“There’s such a saying?” Lin Zhuo was surprised, finding it amusing. “You mean just sending them back to their nest—such a faint scent, and the mother birds can tell?”
“Exactly. The princess is clearly just amusing herself with these fledglings, yet now she makes up some excuse to cover it. What an absurd thing!”
Bai Chuchu fumed in anger. Ruan Mianmian, however, remained calm and smiled. “Little sister, you’ve never raised a cat at home, have you? If you had, and seen a cat give birth, you’d know I’m not making this up.”
“Oh? So, as you say, even kittens mustn’t be touched?”
Lin Zhuo raised his brows. Ruan Mianmian nodded slightly. “Yes. Newly born kittens cannot be touched either. The mother cat may abandon them. Of course, there are exceptions, but they are rare. So, after giving birth, the mother cat usually hides her kittens.”
“That sounds somewhat reasonable.” Lin Zhuo nodded. Then beside him, Bai Chuchu called out pitifully, “My lord!”
Lin Zhuo gave her a look, then said to Xile, “Doesn’t the manor have a bird keeper? Bring him here. I’ll ask him myself.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Xile responded and left.
Ruan Mianmian glanced at Bai Chuchu, surprised to find her staring coldly at her. Her heart skipped a beat—It was only a trivial matter, and I already apologized, yet she still bears a grudge and even hates me. This concubine princess not only has a small mind, but she’s clearly restless and scheming.
Thinking so, Ruan Mianmian sighed quietly, lifted her gaze to the blue sky, and thought, Seems that whatever family feuds I didn’t experience in the Duke’s household will be made up for here in the prince’s manor.
Before long, Xile returned, bringing a slightly plump middle-aged man. He said to Lin Zhuo, “This is Master Gong, who tends to all the birds in the estate. Sometimes he also takes care of the plants—he’s an expert. My lord, feel free to ask him anything.”
Master Gong bowed to everyone. Lin Zhuo asked, “If a fledgling falls from a tree, how should it be rescued?”
Master Gong was stunned—he hadn’t expected such a question—but quickly replied, confirming exactly what Ruan Mianmian had said. Then he added, “There are many wild birds in our gardens. Every year around this time, I and old Jiang and Han all remind the cleaners to keep watch—don’t let stray cats into the garden. If the fledglings aren’t badly hurt, best leave them be. After all, they’re living creatures—saving them earns virtue.”
Lin Zhuo turned to Bai Chuchu. “You heard that?”
“Yes, my lord. It was my fault—I wrongly accused the princess.”
Bai Chuchu regained her composure, no longer looking pitiful or aggrieved. Lin Zhuo nodded, dismissed Master Gong, and turned to Ruan Mianmian. “You haven’t been around these past few days—so you’ve been living in the garden?”
“Don’t wrong me, my lord. How can you say I wasn’t around? It’s clearly that you’ve been busy with government affairs every day, working tirelessly in your study. Would I be the kind of tactless woman to pester you—bringing sweet soup one moment, snacks the next—hovering about like some old housekeeper?”
The servant Xile nearly burst out laughing, sneaking a glance at Bai Chuchu and Yuxue. As expected, both looked very displeased.
Ruan Mianmian, unaware of such undercurrents, continued playfully, holding Lin Zhuo’s arm. “My lord, I’ve supported your work so well, enduring the loneliness of the boudoir for your sake. How will you reward me?”
Bai Chuchu: …I’ve never seen such a shameless woman!
“All right, what do you want?” Lin Zhuo asked indifferently.
Bai Chuchu bit her lip—He’s just humoring her! That tone isn’t warm at all.
“I… I want to visit my mother and younger brother.” Ruan Mianmian blinked innocently. “I haven’t seen them for so long.”
Bai Chuchu was so shocked her pupils quivered. The wedding was less than half a month ago! How dare she even say that aloud? My lord, are you really going to indulge her? This is rebellion! I haven’t even had a formal return visit since marrying, and have I complained?
Sure enough, Lin Zhuo also frowned. “Didn’t we just visit them when we returned after the wedding? They’re at my manor now—living quite comfortably.”
“Yes, but it’s already been seven days! My mother and I depended on each other all those years—I can hardly go a single day without seeing her.”
Ruan Mianmian looked at him expectantly. “Let me go, please? The outskirts of the capital aren’t far from the prince’s manor, right?”
“Your filial heart is commendable,” Lin Zhuo said mildly. Knowing her attachment to her family, and seeing it as no great matter, he was about to agree when Ruan Mianmian beamed and added, “Filial piety is the foremost of virtues. Thank you, my lord, for understanding! If I take a carriage, it’ll take a full day to reach the estate—by the time I arrive, it’ll be night. I’ll rest the next day and return on the third day. I won’t stay longer.”
Lin Zhuo: “…”
“So you think you’re clever, do you?” He glared at her. “Do you take me for someone who can’t do arithmetic? The estate is only two hours away!”
“Don’t worry about such small details,” Ruan Mianmian said sheepishly. “Two hours, rounding up, that’s about a day, isn’t it?”
Lin Zhuo: “…”
Bai Chuchu: I truly have never seen anyone so shameless!
“Your Ladyship, today the princess went to her mother’s estate with her younger brother. The prince will surely come tonight. This is the best bird’s nest soup—simmered for two full hours in the small kitchen. Please, taste it.”
“Mm.”
Bai Chuchu accepted the bowl gracefully, taking delicate spoonfuls. After finishing, she set the bowl down, dabbed her lips with a handkerchief, and said softly, “Heaven has mercy—at last, I’ve waited for this chance.”
“It’s not even a month since the wedding, Your Ladyship. No need to be upset. As long as you make the most of these two nights and win the prince’s heart, even if the princess remains favored later, you’ll have nothing to fear.”
“Not even a month, you say? Easy for you! Do you know how I’ve endured these days?”
Bai Chuchu glared at Yuxue, pressing her temple and muttering, “On our wedding night, the prince was supposed to come to me. He praised me, seemed full of affection… It was that princess! She intercepted him halfway and used some means—otherwise why hasn’t he set foot in Qinghui Pavilion since? It’s all her fault!”
“It truly is strange,” Yuxue said, puzzled. “The princess isn’t more beautiful than you, and you’re far more elegant and refined. Could it be… she really used some shameful trick?”
Yuxue frowned, then sighed. “It’s a pity the princess’s maids are so tight-lipped, and she has hardly any servants—none who can be approached. We can’t get any useful information.”
(End of Chapter)