“Miss, are you alright?” Xue Qin mustered her courage and cautiously probed from behind the screen.
“I’m perfectly fine. Leave.” He Lian Wei Rui ordered calmly. Her tone remained utterly flat, as if nothing had happened just a moment ago.
Dismissed by her mistress, Xue Qin felt a wave of relief wash over her. She quietly cleaned up the shattered teacup. As she slowly pulled the door closed, she looked inside through the narrowing gap – only to feel as if the entire room had darkened, her mistress fading into the gloom.
“Satisfied?” Zong Zheng Lin, watching as Mu Xi Yao’s lips occasionally curled up, tapped her forehead and sternly admonished. “Tomorrow, after picking up Cheng Qing, you must not let yourself be distracted any further. With your due date drawing near, if Jiao Jiao stirs up any more trouble, Jiao Jiao will come with Bendian to the consort mother’s palace to await delivery.”
Deep in self-reflection, Wei Zhen walked through the second gate. Upon arriving at the front courtyard, he ran into Di Wu Yi Zhao.
“Greetings, Mister.”
“Sir Wei, you’re in quite a hurry and looking so serious. Could it be that you’ve just come from Cefei’s place?” Right behind Wei Zhen was the corridor leading to the study. Since he had walked straight ahead without turning, it was likely he was on an errand for that mistress.
“Er-meimei, what do you think? Didn’t your brother handle this matter exceptionally well? See, Bi Luo…” He Lian Tao rubbed his hands together, with lust written all over his face. He could hardly wait.
“Why so impatient? Look at you—utterly disgraceful,” He Lian Wei Rui sneered disdainfully, then instructed Xue Qin to bring Bi Luo.
“Why hasn’t he arrived yet?” Mu Xi Yao got up this morning buzzing with excitement, fidgeting restlessly on Zong Zheng Lin’s lap, eagerly awaiting Wei Zhen’s report.
“Eat your meal properly!” Zong Zheng Lin scowled. This woman had been talking about another man while still in bed and hadn’t stopped since, greatly infuriating the Sixth Highness.
“Are you saying that Lady Mu gained the upper hand over He Lian Min Min again?” He Lian Wei Rui, dressed elegantly, looked markedly different from her last appearance of an aloof beauty, her eyes reflecting a refined elegance. Seated cross-legged in the sedan chair on her way to the Flower-viewing Banquet, she listened to Xue Qin relay the latest news from the Sixth Highness’s residence.
“A servant girl from Lady Qi’s courtyard said that initially, the Principal Consort did not consent, but later, His Sixth Highness himself made a visit. The following day, the Chief Steward had sought several renowned master craftsmen to draft some designs.”
Tian Fu Shan wore a peculiar expression as he looked over the list of people Mistress Yao had chosen, individuals who met her expectations.
The list was entirely made up of those who had been screened, fulfilling Mistress Yao’s criteria for the ages of children in their households and their deep loyalty to His Highness. Nearly seventy percent held important positions, either entrusted with critical duties by His Highness or showing potential to be noticed. Yet, Tian Fu Shan simply could not comprehend the rationale behind the selection of the others.
“Mistress, by Shuxiang House, do you mean that place outside…” Qiang San’er wiped the sweat from his forehead, unable to finish his sentence. How could he let such vulgar words reach his Mistress’s ears? For a moment, this impressive man, over 1.8 meters tall, suddenly found himself at a loss, showing a hint of embarrassment.
“Male brothel.” Mu Xi Yao, amused, finished the sentence for him.
“Wei Rui, even if you were intent on entering the Eighth Highness’s residence, you should have discussed it with the family before making any decisions.” He Lian Zhang’s demeanor was cold as he looked at the daughter who had once been his greatest pride, sighing in resignation within his heart.
Following the news received from His Highness, they carried out a secret purge within the household, which uncovered three spies from two dynasties. Although He Lian residence was now clean, this daughter had been indirectly alienated and could no longer be of use to the He Lian clan.