Sure enough, Wei Dongling stopped going out. During the day, she buried herself in organizing accounts and inventorying the warehouse. When she couldn't sleep at night, she would go to the martial arts training hall to practice boxing. She did this day after day.
Several times, she hesitated and lingered in front of Qi Jinxuan's courtyard gate, but was turned away. Qi Jinxuan seemed to be deliberately avoiding Wei Dongling. She invited an old maid to seriously learn the palace etiquette and rarely left the courtyard. Even when they occasionally ran into each other, Qi Jinxuan would act as if she didn't see her and turn back.
Wei Dongling stood silently outside the courtyard for a long time. Finally, she could only leave dejectedly.
After severely punishing the Zhao family last time, they seemed to be more well - behaved. They hadn't caused any trouble recently.
Uncle Li hadn't come back either.
Wei Dongling wondered if she should rent a small courtyard outside and let Uncle Li move in, so that he wouldn't have to live rough outside. But looking at her empty purse, she was in a dilemma. She took out the beautiful jade that Yu Zixi gave her and planned to pawn it for some silver tomorrow.
Or maybe she should discuss with Master Qi the idea of bringing Uncle Li back to the mansion and arranging a menial job for him. At least he would be within her sight every day, and she would feel more at ease.
After Yu Zixi's injury on his buttocks got better, he climbed over the wall to visit Wei Dongling. He also brought her a roasted lamb leg from Penglai Restaurant. This really surprised her. She sat on the windowsill regardless of her demeanor and hugged the lamb leg to gnaw on it, with oil dripping from her mouth.
Yu Zixi sat on the tree branch and watched her eat, smiling with his eyes curved, "If you like it, I'll bring it to you every day."
Wei Dongling rolled her eyes while biting the lamb leg and muttered while eating, "Forget it. I'm afraid your master will chase me with a forty - meter machete!"
Yu Zixi laughed brightly. He jumped down from the tree and walked over. He reached out to wipe the oil off her cheek and said, "Wei Dongling, after we're done with all these things, let me take you far away, okay?"
Wei Dongling was stunned and didn't say a word for a long time.
Yu Zixi whispered again, "I sent someone to investigate the case of Prime Minister Su back then, and I've already got some clues."
Wei Dongling said, "Uncle Li went to Xingshan. The Zhao family has been secretly smelting iron ore and selling it to Xuyang Winery. Uncle Li has gone to secretly investigate this Young Master Mingyang."
Yu Zixi squinted his eyes with a faint smile, "This is getting interesting." He looked up at Wei Dongling with a glint in his eyes, "After Prime Minister Su and your father's unjust cases are cleared, will you elope with me to the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River?"
By then, there would be no more complicated disputes. They could live freely every day, row boats and go fishing. And they could raise a bunch of little kids. It would be perfect if each of them was as cute and naughty as Wei Dongling!
Seeing Yu Zixi's longing look on his face, Wei Dongling could only remain silent. Could she really let go of Miss Jinxuan in her heart?
Could Yu Zixi really give up the glory and wealth of the Yu family?
Thinking of what Miss Cuihuan told her that night, Wei Dongling sighed silently and couldn't help asking, "Are you the illegitimate son of Lord Yu? Why does he treat you like this?"
Was he the eldest illegitimate son who was only recognized back out of necessity?
Thinking like this, Wei Dongling's eyes were full of sympathy for him.
Yu Zixi raised his eyebrows and smiled helplessly, "Who says I'm not? Maybe I was picked up."
Wei Dongling was speechless. She asked again, "You asked Tian Qi to secretly protect me. What if your master finds out and makes things difficult for you?"
Huh, this girl actually knew?
Well, that hawk followed Tian Qi around every day. She must have noticed it a long time ago.
Actually, Yu Zixi was a bit reluctant to let Tian Qi come, but at least Tian Qi was on his side, loyal and responsible, and could hide it from his master. So he had no choice but to let Tian Qi come.
Wei Dongling asked again, "What exactly is the grudge between your master and my father? Can it be resolved?"
Yu Zixi didn't say much. He just sighed with a bitter smile, "It's probably not easy."
Wei Dongling was silent for a while and didn't say anything else.
In the afternoon, while she was busy in the warehouse, Qi Jinxuan actually came.
Wei Dongling noticed that she seemed to have lost weight. The dark circles under her eyes were so heavy that even makeup couldn't cover them. She must have been sad and sleepless all night. This made Wei Dongling feel a bitter taste in her heart.
Qi Jinxuan picked a pair of delicate and precious gold - inlaid jade bracelets and asked someone to wrap them carefully. When she turned around, she saw Wei Dongling not far away bowing to her.
Qi Jinxuan was stunned for a moment and said softly, "I'm going to the palace tomorrow. Dongling, come with me."
Qi Jinxuan was finally willing to talk to her. Wei Dongling was overjoyed. She quickly agreed and watched her leave.
But she soon learned the purpose of this trip.
Concubine Xue, the biological mother of the crown prince, invited the famous young ladies from all the noble families in the capital under the pretext of enjoying the flowers in the imperial garden.
What kind of flowers were they enjoying? It was clearly a selection of the crown prince's consort! And Qi Jinxuan was even offering such precious jade bracelets!
Alas. Wei Dongling was so worried that she couldn't even eat dinner.
Tian Qi in the dark: Are you sure you're not just too full from the roasted lamb leg to eat dinner?
Early the next morning, before dawn, Qi Jinxuan had already put on delicate makeup. Lvkou helped her do her hair and changed into colorful clothes.
Qi Jinxuan instructed Wei Dongling, "You must behave properly when you enter the palace later. Remember not to be reckless."
Wei Dongling quickly nodded.
Qi Jinxuan looked Wei Dongling up and down and said, "This dress of yours is too plain. Lvkou, go and pick a brighter one for her!"
Lvkou responded and pulled Wei Dongling back to the room to pick out clothes.
When they came out again, Qi Jinxuan nodded in satisfaction. She casually picked a gold hairpin from the jewelry box and inserted it into Wei Dongling's hair, and then took her out.
Before getting on the carriage, Lvkou pulled Wei Dongling's hand and whispered, "Deputy steward, there are some women inside and outside the palace. After hearing some strange rumors, out of jealousy, they will surely make trouble for the young lady. You must protect the young lady at all costs."
Wei Dongling quickly nodded, "I know even if you don't tell me!"
Lvkou nodded and then let her get on the carriage.
The carriage headed into the palace all the way.
Wei Dongling sat beside Qi Jinxuan. She carefully held the gold hairpin on her head, afraid that it would be knocked or lost during the bumpy ride. She really couldn't afford to compensate if it was lost.
The two didn't talk all the way. The carriage swayed into the palace.
In the prince's mansion.
Pinhao went to serve tea and saw Shangguan Yun sitting upright in the courtyard, playing the zither. The tune he was playing was "The Fireworks Fade Away", which Pinhao had heard hundreds of times.
Pinhao sighed silently in his heart and secretly felt sorry for his young master.
A secret guard of the prince's mansion climbed over the wall and came straight to Shangguan Yun. He knelt on one knee and clasped his fists.
Shangguan Yun's zither playing remained calm. He asked indifferently, "What's the matter?"
The secret guard leaned over and whispered something in his ear.
Shangguan Yun's hand on the zither strings paused for a moment. He nodded and let the secret guard leave. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and ordered, "Pinhao, prepare some gifts. We're going to the palace to visit the Empress Dowager."
Pinhao took the order and left.