Chuncheng thought she was simply overjoyed and her smile grew wider. "Your Highness has been busy with official duties all these years and has shown no interest in romance. There are quite a few women in the capital who admire him, but His Highness has never interacted with other women. He's always cold to everyone. Miss Lin is the first one."
"As for... the future, we'll talk about it later. In fact, it's not easy for the Princess to manage such a large mansion and worry about His Highness. Please don't bear any grudges over today's matter, Miss Lin. Your subordinate takes her leave!"
Chuncheng bowed with folded hands and then turned to walk out. Before leaving, she didn't forget to remind the maids and guards who had brought the things not to cause any trouble.
Lin Wanyu stared blankly at the neatly arranged items in front of her. Chuncheng's words still echoed in her ears. Every single word was full of implications, stirring up a mess in her heart.
Did he really want to say these words, or was it what Lu Huaijin wanted him to say?
She was just a maid for the trial marriage. What on earth did she have to deserve the special attention of the noble and prominent heir?
Lin Wanyu lowered her eyes and forced a bitter smile. She turned around and entered the inner chamber. Sitting in front of the dressing table, she looked at her fair - skinned reflection in the bronze mirror and felt a pang of bitterness.
This was just a game for the powerful and wealthy. She was nothing more than a caged cat. When the master was in a good mood, he would bestow some rare treasures, hold her in his arms and stroke her gently. But if she took it seriously, she would surely be doomed.
Now that Lu Huaijin was treating her so openly well, it would surely draw the hostility of other women in the backyard. Her days to come would definitely not be easy.
She had to find a way to leave here as soon as possible...
Originally, she could bear the hardships alone. But if her younger brother were also involved in this mess...
Lin Wanyu took a deep breath, got up and walked to the door. Looking up at the high - hanging sun outside, a sudden determination welled up in her heart.
These days, she had observed coldly that the Princess of Xiang didn't like her. It was only because of Lu Huaijin that she hadn't been punished.
Since there was no way out, she might as well take a gamble. She would go and plead with the Princess of Xiang to let her leave.
Now that the two sides were at odds, she was the thorn between He Shulan and Lu Huaijin. If she took the initiative to ask to leave, maybe He Shulan would agree to her request.
After all, she was just a powerless maid with no stake in the mansion. And since she was asking to leave on her own initiative, if Lu Huaijin really asked about it, He Shulan would have something to say and their mother - son relationship wouldn't be affected.
With this in mind, Lin Wanyu summoned up her courage and stepped down the steps. Just as she was about to walk towards the courtyard gate, Chunqiao strode over. "Miss, is there anything that this servant can do for you?"
Lin Wanyu came back to her senses. "It's okay. I just feel a bit stuffy and want to go out for a walk. Don't worry. I won't go far. You can just go about your business."
Chunqiao stood beside her without moving. Her face looked a bit troubled. "His Highness has ordered this servant to take good care of you, Miss."
Hearing this, Lin Wanyu glanced at the guards standing around the courtyard and immediately understood.
Not wanting to make Chunqiao embarrassed, she had to compromise. "Then I'll just take a stroll in the courtyard."
"Thank you for your understanding, Miss."
Just after noon, after Lin Wanyu had finished her lunch, she sat on the couch bored and sleepy.
All the things that Lu Huaijin had sent over through Chuncheng in the morning were carefully stored away and remained untouched.
The pipa she was used to playing was still at the Wang family's place. When she had first arrived in the capital and got off the boat, the musical instruments of her and the other sisters had all been taken away by the Wang family. They said it was to prevent anyone from having wrong ideas and doing something that would implicate the whole family...
So at the birthday banquet of the Princess of Xiang that day, the pipa she had used was one that the Wang family had casually bought from a musical instrument store. After the banquet, it had been taken away by the maid.
She hadn't practiced for several days and her hands were getting rusty.
Lin Wanyu thought to herself that if she continued to stay here, would she even be unable to pluck the pipa strings...
With this thought in mind, she stood up and walked around the room. Just as she was wracking her brains to figure out how to meet the Princess of Xiang, the voices of Chunqiao and an old woman came from outside the door.
"I wonder if Miss Lin is in? The Princess has ordered this old servant to bring some rewards."
"Thank you for coming here in person, Nanny Zhou. Miss Lin was frightened and is not feeling well. I'm afraid she can't receive the Princess's reward in person. Later, when she feels better, she will go to thank the Princess."
Now that Lu Huaijin had given the order, Chunqiao naturally didn't have to worry about anything. She had been brought into the mansion by Lu Huaijin, so she only listened to his words.
Hearing this, Nanny Zhou didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled.
"Miss Chunqiao, don't be nervous. I'm just following the Princess's order to bring the rewards. Since Miss Lin is ill, I should go and visit her so that I can report back to the Princess."
After saying that, she carried a box of gold, silver, jade bracelets and jewelry and walked forward.
Chunqiao's eyes sharpened and she reached out to block her way. "Please don't make things difficult for this subordinate, Nanny Zhou."
Chunqiao had been practicing martial arts among men since she was a child, and her hands were covered in calluses. Her gloomy face at this moment really scared Nanny Zhou into not daring to move forward.
But after all, Nanny Zhou was an old servant who had been with He Shulan for a long time. Although she was a bit scared in her heart, she still looked calm on the surface.
Just as she was about to lose her temper, the door in front of her opened.
Lin Wanyu, wearing a lake - blue brocade dress embroidered with crabapple flowers, walked out. The pearls and jade ornaments on her temples swayed, making her complexion look as fair as snow. She was extremely beautiful.
Nanny Zhou took a closer look and couldn't help but sigh in her heart. No wonder the heir, who had always kept a distance from women, had been captivated. There were really few such stunningly beautiful women in the whole capital.
Lin Wanyu stepped out, pretending to cough weakly a few times. She bent down to salute and said gently, "Thank you for coming here, Nanny Zhou. Please come in and have a cup of tea."
Nanny Zhou was slightly startled, then nodded. She looked up at Chunqiao, who was still blocking her way.
Chunqiao withdrew her hand and stepped aside, standing quietly.
Only then did Nanny Zhou carry the mahogany box and follow Lin Wanyu into the room.
After they were seated, Lin Wanyu personally poured a cup of tea for Nanny Zhou and said with a smile and an apology, "Please don't blame us, Nanny Zhou. Chunqiao has a hot temper. Sometimes she may act rashly, but she has no malicious intentions."
Nanny Zhou's eyes were calm. She took the tea and placed it in front of her. "It's okay. Both she and I are servants. We naturally know how difficult it is to be a servant. This old servant is here today by the Princess's order to bring some jewelry for Miss Lin."
"Thank you, Princess."
Lin Wanyu stood by the side all the time, not sitting down, looking extremely respectful. "This servant just entered the mansion and has caused the Princess a lot of trouble. But now the Princess not only doesn't blame me but also sends so many rewards. This servant is extremely grateful. I wonder if I can go back with you later, Nanny, to thank the Princess?"
Hearing her words, Nanny Zhou's expression softened a bit. "There's no need to thank her. The Princess has been busy with the affairs of the mansion every day. These days, she has also been worried about the heir and hasn't been able to sleep well. Naturally, she's a bit exhausted. She has excused the concubines from paying their respects these two days."
Lin Wanyu took a deep breath. There was a bit of disappointment in her eyes and brows.
"Yes!"
After saying this, Nanny Zhou got up to leave. When she reached the door, she stopped. "There are still some things I want to talk to Miss Lin about."