In the Changyin Pavilion, Lin Wanyu was sitting on the couch. As Ling'er was telling her what had just happened, Granny Li's voice came from outside the door.
"Madam is here."
Hearing this, Lin Wanyu stood up and greeted her with Ling'er.
A moment later, a noble lady in a dark green brocade dress embroidered with bamboo walked into the room, supported by Granny Li.
She had a fair and smooth face. Compared with people of the same age, it bore fewer marks of the hardships of time. It was obvious that she was used to a life of privilege.
Lin Wanyu had seen this Lady Wang from afar before. She remembered clearly the first time she saw that kind of grace and poise.
"Miss Lin, you don't need to be so polite. Sit down!"
Gu Nianci sat down in the main seat, supported by Granny Li. She looked up and sized up the woman in front of her carefully. There was a hint of surprise in her eyes.
Previously, it had been too hasty for her to have a good look at this Miss Lin, who was well - known in Yangzhou. Now that she saw her, she was truly as beautiful as a celestial being.
No wonder even Lu Huaijin, a man who was cold - hearted and not interested in women, was attracted to her.
However, no matter how much he liked her, with such a status, she could only be taken in as a concubine or a maid - concubine and could never hold a high position.
Lin Wanyu responded and sat down beside them, supported by Ling'er.
She could more or less guess the purpose of Lady Wang's visit.
Ling'er had just told her that Lu Huaijin had sent Wang Yurou to the mountain to practice on the pretext that the prince didn't like the smell of cosmetics, and had summoned Wang Jingze away on the pretext that the emperor needed his help.
Following the emperor to train the troops everywhere was a good opportunity for Wang Jingze to show himself, so there was nothing wrong with it. But it was different for Wang Yurou.
She had been spoiled since childhood. It would be very difficult for her to suddenly go to the mountain to practice.
"I've come today because I'd like to ask Miss Lin for a favor."
Gu Nianci's tone was gentle and calm.
Lin Wanyu nodded slightly, lowering her eyes and answering, "Madam, you're being too polite."
She didn't say whether she would help or not. Gu Nianci had no choice but to tell her the matter, "I've been feeling unwell these days and haven't been out. Before I came here, I just heard from my servants about what happened before."
Lin Wanyu didn't say a word and just listened quietly.
Gu Nianci coughed a few times and continued, "Yurou has been spoiled by me and her father since childhood. She's a bit overbearing. After I found out what she did to Miss Lin before, I've scolded her severely."
Hearing this, Lin Wanyu suddenly felt it ridiculous.
She had heard this kind of thing too many times in these days. Her ears were getting calloused.
She had almost lost her life, but Wang Yurou had only been scolded a few times. These people kept talking about it every day, thinking they were giving her a great honor.
It was really true that the power in the capital could blind people's eyes, making them lose their minds, souls, and backbone, and flattering those in high positions to treat human lives like grass.
Seeing that she still didn't say a word, Gu Nianci frowned slightly and simply got straight to the point. "I heard that the Princess of Xiang and the heir apparent both think highly of you. The princess especially praises your pastries. I was thinking that you could make some and go with me to pay respects to the princess."
After all, the heir apparent still had to listen to the princess. As long as they could please the Princess of Xiang, her Yurou could come down from the mountain.
Lin Wanyu curled her red lips, stood up, and curtsied. "Madam, I think it's better not to visit the prince's mansion at this time."
"What do you mean?"
Gu Nianci frowned and couldn't help but look at the woman in front of her a few more times.
Lin Wanyu's face was calm as she said neither arrogantly nor humbly, "I served the heir apparent for a few days before and know the reason why he wants to break off the engagement. The heir apparent doesn't like impatient and overbearing people. At this time, the more well - educated, gentle, and obedient the Second Miss is, the more likely she can capture the heir apparent's heart."
"And practicing on the mountain without distractions is the best way to prove the Second Miss's character. This is the test that the heir apparent has set for the Second Miss and the Wang family."
Gu Nianci looked up at her doubtfully after hearing her words and fell into deep thought.
Seeing this, Lin Wanyu added, "Madam should understand the principle that if you can't bear it for a while, you'll spoil the whole plan."
This was a hint to her.
Gu Nianci suddenly smiled. There was more clarity and understanding in her eyes.
"Miss Lin is right."
"There's another thing. I'd like to ask Madam to agree."
Lin Wanyu knew that Gu Nianci was a smart person, unlike Wang Yurou, who was a reckless fool.
Wang Jinsong was able to rise from a seventh - rank official to his current position. Besides his own abilities, he also couldn't do without the help of this virtuous wife.
She had heard these things from the maids in the prince's mansion before, and now they really came in handy.
"Go ahead."
Gu Nianci was quite interested in Lin Wanyu at this time and naturally wanted to hear what else she had to say.
Lin Wanyu curtsied. "The wedding of the Second Miss and the heir apparent is approaching. I'd like to teach the Second Miss how to make the pastries that the princess likes after she comes back. I'd like to go out to buy some ingredients these days."
"You're so thoughtful. I'll ask Granny Li to give you the silver later. You can just go and buy whatever you need."
"Yes, Madam. Also, the Second Miss once promised me that she would return my servant contract after we came back from the prince's mansion. I wonder..."
Gu Nianci smiled gently. Supported by Granny Li, she stood up and said, "On the day when Yurou and the heir apparent get married, I'll give you the servant contract and send someone to take you back to Yangzhou."
"Thank you, Madam."
After Lin Wanyu curtsied, she sent Gu Nianci out of the door. There was gradually a hint of coldness in her slender eyes.
It seemed that the day when Gu Nianci gave her the servant contract would be the end of her life. How could the Wang family really let her marry into the prince's mansion with Wang Yurou?
It was time to make some good plans.
Although her status was low and she had been in the entertainment business, was she really not worthy of living with her head held high just because of these?
She didn't believe it!
She must find a way to turn the situation around.
...
Outside the Changyin Pavilion, Granny Li asked puzzledly, "Madam, are you really going to return the servant contract to this little bitch? I don't believe that she'll go back to Yangzhou obediently after getting the servant contract."
It was said that it was easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality. Now that Lin Wanyu had tasted the benefits of the capital, how could she be willing to go back to that small place in Yangzhou and play the piano for others every day?
Gu Nianci looked up at the clouds in the sky. There was a faint smile on her gentle face.
"She has her own place to go. Why are you in such a hurry? Anyway, no one can block my son's way to success. If anyone does, they can only pray for their own good fortune."
Granny Li nodded with a knowing smile and lowered her eyes. "Yes."
"Later, take a hundred taels of silver from the account and send it to Miss Lin. Let her do whatever she wants these days. Just send someone to keep an eye on her."
"Yes."
Let Lin Wanyu enjoy a few days of peace for now!