The sun had already set, and Linglong paced back and forth in the mansion, wondering why Cui'er hadn't returned yet.
There was a commotion at the manor. Linglong stood in the courtyard and looked out. It was Zhao Yi and Jiang Bai who had returned.
She wanted to greet Zhao Yi, but the two of them completely ignored her, as if she didn't exist.
She recalled what Zhao Ping'an had done that morning and blamed everything on Jiang Bai.
Jiang Bai felt a sharp gaze directed at him from behind.
She smiled slightly, seemingly unconcerned.
She was just waiting for Linglong to resort to desperate measures.
When the day comes that his true colors are revealed, she can then have a legitimate reason to let him leave the Zhao residence.
Linglong grew increasingly anxious. Cui'er was her most capable maid and the only one who knew her secret, yet she had not returned.
How could she not worry?
At this moment, at the end of the alley, Cui'er slowly woke up, propped herself up and stood up, still somewhat shaken.
He could barely stand up, even with his legs weak, and only managed to lean against the wall to stand up, slowly making his way to the Zhao residence.
As the moon rose high in the sky, Linglong finally saw Cui'er arrive.
"Cui'er!" Linglong exclaimed anxiously, "Why are you only coming back now? Where have you been?!"
Cui'er told Linglong everything that had happened that day, and Linglong was so frightened that she staggered a few steps, her face pale with panic.
Do you know who they are?
Cui'er shook her head: "I don't know, Aunt. Do you think it's possible that people from Jiangning discovered something and came looking for us?"
Linglong immediately exclaimed, "How could that be! That man is already dead!"
"We finally escaped with great difficulty, so let's never mention this again!"
She lowered her voice: "This child can only be Zhao Yi's!"
"Cui'er understands!" Cui'er composed herself.
Linglong was worried that someone was watching them, so she instructed Cui'er not to leave the mansion alone for the next few days.
As for Jiang Bai, she had let Cui'er off the hook today because Cui'er was too timid and fainted. However, judging from her expression, this maid must be hiding something.
She was determined to find an opportunity to take Linglong's pulse.
Therefore, we must find a reason that she cannot refuse.
As Jiang Bai was pondering, she heard Zhao Ping'an mention to her the woman who had shown him goodwill earlier that day.
Although Zhao Ping'an was not good with words, his mind was as clear as a mirror.
He could tell at a glance what the woman's motives were.
Upon hearing his expression of delight, Jiang Bai's face turned serious: "Ping An, if you encounter her like this again, just ignore her."
What she was most worried about was that Linglong would use the two children against her.
In this household, apart from the old lady, no one was on good terms with her.
After all, these people are his own people and are on his side, so naturally they won't be swayed by an outsider.
Especially a woman with ulterior motives.
While Jiang Bai was devising a plan, Linglong was already scheming to share a room with Zhao Yi as soon as possible.
Otherwise, over time, once the belly starts to show, it will eventually be exposed.
Then she will no longer be able to be the mistress of the Zhao family.
That night, Jiang Bai went to see the old lady again.
“Mother, today I went to take Linglong’s pulse. She looked terrible, but she refused to let her daughter-in-law take her pulse.”
Jiang Bai sighed: "I wonder if she harbors resentment towards her daughter-in-law, otherwise we should call a doctor."
The old lady was somewhat surprised upon hearing this: "Really?"
“Daughter-in-law wouldn’t dare to speak nonsense, Ying’er saw it too.”
Ying'er, standing behind her, nodded: "Ying'er was with the madam at the time. Not only that, but that Cui'er also spoke rudely to the madam."
The old lady knew about Cui'er's situation, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
Jiang Bai could tell that the old lady was displeased.
She continued, "Your daughter-in-law already knows how to take a pulse, so inviting a doctor is unnecessary. If Miss Linglong is worried about your daughter-in-law, why don't you go and have her take a look together?"
The old lady thought Jiang Bai's words were reasonable.
What's wrong with Linglong? How could she be so careless about her own health?
What could Jiang Bai do to her? Jiang Bai has always been the matriarch of the Zhao family, and in all these years, she has never done anything out of line.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but frown.
Jiang Bai knew that the old lady had agreed.
“That’s good,” the old lady said.
"It's late now, Mother, please get some rest. Tomorrow, after I pay my respects to you, we'll go to that place together with Miss Linglong."
The old lady nodded: "Okay."
Jiang Bai left the courtyard.
The next morning, just as Linglong got up, Cui'er came to report that Jiang Bai and the old lady had arrived together.
"Why has the old lady come?"
Isn't she recuperating?
Linglong had a bad feeling. She remembered what happened yesterday and immediately realized what Jiang Bai meant.
"She wanted to put pressure on me so that the old lady would take my pulse!"
Upon hearing this, Cui'er also panicked a little: "Auntie, has she discovered something?"
Linglong steadied herself: "Don't panic, start applying my makeup!"
Cui'er applied a peach blossom makeup to her, making her complexion look very rosy, a stark contrast to her haggard appearance yesterday.
At the same time, she forcefully slashed her wrist with the hairpin!
Cui'er exclaimed in surprise, "Auntie, what are you doing?!"
If she had a perfect plan, she wouldn't have treated herself like this.
"Go and fetch a handkerchief."
"yes."
Cui'er helped her wrap her wrist, so that Jiang Bai could no longer take her pulse.
Jiang Bai helped the old woman into the courtyard: "Miss Linglong."
The old lady entered the room and, seeing that Linglong looked quite well, glanced at Jiang Bai.
Jiang Bai also noticed Linglong's changes. The more obvious her changes were compared to yesterday, the more it confirmed her suspicions.
What is Linglong trying to hide?
"Miss Linglong looks quite radiant today," Jiang Bai said with a smile.
The old lady looked at Linglong and said directly, "Linglong."
"Madam," Linglong bowed.
"I heard from the First Madam that you refused to have your pulse taken yesterday?"
Linglong's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "I was fine yesterday, so I thought I wouldn't trouble you, Madam."
The old lady scolded her, "What are you saying? Bai'er's medical skills are quite good. I'll take a look at you and there's nothing wrong with you."
"Besides, you are a guest of my Zhao residence."
guest......
Jiang Bai's lips curled up slightly. It turned out that the old lady hadn't truly regarded Linglong as her daughter-in-law.
Whether Linglong's entry into the Zhao family was more due to her own efforts or the old lady's wishes remains to be seen.
Perhaps it wasn't what the old lady said, but rather that she herself invited Linglong in.
It's possible that Linglong set a trap for the old lady without her realizing it.
Upon hearing the old lady's words, Linglong's hand clenched slightly inside her sleeve.
Especially when she saw Jiang Bai's faint smile, her jealousy and hatred intensified.
Jiang Bai didn't want to waste any more time with her: "How about I take your pulse today?"
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