The Duke's Mansion.
Pei Musheng had not slept well for several days. She sat in the room and looked through the wooden window at the tall figure guarding the courtyard.
After returning from Lushan Town, she learned that her eldest brother had personally arrested someone, but she didn't find out any more information later.
No one in the entire Guogong Mansion knew that Song Jinyin was missing from Zhuya Courtyard.
Pei Musheng thought that even if he knew, no one would care, and maybe some would feel relieved, such as the grandmother in Fuluyuan.
But apart from those low emotions, Pei Musheng still couldn't figure out why her eldest brother received the news so quickly that day.
It can't be Biyu, nor is it like the coachman, and the others don't have that ability.
Thoughts drift away.
The wooden door clicked lightly, followed by a hollow sound.
"Girl, the Third Madam invites you to come over. You may want to stop for a day to practice martial arts today."
Pei Musheng responded, his voice a little dull.
The so-called martial arts practice was actually just an excuse for her father not to want her to stay in one place all day long. He also thought that if the girl's family really took over part of the shop in the future, they would have to be somewhat impressive outside.
On weekdays, she loved spending time with Kong Qing, whipping her whip, practicing swordplay and boxing. For her, it was just some fancy tricks, but it was better than nothing.
But today, she suddenly didn't dare to stay with Kong Qing.
When he left the house, the man lowered his head politely, hiding his good appearance. His green clothes made him look cold and solemn, and his sharp edges showed sharpness.
Pei Musheng had just taken a few steps when she suddenly stopped and looked sideways at the man who was keeping a certain distance from her.
She has never been tolerant of people close to her.
"Kong Qing, can you lie to me?"
The man paused slightly, then bowed and clasped his fists: "I don't dare to deceive the girl."
"Then will you go behind my back and do something you shouldn't do?"
The silence was extremely short, and the man with his head bowed his hands again and said: "I am ordered to protect the girl and will not do anything I shouldn't do."
Pei Musheng glanced at him steadily, and while the maid was getting the stove for her, she lowered her voice and smiled softly.
"I really like Song Jinyin. At first I was bored and wanted to find a way to get into Zhuyayuan, but then I really liked her and thought there were many great things about her."
"Her female-red piano skills, as well as forbearance and calmness, are all things I can't learn from. The most important thing is that she helped me a lot some time ago. The styles she drew and the ideas she gave me were all great. I'm very grateful, but she never takes credit, and even takes my character into consideration when she acts."
"So if I see her again in the future, I think I should make amends with her, because you are the person next to me, but you helped my elder brother."
Kong Qing's figure did not move, and the finger bones of his fists turned white. It was not until Pei Musheng said something that he stood to one side with his eyes lowered.
No explanation was given, and no rebuttal was offered.
As if everything had never happened, Pei Musheng took the heater from the maid and walked to his mother's courtyard.
The cloak fell to his feet, without any curves due to the small and regular steps.
It was quiet along the way, Pei Musheng's eyes were floating, and he felt guilty again because of the thoughts in his heart.
She felt sorry for that girl, but she preferred Kong Qing, the person who had always been by her side.
And it was also at this moment that she seemed to suddenly understand the indifference on Song Jinyin's face, and her eyes that were unwilling to show their emotions no matter how much they held back.
No one is partial to Song Jinyin, and no one really cares about her situation.
She is like a passer-by, wandering among everyone.
Only the eldest brother seems to be able to be with her, but the eldest brother also has his own ambitions and things he wants to do.
In other words, the eldest brother also has a bond, but Song Jinyin does not.
Like a flower on a cliff, it blooms alone until it is blown down.
...
When Song Jinyin came back from eating, she ran into the little cook again, delivering newly arrived fruits.
Fruits in winter are extremely rare.
At this moment, the fruits in the basket are round and round, with water drops still on them, crystal clear, and they look very strange and cute.
"Have you ever tasted the cakes made by me? If you like them, I will make more later!"
The little cook grinned again, looking honest.
"Don't bother, but the glutinous rice cake tastes good. It's just that pancakes and pastries are not the same thing. I'd better explain it more clearly next time, otherwise I'll feel uncomfortable after eating too much."
"It's a small one, no."
The little cook scratched his head and said sheepishly: "My boss said in the past that I was a little careless, but my craftsmanship is not bad... Is there enough food for the girl? I will go out to buy it later. If If it’s not enough, I’ll bring some back to the girl when the time comes. Your body is the most important thing in everything.”
"Body..."
"Yes, my boss said that health is the most important thing. He also said that the girl should not be as reckless as last time, and don't be seen as wrong. He will find a way to send the girl out."
The little cook said the last sentence very quickly, and the smile on his face did not change, which only made people feel that he was saying something to please.
Song Jinyin was slightly startled, and then she realized when she saw her grandma approaching from a distance. While speaking, she took the basket from the little cook's hand.
"It's enough to eat, but if there are better ones, it would be nice to bring some back to me."
"Hello, girl! No matter how many things I can bring back, the younger one will be the first one to report to the girl!"
When the little cook retreated, Mammy frowned.
After all, he is a man. Even if he wants to please his master, he should not get so close.
But the words went around in a circle, and she saw Song Jinyin picking up the round fruit and swallowing it.
The prince asked her to take care of Song Jinyin, and he wanted her to recover as soon as possible. Although the little girl still looks thin, it is always a blessing to be able to eat. Maybe if she eats more, she can really gain some weight and regain some energy.
Thinking of this, grandma no longer wanted to blame the dedicated little cook.
"Although the fruits are delicious, they are a bit too cold. Girls, don't eat them all at once."
"I know, Mommy."
Song Jinyin nodded, and the sweet and sour juice burst out from the bitten fruit in her mouth. The coolness made her wake up immediately, and it was so delicious that she raised her eyebrows.
Grandma held the basket for her. Seeing that she was eating happily, she gave up her thoughts even more.
She didn't want to be too old-fashioned, so she listened to the prince's instructions and let her be happy for a few days first.
"By the way, mama, do you know where I put the robe that I wore when I first entered the house?"
Song Jinyin spoke inadvertently, picked up a piece of fruit and handed it over, gesturing to her mama to eat it with her.
"The old slave put it away for the girl. The men's robes are rough and heavy, not suitable for girls today."
"Where did you get it? Can you let me take a look?"
"Girl, are you thinking about the money and jewelry in the bag?"
Song Jinyin's cheeks were bulging. After listening to her mother's words, she nodded shyly and said vaguely: "Mammy also knows that I was a slave in the mansion. Those are the things I have saved over the years. I have not stolen or robbed them. Of course, I am. I’m thinking about it.”
"It's all in the box that the girl put in it."
The serious face of the mama finally had fluctuations, and the sharpness faded away, revealing a look of helplessness, "When I return to the house later, the old slave will take it out for the girl. Really... if the girl is more careful in the future, these things, You can have as much as you want."
Song Jinyin bit the fruit and said nothing.
She only wanted her own things, and she would rather have nothing if she was allowed to return to the Duke's mansion, or if she was kept in an outer room where she had no idea what to do.
She thought that the child in her belly did not need such a shameful status.
...
When she returned to the house, Hongli was still kneeling in the courtyard, her face whitened by the cold wind, and she was glaring at her fiercely.
But when she looked over, the resentful gaze was retracted.
There seemed to be a steward arriving at the entrance of the hospital. When Song Jinyin saw him for the first time, she looked like he had come specially to protect her.
But not long before the visitor put on his airs, he was frightened by the sword in the attendant's hand and retreated hastily.
When leaving, he looked back hurriedly several times with doubts on his face.
Traditionally, the status of a housekeeper in a house was higher than that of an ordinary woman with no name or status.
He knew that the master had never come to visit him after the first day, so he thought of making a show. In order to find out the news from above, the woman would definitely try her best to provide benefits and ask him, the housekeeper, for help.
And not only can he get the praise of this little girl Hongli, but he can also get a lot of money and treasures, and even improve his status, with no harm at all.
As for the two new guards and an old nanny, in his opinion, they were just people whom the master planned to keep and settle little by little, and they probably had nothing to do with the sick little girl.
Just when he looked at it, he was shocked to realize that something was wrong.
When Song Jinyin saw Hongli clenching her hands, and seeing the steward leaving unwillingly and angry, a thought suddenly flashed through her mind, and then she turned a corner and stopped in front of her.
If this maid had evil intentions, she might be able to take advantage of her. She had already been labeled with resentment, so there was no reason for her to suffer in vain.
Song Jinyin glanced at Hongli with contempt and disdain in her eyes. This was the first time she had shown such a look to others.
Sure enough, the eyes of the people kneeling on the ground were even more angry.
But Song Jinyin felt that it was not enough. She lowered her head and smiled provocatively at Hongli in a voice that only two people could hear.
"I forgot to tell you that in fact, I am just a maid like you. Unfortunately, as you saw, I climbed up the branch. As for you... Otherwise, if you don't have a person like me anymore, then See if you have what it takes to replace me."
Hongli's eyes widened.
Song Jinyin was not used to using such a tone.
She didn't like to get involved in anything, but right now she figured she had to use what she could, and even if it didn't work, she had to make some preparations first.
Pei Yanzhou will not indulge her for too long, not until he leaves Beijing at the latest.
And the relationship between them next time they meet will only be worse than that night in the inn.
So the best thing is not to have a next time.
