respectively
Back at Ningxiang Residence, Mu Qing had just sat down when she saw Ning Gu with a stern face advising her, "Miss, it would be best to have less contact with that Du Jiniang in the future."
Mu Qing was puzzled, "But didn't Aunt Ning say that she was an extraordinary woman?"
Ning Gu sighed softly, "In this world, she is indeed quite talented to carve out a place for herself while being a woman. But she is a businesswoman after all, and profit comes first. Last time she went to the Treasure Pavilion, and this time she went to Yiye Residence. She was trying to take advantage of her. I'm afraid Miss won't be able to do enough for her."
Mu Qing wasn't unaware of the manipulation involved, but Du Jiniang always had a smile on her face and treated people warmly, making her feel comfortable to listen to, so she didn't bother to think about it.
Hearing Ning Gu's words, Mu Qing said dejectedly, "I understand."
“And Miss Tongxue,” Ning Gu softened her tone, “her marriage is being arranged by Madam, so Miss doesn’t need to worry about it. There’s no need to go to see her like today, just for a booklet like Du Jiniang.”
Is her mother looking for a husband for her?
"Of course, it just didn't go very smoothly. We didn't mention it because Miss was ill before."
Then, Aunt Ning explained in detail.
Since Lu Tongxue stayed in Weizhou, the Third Madam has been asking around about unmarried young men in the city. She had previously taken a liking to one and dated him for a while, but later found out that the young man had a bad temper and had to give up. Recently, she even persuaded the Third Master to ask some well-bred students of marriageable age in the academy to help her make a decision.
Therefore, it is neither necessary nor appropriate to go to see Du Jinniang or visit Yiyeju today.
Mu Qing always listened to Ning Gu's advice, so he readily complied.
Just as they finished speaking, someone came to report that the young prince had come to the Lu residence again and had met the third master at the gate. They were talking in the flower hall and waiting for the young lady to come.
When Mu Qing arrived at the flower hall, Master Lu and the young prince were sitting at the head of the table, engaged in a lively conversation.
"I remember that at that time, the prince was not even four feet tall, but he was quick-witted and agile in front of the palace, and was polite and well-mannered. The late emperor liked him very much. It was just a pity that the prince was not in good health. If he were alive today, seeing the prince move freely like an ordinary person, he would probably be very happy."
Master Lu stroked his beard and said a few words. Knowing that Mu Qing had arrived, he invited her in and asked her to sit down.
After exchanging greetings, Mu Qing sat down to the seat below Master Lu. As she looked up slightly, she saw the young prince smiling at her. In private, this was nothing, but with Master Lu beside her, Mu Qing couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
Perhaps because she once had a father, or perhaps because Master Lu was stern and unsmiling, she never felt as comfortable calling him "father" as she did when she called him "mother." Sometimes, it was also because Master Lu was watching her and she worried that her secrets would be exposed.
Fortunately, the young prince did not steer the conversation toward her, but continued along the lines of Master Lu. Mu Qing only half understood what he was saying, knowing that he was referring to the trip to the capital. Last time at Xuan Yin Temple, the young prince mentioned that he would soon be going to the capital to celebrate the Emperor's birthday. This seemed to be an annual tradition, so Mu Qing didn't pay much attention to it.
"When I came to the capital last year, I only had two brief meetings with His Majesty, but I was already impressed by His Majesty's wisdom and charisma. After hearing what Lord Lu said today, I have even more respect for His Majesty."
"Although His Majesty has ruthless methods, he also values human relationships. Your Highness need not be alarmed. Showing respect to your uncle will win His Majesty's favor."
Xiao Yu nodded, but his expression remained serious. He said, "I'm afraid the wind won't stop even if the tree wants to be still."
Master Lu stroked his long beard, paused, and said, "Your Highness is now in excellent health, but the position of Grand Commander of this region remains vacant. Would you be interested in accepting this title?"
Xiao Yu laughed and said, "I am still young and have no official rank, why should I take on this task? Even if someone makes the suggestion, I have already thought of a way to refuse."
"In that case, Your Highness, you can simply proceed as before when you come to the capital; there is no need to worry about any unforeseen complications."
"Thank you for your understanding, sir."
At this point, Master Lu turned to Mu Qing and asked about his recent studies. After Mu Qing answered, he took his leave.
After Master Lu walked away, Mu Qing turned around and saw that the young prince was no longer sitting upright as before. He was leaning lazily against the back of his chair, squinting at her.
Mu Qing was puzzled by his gaze and asked, "Why is Your Highness looking at me like that?"
Xiao Yu said with dissatisfaction, "Yesterday at Xuan Yin Temple I told you that I was going to the capital, but you didn't take it to heart at all."
Mu Qing lowered her eyes and blinked. Since returning from Xuan Yin Temple, all she could think about was how to deal with Zhong Linlan, and she didn't care much about anything else.
"I think that after Your Highness arrives in the capital, I will go to the Prince's residence to keep the Princess company." Mu Qing said, but seeing that Xiao Yu still looked dissatisfied, she changed her words and asked, "In Your Highness's opinion, what would be considered as keeping something in one's heart?"
She asked bluntly, which made Xiao Yu retort, "I'm leaving for a while, don't you even think of showing some consideration?"
“His Highness isn’t going to a dangerous place, but to the capital. The capital is such a prosperous place that it’s not easy for others to go there. His Highness will have servants accompanying and protecting him all the way, and once he arrives in the capital, he will be a member of the imperial family. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. It’s just that the Princess Consort might be a little lonely staying at home, so I need to go and keep her company.”
Mu Qing felt that what he said made sense, and sure enough, she saw that the young prince's gaze towards her softened considerably. He smiled at her and asked, "Do you want to go to the capital?"
"If I have the chance, I would like to go and see it."
"What a pity. If you hadn't fallen ill, you would have married me as planned, and we should have gone to the capital together this time."
"Can we go together next year?"
Mu Qingxin felt a longing.
Xiao Yu's smile faded slightly.
Those who have been summoned by imperial decree must enter the capital; those who have not are not permitted to enter. What the situation will be next year is still uncertain.
His father failed to seize the throne and was enfeoffed in this remote place. He was still feared and his residence was full of spies. Within a few years, his health deteriorated. The imperial physician said it was depression and frustration that caused his physical decline. At the same time, as a grandson favored by the late emperor, he also fell ill. His condition was once critical. In recent years, it was discovered that it was not an illness but poison. He has secretly tried countless methods to remove the remaining poison from his body.
Now that His Majesty has secured his throne, how much interest will he have in his nephew by next year? He has summoned him to the capital for an audience.
Xiao Yu didn't say much, but smiled gently and said, "We'll talk about next year's matters next year."
Although it was his usual casual tone, Mu Qing sensed something unusual in it. Seeing him laugh and joke as usual, she realized she had been overthinking things.
They agreed to see him off at the city gate early the next morning. After returning to Ningxiang Residence, Mu Qingshang was still puzzled. The young prince's trip to the capital should be as relaxed and enjoyable as returning to his hometown, but it didn't seem to be the case, so he asked Ninggu about it.
Ning Gu dared not speak recklessly, and only mentioned the important points.
“The young prince’s trip to the capital will take at least half a month. That means we will not see each other for such a long time, and we will not know the situation. Miss, you should express your reluctance and worry.”
Ning Gu had already thought about it. The young lady had been busy learning etiquette and reading, and had never learned needlework. She had never even made a sachet before, so she could only use a ready-made one for the gift.
She had helped choose gifts after returning from Xuan Yin Temple, but she hadn't had time to bring them out this morning, so she asked Shi Yu to present the selected gifts.
Mu Qing took out a translucent white jade cloud pendant. Thinking of the grass crickets she had woven, she asked Ning Gu to find some knot patterns and choose one with auspicious meanings to weave. However, she was not very skillful and spent most of the night learning before she finally managed to weave a passable one.
The next morning, they rushed to the north gate and soon saw the Prince's carriage coming out of the city, with two rows of mounted guards in tight uniforms accompanying them.
As they approached the Lu family's carriage, the young prince alighted, dressed in a crimson-purple robe embroidered with gold python patterns, exuding an air of nobility.
Mu Qing has recently been favoring a simple and understated style. The white jade cloud pendant and the willow-green cross-collar ruqun she was wearing were quite a good match, but they were completely out of place with the young prince.
Following Ning Gu's advice, she said some words of concern, but when it came time to take out the jade pendant, she felt a little embarrassed.
Seeing her fidgeting with her sleeve, Xiao Yu chuckled and asked, "What are you hiding in your sleeve?"
Mu Qing pursed her lips and took out the jade pendant she had been holding for a long time.
Xiao Yu held the jade pendant in his palm, his fingertips sliding over its slightly loose, pale yellow knot. "This knot was made with great care."
Mu Qing was delighted to hear this and said, "This is called a Pan Chang knot. I made it. I spent several hours learning it and didn't finish until midnight..."
Before she could finish speaking, she saw the young prince looking at her, bringing the knot to his lips, and touching it meaningfully.
She fell silent instantly, her cheeks burning, feeling as if everyone around her was watching.
Xiao Yu smiled faintly, "I accept this token of my appreciation."
Seeing him get into the carriage and drive away, disappearing at the end of the road, Mu Qing was still somewhat dazed.
Shiyu smiled and urged, "Miss, we should go back now."
Just as they were about to board the carriage, they suddenly heard the clatter of horses' hooves on the road, and a group of riders came from outside the city.
Mu Qing turned around and saw that the leader was wearing a blue robe. Even without getting closer, he could tell from his silhouette that it was Zhong Linlan. There seemed to be soldiers wearing leather armor beside him.
As if encountering an unrepentant, wronged spirit, Mu Qing quickly got into the carriage, lowered the curtain, and ordered his men to return home.
Zhong Linlan rode his horse and saw the Lu family's carriage under the city gate. Thinking back to the royal carriage he had just encountered on the official road, it was not hard to understand why the Lu family's carriage had appeared here.
He tightened the reins and said to his attendant, "We must find out where that poison came from."
Chang Sui's name is Kunshan. He is big and burly. He was once a victim of a crime. After being rescued by Zhong Linlan, he followed him. He is quite useful when encountering dangers, but he is powerless when it comes to using his brain.
Upon hearing the order, Kunshan was stunned for a moment, then remembered that early yesterday morning, after his master was stabbed, he had asked Doctor Hua to come to the mansion to treat the wound. He also asked Doctor Hua to examine a cup of tea, which revealed that there was an unknown poison in it.
He replied, "Didn't we ask the government to investigate the poison? As long as we find the place selling the poison in the city, they will definitely report it."
Although Prefect Liu claimed that there were no such hideouts in the city, his master believed that there were, and Prefect Liu would surely have to give a result no matter what.
When Mu Qing returned to the manor, he thought of Zhong Linlan's appearance on horseback, which showed no signs of weakness, and guessed that he was probably not poisoned.
She had half a bottle of poison left. Holding the bottle, she hesitated for a moment. Since she had decided to kill him, she should see it through no matter what.
That night, she went to the Imperial Censor's residence again, only to find that the courtyard where Zhong Linlan had stayed before was empty of lanterns and guards. When she sneaked in, she found no one inside.
Mu Qing was terrified; he must have become suspicious of her.
The mansion was huge, with several courtyards lit up. I didn't know where he was resting, so it was inconvenient to make a move.
She hid in the shadows, intending to search around. When she reached a courtyard with lights on, she was about to climb over the wall when she heard people patrolling behind the wall talking.
"The previous censor was killed, and now this one was almost assassinated. Being a censor is quite dangerous."
"That's right, the prefect was so nervous that he sent us here to guard the area."
"If we can really catch the assassin, wouldn't that be considered a great achievement?"
"Forget about assassins, if you can catch even a petty thief in the mansion tonight, you'll have done a great service."
...
After listening for a few moments, Mu Qing was filled with suspicion and uncertainty: Someone was trying to assassinate Zhong Linlan? She wouldn't need to poison him then; it wouldn't be worth getting caught for it.
As she left the Censorate, she was filled with mixed emotions, hoping that the assassin would give Zhong Linlan a quick death soon.
For the next few days, she stayed in Ningxiang Residence, reading poetry every day and occasionally asking people to tell her about the situation outside the mansion. She heard that news of the assassination of the censor had spread, and that a hidden illegal den in the city had been discovered, causing quite a stir.
As she listened, she looked closely at herself in the mirror. The rashes on her face had gradually faded, and she was in a great mood. She casually asked, "Has the assassin still not been caught?"
Shiyu replied, "Not yet."
Mu Qing felt relieved by this.
As long as the assassin is not caught, Zhong Linlan will be in danger and will not be able to spare the attention to cause trouble for her.
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