Chapter 328: Chapter 320: Escape

Gu Yifeng went to the East Mansion, but returned again. Even Mrs. Dong was a bit surprised upon hearing the news, “Find out what happened with the Marquis at the East Mansion?”

Jingfu acknowledged the order and withdrew.

However, it was apparent that Mrs. Dong was disappointed; Jingfu returned shortly without having found out anything, leaving Mrs. Dong slightly taken aback.

Jingfu reminded from the side, “Earlier in the day, Madam punished Li Si, so the East Mansion must have heard about it. Previously, when our mansion sent people, the East Mansion wouldn’t stop them. This time they didn’t let our people through, perhaps because of that incident.”

Mrs. Dong nodded, realizing just then, and then smiled, “I always thought she was generous and not petty, but it seems she’s not much better than me. Since that’s the case, forget it. The Marquis went there only to return, so it probably wasn’t a good thing. Perhaps he complained about the incident during the day and made the Marquis unhappy.”

For Mrs. Dong, this was naturally a good thing, and she also had someone inquire what the Marquis wanted for dinner.

But, like before, Jingfu returned quickly, “When the maid went outside the courtyard, Zhang Wu stopped her; she didn’t go inside. Zhang Wu only said that whatever the Marquis wanted for dinner could be prepared in the small kitchen of the courtyard, and there was no need for Madam to worry.”

As Jingfu reported back, she kept secretly observing Madam’s expression. Sure enough, she saw Madam’s face darken, causing Jingfu to sigh worriedly, fearing that Madam might lose her temper.

However, Mrs. Dong managed to control her temper, “Forget it, I worry about the Marquis yet he probably won’t appreciate it. Set the table for dinner.”

Only then did Jingfu silently breathe a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Gu Yifeng was already having Zhang Wu inquire about the East Mansion, and Zhang Wu reported everything.

After all, because Li Si was punished during the day, they weren’t paying attention to the news from the East Mansion. So when something happened there, they had no idea.

Despite being usually discreet and reliable, Zhang Wu couldn’t find out any news this time. When he returned, he stood in front of the Marquis with his head lowered, unsure of what to say. His demeanor made it clear to Gu Yifeng what the situation was.

“The servants don’t know why; the people in the East Mansion simply don’t know what’s happening. However, they mentioned that both the Imperial Physician and doctor had been called in, but as for specifics, none of them knew,” Zhang Wu explained, looking defeated.

Even about Hailan, he had someone relay a message, but the young maid returned saying Hailan was busy and couldn’t come to see him.

Ever since Hailan returned from the border, Zhang Wu had secretly sent things to her several times, and she used to come to see him. But this time, she didn’t come, making it clear to Zhang Wu that there was a situation.

Initially, despite being constantly encouraged by the first Madam, he had refused. As for writing a letter requesting a favor from the Marquis, it was because he took a liking to Hailan.

Hailan was composed and generous; though she was the most favored maid of the first Madam, she never acted superior, always treating the lower maids kindly. Zhang Wu, being trusted by the Marquis, had seen too many faces of fawning servants over the years and grew tired of it.

Hence, when he met Hailan, especially during this trip to the border, Zhang Wu secretly observed her for a long time and felt Hailan was very dependable, thus taking an interest in her.

Having the Madam of the mansion intend to pair him with Jingfu also gave him an excuse, and Zhang Wu was always grateful for such a situation.

Now, with tension between Gu Yifeng and the first Madam, these people couldn’t avoid being implicated. Zhang Wu, however, couldn’t understand why, when the Marquis favored the first Madam, such a situation arose, and the East Mansion was so tightly guarded that not even a whisper could escape.

Li Si, on the side, was quite sympathetic, knowing that if the Marquis was on bad terms with the first Madam, these people would be caught in the crossfire, so he tried hard to think.

“Marquis, perhaps you might go over and check on the first Madam. She’s probably still waiting for you. Since the Marquis entered the mansion, the first Madam must have heard; yet, you left, and she’ll surely wonder what displeased you,” Li Si exaggerated.

Gu Yifeng raised his head and glanced at him, causing Li Si to shrink his neck, “If the first Madam is unwell indeed, and the Marquis doesn’t go over to see her, the heart will feel even more burdened. The first Madam is weak; I don’t know how she is now.”

“Get out,” Gu Yifeng ordered coldly.

Li Si quickly withdrew, not daring to delay a moment, leaving alongside Zhang Wu. The two exchanged a glance but were at a loss.

Clearly, the Marquis and the first Madam were at a deadlock; Li Si knew some of the inside facts, and if the Marquis kept delaying, the first Madam might never forgive him.

“I’ll go inquire about it; you stay here,” Li Si decided now was the time to find out what’s going on.

Zhang Wu nodded, and Li Si strode off.

Meanwhile, at the East Mansion, Lin Youning was still in deep sleep; Nanny Guo had added some sleep-inducing medicine to the concoction, as the girl was in poor spirits. Without sleep, she’d keep dwelling, and her health might worsen, so it’s better to let her rest more, allowing both her body to heal and her mind not to dwell in sorrow.

Shanmoi noticed a maid coming over, heard that Li Si was looking for her, and her eyes widened, about to dismiss the maid when Nanny Guo stopped her, “The Marquis’s side can’t be completely shut off from communication. This matter weighs heavily on the girl’s heart, better to see what the Marquis’s plans are.”

Shanmoi and Hailan both looked to Nanny Guo.

“You go meet Li Si and explain today’s events,” Nanny Guo instructed Shanmoi.

Shanmoi nodded and went.

Hailan, however, was a bit concerned, “Shanmoi tends to be rash; might she say something overly aggressive?”

“It’s precisely a personality like Shanmoi’s that’s suitable,” Nanny Guo seemed at ease, “The Marquis must be made aware of how heartbroken the girl is; only then can we see whether the Marquis holds her in his heart.”

Truth be told, Nanny Guo always believed the Marquis had unavoidable burdens, as for what those burdens were, it would be best if he explained them to the girl. She understood the girl’s nature well; if she’d truly marked this in her heart, warming her again wouldn’t be easy.

Hailan listened and breathed a sigh of relief, opting not to say more, while Shanmoi rushed out angrily towards the front courtyard. Li Si had been waiting for a while without seeing anyone come out, thinking perhaps they wouldn’t emerge. Suddenly, seeing Shanmoi charging out, he went to meet her.

“Shanmoi, is something wrong with Madam? Your expression doesn’t look good,” Li Si inquired knowingly, feigning concern, “Ah, if the girl’s really unwell, I must report it to the Marquis.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep