Granny Zhou thought for a moment. "I recognize her. She's been the one coming to pick up the meals from the main courtyard for the past two days. She has a delicate appearance and even speaks softly. She seems a bit shy and doesn't like to talk to people."
Jade nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you for keeping an eye on her these days. Report to me if anything happens."
Hearing this, Granny Zhou knew there must be something wrong with this girl. She hesitated and asked, "Did she do something wrong?"
Jade shook her head with a smile. "There's nothing seriously wrong. I just find her a bit strange. You just need to keep an eye on her secretly. Don't do anything else."
"Alright." Seeing her say so, Granny Zhou had no choice but to nod in agreement.
After seeing her off, Jade lifted the curtain and entered the room. She rubbed her hands and said with a smile, "It's really cold outside. My hands are already frozen red after just going out for a while."
As she said this, she stretched out her hands to warm them by the stove, revealing her bare wrists.
Cui Huan laughed when she saw this. "Miss, look. She's asking for a reward!"
Jade blushed. "Cui Huan! Miss, look at her. Her mouth is getting sharper! I can't argue with her anymore!"
Fu Zhen glanced at her wrist and knew what had happened when she went out just now. She couldn't help but smile. "Jade did a good job. You deserve a reward! But that silver bracelet on your wrist seems to have been worn for a long time. I'll give you something else today. There's a pair of jade bracelets in my storage room. You can take them and wear them."
Cui Huan remembered. "That pair of jade bracelets has a good color, sky - blue, but there's a streak of blood - red in them, which spoils their purity."
Jade wasn't picky at all. She said happily, "The things the miss doesn't like are just right for me! I don't mind about the so - called purity. Such good jade bracelets, if the miss didn't reward me, I'm afraid I couldn't even afford to buy them."
Fu Zhen smiled. "I'm glad you like them."
"What did you talk to Granny Zhou about just now?" she asked.
Jade told the truth. "I asked her if she knew a maid named Yuanyang in the main courtyard. Granny Zhou didn't know much. She just said that Yuanyang seemed shy and honest. I asked her to keep an eye on her and do nothing else."
Fu Zhen thought for a while.
That day when she went to the main courtyard, a maid casually told her that her uncle and aunt had gone to the Bai family. There was nothing wrong with this at first, but the maid looked a bit familiar. After returning to her courtyard, the more she thought about it, the more she felt that she had seen this person somewhere before. So she secretly asked Jade to find out about her. After all, Jade was better at dealing with people.
Unexpectedly, when Jade inquired privately, Yuanyang had an excellent reputation. Everyone she asked said that although Yuanyang was a bit shy, she was kind - hearted, never quarreled with others, and was very considerate.
This made Fu Zhen wonder if she was being too suspicious.
"Forget it. Let it be for now. Just let Granny Zhou keep an eye on her," she said.
In the afternoon, the wind and snow stopped.
Lady Bai was sitting in the main courtyard drinking tea. The father and son were sitting on either side of her. They seemed to dislike each other and neither of them was willing to speak first.
She was helpless and too lazy to get involved in their business. She just said to Chen Tingfeng, "Tomorrow is the Laba Festival. I've ordered someone to cook Laba porridge tonight. You and Zhenzhen should both have some for good luck."
Chen Tingfeng never disobeyed his mother. Hearing this, he put down his tea and nodded slightly. "Yes. I'll ask Yuanbao to send some to Bamboo - clear Courtyard tonight."
Chen Xuan snorted and said rather sarcastically, "I thought you were going to deliver it in person."
Chen Tingfeng raised his eyebrows and said slowly, "It's not appropriate for a man like me to go to my cousin's courtyard at night. It's better to let the servants deliver it."
Lady Bai gave Chen Xuan a glare. Hearing what he said, she sized him up and down but didn't say whether she believed him or not. She just said, "You're right. A girl's reputation needs to be taken seriously."
Chen Tingfeng smiled faintly. "Mother is right."
He wasn't going to visit openly at night. As for whether he would be a nocturnal visitor, that depended on his mood.
However, he had been too unrestrained a few days ago and annoyed her, so he hadn't seen her for several days. Today, he looked at the sky and thought it was a good day.
"By the way, I've also had a set of clothes made for you and Zhenzhen. Nanny Li," Lady Bai tilted her head and gave a signal.
Nanny Li nodded and left. A moment later, she came back with two maids, each holding a folded set of clothes. One was sky - blue and the other was lake - blue. At first glance, they seemed to be a matching set.
Chen Tingfeng glanced at the lake - blue dress. There was a silver - white fur - trimmed cloak folded under it. He could faintly see a few flowers embroidered on it with colorful silk threads.
He imagined how Fu Zhen would look in it and couldn't help but smile with his head down.
Such a淡雅 color really suited her.
Thinking like this, he got up to say goodbye. "The sky is still bright. I'll lead the servants to deliver them."
Chen Xuan glared at him angrily and was about to scold him for forgetting his roots. Who knew that Lady Bai gave him a casual look and he immediately shut up like a quail.
Lady Bai didn't say anything. She just said meaningfully, "It's good for you to deliver them. Just be careful and keep your distance."
Chen Tingfeng nodded and left with the two maids.
Lady Bai waved her hand and asked all the maids and grannies in the room to leave. When there were only the two of them left in the room, Chen Xuan snorted heavily.
"If your throat is itchy, go take some medicine. What's wrong with you in front of me?" Lady Bai was annoyed by his behavior. She gave him a disdainful look and walked towards the inner room.
Chen Xuan quickly followed her and said dissatisfiedly, "You've had clothes made for the two young ones. What about my clothes?"
"You're such an old man and still asking for new clothes for the New Year. There aren't any," Lady Bai pushed him away disgustedly when he got too close.
Chen Xuan grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest. He said painfully, "My lady, I'm heartbroken."
"How boring," Lady Bai tried to leave, but he blocked her firmly. If she moved again, he would hug her waist. She was both angry and amused. She pinched him hard. "Get out of the way."
"I won't," Chen Xuan carried her to the couch and then sat down with her. After playing around for a while, he said, "Although I've been ignoring the affairs in the court this year on the pretext of being injured, I still hold this title. I'm afraid I'll have to go to the imperial palace for the New Year banquet."
"Will it be peaceful?" Lady Bai asked.
Chen Xuan smiled faintly. "Which year has been peaceful?"
There was a commotion at last year's palace banquet. This year, with the queen presiding and two princes present, it was likely to be even more chaotic.
"Will Shaochuan go with you?" Lady Bai suddenly thought of this. After all, Chen Tingfeng had already shown his talent in the court. Although he didn't hold any official position, it was obvious to everyone that he was on Xie Yan's side. It wasn't appropriate to leave him out of the New Year banquet.
"Logically, he should go," Chen Xuan said quietly. "But I'm afraid he doesn't want to."
Lady Bai was stunned. A figure immediately appeared in her mind and she fell silent.
Yes, now her son was only focused on courting his sweetheart. How could he have the heart to go to that boring palace banquet?