This morning, the breakfast gathering was unusually full. Old Madam was coaxed out by Changle's playful antics, and Zhu Changwang was wheeled in by Zuo Qing. Except for Madam Xu, who was absent due to her confinement, the family was complete.
Zhu Changle seized the opportunity to spill the news she had gathered last night.
Zhu Maonian and Zhu Changwang were somewhat aware of these matters. The women, bound by traditional modesty, were shocked but held their tongues, while Zhu Changning was genuinely startled.
"If Yunbei was sabotaged, then behind this..."
"There must be a huge interest group behind it," Zhu Changwang remarked, sipping his tea slowly. "Let's not dwell on that for now. Changle, you should go hunting for a couple more days."
"I'll head out after returning from Gu'an," Zhu Changle chuckled, knowing her eldest brother understood her intentions well.
"You could also throw in one or two of your many skills to spice things up a bit. That should destabilize Luo Ding."
Encouraged by these words, Zhu Changle grinned broadly, "Don't worry, big brother, I have a basketful of tricks. Just a couple of shakes will be enough."
"Just make sure you don’t overdo it."
"Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone take advantage."
What kind of talk was this? Lady Zhang couldn’t help but laugh and glare at the sibling duo, then stood up, "The wife of Luo has sent someone over for a job, they should be arriving soon. Mother, I’ll go check."
Old Madam also stood up, "You go on, I'll head back to my room."
Everyone quickly stood up. Zhu Changle moved to assist her grandmother, "Let me help you back."
"The grandmother can manage on her own. You, Changle, are busy with important matters now, can't waste your precious time," Old Madam pinched her cheek, "Always be mindful of your safety."
"No one can bully me, my fists are strong!"
"Yes, yes, only family can bully you," Old Madam hinted, glancing towards Zhu Changning, and left with Granny Liang’s support.
Zhu Changning looked confused; hadn’t he been following Changle’s orders lately? How was he bullying her? Besides, could he really bully her without getting a beating?
The onlookers understood immediately where the problem lay. Zhu Maonian, feeling sorry for his daughter, was about to chide when Zhu Changwang quickly spoke, "Did Doctor Tang say that Xiao An’s fever has subsided?"
"Yes, it started to drop yesterday."
"Still, you need to be more attentive. Currently, Lady Qin is the only one managing everything inside and out in your quarters. It’s easy to overlook something concerning Xiao An. Later, talk to mother and ask her to assign more people to your quarters," Zhu Changwang smiled, "Although your sister-in-law dislikes having strangers around, the servants of the Zhu Family hardly count as outsiders. Just talk to her, and once Uncle Zhou arrives with help, you won’t be short of hands."
Zhu Changning saw the sense in his brother’s words and agreed immediately.
"Also, keep an eye on the docks. I suspect more and more people will come snooping around. If you spot anything suspicious, inform me immediately."
"Understood." Seeing no further instructions from his father and brother, Zhu Changning stood up, "I’ll go check on Xiao An now."
"Off you go."
Zhu Changle leaned against the door, watching her second brother disappear into the distance before running back with a muffled giggle. "Big brother, did you set a trap for him?"
The father and son couldn't help but laugh at her antics. Zhu Changwang, looking at her cloudless smile, asked, "Did Madam Xu give you a hard time again?"
"Men shouldn't bother with these trivial household matters. Mother wouldn't let me suffer, right?" Zhu Changle cheekily asked the most authoritative person, "Right, dad?"
"Such disrespect."
Zhu Maonian flicked her forehead lightly but agreed that indeed, men need not meddle in the affairs of the inner house of the Zhu Family.
"Be careful in your dealings outside, don't be careless just because you've learned some skills. No taking risks, even if it means being slower."
"I know, dad." Zhu Changle cupped her face, making a blooming gesture, "When you return from the office, you'll still find the lively, cute, beautiful, generous, and unbeatable Changle!"
"I think it's the shameless Changle," Zhu Maonian said as he stood up to adjust his sleeves before leaving for the office.
Left alone with her brother, Zhu Changwang casually asked, "Going with Qiuli?"
"Of course." Zhu Changle nodded as if it were the most natural thing, "Dingding is waiting for me in Gu'an, and Aunt Feng is going to help me train the troops."
Zhu Changwang didn't remind her that there was no rule stating one must travel in pairs. With her capabilities, she could go anywhere alone.
"Don't touch those forces behind the scenes yet; the time isn't right."
"I know." Zhu Changle nodded earnestly, "So, shall I go now?"
"Go ahead."
Zhu Changle ran off swiftly, her shouts for 'Qiuli' carrying through the air, giving Zhu Changwang a sudden sense of her growing up too fast, no wonder their father was worried; he felt it now too.
The commotion was naturally heard in the second courtyard.
As Madam Xu pondered how to start the conversation, she took the opportunity to say, "Changle and that Qiuli seem to be very close."
While touching his son's forehead, Zhu Changning glanced back at her, "Don't speak nonsense."
Madam Xu got out of bed and sat next to her husband by the cradle, whispering, "I'm not stirring up trouble, but Qiuli is an outsider, and they indeed seem too close. Moreover..."
Her hesitant manner successfully aroused Zhu Changning's suspicion, "Speak your mind."
"Lady Qin saw Changle in the kitchen this morning, soaking wet and walking with Qiuli, wearing his overcoat. She thought it best not to let others see Changle like that, so she followed her to help her change clothes. Unfortunately, they ran into mother, who couldn't help but comment that the clothes were ill-fitting and should be changed sooner."
Xu Hanmei glanced at her husband, noticing a slight frown on his brow, which secretly pleased her. She continued, "Mother is protecting Changle and blaming Lady Qin for being meddlesome, saying that I'm prying into my sister-in-law's affairs. A few unjust accusations from mother-in-law are not a big deal, but Changle is still unmarried. Being so ambiguously close with Qiuli, if word gets out, wouldn't it ruin her reputation? Even if she doesn't care, our son Xia'an will need to marry someday, and the younger generations in our family will need to marry as well. Reputation is still important, don't you think, husband?"
Zhu Changning knew better than anyone in the family how Changle ended up drenched, and how Qiuli's coat came to be on her. Knowing exactly what Changle was involved in made him particularly resentful upon hearing these words.
"To claim one does not love stirring up trouble, yet in reality, is already doing so." Zhu Changning looked at the stunned Madam Xu, also feeling a bit bewildered. Since when did that slightly temperamental, extremely proud woman, who once could spend half a day engrossed in a book, who would burn a painting she disliked on a whim, who would brew several jars of wine and invite him to drink amidst the falling snowflakes... When did she become indistinguishable from those inner court women she once so despised?
When did that Xu Hanmei disappear?
