The Favoured Medical Princess

by Usui Takumii

not mine, the novels i read blogspot. Beware the translation is kinda iffy on the beginning but gets better. Waiting for the translator to update.

3. 41 to 60

Notes:

Dasao-Eldest sister-in-law, elder brother's wife.

Dimei- younger brother's wife. Younger sister-in-law.

Da bomu- Eldest aunt, father's older brother's wife.

Shenshen- father's younger brother's wife, younger aunt.

041 leading the Snake

After leaving the warehouse, Nangong Yue hurriedly told Yimei: "Yimei, go and tell the second Furen, I have some other ideas about the decoration of the flower hall. I have to think about it tonight."

"Yes." Yimei quickly bowed, led away.

This time, Nangong Yue deliberately showed her ability in front of Yimei and Que'er. First, it was to frighten them and let them know that they had all sorts of methods and did not dare to think of disloyalty; Secondly, it is also purpose to relieve herself, and then it will be more convenient to do things by herself. She has been paying attention to the expressions of the two girls, seeing that they were shocked and terrified at first, but soon calmed down, and their expressions became more respectful.

"Que'er, let's go back to Mozhu yuan first."

Nangong Yue took Que'er back to Mozhuyuan. While the memory was still clear, she hurriedly wrote a few lines on a piece of clear paper, and took out a few pieces of drawing paper to paint...

Two more days later, after Nangong Yue finished class and lunch, she went to Qianyun yuan to meet Lin Shi again. Only this time, in addition to the medical soup for Lin Shi, she also brought a scroll of paintings.

"Mother," After Lin Shi drank the decoction, Nangong Yue mysteriously took out the painting and unfolded it : "Come and see. "

Lin Shi immediately recognized that Nangong Yue painted the flower hall of Rong'antang. Just this decoration... her eyes lit up, she picked up the painting and looked at it carefully. As she looked at it, she nodded repeatedly.

Upon seeing this, Nangong Yue on the side explained: "Mother, after I went to the warehouse the day before yesterday and saw a lot of precious collections in the house, I felt that we should change the decorative style of the flower hall. My Nangong family has been away from the Wangdu for many years. We just return back, it should not be too grand, rather it should reflect the pure and noble style of our family!"

Lin Shi thought about it a bit. Indeed, the flower hall now displays a variety of precious collections. Although there are many, it seems to have taken this matter too seriously, but it is inferior. She thought, and looked at Nangong Yue's drawing again, and felt that her daughter's design was excellent. If we apply according to this, it would appear that their Nangong family was pure noble and elegant.

She quickly made a decision and nodded resolutely: " Yue Jie'er, just do what you think."

"Leave everything to Yue'er." Nangong Yue smiled happily and said charmingly: "Mother, you rest assured. Yue'er will fulfill her mission."

Nangong Yue did what she said. She led the maids and pozis in Qianyun yuan and Mozhu yuan in mighty way to do it. First, most of the decorative items in flower hall, naturally including that counterfeit, were returned to the warehouse. Immediately after following her order, again another batch of vases and decorative items moved from the warehouse. Naturally, each of them was a genuine product carefully selected by her. She made the flower hall shuffle again.

Her momentum was so great that the entire Nangong Mansion was almost alarmed. Everyone knew that the second Furen had handed over the decoration of the flower hall to the San guiniang. The San guiniang was small, but the idea was not small, so she just abandoned the original one and fiddled with it again.

For a while, servants under the people were discussing the matter, wanting to see what tricks the San guiniang could play.

Such a big movements naturally by heard by Zhao Shi, Huang Shi and others. Huang Shi also went to talk to Zhao Shi specifically: "I say, DaSao, you see that ErSao (second sister-in-law) spoiled children too much. Actually let Yue Jie'er to mess around. This mother's birthday banquet is not a trivial matter."

Zhao Shi faintly glance at Huang Shi, naturally knowing Huang Shi long to see something. This Third Dimei has no abilities and is as greedy as a jackal.

Zhao Shi faint smile, but said indifferently: "Why don't Third Dimei go to Rong'antang with me."

So the two people came to the flower hall of Rong'antang. At this time, the flower hall had been arranged in a various ways.

Along the way, although Huang Shi's pretending to be calm, she couldn't help feeling a little nervous about the collections that she had replaced. With Zhao Shi's eyesight, would she see it?

"Da Bomu, Third Shenshen" Nangong Yue greeted them as soon as she saw the two of them. "Just happens you are here, quickly help Yue'er to see if the layout of this flower hall is feasible?" She pretended to be surprised, but she thought in her heart: They finally came. In the past two days, she has been thinking about it. The ordinary slaves don't dare to change the collections of the warehouse and there is no such opportunity, unless the Zhao Shi or the Huang Shi also participated in...

Lin Shi naturally noticed the arrival of the Zhao Shi and Huang Shi. She gave an order to a maid beside her and then greeted them with a smile: "Da sao and third Dimei are also here. Trouble you help me and Yue Jie'er a hand."

"Second Dimei, Yue Jie'er, you are too polite." Zhao Shi said with a smile, and at the same time looked at the surrounding area.

The flower hall is still this flower hall. It cannot be said to be particularly stunning, but it is quiet and elegant, low-key but generous!

The entire flower hall is decorated with the theme of "orchid". Scroll painting, large and small vases, flower branches in a vase, smoke furnace... and even the carved orchid pear flower table are all related to "orchid", the arrangement is patchy[1], elegant and generous, making people hard to pick something wrong!

in picturesque disorder (idiom); irregular arrangement with charming effect

"A gentleman is like an orchid, and the empty valley is fragrant."

An orchid grows in a valley and no one is there to appreciate its scent, and a gentleman cultivates his own morals, which do not change from misfortune

These eight words couldn't help appeared in Zhao Shi's mind. Old taiye and great old taiye who have long since passed away were boasted of these eight characters by the people when they were alive, to the extent that the "orchid" once became the symbol of the Nangong family. Now that the Nangong family has been away from the Wangdu for many years and previous the friendly relationship is not clear. Using this "orchid" to evoke the memories of the west and the friendship of the past is not only vague and not too diligent. It is wonderful!

Thinking of the rumors spreading in the mansion, the Zhao Shi couldn't help but look at Nangong Yue, and said to her heart: This is really Yue jie'er arranged? Or the Lin Shi is building momentum for her daughter.

Although she thought so in her heart, she didn't change her expression on the surface, and said: "Second Dimei, Yue Jie'er, this flower hall is really well arranged. Even if I do it, I am afraid I can't do it so well..."

She was full flattering praise, Lin Shi couldn't help being happy for her daughter and the corners of her mouth couldn't contain a smile.

And Huang Shi simply absent-minded, both her palms squeezed tightly. After just looking around, she found that everything in the flower hall was genuine, and none of them were fakes that had been altered. Lin Shi really is so lucky, or is it... has been discovered?

The more Huang Shi thought about it, the more scared she is. If she is really discovered, what should she do? If Lin Shi reported this matter to the lao Furen, what should she do?

Huang Shi's heart seemed to be held down by a big mountain, so heavy that she could barely breathe.

The few people were happy on the surface, but in fact they had different thoughts. After standing for a while, Zhao Shi and the Huang Shi left together.

Nangong Yue looked at the back of the two people leaving, sneered in her heart and whispered few words to Yimei and Que'er...

If her judgment is correct, it is really one person among Zhao Shi and Huang Shi secretly exchanged few collections in the warehouse. Then "she" will definitely find that there is not even a single fake in this flower hall at this moment, and "she" will definitely act!

She believes that this trick of "drawing the snake out of the hole" will reveal the person behind the scenes!

042: Wicked

Huang Shi and the maid Yi ling returned to the Lanshan Yuan and hurriedly asked Yi ling to call Fang mama over.

"Fang Mama," Huang Shi looked at Fang mama as a savior and grabbed the other's hands and said anxiously: "It's over! They must have found out!" She was panicked, and there was a slight trembling in her voice.

Fang mama calmly patted her: "Third Furen, what's the matter?"

Huang Shi hurriedly said what she had seen and heard in the Rong'anTang's Flower Hall, and finally said in a panic: "Lin Shi has transferred so many items from the warehouse. But they didn't choose a fake among it. This must not be a coincidence. Lin Shi mother and daughter must have found something!"

Although she only exchanged a few items, they were all very valuable. During that time, they need to observe mourning for three years and definitely wouldn't need those items. That's why she became selfish and exchanged a few precious items for some private money. Sure enough, as she expected, in the past three years, Nangong Mansion has never hosted any major banquets, so it has smoothly concealed. But didn't expect to have today...

Huang Shi the whole person was panicked at this time, her thoughts were blank, and usual little shrewdness was gone. She clutched Fang Mama tightly, as if the other party was her life-saving straw.

"My Third Furen, why are you panicking? Don't let yourself be confused and let people see some clue." Fang Mama didn't panic and calmly: "Even if they find out, they have no evidence!" As she said, she seemed to have thought of something and beckoned to Yi Ling, "The Second Furen just changed the decoration of the flower hall, you go to the warehouse to find out which objects were returned?"

"Yes." Yi Ling hurriedly retired.

Huang Shi gradually calmed down, and after careful consideration of what Fang Mama said, she understood what the other party meant, "Fang Mama, do you think..."

Madam Fang smiled cunningly, "Wait. We'll know when Yi ling comes back."

As expected, Yi ling's work doing things was agile. Soon after, she came back from outside the courtyard panting, and handed a note to Huang Shi and Fang Mama.

"Ten Arhats famille rose overglazed winter melon floor vase! She really found it!"

Huang Shi looked at it and panicked again, looking at Fang Mama helplessly, but Fang Mama smiled immediately and said viciously: "Third Furen, this matter came to this point. It is better we plan ahead a step and report the matter to the old Furen, and push the matter on Lin Shi's body! "

Huang Shi's pupils shrunk suddenly, feeling that it was feasible soon nodded slowly, a vicious dark light flashing in her eyes. She told herself deeply in her heart: Every man for himself, and the Devil take the hindmost. Lin shi, now that things have developed to this point, that's why me, I don't want it either!

She adjusted her clothes and was about to leave, but she heard the little maid report: "Third Furen, Miss Third has come to see you!"

Miss Third!? Huang Shi and Fang Mama looked at each other with surprise in their eyes, and followed Huang Shi hurriedly: "Invite Miss Third to the main house."

After adjusting her clothes, Huang Shi and Yi Ling went to the main house to see Nangong Yue.

"Third Shenshen!" When she saw Huang Shi, Nangong Yue stood up from her armchair in a panic, and looked at Yi Ling behind Huang Shi with a little hesitation. "Third Shenshen, can you let Yi Ling retreat first? Yue'er have something important to tell you."

Huang Shi looked at Nangong Yue's anxious and panicked face, and she was even more puzzled. Isn't this Yue Jie'er in the flower hall of Rong'antang just now? Why did she come here suddenly? Even so, she waved her hand to signal Yi Ling next to her to retreat first and wanted to see what Nangong Yue was going to say.

Seeing Yi ling retreating, Nangong Yue took a few steps forward again, hesitated for a moment, and asked: "Third Shenshen, have you been to the warehouse these days?"

Huang Shi's heart jumped and said in her heart: Could it be that they still want to mess up the water and involve me?... Fortunately, I have been on guard.

She couldn't help but secretly smiled and said, "I've been busy looking for theater troupes these days, but I haven't been to the warehouse. What's the matter?"

"Third Shenshen" Nangong Yue seemed to be even more panicked, grabbing Huang Shi's sleeve with a look of helplessness, her small face wrinkled, and she was about to cry, "This time you must help my mother!"

Huang Shi's heart jumped, and she hurriedly asked, " Yue Jie'er, what's the wrong with you?" There was a ghost in her heart, and her tone inevitably revealed a little nervousness.

Nangong Yue didn't miss Huang Shi's subtle emotions. Since Huang Shi just now specially sent Yi ling to the warehouse to check, she has basically determined that the exchange of items in the warehouse is Huang Shi's doing. At this moment, Huang Shi's performance only makes Nangong Yue more affirmed of her own thoughts. If I look at Huang Shi's usual behavior, Seeing myself in such a panic, the first reaction must be gloating, not nervousness and concern!

Although she was sneering in her heart, she still looked like crying, and she said, "Third Shenshen, my mother found that several precious items in the warehouse have been stolen and replaced with fakes. Third Shenshen, What should do then?"

Huang Shi was shocked. Sure enough, the fact that items had been swapped was revealed. But looking at Nangong Yue's appearance, she probably didn't find that the items switched were my work. On the contrary, she wanted to come and beg me to help.

Thinking of this, Huang Shi sighed slightly. Fortunately she didn't doubt her. Fortunately, it's good...Let's just say, how could a useless person like Lin Shi find out that the collection has been swapped by her.

Carefully hiding the rejoice in her eyes, Huang Shi also pretended to be anxious and said hurriedly: "Yue Jie'er, are you sure? What should do then! Those collections are all very valuable. They were accumulated by the ancestors from generation to generation. Now they are replaced with fakes. This is really disastrous ah! "

Seeing Huang Shi acting harder than her, Nangong Yue rolled her eyes secretly, but she looked up with tears in her eyes: "Third Shenshen, I originally suggested my mother inform this matter to my grandmother and eldest aunt. But my mother thinks some of the fakes have already passed through her hands. If it were to be investigated, she couldn't tell clearly. In the end it was difficult to get rid of the responsibility. "

Huang Shi was very happy in her heart, but on the face she pretended to be sad and said: "Yes, what can do?"

The opposite Nangong Yue wiped her tears with a kerchief, sucked her nose and said: "Third Shenshen, so now the only way to turn the fake into real is to expose the matter. My mother specially asked me to find you Shenshen(aunt) today, hoping that Shenshen will help to conceal it for a few days. Fortunately, the collections that have been swapped are not single products. My mother has asked my maternal uncle to find the identical authentic product, which will be delivered in two days. Those fakes can be replaced at that time." After a pause, she begged again, "If Third Shenshen can help with this, then my mother will definitely give Third Shenshen a huge reward as a gift of thanks."

At this time, Huang Shi in heart burst into a smile. She didn't expect that Lin Shi not only did not find that the items were swapped was her work, but also asked her daughter to come and request her to help conceal it for a few days, and even promised to give a huge reward as a gift of thanks afterwards.

043 Into the Urn

Where can I look for money falling from the sky! Huang Shi is so happy that he can't find north.

Their Sanfang is a concubine born. Although the regular money received usually can't be compared with the Zhangfang, it's not the same as Di born erfang. Sometimes there are some rewards from the old Furen, but she knows this is just for public face. In fact, Zhangfang and erfang secretly received a lot of subsidies from the old Furen.

This made Huang Shi, who had never been reconciled to fall behind, felt very unwilling.

Now that Lin Shi eagerly wants to send money, how can Huang Shi not agree! And if Lin Shi really finds the identical genuine products to replace it, then the fact that the collection has been swapped out will also be revealed. Since people have a lot of stupid money, why not do it?

So Huang Shi looked at Nangong Yue with dignity and sincerely vowed: "Yue Jie'er, don't worry, Shenshen will definitely help your mother to keep it secret."

Nangong Yue stopped crying, as if she was relieved. She wiped the corners of her eyes soaked with tears, and said with a happy face: "Thank you Third Shenshen for today. Yue'er will go back first."

After speaking, Nangong Yue walked away briskly. She looked like an innocent child, but she thought in her heart that she would never give anyone a chance to pour dirty water on her mother!

After delaying Huang Shi for a time, Nangong Yue was relieved a little. She knew that people like Huang Shi greedy for money would definitely agree. Moreover, she also proposed that she would find a genuine product to replace the fake one, which was tantamount to eliminating a big hidden danger for the Huang Shi, so Nangong Yue was not worried that Huang Shi would turn back in a short period of time.

As for what to do next, she already has a plan in her heart...

When Nangong Yue and Yimei returned to Mozhuyuan, Nangong xin was actually waiting for her in the house. When he saw her, he greeted her with a smile:"Meimei, you are back," he flattened his mouth. "Mother was here, but she was called away just now."

Nangong Yue smiled and pulled her brother into the house and asked, "Brother, Why did mother look for me?"

Nangong Xin pretended to say mysteriously: "Mother gave something, meimei, come and have a look." Then he walked to the dressing table.

Nangong Yue realized that there was one more thing on her dressing table. It is a small and exquisite double-sided embroidered interstitial screen. On one side of the interstitial screen, two kittens, one black and one white, are chasing and frolicking. While on the other side, two big cats, one black and one white, are turning their belly and sleeping under the sun.

Nangong Yue played with it with love, only to find that the two cats were very attractive.

"Cute? Cute?" Nangong Xin said over and over again, with bright eyes on the screen. Nangong Yue naturally saw his likes, and couldn't help feeling a little funny.

An Niang on side explained: "Third guniang, this is embroidered by the second Furen. Second Furen means that Third guniang will give this interstitial screen to the old Furen as a birthday gift..."

"Mother also helped me prepare a birthday gift for my grandmother." Nangong Xin added unwillingly.

Who would have thought that Nangong Yue shook her head, put the interstitial screen carefully back on the dressing table, and said, "I understand what my mother meant, but I have already prepared for my grandmother's birthday gift. This interstitial screen is better not to be given." Speaking of birthday gifts, she remembered something she had heard in her previous life. At the birthday banquet, Su Qingping specially presented Su Shi a hand-made knee pads, which moved Su Shi, who had bad knees, and became closer to Su Qingping.

"But Third guniang..." An Niang wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Nangong Yue.

"Nanny, don't worry, I already have a plan for the birthday gift... I believe my grandmother will be happy." Nangong Yue smiled faintly, "Even if my grandmother didn't like this birthday gift very much, it's always my intention. Instead, if I offered this interstitial screen embroidered by my mother, In case my grandmother finds about it, she will definitely be displeased."

An Niang thought about it for a moment and felt that too. Finally, the old Furen has been treating the Third guniang a little better recently. If this makes two people divided again, it would be unsightly. Thinking of this, she nodded repeatedly and said: "Third guniang said is correct. It is Nanny who is confused."

Nangong Yue thought to herself: This is embroidered by the mother herself, and she was really reluctant to give it away. This is just right now.

Nangong Xin who was listening on the side had a thoughtful expression and nodded repeatedly: "Meimei, you are right. The birthday gift for my grandmother should be prepared by myself. How can I let my mother help! "

Hearing this, An Niang was a little worried. Third guniang preparing the birthday gift by herself is nothing. But the Second young master is after all... She was sweating profusely and was about to stop, but when she saw Nangong Yue, she pressed her palms and smiled: "Brother, you paint well, so why don't you draw a picture of the God of longevity for grandmother? How about we paint together? "

"Meimei, your idea is really good!" Nangong Xin's eyes lit up and put his hands together.

The days pass by. It will be Su Shi's birthday in three days.

At first, Huang Shi was able to bear her temper. But as time passed, she neither received Lin Shi's so-called generous gifts, nor did she see the so-called genuine products in the warehouse. Seeing that there was no movement from Lin Shi's side for a long time, Huang Shi became a little anxious.

On this day, she found out that Lin Shi was in the flower hall of Rong'antang. So she took Yi ling to look for Lin Shi. While Lin Shi was taking some bowls, butterflies chopsticks and tea sets to study the layout of the Banquet. Seeing Huang Shi come, she hurriedly put down the things in her hands and walked towards Huang Shi: "Third dimei, why are you here?"

The saying "An Angry fist does not hit a smiling person." It's not good for Hung Shi to be harsh and sternly ask Lin Shi why didn't gift of thanks hasn't arrived yet and why she hadn't replaced the genuine objects, so she vaguely said: "Second Sister-in-law, don't you think this flower hall has a lot of space? According to Dixi, should once again adjust some precious "collection" from the warehouse?" She deliberately added an accent to the word "collection" in an attempt to hint Lin Shi.

Lin Shi looked at her unclearly, feeling a little strange in her heart. Huang Shi's character was always unkind and wouldn't come if there was no profit. Why would she suddenly come and "kindly" give her some advice. Thinking likes this in her heart, but she still replied with a good temper: "The so-called 'Too much is as bad as too little', I think it's so good."

Huang Shi was anxious and thought: Is Lin Shi going to go back on her words?

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that she was probably fooled. This Lin Shi clearly was playing tricks with her, just to delay time and to stir up the muddy water!

Huang Shi gritted her teeth, stared at Lin Shi fiercely and blurted: "good, good, so you Lin Ruoyan, you fool me like this! Let's wait and see!" After speaking, she hurriedly went out with Yi Ling. It happened to pass by Nangong Yue, who had finished class and came from a boudoir school, and gave her a fierce look.

Lin Shi looked at Huang Shi's back inexplicably and was confused.

"Mother, what is going on with Third Shenshen?" Nangong Yue asked calmly.

Lin Shi repeated what Huang Shi had just said. Hearing that Nangong Yue was secretly laughing, a sharp light flashed in her eyes. It seems that the time has come.

044 complaint

After Huang Shi left the flower hall, she brought Yi Ling angrily to the east room of Rong'an Hall. Su Shi was kneeling in the small Buddhist hall behind and chanting. In the small Buddhist hall, incense gradually rose, filling it.

Seeing Huang Shi come, Wang Shi, who is beside Su shi walked into the small Buddhist hall and leaned over and whispered in Su shi's ear.

Hearing this, Su Shi's voice, which was still chanting the scriptures, stagnated and the movement of her hands was also a paused. She slowly opened her eyes and faintly said: "Let her wait." After speaking, Su Shi closed her eyes and continued to recite the scriptures, the movements of the hands getting faster and faster.

Wang Mama answered softly, then she retreated and said to Huang shi: "Third Furen, the old Furen is still reciting the scriptures, please wait a moment."

Huang Shi has secretly hated in her heart, but she couldn't help but wait impatiently.

After a while, Su Shi came out slowly with the support of the maid Donger. After sitting down, she asks: "What's the matter?"

Huang Shi who is holding and waiting for the opportunity to vent straightforwardly said: "Mother, you don't know ah! Second sister-in-law is so brave. She has switched a few items in the warehouse!"

Old Furen who was still indifferent suddenly stood up from the armchair with her face full of anger, "What did you say?! The items in the warehouse have been switched by Lin Shi?!"

Huang shi nodded vigorously and insisted on turning white into black, "She also threatened daughter-in-law and not allowed daughter-in-law to speak out!" After that she says Lin shi at first received the items from the warehouse and decorated the flower hall. But suddenly returned those items to the warehouse, picked up another batch of items and decorated the flower hall again. She was only surprised at first, but when she went to the warehouse to check the items, she unexpectedly discovered that several of the items were fake...Huang Shi talked eloquently from beginning to the end there was reason and evidence.

After the shock, Su Shi gradually calmed down and sat back on the armchair. She frowned and said to Dong'er next to her: "Go and call Lin Shi for me."

"Yes, old Furen!"

After a while, Dong'er brought Lin Shi and Nangong Yue.

"Pay respects to mother (grandmother)."

Su Shi did not directly question Lin Shi, but turned to Huang Shi and said: "Huang Shi, repeat what you just said."

"Yes, Mother." Huang Shi took a step forward, lifted his chin slightly, and looked arrogant. "Daughter-in-law accidentally discovered that Second Sister-in-law had recently secretly switched several items in the warehouse by virtue of her position!"

"Third Dimei! How can you talk falsehood!" Lin shi looked at the Huang Shi in disbelief, her eyes widened slightly, "Why would I do this!" Then she hurriedly explained to Su Shi, "Old Furen, daughter-in-law really didn't do it. Daughter-in-law just called a few items from the warehouse. Now they are all placed in the flower hall, and there are also records in this account book."

"Huh!" Huang Shi snorted unhappily, "The ones in this flower hall are naturally genuine. The duplicates have long been put back into the warehouse by you! "

"Third Dimei!" Lin shi couldn't help but raise her voice and her body trembling slightly," I normally did not offend you, why do you want to slander me?! "

"Second Sister-in-law, you really don't shed tears if you don't see the Yellow River." Huang Shi said coldly, feeling that she has the chance to win.

idiom. never give up until one is consigned to the grave

"Enough!" Su Shi sternly said, "It really makes my head hurt. Since both parties claim they are true, then we can go to the warehouse together."

"Mother is right." Huang Shi immediately agreed, and then looked at Lin Shi provocatively. Lin shi looked back calmly; she had a clear conscience and was naturally not afraid.

The group of people came to the warehouse in the inner yard in a mighty manner.

Qi Pozi didn't expect that today most of the masters in the mansion came and hurriedly went forward to salute: "Old Furen, Second Furen, Third Furen!"

"Don't be polite, Lu." Su Shi called out the name of Qi Pozi. "Take out the account books of the warehouse, let me have a look."

"Yes, old Furen." Although Qi Pozi didn't know what was going on, she took the account books over immediately.

"Wang Mama, you go and check it." Su Shi ordered, and Wang Mama respectfully took the order and left. Donger wiped an armchair outside the warehouse with the cloth and then carefully helped Su Shi to sit down. Everyone waited quietly outside this warehouse, with different expressions.

It took a long time for Wang Mama and Qi Pozi to align the things in the storeroom, and then walked out one after the other. Wang Mama reported back: "Old Furen, the items in the warehouse are genuine."

Su Shi's expression instantly sank, and she looked at Huang Shi unclearly.

"Impossible!?" Huang Shi blurted out intuitively.

Hearing this, Wang Mama suddenly changed her face and said displeasedly: "Third Furen, do you think that the old slave's eyes are dim and made a mistake?" Wang Mama has followed the old Furen for decades, and has always been the most used. Her vision is naturally not bad.

Huang Shi didn't dare to offend Wang Mama and lowered her attitude: "Wang Mama, I didn't mean that." Speaking that, she snatched the account book from Qi pozi and flipped it quickly... but she didn't find an item she was familiar with. How come!? The switched duplicates recorded in this account book are all gone!

Huang Shi's face became stiff, immediately thought of a certain possibility and blurted out: "Old Furen, this is forged account book!" She looked at Lin shi mockingly: "Second Sister-in-law, I didn't expect you to even make forged account books! You are so bold!" She felt that she had caught Lin Shi's mistakes and talked more and more vigorously: "Mother, just check your account books and you'll know whether this account book is true or false."

Su Shi did not speak, but only gave Wang Mama a wink. Wang Mama immediately said: "Old Furen, old slave will go and get the account book."

Although Wang mama was not young, she was in good health and walked away quickly... After a while, she returned with an account book with a worn and yellow cover.

"I'm right!" Huang Shi hurriedly took the ledger and turned the pages over again... This turn made her face pale in fright. How can it be!? She looked through it again in disbelief, but still couldn't find the names of those duplicates.

Her both eyes stared to the extreme, and looked at Wang Mama in disbelief, "Wang Mama, unexpectedly even you were bribed!"

Wang Mama looked at Huang Shi with an aggrieved expression: "Third Furen, old slave has always been loyal to the old Furen. You can't accuse the old slave wrongly this much!?"

"Wang Mama, I believe in you." Su Shi patted Wang Mama and turned her gaze sharply toward Huang shi, and said sharply: "Huang Shi, why are you slandering Lin shi?"

"Third Aunt" Nangong Yue glared at Huang shi with an angry look "Why are you slandering my mother? My niece always respects you, but I never thought you were this kind of a person!" As she said, tears overflowed in her eyes, Lin Shi felt a pain and hurriedly pulled her into her arms to comfort her.

045 Punishment

Hung Shi was so angry that she stomped her feet and turned to Lin Shi: "Lin Shi, what are you pretending to be? Didn't you ask Yue Jie'er to go and beg me to help you conceal it two days ago and now you're actually starting to renege!"

Nangong Yue suddenly cried even louder, angry and anxious: "Third Aunt, you even refuse to spare your niece!" She looked at Su Shi aggrievedly: "Grandmother, Third Auntie wants to accuse my mother and me without any evidence. If this spread out, granddaughter's reputation will all ruined by her! Grandma, you have to do something for me!"

Su Shi looked deeply at Nangong Yue and slowly nodded, "Yue'er, you're right ..."

At these words, Huang Shi was driven into frenzy, and the blood in her body squeezed towards her head, saying without thinking: "Who says I have no proof! I remember that four items are missing from these two account books, the Ten Luohan famille-rose enamelled winter melon floor vase, A golden flowing clouds and bozan furnace, the Blue and White Flower Plum Vase, and stunning landscape Blue and White Porcelain Floor Vase."

Nangong Yue suddenly stopped crying, and her tear-washed eyes were as clear as the sky after the rain, so bright that they were somewhat haunting.

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly as she said, "Third Aunt, you have a good memory! There are at least several hundred items in this storehouse, even Grandmother and Wang mama may not be able to remember them all clearly. Third Auntie, you can remember all these items so clearly!"

Huang Shi's face paled slightly at first, but she immediately said with conviction: "Of course, I was also in charge of the warehouse and knew exactly what was in there. So of course I knew what was missing at a glance."

Nangong Yue stared at Huang Shi with a smile, and slowly added: "Since Third Aunt has such a good memory, she must know all the items in this account book very well," she casually picked up one of the account books and brushed through a few pages, "Do you still remember this large blue and white Qilin winter melon floor vase? "

"I ... I certainly remember." Huang Shi stammered.

"Oops, Third Aunt, Yue'er has just accidentally lost her eyesight." Nangong Yue pretended to apologise, "So this is a large enamelled yellow qilin winter melon floor vase."

"I, I remembered it wrong."

Huang Shi still wanted to argue, but Su Shi no longer wanted to hear anymore, "Huang Shi, that's enough!"

It was clear enough that it was Huang Shi who was a thief and remembered the forgeries that had been switched.

Nangong Yue said slowly and methodically from the side, "Third Aunt, actually the one who stole and swapped the treasury's collections was you, right? Three years ago, you took advantage of being in charge of the warehouse and secretly swapped four pieces of the collection. This time, you were afraid that the matter would be discovered by my mother, so you simply wanted to throw dirty water on my mother!

Su Shi looked at Huang Shi with half-narrowed eyes, her face as deep as water, "Huang Shi, this theft and talkative are both violations of the seven rules, just one of them is enough for Zhi'er to repudiate you!

As soon as she heard the word "Xiu(repudiate)", Huang Shi whole person panicked. As if suddenly lost her strength, she fell to her knees, her tears smeared all over her face, and begged for forgiveness: "Mother, please forgive your daughter-in-law!"

Su Shi naturally very disgusted with her. This Huang Shi usually small minded and her words are unforgiving which is really unpleasant. But if Huang Shi is repudiated, it will not only damage Huang Shi's reputation, but also the reputation of her entire female family members of the Nangong Mansion. Cheng Jie'er and the others still have to talk about marriage.

She sighed and said, "Huang Shi, although your sin is unforgivable, but with a mother like you, how will Lin Jie'er and Hao Ge'er be able to talk about marriage in the future? This time, I will spare you, go kneel under my porch and read the female commandments a hundred times!" Seeing Huang Shi's expression relaxed, she added coldly, "Then go back and punish yourself by copying the female Commandments a hundred times and forbidding you to step out of your room for three ... no, four months!"

The punishment was already much lighter. Huang Shi hurriedly thanked in gratitude and dared not speak again.

After Su Shi and others returned to Rong'an Tang,Huang Shi knelt down at the corridor, holding "Female Commandments " in her hand, and read it over and over again...

And Su Shi took Lin Shi, Nangong Yue came to Dong Cijian again and sat down.

"Yue Jie'er, what kind of reward do you want?" Su Shi said suddenly inexplicably, attracting Lin Shi's thoughtful look.

"Grandmother, the granddaughter does not ask for anything. Can able to clear my mother's charge, the granddaughter is already satisfied." Nangong Yue said respectfully. She is not being polite, she naturally wants nothing.

"Yue Jie'er, Could it be that you knew it a long time ago..." Lin Shi couldn't help but ask, with a subtle and strange feeling in his heart.

"That's right. Yue'er knew that Third Aunt had switched several items in the warehouse." Now that the truth had come out, Nangong Yue naturally confessed and said the matter as it was, "On that day, after temporarily delaying my Third aunt, I came to see my grandmother, told my grandmother about the counterfeit in the warehouse and issued a military order to find the culprit before the birthday banquet." After saying that, she stood upright in front of Su Shi and bowed respectfully, "Grandmother, thank you for giving Yue'er this opportunity, and thank you for your willingness to cooperate with Yue'er. "

The most important part of the entire plan is naturally Su Shi's cooperation. Only due to Su Shi's willingness to cooperate can Nangong Yue able to perfectly create two fake account books and secretly switched the real account books of Qi Pozi. Finally made Huang Shi unmasked and whole truth has been exposed.

Although Su Shi doesn't like Lin Shi, but Lin Shi was (Di)legitimate house after all. How could Su Shi allow Huang Shi this Shu house to frame Di house. So she gave Nangong Yue this opportunity.

Su Shi looked at Nangong Yue with complicated eyes. Since Nangong Yue made a military order in front of her, she had already realized that the third granddaughter had completely changed. When is it? When did her granddaughter become so smart?

Su Shi turned the Buddha beads in her hand, meaningfully said: "Yue Jie'er, you have done a good job in this matter, and you have to be rewarded for your merits." After saying that, she said to Wang Mama beside her: "I have a pure gold loop necklace, Go and fetched it for Yue Jie'er."

Since Su Shi had added said everything, Nangong Yue naturally didnt delay it any more. After receiving the reward, she went back with her mother, Lin Shi.

Along the way, Lin Shi didn't speak and her expression was very complicated. She was worried, happy, and sighed... After returning to the Mozhuyuan, Lin Shi pulled Nangong Yue and sat face to face on the kangbed, and then said the words that had been held in her heart for a long time: "Yue Jie'er, you are too risky this time!" Yue Jie'er succeeded, but Huang Shi was only punished to copy some books. But if its failed, Su Shi might completely disgusted Yue Jie'er.

Thinking of this, Lin Shi was a little scared and said: "Yue Jie'er, don't do this next time. Mother would rather be wronged than you take such a risk."

Nangong Yue's expression cold. She looked at Lin Shi, her eyes were absolutely firm: "Mother, there are some things we can't give up. Every time yielding to them we are making mistake. Our Erfang cannot be a stepping stone for others, let alone be splashed with dirty water!"

046 Birthday feast

Nangong Yue is deliberately using this incident to show her ability in front of Lin Shi. She does not want to be treated as a child by her mother all the time, she wants her mother to trust herself more ... Then when there is something big happens in the future, her mother will not deliberately hide it from her because of her young age.

Lin Shi was silent; she knew her daughter was right. But when she thought that her daughter is only nine years old, she was forced to grow up, forced to understand things, forced to be strong ... all because her this useless mother. If it hadn't been for her own uselessness, why would her daughter have to be like this! Why should have to be like this!

Lin Shi's gaze closed and a rare determination appeared in her usual soft eyes. Being a mother makes her stronger, and for the sake of her children, she had to work harder too!

After a few more moments of mother-daughter bonding, Lin Shi left.

Que'er had been guarding outside Nangong Yue's room for a long time. As soon as she saw Lin Shi leave, she entered the room and reported: "Miss San, this afternoon, Miss Su Biao, she met the Fourth Master by chance in the back garden... Miss Su Biao's maid Liu Rong was guarding at the entrance of the garden, so the servant girl didn't dare to get too close."

On hearing this, Nangong Yue could not help but smile knew that this woman Su Qingping would never be an easy one to take care of. Fourth Uncle Nangong Cheng had already come of age and had moved out of the inner house long ago. Su Qingping must not have found it easy to "run into" her fourth uncle, so she must have used some tactics.

Nangong Yue rewarded Que'er with a beaded flower and instructed, "Que'er, you have done a good job. Continue to watch at Miss Su Biao and if she does anything unusual, come back and tell me." Que'er thanked her respectfully for the reward, answered "Yes", and then withdrew.

Nangong Yue was left alone in the room again. She sat quietly on the bed and thought of her fourth uncle, and also of Qin'er, the concubine of her fourth uncle. Although she didn't know much about her fourth uncle in this life, she remembered that in her previous life, he was an amorous man, and almost all the maids in his courtyard who had a few good looks had been approached by him. After he got married, he even became a flirtatious seed, only pitying her that fourth aunt...

Nangong Yue secretly pondered, and a certain possibility emerged in her mind: Could it be that the first person Su Qingping targeted in her previous life was not actually her own father, but fourth Uncle Nangong Cheng?

Based on the personalities of these two people and the current development trend, it seems very possible.

Thinking of this, Nangong Yue was suddenly shocked to realise that in her previous life, she had missed so much because she had been lingering sick for a few months.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Today was Su Shi's birthday, and extra money was given to all the servants in the house early in the morning, so the whole Nangong Mansion was overjoyed and thanked the Lao Furen for her kindness. The Guniangs were given three days off from their studies, so that they could take time off from their busy schedules.

Early in the morning, people from Dafang, Erfang, Sanfang and Sifang, as well as Su Qingping, they all went to the main hall to give birthday greetings to Su Shi. Even Huang Shi, who had been sentenced to confinement, was released today, but her voice was still hoarse. It was heard that she had recited the female commandments under the veranda all night that day, and by the next day her voice was so hoarse that she could barely speak.

As soon as Huang Shi saw Nangong Yue and Lin Shi, her eyes erupted with a strong resentment, but she also knew that today was Su Shi's birthday, so if she made a scene, that would be the end of her, so she could only meekly half-lower her eyes and stare deadly at her own toes.

The children and grandchildren, starting with the (Dafang) Eldest household, congratulate Su Shi one by one.

"May my mother (grandmother) be blessed with long flowing water like the East Sea and live longer than the ageless pines of the South Mountain."

Everyone was kowtowing and hand-delivering their own carefully prepared birthday gifts of various colours: a Longevity of the Eight Immortals Painting, Hundred Years of Life Embroidery, a dotted emerald embroidered wipe( forehead band), a argarwood ... Even Nangong Xin gave the God of longevity picture he personally painted. When it was Nangong Yue's turn, she gave a birthday gift that was not quite the same as everyone else's - a pair of knee pads.

"This is ..." Su Shi was slightly moved and looked at Nangong Yue a little differently.

"Grandmother, this is granddaughter's handmade knee pads for you. Granddaughter has specially put herbs for rheumatism in it hoping it will help Grandmother." The knee pads were said to be handmade, but in fact she had only moved her lips, An Niang had helped with the cutting and Yimei had helped with the sewing and embroidery. Only the herbs in them were actually handmade by her which would indeed be very beneficial to Su Shi's rheumatism.

" Yue Jie'er really is thoughtful!" Su Shi couldn't help but be delighted and praised without hesitation and also attracting some envious or cynical or disdainful or shocked glances for Nangong Yue.

Following this, the Sanfang and Si fang (third household and fourth) also gave Su Shi their birthday wishes and gifts, and finally it was Su Qingping's turn. Su Qingping had obviously dressed up carefully, took out her best clothes and jewellery. Since she didn't have much jewelry, she had simply chosen the one that suited her best, a gold butterfly flower pendant dangling from her ear, the string of beads swaying slightly as she walked while looking both elegant and pretty.

But her face looked unnatural, and the smile at the corner of her mouth looked like it was forced. But she immediately adjusted her mood, and when she raised her eyes again, she was smiling freely.

"Qingping wishes her Da Gumu a long and prosperous life as three thousand years of peach*.(A long life of pine and a thousand years of peach.)" Su Qingping respectfully bowed to Su Shi and her maid Liu Rong helped her to present the birthday gift, "Qingping saw Da Gumu suffering from rheumatism a few days ago, she thought of the same thing as Yue Jie'er, and prepared a pair of knee pads for Da Gumu. Although they are not as well thought out as Yue jie'er, Da Gumu should not dislike Qingping." From the outside, the knee pads she had made were much nicer and more delicate than Nangong Yue's pair, with a wonderfully embroidered picture of a peach on a dark green silk cloth, edged in azure and lined with warm rabbit fur.

It's just that Nangong Yue presented the gift before and deliberately added herbs to the knee pads that it seemed more thoughtful and a little more out of the ordinary.

So this time Su Shi was not flattered, but ordered Wang mama to accept the birthday gift and said with a smile: "Qingping, you are also thoughtful."

Su Qingping twisted her handkerchief and retreated to the side somewhat reluctantly.

Not long after, a pozi came rushing to report that Su Shi's eldest daughter, Nangong Yun, had arrived at the gate with her husband Bai Yuxuan and daughter Bai Muxiao; not half an incense stick later, Su Shi's concubine daughter, Nangong Shuang, had also arrived at Rong'anTang with her husband and a son and daughter ...Looking at the room full of children and grandchildren, even Su Shi, who normally does not smile, could not help but smiling so much that her eyes were narrowed in relief.

After offering their wishes for birthday, the men from each house and the two guye(son-in-law) left the inner courtyard and went to the banquet seat in the outer courtyard together, except for Nangong Xin who went back to the Qianyun yuan. Over the years, Lin Shi has been very protective of Nangong Xin, rarely letting him show up in front of outsiders, lest he be hurt by gossip. And Su Shi, moreover, is eager to prevent this retarded grandson from coming out to meet people.

The ladies stayed in the main hall, talking to each other and chatting about family matters, and it was a very lively time.

A short time later, a pozi came to inform us that a certain family had sent congratulatory gifts ... A few moments later, two other families also sent congratulatory gifts.

Notes:

These are two classical couplets for the celebration of longevity, both for the age of forty. In the first line, not confused is the pronoun for forty years of age, and to know heaven means to know the year of heavenly destiny, which is fifty years of age.

This line means: from now on it is forty years old, and there are still ten years to go before it is fifty. The second sentence is an exaggerated, anthropomorphic wish for longevity, and a good wish for three thousand years. The second line is an exaggerated, metaphorical wish for longevity.

047Oral instructions

The three families in a row had all failed to arrive with their gifts, and Su Shi's eyes became complicated as the smile at the corner of her mouth was withdrawn. This birthday banquet, she had sent invitations to most of the powerful and noble families in the royal capital, which was also a hint and a test, but she did not expect that these three families were just gaining power and prestige for a while, and they were treating his Nangong family with such neglect! They are really small-minded and shallow-eyed!

Su Shi was angry but did not want to show it to the others, so she acted as if nothing was wrong and continued to talk to the family.

In heart Zhao Shi is also vaguely aware and the expression is not quite natural, while Nangong Yun, Nangong Shuang and the younger generation but do not know the entanglement, so they do not see the abnormal. Only Nangong Yue knew exactly what was going on in her heart. In her previous life, Su Shi's birthday banquet was also sent invitations to most of the powerful families in Wangdu, but not many of them came in person. ... After the birthday banquet, Su Shi became furious and her grandchildren and daughters-in-law were also affected by the fish in the pool.

Considering that the Nangong Mansion has only been back in the royal capital for less than a month, it has yet to gain a firm foothold in the imperial court. And the present Emperor's attitude towards the Nangong Mansion is extremely ambiguous, giving Nangong Qin an awkward position that is not high or low but has little real power, and then not caring about the Nangong Mansion .

Those powerful ministers are also extremely smart people. Naturally, they are clear about what His Majesty thinks. They are all still waiting and watching to see what kind of attitude His Majesty has towards the Nangong family, so as not to accidentally offend His Majesty's will.

After another half a column of incense, some female guests finally came one after another, although most of them were the female family members of Nangong Qin's colleagues or subordinates... But it is better than nothing, and Su Shi's face looks slightly better.

It was close to midday when Su led a group of female guests to the Flower Room for lunch.

The Flower Hall was decorated by Lin Shi in a quiet and elegant manner. As soon as you entered, you could smell the faint fragrance of orchids that lingered in your nose.

Nangong Yun slowly looked around, pausing at the variety of "orchids", the scrolls, the large and small vases, the flowering branches in the vases, the smoker... and even the carved orchid and pear table. A glance of remembrance passed through her eyes as she thought of her late father and looked towards Zhao, "Eldest Sister-in-law, you have decorated this flower hall in a very elegant and charming way."

A flash of complex emotion passed through Zhao Shi's eyes as she looked towards Lin Shi and Nangong Yue. Then smiled calmly and said: "Eldest aunt(Dagu nainai), you misunderstand this, this flower hall was decorated by your second sister-in-law and Yue Jie'er."

In her heart, Nangong Yun had always thought that her second sister-in-law and her daughter were very weak and had little initiative, let alone any outstanding merits. But didn't expect she was now doing things in a decent manner.

"It's really nice." Bai Muxiao praised without hesitation from the side, "I didn't expect second Jiumu and Yue Jie'er to be so thoughtful.

The flower hall is so intricately and elegantly decorated."

"A gentleman is like an orchid, the fragrance of an empty valley."

A lady in her early forties suddenly spoke out with emotion, attracting many sympathetic glances, remembering that the late old Master Nangong Hao was one of the most stunning figures in the royal capital. Some people live on forever in the hearts of others, even after they die, and Old Master Nangong Hao was such a figure!

The conversation was opened up when it came to Nangong Hao, and even the scene was enlivened, as if everyone had gone from being estranged to being slightly closer.

In the Flower Hall, three tables of banquet had been set up. Su Shi and her fellow senior ladies at one table; Zhao Shi, Lin Shi and many other Furens of the families were at another table; and the younger girls at a separate table on their own.

Nangong Zheng is the eldest Di daughter in this generation of the Nangong family, so the job of greeting the girls of her age naturally falls on her. Nangong Zheng is well educated and has been carefully cultivated by Su Shi and Zhao Shi, so she is very comfortable in doing these things and takes good care of the guests.

"Da Biaojie" Bai Muxiao sat enthusiastically at Nangong Zheng's right hand, "You are dressed up really pretty today."

Bai Muxiao's comment was not really a compliment, Nangong Zheng was indeed beautiful today, even a little bit brighter. She is wearing a peach-coloured dress with an inlaid beaded pattern, a double maiden bun with several ruby-encrusted beaded flowers, a pair of red emerald drip-bead earrings in her earlobes and the skirt is tied with a jewelled tassel beside the forbidden step.* It was not particularly extravagant, but stood out because of her exquisite and beautiful features and generous demeanour.

For a while, the gazes of the girls at the table were focused on Nangong Zheng, with a bit of envy and a bit of jealousy.

Bai Muxiao innocently continued: "Da Biaojie, no wonder I heard that when the second prince met you, he said you were the number one beauty in the royal capital, I think Da Biaojie you really deserve it."

Nangong Zheng's face reddened slightly at Bai Muxiao's comment and she said embarrassedly: "Xiao Biaomei, don't say that again, I am not the most beautiful girl in the capital. There are countless beauties in the royal capital, and there are many who are more beautiful than me."

Nangong Yue was silent on the sidelines, just watching a good show, secretly saying that she was really clumsy in her previous life and deserved to die of stupidity!

The guests were seated one by one. When Zhao Shi saw that it was almost time to serve the food, she was about to ask the kitchen to serve the dishes, but a maid came into the flower hall in a frenzy to report that: "Lao Furen, Empress Niangniang's oral command have arrived!"

For a while, there was silence in the flower hall, and after that, the female guests looked at each other.

Empress Niangniang's oral command has arrived?

The old Furen of the Nangong Mansion is celebrating her birthday and the Empress Niangniang sent a special verbal message, does that mean...

The ladies of the various mansions have different thoughts in their minds, but they all understand that the royal wind is afraid to change. Could it be that the Nangong family can really rise again...?

Hearing these words, Su Shi said to the old ladies at the same table: "Please excuse me, please sit here in the flower Hall for a while. The old lady will go and receive Niangniang's decree first."

Su Shi led a group of women from the family to the courtyard at the main entrance, and the eldest master, Nangong Qin, and the other men were already there. The one who came to deliver the verbal command was none other than Li mama, whom Nangong Yue had met in the palace, and she was accompanied by two chambermaids.

"Li Mama." Su Shi greeted her immediately, with a faint smile on her face, respectful but not attentive.

Li mama nodded lightly, "Since everyone is present, then my old slave will come to pass on the Empress Niangniang's oral instructions."

"Thanks for your trouble, Mama." Led by Nangong Qin, a crowd of people knelt on the green stone floor.

After clearing her throat, Li mama began to relay the spoken words of the Empress Niangniang: "Passing on the verbal command of the Empress Niangniang, today is the birthday of Lao Furen Su, rewarding her a golden jade ruyi, twelve pieces of color satin, a golden god of longevity , a string of gananan pearls, a box of blessed incense, a pair of gold ingots, four pairs of silver ingots and four jade cups. Also let this old slave to deliver a message to Lao Furen Su, wishing her a long life and good health."

"Many thanks for the Empress Niangniang's grace." Su Shi immediately kowtowed and saluted respectfully.

Li mama nodded indifferently, looking glorified and unperturbed. Suddenly looking towards Nangong Yue, she added: "Miss Yue, Niangniang has asked the old slave to pass on a message to you as well, hoping that you can come into the palace more often to talk with Niangniang."

Note:

Forbidden to walk, the official name is the group jade pendant , because the noble person wears it around his waist , and he needs to walk slowly to see his respect. Therefore, the original intention is to step , and it is also a symbol of nobleness.

Because it is a ceremonial jade , it will not appear in homely clothing. While decorating , there will be more restraining functions. The appearance is mostly a combination of jade pendant and various beads, and there are few tassels .

048 Three views

"Chennu thanks the Empress Niangniang for her grace." Nangong Yue also kowtowed respectfully, while feeling countless complex gazes cast on herself, among which were envy, jealousy, doubt, indignation ... and she, for all intents and purposes, did not care.

Li Mama finished delivering the verbal order and left. By the time Su Shi led the crowd back to the Flower Hall again, every member of the Nangong family felt that something had changed. The heavy rewards awarded by the Empress Niangniang must have been known to these ladies of the families and their gazes became warm and attentive, while in their hearts they pondered: was this the Emperor's intention, or just the Empress's?

But no matter whose intention it was, everyone knew that this time the Nangong House was really going to rise again!

The rest of the birthday banquet became warm and smooth, and there was a great deal of harmony and happiness. Even Nangong Yan and Nangong Lin, who were not much bothered by anyone, had more people to talk to.

After the dinner, Su Shi and the older ladies went back to the main hall to rest and ordered Zhao Shi to take the guests for a stroll in the garden to spend some time ...After the sun had set, the furens and xiaojies were invited to go to the opera house in front to listen to the performance.

The female guests had long heard that the Nangong House had invited the best opera troupe in the whole of Wangdu to sing, so they all said yes.

The theater building of Nangong House has two halls in front and back, connected by a pierced hall in the middle, forming an I-beam structure. The front hall, facing a courtyard, has a theater stage built across the courtyard. The stage base is made of brick and stone, square, surrounded by wooden railings and twelve columns. There is a small attic on the stage, with a patio on the ceiling, where mechanical equipment such as a derrick windlass can be placed for the use of the divine play.

"I've heard that this Theater house of the Nangong Mansion can be considered the largest in the Wangdu, and today I saw that it really lives up to its name." A Furen in her twenties exclaimed.

At these words, Nangong Lin diligently took over the words, smiling and introduced the Furens and young Misses of various families.

Nangong Yue watched with cold eyes as she followed the crowd into the hall of the theatre building.

The generous tables in the hall were filled with fruits and snacks. Shortly afterwards, Su Shi and several old ladies came over in soft chairs carried by the maids.

It was not until Su Shi and several other old ladies had taken their seats that Nangong Yue found a remote seat among the girls and sat down.

At this point, someone presented a list of plays for Su Shi to order, and Su Shi and some of the old ladies consulted and ordered the plays.

The play soon began, singing "The Eight Immortals Celebrate Their Longevity", and Nangong Yue listened to it in a careless manner.

After listening to only two scenes, Nangong Yue got up and spoke to Nangong Yan beside her, "Second sister, I'm going to change clothes and will be back in a moment."

Several girls at the same table were listening in fascination, including Nangong Yan, who casually responded.

Nangong Yue took Yi Mei out of the hall and headed straight for the clean room at the back of the courtyard. When she turned around a long corridor, she heard a rustling sound coming from ahead.

"Miss Third ...," Yi Mei's body trembled in fear and she nervously clutched Nangong Yue's arm.

This girl's courage is also really too small. Nangong Yue sighed helplessly, patted the back of Yimei's hand and said soothingly: "Yimei, don't be afraid, it's alright."

Miss Third is younger than herself and is so calm, but she ... Yi Mei blushed with shame, and the hand that was clutching Nangong Yue's arm, loosened.

"Yimei, I'll go over and take a look, you wait here." Nangong Yue said and wanted to go forward, but was pulled by Yimei with a deadly grip.

Just listen to her cowering: "Miss Third, don't go, it's dangerous, what if there's a thief hiding there? You can't let anything happen to you!" She bit her lip and suggested again, "We'd better call someone."

Nangong Yue was quite helpless, this girl was really timid. Patting her hand, Nangong Yue said calmly, "It's alright, I'll go take a look. Yimei, let go."

Yi Mei still wanted to say something, but was unconsciously loosened by Nangong Yue's determined look, and summoned up the courage to say, "Miss Third, slave servant should accompany you to go over and have a look."

Nangong Yue nodded.

The pair took a few steps forward and looked through the gap between branches, only to find a dark shadow high up on the outer wall ahead, tumbling sharply down ... Looking at the silhouette it actually looked like ...

A thief had really sneaked in over the wall! Yimei was so frightened that her body trembled, and she immediately shouted in a great hurry, "Come on, someone, there is..."

Yimei could no longer shout, only to see a black shadow flash, a figure appeared behind her like a ghost, a large palm to the back of her neck a slash... Yimei did not even have time to moan, and fell limply.

And at this time, Nangong Yue has already seen the visitor, frowned slightly, but did not shout.

Xiao Yi! How is it him again!

Looking at the young man in front of him, who was dressed in black but could not hide his beauty, Nangong Yue suddenly felt her temples twitch, thinking: Are you not the god of killing Xiao Yi? Here over the wall as a small thief, is it really appropriate?

"Stinky girl!"

Xiao Yi, of course, also recognized her and pointed at her nose and blurted out. Last time, he let her run away in the palace, but he didn't expect to run into her again here this time.

The phrase "life is not a place to meet" is really not wrong.

He looked at the uncharacteristically calm little girl in front of him with a playful face, hugging his chest and teasing, "Hey, stinky girl, what's your name?" Saying that, he seemed to think of something, "I see, you're from the Nangong family, right? I remember last time I heard the Palace Maid say that the Empress Niangniang had invited the ladies of the Nangong family into the palace..." He looked laid back and at ease, as if he was completely unaware that he was now a petty thief who could not be seen.

"What are you doing here?" Nangong Yue asked instead of answering, she suddenly thought of the scene when she saw Xiao Yi for the first time in this life and suddenly had a flash of light and blurted out, "Could it be that you've bet with someone again?"

"How do you know?" Xiao Yi reflexively responded, followed by a chagrined frown on his face. He had actually admitted it to himself.

Nangong Yue almost rolled her eyes, she actually guessed right. If she continues to talk to this guy in front of her, she feels that the awe she once had for the God of Kill, Xiao Yi, is going to vanish into thin air. Nangong Yue held her forehead helplessly and decided to go back to the Mozhuyuan and quietly ask someone to get Yimei back.

Seeing that Nangong Yue turned around and was about to leave, Xiao Yi couldn't help but feel a bit chagrined, thinking: How come since coming to the royal capital, his charm has plummeted? Now even a little girl does not want to care about himself. The most important thing is that in the South Xinjiang (south of the country), with his handsome appearance, even 80-year-old women and three-year-old children like it.

Seeing Nangong Yue walking further and further away, Xiao Yi was busy chasing after her, "Eh eh eh, stinky girl, since you have guessed that I am here for the bet, I will be merciful and tell you the content of the bet."

"..."

"It was that Chen Quying who insisted on making a bet with me to see if I had the guts to come and look at Nangong Zheng, the most beautiful woman in the Wangdu."

"..."

"Eh, stinky girl, you should also be surnamed Nangong, you're not that Nangong Zheng, are you?"

"..."

"Stinky girl, are you going to keep quiet?"

"..."

"Stinky girl, you can ignore me, but can you tell me that method of yours that attracts bees?"

049 Trouble

Although Nangong Yue kept ignoring him, Xiao Yi still pestered and finally even decided to make a big move.

Heck, little girl, you made me do it!

He hooked the corners of his mouth thievishly, slowed his pace and shouted at Nangong Yue in front of him: "Stinky girl, if you don't tell me, I'll tell Han LingFu about the bees you attracted last time!" He didn't believe that the little girl wouldn't stop even after he had said that!

On hearing that, Nangong Yue really stopped. She turned her head and looked at Xiao Yi angrily.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi smiled smugly and his handsome face smiling in a very indecent manner, with a look of you can do nothing to me that making Nangong Yue feel her back teeth itch.

Although Nangong Yue did not feel that Xiao Yi, who was now a dandy at best, deserved her respect. But she had to give the future god of murder some dignity. In her previous life, no one knew that the ZhenNan Wang Xiao Yi was not only vengeful, but also believed in "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a tenfold repayment." In this kingdom, if a child disobeys, the mother will scare him, if you make trouble again, be careful to send you to the southern border to serve as a soldier for the Zhennan Wang ...

Thinking of this, Nangong Yue suppressed the urge to punch someone and said in a somewhat raw tone, "This method of attracting bees really can't be ..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Xiao Yi had already shouted and interrupted her, "Hey, stinky girl, have you gotten the nerve to be ambitious? Aren't you afraid that I'll tell Han Ling Fu!"

Nangong Yue felt her head hurt even more, and in her heart she felt more and more that her decision was the right one. With the current Xiao Yi's unreliable personality, if he really got this method, he would only end up causing trouble for her. She held back a breath and added in a consultative tone, "How about this, how about I tell you a method on how to lure in the rats?"

"It seems to be quite interesting too." Xiao Yi's eyes widened with interest, "But attracting bees is also interesting ..." He didn't expect this brat to know so many interesting things, last time it was attracting bees, this time it was attracting rats, so what about next time? What else will there be?

Looking at his troubled face, the corners of Nangong Yue's mouth twitched and she was about to talk him out of it. But then she heard a female voice coming from the direction of the playhouse, a voice that seemed to have been deliberately lowered with a touch of caution.

"Yue Jie'er, is that you?"

It was Su Qingping! Nangong Yue instantly heard the voice of the visitor.

This was not good. Nangong Yue glanced at Xiao Yi beside her and then at the unconscious Yimei. If this scene was seen by that Su Qingping, she would still be accused of having an affair with a strange man. She swept around quickly and stopped at the fake mountain to her left and could only turn to Xiao Yi, who was beside her, "Xiao Yi, help me move Yimei into the fake mountain." That fake mountain looked like a small hill with a deep cave cut beneath it, and at a glance, it was somewhat gloomy.

"Yue Jie'er!" At the same time, Su Qingping was still approaching in their direction. If it wasn't for the heavy shadows of the trees in this courtyard and the jagged rocks of the fake mountain, Nangong Yue and Xiao Yi would have been discovered by her.

Hearing that call getting closer and closer, Nangong Yue frowned, but she heard Xiao Yi ask suspiciously, "Stinky girl, how do you know my name is Xiao Yi?"

Please, you're focusing on the wrong thing! Nangong Yue hurriedly urged, "Xiao Yi, hurry up!"

At this time, Xiao Yi, on the contrary, smiled with a calm face, raised his eyebrows and said in a low voice: "Stinky girl, are you considering this as begging me? ..."

Damn it, this guy is trying to take advantage of the situation, isn't he? Nangong Yue gritted her teeth and said fiercely, "Cut the crap, if we get found out, it won't be good for both of us."

Xiao Yi, instead, smiled lightly and said with a roguish face, "Don't add 'we', it's 'you' who's having a hard time, not me. Stinky girl, I helped you this time, count you owe me a favor oh, how about that?"

What else could be done? When the arrow was on the string, it was not up to Nangong Yue to say no to it. She could only nod her head in agreement, only to hear Xiao Yi let out a low laugh in triumph, and with a fetch of his big arm, he carried Yi mei on his shoulders and easily carried her into the cave below the fake mountain ...

Nangong Yue finally let out a sigh of relief, cursing Xiao Yi in her heart. She straightened her clothes and took a few steps in Su Qingping's direction, "Is that Ping Biaogu over there?"

"It's me, Yue Jie'er!" Su Qingping slightly raised her volume up and followed the sound of the voice as she walked over. At this time, Nangong Yue was already sitting down by the small pool beside the rockery, looking at the moon shadow in the pool in a seemingly leisurely manner.

"Yue Jie'er, are you alone?" Su Qingping asked while looking around, "Just now I think I heard someone else's voice ..."

Nangong Yue looked at Su Qingping with a puzzled face, her eyes as clear as water, "Yes, it's just me, where is the second person, perhaps Ping Biaogu has heard wrong."

Really? Su Qingping looked at Nangong Yue carefully, trying to see some clues from the other party's face. She clearly heard a conversation just now ... and the person who talked to Nangong Yue seemed to be a man as well! Could it be that Nangong Yue she ...

Thinking of a certain possibility, Su Qingping's expression became somewhat strange, it seemed like surprise, contempt and interest, but these emotions were quickly suppressed by her, and she asked with an appearance of concern: "Yue Jie'er, why are you here alone?" As she asked, her eyes quickly caught on the rockery behind Nangong Yue and her gaze flickered for a moment.

Nangong Yue immediately noticed her intention, so she took the initiative to get up and walk over to Su Qingping, inviting her, "Ping Biaogu , since you are also here, then you should accompany me for a walk."

Su Qingping hooked the corners of her mouth with a smirk, feeling that Nangong Yue had deliberately prevented herself from going to the rockery. It looked like there was indeed a ghost in it!

Thinking of this, Su Qingping's heart even began to be vaguely excited. It seems that her guess was right, this Nangong Yue really has some unspeakable secret ... really did not expect ah. This Nangong Yue is just so young, but she has learned to hook up with men? The thought of the humiliation Nangong Yue gave herself before, she finally had the opportunity to pay back ten times a hundred times today, she couldn't help but be so excited that her fingers were trembling.

"Good, Yue Jie'er, let's take a walk together." Su Qingping first deliberately agreed, but only after turning half of her body, she suddenly exclaimed in surprise, pointing in the direction of the cave, "Ah! Yue Jie'er, there seems to be something there?" With that, she took a big step forward and rushed into the cave of the false mountain in three or two steps.

In the cave, it was dark and eerie, with only a little moonlight coming in.

Although it is not very bright, you can see that it is empty and there is nothing else in it.

Had she really made a mistake? Su Qingping was stunned for a moment, but her eyes then looked deeper into the cave, where there was hardly any moonlight, and it was pure blackness, as if some kind of ghosts and monsters would leap out at any moment. After all, Su Qingping was a girl, so she couldn't help but feel a little hesitant.

050 Entanglement

At that moment, she suddenly noticed that the cave was brighter, only to see Nangong Yue holding a thumb-sized bead in her hand. In the darkness, the bead was like a shrunken version of the full moon, warm and bright, emitting a luminous glow.

"This ... is a night pearl?" Su Qingping looked incredulously at the bright pearl in Nangong Yue's hand. For a moment, she could not hide the colour of jealousy in her eyes. Obviously they were both the Di daughter of a noble family, but their fates were so different ...

"Ping biaogu, there's nothing here." Nangong Yue looked at her with a puzzled expression and deliberately shone the night pearl in her hand deeper into the cave, "Ping biaogu, if you are not sure, let's take a look inside again."

Nangong Yue seemed so open and honest that Su Qingping wondered for a moment if she had heard wrong. But she was still undeterred and nodded her head in agreement, "I would like to ask Yue Jie'er to accompany me to have a look, otherwise I will always uneasy in my heart."

The two people were in harmony on the surface, but their minds were different, and they slowly walked deeper into the cave ... but they didn't notice anything unusual until they walked out from the other end of the cave.

Nangong Yue raised her mouth slightly at an angle that Su Qingping couldn't see, and said in her heart: Finally, Xiao Yi is not too stupid.

But Su Qingping was a bit lost and was about to go back to her home when she suddenly thought of something else and asked, "Yue Jie'er, I remember that you were with Yimei, where is she?"

Nangong Yue pursed her lips and replied as if nothing had happened, "I saw that the moon was extremely beautiful tonight, so I wanted to watch the moonlight alone, so I asked Yimei to go back first."

After wasting most of the time, nothing had been achieved. Su Qingping was still a bit reluctant, she thought about it and felt that Nangong Yue should be hiding something, so she warmly took her arm and said, "Yue Jie'er, then let's take a walk and chat together. I have not had the chance to talk to you properly for so many days since I arrived at the residence ..."

Nangong Yue readily agreed, but in her heart she secretly greeted Xiao Yi's ancestors once again.

The two of them walked for a while, but Su Qingping still had no intention of going. Nangong Yue could not help but feel a little anxious, and did not know what happened to Xiao Yi and Yi Mei ...

At this moment, a familiar voice suddenly came from the back: "Miss Third!" Nangong Yue raised her eyebrows slightly and looked at the voice, only to see Yi Mei holding a cloak with gold thread embroidered with spring flowers in her hand and hurriedly walking towards her.

As soon as she saw Su Qingping beside Nangong Yue, Yimei blessed salute and said: "Miss Cousin, you are also here." After saying that, she looked at Nangong Yue with a worried face: " Miss Third, it's getting cold, slave servant should put a cloak on you, be careful of catching a cold."

Nangong Yue looked at Yimei and a trace of surprise crossed the bottom of her eyes. She quickly hid the surprise and smiled lightly as she took the cloak, but said to Su Qingping: "Ping Biaogu, you don't have a cloak either, so why don't you use this one of mine first? I'll ask Yimei to fetch another one."

As soon as Yimei appeared, Su Qingping already felt disinterested, and could only blame herself for thinking too much, which had caused her to be here for so long in the cool air. She forced her spirits up and smiled, "Yue Jie'er, it's not necessary. I'd better go back to the theater house first."

"Ping Biaogu take care." Nangong Yue naturally did not stay with her, standing in place, looking at Su Qingping's gradually walking away back, her eyes getting darker and darker... Nangong Yue was startled when she was coldly tapped hard on the shoulder. She frowned slightly and turned her head to look at the person behind her, and it was indeed Xiao Yi!

I can't believe he hasn't left yet!

When Yimei saw him, she exploded like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on and said outwardly: "Hey, why aren't you leaving? If you don't leave, I'll call someone."

Xiao Yi was not angry and said to Yimei in a dangling manner: "You little girl, is this how you treat you and your master's benefactor? If I hadn't helped you, you would have been found out long ago!"

This cheeky guy. Nangong Yue was simply exasperated, he seemed to have completely forgotten that he was the culprit of the whole thing.

And at this moment, Xiao Yi was in an extremely happy mood, so he automatically ignored the anger in Nangong Yue's eyes. He clapped his hands excitedly and said: "Haha, stinky girl, even if you don't tell me your name, I still know it now. This time you finally can't escape, even if you do, you can't the monk can escape but not the temple can escape. Seeing that Nangong Yue was completely ignoring him, he didn't get angry and kept talking to himself, "Nangong Yue, that's not a bad name, it's only a little bit worse than my name. But it's a good thing you're not Nangong Zheng, otherwise I would really doubt the second prince's vision ... okay okay, there's obviously nothing wrong with my aesthetics."

The more Nangong Yue heard, the angrier she became, what do you mean it was good that she was not Nangong Zheng, what do you mean there was no problem with his aesthetics ...She really hated to give this bear child a few stitches, but still took a deep breath to endure it and slowly said, "Xiao Shizi, can you leave now?"

Hearing this, Xiao Yi immediately shook his head and refused, "No, no, I haven't seen Nangong Zheng yet, You made me lose to Chen Quying at the Li family's pharmacy before, I can't lose again this time." That time, he lost for the 51st time to Chen Quying, which was very annoying!

Nangong Yue took another deep breath and said kindly, "Then I'll tell you the secret recipe for recruiting mice now, so you can hurry up and leave here, okay?"

"It's not impossible ...," Xiao Yi's eyes twinkled as he said with a smile, "However, this is only the account from the last time in the palace, Adding that time in the Li family pharmacy and the favor you just owed me today, it equals that you still owe me twice."

Nangong Yue really wanted to grab a handful of medicine to poison Xiao Yi and then destroy the corpse. ... After she was furious, she suddenly had a flash of light and thought of an idea that could make Xiao Yi back off on his own. A hint of excitement faintly appeared in her eyes and she smiled slightly, "Xiao Shizi, do you really want to see Nangong Zheng, the number one beauty in the Wangdu, so badly?"

"Wrong wrong." Xiao Yi shook his index finger carelessly, "I don't have to see the number one beauty in the Wangdu, I have to win this bet!"

"Good." Nangong Yue nodded, "I understand. I have a way to help you meet Nangong Zheng... just..."

"Just what?" Xiao Yi asked anxiously.

"Just don't know how much you are willing to sacrifice for this," Nangong Yue gave him a provocative look. "The method is actually very simple. As long as you dress as a woman, you will naturally able to see the first beauty in the wangdu."

Nangong Yue thought that this would dissuade Xiao Yi, but she did not expect Xiao Yi's eyes to light up, as if he had heard something interesting.

"Interesting, interesting, very interesting!" Xiao Yi nodded repeatedly, "Stinky girl, I was right about you. You still have a solution. Hurry up, hurry up and get me a set of women's clothes!" He still looked a little impatient.

051 - Cross-dressing

Shouldn't he feel that this was a great insult? Nangong Yue's eyebrows twitched a little and she was quite speechless. Well, it seemed that the mind of a dude was something she couldn't guess.

Since the words had already been spoken, one could not afford to backtrack. Nangong Yue immediately turned her head to Yimei and said, "Yimei, go and get a set of female clothes suitable for Xiao Shizi."

Yi Mei looked at Nangong Yue with disbelief. Do they really want to help this young man in front of them to dress up as a woman? This... wasn't very good. If someone found out about hiding a man, Third guniang's life would be ruined!

Yi Mei's heart was torn between wanting to follow the San guniang's orders and fearing that this incident would be detrimental to the San guniang. After pondering for a while, Yimei finally gritted her teeth and agreed.

"Yes, Miss Third!"

Since she sincerely recognizes the Third Guniang as her master, she must trust the Third Guniang's decision!

Although Yimei had already fetched the women's clothes and other related items as quickly as possible, Xiao Yi was still a bit impatient to wait. As soon as he saw Yimei coming, he immediately grabbed the women's clothes out of her hand and went to the cave on the rockery to change his clothes.

Yimei stared at him dumbfounded, no longer knowing what to say.

Yimei brought with her is a set of pale blue trailing water-sleeved dress with pleated phoenix-tail skirt, which was the perfect size for Xiao Yi's body. His narrow waist was tightened by a pale blue satin belt and he wore a dark floral silk orchid cloak that covered his slightly broader shoulders. His long black hair hung and flows in the breeze, brushing against his unpowdered but fair as jade cheeks, making him look like a fairy in an empty valley.

Nangong Yue and Yi Mei were dumbfounded to see that this Xiao Yi looked much better than a woman in women's clothing.

But the moment he spoke, he ruined that perfect picture, "Little girl," he pointed at Yimei and said in a commanding manner, "Come and brush my hair." He grabbed a handful of hair and grumbled impatiently: "You girls have most troublesome hairstyle. What's the point of making it so complicated ..."

Nangong Yue didn't want to listen to him, so she gave a wink to Yi Mei, who immediately went forward and made Xiao Yi sit down on a big stone, and then, skillfully combed his hair.

Yi Mei's hands and feet are extremely quick; in three or two steps she pulled a loose hair bun for him, put on a few beaded flowers and took the powder to put on his makeup... A few strokes of the brush made it seem as if he had changed into a voluptuous style of painting again. At first glance, I could only see his beautiful peach blossom eyes were slightly raised, and his crimson lips were curved in a seductive manner, as beautiful as a painting of the world.

Nangong Yue looked dumbfounded again and coughed covertly, "Yi Mei, give him a mole on the corner of his lips."

Although Yimei did not understand why, she did it obediently. Nangong Yue examined him again, made a somewhat reluctant face and said: "It's not bad. We can go now."

"What do you mean its okay?" Xiao Yi took a look at himself in the mirror and boasted, "I'm obviously gorgeous! That's for sure, think back then my mother was the number one beauty in the southern border. Ben Shizi resembles my mother by eight points, in the southern border that was loved by everyone, from the eighty year old woman to the three year old child, everyone fell for my stunning beauty ..."

He talked continuously, and the more he talked, the more energetic he became. Nangong Yue also let him talk, but her left ear went in and her right ear went out. Only when he had said enough did she say, "When I take you there later, I will say that you are from the opera troupe, so don't say anything to avoid exposing yourself."

"Expose? Are you underestimating this Shizi?" Xiao Yi glared discontentedly at Nangong Yue and suddenly cleared his throat, placed his hands on his waist and gave a decent blessing, "Xiaoyu from the slave family has seen several young ladies."

His voice was soft and pleasant, like a woman's, and did not show any dryness, it was so natural.

Nangong Yue and Yi Mei were both startled and looked at Xiao Yi with a shocked expression.

Xiao Yi, however, said with a complacent look on his face: "How is that? Are you convinced by Benshizi's talent? Let me tell you, Benshizi is a genius and has learnt ventriloquism before, he can't even defeat the 91 voices, let alone just a simple female voice, so don't worry about it." He waved a big hand and spoke with great ambition.

Although Nangong Yue was surprised, she therefore put her mind at ease and just wanted a finish this quickly and felt like getting rid of the demon.

By the time Nangong Yue led Xiao Yi and Yi Mei back to the main hall of the opera house, the play on stage was reaching its climax and those watching the play on stage were watching with great interest.

Nangong Yue was about to ask Xiao Yi to wait at the door, but she saw Su Qingping immediately greet her and said enthusiastically: "Yue Jie'er, you're back, ah." Saying so, her eyes fell on Xiao Yi beside Nangong Yue, a strong flash of amazement in her eyes, "This girl is ..."

Between the words, her eyes flickered slightly and after sizing up Xiao Yi again, she found several suspicions points. In her heart, she only felt that this woman was tall and her shoulders were also on the wide... She immediately remembered the male voice she heard near the rockery just now, and her heart became a bit suspicious.

After settling down, Su Qingping smiled and tentatively said: "Yue Jie'er, this girl looks very strange. I don't think I have seen her in the residence before?"

In her heart, Nangong Yue knew what Su Qingping was suspecting, but she was calm and collected, casually introducing her: "Ping Biaogu, This girl is a disciple of the opera troupe, but she is not yet qualified to perform on stage because she has not yet become a master."

Su Qingping was suspicious of Nangong Yue's words and laughed again: "Oh? Is that so?" She turned her head to Xiao Yi again, "What's your name?"

The Great Beauty Xiao bowed again in a pretentious manner: "This slaves is Xiaoyu."

This voice, it was really a girl's voice. Su Qingping froze for a moment, smiling innocently and enthusiastically, "Xiaoyu? What a lovely name." Up until this point, her previous doubts had finally vanished.

"This slave thanks the girl for her compliment." Xiao Yi was getting more and more energetic and his brilliant smile instantly added a few strands of brightness to his beautiful face, which was very pretty.

After a few polite words of little substance, Su Qingping walked away indifferently.

Once he saw her leave, Xiao Yi flipped his face like a book and withdrew his smile as he approached Nangong Yue and said in a low voice, "Stinky girl, where is Nangong Zheng? I've come to see Nangong Zheng."

He deliberately lowered his voice, and the slightly magnetic voice unique to young boys swirled in Nangong Yue's ears, a little itchy and a little hot, accompanied by the faint scent of Xiao Yi's body... Nangong Yue felt a little embarrassed and used the action of turning around to naturally avoid him, "You stay here and don't wander off, I'm going to find my eldest jiejie."

Nangong Yue quickly led Nangong Zheng over to her. When Nangong Zheng saw Xiao Yi, she was also stunned. She had always prided herself on her beauty, and when she saw a strange woman who could compare to her own beauty, her eyes showed a hint of surprise.

Note:

salute: its blessing bow for others,

xiaoyu- little fish

052 Shameless

Nangong Yue get close to Nangong Zheng's ear and pointed at Xiao Yi, introducing to her: "Eldest Jiejie, this Xiaoyu girl is a disciple of the opera troupe. Since she is not yet a master, she was not able to perform on stage. But just now meimei saw her performance in the garden and found it so interesting that I wanted you to come and see it too."

Once she heard that the other party was from the opera troupe, Nangong Zheng calmed down. Even if the young girls in the opera troupe were beautiful, they were just playthings, not worth mentioning. In just this short time, her mind had already turned a few times and resumed her original dignified appearance of a lady of the house, smiling: "Since Meimei says so, let's listen to it."

"Then let's go to the pool and listen to him sing."

Nangong Yue took Nangong Zheng by the arm and came near the pool again, leisurely sitting down on the poolside, with a tilt of her chin, she gently and slowly ordered, "Xiaoyu girl, you can start the show."

She had wanted to take this opportunity to humiliate and shame Xiao Yi to make him restrain himself, but she did not expect this Xiao Yi to be even more excited than she was, and said daintily: "Then this slave will make a fool of himself." He then started to sing a song called "Lady Xiang", and he even danced around while singing it.

"...The Yuan has its angelica, the Li its orchids;

I long for this royal lady, but dare not speak….."

Xiao Yi flicked his water sleeve, and his stunning face took on some charm, his tone was sometimes gentle, sometimes flirtatious and sometimes vicious, and his eyes on Nangong Yue also changed with his tone, performing to the best of his ability, but it gave Nangong Yue goose bumps.

"...Though I know that the time will not so quickly come again

For a while I loiter, pacing to and fro."

At the last paragraph, Xiao Yi even frivolously picked up Nangong Yue's chin, the corners of his lips were lightly hooked, his good-looking peach blossom eyes carried a trifle of laughter and were slightly uplifted as he lightly spat out lazy words and said seductively, "Gongzi, just give in to me."

This is really naked molesting!

Nangong Yue's whole face darkened and her body stiffened slightly. But Nangong Zheng was watching with great interest, a faint smile floating on her face. And Yi Mei half-lowered her head, no longer daring to look down, knowing full well that this Xiao gongzi was molesting her own xiaojie, but she could do nothing.

At the end of the song, Xiao Yi saluted the two of them, and said in a pretentious voice: "Two girls, it's better than Xiaoyu..."

Guessing what Xiao Yi was going to say, Nangong Yue's face twitched and she interrupted him sharply, "Xiaoyu girl, we have seen your performance, you should also go back." Saying that, she instructed Yimei, "Yimei, quickly take this Xiaoyu girl away."

Xiao Yi was disappointed. With an expression, his eyes rolled: "Miss Third, can I say a few more words to you?"

Upon seeing this, Nangong Zheng immediately said goodbye. Soon there were only Nangong Yue master and servant and Xiao Yi left.

"Xiao Shizi, you have also seen this first beauty, shouldn't it be time to leave?" Nangong Yue said patiently.

Hearing this, Xiao Yi was full of grievances: "Little girl, just to cooperate with you, Ben Shizi sacrificed his hue to perform desperately. You know, Ben Shizi has never been a wrongdoer. He just wronged himself like that. You still don't appreciate it?"

Nangong Yue's face was full of black lines, thinking: Who was the one who was so excited when they heard they were going to perform? Who was the one who was so excited when they finished their performance? Now you're saying that you're begging for more?

Nangong Yue really wanted to kick this "peculiar style" Xiao Yi to death.

"What else do you want?" Nangong Yue said without good grace.

Xiao Yi, though, brushed aside his mouth: "I just wanted to tell you that you helped me just now, so the matter of the Li family's pharmacy is considered a write-off. So you still owe me a favour, as well as the method of recruiting rats." After a pause, he seemed a little reluctant to let go, "Stinky girl, you can escape the monk but not the temple, you don't want to renege on your debt oh!"

"I won't renege on my debt." Nangong Yue said through gritted teeth, and quickly declared a series of medicine names, "This is the recipe for beckoning rats, I still owe you a favour now, I will repay it properly when I have the chance! Now you can go, right?"

"Okay." Xiao Yi waved his hand at her, "See you next time then." He leapt upwards with ease, stepping on the wall and using his strength to leap up to the wall, following it without a trace.

I hope we don't see each other again! Nangong Yue rubbed the corner of her forehead and silently said in her heart.

"Finally gone." Yi Mei also finally breathed a sigh of relief, squirmed and tangled for a while, couldn't help but say, " Miss Third ..."

"What's wrong?" Nangong Yue asked casually.

"Please forgive slave for talking too much, next time don't ever do such a thing ..."Yimei struggled with the words, knowing that she was in no position to meddle in her master's affairs, but she couldn't help but worry.

At these words, Nangong Yue could not help but look towards her, as if she was touched: "Yimei, I will behave myself, thank you." She knew that Yimei was concerned about her, and she also knew that it was risky, but Yimei didn't know that she couldn't offend Xiao Yi, or the future Xiao Yi ...

Suddenly, a playful voice came from above.

"Stinky girl, it's a good thing you haven't left yet."

Nangong Yue's body stiffened and she raised her eyes to look, only to see Xiao Yi appearing on the wall again at some point, crouching there and leaning down to look at herself.

Nangong Yue was so angry that she almost failed to catch her breath, "Xiao Yi, why are you here again?!"

Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and said, "I'm not to blame this time, it was Dui Ying who didn't believe that I had seen the number one beauty in the Wangdu, so I brought him to you for proof."

He spoke carelessly, but Nangong Yue gritted her teeth as she was listening to him, is he finished, damn Xiao Yi!

As the words were spoken, Chen Quying climbed up the wall with some difficulty, looking a bit wretched, not only his hair was dishevelled, but even his originally white as snow robe was soiled.

Although separated by some distance, Chen Quying recognized Nangong Yue at a glance, "Girl, it's you. You and Ah Yi are really destined to be together." He looked playfully at the two people who looked like little enemies in front of him, with a smile on his face.

If it was fate, it would be a sinful fate! Nangong Yue thought in her heart, but she could only say, "Fine, fine, I'll testify to you, won't I? You did see the number one beauty in the Wangdu with your own eyes."

Only then did Xiao Yi smile again, "Dui Ying, did you hear that, I won this time. Now it's 151 wins, 150 losses and 148 draws."

After giving an apologetic bow to Nangong Yue at the wall, Chen Quying said to Xiao Yi, "You have won. Now take me down quickly."

Xiao Yi wrapped his arms around Chen Quying and leapt off the wall with ease.

After sending the two troublesome ancestors away, Nangong Yue summoned Yimei to return to the theatre together and sit back down.

At this time, another play was nearing its end. Nangong Yue looked towards the main seat, but saw Su Qingping being pulled by Zhao Shi in front of a Furen. Only to see that Furen in her forties, wearing a precious blue cloud-patterned flowered cloth, combed in a round bun, with only three gold hairpins set with southern pearls in her hair...

53 Looking at each other

Nangong Yue couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and thought to herself, "Could it be that Zhao Shi wants to introduce a marriage for Su Qingping?

Nangong Yue guessed correctly that Zhao Shi was indeed looking for a suitable marriage for Su Qingping so that she could make a statement in front of her mother-in-law, Su Shi.

"Wang Furen," Zhao Shi smiled as she pulled Su Qingping to Wang Furen, "This is the one I told you about, Biao guniang of our Mansion, Ping Jie'er."

"Ping'er has met Wang Furen." Su Qingping bowed with her eyebrows lowered and bent her knees in a bow.

Su Qingping knew that Zhao Shi's intention in bringing herself to this Wang Furen was to make Wang Furen look at her. So she became more and more modest and respectful, hoping to make a good impression on Wang Furen and smoothly facilitate the marriage.

She knew that this time, the Nangong Mansion has hosted a banquet and invited the families of all the important ministers in the wangdu. So no matter which family she married into, her future glory and fortune would be inevitable.

Wang Furen took a closer look at Su Qingping. She is wearing a simple dress with dark flowers and embroidered beads, plain and elegant. She also looks quite virtuous and polite, with a beautiful appearance and a slender figure, which is worthy of her son.

Although this Miss Su's father is only a small governor, fortunately she is related to the Old Furen Su of Nangong family. If her son marries this Biao guniang, he will naturally become related to the Nangong family by marriage, which will be greatly beneficial to his future.

At the thought of this, that Wang Furen was even more satisfied with Su Qingping.

When Su Qingping saw that Wang Furen was smiling kindly at her, her heart was also happy. Although she was curious about Wang Furen's family background, she thought that those who could come to the birthday banquet at the Nangong Mansion were either rich or noble. Thus they should not be far behind. So she was even more attentive to Wang Furen.

One has a heart and the other has a mind, Wang Furen and Su Qingping are considered to be in good chatting.

"Miss Su is so beautiful, I don't know which family will be lucky enough to marry her in the future." Wang Furen spoke with a smile.

"Furen has praised too much, Ping'er is ashamed to accept it." Su Qingping said hastily and modestly.

"There is no need to apologize too much guniang." Wang Furen smiled and took Su Qingping's hand, suddenly putting a bracelet on Su Qingping's wrist, "Although today is first meeting with guniang but it seems we are familiar. This is my meeting gift to guniang , I hope guniang won't refuse it."

Su Qingping looked at it and saw that it was a golden bracelet with a dull lustre and a very light weight, and wondered in her heart: wasn't this Madame Wang a noble family's Furen? How could she have given me such a bracelet like this?

Nangong Yue did not know what Wang Furen and Su Qingping had said, but seeing the way Su Qingping left in a hurry afterwards, she could not help but sneer twice in her heart. It seemed that Su Qingping did not appreciate Zhao Shi's good intentions!

At that moment, another new play started on the stage with the sound of gongs and drums.

Everyone was staring intently at the theatre. Instead, Nangong Yue noticed that her eldest Gumu Nangong Yun and her cousin Bai Muxiao quietly walked up to Su shi's side and said a few words to her before taking their leave.

What exactly happened?

Let Nangong Yun and Bai Muxiao leave the party midway in such haste!

Nangong Yue was somewhat curious in her heart, but did not immediately send someone to inquire. Just now she noticed that Su Shi's face had changed after hearing Nangong Yun's words. What could move Su Shi's face was not a trivial matter. Sooner or later, she would know.

All the way until the end of the performance, after sending off the Ladies and young ladies of the various Mansions and returned to Mozhuyuan, Nangong Yue also finally heard the news.

It turned out that something had happened to the Eldest Gufu(father's sister's husband).

"I heard that it was the Eldest Guye(son-in-law) who left the birthday feast early, but someone broke his head on the way, and it is said that there was a lot of blood!" Que'er reported from the side, while Yi Mei carefully helped Nangong Yue remove her make-up.

Nangong Yue is not worried about the safety of Eldest Gufu. According to her memory, the previous life, Eldest Gufu did die early. But it was two months later, I heard that it was a sudden acute illness went ... and shortly after that, Eldest Gumu took cousin Bai Muxiao to return...

At this time, Su Qingping also heard the news that Liu Rong had inquired about and was so angry that she almost gritted her teeth.

This Zhao Shi is so deceitful!

How dare she introduce such a shabby family to me!

Obviously, eldest Gumu had told Zhao Shi to find a good marriage partner for me, but Zhao Shi disobeyed her! It's really annoying and irritating!

Liurong was also unhappy for her own Guniang: "How could the Eldest Furen do this, to introduce such a family to the Guniang!"

Banxia listened quietly from outside the house and only felt amused. This Su Biao guniang really thought she was the daughter of a noble family after spending two days in the Nangong Mansion? Worthy of a prestigious son! It was really funny!

At this time, a pozi outside the door came to report that the eldest Furen has arrived.

"Ping Biaomei." Zhao Shi walked in with a joyful smile.

Su Qingping looked at her and felt that she was very harsh, but thinking that she was now temporarily living in the Nangong Mansion, she had to suppress the angry in her heart and put on a smiling face to welcome her. "Eldest Biaosao, what brings you here?"

"I have come to congratulate my Biaomei!" Zhao Shi smiled as she pulled Su Qingping along and sat down together on the rood couch.

"Da Biaosao don't joke about it." Su Qingping had a straight face, "The person who should be the happiest today is the eldest Gumu."

"Biaomei is right, but Biaomei's happy event is also something that keeps the old Furen on her mind at all times ..."

How dare you introduce such a marriage to me when you know that the old Furen values it! Su Qingping's heart was filled with indignation.

"Today Wang Furen has been asking me about Biaomei and it seems that she is very satisfied with Biaomei ..."

She is satisfied, but I am not! Su Qingping twisted the handkerchief in her hands into a twist.

"That Mrs. Wang's husband's family is the royal merchant Wang's family ..."

It's true that they come from the royal merchant Wang family, but they are just a side branch of the Shu born (concubine's son) family, how much money can they have? Su Qingping despised it in her heart.

"Wang Furen has a young son who has won the imperial examination ... The future is promising ..."

It's just a Juren, not a Zhuang Yuan. So there is no reason for him to be so great! Even if that person has a good future, when will that happen? What's the point of waiting until one is old and pearly before one can enjoy one's wealth and honor!

"Wang Furen is a kind person, and I heard that she and her eldest daughter-in-law are as close as mother and daughter ... often dine together ... go out together ... "

What a mother-daughter bond! She had heard that Wang Furen's eldest daughter-in-law had to obey rules every day! Only a fool would look at her son if she had such a tyrannical mother-in-law!

"Biaomei, what do you think of Wang Furen's youngest son?" Zhao Shi finally said the topic, "If you think it's good, I can arrange for you to meet Wang Juren."

The smile on Su Qingping's face was almost unbearable. Of course she wanted to refuse, but she couldn't do so explicitly. Otherwise it would be more loss than gain for her if Zhao Shi dumped her.

"In marriage matters, parents' orders and matchmakers' words, Ping'er's marriage will naturally be decided by father." Two red clouds flew up on Su Qingping's face, and she looked as if she was too delicate to be ashamed.

Notes:

Ju Ren- its a rank given to successful candidate in the imperial provincial examination.

Zhaung yuan- was the title given to the scholar who achieved the highest score on highest level of the Imperial examination.

Biaomei- younger girl cousin

Biaosao-cousin's wife

Gumu-father's sister

Gufu-father's sister's husband

Guye- son-in-law of the household

Guniang- younglady

054 Private Meeting

Zhao Shi nodded, "It's time to speak to uncle." The words came out of her mouth, but a hint of mockery crossed her eyes.

She is really a woman with a heart higher than the sky, the daughter of a district magistrate, but she is still not satisfied with the marriage she has chosen. If she wants to marry a son of a powerful nobleman, she is really a toad who wants to eat swan's flesh, a daydreamer.

With this in mind, the smile on Zhao Shi's face faded for a few moments, and she left after chatting casually with Su Qingping on the pretext that there were still matters to be dealt with at the residence.

After Su Qingping had sent Zhao Shi away, the smile on her face could no longer be hung.

This night, Su Qingping tossed and turned and had trouble sleeping. She said to herself that she could not just sit there and wait for end, she had to take the initiative.

But Nangong Yue had a good night's sleep and got up early. An Niang ordered the maids to serve breakfast, while Que'er quietly reported to Nangong Yue the new news she had inquired about: "Miss Third, Eldest Uncle(gu laoye) has now woken up. I heard that he was beaten yesterday, it was ... because of a prostitute." Que'er is just an eleven year old girl, talking about this matter, she couldn't help but bashfully blush in her little face.

Nangong Yue could not help but laugh indifferently, Thinking that the Bai Family was also once comparable to the Nangong Fu's family. Old Bai Master and Grandfather Nangong Hao were good friends and had arranged the marriage of their children long before the birth of eldest Gumu. But after the change of dynasty, Old Master Bai died early and his children and grandchildren were not virtuous. In just a few years, Bai family has already fallen into a state of decline. Now they are acting even more unruly, actually fighting over a female prostitute to the point of bloodshed which is laughable if it's spread out!

With this family style in the Bai family, it is no wonder that the Eldest Gumu left the Bai family without any attachment after the death of Eldest Gufu ...

After taking her breakfast, Nangong Yue went to meet her brother Nangong Xin and together they went to Rong'antang to pay their respects to Su Shi.

Now, although Su Shi still dislikes Nangong Xin, she is more and more satisfied with Nangong Yue.

Somehow, this Third Granddaughter has been transformed into a new person. Not only has she acted in a measured manner and knows how to advance and retreat, she has even won Empress Niangniang's favor. If she can be nurtured and married well, she will definitely bring a lot of help to the whole family!

Nangong Yue and Nangong Xin sat aside after paying their respects. Soon, one after another, people came to pay their respects to Su Shi.

Su Qingping came a little late. Nangong Yue keenly noticed that the heavy shadows under Su Qingping's eyes could not be covered even by powder and looking at her haggard appearance, she must have not slept well last night. It was obvious that the marriage introduced by Zhao Shi yesterday was a big blow to Su Qingping.

If Su Qingping is not satisfied with the marriage introduced by Zhao Shi, then she will definitely do something about it!

Nangong Yue lowered her eyes, carefully hiding the sharpness in her eyes, and secretly said: No matter who Su Qingping's target is, as long as it was not her father, otherwise, she would not blame her for being merciless.

Su Qingping was very worried and didn't pay attention to others. She just thought about how Liu Rong's affairs were going... until Liu Rong sneaked back behind her, winked at her, and Su Qingping let go. Heart comes. Early in the morning, she wrote a note for Liu Rong to bring to Nangong Cheng's young man. It seemed that this was done.

Su Qingping was so preoccupied that she didn't even notice the others, her heart only thinking that she didn't know how well... Liurong's matter had been done until Liurong sneaked back behind her and gave her a wink, and only then did Su Qingping put her mind at ease. First thing in the morning, she wrote a letter asking Liurong to send it to Nangong Cheng's young man, it seems that this is done.

In the late afternoon, Su Qingping went to the ancestral hall with her maid Liu Rong. The ancestral hall of the Nangong Mansion is located in the northeast corner of the house, in a rather remote location. Unless it is a day for ancestor worship, few people come here on weekdays, and the surrounding area is very quiet, with only the maids and pozis coming over to clean it regularly.

The April spring breeze on her cheek was not too cold, not too hot, warm and comfortable.

Su Qingping looked at the handkerchief in her hand. The plain white handkerchief was embroidered with pink peach blossoms which were blooming beautifully, making her heart flutter. She had sent a note this morning asking Nangong Cheng to meet her here, would he come? Will this peach blossom relationship of hers come to fruition so that she can get rid of the unworthy marriage introduced by Zhao Shi?

Thinking back to the few times she had met Nangong Cheng and the way he looked at her, she could be sure that Nangong Cheng was interested in her. Then he would definitely come to her appointment. As long as she took care of Nangong Cheng and became his rightful wife, she would be rich and prosperous in no time!

Thinking of this, the desire for wealth and power grew like a weed in Su Qingping's heart.

Just then, a light footstep came over.

"Eldest Miss." Liurong tugged nervously on Su Qingping's sleeve, "The Fourth Master is here."

Su Qingping's beautiful eyes looked around only to saw Nangong Cheng wearing a white robe with a wide belt tied around his waist and a wide sleeve tunic of dark green walking silver threads, walking far away with his sleeves fluttering, and in a short while he walked in front of Su Qingping.

Liu Rong had the good sense to go and watch out for them.

"Cousin Cheng ...," Su Qingping timidly called out. She lifted her small palm-sized face, her pearly white face, with a pair of eyes like black grapes in the early morning spring mist, both glistening and alluring. "Will you look down on me?" Saying that the eyes seemed to be overflowing with tears, as if they were about to fall at any moment. "So shamelessly take the initiative to ask you to a meeting."

Nangong Cheng is used to being flirtatious and amorous, and he has long been in love with Su Qingping. When he saw her in this state, he naturally felt great pity for her. "How could it be? Elder Brother is flattered that Biaomei has asked her elder brother out."

Su Qingping heard what he said, her eyes welled up with emotion and she said, "Ever since I met cousin Cheng, Ping'er has found herself thinking about him all the time, so much so that she can't think about her food or drinks, that's why she had the audacity to ask cousin Cheng to meet her today, regardless of the face of a girl."

On hearing this, Nangong Cheng was pleased with himself. Su Qingping was the niece of his Di mother, yet she was deeply in love with him and he was really charming.

"Ping'er knows that cousin Cheng comes from a Noble family and with Ping'er's current status she is not worthy of cousin ..." said Su Qingping, her eyes flushed a little red.

"Biaomei!" Nangong Cheng boldly stepped forward to hold Su Qingping's slender hand, only to feel that the hand was soft and boneless, tender and delicate, and could not help but be distracted. "What is worthy, what is not worthy, I am only a concubine's son ..."

"Cousin Cheng must not be presumptuous, in Ping's mind, cousin is the most outstanding great husband, no one can match ..." Su Qingping's hand lightly covered Nangong Cheng's mouth

Nangong Cheng was so moved that as his mouth opened, he wrapped his fingers around Su Qingping's fragile white fingers.

Su Qingping looked flustered and withdrew her hand and hurriedly stepped backwards, but unexpectedly there was a protruding rock behind her, and with one unsteady step, her delicate body involuntarily fell backwards.

Seeing this, Nangong Cheng took a big step forward and hugged her in a warm and soft embrace.

"Good fragrance!" He buried his head in Su Qingping's neck and inhaled deeply.

Su Qingping was pleased with herself: For today's date, she had specially put on a special rose perfume, but no man would be unmoved if he came near her. She thought this in her heart, but her face did not show, her body struggled to break free from Nangong Cheng's arms, her mouth said: "Cousin Cheng, don't be like this, I am not such a casual woman ..." the tone of her voice revealed a hint of crying.

Note:

Gu laoye- Son-In-Law of the Household

Gufu- Father's sister's husband

Biaomei- cousin younger sister

Chapter 55 play tricks as ghosts

Nangong Cheng hurriedly calmed her down and said softly, "It's all my fault, Ping'er, in my heart, you are the most innocent and pure girl in this world, no one can compare to you!"

Su Qingping lifted her head, her snow-white face flushed with a faint blush, as if she had smeared a layer of rouge, and her eyes and eyebrows exuded endless affection, seducing the soul.

Nangong Cheng caressed her bare cheeks, lifted her lower chin and kissed her delicate red lips.

"No, no, not like this ..." Su Qingping twisted and struggled up, but her hands were soft and boneless against Nangong Cheng's chest, seemingly welcoming and refusing, a weak and feeble look.

Just then, a somewhat familiar scream reached the two people' ears like a thunderclap:

"Ah, my paper kite! My paper kite!"

The lovers were startled and looked up to see a lifelike eagle paper kite flying over from the other side of the wall and landing right at their feet with a loud bang. The two men hurriedly separated.

Then, a teenage boy wearing blue clothes popped out of the wall and leaned over it, waving vigorously to them, "That's my paper kite." With that, he jumped down from the wall agilely and ran "stomping" to pick up the eagle paper kite from the ground; as if he was afraid someone would grab it.

"Xin Ge'er, what are you doing here?" Nangong Cheng asked in a slight panic, but quickly calmed down again and acted like an elder.

Nangong Xin took his eagle paper kite and turned it over and over a few times before replying, "Fourth uncle, I'm flying a paper kite." With saying that, he raised the eagle paper kite in his hand and tilted his head to look at Nangong Cheng and then at Su Qingping.

"Fourth uncle, Ping Biaogu, what are you playing here? Why are Ping Biaogu's eyes red and her mouth swollen?"

This fool only knows how to play! A flash of contempt passed through Nangong Cheng's eyes as he casually said perfunctorily, "Oh, we're not playing anything, it's just that your Ping Biaogu got sand in her eyes and I was helping her blow it out. She's fine now."

"So, I thought you were playing the Big Bad Wolf and the Little White Rabbit game. I have heard that bunnies have red eyes ..."

As Nangong Xin was talking, a maid's shout came from outside the wall, "Second Young Master! Second Young Master, have you picked up the paper kite?"

"Qingya, I picked it up!" Nangong Xin took the eagle paper kite and immediately walked away. Of course this time, he walked properly through the courtyard gate and didn't climb the wall again.

Looking at Nangong Xin's distant back, Su Qingping's expression tightened and she asked anxiously, "He, will he go out and talk nonsense?"

"Say what?" Nangong Cheng frivolously picked up Su Qingping's chin with his finger, "Saying that we kissed together? A fool's words, who would believe it? Besides, if he really said it, wouldn't that be just perfect, I could ask my mother to marry you, wouldn't it be beautiful?"

Although Nangong Cheng said it lightly, it did not make Su Qingping feel at ease. She thought to herself, "Even if Nangong Cheng's words were true and she did get married like that, her reputation would be tarnished and she wouldn't be able to hold her head up in front of her sisters-in-law!

It seems that this matter is not possible to rely on Nangong Cheng, but i have to find a way to solve this hidden problem myself.

Su Qingping's face was slightly red, looking like a blushing, soft and delicate woman. But she hid the ruthlessness in her eyes with her half-lidded curtains, secretly saying: "If people don't do it for themselves, they will be destroyed. This is all because that fool brought this on himself!

In the distance, Nangong Xin was still unaware that he was being targeted, and suddenly sneezed loudly, causing his maid Qing Ya to feel worried: "Second Young Master, you're not catching a cold, are you?"

"No! I'm not!"

"..."

That evening, after taking his evening meal, Nangong Xin went to the garden as usual to digest his food.

By this time, the sky was completely dark and a silver crescent moon hung high in the night. Qingya scowled, feeling a little chilled by the evening breeze in the garden.

"Second Young Master, we've been out for a while, isn't it time to go back?" Qing Ya carried the lantern and suggested to Nangong Xin with a gentle smile.

Nangong Xin touched his already bulged little belly and nodded in response, "Yes, Sister Qingya, my belly is no longer bloated."

"Then the slave servant will lead the way for the Second Young Master in front of you, please walk carefully and don't bump into anything." Qing Ya instructed in a soft voice.

"I know, I know." Nangong Xin puffed up his pink moist lips, "I'm not a three year old, I won't fall!"

Qing Ya laughed softly, "It's the slave servant's fault, and our second young master is already an adult."

"Yes, yes, I've grown up." Nangong Xin walked with his head up and chest out.

Qingya joked a little more and continued to lead the way for Nangong Xin.

When the two of them reached the garden, Qingya suddenly stopped, raised the lantern in her hand a little higher and shouted into the distance, "Who is there?"

In response she was greeted by a few sounds similar to the fluttering of wings.

Qingya breathed a sigh of relief, "So it was a bird, I was scared to death." But in her heart she thought, "No one seems to have birds in the house, did they fly in from outside? But it was so late at night? ...

"Sister Qingya has such a timid, shy face." Nangong Xin used the index finger of his right hand to lightly scrape his own cheek, teasing Qingya.

QingYa also felt a little embarrassed and smiled, "It's the slave servant who made a fuss."

No sooner had the words been spoken than the sound of a crisp bell was heard.

"Jingle, jingle!"

As if approaching the enemy, Qing Ya yelled nervously, "Who is it?! Come out..."

Before she could finish his words, a white shadow flashed and a miserable white human face suddenly leapt out from behind the flowers and suddenly appeared in front of Nangong Xin and Qing Ya.

White clothes fluttered in the night breeze, and the ghastly white human face had blackened eyes in which two lines of shocking tears of blood flowed, while the blood-red mouth made eerie gurgling sounds, and a blood-red tongue stretched out long and straight down to the neck ...

"Ah, a ghost! There's a ghost!" Nangong Xin was so frightened that his face turned white and he screamed miserably, his eyes rolled over and he fell to the ground with a bang.

" Ah, ah ..." Qingya also looked terrified and screamed, the lantern in her hand fell to the ground with a snap and was instantly engulfed by the candle flame, while her body fell limply to the ground and she fell unconscious.

The screams of the two attracted the attention of the maids and pozis nearby, and messy footsteps came from all directions, but when they arrived, all they could see was Nangong Xin and Qing Ya collapsing in the garden under the dim lantern light...

Don't know who call out the first, "Second Young Master, its Second Young Master!"

"Second Young Master has fainted!"

"Quickly lift the Second Young Master up!"

"I'll go and report to the Second Master and Second Furen!"

"..."

Chapter 56 Enquiry

"Pop", the white teacup fell to the ground with a crisp ringing sound.

"Xin Ge'er has fainted?" Lin Shi couldn't believe her ears, her body was shaking and she was about to faint, "Xin Ge'er, my Xin Ge'er..."

Liu Mama held Lin Shi's hand and quickly reassured her: "Second Furen, don't worry, the Second Young Master is lucky, he will be fine."

"Where is my brother now?" Nangong Yue clenched her fist, and she coldly looked at the Pozi who had come to report the news. Brother had just finished his meal and went out to digest, in just a short time, how could something happen?

That Pozi trembled and said: "just carried into the courtyard ..." When she thought of the appearance of the Second Young Master she just saw, her heart was suddenly beating non-stop. Last time the second young master drowned which led Yun Niang and Zuan Bi were sold. If the Second Young Master really had any accident this time, I do not know who will be implicated in this Mansion?

"Xin Ge'er, Xin Ge'er..." Lin Shi stumbles towards the outside and the maid Ruyi is carefully holding her from the other side.

Although Nangong Yue's heart is also anxious, there are some things she still wants to ask more clearly: "What about Qingya, where is she? Isn't she supposed to be with brother?"

"Qing Ya girl also fainted, and still hasn't woken up yet." The Pozi was hurriedly added.

"Xin Ge'er!" Lin Shi's heartbreaking cries heard from outside, Nangong Yue could not help but feel a tight heart, quickly step out of the room and then there was a buzzing in the brain.

She saw that Nangong Xin was being carried by four burly Pozis, he obviously lost consciousness, his body was limp, his eyes were tightly closed and his face was bloodless.

Nangong Yue's heart felt like it hurt like pins and needles, her hands clenched into fists, her nails pinched deep into her skin.

"Quickly, carry the Second Young Master to the room." Liu Mama ordered in a loud voice, "Quickly, go get the doctor and send someone to inform the Second Master!"

The maids carried Nangong Xin into his room together and Lin Shi cried out as she followed. One of the other two maids answered and went to ask the doctor, while the other hurriedly ran out of the Shallow Cloud Courtyard to find the Second Master in the outer courtyard study.

"You ..." Liu Mama pointed to a small maid and said, "Go and see how Qing Ya is doing and come report immediately when she wakes up!"

That little maid hurriedly replied and went away.

Nangong Yue looked at Liu Mama's command, nodded praise in her heart, then instructed Que'er a few words and stepped into the room.

Nangong Xin was lying on the bed, still unconscious and not waking up. Lin Shi is sitting by the bedside sadly calling his name: "Xin Ge'er, Xin Ge'er..."

"Brother!" Nangong Yue went to the bedside, her heart was sour and muddy, her eyes were even wet.

She reached out to take Nangong Xin's pulse, pondered for a moment, took out the purse containing silver needles and said, "Mother, why don't I give acupuncture to my brother to move his qi?"

"No!" Lin Shi cried, her eyes widened in disapproval and she said with a slight agitation, "Yue Jie'er, It won't do. Giving an acupuncture treatment is no joke. If the needle is inserted down, that is the slightest difference leads to a huge error. After all, you have not studied medicine for a long time, it is better to wait for the doctor to come." If there is any accident, then both of her children will be ruined.

At this time, Nangong Mu walked in with big steps. "How is Xin Ge'er?"

"My brother is not awake yet, and I am thinking of giving acupuncture treatment for him to move his qi."

"Yue Jie'er, be a good girl, if you want to practice acupuncture, wait for some more time. it's better to leave your brother's matter to the doctor." Nangong Mu smiled but had a tone of coaxing a child, making Nangong Yue cry and laugh, she sighed and had to withdraw the silver needle. After all, it was because she was too young and her father and mother still did not have enough confidence in her medical skills. It seemed that she had to wait for the doctor to come and see what happened.

At that moment, a maid hurriedly ran in. "Second Master, Second Furen, Miss Third, Sister Qingya has woken up."

"Then I shall go and check it out." Nangong Yue hurriedly said. Anyway, she couldn't apply needles to her brother for the time being, so she might as well go and ask Qing Ya what had happened first.

Nangong Yue quickly stepped out of the room and turned to Qing Ya's room.

Qing Ya was lying on the bed with a pale face, and when she saw Nangong Yue enter, she struggled to get up and salute.

"Qingya, just lie down and talk about it." Nangong Yue asked solemnly, "What happened today when you accompanied Big Brother to digest food?"

Qing Ya still insisted on sitting up to answer back, "Many thanks, Miss Third." Saying that, she showed a frightened look on her face, but still tried to recall the incident of them bumping into the ghost in the garden and said carefully, finally her pretty face was ghastly white, "That ghost face suddenly appeared and scared the slave girl on the spot ..."

Ghosts! The more Nangong Yue listened, the more ugly her face became. This is clearly someone purposely pretending to be a ghost and this person deliberately targeting my brother? Then who exactly has the brother offended?

"Miss Third," Qing Ya looked at her timidly and asked, "Is the Second Young Master alright? It's this servant's fault for being too timid ..." she said, worried and blaming herself.

"My brother will be fine." Nangong Yue said coldly, then her tone slowed down, "You rest well." After saying that, she walked briskly out of Qing Ya's room.

At that moment, Que'er led a dry and thin Pozi towards Nangong Yue in a hurry.

"Miss Third ..." Que'er bowed to Nangong Yue and introduced the Pozi, "Miss Third, this is Ning Pozi. Tonight she happened to be on night patrol at that end of the garden's back door. She just saw a figure, threw something and disappeared in the blink of an eye."

Nangong Yue looked at Ning Pozi and asked, "Did you see what that person looked like? What did he throw?"

Ning Pozi is nearly fifty years old and she seems to be very shrewd with her eyebrows. She first bowed to Nangong Yue, followed by a respectful reply: "That person ran too fast, Nubi did not see clearly, but found something and Nubi brought it." She said she presented a blue package, and said, "This thing looks creepy, Nubi purposely found a piece of cloth wrapped up. Miss Third should not look at it, so as not to be frightened."

"Don't worry, I won't be frightened." Nangong Yue gestured to Que'er to open the baggage. Que'er immediately understood, took the bag and opened it three times, revealing a white dress and a tragic white ghost face mask wrapped in it.

The people present saw, all sucked in a cold breath, only to see that the ghost face mask dug two black ghostly eye holes, under the eye holes painted with bloody tears of blood, bright red tongue stretched long.

Nangong Yue took one look at the ghost mask and then focused on the white dress, the stitching was crooked and not fine, the person who made this dress was probably either deliberate or in a hurry because there was not enough time to make it. That means it wasn't planned for a long time, it was most likely a sudden decision made today.

Nangong Yue rubbed the white clothes with her fingers, then suddenly her heart stirred, the fabric was like...

A thoughtful expression appeared on her face.

Chapter 57 - The Nightmare

Nangong Yue retracted her hand and told Que'er: "Take it and show Qingya to see..."

"Yes." Que'er gave bow and hurried to Qingya's house.

Nangong Yue said to Yimei: "Yimei, reward Ning Pozi with two taels of silver." Immediately, Yimei stuffed two piece of silver money to Ning Pozi.

Ning Pozi happily took it and thanked the reward, "Thank the Miss Third. Thank the Miss Third for the reward."

"If you find anything else, report back immediately."

"Yes, yes." Ning Pozi responded quickly, bowed and excused herself.

At this time, Que'er came back with the bundle. "Miss Third, QingYa said that this is what she saw."

Nangong Yue nodded, "Okay I know, you put this away. Let's go see brother first." Saying that, she walked towards Nangong Xin's room.

When she returned to the door of Nangong Xin's room again, Liu mama was guarding the door. When she saw Nangong Yue, she was busy welcoming her and said worriedly, "Miss Third, the doctor is here and is applying needles to the Second Young Master."

Nangong Yue nodded, and after a worried glance she went to the next room and waited.

The waiting time was always so hard, she was almost sitting on her feet ... and didn't know how long it took before she finally heard movement from Nangong Xin's room and someone pushed the door out.

"Doctor, how is the younger son?" It was Nangong Mu's voice, the usual leisurely manner was no longer there, only the worry of as a father remained.

"He will wake up in a while, but ..." the doctor said hesitantly.

"Doctor can says straight away there is no defense."

"Your son's illness is caused by fright, it is possible that he will be cured when he wakes up. There is also a possibility that ..." the doctor paused and told the truth, "he may be caught up in a nightmare because of excessive fear and cannot extricate himself."

"How is this good?" Nangong Mu asked again anxiously.

"Ai, heart disease needs heart medicine, if this really happens, we need to rely on the family to care more and let him come out of his fear early." The doctor sighed, "I will prescribe a pair of tranquilizer soup later, take them first."

"Good, good, this way please, doctor." Nangong Mu hurriedly said.

The sound of their footsteps faded away, and Nangong Yue came out from the second room and entered Nangong Xin's room, just in time to hear her mother's surprised voice ringing out.

"Xin Ge'er, Xin Ge'er, you are awake."

Brother is awake! Nangong Yue's heart rose to her throat and subconsciously quickened her steps.

"Mother, mother ..." Nangong Xin weakly shouted.

Nangong Yue's heart is happy, brother called mother, that means brother recognized mother, does it mean brother is okay?

She walked with anticipation to Nangong Xin's bed, but fell into an ice kiln.

Only to see that at this time, Nangong Xin wrapped himself into a cocoon with quilts, shrinking in the innermost corner of the bed, face in shock, eyes dull, it is obvious that Lin Shi is in front of him, but he did not see, as if he had not seen and repeatedly calling mother ... a more mournful than a cry.

"Mother is here, mother is here ..." Lin's heart was breaking, jumped up and hugged Nangong Xin tightly, "Xin Ge'er, don't be afraid, mother is here, no one dares to bully you!"

But Lin Shi's embrace did not awaken Nangong Xin. Nangong Xin was hitting and kicking at Lin Shi, immersed in his own world, shouting: "Ghost, ghost, let go of me! Mother, save me! Save me!"

Lin Shi's face was sad, even though she was pained by Nangong Xin's beatings, she still clung to him and refused to let go, her face already brimming with tears: "Xin Ge'er, Xin Ge'er, it's mother, mother is here."

This scene caused Nangong Yue simply heartbroken to death, before her eyes could not help but to float a scene from a previous life: Previous life, after the death of her brother drowned, her mother was also holding her brother's corpse, crying more than tears, grief was overwhelming ... then gradually became insane, the disease of epilepsy increasingly aggravated, and finally fell into madness.

In the blink of an eye, her own once happy family was destroyed!

"Brother! We're here! There are no ghosts here!" Nangong Yue also padded over to her mother and brother, calling out sadly.

But Nangong Xin was still immersed in his own world, shouting "Ghosts, ghosts!" Then he kicked Lin Shi heavily.

Lin Shi let out a cry of pain and her whole body fell backwards. Nangong Yue hurriedly held her up and looked at Lin Shi nervously, "Mother, are you all right?"

At that moment, Nangong Mu returned and asked urgently, "What's wrong? Is Xin Ge'er has woken up?"

"Brother is awake, but he can't recognise me or Mother." Nangong Yue's eyes were as red as if she was a rabbit, and her lips were trembling slightly.

Nangong Mu frowned at Nangong Xin and called out repeatedly, "Xin Ge'er, Xin Ge'er..."

But Nangong Xin did not even raise his head, his body shrunk into a ball, his face buried in his knees, trembling uncontrollably.

"Father, mother, why don't you let me give acupuncture for brother!" Nangong Yue requested once more.

Nangong Mu turned his head to look at Nangong Yue and said gently, "Yue Jie'er, don't worry. The doctor has already prescribed a tranquilizing medicine, so when your brother drinks it and wakes up after a good sleep, he will be fine." His demeanor was certain and his tone was resolute, as if, as he said, Nangong Xin was not in any serious trouble.

Nangong Yue was stunned, she just heard what the doctor said to Nangong Mu, which is not such an understatement ... she glanced at Lin, became silent and said to herself: look at it again, it is possible that tomorrow brother really will be well.

At this time, only to hear Nangong Mu ask again, "Yue Jie'er, you just went to see QingYa, what did she say?"

Nangong Yue then said what QingYa had said, as well as the ghost mask and white clothes that Ning Pozi had just sent to her, without hiding anything.

Lin Shi was almost furious at her words and said in a trembling voice, "Who on earth would want to harm my Xin Ge'er like this!" She said, "Blame me for not being able to protect Xin Ge'er and letting someone do this to him!"

Nangong Mu hurriedly said warmly to comfort Lin Shi: "Ruo Yan, you are not to blame for this matter. It's the culprit who is evil-minded and refuses to spare even such a pure-hearted child as Xin Ge'er. Don't worry, I will definitely catch the culprit and Xin Ge'er will be fine." He turned to Nangong Yue and said, "Yue Jie'er, the time is late, you go back to rest."

Lin Shi immediately shifted her attention again and said, "Your father is right, Yue Jie'er, go back to rest first, there is mother here, don't worry."

Nangong Yue shook her head, "It's better to wait for brother to take the tranquilizing soup, then I'll go and rest."

"Alright then." Lin Shi nodded her head and agreed.

In this way, Nangong Yue waited until the Tranquilizer Decoction came, coaxing Nangong Xin to drink and sleep, and then she dragged her tired body out of Qianyun yuan and returned to Mozhu yuan.

This night, Nangong yue naturally failed to sleep well, and got up before the sky was light. After washing up under the service of several maids, and after breakfast, she hurriedly went to Qianyun yuan to visit Nangong xin.

Chapter 58 No Mercy

The atmosphere in the Qianyun Courtyard is heavy. The air is heavy and depressing as if on the eve of a storm.

The maids and Pozis were all in a hurry with sullen faces and no one dared to be playful and loud at this time.

Last night, the Second Young Master and Qingya encountered a ghost in the garden. When the Second Young Master was awake, he was speaking nonsense. After taking the tranquilizing soup, he still had woken up yet. Maybe the Second Young Master soul was hooked by the ghost. Thinking about it all makes people feel shiver inside...

Nangong Yue absorbed the strange atmosphere in the Qianyun Courtyard in her eyes and went straight to Nangong Xin's room, where she coincidentally met Liu Mama at the door, followed by a small maid carrying a food box behind her.

"Greetings Miss Third." The little maid hurriedly followed Liu Mama and saluted together.

Nangong Yue nodded and said: "Please do not salute." Then she hurriedly asked, "Liu mama, how is the Elder Brother's condition now?"

"He took a tranquilizing soup last night and has not woken up yet." Liu mama said with a sad face and sighed, "Miss Third, the Second Furen has been taking care of the Second Young Master and she barely slept last night. Later you can help to persuade her; in any case, we also need to take care of their bodies."

Nangong Yue answered and carefully pushed the door open, keeping her footsteps light.

In the room, Lin Shi is still guarding at Nangong Xin's bedside, her eyes fondly watching her beloved son, her hands are holding his left hand tightly, refusing to let go.

"Mother" Nangong Yue called out softly.

Lin Shi looked back, just this one night, she looked like she had aged several years, her face was dull and haggard, her eyes were swollen and red.

Nangong Yue was very distressed when she saw this and hurriedly went forward: "Mother, why don't you take good care of your body? If you are like this, when brother wakes up and sees you, don't know how hard it will be!"

"I'm fine." Lin Shi pulled out a hard smile and looked at Nangong Xin heartily, "I hope that when your brother wakes up, the first person he will see is me so that he won't be afraid!"

Nangong Yue sighed in her heart and said, "Where is Father? He also didn't persuade you to behave."

Lin Shi said quickly: "Your Father advised me, but I was too worried to sleep ... He also stayed here all night. Just now something happened in the front yard and he is called away."

"Father also did not sleep all night?" Nangong Yue couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Your Father was also worried about your brother and insisted on refusing to leave." Lin Shi sighed: "I persuaded him for a long time and he finally slept on the couch for two hours."

Nangong Yue's expression became very serious: "Mother, please listen to Yue'er's words."

Lin Shi looked slightly stunned: "Yue'er, what's wrong?"

"You and Father cannot do like this. You both need to go to rest after a while and can't stay awake all day and night without any rest like this. First of all, your body will not be able to stand it. If the news reaches Grandmother's ears, she may also blame you and brother."

Lin Shi was startled by the words as if enlightened by a sudden awakening.

Yes, if this news was reached her Mother-in-law. Although it is justifiable that is because of the affection of the son, but I failed to persuade my husband to go back to his room to rest, but it is not the way to be a wife. Mother-in-law has always been unhappy with me, and probably will be even angrier with myself and Xin Ge'er.

Even if it's not for myself, but her Xin Ge'er must not be disliked by his Grandmother anymore!

Having thought of this, Lin Shi's face revealed a look of determination. " Yue Jie'er, don't worry, Mother knows what to do."

At that moment, Ruyi came in just in time to report, "Second Furen, Miss Third, Wang mama is here."

Wang Mama was naturally sent by Su Shi.

Lin Shi said hurriedly, "Ruyi invite Wang mama to come in."

Wang Mama walked in with a small maid with a serious expression, after bowing to Lin Shi and Nangong Yue first, she said straightforwardly: "Second Furen, Old Furen heard about the Second Young Master and especially sent an old slave to visit the Second Young Master. By the way, to inform Second Furen that Second Furen has worked hard to take care of Second Young Master. When the Second Young Master is well enough, it would not be too late to go to Rong'antang again to pay respect." Then she asked with a concerned face, "I wonder if the Second Young Master is well now? Is it possible for the old slave to have a look?"

"Brother is still asleep, this way please, Wang Mama." Nangong Yue guided Wang Mama to the bedside.

Wang Mama took a glance, only to see that Nangong Xin's face was pale, even if he was unconscious, he still had a tight frown, obviously deep in a nightmare. She hurriedly withdrew her eyes and sighed in her heart: Second Young Master was also considered to have a difficult fate. He fell off a rockery at the age of five and became a fool, and not long ago fell into the water. And this time it had happened again ... not knowing if he could pull through.

"Old slave has brought the message, this will go back to report to the old Furen." Wang Mama said as she bowed and turned to leave.

"Wang Mama," Nangong Yue called out to her, "I am on my way to pay my respects to my grandmother, why don't go with Mama?"

Wang Mama naturally nodded in response, " Miss Third, please."

After bidding farewell to Lin Shi, Nangong Yue took Yimei with her and followed Wang Mama out of the Shallow Cloud Courtyard to Rong'antang.

At this moment in Rong'antang, not only Su shi is there, but also Zhao Shi, Nangong Zheng, Nangong Yan, Nangong Lin, and Su Qingping, who have come to pay their respects. The news of Nangong Xin's encounter with the ghost last night had spread to the whole Mansion. Zhao Shi and the others were all worried. Only Nangong Lin had a touch of gloating in her eyes. Grandmother severely punished her mother because of her Second Aunt. But now Second Aunt had finally got her comeuppance. Even the ghosts knew to help her mother out!

Nangong Yue respectfully bowed to Su Shi: "Granddaughter pays respects to Grandmother."

Su Shi raised her hand and said, "Don't salute." Seeing Nangong Yue get up, she then asked, "How is Xin Ge'er now? I heard that your parents did not close their eyes all night to take care of Xin Ge'er?" The tone of her voice revealed a hint of displeasure.

"Back to Grandmother, the Doctor said that my brother was frightened and had a nightmare. Brother took a tranquilizing soup last night and has not woken up yet." Nangong Yue respectfully replied, "My mother was so worried about my brother's accident that she did not close her eyes all night. Father was worried about my brother and wanted to stay with him. My mother could not resist my father, so she persuaded him to stay on the couch for the night."

Su Shi's face finally eased up a little: "What happened yesterday that made the whole Mansion alarmed?" The tone of her words was vaguely displeased as if she blaming them for making a fuss.

"I was just about to report to my Grandmother. Granddaughter already asked what happened from Qing Ya last night." Nangong Yue eloquently told the story: "Last night, my brother and Qing Ya were walking in the garden to spend time for digestion. Suddenly a sound of bells lured them over, and then a white shadow appeared from behind the flowers, with a ghastly face, just like a life-threatening ghost, which scared the brother and Qingya unconscious."

"That's enough!" Su Shi reprimanded unhappily, "What kind of life-seeking evil spirit? You mean our Mansion is still haunted, isn't it? I think it's obvious that Xin Ge'er is too timid and has scared himself! He talks nonsense words. You don't follow him and make a disturbance!"

Nangong Yue could not help but sneer in her heart. Listening to her Grandmother's tone, when something happens, the first thing she worries about is not her grandchildren's safety, but the scandal of the Mansion being haunted!

Unfortunately, even if their grandmother is unkind, their children and grandchildren cannot be unfilial!

Chapter 59:More conspicuous

*trying to hide it makes it more conspicuous (idiom); A cover up only makes matters worse.

"Grandmother is right, naturally the Mansion is not haunted, what is haunted are 'people's 'hearts'!" Nangong Yue said aloud: "At first, granddaughter thought that my brother was mistaken, but it wasn't until Ning Pozi in the Mansion presented an object that granddaughter was sure that it was someone pretending to be a ghost!

"What is it?" Su Shi asked in a cold voice.

"A ghost mask and a white coat were thrown down in haste last night by the person who pretended to be a ghost when he escaped to the back door of the garden because he was bumped into by Ning Pozi. Granddaughter has brought it with her." Nangong Yue took a blue bundle from Yi Mei's hand and presented it with both hands.

The eyes of the crowd were instantly focused on that bundle, their gazes shining as they all thought to themselves: could it be that someone really pretended to be a ghost to scare people?

"Bring it to me and let me see." Su Shi said in a deep voice.

"Auntie, no!" Su Qingping said with a worried look on her face, "Such a filthy thing should not defile your old lady's eyes."

"Ping Biaogu's words are wrong." Nangong Yue said with a straight face: "The real filth is in the hearts of the people. Yesterday, that man pretending to be a ghost scared my elder brother. If we don't investigate this and find that person out, I don't know who else will be killed tomorrow!"

She said, without waiting for Su Shi's reply, she decisively opened the bag ... Even though everyone was prepared, they couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air at the sight. The ghost mask was so hideous that it was already creepy in the daytime, not to mention at night!

"Ah ..." Nangong Lin even screamed half in terror, the latter half being muffled by her own tightly clasped hands.

Su Shi's eyes clouded over, still not saying anything.

Nangong Yue was not in a hurry and continued unhurriedly: "Grandmother, Granddaughter looked closely at the mask last night and could not see anything special about it. Only this white robe, granddaughter, thinks that the fabric is Songjiang fine cloth." Nangong Yue's words were like a drop of water in a hot frying pan, causing a clatter.

Su Shi's brow almost knitted into a twist at her words. The Songjiang fine cloth was a new fabric introduced by the Jinxiu Cloth House only in the last year. This fabric is produced in small quantities and can be said to be in excess of demand. In the past days, the Nangong House was in mourning in its old mansion and showed itself in a low profile, so it never imported this fabric at , after entering the capital this time, someone showed goodwill to the Nangong House and sent a few pieces of cloth. It is hard to believe that this haunting is still related to the master of the house?

Then no matter who we find out it is, it's a big joke!

If word gets out, I'm afraid it will become the laughing stock of the entire royal capital!

Su Shi's eyes were gloomy and uncertain, her right hand gripping the armrest of her circle chair tightly.

This fabric is... Su Qingping's eyes flashed and she said with a curious look on her face: "I see nothing special about this fabric; it's just ordinary white cloth. How did Yue Jie'er decide that it was Songjiang fine cloth?"

Nangong Yue picked up the white robe and said, "As we all know, although Songjiang fine cloth looks like ordinary fine cloth, it has one characteristic, that is, when it meets water, it becomes more snug and soft and absorbs sweat. There are not many pieces of this cloth in the Mansion, Wang Mama, am I right?"

"Yes, Miss Third." Wang Mama hurriedly said, ""If this old slave remembers correctly, each of the three Furens in the Mansion got one piece. Eldest Miss and Su Biao guniang got one piece each."

Zhao Shi nodded slightly, "That is indeed true."

When Su Qingping heard this, she was astonished and said nervously, "I, I also have..." and then she suddenly blushed: "Yes, I remember. Aunt had sent someone to deliver over a fine white cloth... but my eyes are too clumsy to recognize the gold and jade, and I have let the pearl fall into the dust." Speaking later, she lowered her head in shame, revealing her slender white neck, but there was a flash of obscurity in her eyes. So that was Songjiang fine cloth, the subordinate who delivered it for Aunt did not remind me, so i made a joke of myself!

Nangong Lin was furious in her heart: As the proper young lady of Nangong Mansion, she had not been able to get it. But a poor relative like Su Qingping, who had no vision, had got it. Grandmother's heart is so biased! Surely it was her mother who was best for her!

Su Qingping's heart turned to relief and her eyes darted around and she had an idea. She suddenly said to her maid, Liurong: "Liurong, go and fetch my Songjiang fine cloth for the Third guniang to see."

"Yes, Eldest Miss." Liurong led the way and went away. Su Qingping lived in the side courtyard of Rong'antang, not far away, and in a short while, Liurong brought a white cloth in her arms.

At Nangong Yue's gesture, Yi Mei went up to look at it and returned, " Miss Third, it is indeed Songjiang fine cloth."

Su Qingping couldn't help but hook the corners of her mouth, a glint of smugness flashing in her eyes.

Nangong Yue saw all this in her eyes and her heart sank: In accordance with reason, Su Shi has not yet made a statement, Su Qingping doesn't need not be so eager to show her innocence at all, but she has done so. From what I know about this woman, Su Qingping never does anything useless, could it be that...

Nangong Lin's gaze fell on Su Qingping's cloth, Thinking that I had a clear conscience anyway, she simply stepped forward and said: "Third jiejie, my mother has already given me her Songjiang fine clothes to make my inner garments. The scraps of fabric are still there, so I'll send Xing Yu to fetch them." She gave a wink to her maid, Xing Yu, who immediately responded and went away.

"Please trouble fourth meimei." Nangong Yue bowed her body, and said to Yimei, "Yimei, go and fetch my mother's fine Songjiang cloth as well ..."

"That won't be necessary." Zhao Shi interrupted Nangong Yue, "And how would second sister-in-law go about harming Xin Ge'er!"

But Nangong Yue still insisted on her own opinion: "Eldest Bomu, my mother naturally would not harm Xin Ge'er, but niece is also afraid that there are internal thieves. It's better to check the evidence one by one." Yimei hurriedly took orders and went away.

The situation had come to this point and Zhao Shi could not help but frown. If she didn't take a stance now, it would be as if she was acting with a guilty conscience, so she said to Ying Mama: "Ying Mama, go and fetch the Songjiang fine cloth of Zheng Jie'er and mine."

"Yes, Eldest Furen." Ying Mama also retreated.

Su Shi remained seated in her round chair, her face grim, indicating nothing.

The waiting was always so long, and for a moment there was silence in Rong'anTang, Nangong Lin quietly came over and tugged on Nangong Yue's sleeve, muttering in a whisper: "Third Jiejie, who do you think it could be?"

Nangong Yue's face revealed a smirking expression, "How would I know this?"

"Then who do you most wish to find out?" Nangong Lin's words were clearly ill-intended.

A sneer appeared on Nangong Yue's face: "That's not right, Fourth meimei! I believe that neither Eldest Aunt, Third Aunt nor Eldest jiejie would do such a despicable thing. But with this tone of voice, could it be that meimei is suspicious of..." she deliberately wanted to say something but then stopped. In fact, originally Nangong Yue had also suspected Third aunt Huang. After all, Huang Shi had just picked up a fight against herself and her mother not long ago. But now, looking at Nangong Lin's attitude, she was almost certain that the matter should have nothing to do with Huang Shi.

Instead, it was "her" ... Nangong Yue gave Su Qingping a meaningful glance, there was something really odd about the behaviour of her Ping Biaogu.

Chapter 60: Suspects

Hearing the conversation between the two sisters, Su Shi's gaze fell sharply on Nangong Lin's body. Her lips pursed into a straight line, and did not speak, but released a kind of imposing aura without anger to the fullest with this look.

Nangong Lin was so frightened that her head shook like a rattle drum and said anxiously: "I, I don't mean that." But in her heart, she was bitter and regretted so much that her intestines turned blue. Even if I am very sure that this has nothing to do with my mother Huang Shi, I should have just stood aside and watched the fun. Why should I try to be quick with my words and find trouble for myself? At the same time, there was a bit of dissatisfaction in her heart. If Nangong Yue is not suspicious, why should the entire residence is investigated?

The room was quiet again for a while, until Xing Yu was the first to come back with a piece of inner garment as well as some rags, followed by Yi Mei who brought a white cloth... Finally, Mama Ying also brought only one, and her face obviously did not look good.

Zhao Shi's face immediately darkened, and her heart had a vague sense of ominous foreboding. But Nangong Lin showed a gleeful expression. It seems that there is a good show going to happen between the First and Second Household.

The Ying Mama mumbled for a moment and said, "Eldest... Eldest Furen..."

Still, Nangong Zheng spoke decisively: "Ying Mama, just say what you have to say. With grandmother as the master, we will not be wronged!"

Zhao Shi nodded to Ying Mama, Ying mama said with difficulty: "Eldest Furen, Eldest Miss, this Songjiang muslin belongs to the Eldest Furen..." She glanced at Nangong Zheng hesitantly: "Eldest Miss's is gone!"

When everyone heard the words, their eyes fell on Nangong Zheng's body in unison, while Nangong Zheng's entire body froze as early as the moment Ying Mama dropped her voice, and an unbelievable expression appeared on her face.

Nangong Lin has forgotten the pain of the scar, without thinking, blurted out: "How is this possible? Could it be that Elder jiejie..."

*to forget past pains once the wound has healed (idiom)

Zhao Shi's gaze fell on Nangong Lin's body like a cold winter ice.

Nangong Lin couldn't help but winced, thinking of the fact that the Eldest Aunt was the head mother of the household, offending her would definitely do more harm than good, so she hurriedly changed her tone: "There is no way the Eldest Jiejie would do such a thing!"

Zhao Shi snorted coldly and retracted her eyes. How could her Zheng Jie'er do such a thing, she couldn't let people just throw dirty water on her.

"Zheng Jie'er, think about it, did you put it away somewhere, or give it to someone?" Said, Zhao Shi's eyes fell on Nangong Yan with deep meaning in her eyes.

Nangong Yan's body trembled twice, both hands clutching the handkerchief and fingertips faintly white, but she did not dare to say anything.

Nangong Zheng took two steps forward, her light-colored skirt trailing a gentle arc on the ground, only to hear she said with face frankly: "Grandmother, granddaughter's Songjiang fine cloth did not give away, but granddaughter also did not instruct anyone to do such things!

"Yue Jie'er, what do you think about this?" Su Shi's gaze could not see the joy or anger, and faintly fell on Nangong Yue's body.

"Granddaughter naturally believes in Eldest Jiejie." Nangong Yue said in a certain tone, "Granddaughter thinks that some underlings must have stolen and wanted to plant false accusations, perhaps with the purpose of making our sisters lose their harmony!"

Su Shi is very satisfied with Nangong Yue's answer, no matter how much she excuses Nangong Zheng, it is not more convincing than the victim, Nangong Yue's words. But in the second half of Nangong Yue's words, she thought more profoundly. If the first and second households lose their peace over this matter, then who will gain?

Su Shi's gaze couldn't help but fall on Nangong Lin, and couldn't help but wonder if it was the Third household that was causing the trouble?

Nangong Yue's words also made Zhao Shi sigh with relief, but did not completely relieve her heart. The matter of Nangong Xin being frightened had nothing to do with her, she simply did not want to take care of this strenuous and unrewarding task. But now it's catching the ducks on the shelves(situation has reached to this point), it won't work if you don't check it!

*lit. to drive a duck onto a perch (idiom); fig. to push sb to do sth way beyond their ability

As long as we don't uncover the culprit who is pretending to be a ghost, her Zheng Jie'er is a suspect.

Thinking of this, Zhao's eyes gradually became stern. Just now she heard that her daughter's Songjiang fine cloth is gone, she was momentarily confused, and the first thought in her head was how to get her daughter out of this matter, although she believed in her heart that her daughter would never do such a thing. But she understood the inner house matters, not everything can be investigated clearly understand. But now, this matter must not only be investigated, but also thoroughly investigated, and must not let her Zheng Jie'er be criticized!

"Mother." Zhao Shi's eyes were red. "As Yue Jie'er said just now, it is impossible for Zheng Jie'er to do such a thing. Daughter-in-law asks you, Old Person to do justice to Zheng Jie'er and must return her innocence!"

"Ying Mama, have the people in Eldest Missy's courtyard kept in prison?" Su Shi's face was covered with a layer of cold frost, and her eyebrows were full of coldness. She was already thinking differently at this moment. If the purpose of the person behind it is to cause discord between the second house and the eldest house, then it must be investigated!

Ying Mama bowed and replied: "kept in prison."

Su Shi's gaze was cold like a murderous knife, and said: "There is a theft in the Eldest Miss's courtyard, the maids and Pozies are not good at protecting the courtyard, so first each of them should be beaten with ten boards, and then search their houses. Wang Mama, you and Ying Mama should work together on this matter."

"Yes." The two Mamas took orders and went away.

Zhao Shi's heart is relieved to hear this, and put down his heart. First there is Nangong Yue's word before, and now Su Shi publicly determined Nangong Zheng's courtyard had been stolen. In the future to see who still dares to involve this matter to her daughter again.

Nangong Yue sat quietly on her chair, waiting for the further development of the situation.

Inside the Dongci room, everyone is holding their breath and concentrating, no one dares to say another word.

After waiting for an unknown period of time, Wang Mama returned in a hurry with a bundle, while Ying Mama followed closely behind, followed by three Pozis, or rather, two sturdy Pozies holding in with a Pozi dressed in blue clothes and rudely pressing her to the ground on her knees.

"Old Furen, this was retrieved from Hua Pozi's house." Wang Mama opened the package invitingly.

The crowd took a clear look, but it was some white scraps of fabric.

Zhao Shi suddenly reacted, his gaze shot like a sharp blade on Hua Pozi who was kneeling down in the hall.

Hua Pozi shivered and fell to her knees, begging for forgiveness: "Old Furen, forgive me, Nubi deserves to die for stealing from the Eldest Miss... Nubi will never dare to do it again." Her forehead hit the ground heavily one after another, emitting a "dong dong" sound, and her forehead was instantly bruised and purple.

Zhao Shi once heard the Hua Pozi admitted the stealing Nangong Zheng's Songjiang fine cloth, anger like a tidal wave breaking the embankment, chest angry a bulge, pointing at the Hua Pozi scolded: "Damn servant, you stole something from your master, but you still have the guts to frame your master, you really have a heart to kill!"

Who knows that Hua Pozi cried out: "Nubi stole something, but didn't do anything to frame the master, Nubi is wronged!"