Chapter 72

  Wan Juan didn't even have time to put on her coat, the cold wind outside blew against her skirt, she walked faster than ever before, with only the sound of the wind in her ears.

  The lush green bamboo surrounds a pool of water in the middle, and the artificial hills beside the water are steep and strange, already surrounded by a circle of people.

  Hong Qian and Jiuer are both good at swimming. This was after Quan Pei fell into the water and specially asked someone to teach her and Hong Qian's siblings. However, Jiuer is too young and wearing thick cotton clothes, suddenly falling into the water, who knows what kind of situation it would be.

  There were already some servants who had heard the news clearly and whispered to Quan Ge: "It was San Gege who pushed Jiu'er Gege down. At that time, many people were present, and they all said so."

  Song Shi's legs went limp and almost fell down afterwards.

  The wet and shivering Jiu'er was wrapped in a large cloak by Nai Nai and held in her arms. Upon hearing Quan Pei's voice, she turned her head with a look of panic and forgot to cry, only stretching out her hand for Quan Pei to hold. Fortunately, there were servants nearby who knew how to swim, and Jiu'er herself also knew how to swim. The force of the three-year-old was not great, and the water where she fell was shallow, so Jiu'er was rescued in time and seemed to be unharmed.

  On one side, Da Gege was tightly hugging San Gege, and even Er Gege was scared and hiding behind Li Shi.

  Quan Ai hugged her child tightly, turned around and gave Song Shi a slap in the face. The force was so great that Song Shi fell to the ground with blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. He lay there, not even daring to get up.

  San Ge's eyes widened in horror, and he was at a loss.

  He bumped into Yongzheng and Hongkang, who were rushing over. Yongzheng's face was also somewhat pale, and Hongkang seemed to have lost his soul: "Where is Jiu'er? How is Jiu'er?" He had a great fear and unease in his heart about such things.

  "Look, Jiuer is fine, just scared."

  The father and son both let out a sigh of relief.

  Jiu'er was given a hot bath and changed into dry clothes, the doctor examined her and prescribed medicine. From start to finish, Jiu'er tightly hugged Quan Pei, not looking at anyone else, until she fell asleep from exhaustion.

  Lian Feiyang's birthday was much less festive, Quan Pei whispered to the Aro family member beside her: "Originally it was a good intention to bring the children together, but I didn't expect to add such trouble to the household."

  "Stop saying that, as long as the child is fine, that's all that matters."

  Because it wasn't long after the incident, Yongzheng took Quanpei back to the Prince's mansion.

  There was a small brazier burning in the carriage, and the thick curtains were drawn down to make it very warm inside. Quan Pei held Jiu'er in her arms, and Yin Zhen sat beside them.

  "...also known as suffering for a long time, this child..."

  The perpetrator is also a child, and this matter has left people unsure of how to deal with it.

  In the dimly lit carriage, Quan Pei's face was expressionless, and she didn't even look at Yongzheng: "After the situation with Qing'er stabilizes, I'll take her to live in the villa for a few days. It's always been bad for her at home."

  "Going to the countryside? It's not as warm as in the city, and if the kids get a headache or fever, it's not convenient to see a doctor. The New Year is approaching, let's not go."

  "My poor Jiu'er has suffered so much hardship, can't she even have a peaceful day?"

  "I will properly punish San Gege for you, don't be angry..." Yunzhong said tentatively, looking at Quan Pei's expression.

  "Punishment? What punishment? A beating or imprisonment?"

  The child in her arms stirred restlessly again, and Quan Pei gently stroked the child's back, humming softly until the child fell asleep once more: "Let the grudge between the two sisters deepen, then one day she'll harm Jiu'er? They're both your children, I won't make things difficult for you."

  He rubbed his hands together: "What are you talking about? Although they are all my children, I can also distinguish between right and wrong. I have to give an account to you and Jiuer."

  For the sake of the child, Rongruo was very angry. San Gege was young and could not do anything to her, so Rongruo shifted her anger to Yongzheng, who also understood in his heart.

  Behind the horse carriage, Song's family led two daughters to sit in one, San Gege was shrinking in Da Gege's arms, and Da Gege whispered: "Save Sanmei, she is still young."

  Song sneered: "She's so capable, not only does she want to take herself down, but also drag us two mothers together. She's just a little bit older and already has such thoughts. If this continues, sooner or later we'll all be ruined by her!"

  "Third sister is wrong, but you mustn't abandon her!"

  In another carriage, Li Shi was holding Hong Yun and Er Gege. Hearing that the male guest in the front yard was testing their knowledge, Li Shi asked Hong Yun how he answered. Hong Yun lowered his head and said after a while: "......when there are many people I get scared, so I forgot a lot."

  "What about your older brother?"

  Hong Yun hastily raised his head and said: "Big brother is amazing, he knows everything, everyone praises him!"

  Li's eyes became dull, and it seemed that compared to Hong Qian, Yongzheng didn't think much of Hong Yun. Seeing Li not speaking, Hong Yun also fell silent, afraid that if he did something wrong again, he would be scolded by Li.

  The child was small, and had fallen into the water and been frightened. When he returned, he had a high fever that wouldn't subside. Several imperial physicians came to attend to him, standing guard at his bedside. Lady Song led the three gege (princesses) in kneeling at the gate of the courtyard, calling out for many people to come and take a look.

  The weather is cold, kneeling on the ground is cool and hard, San Gege is not willing to cry again: "Why kneel here? I don't want to kneel!"

  Cui Mo came out from inside, looking at Song Shi: "Are you here specifically to give Rourou a bad omen? Making the child cry and wail, thinking that Furen bullied you. If you really have a heart, it's better to take San Gege back with you!"

  Song turned around and gave San Ge a slap in the face, then turned back to Cui Mo and said: "Please ask the lady to put in a good word for me with Fu Jin."

  San Ge was beaten by Song Shi and was stunned for half a moment, then suddenly shouted loudly: "Isn't it just because I pushed Jiu Er into the water? I'll jump in myself to give it to her!"

  Song's hands were shaking with anger, and she turned to hit San Gege, but San Gege had already turned around and run away. Song was so angry that she almost fainted, and Cui Mo coldly smiled and said: "You'd better go back."

  Everyone thinks San Gege is just a kid, but whatever.

  The situation with Jiu'er had just stabilized when urgent news came from outside: "Third Young Miss has jumped into the water by herself!"

  "Good heavens! What a temper this child has!" Then she said to Guan Yu, "I'll go take a look and be right back."

  Yin Zan's figure had just left the gate, Quan Pei hugged Jiu'er in her arms and ordered: "Pack up your things and go live at the Zhuangzi."

  Three Grids were really scared this time, cold and afraid, and choked a lot of water. Fortunately, they were pulled up early by someone. When Song saw Yongzheng coming in, he wiped away his tears: "It's the slave who can't take care of the child. The child is so young, but she actually went to jump into the water herself. You see, considering that she has suffered so much, please forgive her. Whatever it is, let the slave bear it."

  Ru Yi and several others were also present, listening to Song Shi's words, they all looked at Song Shi. San Ge Ge was young but not a simple character, she had jumped into the water and suffered punishment, did she want this child's life? Fu Jin was furious at the time, but still didn't hit San Ge Ge, only slapping Song Shi instead. The situation developed in an unexpected direction, it was unclear who would win in the end...

  Yin Zan didn't say a word, and all that could be heard was the faint sound of Song Shi crying. The three Ge Ge on the bed were frozen stiff and trembling with fear. Even Da Ge Ge knelt down to plead: "Ama, please spare San Mei Mei, what did she do wrong? We're willing to take her punishment for her!"

  The curtain was lifted and the cold wind outside seeped in. Su Peisheng rushed in with a look of anxiety: "Fu Jin has taken the four gege and left by carriage, Da A Ge is riding a horse to escort her, I couldn't stop them, they must have already passed the main gate."

  The sudden departure of Fu Jin was also beyond everyone's expectation.

  Yin Zan's face didn't look good either, and when looking at Song Shi Mu Nu, only disgust was left: "She pushed her own sister into the water without regret, but what's the point of learning to dive like others at such a young age? Who is this for? Fu Jin won't bother with you, and would rather take Jiu Er away, but don't think that's the end of it!"

  Yin Zan said as he strode out in big steps, looking at his hurried appearance, probably going to chase after Quan Pei.

  Song Shi, who stayed in the house, even forgot to cry. Fu Jin had never made a mistake in doing things, she would not move three Ge Ge, but there was also a Yin Zan in this family. Fu Jin did not want to calculate leaving home and running away, but Yin Zan opened his mouth to punish three Ge Ge. In the end, it was Fu Jin's benevolence, Yin Zan's right and wrong were clear. Even if he later took action against San Ge Ge, no one would be wrong, only San Ge Ge would be wrong.

  The girl on the bed was still shivering with fear and didn't know how ridiculous and childish she looked in front of intelligent people.

  The house suddenly became eerily quiet, and it was as if the mistress of the house was always an absolute presence at any time, and no one could invade or surpass her.

  Ruyi wrapped in a large cloak entered the house, calling for Ya Tou to make the charcoal fire in the brazier burn more fiercely. She took off her cloak and sat on the couch, somewhat distractedly holding the tea bowl in her hand, the warm air making her let out a shallow breath. The voice of Dong E was still in her ear: "A person who doesn't take care of themselves will be destroyed by heaven and earth. As long as your sister is around for one day, the Prince's household won't take you seriously. Without a backing, even if you are the concubine of the Duke of Yong, what can you do? The Duke of Yong won't look at you straight."

  Then she thought of Yongzheng's deep eyes, which were always calm when he looked at her. She took a breath and leaned on the couch. Yongzheng had never looked at her directly, perhaps in his heart, she was forever just someone who had been married to take care of Hongxi because there was no other choice.

  Jueluo is the murderer who killed her mother, Quan Pei is an accomplice. Why can't she do something to the person who killed her mother? All of this is reasonable. Thinking like this, Ruyu suddenly became confident and justified, she just did what she should have done!

  She beckoned to Xiao Wen to come over and whispered a few words in her ear.

  When Jiuer woke up, they had already arrived at the villa in the suburbs. At that time, it was specially renovated to avoid the summer heat. The servants were called to come earlier to burn the kang and ignite the charcoal basin. Although the house was simple and not yet tidy, it was very warm. Jiuer looked around in surprise in Quan Pei's arms, momentarily forgetting her fear.

  "Mother, where is this?"

  The girl took out a thick and soft fur cushion and placed it on the couch, Quan Pei hugged Jiuer and sat down: "This is also our home, will you live here with your mother? When you're better, I'll take you to the back mountain to catch wild rabbits, pick flowers in spring, and touch fish in the river in summer, okay?"

  "Great! Just like in Suzhou?"

  The girl was busy hanging up curtains and laying out bedding, and the house gradually took on a semblance of home.

  Hong Kui was still outside watching the guards assign their duties, his greatest concern forever being the safety of Quan and her mother.

  "It's almost the same, except your brother can't come see you every day because he has school."

  "Why can't we go see brother?"

  Quan Pei smiled and stroked Jiu Er, who had temporarily forgotten his fear: "Alright, Mother will take you to see, then take you to find delicious food in the alleys of 49 City, how about that?"

  The child burst out laughing happily.

  A somewhat pale-faced servant suddenly came in, Quan Pei looked up and took a glance, still talking to Jiuchun.

  Yuan Zhan turned around in place, sat down beside Quan Pei and said something that made Quan Pei pause: "I think this place is not bad either, let's stay here for a while, and go back after the new year."

  Does she also want to stay? But when did she say she wanted to come back?

  Is this the tolerance and care of the man in front of her for her occasional willfulness and helplessness? She looked at his frozen, pale face and suddenly felt a little heartache...