Jade suddenly grabbed Granny Zhou's hand and stared at her. "Did you see the man's face clearly?"
Granny Zhou looked embarrassed. "I was some distance away from the carriage. I only saw that he was a man. The material of his clothes was not something an ordinary family could afford. I couldn't see anything else clearly."
The more Jade thought about it, the more alarmed she became. What could a strange man be doing in a woman's carriage if not for a tryst? And she had never heard that Chen Huanyun had a younger brother!
As she thought, Jade took off a jade bracelet from her hand and gave it to Granny Zhou. "You did a great job on this. If there's any more news in the future, I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on it."
Granny Zhou quickly refused. "How could I accept the young lady's jade bracelet? Don't worry, miss. I'll keep a close eye on it. I won't miss a thing!"
"Your daughter is getting older, and your husband has just had a serious illness. I'm sure your family is in great need of money. Consider this bracelet as a wedding gift for your daughter. Don't refuse anymore." Jade smiled and said softly.
Granny Zhou's hand paused. She hesitated for a moment and finally accepted the bracelet. "I know the second young lady is kind to me. I'll even risk my old life to keep a close eye on this person for the second young lady!"
Although she was honest, she wasn't stupid. From what Jade had said to her several times, she could guess that Fu Zhen and Chen Huanyun had been at odds for a long time. She was a person who always tried to stay out of trouble. Otherwise, with her excellent skill in making pastries, she wouldn't have been so unknown in this mansion. But Fu Zhen had been kind to her, and she wanted to repay her.
Moreover, her daughter was indeed at the age to be betrothed.
Seeing that she had accepted the bracelet, Jade smiled with satisfaction. She patted Granny Zhou's arm. "I don't want you to risk your life. Just keep an eye on it."
With that, she left first.
Granny Zhou watched her leaving figure and secretly tightened the smooth jade bracelet in her hand.
Jade returned to the courtyard with the food. She happened to meet Cui Huan going out. She asked curiously, "Where are you going at this time? Is there anyone to serve the young lady?"
Fu Zhen was closest to the two of them. Usually, she only let them serve her personally and was not used to having other young maids around.
Seeing her coming back, Cui Huan let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness you're back. I was just about to go out on an errand. I was worried that there would be no one to serve the young lady."
Jade and Cui Huan passed by in a hurry. Cui Huan walked out in a hurry. Judging from the direction, it seemed like she was going to Baiqu Courtyard?
Inside the room.
Fu Zhen put down the book in her hand. The gentle breeze blew the pages of the book, making a rustling sound. She watched Jade arranging the food and asked, "Why did you take so long?"
Jade pursed her lips and helped Fu Zhen sit down. "Miss, I have something to tell you."
She lowered her voice so much that it seemed as if she was afraid of being heard.
Fu Zhen paused and waved her hand, signaling the other maids in the room to go out. Then she asked, "You're being so mysterious. Did you run into something important?"
"The most important thing," Jade said and told Fu Zhen what had happened when she met Granny Zhou in the kitchen just now. When she mentioned the man's tryst, Fu Zhen looked at her in surprise.
"Really?" she asked.
Jade nodded seriously. "I'm sure. After several contacts with Granny Zhou, I know she's not a reckless person. She wouldn't make up such things. She must have seen it with her own eyes."
Fu Zhen slowly shifted her gaze to the plate of green vegetables. Suddenly, she let out a laugh. "It seems that heaven is on my side."
Chen Huanyun had gone out once before the temple fair. The next day, Fu Mingde came to her. His purpose was clear. He wanted to get benefits from her. When he failed, he would surely ruin her reputation.
Fortunately, Fu Zhen was smart enough to nip this threat in the bud in the forest.
Fu Mingde came so suddenly and found her so accurately. If she said that Chen Huanyun had nothing to do with it, she wouldn't believe a single word.
Fu Zhen had originally guessed that Chen Huanyun had a follow - up plan. According to her personality, once she found out that her enemy had such a disgraceful father, she would probably spread the news immediately.
But several days had passed, and there was not a single rumor about her. It was really strange.
Fu Zhen pondered for a moment. It didn't matter anyway. It would be the best if there were no rumors about her. Besides, now Chen Huanyun had offered such a good handle on herself. If she didn't take this opportunity to crush her completely, she would have lived in vain.
The Chen family was like an indestructible cockroach. They had bounced back several times, which was really annoying.
Jade looked at Fu Zhen's expression and said softly, "Miss, since she dared to do such a thing, why don't we expose her directly? Let her taste the bitter fruit of her own actions."
But Fu Zhen shook her head. "Not yet."
They still didn't know who the man was, and they hadn't completely confirmed the news of their tryst. It was not appropriate to spread it rashly. Otherwise, Chen Huanyun could easily clear herself, and they wouldn't have any evidence.
Jade nodded as if she understood but also seemed not to. She didn't say anything else.
At Baiqu Courtyard.
Cui Huan knocked on the door three times. When Yuan Bao saw her, he blinked and asked, "Sister Cui Huan, why are you here?"
He could play around with Jade, but he didn't dare to do so with Cui Huan.
The maids by the mistress's side, even if they were no longer serving the mistress, were not someone he, a small steward, could joke with casually.
Cui Huan smiled politely. "Please trouble Steward Yuan Bao to inform the young master. Just say that Cui Huan from Zhuqing Courtyard is here to see him."
"Okay." Yuan Bao immediately turned around and rushed in. In a short while, he ran back. "Sister Cui Huan, come in."
Chen Tingfeng was sitting in the main hall. He habitually placed his right hand on the yellow rosewood chair and tapped it twice gently. "What's the matter?"
Cui Huan bowed respectfully. Then she said neither arrogantly nor humbly, "The second young lady sent me to convey her message. She thanks the young master for the pastries he has sent these days. She appreciates your kindness, but she really doesn't like sweet things. She finds them too cloying after eating too much. Please don't send any more in the future. Thank you for your kindness."
Chen Tingfeng's hand on the armrest paused. He raised his eyebrows and said with a half - smile, "So, your young lady has eaten quite a lot of these pastries?"
Cui Huan nodded. "I dare not lie to the young master. The young lady has indeed eaten quite a lot."
She dared not lie, but it didn't mean she wouldn't. In fact, Fu Zhen had hardly eaten any of those pastries. She only ate one occasionally as a form of courtesy.
Chen Tingfeng could guess Fu Zhen's attitude. Yuan Bao delivered the pastries every day, and he watched every day. He saw that even the maids around Fu Zhen had gained weight, but she hardly touched them.
He was domineering by nature. If she didn't eat, he would keep sending them until she did.
"If she doesn't like sweet things, then she must like savory ones? I'll ask Yuan Bao to choose some savory pastries from Yongchun Restaurant and send them tomorrow. I just hope my cousin will like them." Chen Tingfeng said in an irresistible tone. Then he stood up. Still with that half - smile on his face, he gave her a casual look and said, "Yuan Bao, see the guest out."
Cui Huan bit her lip. That wasn't what she meant at all!
Now she somewhat understood why Fu Zhen always looked annoyed when she mentioned Chen Tingfeng. Just after talking to him for a few words, she couldn't help frowning.