In the afternoon, news gradually came from outside that a servant who was responsible for collecting night-time incense in Qingqu Garden had disappeared. The manager sent people to look for him everywhere in the mansion, even the cellar and the dry well, but no one was found alive or dead.
Xie Nanjia felt more and more strange. She was the one who threw the person into the pool with her own hands, so how could he disappear
She took some time to go to Hualou again and asked him what was going on.
Hualou said she didn't know either. She listened to Xie Nanjia's words that day and stayed in the room until everyone got up before going out. When she went out, she found that everyone was doing their own things as usual. Except for the servant who shared the room with that person who said that the person was missing, there was nothing unusual, and there was no one in the pool.
Hualou didn't understand what was going on, but she was obviously very happy because this way others would not suspect them.
Xie Nanjia didn't think so. In her opinion, there were three possibilities for the person's disappearance. One was that she had resurrected from the dead. Two was that she was not dead and had crawled out by herself or was rescued by someone else. Three was that someone saw what they did and cleaned up the body after they left.
The first two possibilities are simply nonsense. Although she is a reborn person, she absolutely does not believe in the theory of resurrection. If the person is not dead, whether he crawled out by himself or was rescued by others, there is no reason to conceal or hide it from others. Therefore, the only speculation that can stand up is the third one.
If it is the third one, it would be terrible.
Someone witnessed their behavior with his own eyes, but not only did he not expose them, he helped them destroy the bodies. What was this person's purpose? If he doesn't say it now, will he suddenly jump out one day and use this secret to force them to help him do bad things
She did not tell Hualou her thoughts. Hualou was a simple-minded person, and telling her too much would only make her uneasy.
She skipped the topic and asked Hualou if he wanted to leave Qingqu Garden.
Hualou said she wanted to, but she couldn't leave. She would only be safe if she stayed in Qingqu Garden.
Xie Nanjia asked why, but Hualou refused to say.
They were not close enough to be confidants of each other. After her death, Hualou became more cautious than before and was unwilling to trust others easily.
Xie Nanjia didn't ask any more questions and went back to analyze the matter slowly.
The reason why Hualou said that she was only safe in Qingqu Garden was that someone was looking for trouble with her, or didn't want her to appear in the public eye, or thought her existence was a threat.
Hualou has always been kind to others and it is impossible for her to threaten anyone. The only person who might be a threat to her is her murderer.
Therefore, Hualou is most likely to know the real murderer.
Hualou stayed to avenge her.
The murderer probably knew that Hualou was seeking revenge on her, so she wanted to get rid of Hualou.
But during this period, the General's Mansion was already suspicious because of the death of the wet nurse. Killing Hualou rashly would only arouse greater suspicion, so she could only drive Hualou out.
Hualou didn't want to go out, so she somehow hid in Qingqu Garden and temporarily hid from the man's eyes and ears. She couldn't go anywhere else until she was sure she had killed that man.
After figuring out all these points, Xie Nanjia could no longer sit still. She wished she could run to Hualou immediately, tell him her true identity, and ask him to tell her who the real murderer was, so that they could work together to kill the murderer.
But she has not lost her mind. Hualou knew the real murderer, but did not tell the people in the General's Mansion at the first time. It can be seen that there is another hidden story. Hualou would never believe such nonsense as rebirth. He might even stay away from her and even tell others what she said.
She went to great lengths to return to the Marquis' Mansion, not only for revenge, but also to protect her son as he grew up, so she had to ensure that she could live here forever.
If she wants to live here forever, she cannot just kill a well-known or even prominent person, because the death of such a person will definitely cause waves in the mansion, and the government may even be asked to investigate the case. If she is accidentally exposed, she will never see her son again.
In view of this, she still has to proceed step by step steadily.
In the following days, she did not go to Hualou again. Whenever she had free time, she would quietly plan what to do next.
Qin Wanru has been staying in the mansion since she was invited back last time. Qin went to report to the old lady in person, saying that the child was too young and would vomit when crying, and even bile would come out if he vomited so hard. She begged the old lady not to look at anything else, but for the sake of the child, let Qin Wanru stay with the child for a few more days, and let Qin Wanru go back when the child is a little older, in better health, and can eat porridge and rice.
The old lady couldn't say anything in front of her. After the people left, she said to the maidservant beside her: "This is really a weird story. A grown girl is not her biological mother and she doesn't produce milk. Why does the child cling to her? Are you treating people like fools?"
Mammy agreed, "That's right. I've always heard that a child will kiss whoever feeds him/her. But since she has no milk and can't give birth, what's the point of kissing her?"
The old lady said, "She is the mistress of the house after all. I can't embarrass her every time. Let's wait a little longer. In a few months, when the child is older, I'll see what she can say."
"Yes, old lady, just let her go. Anyway, the Marquis won't give in, so it's impossible for Miss Boushi to marry into the family."
A few days passed like this, and it was the young master's hundredth day. No one from outside was invited, and only people from the East and West Mansions were called over. A few tables were set up in the Food Garden. All of them were family members, both men and women, who gathered together in a lively atmosphere, and at the same time got rid of the bad luck that had been going on for many days.
For the sake of the children, the old lady and Zhao Jingyu also came.
Just after the beginning of autumn, the weather was not so hot, so Qin asked the wet nurse to bring the baby out for everyone to see.
There has been no peace in the mansion ever since the child was born, and he is kept in Qin Wanru's yard all day long, and very few people have seen him.
Now that he was brought out, everyone gathered around to look at him. Seeing that he was plump, fair and handsome, they all loved him very much. One person held him, another held him, and no one could let him go.
Of course, I also received a lot of gifts.
The child was brought to Zhao Jingyu. Zhao Jingyu looked at him and wanted to hug him but didn't dare.
The old lady joked with him: "You should hug her too, maybe you can get married and have kids next year!"
Everyone laughed, and someone, relying on the old lady's courage, joked with him: "Second Young Master, hold me, and see who is more handsome with your little nephew."
Zhao Jingyu was in a good mood. She lifted her hair and winked: "Look at how drooling he is. He must be envious of Second Uncle's beauty. So I am still a little better."
As he said this, he gently touched the child's mouth with his finger. Unexpectedly, the child opened his mouth and bit his finger. Although he had no teeth, the bite was quite painful. Zhao Jingyu cried out "Ouch" and wanted to pull his hand back, but the child held on tightly and refused to let go, making everyone laugh.
The old lady laughed and scolded him: "I told you to be shameless, even your nephew couldn't stand it."
Everyone laughed even more happily.
Zhao Jingyu had no choice but to take off his white jade fan pendant and wave it in front of his eyes. The child was attracted and reached out to grab the fan pendant, letting go of Zhao Jingyu's fingers and grinning at him with his toothless little mouth.
"Hey, you little money-grubber, you actually know what's good." Zhao Jingyu pinched his little face and suddenly discovered that he had a pair of phoenix eyes, and his eyeballs were as black and white as chess pieces, clear and lively.
What beautiful eyes! He secretly admired them, and couldn't help but think of Xiu'er's eyes, which were also black and white, clear and lively. The only difference was that Xiu'er's eyes were a little more cunning.
What a coincidence, he played chess with the old monk from Fanyin Temple and won two white jade fan pendants, which happened to be given to the man with phoenix eyes.
It seems that he is destined to be with someone with almond-shaped eyes.
The child was not very hungry. He was smiling one moment and crying loudly with hunger the next. The wet nurse quickly took him to the side hall to feed him.
Everyone laughed for a while and then continued to eat.
I don’t know if it’s because of the good atmosphere, but today’s meal tasted particularly delicious. Everyone was eating happily and asked whether the Qin family’s mansion had a new cook or invited a chef from an outside restaurant.
Qin said that they were still the same few people and no new people were replaced.
Fifth Miss Zhao Lanxin suddenly said, "I heard from Gan Ju that there is a cook in the kitchen who is very good at cooking. Is it because there is a shortage of staff today, so she is asked to take over?"
Her biological mother, the Second Aunt, quickly scolded her: "Don't talk nonsense. The cooks cook for the servants. How can the dishes they cook be presented on the table?"
"It's true." Zhao Lanxin was still young and innocent. "I tasted the food Gan Ju brought to another girl. It was really delicious."
There was a low laugh at the table.
A young lady, even if she is born out of wedlock, shouldn't have to eat the food of a maid, right
The second aunt blushed and told her not to say anything more.
Zhao Jingyu thought of Xiu'er and wondered if some of these dishes were cooked by Xiu'er
Just as he was thinking about it, the serving girls brought pigeon soup. Zhao Jingyu took a sip and immediately confirmed his guess.
He glanced at Marquis Dingyuan and found that he was quietly wiping his tears with his sleeve. He must have been reminded of the Crown Prince's wife because of the familiar smell.
"Father." Zhao Jingyu called him and stood up to personally add a bowl of soup to him. "This soup tastes good. Father, have another bowl."
The father and son looked at each other, and they understood each other. Dingyuan Hou took the soup with a smile and said, "It's rare that you are so filial. Your father is very happy. You haven't been to the front yard for a long time. When the banquet is over, go to my study and sit for a while!"
Zhao Jingyu nodded in agreement.
Everyone's expressions became subtle.
Qin secretly poked Zhao Jingping and whispered to him, "You only know how to eat. Look at your brother. A bowl of soup can make your father smile happily, and he even asked him to go to the study. How long has it been since you last went to your father's study?"
Zhao Jingping said: "I don't want to go yet. Every time I go back, they either beat me or scold me, or ask me about my homework. It's so annoying."
"You..." Qin was so disappointed with him that she couldn't get angry in front of everyone, so she had to wait until she got back to teach him a lesson.
She wanted to please Marquis Dingyuan on behalf of her son. Seeing that Marquis Dingyuan liked to drink this soup very much, she told Yunyan: "Go to the kitchen and ask who made the soup today. Call that person over and I will reward him. The Marquis is busy with official duties during the day and has to stay up late at night. I will ask her to make some nourishing soup for the Marquis every day as a midnight snack."
Yun Yan followed the order and went to the kitchen. The second wife of the West Mansion, Han, smiled and joked: "Sister-in-law is really considerate to the Marquis. Even though they are an old couple, they are still as loving as they were when they were young."
Qin blushed: "Even a table full of delicious food can't stop you from talking."
The third wife of the East Palace, Cheng, helped her tease the second wife: "Second sister-in-law would say to eldest sister-in-law, didn't you ask someone to find deer and tigers for your second brother to nourish his body a few days ago?"
The second wife blushed immediately, but she replied unyieldingly: "You didn't give third brother any patching, so you must have patched it yourself."
It was rare for the three sisters-in-law to be so harmonious, and everyone laughed along.
The old lady was also very happy and said with a smile: "Look, the whole family is happy when there is one more person in the family. So, my grandchildren should work harder and add more children to the family."
"Yes, yes, I think the most important one is Jingyu. He is good-looking and the children he will have will definitely be good-looking too." said the third lady.
"Why can't you get around me today?" Zhao Jingyu said with a smile, "Please forgive me, I don't want to get married too early, I haven't had enough fun yet!
"That's because you haven't met your nemesis. If you had, you would be anxious to get married." Seeing that he was very easy-going tonight, the third lady teased him even more.
Qin was unhappy that Zhao Jingyu overshadowed her son, and she secretly pinched Zhao Jingping.
Zhao Jingping cried out, "Mother, why did you pinch me?"
“…” Qin was furious.
Everyone understood that she was unhappy that her bastard was receiving so much attention, so they all stopped talking in embarrassment.
As a result, the old lady was not happy either.
The atmosphere was getting awkward when Yun Yan came back from the kitchen, followed by a little girl.
The maid lowered her head, and her face could not be seen clearly for a moment. The second wife asked, "Why did you call the little maid?"
(End of this chapter)