Chapter 23: You and I Meet Again

  Xu Mengdie smiled softly, her eyes slightly red: "Yes, it's better to let go early on, for one's own good. If the Fourth Young Master's wife doesn't mind, she can come to the South Wing more often. For the next few days, Mengdie is afraid she won't be able to get out of bed."

  No matter how magnanimous a person is, it's rare to see someone as gentle as this after losing their child. Shen Guiyan was very curious in her heart, but for now, it wasn't suitable to ask more questions, so she could only nod and say: "I'll come visit you often."

  Mrs. Guo stood up and said, "Since no one is going to pursue the matter further, let's just drop it. Let's just say that the servants in the south wing were not attentive enough and accidentally let their master eat aloe vera. When Master returns, I'll ask him to make a decision."

  Xu Mengdie lowered her eyelids and nodded: "Trouble you, madam."

  "You take care of yourself." Madam Guo waved her hand, this house still has a bloody aura, it's not suitable to stay for long.

  "Madam, slow down." Xu Mengdie slightly raised her body and watched as Madame Gu turned around and left. Shen Guiya followed behind, glancing at her a few times before also walking out.

  "Fourth Young Master's wife, come over and keep Dream Butterfly company." Just as Shen Guiyan was about to follow them out, she heard Xu Mengdie say this in a soft voice.

  She slightly turned her head back, and met her eyes that were full of sincerity. Shen Guiyan forced a smile, nodded slightly, then lowered her eyelids and turned to leave.

  The women in this house seem strange too.

  Nan Yuan did not pursue the matter, and all the houses and courtyards dispersed. Gu Zhaonan seemed to have something to say to Gu Zhaobei, so Shen Guiyan tactfully said: "I'll go back to my room first."

  "Uh-huh." Gu Zhaobei nodded and smiled: "It's almost dawn, I'll let you sleep a bit longer, no need to get up early."

  Shen Guiyan smiled and left with a bow, carrying her precious fan.

  "What's with Auntie Xu?" Shen Guiyan asked in a low voice as they walked along the road.

  Baoyan looked around and began to speak in a manner similar to pouring beans from a bamboo tube: "Madam Xu is the daughter of the eastern house of the Xu silk store in Jiangnan. Her family is quite wealthy, and because Old Master Xu wanted to do business in the capital, he introduced Madam Xu to the Second Young Master, who liked her very much and took her as his concubine."

  "When I chatted with the servants, I heard that Mrs. Xu and the second young master are both well-liked in the mansion, kind-hearted and never punish the lower-ranking staff. Although her background is not considered high, she still managed to win the favor of the prime minister's wife. Before the fifth miss married into the family, it was she who helped the mistress manage the household accounts."

  Shen Guiyan nodded and asked: "Has she ever had a conflict with anyone?"

  "There isn't." Bao Shan said: "Speaking of Madame Xu, the whole house is full of praise for her. Originally, she was pregnant with this child, and if it were born, she would have been promoted to a proper wife. Who knew that such an accident would happen now..."

  Being kind to others, never making enemies, is that the innocent fish in the pond? Shen Guiyan slightly furrowed her brow, can't Shen Guiya really not tolerate her to this extent? Even innocent people have to be implicated?

  She let out a soft sigh and Shen Guiyan went back to the courtyard to change into her night clothes. Before dawn broke, she got up again and instructed Jiangshi to help her prepare some nourishing soup.

  Jiang furrowed her brow slightly: "Yan's nest can get into trouble just by turning around in our north courtyard, and you're still sending over a nourishing soup?"

  "Since I'm upright and unafraid of slanted shadows, I'll personally oversee it and then personally send it over. What mistake could possibly occur?"

  "Hmm." Jiang's expression changed as she looked at the stove, her face not looking good: "The Prime Minister has already given up on Fourth Young Master, and doesn't even want him to take the imperial examination. Now that the mistress has married in, there have been constant troubles, and the Prime Minister's impression is probably even worse. Our days are getting harder and harder."

  Shen Guiyan was taken aback. Wasn't life in the Northern Courtyard tough? She hadn't noticed, perhaps because she had just arrived not long ago?

  "Grandfather is really something, the new imperial examination is just around the corner, but he doesn't have any intention of studying at all." Jiang Shi furrowed her brow and said: "This year, Eldest Young Master will definitely take first place in one go, Second Young Master has already taken office so there's no need to worry, but our grandfather is still a blank slate. Madam, when you have the chance, please advise him not to always be out socializing, he's not young anymore, he should at least have some accomplishments."

  Should Gu Zhaobei study like Gu Zhaodong? Shen Guiyan thought for a moment about that rascal shaking his head and swaying back and forth with a book, and couldn't help but shiver, laughing: "Rather than letting him study, I think war horses and long spears are more suitable for him. That rascal is suited to martial pursuits, not literary ones."

  "Does the madam wish for the master to go on an expedition? If we don't see each other for ten or eight years, what are we going to do?"

  Shen Guiyan was at a loss for words, and she just thought about it, but didn't have to consider going north to join the army.

  The soup is ready, Shen Guiyan personally served it out. Jiang Shi was still muttering to herself: "They're all married now, they should be more restrained. They've just gotten married and people are running around like headless flies..."

  What a worrisome guy, Shen Guiyan carried the tonic soup to the South Wing, all the way thinking that Mei Jiaoniang of Yi Courtyard was originally supposed to rely on Gu Zhaobei to throw tantrums, but she was made to worry about his future by him, it can be seen that he is usually unreliable.

  Shuang'er was standing at the gate of Nan Institute when she saw Shen Guiyan approaching from afar, and she walked up to her with a smile: "It's still hard work for Fourth Young Master's wife to bring it personally."

  Shen Guiyan brought over a supplement of soup for her and smiled: "I said I'd come to visit your master, but there's nothing else, so I just brought some soup."

  "The Fourth Young Master's wife has a heart." Shuang'er held the medicine bowl, slowed down her pace and said in a low voice: "Yesterday was chaotic, I also wanted to help my master get justice back. If there is any offense against the Fourth Young Master's wife, I hope she can forgive me."

  Shen Guiyan waved her hand: "What are you talking about offending? Your master has been wronged."

  Shuang Er let out a sigh: "If everyone were as reasonable as you, things would be much better... Alas, Fourth Young Master's wife, please come in."

  She saw the look in her eyes, full of words unspoken, Shen Guiyan understood, and waved her hand to signal the two to go outside and talk. Then she took the medicine herself and went into the house to find Xu Mengdie.

  Xu Mengdie leaned against the edge of the bed, her face no longer as pale as yesterday, but still very weak. When she saw Shen Guiyan, a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes: "Fourth Young Master's wife."

  Shen Guiyan placed the medicinal soup beside her and said softly, "The temperature is just right, you can drink it first."

  "Thanks for your trouble." Xǔ Mèngtiě took a glance at the medicine, didn't let anyone try it, and drank it all in one gulp. Her eyebrows and eyes were full of trust in her.

  Shen Guiyan slightly raised an eyebrow, she had felt something was off yesterday, and today this strange feeling was even thicker. She had never met Xu Mengdie before, so why did Xu Mengdie's gaze at her seem to be filled with a sense of familiarity?

  "Meng Die felt a sense of familiarity as soon as she saw the lady. She smiled and spoke first: 'I wonder if you have the same feeling, madam?'"

  Is it like seeing an old friend? Shen Guiyan smiled twice, wanting to say no. However, looking at Xu Mengdie's sincere expression, she nodded and said: "There should be some fate."

  "The Fourth Young Mistress has just arrived at this mansion, and judging by the look of it, she's gotten herself into trouble with some petty people." Xiu Mengdie lowered her eyes and said: "Mengdie's child is gone, and Mengdie herself knows what happened. The reason I didn't pursue it yesterday was because even if we did, they wouldn't let us get away with anything good."

  Shen Guiyan was shocked to hear this. How did Xu Mengdie know what had happened to the child? The words sent a chill down her back, and she wondered who "they" were.

  "It's rare to have someone as clean-hearted as you in the mansion, Madam. I won't let you be taken advantage of." Xiu Mengdie pulled her hand and said: "You are destined for great wealth and nobility, absolutely cannot be harmed by petty people's schemes."

  Shen Guiyan's smile stiffened as she listened to these words, feeling bewildered. Had Xu Mengdie lost her child and gone mad? Why was she speaking so strangely?

  "Do you want to take a rest?" asked Shen Guiyan.

  Xu Mengdie pinched herself secretly and sighed, "It's just that I was too impatient. Perhaps I scared Fourth Young Master's wife. Let's pretend that nothing has been said between us for now, there's still a long way to go."

  "...Uh." Shen Guiyan originally wanted to come and chat with her, because people who lose their children will be sad, and it's good to comfort them a bit. But now, Shen Guiyan just wants to run away.

  After sitting for a while, Shen Guiyan found an excuse to leave, and Xu Mengdie didn't keep her back, but only sent her a bag of night-glowing powder.

  "This thing is best carried with you at all times, even when sleeping," said Xu Mengdie. "It can prevent petty theft."

  Shen Guiyan picked it up and put it in her sleeve. As soon as she came out, Bao Shan said: "The slave has heard many small secrets."

  "What secret?" Shen Guiyan frowned.

  Bao Shan leaned in closer to her and said in a low voice, "It's really unbearable. Those two young masters pulled me aside and told me many things, all of which were about Fifth Miss."

  What's Shen Gui Ya?

  Shen Guiyan pursed her lips and said softly, "Is it that Gui Ya is unfavorable to Meng Die, and the child is also mostly harmed by Gui Ya?"

  "Miss, did you hear that?"

  "I didn't hear it." Shen Guiyan shook her head, but she had already guessed.

  Xu Mengdie and Shen Guiya have conflicting interests, so they wouldn't speak well of each other. What surprised her was that on the surface, she and Shen Guiya were close sisters, and had been showing affection for each other these past few days, yet Xu Mengdie dared to speak ill of Shen Guiya in front of her?

  Couldn't she see the discord between the two sisters?

  Stroking her chin, she thought for a moment. Xiumeng Die had hardly communicated with her, but could see through these things, which was also a clever person. A five-month-old child, lost is really a pity.

  Swallow.

  Just as I walked into the garden, I heard a voice that I least wanted to hear.

  When Shen Guiyan married into the family, she was prepared. She and Gu Zhaodong were absolutely incompatible, but now that their identities are different, it's impressive that Gu Zhaodong can still call out to her in such a gentle tone.

  "I've said it before, just call me Fourth Brother's wife. Shen Guiyan stopped in her tracks and looked up at him, saying: "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first."

  "Yan... fourth brother's wife." Gu Zhaodong stopped her with some tension, his eyes full of pain: "Is it difficult for you to say a few more words to me?"