Wen Hongxin's pupils dilated slightly. Immediately afterwards, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes, and then he nodded.
Wen Yuanning and Han Bi went to the back hall of the marquis's mansion.
A gentle snowstorm blew along the long corridor, separating them from the noisy sounds in the front hall as they walked side by side. Wen Yuanning casually glanced at Han Bi beside him and asked curiously, "Miss, did you come to the marquis's mansion last time, when Concubine Lan... disappeared?"
Han Bi nodded. "That's right."
"Now that you're the personal maid of Concubine Lan, I'm sure she trusts you deeply. The maids who served Concubine Lan in the marquis's mansion before have all gone to the jade workshop. Since you were arranged by His Majesty to be by her side, I'm afraid you may not be familiar with many of her habits. Can you take good care of... the concubine?"
Wen Yuanning asked in a concerned tone.
Han Bi felt annoyed.
Her delicate face wrinkled in a frown. "Of course this maid can take good care of the concubine. Third Master Wen is over - worrying. If the concubine wishes, His Majesty will surely allow her former maids to enter the palace. His Majesty is extremely kind to the concubine."
She had met Third Master Wen during her last visit to the marquis's mansion and knew that he had feelings for the concubine. She didn't expect him to speak so impolitely and question her ability.
Han Bi deliberately mentioned His Majesty just to anger him.
Wen Yuanning let out a soft "oh" and said no more.
His brows were tightly knitted, and he seemed to be caught in painful and tangled thoughts. Han Bi stopped talking to him as well. Her anger faded quickly, and she calmly walked with him towards the back courtyard.
However, the shadow in Wen Yuanning's heart grew heavier.
He glanced at Han Bi but remained silent. Just now, he deliberately said those words to make her angry so that she would overlook another sentence that was actually a probe. In her anger, Han Bi didn't deny that she was sent by His Majesty to Lan Miao's side. That meant that it was very likely that when she came to the marquis's mansion last time, she was following His Majesty's order rather than the Empress Dowager's.
Han Bi was His Majesty's person.
So, did Lan Miao have some unclear relationship with His Majesty a long time ago?
Now that he thought about it, many things made sense.
Did the Empress Dowager really appreciate Lan Miao just because of her skills? And was Xue'er chosen as the companion - reader of Princess Yujia just by luck?
These might be the reasons, but not the whole story.
The Empress Dowager's many acts of protecting Lan Miao now seemed to be deliberately misleading them. After all, they didn't know the situation in the palace.
Wen Yuanning sighed silently in his heart. Even if he knew the truth, what could he do?
He could do nothing. The only thing he could do now was to strengthen the marquis's mansion, choose the right side in the upcoming struggle for the throne, and prevent the decline of the marquis's mansion due to a wrong choice.
With deep doubts, Wen Yuanning walked into the back hall with a heavy heart.
Han Bi lifted the curtain and invited Wen Yuanning to enter. There was a warm brazier in the room, and the silver - ash charcoal was crackling in it. The delicate fragrance of plum blossoms mixed with the thick sandalwood scent and then drifted out with the cold wind.
Inside the room, Lan Miao was sitting in the main seat.
She sat there gracefully, as if she was born to occupy that position. A maid who looked similar to Han Bi stood behind Lan Miao, expressionless.
Wen Yuanning entered and knelt to pay his respects to Lan Miao, then sat down on the wooden chair at the end.
Xue'er and Qingzhi were sitting around Lan Miao, happily playing with the Chinese rings. Lan Miao's eyes were cold towards everyone in the mansion, but she seemed to be more amiable towards Qingzhi.
The old lady and Zhou, Wen Hongxin's concubine, were sitting on one side.
Concubine Zhou kept her head down, and her expression was unclear. The old lady, however, was livid, with her cheeks puffed up, obviously gritting her teeth to hold back her anger.
"I'm here today to settle things clearly with the marquis's mansion. Now that I've divorced, I shouldn't have any more ties with the mansion." Lan Miao was already used to this self - address. She said calmly, and Wen Yuanning's face changed again. Then Lan Miao turned to Han Bi and instructed, "Take Xue'er and Qingzhi to play in the side room."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Han Bi responded and took Xue'er and Qingzhi to the side room, closing the curtain behind them.
Now there were only a few of them left in the room. The old lady felt humiliated.
"Settle things clearly? What's there to settle? You're a noble concubine in the palace now. Do you still want to manage your shop's business?" As the birthday star today, the old lady's voice showed no sign of joy. She hated the woman who had tortured her for so many years. Now that this woman had become a noble concubine, the old lady was both afraid and resentful of her.
"Such a narrow - minded person..."
Maybe because Lan Miao's attitude was still gentle and non - aggressive, the old lady wasn't used to her status as a concubine for a moment. She still mumbled fearlessly.
"Mother." Wen Yuanning called out to her in time, a thin layer of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Please watch your words. It's our honor that Concubine Lan is willing to talk to us."
After saying that, he gave the old lady a meaningful look.
The old lady realized her mistake, but she wasn't willing to give in so easily. Her face turned red with anger, and she felt ashamed. This was supposed to be her birthday celebration, but Lan Miao had ruined her mood.
She could only lower her head and keep silent.
Wen Yuanning bowed his hands and signaled to Lan Miao in the main seat. He apologized with a smile, "Concubine Lan, my mother has offended you. I apologize on her behalf. Please forgive her."
Lan Miao then looked at Wen Yuanning in surprise.
Wen Yuanning met her gaze. His expression no longer showed the past panic and helplessness but a touch of real calmness.
They only locked eyes for a moment before Lan Miao looked away. Did the news of her being made a noble concubine shock Wen Yuanning so much that he finally gave up on her and regained his senses?
This was a good thing. It seemed that he wouldn't hold those naive and childish ideas and pester her anymore.
"It's okay."
Lan Miao picked up the teacup on the table beside her and took a sip.
Since Wen Yuanning seemed to be normal, many things could be said clearly.
"Xiyu Fang was my dowry. After I enter the palace, the jade workshop will be managed by the person I choose. It will have nothing to do with the marquis's mansion anymore. Naturally, the profits of the jade workshop will no longer belong to the mansion. I'll let bygones be bygones. I don't want anything else. This is the first thing."
Lan Miao's lotus - like face became hazy in the curling tea smoke.
While she took a breath, Wen Yuanning immediately promised, "Your Highness's belongings should naturally be decided by you. Our marquis's mansion will never interfere." He then looked up at Concubine Zhou opposite him, who had been keeping silent. "Now most of the family affairs of the marquis's mansion are handled by Concubine Zhou. So please, Concubine, settle the accounts with the people brought by Your Highness today. Also, hand over the rest of Your Highness's dowry."
Concubine Zhou was always a timid person. Although she felt heart - ache that the marquis's mansion would lose so much silver, she didn't dare to talk back.
"Yes, yes. I'll definitely handle this well. Please rest assured, Your Highness and Third Master."
Hearing these words, the old lady couldn't hold back anymore. She suddenly started coughing violently. In the silent room, her violent cough was extremely harsh.
Her face turned ashen, and she waved her hands repeatedly. "This won't do!"