"I see that the fourth brother and sister are a little tired today, come here and sit down and have a rest!"
As soon as Crown Princess Zheng said these words, everyone realized that Xie Mingru's graceful and dignified face was indeed a little tired, and the dark green makeup under her eyes could not hide it.
The curious ladies began to wonder again. Could it be that something new had happened in Prince Yong's Mansion recently?
"Thank you sister-in-law for your consideration!"
Whether it was in front of outsiders or in the East Palace, Xie Mingru had no choice but to raise a graceful and dignified smile and sit down next to Mrs. Zheng.
Xie Mingru's arrival made the Shuixie area more lively.
The several families who wanted to cling to King Yong were busy flattering. After flattering King Yong, they flattered the Xie family. The two Xie sisters were almost praised to the sky.
As for Wei Liangdi, she had been at odds with Princess Yong when they were still in the boudoir. She didn't even bother to do any superficial work. Instead, she pulled Gu Yunqing to talk to the ladies next to her.
As for Xie Yunrou, she has been a little absent-minded since her eldest sister arrived. She lowered her head and did not dare to say a few words. Her eyes even dodged when she was pulled by Zheng to talk. She was teased by Zheng several times, and she also had an affair with Princess Yong. Xie Mingru said a lot of nice things for her.
At this time, the maid came forward to change the tea. When it was handed to Xie Yunrou's hand, because she was distracted, she didn't take it properly, and all the tea and tea leaves spilled on the hem of her skirt.
Xie Yunrou stood up in shock.
"what happened?"
Mrs. Zheng sternly scolded the maid in the East Palace.
"Princess, please forgive me, this slave deserves to die!"
The maid hurriedly carried the tray and knelt down on the ground.
"How dare you be so frizzy and careless about such hot tea. If you hurt the guest...!"
Zheng's rebuke was so severe that several people in the waterside pavilion were startled, and their laughter stopped for a moment.
"Everyone has their faults, so why should my sister be so harsh and harsh? You must know that Your Highness has always treated you kindly!"
Today is Wei's birthday, so naturally he couldn't see Zheng showing off his power, so he said coolly to the side.
"Princess, Yunrou is fine, just go down and clean up!"
"This maid seems to be unintentional. Please ask the Crown Princess to spare her this time!"
Xie Yunrou lowered her head and stood up, pleading softly.
"That's all, for your sake, let's spare this girl for now!"
Mrs. Zheng didn't even look at Mrs. Wei, she helped Xie Yunrou with her own hands and said gently.
"Slave, thank you to the Crown Princess, and thank you to Miss Third!"
The maid who was kneeling on the ground thanked her with a panicked look on her face, then stood up and backed away with her head slightly lowered.
When she passed Tao Ye, the panic on the maid's face had long since disappeared, replaced by pride and relaxation.
It was no accident that the tea cup fell over just now...
Taoye thought to herself, with doubts in her heart. Over there, Xie Yunrou had been led by two maids from the East Palace to change clothes elsewhere.
Before leaving, Xie Mingru gave a few more instructions. Seeing her sister lowering her head with a cautious and guilty look on her face, she didn't even think of going anywhere else.
"I've been sitting here for a long time, so why not go for a walk in the garden? Although the red plum forest here is not as good as the one at the back of Ningguo Temple, it's still worth a look!"
After chatting for a while, Wei suggested with a smile.
I thanked Yunrou only after putting the peach leaves down, feeling secretly happy in my heart.
She made an appointment with her eldest brother to meet. If Madam kept chatting at the waterside pavilion, she would not have time to go outside.
The Wei family is the protagonist today, and even the Crown Princess Zheng wants to give her some credit. Naturally, everyone actively agrees.
When they arrived outside Meilin, Taoye was called away by Chen Shujun.
"Madam, I would like to ask Taoye about some things about combing my hair and dressing up. I wonder if Madam can give me permission?"
"No need to ask for advice, just ask her if you need anything!"
Gu Yunqing left the person outside without thinking.
At this time, they happened to see the Du family and their daughter on the side, so they happily invited people to go with them.
"Miss Chen has something to do with this slave?"
Taoye followed the person for a long time, but did not see Chen Shujun speak.
"Don't worry, I won't sell you!"
Chen Shujun joked.
Taoye also laughed, but she thought Chen Shujun wanted to tell her how well the jewelry made with those patterns sold last time.
Seeing that Ms. Chen is so happy, those jewelry must have sold well.
Ever since Taoye noticed her elder brother's difficulties, she became even more keen on saving money.
But when she was about to reach the wall, Chen Shujun stopped, glanced at Taoye with a smile, and gestured towards the wall.
On the other side of the carved hollow wall is the familiar clear and plain figure.
"Thank you, Miss Chen!"
Taoye didn't have time to think about why Miss Chen was connected with her eldest brother, so she quickly walked over with her skirt in hand after seeing that no one was around.
"Don't worry Ayuan, this place is hidden and no one will find it!"
Chu Yizuo on the other side saw his sister carefully and cautiously looking at the environment here, and comforted her warmly.
"Are you looking for big brother for something? Did you feel wronged in the Duke's Mansion? Did that maid frame you again last time?"
Chu Yizuo expressed concern anxiously.
"Don't worry, brother, my wife and the fifth young master are treating me very well!"
Taoye shook her head, and before Chu Yizuo could ask further questions, she asked first, "Why did the eldest brother change his name? Is my mother in Shengjing? Is she in good health?"
Time is tight for private meetings, and there is no room for brother and sister to reminisce.
Tao Ye's eyes couldn't conceal her eagerness, but Chu Yi Zhuo turned his head subconsciously when he heard this sentence, and then turned back after a moment: "My eldest brother was fortunate enough to be adopted by a family in Yunzhou City, so he changed his name. My mother is still here." If you live in Yunzhou, everything will be fine!"
When Chu Yizuo said the last word, the corners of his lips turned down slightly. Tao Ye lowered his head calmly, and sure enough he saw the slightly clenched hand.
The brother and sister grew up together and had a very good relationship. When they separated, they were old enough to remember each other and knew each other's habits well.
Chu Yizuo recognized Tao Ye's gestures, and Tao Ye also remembered her elder brother's little moves.
When the eldest brother lies, his left hand will clenched unconsciously.
Mother...is mother still alive? A sharp pain flashed through Taoye's heart.
"Brother, can you send a letter to my mother for me? Ayuan has a lot to say to her!"
Taoye asked tentatively.
"Of course, if mother knows that you are still alive and well, she will be very happy!"
Chu Yizuo didn't realize it and immediately agreed. The joy on his face was very real.
Tao Ye felt relieved, luckily, at least her mother was still alive.
"Ayuan, is Young Master Rong Wu really treating you well? If you are not doing well, you must tell your elder brother!"
Chu Yi Zhuo choked up and continued: "You have to protect yourself. When my eldest brother wins the scientific examination next year and is elected as an official, he will find a way to reunite our family!"
Chu Yizuo looked at his sister's beautiful but thin face, and felt very painful in her heart.
It was because of his incompetence that he failed to protect his father, mother and sister.
Even now, he could only persuade his sister to continue to endure this life of being a slave.
