Chapter 236: Visiting the Residence
Noises came from the courtyard. Madam of Dongyang, who was sitting in the room with her eyes closed, rotating Buddhist prayer beads, slammed the beads on the table.
“These maids are getting more and more unruly!” Mama Xu, who was standing by her side, spoke first and immediately went out.
Her scolding voice rang out in the courtyard.
Madam of Dongyang exhaled and picked up the prayer beads again. But the courtyard didn’t quiet down. Instead, the noise continued, mixed with Mama Xu’s voice: “Really?” “When?” It seemed she had also joined in the excitement.
Madam of Dongyang’s anger flared up again. They must be gossiping about Zhou Jingyun. With this son, what dignity could she have? What dignity was there to pretend!
She grabbed the prayer beads, stood up, and was about to rush to the door to scold them herself when Mama Xu hurried in.
“Madam, something happened—”
Nothing could shock Madam of Dongyang anymore. She said coldly, “What new rumors are there about Zhou Jingyun?”
“No.” Mama Xu said, “That pleasure boat, it sank.”
Pleasure boat? Madam of Dongyang snorted, “Good that it sank!”
“Some say thieves tried to rob the boat.” Mama Xu said, “Fortunately, soldiers from the Capital Garrison were passing by and helped catch the thieves. But the boat was damaged and sank. However, some also say that someone wanted to harm Prince of Chu… Now the dock is under martial law. The Capital Prefecture, the Princess’ Residence, even the Emperor has been alerted.”
News from outside spread in, so the maids were gossiping.
Madam of Dongyang sat down, clutching the prayer beads, and suddenly asked, “Was Zhou Jingyun also alerted?”
Mama Xu’s face was awkward. She whispered, “The Marquis’s Heir was also there…”
As for when he went, no one knew. Anyway, many people saw him.
They also saw Prince of Chu Li Yu looking distraught, almost jumping into the river, while Zhou Jingyun was by his side, empathizing with him, comforting him from time to time…
Mama Xu would never say these words out loud. She also warned the maids not to spread rumors. Whoever dared to gossip would be sold off!
Even so, Madam of Dongyang seemed to be able to imagine the scene. Her face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. Although she asked Zhou Jingyun, and he denied those rumors, he was always by Prince of Chu’s side!
“Why didn’t they sink together on the boat!” She gritted her teeth and sat down.
Mama Xu was about to find something to divert the conversation when a maid walked in from outside, “Madam, we have a guest.”
Mama Xu was stunned. A guest? What guest? Did Madam have any guests today?
Madam of Dongyang frowned and looked at the maid, “Who is it?”
The maid’s eyes were a little vacant, “A woman with a gift, walked in from the second gate, so she is a guest…”
Madam was neglecting household matters now, but how could the maids also neglect their duties? Mama Xu angrily stepped forward and scolded, “You don’t even recognize the guests who come to the house?! How are you doing your job!”
The maid trembled, her expression no longer vacant, but bewildered, “I, I…”
She seemed to have done something, but didn’t know what she had done.
Another voice came from outside the door, “Madam, I’m coming in.”
It was an unfamiliar voice.
Mama Xu was stunned. This guest, who came from who knows where, had already arrived at the door?
As the voice spoke, someone walked in.
It was a young woman, seventeen or eighteen years old, with beautiful features, wearing a green dress that seemed to be a bit ill-fitting, holding a bundle in her arms…
No, that wasn’t a gift, it was, a child!
Mama Xu’s eyes widened instantly, and a thought popped into her head.
Madam of Dongyang looked at the woman, and a scene overlapped with her.
The alley, the doorway, the woman with a faint smile.
“Madam, are you looking for someone?”
She abruptly stood up, “It’s you!”
Bai Li smiled and curtsied, “Madam, it’s me.”
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It was her!
It was the woman the Marquis’s Heir kept outside!
Mama Xu shouted in her heart, shooed the maid out, and then asked the maids and servants in the courtyard to leave as well. Only then did she come in and close the door, her heart pounding as she looked at the room.
The woman had already sat down and was feeding the child water with a teacup.
The child was as delicate as a jade carving, his eyes darting around—he seemed to resemble the Marquis’s Heir a bit.
“You were lying to me last time?” Madam of Dongyang said coldly, “You are Zhou Jingyun’s mistress? I thought you were a ghost! Playing tricks!”
Madam’s words were very unpleasant now, Mama Xu thought, clutching her hands nervously, listening to the woman’s voice.
“I’m not his mistress, nor am I a ghost.”
“Madam, I am Bai Li.”
Mama Xu didn’t react for a moment. Bai Li, was she introducing herself to Madam? Bai? Which prestigious family in the capital was that?
While she was pondering, Madam of Dongyang had already slammed her hand on the table.
“That’s a ghost!” She shouted.
Mama Xu trembled in fright and looked at Madam of Dongyang. She had been accustomed to Madam’s anger these days, but at this moment, Madam’s face was more terrifying than ever.
She looked like she was about to kill someone.
“You dare to say that name!”
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“I’m telling you, no matter what your scheme is, don’t even think about entering my house!”
Mama Xu couldn’t help but step forward in trepidation to support Madam of Dongyang, lest Madam really hit someone. If the Marquis’s Heir came back, the mother and son would only become more estranged…
“You woman, don’t speak nonsense in front of Madam.” She scolded, also as a reminder.
An unmarried woman having a relationship with a man, coming to the door and not being humble, acting like a real guest, without any sense of unfamiliarity.
“Madam.” Bai Li said softly, “I didn’t lie to you. I know this is too sudden. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to come here. Jingyun doesn’t know either.”
Speaking of this, she seemed to remember something and looked at Mama Xu.
“Mama Xu, go to the dock and find the Marquis’s Heir. Tell him I’ve gone home, the child and I are fine, so they can rest assured and stop searching.”
Mama Xu subconsciously replied “Yes,” and then came back to her senses. Why did she answer her? It was as if they were very familiar…
Madam of Dongyang looked at her, her face still gloomy, but her heart was inexplicably pounding.
“You…” Her voice was hoarse, “Are you really…”
Bai Li looked at her and nodded, “I really am.”
As she said this, Madam of Dongyang plopped back into her chair. Mama Xu was startled, “Madam.”
Madam of Dongyang raised her hand to stop her, “Go, go find Jingyun and bring him back.”
Although Mama Xu was apprehensive, she had to obey Madam’s words. Besides, this matter was very strange, it was better to call the Marquis’s Heir back quickly.
Mama Xu hurriedly walked out. Before closing the door, she saw the woman place the child on the Arhat bed, stand up, and curtsy to Madam.
“Bai Li, daughter of Bai Xun, greets Madam.” She said with a solemn expression.
Bai Xun!
Mama Xu’s heart skipped a beat. She remembered, that Bai Xun who was executed with his entire family for being part of Empress Jiang’s faction!
Oh my, how did this person end up in their house?!
Mama Xu pulled the door tight, lowered the rolled-up curtain, and hurriedly rushed out.
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The Jinshui River dock outside the city was crowded with people. Some were watching the excitement, some were crying and wailing by the river. Of course, they were not crying for their loved ones who might have been victims, but for the pleasure boat.
There were even frivolous young men burning incense and paper money, offering sacrifices to the departed place of enjoyment.
The Capital Prefecture had to impose martial law. Mama Xu almost couldn’t squeeze in and had to announce her family name.
When they heard she was looking for the Marquis’s Heir, the officers’ expressions became understanding, and they immediately made way.
“The Marquis’s Heir is right next to the Prince of Chu.” An officer even said enthusiastically.
Someone else chimed in, “The Marquis’s Heir has been accompanying His Highness Prince of Chu.”
Mama Xu lowered her head and blushed as she walked inside under the burning gazes of the surrounding people. Fortunately, the Marquis’s Heir and the Prince of Chu were very conspicuous, and she quickly rushed over.
“Marquis’s Heir, please go back quickly.” She whispered.
Zhou Jingyun, his face pale, said to her, “I’ll go back when I’m done.” He added, “I’ll explain to Mother when I get back.”
He thought it was Madam who had come to call him. Mama Xu thought, gritted her teeth, and whispered, “Bai Li asked me to come. She’s at home, and the child is too.”
Bai Li! Zhou Jingyun’s eyes instantly lit up, looking at Mama Xu, “Really?”
Mama Xu nodded, “She said so herself.”
Yes, except for Bai Li herself, no one in the family would say that name.
Knowing that Bai Li was fine, a smile couldn’t help but appear on Zhou Jingyun’s face, “Good.” After saying that, he was about to follow Mama Xu when he remembered something and stopped, walking towards Li Yu.
He even had to tell him before leaving? Mama Xu thought, watching Zhou Jingyun approach Li Yu, take his arm, lean close to him, and whisper.
Unbearable to watch, Mama Xu lowered her head. Fortunately, Zhou Jingyun came back soon after.
“Let’s go.” He said, his steps light and hurried as he walked out.
Mama Xu hurriedly followed. When they reached the crowd of onlookers, she couldn’t help but look back and saw Li Yu still looking in this direction, his gaze following them, reluctant to part…
Zhou Jingyun’s figure disappeared from sight. Li Yu exhaled softly.
Great, Bai Li and the child were fine.
Great, she had actually returned to the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence.
Alright, it’s time to go back.
He had only encountered these dangers because he was following him.
Li Yu lowered his gaze.
