in2ebook Chapter 142 Maid Picking Lotus
Chapter 142 Maid Picking Lotus
Zhao Yunzheng nodded slightly and helped Xu Jiaojiao follow Xu Guanghe into the mansion.
The Xu residence was not large, nor as luxurious as a prince's mansion, but it was quiet and elegant, making it very suitable for someone like Xu Jiaojiao to recuperate and have a safe pregnancy.
After winding their way through the crowd, they finally stopped in front of a secluded courtyard.
The courtyard is surrounded by bamboo groves, quiet yet exquisite, clearly a carefully chosen location.
Zhao Yunzheng stopped and was very satisfied with the courtyard: "The environment here is quiet and suitable for recuperation. Lord Xu has put a lot of thought into it."
Xu Guanghe quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness is too kind. It is my great honor to be able to share Your Highness's burdens."
Zhao Yunzheng nodded slightly, then looked down at Xu Jiaojiao and said in a gentle tone, "I will keep Jin Gang and Dali by your side. If you need anything, just tell them."
Xu Jiaojiao glanced around and smiled faintly, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."
Everything was very thoughtful, but when they arrived at the courtyard gate, Zhao Yunzheng did not go in: "Jiaojiao, I have official business to attend to, so I won't go in. I'll come to see you again in a few days."
Everything has been delivered here, yet Prince Chen says he's busy with official duties?
Xu Jiaojiao found it strange, but didn't say anything.
She understood that Prince Chen had his own reasons for doing things. He would tell her what he could let her know, and he would keep quiet about what he couldn't let her know.
Thinking of this, Xu Jiaojiao bowed slightly: "Alright, Your Highness, I will always be ready to welcome you. I only wish Your Highness all the best."
After seeing Zhao Yunzheng off, Xu Jiaojiao bowed slightly to Xu Guanghe to express her gratitude, and then entered the courtyard with Jin Gang's help.
There were already maids waiting in the courtyard. When they saw Xu Jiaojiao enter, they quickly stepped forward and bowed: "This servant is Cailian. Greetings, Miss."
Picking lotus?
Xu Jiaojiao was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but look up at the maid.
The little girl in front of me was slender and fair-skinned, and looked quite similar to Lianye.
Xu Jiaojiao felt a sharp pain in her heart: "Raise your head."
"Yes." Cailian responded, raising her head slightly, but not looking directly at Xu Jiaojiao, appearing docile and obedient.
Looking at the little girl's face, which bore a striking resemblance to Lianye, Xu Jiaojiao's eyes welled up with tears, which involuntarily streamed down her cheeks.
No wonder Prince Chen left as soon as he saw him to the door…
He understood her sadness, he always had...
Seeing her suddenly burst into tears, Jin Gang was somewhat at a loss: "Miss, what's wrong? Is your wound hurting? Should I... uh, should I go and fetch the Prince?"
Dali, standing to the side, looked at Jin Gang, silently pointed at Cai Lian, and then shook his head, signaling her not to speak.
Cailian was also terrified and knelt down in a daze: "Did I do something wrong to make you angry, Miss?"
Xu Jiaojiao stepped forward and bent down to help Cailian up: "I was just thinking about some past events and feeling a little sad. You did nothing wrong, get up quickly."
The kind and gentle tone made Cailian feel a little dazed, and she couldn't help but look up at her master.
The moment their eyes met, the affection revealed in her master's eyes startled her slightly, and her heart began to race involuntarily.
Coming to her senses, she quickly lowered her head and murmured, "Thank you, young lady..."
……
At that time, in the backyard of the Xu family mansion.
"Hey, hey, did you see that? The master just led a few people into the mansion. The man leading them was incredibly handsome, and his whole demeanor was so imposing. He was definitely not an ordinary person!"
“I saw it too. The man was supporting a woman who was wrapped up tightly and looked unwell.”
"Who do you think these two are?"
"Who could have known? Look at how timid and submissive our master is, these two must be people of unusual backgrounds..."
"Did any of you see which courtyard the master took them to?"
"Judging from that direction, it should be the Bamboo Garden."
"That place is really remote. There must be something shady going on between the master and these two!"
"What shameful things are you talking about?"
Suddenly, a clear and sweet voice came from behind the crowd, and the maids and servants who had gathered around fell silent.
Upon recognizing the person behind them, the group exchanged bewildered glances and hastily began to bow.
"Meet Miss!"
"This servant greets Miss!"
"I hope you are well, Miss!"
"..."
The cacophony of voices from the crowd gave Xu Qingran a headache.
"Tsk..." She frowned slightly, looking impatient: "Shut up, all of you! It's so noisy!"
Everyone immediately fell silent.
Xu Qingran's gaze swept across everyone's faces, and she casually pointed at one of them: "You, tell me, what were you all talking about just now?"
The maid who was called turned pale and stepped forward tremblingly, whispering, "Reporting to Miss, we were just talking about how Master brought some guests into the manor and went to the Bamboo Courtyard..."
"Bamboo Courtyard?" Xu Qingran raised an eyebrow, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. "Hasn't that place always been empty? Why would Father bring people there?"
The maidservant lowered her head, not daring to say more, and only replied softly, "We servants don't know either, but we saw the master personally leading those guests over, and his attitude was very respectful..."
Upon hearing this, Xu Qingran became even more curious.
She grew up in the Xu family mansion and knew every plant and tree in the mansion like the back of her hand. Although the bamboo courtyard was quiet and elegant, it was in a remote location and almost no one ever set foot there.
Why would Father suddenly take people there?
Moreover, judging from the maids' descriptions, those guests seemed to be people of considerable status...
She narrowed her eyes, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"Alright, you can all leave now. Stop gossiping here." Xu Qingran waved her hand, her tone indifferent.
The crowd felt as if they had been granted a pardon and quickly bowed and withdrew.
After everyone had left, Xu Qingran stood there, gazing thoughtfully in the direction of the Bamboo Courtyard.
A moment later, she started walking towards the bamboo courtyard…
……
Inside the bamboo courtyard, Xu Jiaojiao sat by the window, holding a cup of hot milk in her hands, but her gaze was somewhat unfocused.
Cailian stood to the side, carefully observing her expression. Seeing that she seemed to have something on her mind, she asked softly, "Miss, would you like me to prepare some snacks?"
Xu Jiaojiao snapped out of her daze and shook her head: "No need, I don't have much of an appetite."
Cailian nodded and was about to leave when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from outside the courtyard.
She turned to look at the courtyard gate and saw Xu Guanghe walking hurriedly towards her.
"This servant greets Lord Xu." Cailian bowed slightly.
Hearing the sound, Xu Jiaojiao turned around and looked over.
Upon seeing that it was Xu Guanghe, he immediately stood up from his chair: "Lord Xu..."
“Miss Xu, there’s no need for such formalities! You are still injured, please have a seat!” Xu Guanghe knew that Xu Jiaojiao was the Prince’s darling, so he naturally dared not accept her courtesy and immediately stepped forward.
Xu Jiaojiao nodded slightly, and after Xu Guanghe sat down, she also sat down: "Lord Xu, you seem to be in a hurry, has something happened?"
Prince Chen and Xu Guanghe had been gone for less than half an hour when Xu Guanghe returned.
Judging from his expression, it seemed he had something important to say.
Sure enough, Xu Guanghe got straight to the point: "Although the Bamboo Courtyard is secluded and quiet, there are indeed quite a few servants in my household..."