"You guys should work more quickly, the hot tea is being passed around again!"
"The new little girl, you will go help light the fire later. Now grab a few bundles of firewood for later use!"
"What are you doing standing still? Do you hear me clearly?"
After being repeatedly instigated by the old woman, Yinglian could only nod and walked out of the house.
Due to royal rules, although Zhu Jinghong rescued Yinglian, he could not take her with him, so he gave her to Lu Yuxin to settle down.
After staying in the dining room for a few days, Yinglian's heart gradually calmed down, and she was no longer as frightened as when she was in the hands of the kidnapper.
When Yinglian was busy in the woodshed, a young eunuch appeared in the dining room, which attracted everyone in the dining room to greet her one after another, all with extremely respectful expressions.
"Little Eunuch Zhang, why are you here? Say hello to me if you want any food!"
"A tribute gift arrived two days ago. It's the thing called... called coconut melon sent by Nanhai. It tastes extremely sweet. Could you please give Eunuch Zhang a taste?"
The eunuchs in the dining room came from the Shangshan Prison, and the female officials and maids in the dining room were additionally dispatched by the Shangshi Bureau under the order of the queen.
There are more than forty men and women in total, who are responsible for eating and drinking for the Zhu Jinghong brothers, so everyone is relaxed.
"There's no need for melons and fruits. Where is the little girl who was placed here two days ago?" Zhang Pingan asked in a deep voice.
"New girl?"
There was only one newcomer, and the eunuch in charge immediately replied: "He is under Wu Dianshan!"
Zhang Ping'an was Zhu Jinghong's man, but now he came to ask about Yinglian, which made Wu Dianshan's heart skip a beat.
Could it be that that little girl has something to do with Master Thirteen? But she was clearly sent by that boy named Lu...
Zhang Ping'an immediately said: "Wu Dianshan, call someone over here!"
Just because Yinglian is new here and she does all the dirty and hard work. If this really has something to do with Zhu Jinghong, she will talk nonsense when they meet...
Thinking of this, Wu Dianshan's expression became more solemn.
"Go and fetch that girl!"
Wu Dianshan winked, and he immediately understood what he was doing, turned around and walked towards the woodshed.
Everyone who stayed there dispersed, and Wu Dianshan also got busy and opened a coconut for Zhang Pingan himself.
At the other end of the yard, firewood has been taken from Yinglian.
Looking at Yinglian's beautiful appearance, Yu Zhangshan felt envious, jealous, and resentful, but at this moment he could only greet her with a smile.
"Girl, have you been tired these past few days?"
"Those bastards are so lazy that they blame you for everything. I only found out about these things today. I will definitely teach them a lesson when I get back!"
"If you have any grievances, just say it, and Wu Dianshan and I will make the decision for you!"
It is better to let Yinglian complain at this time than to let her speak in front of Zhu Jinghong.
Moreover, in these words, Yu Zhangshan removed himself, and he would not be able to find her if anything happened later.
While Yu Zhangshan was still organizing his words, Yinglian said with a worried look: "Auntie, I'm not tired these days. I can still do a lot of work. Don't drive me away!"
After years of being homeless, it was hard to find a place to settle down, and Yinglian certainly didn't want to leave.
Seeing that Yinglian was focusing on this, Yu Zhangshan knew that she was lonely and helpless in the past, and she didn't know that she was rescued by Zhu Jinghong.
With such a beautiful appearance, it is normal for the Thirteenth Master to take notice of her. It is not impossible to earn a position in the palace in the future, but she will make a good relationship today.
"Don't worry, kid...no one will drive you away!"
With a kind look, Yu Zhangshan adjusted her robe, and then said: "You child, if you have any difficulties or grievances, please tell me... I will make the decision for you!"
This is the first time Yinglian has been cared about by someone, which makes her recall her mother whose memory has been blurred.
Thinking of this, all the grievances that no one had talked to over the years came to her heart, and Yinglian burst into tears for a while.
Although it was scheming, Yu Zhangshan was a woman after all, and she felt pity at this moment. She comforted and wiped away Yinglian's tears.
After finally comforting her, after Yinglian stopped crying, Yu Zhangshan informed her that someone wanted to see her.
"Auntie, who wants to see me?"
Yinglian didn't know Zhu Jinghong's identity, so there must be a reason, and Yu Zhangshan didn't dare to tell him casually.
"You'll know when you go there!"
After a pause, Yu Zhangshan asked again: "After you go, you must be careful in your response and don't offend the noble, otherwise you may risk your life!"
Yinglian's ignorant appearance made Yu Zhangshan, who had never been married, feel a little bit like a baby, so she gave this advice.
"Okay, I get it now!"
Soon, Yinglian was brought to the main courtyard of the dining room. At this moment, Zhang Pingan had drank two glasses of coconut juice and was feeling very comfortable.
"Little Eunuch Zhang, we've already arrived!"
After taking a look at Yinglian, Zhang Pingan praised her beauty and led Yinglian to see Zhu Jinghong.
Along the way, Zhang Pingan talked endlessly, mainly introducing the rules to Yinglian, how to salute, how to advance and retreat, etc.
While studying, Yinglian also paid attention to her surroundings.
The majestic soldiers standing guard and the eunuchs and maids walking with their heads lowered all made Yinglian feel novel and shocked. She really couldn't imagine what a wealthy family this was.
After walking through the palace gates for about half an hour, she was taken to a garden.
Yingtian Palace was rebuilt, and the garden on the north side was no exception. At this moment, Zhu Jinghong was boating on the lake.
"Master Thirteen, Xiao Anzi is back!"
"Come to shore!" Zhu Jinghong said slowly.
There was nothing much to do in the past two days. First, he danced with guns and sticks, and then rode horses and archery. His former martial arts skills gradually returned, making Zhu Jinghong's life extremely fulfilling.
He gave himself a day off today and went to the garden for a walk.
Not long after the boat docked, Yinglian saw clearly who she was going to see, which made her feel uneasy.
Having seen Zhu Jinghong beat Xue Pan with her own eyes, how could Yinglian not be afraid? Who knows who is worse, him or Xue Pan.
But after what she saw along the way, Yinglian was certain that the force that had snatched her away must be stronger than the Xue family.
After getting off the boat and going ashore, Zhu looked at Yinglian who was standing with her head bowed. Zhu Jinghong smiled slightly: "Why, I don't know you anymore?"
Deng An on the side said: "Master Thirteen is talking to you, raise your head!"
Only then did Yinglian raise her head, her hands holding the corners of her clothes at a loss.
Thinking that Yinglian was surrendering, Zhu Jinghong ordered: "You all stand down, and I will talk to her alone!"
But his move made Yinglian even more frightened, and she felt miserable but didn't dare to say it.
"Master Thirteen, there is no one to serve here..."
"Back off!" Zhu Jinghong frowned.
His tone increased. Not only did several eunuchs dare not say anything, but Yinglian on the side was also extremely frightened, as if there was a tiger pouncing in front of her.
After several eunuchs left, Zhu Jinghong sat on the stool, looked at Yinglian and asked, "How have you been these past two days?"
"My aunts treat me well and I work with them!"
Seeing Yinglian's lowered eyebrows, Zhu Jinghong said helplessly: "Are you afraid of me?"
It was a casual question, but this honest girl nodded seriously, making Zhu Jinghong dumbfounded.
Putting away the folding fan, Zhu Jinghong asked again: "What do I have to be afraid of?"
Yinglian was silent again. She was insecure and could not let go of her guard, especially towards "vicious people" like Zhu Jinghong.
"May I have your name?"
"Lan'er!"
"Lan'er? Who named you that?"
As soon as he asked this question, Zhu Jinghong had an answer. It was obviously given by the kidnapper.
Looking at the rouge mark between Yinglian's eyebrows, Zhu Jinghong asked again: "Do you know... your real name!"
Just as Yinglian shook her head, Zhu Jinghong said slowly: "But I know!"
