Zhu Ye's words set off a storm in Xie Fengran's heart. She never expected that Qin Junxing had such a background.
Now it seemed that the emperor's favor, the crown prince's tolerance, the princess's million - strong border troops, and Qin Junxing's title of county king!
The more Xie Fengran thought about it, the more frightened she became. She was in a daze for a while before slowly regaining her thoughts. She opened her mouth and asked, "Then why did the princess...?"
"At the time when the Zhou family was exterminated, the princess was fighting in the northern border."
"So, only Qin Junxing was left in the Zhou family?"
"That's right!"
Xie Fengran remembered how Qin Junxing and the crown prince addressed each other as brothers.莫名地, she shivered.
"You... It's okay for you to tell me this, but don't spread it. You must keep it a secret. Moreover, in the future, you must never inquire about matters of the princess's mansion. Royal secrets are not something we can get involved in!"
Xie Fengran even thought more. What role did her grandfather play in this matter?
Did the Zhou family really rebel?
What on earth was Qin Junxing's Lingfeng Teahouse for?
Why did Qin Junxing, who hadn't set foot in the capital for more than a decade, return at this time?
Also, why did her grandmother desperately want to form a marriage alliance with the royal family?
She felt like she was in a game but didn't know the direction.
Seeing that Xie Fengran looked unwell, Zhu Ye didn't know how to comfort her. She could only say, "Don't worry, my lady. We will surely protect you."
"Under a toppled nest, can there be any intact eggs? Zhu Ye, we must prepare in advance. How's the investigation I asked you to do?"
"I've found out the backgrounds of the replacement head - maids. It's all here."
"Okay, leave it here. Later, I'll ask Lan Fang to give you a roster of the people in the mansion. You can have someone carefully check those whose backgrounds are clean and have no connections with the inner - court people. They are the ones we can use."
"Yes!"
Zhu Ye lowered her head to listen to the order. Xie Fengran looked at Zhu Qing not far away, then shifted her gaze back. When she spoke again, her voice took on a hint of coldness that was not easily detectable. "Zhu Ye, no matter what situation I'm in in the future, you just need to remember that you only need to be loyal to me. From now on, the Bloodthirsty Guards don't need to follow the old rules."
"Thank you, my lady!"
"Alright, go find Lan Fang! I'll stay here and calm down for a while."
"Yes!"
Zhu Ye tiptoed away. She found Lan Fang, took the things, and headed out of the mansion.
When she reached the main gate, she was stopped.
Nanny He didn't know how long she had been waiting. When she saw Zhu Ye, she stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Are you Chief Zhu? Our old lady would like to see you."
Zhu Ye thought for a while, then bowed to Nanny He and said, "Please lead the way, Nanny."
Nanny He led her to the Green Pine Courtyard and invited her into the main hall.
Zhu Ye entered the room. Her gaze landed on the old lady sitting upright on the chair for a moment, then quickly shifted away. She clasped her fists and bowed. "Zhu Ye of the Bloodthirsty Guards pays respects to the old lady."
Old Lady Xie waved her hand. "Chief, you don't need to be so polite. Please sit down."
Zhu Ye didn't decline. She sat down at the lower seat of Old Lady Xie and lowered her head, waiting for the old lady to speak.
"Chief Zhu, how's everything at the manor? Has your master's funeral been properly arranged?"
"Replying to the old lady, everything is in order. All is well at the manor."
Old Lady Xie nodded. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Although I've given the family - head token to Fengran, she is, after all, a daughter of the Xie family. She will get married sooner or later. Does Chief Zhu understand what I mean?"
"Don't worry, old lady. The Bloodthirsty Guards only follow the orders of the person who holds the family - head token. We know nothing else."
Zhu Ye's voice was cold and emotionless.
Old Lady Xie didn't take it as an insult. Zhu Ye's master used to be even colder than her. This kind of attitude actually made people more at ease.
After thinking for a while, she asked again, "I wonder if Chief Zhu came into the mansion this time because Fengran has something for you to do?"
"Please forgive me, old lady. The Bloodthirsty Guards handle affairs. I have nothing to say."
Old Lady Xie wasn't surprised by her answer. She looked back at Nanny Su. Nanny Su nodded slightly, stepped forward, and said, "Chief Zhu, the old lady is the eldest miss's grandmother and the current head of the Xie family. Even if you don't say it, the eldest miss will."
Zhu Ye glanced at Nanny Su and slightly shook her head. "The Bloodthirsty Guards only follow the orders of the person who holds the family - head token. I have nothing to say."
Nanny Su was unwilling to give up. She tempted her, saying, "If the old lady can break the rules of your Bloodthirsty Guards and let you go free?"
"The rules passed down by the Bloodthirsty Guards cannot be changed without the master's order."
Nanny Su was angry. She scolded, "Why are you so stubborn? You are now members of the Xie family. The old lady will take care of everything for you. Just say a word."
Zhu Ye still had the same expression. She shook her head and said nothing more.
"Alright, A Su, don't be rude. Since Chief Zhu has her rules, we should respect them. Ask Nanny He to see the chief out of the mansion."
Nanny Su curtsied reluctantly and personally sent Zhu Ye outside the door.
When she turned back, there was no trace of unwillingness on her face.
"Old lady, is this person really so unfeeling?"
Old Lady Xie looked quite relaxed. She picked up the teacup, took a sip, and sighed. "Those people are all like that. When her master entered the mansion back then, he was colder than her, just like a dead man."
"Now that the old lady mentions it, this servant also remembers that the old chief accompanied the old marquis for a while. I don't know how the old marquis could stand it."
Old Lady Xie shook her head disapprovingly. "A Su, it's precisely this kind of person that you can trust. If it weren't for this, how could... that person have taken a fancy to them!"
Nanny Su echoed a couple of words. But as if she remembered something, she said, "This servant thinks that the eldest miss doesn't want to marry the crown prince."
"Whether she wants to marry or not, a girl's marriage is not up to herself. " Old Lady Xie didn't know what she was thinking about. She sneered. "Do you think the current emperor is so kind - hearted to reopen the women's academy? He is not Emperor Dezong. All this has a purpose."
Nanny Su didn't say a word. The room fell silent.
On the other side, after Zhu Ye left the mansion, she sent a secret message to Xie Fengran.
When the message arrived, Xie Fengran was in the room with several of her maids, looking at the information Zhu Ye had found out.
"Tsk tsk, Nanny Fang's son married Nanny Su's maid. No wonder grandmother made her the inner - court supervisor."
"That's right, miss. Nanny He's second son and Yu Yong at the gate are brothers - in - law. No wonder the Green Pine Courtyard always knows about any stir."
Lan Fang was holding a piece of paper and exclaiming in surprise.
Liu Yi was also holding a piece of paper and reading it. Her face looked rather solemn. "Miss, the old lady gave her maid Lan Cao to Steward Xie's son. So the outer courtyard is also under the old lady's watch. Besides, there are the old lady's people in the main kitchen and the madam's courtyard!"
He Xiang couldn't read. Seeing the others looking solemn, she silently added tea on one side. Hearing Liu Yi's words, she suddenly said, "Nanny Lian in our courtyard married her son to a third - rank maid from the Green Pine Courtyard the other day. It is said that the maid recognized Nanny He as her god - mother. Nanny Lian is very grateful."