Chapter 503 The Album of Painting That Couldn’t Be Sent up the Hill in Time?
“No, you don’t have to borrow one. Miss Qing’er, it’s just that I did not feed the horse well yesterday. It’s not in a good mental state today and maybe a little slower to go down the mountain.” The coachman explained continuously with a smile as soon as he saw the carriages by his side.
He lassoed the horse as he explained to Qing’er, and said eagerly, “Miss Qing’er, although it’s a little slow, it will definitely not cause a delay in Qing’er’s business. I will safely send Miss Qing’er to Rui’an Great Elder Princess’ Mansion.”
Qing’er lifted her dress, laid her hands on the shaft of the carriage, and got into the carriage briskly. She said, “Then hurry up. I still have to come back and report to Miss later.”
“Don’t worry, Miss Qing’er. I’ll handle it!” The cart driver said with a smile. He raised his hand, and then the carriage turned a corner and went down the mountain.
The carriage was very steady along the way. Qing’er lifted the curtain and asked why it was so slow, and the coachman explained with a smile. On the one hand, the horse was out of spirits, and on the other hand, it was for the sake of safety. If it ran too fast and overturned the carriage, it would be dangerous.
Since the coachman had said so, Qing’er certainly couldn’t say anything more. She held the box in her hands tightly and dozed off.
The carriage moved slowly for a while, and then he shouted loudly towards the carriage, “Miss Qing’er, Miss Qing’er…”
It was quiet in the carriage, and there was no sound. It seemed that she was so bored that she had fallen asleep.
There was a hint of pride on the coachman’s face. He just needed to stall Fifth Miss’ servant girl, and other things had nothing to do with him. He reached out to touch his chest, and there was an ingot of silver. This ingot of silver could be equal to his several months’ salary.
When the carriage arrived at Rui’an Great Elder Princess’ Mansion, it was almost the curfew. Qing’er went in. After a while, an old maid came out of the mansion and asked the coachman to drive the carriage into the mansion. Obviously, this was not the best time to go up the mountain again.
“What a good-for-nothing! You can’t even do such a little thing well!” The old maid slapped the servant girl who was kneeling outside the courtyard and scolded her angrily.
The servant girl was beaten and sitting on her heels on the ground, but she didn’t dare to say anything, and her face was swollen like a steamed bun.
“What’s going on?” A soft voice suddenly came from the side of the road.
The old maid quickly put down her lifted hand and adjusted her expression. Then she came over with a smiling face, “First Miss, this servant girl did something wrong. Old Madam is punishing her!”
“Even though she did something wrong, you shouldn’t have beaten her like this. Ask her to go back first. I’ll plead with grandmother later. It will be terrible if others see this!”
Shao Yanru said gently. The light purple dress was not only graceful but also dignified. With her beautiful face, even though it was already late, she still looked like a beauty.
Qi Rongzhi, who was standing behind her, looked at her back with a complex expression. She lowered her head silently. It had been two years since she came to the Duke Xing’s Mansion. She had indeed become the Miss of Duke Xing’s Mansion, whom she had used to envy, and she had been taught under the rule of Old Madam of Duke Xing’s Mansion.
She had thought that she could get everything she wanted from now on. Unexpectedly, this First Miss appeared. In contrast to this First Miss of Duke Xing’s Mansion, she was almost transparent, and even had a sense of inferiority.
Most importantly, she found that she could not make any decision in Duke Xing’s Mansion. She had to listen to this First Miss and gradually became her attendant. But was this her original intention?
She had to do so. Old Madam of Duke Xing’s Mansion was in charge of her marriage, and Old Madam loved this First Miss most.
Qi Rongzhi was not very young. If she was in Jiangzhou, her parents would help to decide her marriage. However, because this First Miss had not been engaged, none of the other Misses in Duke Xing’s Mansion could be engaged. It was the same with her, an adopted daughter. Qi Rongzhi’s heart was heavy when she thought of what her eldest brother had said to her before.
“Yes, First Miss, you are so kind! Come to thank First Miss!” The old maid bowed and scraped, and then she scolded the servant girl who was kneeling numbly on the ground.
“Thank you, First Miss! Thank you, First Miss!” The servant girl looked at Shao Yanru with gratitude and thanked her sincerely, with tears all over her face.
Shao Yanru glanced at the servant girl and did not stop. She walked inside and asked the old maid next to her, “I heard that grandmother was so angry that she didn’t even have dinner. What made grandmother so angry?”
“It’s hard to say. First Miss, you can ask her after entering. Old Madam will be happy when you come over to ask!” The old maid flattered.
Everyone knew that First Miss was the apple of Old Madam’s eyes and she could say whatever she wanted.
First Miss was beautiful, gentle, kind, and noble. These characteristics were enough for her to be a princess in the future. It would be better if she could step further one day.
The supervisor’s smile became more flattering. She took a few quick steps forward and reached out to lift the curtain for Shao Yanru. Her flattering voice sounded totally different from that in which she had scolded the servant girl before.
“Old Madam, First Miss comes to see you!” Then she reported to the room inside.
After Shao Yanru entered the room, the old maid dropped the curtain in her hand and it happened to fall in front of Qi Rongzhi. It almost hit Qi Rongzhi’s face, but fortunately, she stopped in time.
Chunyi was so angry that she stepped forward and almost lost her temper, but she was stopped by Qi Rongzhi. In the two years in Duke Xing’s Mansion, Qi Rongzhi had learned some things that she hadn’t learned before, and she also clearly knew that Shao Yanru was the person whom she had to curry favor with.
Chunyi glared at the old maid and lifted the curtain. Qi Rongzhi walked in.
Old Madam, who was in the room, had already received the message and knew that Shao Yanru had come in, but she still looked angry.
“Grandmother, don’t be angry. If there is something, just say it out. Let Ru’er help you.” Shao Yanru entered the room, and saw Old Madam’s gloomy face. She took a few quick steps forward with a softer smile, held Old Madam’s hand, and coquettishly shook it a few times.
Qi Rongzhi entered the room, and bowed to Old Madam obediently. Then she stood aside like a transparent person.
“Nothing serious. Just some good-for-nothing people!” Old Madam said in a bad mood.
The people who had been to Yuhui Nunnery had already come back to report that the servant girl did not succeed. Not only Shao Wanru’s reputation was not ruined, but also the following plan that had been plotted originally also lost the first chance.
When thinking of this, Old Madam was full of anger.
“Grandmother, just move them away if they are good-for-nothing. Tell Ru’er who they are, and Ru’er will do this. I will not let others make you angry!” Shao Yanru said softly, and her smile became more intimate.
Old Madam was amused by her words. She immediately touched her head and said, “Oh, girl. You can move things, but how can you move people?”
“If things can be moved, people who get in your way can of course be moved too. If you can’t move them once, then move them twice. If it doesn’t work, have a third try. I think there is no one or thing that can’t be moved.”
Shao Yanru smiled as if she said it carelessly.
Old Madam was interested in it and suddenly felt that the eldest granddaughter’s unintentional words really satisfied her. If she couldn’t do it once, then twice, otherwise tried three times. She didn’t believe that this girl would be so lucky every time.
Shao Wanru brought death signs to her father and mother, and then to her family. She couldn’t let this girl come back to Duke Xing’s Mansion perfectly well.
When she was not in the mansion before, everything was fine. Only a few days after she was recognized, so many things had happened, let alone the rumors outside. Since then, the second branch and third branch in the mansion had been distant, and they had kept the distance for so many years.
Every time the third branch talked about the accident of the carriage, Old Madam felt speechless. Sometimes, she had to turn the blind eye, as if she didn’t understand what they said.
It was a no-win situation. Although she did not like the third branch very much, they were still her own blood.
Then let the plan continue tomorrow!
After making the decision in her mind, she looked better immediately. She held Shao Yanru’s hands and kept asking all sorts of questions, and later, she was coaxed happily by Shao Yanru. Seeing that it was late, she asked Shao Yanru and Qi Rongzhi to go back.
After saying goodbye to Old Madam, Shao Yanru took Qi Rongzhi outside. When they were outside, Shao Yanru said gently, “Sister Rongzhi, you can go back.”
“It’s still early, don’t you want to walk with me, sister?” Qi Rongzhi finally had a chance to speak. Because she didn’t speak for a long time, her voice was a little hoarse.
“No, thanks. I’ll ask you to walk together next time!” Shao Yanru said lightly.
Shao Yanru had invited Qi Rongzhi to take a walk with her just now, and then they came to the front of Old Madam’s door. After such a long time, she finally spoke to her. This kind of thing had often happened during these two years, so both Shao Yanru and Qi Rongzhi didn’t take it seriously. Qi Rongzhi was just an object that was used when it was needed.
And an object that could not make any sound at all!
After sending Qi Rongzhi away, Shao Yanru reached out to pick a blooming flower by the roadside. The fragrance of the flower was strong and the color was enchanting. It turned out to be a Tang Qianyan that had been in full bloom ahead of time.
She smelled it in front of her nose, and a trace of coldness appeared on her face, which had always been gentle…
Shao Wanru received the album of painting in the middle of the night, which had been brought down the mountain by Qing’er.
The ready-made album was exactly the same as before, as if no page had been replaced, and even the inside stitches were exquisitely made.
After reading through the album and finding that it was just as her imagination, Shao Wanru breathed a sigh of relief. Whoever came to see it would find that it was a complete one. She could rest assured no matter whom Old Madam showed it to. Old Madam thought that if Qing’er was stalled, Shao Wanru would not have enough time to ask a good painter to replace the page.
No matter who came up with this idea, it was in vain this time.
“How is it?” A languid voice could be heard from the couch on one side. There was a couch at the corner of the quiet room. It was placed in a wing room on the other side during the day.
This time, the person leaning against the couch was none other than Prince Chen, who was said to be so sick that he was on the brink of death.
“Many thanks, Your Highness!” Shao Wanru was speechless, but she still saluted sideways. She had not expected to trouble him. Was it worthwhile to ask him to send this box!
“Accompany me to walk around!” Chu Liuchen stood up and stretched out his arms. He casually picked up a cloak on the screen, walked over and draped it on Shao Wanru.
The cape was so big that no one could see her when it wrapped around her. Even her tender and delicate face was covered by it.
“Where are you going, Your Highness?” Shao Wanru asked vigilantly as she pulled the collar on her neck.
“I heard that Yuhui Nunnery is not peaceful recently, but the night scenery is getting better and better. It’s rare for me to come up the mountain at night, so I have to go to see it.”
Chu Liuchen said slowly. He raised his beautiful eyes, stretched out his hand, and tied the string on Shao Wanru’s collar for her.
The night was dark and perfec