrong?" Yu Liuzhu asked hurriedly, sniffing herself. "Is there anything you're averse to?"
Jiang Yingshui thought for a moment and said, "I...can't stand the smell of lilies."
Not many people besides those close to her knew about this.
Shen Linlang was clearly unaware of this, and frowned as she looked towards Shen Qinglu, since anyone with a clear nose could smell the strong fragrance of lilies.
For a moment, everyone was looking at Shen Qinglu.
Shen Qinglu seemed unaware of what was happening, looking completely bewildered and blank.
"Little sister Ali, did you use lily flower dew today?" Yu Liuzhu asked her softly.
She shook her head and pointed to Qiu Lu, whose face was pale, beside her. "I didn't. Ask her."
Qiu Lu dared not meet Yu Liuzhu's gaze and repeatedly apologized, "This servant deserves to die. This servant did not know that the Lady of the Marquis could not stand the scent of lilies. I used some today..."
Yu Liuzhu's gaze shifted slightly, and she glanced at her with displeasure.
Having violated the host's taboo while visiting someone's home, Xie's expression naturally turned sour, and she coldly ordered her, "Go back first."
She had no choice but to leave.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment. Ning broke the silence and said to Xie with a smile, "Old sister is so lucky to have two such beautiful granddaughters. Just looking at them makes one feel happy."
Xie immediately said a few words of humility, and his expression improved.
Ning then smiled and said to Yu Liuzhu and Shen Qinglu, "You must find our conversation boring. Why don't I have someone take you for a stroll in the garden?"
She beckoned, and a presentable maid entered.
The maid led Yu Liuzhu and Shen Qinglu out, dutifully showing them around the garden.
The garden of the Marquis's mansion is much larger than that of the Jade Mansion, and the scenery is more elegant. Even though spring has not yet brought green to the branches, there are still many places to appreciate.
As they neared the end of the garden, Yu Liuzhu said to the maid, "My cousin must be thirsty. Could you please go and fetch her some tea?"
The maid, unsuspecting, hurried off to fetch tea.
Shen Qinglu remained innocent and naive, looking around as if she were lost in her own world. When Yu Liuzhu told her to stay put and that she would go check things out ahead and come back, she did not respond at all.
Yu Liuzhu didn't need her reaction; after giving her the information, she left.
She was left alone, as if abandoned.
The wind rustled the remaining withered leaves in the winter, making a soft, rustling sound, like someone weeping. She first looked up at the leaves that clung to the tree, then at Yu Liuzhu's departing figure, a sarcastic smile slowly appearing on her lips, before she slowly rose and followed him.
Yu Liuzhu knew the way well. After leaving the garden, she walked around a bamboo grove and stopped in front of a quiet courtyard.
She tried several times to knock on the tightly closed courtyard gate, but hesitated each time, perhaps out of fear, or perhaps out of trepidation, lingering there indefinitely.
Suddenly, another person appeared in front of her.
Her graceful, snow-like figure and solitary silhouette were unforgettable. Even with her back turned, Shen Qinglu recognized her at a glance.
It's that Uncle Nine!
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