Xie Nanjia paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "I have never met Miss Nanjia, so how can I know why? But your words remind me that in the enclosure, the general and Master Nanfeng also said that I look like Miss Nanjia. Maybe it is for this reason that the general chose me to come to the Marquis' Mansion!"
Lvliu was immediately attracted by her words and asked earnestly, "Did you see my general and young master in the enclosure? What's the situation in the mansion now? Are they and the lady all right?"
Thinking back to when the young lady just left, the general and the young master were heartbroken and rushed into the marquis's mansion with red eyes. She still remembers that scene vividly.
At that time, the lady also followed and rescued her from Qin at the critical moment, guaranteeing that she was definitely not the murderer of the young lady.
That was the only time the lady came to the Marquis' Mansion, and she was also the only person who believed in her innocence.
She decided to stay in the Marquis' Mansion to avenge the young lady, firstly for the sake of her friendship with the young lady, and secondly for the trust that the lady had in her.
After following Zhao Jingping, she never attended any banquets in the mansion, and therefore never saw anyone from the general's mansion again.
When Xie Nanjia heard her mention Madam, an idea suddenly occurred to him, and he said, "I went to the enclosure, not the General's Mansion, so how would I know the current situation of the General's Mansion and Madam? If you really miss Madam, I have a good idea to get you back to the General's Mansion."
"What method?" asked Lu Liu.
Xie Nanjia said, "As far as I know, next month not only will the Marquis have a birthday, but the General's wife will also have one. As the son-in-law, the Crown Prince should go to pay his respects. He is timid and doesn't dare to go. When the time comes, you can take the opportunity to talk to him and ask him to bring the young master with you and Hualou. Just say that the General and Young Master Nanfeng will not bother him after seeing the young master, and he will definitely agree."
"That's a good idea." Lvliu was overjoyed when she heard it. "I can't wait any longer. I really want to go back and see my wife."
I miss her too! Xie Nanjia said to herself, secretly planning that she would find an excuse to go with them when the time comes. She really missed her mother so much.
After finally dispelling Lvliu's suspicion, she did not dare to stay any longer. She made the excuse that she was going back late and was afraid that the Fourth Miss would become suspicious, so she hurriedly said goodbye and left.
Luliu sent her to the door and watched her leave. She always felt that she seemed to have not asked something clearly, but she couldn't remember what it was.
But at the moment, she was immersed in the joy of being able to return to the general's mansion to see his wife, and she had no time to think about anything else.
It was already noon when Xie Nanjia returned to the Fourth Young Lady's courtyard. She had traveled hundreds of miles overnight and had visited three more courtyards this morning. Her energy was completely exhausted. She didn't even have time to eat. After a quick wash, she fell asleep and was not awakened until it was completely dark by Nanny Li.
Nanny Li was thinking about making midnight snack for the Marquis, and wanted to ask her what she had talked about with Hualou. At noon, she saw that she was too tired, so she thought of asking her after she woke up. After waiting for a long time, she still didn't wake up, so she had to come and call her in person.
Xie Nanjia got up in a daze, and after asking Nanny Li why she came, she tactfully told her that she was too tired after just returning, and was afraid that the food she made would not taste good enough, which would be counterproductive, so she asked Hualou to do it for the next few days until she recovered.
Nanny Li thought about it carefully and realized that this was the truth. The Marquis must be very busy lately and must be in a bad mood. What if the Marquis doesn't like the things Xiu'er made in a hurry, and then the painting building would be ruined if it was moved back.
So she stopped urging Xie Nanjia and asked her to take good care of her spirit first.
Xie Nanjia took care of the baby for three whole days. Except for eating and going to the toilet, he never left the bedroom.
Firstly, she was really tired. Secondly, she ran around as soon as she returned home, and it was inevitable that she would be seen by others. Therefore, she stayed at home honestly for the past few days to avoid arousing suspicion from those who had ulterior motives. It was also a good opportunity for her to calm down and think carefully about the future of Hualou and Lvliu.
There was another reason. She guessed that Zhao Jingyu must be waiting for her to come and pick up the bag so that he could take the opportunity to make things difficult for her. So she decided to leave him alone for now and go after him when he felt bored.
In fact, Zhao Jingyu had put this matter behind him since he asked Wei Jun to send Xiaofu and Xiaoxi away that day. His injury was not serious, he was just pretending in order to come back early. That night, he met with Hu Qianshan, and the next day he disguised himself as a guard and followed Marquis Dingyuan to the government affairs hall in the palace.
Every day he left the mansion before dawn and returned after dark. After dinner, he would go to the marquis' study to discuss matters, or meet with Hu Qianshan in the west wing. He would be busy until late at night before going to bed, and leave again before dawn the next day.
The emperor left the capital, taking most of the princes and ministers with him. This was a good time for him to get involved in government affairs, and he couldn't waste a single moment.
He disguised himself as a guard every day and did not attract the attention of the people in the mansion. In addition, the West Wing never received visitors, and no one except the marquis and his wife was worried about his injury. Therefore, everyone, including Qin, thought that he was recuperating in the West Wing and no one disturbed him.
After a few days, Xie Nanjia finally had a good rest, and the first thing he did was to go find the painting building.
After a few days of calm thinking, she was no longer as excited as when she first heard the news. She felt that she should be able to face this matter with a calm mind.
She hadn't come for a few days, and Hualou thought she was really angry. When he saw her for the first time, he felt a little uncomfortable and said hesitantly, "I was too anxious that day and spoke a little harshly. Lvliu told me yesterday that I was wrong about you. I am here to apologize to you, please forgive me!"
Xie Nanjia laughed and teased her: "Do you think I'm as petty as you? You're so fierce, be careful you won't be able to get married in the future."
Hualou's pretty face flushed, and she pushed her away coquettishly: "What nonsense are you talking about? I don't want to get married."
"If you don't get married, you will be an old maid all your life? As far as I know, the maids in the mansion have to be allowed to marry after they turn 20 years old. What will you do then?" Xie Nanjia said, while carefully observing her expression.
Hualou was silent for a moment, then blinked and said, "I am different. I am the housekeeper appointed by the old lady herself. My responsibility is to take care of the young master. As long as I want, I can stay in the mansion forever. When the young master grows up, he will treat me well and provide for me in my old age."
Xie Nanjia knew she would say that, and asked half-truthfully, "Could it be that you've fallen in love with someone in the mansion and you don't want to leave?"
Hualou's expression changed immediately, and he said with wide eyes, "That's not true, don't talk nonsense."
The more she tried to argue, the more Xie Nanjia felt that something was wrong, so she simply said, "I'm not talking nonsense. I've heard a lot of rumors about you these past few days. If you still consider me your own, then talk to me. Maybe I can give you some advice."
"I'm just doing my own thing honestly, how could there be any rumors?" Hualou said stubbornly, but his expression became more and more flustered.
She had a simple mind, and when she panicked, all her emotions were written on her face. Xie Nanjia looked at her, and his heart sank little by little.
This silly girl, I'm afraid she really cares about it.
"Hua Lou, tell me honestly, did you and the Marquis have... "
"No, nothing." Hualou interrupted her hurriedly, subconsciously clenching his collar with both hands.
Xie Nanjia looked at her quietly, and suddenly chuckled, "That's good, I knew you wouldn't argue with me."
Hualou was stunned and reached out to grab her arm: "What did you say, what do you mean?"
"Isn't the meaning obvious?" Xie Nanjia said, "I have a crush on the Marquis. When I heard about you and the Marquis, I was wondering whether I should fight with you. Since you didn't, I'm relieved."
Hua Lou's face turned pale instantly, and she whispered, "No, you can't do this!"
"Why?" Xie Nanjia asked.
"Because, because..." Hualou stammered, unable to say it out loud.
"Because you like the Marquis, right?" Xie Nanjia said it for her.
Hualou's legs went limp and he fell into a chair.
"Xiu'er!" She called out weakly, tears filling her eyes, "I, I don't know what to say..."
"You don't have to say it, I already understand." Xie Nanjia sat down opposite her and let out a long sigh.
If Hualou had feelings for Marquis Dingyuan because of the young master, she would never shed tears. Her tears had clearly revealed her thoughts. She was really attracted to Marquis Dingyuan.
Xie Nanjia's heart ached, and she regretted that she should not have let Hualou go to make midnight snack for Dingyuan Hou instead of her. If she could have foreseen the future, she would rather let others take advantage of the opportunity than let Hualou go.
It's all her fault. She was the one who pushed the painting building under the nose of Marquis Dingyuan.
"What do you like about him?" she asked sadly.
Hualou couldn't help blushing again, but without hesitation, he quickly gave an answer: "He is courageous and resourceful, broad-minded, loyal and responsible. He is a world-renowned hero. I respect and love him from the bottom of my heart.
But at the same time, he is very pitiful and lonely. Although he is successful, holds a high position, has many wives and concubines, and children around him, he has no one to talk to and can only sigh alone in the middle of the night.
Sometimes I feel that he is a great hero, and sometimes I feel that he is a helpless child. I want to accompany him. Even if I don’t have the ability to help him, it is good to listen to him talk and cook a bowl of soup for him. "
Xie Nanjia was stunned. This was the longest, most moving and most talented speech she had ever heard from Hualou in her two lifetimes. If she had not seen it with her own eyes and heard it with her own ears, she would never believe that Hualou said this.
Therefore, she realized with even greater sadness that Hualou was serious about this.
"But have you ever thought about how many years older you are than the Marquis?" she asked almost desperately.
"Fourteen years old." Hualou did not hesitate at all. It seemed that she had already figured it out.
Fourteen years old is not considered old to take a concubine, not to mention that the Marquis is such a powerful hero. If it were someone else, Xie Nanjia would not think it was a big deal. But Hualou is her maid, so of course she would rather marry a young man of the same age and be his wife in an upright manner, rather than a lowly concubine.
While thinking, Hualou suddenly knelt down to her, "Xiu'er, I know you are the most capable, please help me, Lvliu told me that you don't approve of us being concubines, but Lvliu and I are different. Lvliu sacrificed herself purely for the young master, I am not aggrieved, I am willing, I told you clearly that I liked the Marquis long before I sent him midnight snacks, so, for me to follow the Marquis is a good thing that kills two birds with one stone and everyone is happy, please, whether it is for the young master or for me, please help me accomplish this!"
"..." Xie Nanjia looked at her eager eyes, pondered for a moment, and said slowly, "What's the point of being a concubine? Give me some more time, and wait for me to confirm one thing. If it is true, I will give you a big gift!"
(End of this chapter)