This summer in the Great Yue Dynasty was destined to be anything but calm.
First, the son of the Grand Princess returned to the capital, getting caught up in the political upheaval. Then, the Women's College reopened, which made the emperor start to be wary of the Wang family. In between, there was an incident that became the talk of the town.
There was a theft at the Princess Mansion. The top - grade white jade jewelry the Grand Princess had left for her future daughter - in - law was stolen. The Prince of Qin traced the thief all the way to the National Protection Temple.
In a fit of anger, the Prince of Qin surrounded the temple for a day and a night, then went in alone to track down the thief.
After a day and a night, the long - unseen Abbot Yuanning personally led the entire temple to see the prince out. According to eyewitnesses, Abbot Yuanning looked haggard. No one knew for sure if it was really someone from the temple who had stolen from the Princess Mansion.
After that, the emperor inquired about the matter, but the prince only said it was a misunderstanding. The temple didn't protest either, so this incident became a mystery.
At the Mansion of the Marquis Who Pacified the State, Xie Fengran stared at the set of crystal - clear white jade jewelry in the box in front of her, her expression complex.
Was this really the Grand Princess's greeting gift for her future daughter - in - law?
Then what did it mean for Qin Junxing to give it to her so casually?
It had been more than half a month since Qin Junxing learned the truth. During this time, she hadn't seen him. She only heard people discussing the theft at the Princess Mansion.
The stolen item was exactly the same as the one in front of her, which Qin Junxing had sent as an excuse for hush money last time.
"That man, he's just..."
Xie Fengran gritted her teeth. She really wanted to drag Qin Junxing over and ask him what he meant.
And that hug that day.
It seemed that something between them was getting out of control!
"Miss, Nurse Shen is back from the Green Pine Courtyard and wants to see you."
Lanfang lifted the curtain and came in, interrupting Xie Fengran's train of thought.
Xie Fengran nodded and pointed at the things on the table. "Put them away carefully. Don't let anyone touch them. I'll go and see her."
Half a month ago, after it was found out that Xie Yunxi had broken the leg of her nursing mother, the old madam of the Xie family severely punished Xie Yunxi. When Xie Yi wanted to plead for mercy, she was scolded by the old madam. Even Concubine Yuan was implicated.
Xie Fengran had planned to find a way to keep Concubine Yuan away from Xie Chenghui. But after this incident, before she could take any action, the old madam directly confined Concubine Yuan.
As soon as this happened, Nurse Shen, whom Xie Fengran had secretly kept in her backyard, immediately sensed something was wrong and secretly pledged her loyalty to Xie Fengran.
After leaving her hanging for a few days, Xie Fengran didn't make things difficult for her and let her out.
Thankfully, she was a smart one!
Xie Fengran went to the main room. Nurse Shen, who had been waiting outside, followed Hexiang into the room. "Greetings to the eldest miss."
"Sit down, Nurse. Do you have something to tell me?"
"Thank you, miss!" Nurse Shen sat on the edge of a small stool. Hexiang brought over a cup of tea.
"Have some tea first, Nurse."
"Oh, how could an old woman trouble the young lady? Thank you, miss."
Nurse Shen looked flattered as she took the teacup.
"Don't say such things, Nurse. We're all counting on your advice!"
Nurse Shen's smile grew wider. After taking a sip of tea, she said to Xie Fengran, "Miss, Nurse Su asked me to go over this time. She wanted to know if you'd met the Crown Prince recently. She also told me to keep an eye on the young master!"
Since Concubine Yuan had been confined these days and Xie Fengran had repeatedly embarrassed Master Xie Chenghui, it was likely that the master couldn't sit still and had gone to complain.
"What did you tell her, Nurse?"
Nurse Shen swallowed hard and looked at Xie Fengran timidly. "I told Nurse Su that the young master has been very hard - working since he came back. I often see the wet nurse persuading him to rest. As for you, you've been very close to the Fourth Princess. I didn't say anything else."
Xie Fengran pretended not to notice Nurse Shen's timidity and nodded in satisfaction. "You're very good at speaking. Is there anything else going on in the Green Pine Courtyard?"
"Nurse Su doesn't tell me much these days. But when I was coming back, I saw the marquis go to pay his respects. I guess Concubine Yuan will be released soon."
"If Concubine Yuan is released, I'll entrust the Listening to the Wind Courtyard to you, Nurse."
Xie Fengran wasn't surprised that Concubine Yuan would be released. After all, her father was now going to Concubine Yuan's courtyard twice a day and hardly ever visited her mother.
It seemed that the old madam had given up on her mother, so it was only a matter of time before Concubine Yuan was released.
Hearing this, Nurse Shen quickly stood up and repeatedly refused. "Miss, this won't do. I can't take on such a responsibility!"
Xie Fengran said calmly, "Don't be in such a hurry, Nurse. Sit down and listen to me!"
Her calmness made Nurse Shen even more nervous. "Miss..."
"I have to go to the college to study every day. I'm worried if there's no one watching over the courtyard. It'll be troublesome if someone takes advantage of the situation. Do you understand what I mean, Nurse?"
"... I understand, miss."
"Since that's the case, I'll promote you to the head nurse of the Listening to the Wind Courtyard tomorrow. From then on, I'll hand this courtyard over to you. If anything goes wrong in this courtyard or if someone tries to scheme against me, I'll hold you accountable!"
"Miss, don't worry. I'll definitely watch over the Listening to the Wind Courtyard for you!"
Xie Fengran was satisfied. This woman knew the situation well. A smile appeared on her face. "I naturally trust you, Nurse. Just do your job well. After all, you don't want to be trapped in the marquis's mansion for the rest of your life, do you?"
"Mi, miss! You..." Nurse Shen didn't expect Xie Fengran to say such a thing. Thinking of a possibility, her breathing quickened.
Xie Fengran nodded. "I know your family's indentures are in the old madam's hands. But I'll find a way. If I get married in the future, if you want to follow me, I'll take your whole family with me. If you don't want to follow me, I won't treat you badly either!"
"Thank you, miss, thank you, miss! I'll be willing to do anything for you, even if it means sacrificing my life. Please rest assured, miss. I'll follow you from now on!"
Nurse Shen knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times. Xie Fengran thought that this was the most sincere kowtow Nurse Shen had ever given in these days.
Hexiang walked over to help her up and joked, "Nurse, if you're like this, we sisters will have a hard time making a living in front of the miss."
Nurse Shen wiped away her tears and quickly said, "I'm just too excited. Since the miss trusts me, I'll never let her down!"
Xie Fengran nodded. Seeing that she looked tired, Nurse Shen quickly excused herself and left.
Hexiang also went out. Lanfang came in to serve Xie Fengran wash up.
After taking a bath and changing clothes, Xie Fengran sent the servant away and walked into the inner room. As soon as she entered, she suddenly felt something was wrong!
The window facing the small garden was open!
"Lanfang, what's going on? The window wasn't..."
By the faint moonlight, there stood a figure outside the window whom she hadn't seen for half a month!