Shen Qingtang rose and finished her morning ablutions, first summoning the maids and matrons of the courtyard to instruct them to conduct a complete inventory of the storeroom.
“These matters are tedious. Focus on them diligently and do not come to my courtyard to report this morning. Do not disturb my peace.”
After dismissing the servants, she quietly called for Huaping, and the two made their way to the rear courtyard’s stables.
Upon entering the stables, the coachman respectfully asked, “Does the young miss wish to leave the estate?”
Just as Shen Qingtang was about to nod, she overheard the coachman’s puzzled thoughts: [Why isn’t Jinshu accompanying the young miss? The Crown Prince gave strict orders that no matter where the young miss goes, it must be reported to His Highness…]
Shen Qingtang’s heart tightened, her fingers curling involuntarily at her sides.
To think even the coachman was one of the Crown Prince’s men!
This meant that even if she managed to send Jinshu away, as long as she used the carriage to leave the estate, the Crown Prince would still learn of her whereabouts!
Seeing Shen Qingtang remain silent, the coachman inquired again, “Might I ask where the young miss intends to go?”
Not wanting to complicate matters, Shen Qingtang changed her response: “I came to check on ‘Yuan Yuan’.”
Two years ago, on a whim, Shen Qingtang had decided she wanted to learn horseback riding.
Not only did Xiao Chengyu personally teach her, but he also gifted her a gentle, snow-white pony. Shen Qingtang had named the little horse “Yuan Yuan.”
However, being somewhat delicate and averse to hardship, Shen Qingtang gave up after just a few days of riding lessons.
Now, Yuan Yuan was still kept in the rear courtyard of the Marquis estate, meticulously cared for by the servants. On days when she was in good spirits, Shen Qingtang would sometimes take the carriage and bring the pony out of the city for a stroll.
Of course, after two years, Yuan Yuan had grown into a majestic steed.
At the moment, it served as a convenient excuse.
The coachman breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “So the young miss came to see Yuan Yuan. Yuan Yuan is quite spirited; the groom takes him for a run in the back hills every day. He hasn’t returned yet.”
“Shall I send for you once Yuan Yuan is back?”
Shen Qingtang hadn’t actually come to see Yuan Yuan. “No need. I’ll come again tomorrow. Take good care of him.”
The coachman quickly nodded, his attitude respectful. “Rest assured, young miss. Your beloved horse is always under specialized care.”
He thought to himself: [If that white horse were to fall ill and upset the young miss, the Crown Prince would not spare any of us here. Who would dare be negligent?]
Shen Qingtang frowned slightly and left the stables with Huaping.
Following behind Shen Qingtang, Huaping noticed they were heading toward the rear gate and asked in confusion, “Young miss, aren’t we returning to Fangfei Courtyard?”
Shen Qingtang now viewed everyone in the Marquis estate with suspicion, convinced they might have been bribed by the Crown Prince.
She had no idea how many of the Crown Prince’s spies were lurking in the shadows of this seemingly safe home.
Quietly quickening her pace, Shen Qingtang whispered, “I need to go out for a while. Don’t ask any questions, or… I won’t bring you along in the future.”
Huaping promptly nodded. “Don’t worry, young miss. This servant won’t ask. But if you’re going out, why didn’t you take the carriage just now?”
A thought suddenly crossed her mind, and she hurried to keep up with Shen Qingtang’s steps, whispering anxiously, “Young miss, could it be that the coachman is an assassin hiding in the Marquis estate? You saw through his true identity with your exceptional wisdom! So… are we going to report him to the authorities now?”
Huaping’s gaze was resolute. “Don’t worry, Miss. If we truly encounter danger, this servant will risk her life to protect you!”
Shen Qingtang gave Huaping a complicated look.
She couldn’t help but wonder inwardly: Had Huaping not been bribed by the Crown Prince because she was too slow-witted to even understand his hints?
Shaking her head, she emphasized her reminder once more: “Remember, don’t ask around, and don’t mention it to anyone.”
“This servant understands!” Huaping nodded vigorously, her eyes reflecting a simple, earnest determination. “This servant will absolutely keep Miss’s orders sealed tight—not half a word will slip out!”
Shen Qingtang said no more and hurried toward the back gate.
Earlier, she had deliberately taken the secluded covered corridor to avoid the servants coming and going. If she went early and returned quickly, perhaps no one would notice she had left the Hou residence.
Truthfully, she had no desire whatsoever to clash with the Crown Prince.
Ideally, she would smoothly meet Lu Rongyu today, discuss the plan to “visit” Aunt Lu in Jiangnan, and then leave the capital as soon as possible, completely escaping this suffocating situation.
But just as she reached the back gate, Shen Qingtang’s steps abruptly halted.
Two unfamiliar guards were stationed at the back gate. As soon as they saw her, they stepped forward and spoke respectfully, “We pay our respects to the young miss.”
Shen Qingtang studied them. “I don’t believe I’ve seen either of you in the residence before.”
“Reporting to the young miss, we were originally Crown Prince’s guards,” one guard promptly replied. “Recently, a few petty thieves have been roaming the city. The Crown Prince was concerned for the Hou residence’s safety and specifically dispatched a team of guards to assist in strengthening the defenses.”
Shen Qingtang’s brow instantly furrowed, the faint hope in her heart doused like cold water.
“Catching thieves”? These guards had been transferred to the Hou residence clearly to watch her!
Before she could speak, the guard continued, “Is the young miss going out? If you need to purchase items or handle errands, we can run them for you. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself.”
Though the guard’s attitude was respectful, the underlying message of obstruction was unmistakable.
Suppressing her discomfort, Shen Qingtang shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I was just taking a casual stroll.”
With that, she turned and left with Huaping, heading for the side gate. But the side gate was also guarded by two Eastern Palace guards—even the corner gate usually used by servants for shopping was no exception.
Shen Qingtang stood somewhat bewildered in the courtyard, looking up as a few birds flew across the sky.
Suddenly, she felt that this vast Chengan Hou residence had, at some point, turned into an invisible cage, trapping her firmly inside.
A surge of inexplicable anger flared within her!
What right did the Crown Prince have to watch her so closely?
She wasn’t a criminal, nor was she some object to be manipulated at will!
Today, she was determined to go out, determined to see Lu Rongyu!
Gritting her teeth, Shen Qingtang decisively turned back toward the stables.