Half a month had passed before Mei Qingxue finally remembered Rong Yu'er.
"What are you going to do about your concubine?" Mei Qingxue looked at Du Gu Qing and asked.
"I've noticed that she sneaks out of the mansion at regular intervals. Coincidentally, tonight is the day she'll leave. I plan to take action then." Du Gu Qing showed a cold smile.
Mei Qingxue might have forgotten about it, but Du Gu Qing hadn't. Rong Yu'er was a crucial pawn. Every night after Mei Qingxue fell asleep, he kept a close eye on the mistress and her maid. Discovering their considerable martial arts skills, he'd bided his time, waiting for the perfect moment.
"How's the real Yu'er now?" Mei Qingxue worried about the girl's life. After all, the real Rong Yu'er was only twelve.
"Don't worry. Although she has no freedom, her life is currently in no danger. I guess those two are using her as a shield to protect themselves."
"Once you see the fake Yu'er leave tonight, I'll go knock on the door of Suoyun Courtyard. As soon as the maid opens it, you can rescue the girl. But this way, we'll tip off the enemy. I wonder who sent them." Mei Qingxue said with regret.
"I've already found out. Who else could it be but my third elder brother? He's thinking that if I make a move for the crown prince position, the fake Rong Yu'er will find an opportunity to kill me without anyone knowing." Du Gu Qing looked at Mei Qingxue worriedly.
Mei Qingxue immediately understood his meaning. "And then frame me. I won't be able to defend myself, right?"
"My princess is so smart. You catch on so quickly." Du Gu Qing gave her a kiss on the nose.
Mei Qingxue felt guilty and didn't dare to respond. It wasn't that she was smart. She was just familiar with these schemes. After all, she was in her tenth life and had been reborn with her memories. Her ten lives weren't lived in vain.
"It's almost time. You can go and knock on the door." If anyone else knocked, the maid definitely wouldn't open it. Mei Qingxue was the most suitable person.
"Okay. You have to act fast."
Mei Qingxue didn't hesitate. She got out of bed and put on her shoes. The last time she knocked on the door of Suoyun Courtyard was around this time.
"Open the door!" Xuan Qiao carried a food box, and Mei Qingxue knocked on the door herself.
"Who is it?"
"It's the princess. I'm here to visit the concubine!" Xuan Qiao answered on behalf of Mei Qingxue.
"The concubine is already asleep. Please go back, princess!" The maid refused to open the door.
Damn it! Mei Qingxue almost swore. "Since the concubine is asleep, I shouldn't have disturbed her. Well, I've brought some food and daily necessities. Open the door and take them in."
"…Alright!"
The maid was more arrogant than the princess. But Mei Qingxue didn't argue with her now. When the maid opened the door, Mei Qingxue noticed that the maid's chest was flatter than last time. She immediately realized that this might not be a real woman either.
Mei Qingxue handed over the food box. Without even saying thank you, the maid closed the door right away.
"Princess, this concubine is really too arrogant." Xuan Qiao couldn't hold back her anger and immediately defended Mei Qingxue. Even a maid like her couldn't stand it.
Mei Qingxue was worried that the time she'd delayed the maid from opening the door was too short. She didn't know if Du Gu Qing had succeeded. She looked back at the blurry sign of Suoyun Courtyard in the darkness.
"Let's go. The concubine came from afar, and our prince is useless. It's understandable that she has some grievances."
As she said this, Mei Qingxue almost bit her own tongue. That so - called "useless" guy always left her sore and unable to get out of bed. How could she believe such a lie when others might?
She walked back to Qingxue Pavilion slowly, still wondering if that guy had succeeded.
"Princess, you're too good - tempered. That concubine's maid is so bold. She…" Xuan Qiao started to complain.
Mei Qingxue frowned and interrupted her. "I'm just too good - tempered. You've been nagging in my ear for almost half an hour."
She knew that Xuan Qiao was protecting her, but she wasn't the kind of person who cared about face. Now, a little girl's life was at stake. She was more concerned about whether Du Gu Qing had succeeded.
When she entered Qingxue Pavilion, she saw a thin girl who was just skin and bones. Xuan Qiao was so shocked that she almost screamed.
"Quickly cook some lotus seed congee. If anyone else finds out what you saw tonight, I'll have you beaten to death."
Mei Qingxue had never spoken so seriously before. Xuan Qiao didn't dare to delay. She was a servant born into the Mei family. She knew that if she ran away, her family would still be in trouble. She'd seen clearly just now that the girl's face was clearly that of the new concubine. What was going on?
But she didn't dare to ask more. The princess had looked so scary just now.
"Thank you." Rong Yu'er tried to get up and bow to Du Gu Qing and Mei Qingxue despite her weakness.
"Alright, Sister Yu'er. I'm a few years older than you, so I'll take the liberty to call you sister. How did you end up like this?" To avoid suspicion, Du Gu Qing sat far away. When he'd pulled the little girl out of the hidden compartment in the sedan chair just now, he'd been shocked. She was almost weightless and now so thin that she was just a bundle of bones.
Rong Yu'er's tears started to flow. "Princess Sister…" Later, she couldn't stop crying. After listening to Rong Yu'er tell the whole story, Mei Qingxue fell silent.
When Marquis Anning realized that the situation was getting out of hand and the eldest and third princes had come to win him over one after another, he was afraid that the emperor wouldn't sit idly by. So he thought of protecting one member of his family if possible. He'd thought of the Sixth Prince and hoped to get his protection. In case his Rong family was in danger, there would still be a descendant.
"Since you're in the mansion now, just stay here at ease. It's just that you've been wronged." Mei Qingxue comforted her.
Rong Yu'er trembled all over, looking terrified. "Sister, Yu'er doesn't want to be with that witch." That witch could change her size and had killed all her attendants.
"Princess, the congee is ready." Xuan Qiao brought a bowl of congee.
Rong Yu'er looked at it eagerly. "Sister, is it for Yu'er?" She looked disbelieving and even a bit timid.
Mei Qingxue's eyes welled up with tears. She nodded. "Yes, it's hot. Eat slowly."
Rong Yu'er wolfed down the bowl of congee. She smacked her lips and said, "Sister, is there more?"
"Yes, but you've been hungry for a long time. Eating too much at once will make you feel uncomfortable." Mei Qingxue looked at Rong Yu'er's pitiful expression and poured a glass of water herself. "Take a break and warm your stomach first."
"Okay." Rong Yu'er nodded. "Sister, Yu'er never thought that plain congee could be so delicious."
Hearing her words, Xuan Qiao also wiped her tears. She wondered how long Rong Yu'er had been hungry to become like this.
"Xuan Qiao, go and serve another small half - bowl." Mei Qingxue was afraid that Rong Yu'er would eat too quickly.
"Sister, I don't want to be with that witch anymore." With a bit more strength, Rong Yu'er knelt in front of Mei Qingxue.
"Later, the prince will take care of her. Don't be afraid." Mei Qingxue quickly helped the little girl up. Seeing that her clothes could hardly stay on her thin body, she said, "Xuan Qiao, go to the prime minister's mansion tomorrow and ask my mother to make some clothes for Miss Rong. Remember to keep it a secret!"
"Yes!" Xuan Qiao replied. If others found out that there was something fishy about the concubine, it would be a disaster for the three families. Xuan Qiao knew this well. Now that she knew that Miss Rong had been harmed by the witch, she was more anxious than Mei Qingxue.
"Prince!" Mei Qingxue looked at the guy who was pretending to sleep.
"Princess, please speak!"
Hearing his tone, Mei Qingxue just wanted to kick his butt. If there hadn't been others around, she would have given him a good "lesson".
"Have you dealt with the people in Suoyun Courtyard?"
"I've captured them all. They're being interrogated in the secret chamber now. Princess, don't be afraid. It's getting late. Send the concubine back to rest early." Du Gu Qing didn't even open his eyes. He waved his hand casually. "I've already asked the servants to clean up the courtyard again. I've also sent a message to your father, Marquis Anning, asking him to send some new attendants for you."
"Thank you, prince. If it weren't for your rescue, Yu'er would have…" She was about to cry.
Mei Qingxue couldn't stand it when ancient people used tears as a prop after just a few words. But now that Rong Yu'er had suffered so much injustice and been so frightened, she didn't say anything.
"Before the people sent by Marquis Anning arrive, Xuan Qiao, please work hard and run between the two courtyards."
"Yes, princess!" Xuan Qiao replied crisply. The princess trusted her enough to give her such an important task. To have a good future like Sister Yueru, she would definitely carry out the princess's order to the letter.
"Thank you, sister." When Rong Yu'er left, she secretly glanced at the man sitting in the main seat with his eyes closed. Mei Qingxue immediately knew that there was going to be a plot of a girl wanting to marry her benefactor to show her gratitude.
Mei Qingxue cursed that guy a hundred times in her heart. Why did he have to be so handsome? When he climbed over the wall to do things, he didn't even cover his face. She didn't want things to turn real.
As if feeling Mei Qingxue's anger, Du Gu Qing opened his eyes and saw Rong Yu'er looking back shyly. Mei Qingxue saw clearly that her cheeks were flushed. It was obvious that she was in love.
Having read a lot of novels, Mei Qingxue knew that on one hand, it was Du Gu Qing's handsome face, and on the other hand, the little girl was vulnerable. After being rescued by a young man, her psychological defense was weak. Mei Qingxue couldn't allow such a thing to happen.
She'd find a way to nip the girl's affection in the bud later. But now wasn't the time.
When only Du Gu Qing and Mei Qingxue were left in Qingxue Pavilion, Du Gu Qing said with a smile, "Why do I smell something sour in this room?"
"Spit! With your wife by your side, you dare to flirt with other girls. Tell me, have you been unfaithful outside?"
Just as Mei Qingxue was about to question him, he flashed in front of her and picked her up horizontally.
"Now let your husband confess his mistakes to you, princess. There are so many topics. Let's talk slowly."
"Get out of here!" That glib - tongued guy. Before she could scold him, her mouth was blocked. Du Gu Qing had been abstinent for a few days. He couldn't bear it any longer.
He was eager to take action, but Mei Qingxue wouldn't let him have his way so easily. There were still some important historical issues that he hadn't explained. He wanted to take advantage… No way.