In the letter Song Yihuan had Chunxing send to Gu Yunzheng, there was nothing out of line. She merely invited him to meet her in Lanfang Garden two days later.
Between her and Gu Yunzheng, they had to clear the air and draw a clear line between them.
And the sooner, the better.
Time flew by, and soon the day for Song Yihuan and Gu Yunzheng's meeting arrived.
Early in the morning, Song Yihuan went to Yixiang Pavilion and told Song Nanxin that she was going out to meet Gu Yunzheng today.
Song Nanxin was lazily reclining on the imperial concubine's couch. She said to Baizhi, "Go to Tinglan Courtyard and bring little Xuan'er to Shulan Courtyard. I haven't seen him for a while, and I miss him."
Then she smiled at Song Yihuan and said, "Don't worry. I'm the eldest sister. I'll take good care of Xuan'er. You can go with peace of mind. Let Fuling accompany you."
Song Yihuan sneered inwardly. This was blackmailing her with Xuan'er, warning her not to act rashly.
But it was all right. She was of great use to her eldest sister. Presumably, her eldest sister wouldn't harm Xuan'er. Otherwise, what would her eldest sister use to blackmail her?
Song Yihuan calmly replied, "Thank you, eldest sister, for taking care of Xuan'er. I'll go and come back quickly."
After leaving Yixiang Pavilion, Song Yihuan took Fuling and left the Prince Ning's Mansion through the side door.
As she stepped out of the side door of the Prince Ning's Mansion, a gust of wind blew towards her, invigorating her spirit.
It had been half a month since her last time out. That time, she had taken Song Yixuan with the Princess Ning to the Avalokitesvara Temple outside the city.
Seeing the scenery outside the mansion again, it felt like a lifetime ago.
Thinking of her younger brother who had been taken to Yixiang Pavilion, Song Yihuan took a deep breath and strode towards the painted - boat wharf north of the Bianliang River. Fuling quickly followed closely behind her.
The Bianliang River ran through the capital from north to south, dividing the capital into two parts. The southern end was the largest wharf in the capital, where many merchant ships gathered and a large amount of goods were circulated every day.
The northern end of the Bianliang River, with its gentle and broad current, had become a favorite entertainment place for both the powerful and the common people in the capital. Many painted boats sailed on it every day.
The Lanfang Garden where Song Yihuan and Gu Yunzheng had agreed to meet was located north of the Bianliang River, west of the painted - boat wharf.
Different from the bustling painted - boat wharf, Lanfang Garden was the private garden of the Prince Duan. One had to submit a visiting card to the Prince Duan in advance before entering. Only after the identity was verified could one enter. That was why Lanfang Garden was very quiet, which was suitable for talking to people.
It was nearly noon, and the painted - boat wharf was at its busiest. Several painted boats were docked at the wharf, with pedestrians constantly coming and going. On both sides of the painted - boat wharf and along the riverbank, several peddlers set up stalls selling fruits, pastries and so on.
One or two painted boats could still be seen slowly sailing on the river. It was really bustling.
Fuling was Song Nanxin's dowry maid brought from the Marquis Mansion to the Prince Ning's Mansion. But most of the time, it was Baizhi who accompanied Song Nanxin. She rarely got a chance to see the outside world. At the sight of this prosperous scene, she was so amazed that she could hardly move.
"Fourth Miss, it's so lively here!" she said excitedly to Song Yihuan, feeling a bit closer to her for no reason.
Song Yihuan smiled and looked back at her. "It's nearly noon. I'm a bit hungry. How about you?"
Fuling's eyes flickered, looking a bit embarrassed. "I'm a bit hungry too, miss."
"Since we're hungry, let's sit down and eat something first," Song Yihuan said. Then she changed her direction and led Fuling into a small noodle shop by the river.
"Boss, two bowls of plain noodles," Song Yihuan called out.
A middle - aged man came out from the back. He was quite strong compared to a scholar, but far from a soldier. He was wearing a coarse blue shirt and had a bushy beard on his face. He looked very kind, but his eyes showed both the shrewdness of a businessman and a bit of depth.
His eyes fell on Song Yihuan and Fuling. After seeing the gesture Song Yihuan made to him secretly, he replied with a smile, "Sure! Please sit down, ladies. The noodles will be ready soon!"
Song Yihuan turned to Fuling and said, "Sit down. Fill your stomach first before boarding the painted boat. There won't be a chance to eat once we're on the boat."
Fuling was still a bit hesitant at first. But when she heard that they were going to board a boat soon, she didn't hesitate anymore and sat down at the empty table next to Song Yihuan.
Soon, the steaming plain noodles were served by the boss.
After walking for so long, Fuling was really hungry. The aroma of the plain noodles was so tempting that she didn't think about anything and just lowered her head to enjoy them. So she didn't notice at all that Song Yihuan didn't touch her chopsticks from beginning to end.
After taking just a few mouthfuls, Fuling felt her eyelids getting heavy. Sleepiness overwhelmed her. She closed her eyes and fell asleep, collapsing on the table.
Song Yihuan called out twice, "Fuling, Fuling?"
The boss of the noodle shop stepped forward and grinned. "Don't worry. She won't wake up easily in two hours."
Song Yihuan stood up, took off her veil hat, and gave the boss of the noodle shop a smile. "Thank you, Uncle Qi."
This noodle - shop boss was named Qi Lei. He was from Jiangzhou and just an ordinary commoner in the market.
The only special thing was that he once had a marriage contract with Concubine Rou. Concubine Rou was supposed to marry him after leaving the Ding'an Marquis Mansion, but unexpectedly, she was finally forever kept in the Ding'an Marquis Mansion.
After that incident happened that year, Concubine Rou wrote a letter and had it sent to Jiangzhou. She thought Qi Lei would find another good match, but Qi Lei resolutely came from Jiangzhou to the capital and opened a small noodle stall at the painted - boat wharf to make a living. He silently waited for Concubine Rou and never got married again.
After learning of Concubine Rou's death, he was very depressed for a long time. After he pulled himself together, he began to secretly help Song Yihuan and Song Yixuan. He treated them like his own children.
Song Yihuan respected him as "Uncle Qi" because of his affection for Concubine Rou and would often come to visit him.
Because of their frequent interactions, Qi Lei knew very well about Song Yihuan's situation. Just with a single gesture from Song Yihuan, Qi Lei knew that she wanted to get rid of Fuling. So he added some ingredients to the noodles and successfully knocked Fuling out.
"Silly girl, why are you thanking Uncle Qi? But what's going on? Where's Chunxing? Why didn't she come out with you today?" Qi Lei glanced at Fuling sleeping on the table and asked.
Song Yihuan replied, "Chunxing is taking care of Xuan'er. This is the maid sent by the eldest sister to take care of me. I have important things to do this time I go out, but I don't want her to know too much. I can only trouble Uncle Qi."
Qi Lei frowned and said, "It's been more than a month since you last came to see me, Huan girl. Tell me honestly, did those bastards from the Marquis Mansion bully you and Xuan'er again?"