Lan Fang glared at Liu Yi crossly, then turned to Xie Fengran and got down to business. "The old madam said you don't need to go and pay your respects. After breakfast, go and stay at the Huguo Temple for a few more days."
Xie Fengran paused in her movements and was a bit slow to react. "Why does the old madam want me to stay there for a few more days?"
"The old madam said the Huguo Temple is quiet and peaceful, which is just right for you to study. The mansion is too noisy and has been disturbing you. So..." While saying this, Lan Fang observed Xie Fengran's expression. Seeing that there was no extra reaction on her face, she continued, "So, she wants you to stay at the Huguo Temple for a few more days. You can even stay until the girls' college starts. The old madam has already sent someone to inform the temple!"
Xie Fengran understood. "It seems the grandmother already knows. What did Nanny Su say?"
"Just before I left, Nanny Su quietly told me that the old madam has asked the madam to go and serve her every day."
"That's what she should do!" Xie Fengran reached out and filled a bowl of milk for Xie Chenghui, who was sulking because he didn't get any ice treats. She gave the order, "Since the grandmother wants me to stay there for a few more days, you go and pack up your things quickly. Liu Yi will stay and take care of the house. I'll take Chenghui with me. We'll go to the Huguo Temple together."
"Okay, miss. Don't worry. I'll definitely take good care of the house. I'll go and pack your things right away." Liu Yi only thought that the old madam's decision was really satisfying.
She had long been unable to bear the grievances her miss had suffered. But due to filial piety, her miss couldn't say anything. Now that the old madam had stepped in, it was like giving her miss a good vent.
Lan Fang didn't think so simply. She said worriedly, "Miss, if the madam is wronged in front of the old madam, will she blame it on you?"
Her miss hadn't gotten married yet. If the slightest reputation of being unfilial spread, the consequences would be unimaginable!
But Liu Yi thought Lan Fang was overthinking. "If the madam dares to do anything to the miss, the old madam will be the first one to disagree."
Xie Fengran didn't think so. She just felt that she had experienced even more excessive things, so she didn't care about these things.
"Stop arguing and pack your things!"
On the other side, Yun received the message from the Qingsong Courtyard. She immediately thought of Xie Fengran and ordered the maid, "Go and call the eldest miss. Let her go to the Qingsong Courtyard with me. The old madam is ill. As her granddaughter, she should go and serve her."
The maid came back soon after going.
"Where is she? Isn't she coming?"
"Reply to the madam. The eldest miss went to the Huguo Temple to offer incense early this morning. She took the young master with her and has already left the mansion."
"Her grandmother is ill, but she doesn't even stay in the mansion. Who allowed her to go out? Send someone to stop her!" The calm look on Yun's face disappeared, and there was even a trace of fear in her expression.
The maid turned around and answered yes. Only after answering did she react. "Madam, who should I send to stop her?"
"Call the steward!"
"Madam, there's no need to call. The old madam gave permission for the eldest miss to go and offer incense."
Yun suddenly looked towards the courtyard gate. Nanny Su led the people from the Qingsong Courtyard in.
She couldn't help but sink her face. "Who allowed you to come in?"
"The old madam was afraid the madam would forget to go and serve her, so she specially sent me to invite you!" Nanny Su stepped aside. "Madam, please!"
Nanny Su was so overbearing that Yun, who was always calm, showed a hint of timidity on her face. But she didn't dare to disobey the old madam's order.
On the other side, Xie Fengran's carriage and the entourage had already left the East City in a grand manner, turned to the South City District, and headed straight for the South City Gate.
Passing by the Lingfeng Teahouse, Xie Fengran ordered Uncle Feng to stop the carriage. She told Lan Fang, "You take Chenghui and go to the Huguo Temple first and settle down. Let Uncle Feng stay and wait for me. I've made an appointment with Yue Lan."
"Then I'll stay and accompany the miss. Let Hexiang take the young master first."
"No! I don't feel at ease leaving Chenghui with others. I'll be fine here. Just leave Hexiang here!"
Lan Fang was still worried, but Xie Fengran had already jumped out of the carriage and entered the teahouse.
Lan Fang quickly sent someone to call Hexiang from the carriage behind to follow up.
Xie Fengran entered the teahouse. Seeing that the storyteller hadn't appeared yet, she went straight to the third floor.
Just as she reached the stairs on the second floor, there was a sudden commotion at the door. Soon, a young girl surrounded by a group of people appeared at the door.
Xie Fengran had sharp eyes and immediately recognized that this young girl was Zhang Yao, the young miss of the prime minister's mansion who had blocked her at the Guanlin Bookstore that day.
After Zhang Yao came in, the steward on the first floor quickly greeted her. No one knew what the steward said, but Zhang Yao almost poked her finger into the steward's face.
Soon, Zhang Yao looked up towards the upper floors. Xie Fengran quickly dodged inside to avoid Zhang Yao's sight.
She began to mutter in her heart.
Zhang Yao had set her eyes on Qin Junxing. Such a high - profile search for someone must be for no one else but Qin Junxing.
Before Xie Fengran could react, Zhang Yao had already reached the bottom of the stairs. If she was spotted by her, wouldn't there be another storm?
Xie Fengran didn't care about anything at this moment. She pushed open a private room beside her and hid inside.
Just as she closed the door of the private room, Zhang Yao reached the second floor. A group of people noisily went up to the third floor.
Xie Fengran let out a sigh of relief. But before she could exhale completely, a surprised voice came from behind her. "Is that Miss Xie?"
"... " Xie Fengran suddenly turned around. Behind her was a young man in a rain - washed sky - blue brocade robe, half - opening his mouth and looking at her. There was a woman in his arms, and the collar of her dress had fallen to her shoulders. At this moment, she was also staring blankly at this sudden intruder.
When she saw the situation of the two people clearly, Xie Fengran wished she could just smash her head against the wall.
She might as well have quarreled with Zhang Yao just now. Now that she had interrupted their good thing, wouldn't she really be chased and killed?
The young man seemed to sense Xie Fengran's stunned state. He quickly pushed the woman in his arms away, covered his mouth with his fist and coughed lightly. "Why is Miss Xie here?"
Only then did Xie Fengran look at the young man's face. She felt that he looked familiar. After thinking for a moment, she remembered. "Young Master Wang?"
After saying that, she looked at Young Master Wang and then at the charming woman.
Everyone in the capital said that the Wang family had a clean family style. The descendants of the family never visited brothels and were all studious and motivated. Now it seemed -
Rumors couldn't be completely trusted!
Young Master Wang saw the expression on Xie Fengran's face and knew what she was thinking. Before she could speak, he said, "I'm just having tea here today. I've never seen Miss Xie!"
The corner of Xie Fengran's mouth curled up. It was really pleasant to deal with smart people. She nodded and said, "I'm going to offer incense outside the city today. I haven't seen Young Master Wang either."
After the words were out, both of them knew each other's taboos. Young Master Wang invited her. "I was rude to Miss Xie before. Since we've met today, I wonder if I have the chance to invite Miss Xie for a cup of tea to make amends?"