Zhao Jingyu stayed overnight at the flower house. The next day, he heard that the Marquis had sent someone to pick up the Fourth Aunt. He squinted his peach blossom eyes and was stunned for a moment. He said to Wei Jun: "I'm afraid the farm is not peaceful. You should also send two people to pick up Xiu'er!"
"Yes!" Wei Jun bowed in response.
Zhao Jingyu looked at him scrutinizingly: "Why aren't you surprised at all?"
“…” Wei Jun didn’t know how to answer.
He had known for a long time that the Second Young Master could not let go of Xiu'er, and it was only a matter of time before he brought Xiu'er to Beijing. He just lacked a reason.
Zhao Jingyu felt that Wei Jun had seen through him, and was a little angry and embarrassed: "It's not what you think. I'm just bored recently and want to have some fun. When I get tired of it, I will send him back."
"I understand, sir." Wei Jun said.
"You understand shit!" Zhao Jingyu thought he was just being perfunctory and waved his hand to chase him out.
Wei Jun took one foot out of the door and was called again.
"Where do you think Xiu'er would live when she comes?" Zhao Jingyu asked him.
Wei Jun thought about it and replied seriously: "If she is to be treated the same as other girls in the courtyard, then a room should be prepared for her to live in. If she is to serve the young master, then she should naturally live in the young master's room."
Zhao Jingyu's eyes lit up immediately, but his face was serious as he said, "Call her here to serve me. Ask someone to clean up the partition in my room and put her there when she comes."
Wei Jun knew what he was thinking this time, and he walked out with a secret smile on his face.
The second young master never let maids stand guard in his room at night. That compartment has been empty ever since the second young master moved in. Now it is finally going to be used.
*****
The second steward changed for the fast horse of the marquis's mansion and hurried back under the stars with six guards. After dawn, they entered the manor and went straight to the mansion to see the fourth concubine.
When the Fourth Aunt saw the Marquis’ guards, she burst into tears instantly.
Although the Marquis was too busy with government affairs to come in person, he sent his most capable guard, which was enough to prove that he truly loved her.
When the Fourth Aunt thought about this, all the grievances and shocks she had suffered in the past few days turned into tenderness, and she wished she could grow wings and fly back to the Marquis.
Without further ado, she decided to set off immediately.
However, the guard said that the Marquis had appointed the Second Steward to replace Hu Sanmu as the Chief Steward, and that he needed to trouble the Fourth Aunt to personally announce it to the people on the farm to ensure that no one would be unconvinced.
The Fourth Aunt had no choice but to wait patiently for the Second Steward to gather the villagers, while she instructed Mrs. Liu to pack her luggage.
When Xie Nanjia saw that she only called Liu Pozi and not herself, she had a bad feeling in her heart.
But she did not panic and waited quietly for the Fourth Aunt to speak first.
Sure enough, the fourth aunt sent Mrs. Liu away and said to her hypocritically, "Xiu'er, thank you for taking care of me these days. I didn't bring anything good when I came here. This jade bracelet is still worth some money. I'll give it to you as a keepsake!"
As he spoke, he took off the bracelet from his wrist, took Xie Nanjia's hand and put it on her, completely forgetting the promise he made to Xie Nanjia when he was left alone that night.
Xie Nanjia raised her wrist and examined it for a moment, then said, "Thank you, Auntie. I'm sorry for the expense."
Fourth Aunt thought she would be somewhat disappointed, but she didn't expect her to accept it so happily. She couldn't help but wonder, "Have you never thought about going to the Marquis' Mansion with me?"
"Why are you going to the Marquis' Mansion?" Xie Nanjia said with a smile, "Once you enter the Marquis' Mansion, it's like entering a deep sea. If I, a girl who has never seen the world, go there, I'm afraid I'll be eaten to the bone. It's better for me to live a peaceful life here with my mother."
The Fourth Aunt was a little skeptical. She had always thought that Xiu'er served her so devoutly and gave her advice just so that she could go to the Marquis' Mansion with her one day.
Xiu'er was smart and clever. If she wasn't so attractive, she would really like to take her home. She was just now struggling over how to reject her calmly, but she didn't expect that she had never thought of that at all.
What a strange girl.
Xie Nanjia saw her doubts and said with a smile: "Take care of yourself, Auntie. I will pack my clothes and go home now. I wish you a safe journey."
"Hmm." The fourth aunt nodded, but she herself became sad. "You are such a cruel girl. It's fine if you don't send me off, but you don't even want to say a few more words to me?"
Xie Nanjia was walking towards the compartment when she heard this. She stopped and thought for a moment before saying, "I would like to give Auntie a few words, but I'm afraid I'm overstepping my authority."
The fourth concubine said, "Why are you being so particular in front of me? Just say it."
Xie Nanjia said seriously, "I have often heard Aunt say that people in the mansion are treacherous these days, and all of Aunt's confidants have been sold out. This time when I go back, I believe Madam will arrange new staff for you. Aunt, please be careful to screen and beware of people like Ma Pozi sneaking in again."
When the fourth concubine heard the name Ma Pozi, the image of Ma Pozi's tragic death immediately flashed through her mind. She shuddered and stepped forward to grab Xie Nanjia's hand: "Xiu'er, don't leave."
"Aunt, do you have any other instructions?" Xie Nanjia asked.
The fourth concubine trembled and said, "You are right. I don't even have a confidant around me. Who knows what kind of people the lady will send to serve me when I return? Otherwise, you should just come with me!"
(End of this chapter)