Chapter 58 - 57: Inquiries (Second Update)
In Lianfu Garden, Du Gongfu, who rested on the bed in the inner chamber, had not yet gotten up.
Old Mrs. Xia feared heat and loved coolness, so these days she had been sleeping on the cool couch in the West Attic, waking up as soon as it was light outside.
Lanzhi attended to Old Mrs. Xia’s grooming.
Old Mrs. Xia sat at the table, leisurely drinking a cup of warm tea, and said, "Yesterday, at what hour did they come back? Why did no one report it?"
Lanzhi smiled and said, "The young masters and ladies are well-versed in manners and etiquette, surely they followed your instructions and came back early. Not reporting must mean they were concerned about the health of both you and the old master and did not dare to disturb."
Old Mrs. Xia gave a light snort.
Lanzhi invited Mrs. Zheng, who was to comb Old Mrs. Xia’s hair, inside and turned to leave, quickly walking to the gatehouse, lowering her voice, and said, "Has the person who went to inquire at the second gate returned yet? What hour is it now?"
The gatekeeper Hu laughed pleasingly and said, "Young lady, the person has gone running, please wait a bit longer."
Lanzhi shook her head helplessly.
She did not have night duty last night, so she rested early. When she got up early today, she learned that no one from the Miao Family had come to report last night, which puzzled her.
It’s customary for someone to report back at Lianfu Garden when young ladies return from outside the mansion, even if it’s not convenient to disturb the old master and old lady at night, there should definitely be news at the gatehouse.
During the Lantern Festival, even if returning late, they should arrive at the mansion no later than between the middle of the second hour and before the third hour. The gatekeeper woman stays awake during the first half of the night, so why would the Miao Family overlook this?
Lanzhi felt uneasy, but on second thought, it’s a good thing no word has come; at least nothing major has happened, otherwise, even if it was the fourth hour, they wouldn’t dare withhold it from Old Mrs. Xia.
Still, deep down, Lanzhi sensed something was amiss.
Mindful of the Miao Family’s calculative nature, she did not rashly send someone to inquire at Shuifu Garden or Anfeng Courtyard but directly went to the second gate.
Lanzhi couldn’t leave Old Mrs. Xia’s side for long, and said sternly, "As soon as there’s news, let me know quickly, I must return to serve."
Once inside the main house, the tension and unspeakable unease were completely masked. Lanzhi walked over to Old Mrs. Xia, smiling brightly, and said, "Madam, this hairstyle today truly accentuates your elegance. With the green pine stone Shu Jin patterned headband and the enamel base with jade collar button, you look radiant."
Old Mrs. Xia laughed heartily, looking in the mirror front and back: "That mouth of yours is more skillful than Yan Cui’s hands. I’ve grown white hairs, yet you tell me I look radiant."
Mrs. Zheng, previously named Yan Cui when she served as a maid beside Old Mrs. Xia, was married into the Zheng family, and due to her excellent hairdressing skills, she has been indispensable for the old lady all these years.
After a few jokes, Lanzhi, still preoccupied, felt somewhat uneasy.
Old Mrs. Xia, perceptive as always, noticed: "What’s the matter?"
Lanzhi was taken aback, then smiled and said, "I was thinking, wondering if the old master has awakened yet; it’s time for him to get up."
"He’s well attended," Old Mrs. Xia waved her hand, and said, "Help me to the East Wing; soon enough, they should all be arriving."
Lanzhi obliged.
She supported Old Mrs. Xia out of the West Attic, and while passing through the middle room, she noticed the bamboo curtain being lifted slightly; outside, a panicked face flashed—Hu’s face. Her heart tightened, and once inside the East Wing, she helped Old Mrs. Xia to sit on the Arhat Bed, then found an excuse to step out.
"Did you find out?" Lanzhi urged.
Hu’s face turned pale. She quickly grabbed Lanzhi’s wrist: "Young lady, they said at the second gate that yesterday the young masters and ladies entered the mansion at the second hour."
"Though not early, it shouldn’t be a reason not to report," Lanzhi murmured.
"Ay, but it takes courage to report that," Hu stomped her foot.
Lanzhi’s heart skipped a beat; she lowered her face: "Speak clearly."
"They said, they said that the river lantern was overturned, Third Young Lady’s sleeve was burned, Fourth Young Lady’s hair burned..." Hu spoke halfway, then suddenly yelped, looking down at her wrist tightly gripped by Lanzhi, painful tears brimming, "Young Lady, dear, please loosen your grip."
Lanzhi released her trembling hands, took deep breaths: "Are you sure?"
"It’s said so." Hu lowered her head, rubbing her wrist secretly.
Lanzhi raised her hand and slapped her forehead twice vigorously. Since such words have spread, regardless of truth or falsehood, it must not be concealed from Old Mrs. Xia.
Inside the East Wing, Old Mrs. Xia chatted with Mrs. Zheng; noticing Lanzhi’s stern expression, she couldn’t help but look a few more times.
"Old Madam," Lanzhi lowered her head and said, "Last night, no one reported at the gatehouse. It seemed odd to me, so I sent someone to ask at the second gate. They said, said..."
"Said what?" Old Mrs. Xia’s smile froze; she sat up slightly, asking word by word.
"The river lantern was overturned; Third Young Lady’s sleeve was burned, Fourth Young Lady’s hair was burned," Lanzhi said, her voice trembling.
Dong dong!
Lanzhi looked in the direction of the sound and saw the nut Du Gongfu usually fiddled with had rolled to the edge of the table. She shrank back her neck and timidly raised her head, meeting Du Gongfu’s gaze from inside the chamber.
Old Mrs. Xia heavily hammered the Arhat Bed board, shouting: "Go, call everyone to me!"
Du Yunluo entered Lianfu Garden and happened to see several maidservants rushing away; she knew Old Mrs. Xia must have found out.
Although yesterday’s misfortune had nothing to do with her, with Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia still angry, it’s wise to lie low to avoid getting into trouble.
Instead of going straight in, Du Yunluo waited outside the courtyard gate for Du Yunru and Mrs. Zhen.
Mrs. Zhen, having already heard from Jin Ling, pulled Du Yunluo and said, "Fortunately, neither of you went; otherwise, it would have scared your mother. On the other hand, it’s Yun Di who’s involved; alas!"
Concerning Du Yundi, Du Yunluo was not too worried.
𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
In five or six days, Du Yundi was to return to the academy; whether scolded or punished, it’s only for these few days.
Regarding beating, Du Yundi couldn’t return injured; even if Du Gongfu intended to beat, it wouldn’t be too harsh.
After a few reassuring words to Mrs. Zhen, the mother and two daughters entered together.
Inside the East Wing, it was eerily quiet; Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia sat on the Arhat Bed, grim-faced and speechless.
After waiting two quarters, Miao Family brought Du Yunying.
At a glance, Du Yunying appeared fine, but Du Yunluo, with keen eyes, saw the fingers tucked in Du Yunying’s cuff were clearly red.
Miao Family pressed her lips together, made a gesture to speak, only to be interrupted by a cold glance from Old Mrs. Xia, calling "Old Master" but forced to stand aside meekly.
Liao Family and Du Yunnuo entered, Old Mrs. Xia looked at Du Yunnuo, whose hairstyle was completely different from usual, and shouted harshly: "Kneel!"
Du Yunnuo, already anxious, collapsed immediately upon hearing, kneeling on the ground.
Du Yunying realized there was no escape and simply knelt down.
Once Miao Family and Liao Family were kneeling too, Mrs. Zhen couldn’t sit either, thinking of Du Yundi, she knelt down as well.