Hearing Chu Qing's words, Wei Ying frowned even more tightly.
He never expected that someone would be so audacious!
Chu Qing held the fragment of the sachet retrieved from the inner circle of the hunting ground and said in a solemn voice, "You wait for me here. I have my own plan."
Although Wei Ying was a bit worried, he always trusted Chu Qing's actions, so he could only nod in agreement.
...
"Your Ladyship, you've worked so hard to make so many sachets overnight. Those people may not always appreciate your kindness," said the personal maid of Gu Lian, the same little maid who had just distributed the sachets, while gently kneading Gu Lian's arms and complaining in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Gu Lian gently raised her eyes to glance at her and said, "Those who appreciate my kindness are the ones I aim for. As for those who forget it soon, I don't want to have much to do with them."
The little maid seemed to understand a bit, but also seemed not to understand at all. She could only lower her head and continue to obediently knead Gu Lian's arms.
Just as Gu Lian was starting to feel drowsy, someone outside reported that the Princess of Ning had come to visit.
Gu Lian immediately perked up. She stood up and was about to go out of the tent to greet her.
Chu Qing waited calmly for the maid who had delivered the message to reply. Soon, the curtain of the tent was lifted, and Gu Lian actually came out in person.
"The Princess of Ning has come to visit. I'm sorry I failed to greet you properly," said Gu Lian, then curtsied slightly.
Chu Qing squinted and smiled as she pretended to support Gu Lian, and then was invited into the tent by Gu Lian.
"The Princess of Ning has graciously come. I wonder..." Gu Lian was always a smart woman. Seeing Chu Qing's visit, she naturally knew that she came for a reason.
Seeing this, Chu Qing didn't hide it either. She directly smiled faintly and said, "Lady Gu is so dexterous and kind - hearted. I'm sure you've spent a lot of effort making those sachets to repel mosquitoes."
Gu Lian pursed her lips and smiled, "It's my duty to relieve the Emperor's worries. The ladies and young misses have come to this desolate place. They must be a bit unaccustomed, so they may not have prepared enough. Coincidentally, I like making these small things on weekdays, so I simply made a few more, thinking to give them to those in need."
Chu Qing raised her eyebrows. Sure enough, this Lady Gu was an extremely sophisticated person. That Huo Xiaoxiao was probably no match for her.
However, she wouldn't interfere in the affairs of the harem. As the saying goes, children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Whether it's good fortune or disaster depends entirely on themselves. If she were to worry day and night about these things, she'd really be asking for trouble.
However... if the affairs of the harem involved her, she naturally wouldn't be polite.
Chu Qing took the hot tea offered by the maid, took a small sip, and then continued unhurriedly, "Today, the Prince of Ning hunted a black bear. Have you heard about it, Lady Gu?"
Gu Lian was stunned for a moment, then showed an expression of admiration, "The Prince of Ning has always been very skilled. I admire him very much."
Chu Qing smiled and continued, "That bear was lured out by the sachet on my body. And this sachet... I heard it was personally made by you, Lady Gu."
Hearing Chu Qing's straightforward words, Gu Lian suddenly stood up from her seat. Her face instantly turned pale, "I would never harm the Princess! Please, Your Highness, see the truth!"
Seeing this, Chu Qing understood. She gently smiled and said, "I'm not here to blame you. If I suspected you, would I simply tell you like this?"
After hearing Chu Qing's words, Gu Lian dared to take a closer look at Chu Qing. Their eyes met, and both were clear - minded. Only then did Gu Lian secretly breathe a sigh of relief. Then she curtsied to Chu Qing and said, "The Princess of Ning is wise. I thank you for your trust. But I don't understand. These sachets were all sewn by my own hands stitch by stitch. I'm used to sealing the sachets after putting in the spices. Naturally, I wouldn't harm the Princess. But if someone else wanted to do something, they would need to open the sachet and replace the contents inside. It would take quite a while to open and re - sew it. But there has been no suspicious person staying here for a long time in my place."
Hearing this, Chu Qing's eyes darkened. Then she said, "Are you really sure that no one has touched them?"
Gu Lian paused for a moment, then lowered her head and replied, "I... can only be sure that no one has opened and re - sewn the sachets."
Chu Qing hooked the corners of her mouth. Just as she was about to speak, Gu Lian's personal maid timidly spoke up:
"Your Highness, my Lady, I... I have something to say..."
Gu Lian frowned, while Chu Qing just casually glanced at her and then gently said, "Just say what you have to say."
This little girl must know something.
"It's just... when I was distributing these sachets, there were a few maids from other mansions helping..."
"Which mansion?" Chu Qing and Gu Lian asked coldly in unison.
The little maid trembled. She wrinkled her nose and carefully said, "If... if I remember correctly, it should... should be..."
"Who is it!" Seeing the little maid's timid look, Gu Lian got a bit impatient.
This cold scolding made the little maid even more flustered.
Seeing this, Chu Qing slowly stood up and walked between the little maid and Gu Lian.
She gently patted Gu Lian's hand with one hand, and gently patted the little maid's shoulder with the other.
Then, her expression softened a lot, and her tone became extremely gentle as she said:
"Don't be afraid. Your Lady and I will never blame you without reason. Think carefully. It would be best if you can remember. If not, I can ask others."
Perhaps because Chu Qing was acting very... amiable at this moment, the little maid finally relaxed her tense nerves. Her little head desperately recalled the scene at that time. Then she reached out and patted her forehead and said excitedly:
"Your Highness! My Lady! I remember!"
Gu Lian rubbed her temples and didn't want to speak. This little maid was not only jumpy but also didn't speak all at once. It was really tantalizing.
And Chu Qing on the side still patiently and gently said, "So, which lady or young miss's maid is it?"
"It's... the personal maid of the second young miss of the Duke's Mansion!"