Soon, the servant brought warm Jade Chicken Shreds Congee, but Shen Qingtang only ate a few bites.
After the simple evening meal, the night grew deeper.
The Crown Prince’s shocking inner thoughts continued to linger in Shen Qingtang’s ears.
She dared not speak of this matter to anyone, yet she couldn’t allow things to continue developing this way.
Truly unsure of what to do, she thought of Lu Rongyu—steady in character and profoundly knowledgeable. Shen Qingtang often sought his counsel when facing difficulties.
Although she couldn’t fully reveal her mind-reading ability or the Crown Prince’s thoughts, merely hinting at her unhappiness in the Marquis’ residence would surely prompt Lu Rongyu to devise a solution for her.
However, her meeting with Lu Rongyu must absolutely be kept from Jinshu.
If Jinshu knew, wouldn’t that mean the Crown Prince would know?
But Jinshu was her personal maid, accompanying her in daily life. If she suddenly went out, Jinshu would definitely question her.
Jinshu had served her diligently for over a decade—she couldn’t bear to dismiss her from the Marquis’ residence.
Moreover, her mind-reading ability must not be exposed. Dismissing Jinshu without reason would only arouse the Crown Prince’s suspicion.
Besides, if the Crown Prince wanted to have her watched, even without Jinshu, plenty of others would be willing to serve his purposes…
Thinking this, Shen Qingtang took out the scented sachet given by Ding Ru Shan during the day and said to Jinshu, “Jinshu, Cousin personally embroidered this sachet for me—it’s exceptionally exquisite. I’d like to give her one in return.”
“But my embroidery skills are poor. Would you help me embroider one?”
Jinshu naturally agreed, “Miss, rest assured, this servant will embroider it with great care.”
Shen Qingtang nodded and deliberately selected a complex entwined lotus pattern from the embroidery sample book.
“Use this pattern—it looks elegant.”
As she spoke, she pushed the embroidery sample toward Jinshu. “For the next few days, don’t come to attend to me. Focus on embroidering the sachet in your room and try to finish it early. I still need to select another gift to give to Cousin along with it.”
Seeing the intricate pattern, Jinshu also felt it would require considerable time. Without further delay, she took the sample and left.
The next day.
Busy with embroidering the pouch, Jinshu indeed didn’t come with Huaping in the morning.
Shen Qingtang sat at the dressing table, allowing Huaping to style her hair.
Through the bronze mirror, Shen Qingtang watched Huaping’s skillful hands swiftly working on her hair.
In truth, she had deliberated half the night about whether to confide certain matters to Huaping. While she definitely couldn’t reveal her mind-reading ability, she could at least have Huaping be wary of others in the residence.
If the Crown Prince Cousin attempted to bribe Huaping, she should be alert too.
But after much contemplation, Shen Qingtang dismissed the idea.
Huaping was straightforward and outspoken, never able to hold her tongue. Shen Qingtang feared she might inadvertently slip and cause trouble.
After finishing her toilette, Shen Qingtang asked Huaping to stay behind and whispered, “Huaping, go to the Hanlin Academy for me. Tell Brother Rongyu that I’ll wait for him at Qingfeng Teahouse tomorrow at Chen hour (7-9 AM). I have urgent matters to discuss with him.”
She specifically instructed, “This matter must absolutely not be known by anyone else. If someone asks, say I suddenly craved Jufangzhai’s pastries, but never mention my meeting with Brother Rongyu.”
Though Huaping found the instructions somewhat strange—since the young lady and Young Master Lu were long betrothed, their meeting shouldn’t require concealment—she always obeyed Shen Qingtang without question and didn’t probe further.
“Understood. This servant will go now.”
Shen Qingtang cautioned, “Remember this well—no matter who asks, you must not speak of it.”
Huaping nodded and vowed, “Rest assured, Miss. Even if someone were to hold a blade to this servant’s neck, I would never utter a word!”
Shen Qingtang nodded. “Go quickly and return early.”
Watching Huaping’s departing figure, she let out a faint sigh, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her handkerchief.
…
Huaping hurried to the main gate of the marquis’ estate, only to find a magnificent black carriage parked steadily at the entrance, followed by several other carriages.
Immediately after, a large group of palace attendants and imperial chefs emerged from the vehicles, carrying food boxes and ingredients in an impressive procession.
Xiao Chengyu descended from the carriage dressed in black casual attire, his ink-black hair secured with a golden crown, exuding an overwhelming aura of authority.
Huaping quickly retreated to the side with the other servants, bowing her head and curtsying, not daring to even breathe heavily.
Just as Xiao Chengyu was about to enter the estate, his steps abruptly halted when he passed by Huaping.
He looked down at Huaping, his voice cold and carrying the unique authority of a crown prince: “You’re the maid serving Tangtang? Where are you going?”
Huaping’s heart tightened, and she quickly recited the prepared excuse: “Your Highness, the young miss wishes to have pastries from Jufangzhai. This servant was just going to purchase them.”
Xiao Chengyu’s gaze fixed on her, his tone instantly turning stern and displeased: “I heard last night that my cousin has no appetite. Instead of finding ways to make her eat properly, you servants only let her snack on pastries. Is this how you serve your mistress?”
The coldness in his words made Huaping’s entire body stiffen.
Though usually careless, she could clearly feel the overwhelming pressure emanating from the Crown Prince.
Her knees weakened, and she fell to the ground with a thud, trembling as she said: “Your Highness is right to reprimand me. This servant has failed to take good care of the young miss. I deserve death…”
Xiao Chengyu didn’t look at her again, continuing his steps into the estate.
His guard Xuanying paused, glanced at the kneeling Huaping, and said in a low voice: “His Highness knows the young miss has no appetite and has specially brought imperial chefs from the palace. All kinds of pastries are prepared, so you need not go out.”
After speaking, Xuanying quickly followed Xiao Chengyu.
The imperial chefs and palace attendants formed a grand procession as they followed into the estate.
Watching their retreating figures, Huaping hesitated: The young miss had instructed her to definitely meet Young Master Lu. With so many people around now, could she slip away unnoticed?
She cautiously stood up, but had only moved half a step when Xiao Chengyu suddenly stopped.
He slowly turned, his gaze sharp as a sword sweeping toward Huaping, his voice deep: “Where are you going?”
Huaping trembled with fear, her tongue tied: “This servant… this servant was just…”
Xiao Chengyu frowned, his tone full of impatience: “If you cannot serve my cousin properly, there are plenty of maids in the marquis’ estate who can replace you. There’s no need for you to make up the numbers around her.”
His sharp gaze swept over the surrounding servants, his voice suddenly rising with undeniable authority: “If I discover anyone being lazy or neglecting my cousin, you all know the consequences!”
The servants immediately knelt in unison, their voices filled with fear: “Your Highness, please calm your anger! We will definitely devote ourselves to caring for the young miss and dare not neglect her in the slightest!”
In Fangfei Courtyard.
Shen Qingtang was pacing back and forth in her room, anxiously awaiting Huaping’s return to report.
But not long after Huaping had left, she heard the sound of orderly footsteps approaching from outside the courtyard.
The little maid in the courtyard hurried into the room to report: “Miss, the Crown Prince has arrived.”
No sooner had she spoken than Xiao Chengyu walked in.