Chapter 108: Waiting

At dusk, a servant approached Prince Qi and whispered something to him. He set down his drumsticks, and Meinang sighed in relief, she had been wanting to leave for a while.

Prince Qi said to Meinang, “I must enter the palace, so I’ll leave now. Princess Xu De returned to the capital yesterday, I may come later tomorrow.”

“No problem. Important matters come first. Your Highness has already learned a few key techniques, and since the new drum isn’t ready yet, you can come to practice anytime. If I’m not here, someone else can accompany you.”

Prince Qi shot her a gloomy glance. “Do you think I come here to play the drum just to have their company?”

Meinang lowered her gaze. “Then… perhaps take a break tomorrow.”

Prince Qi thought for a moment and said, “Indeed, I do have a few things to handle in the next few days. Alright, rest well. If I come, I’ll have someone call you. You’re just in the courtyard next door convenient enough.”

Meinang lowered her head, giving a bitter smile. “Convenient? You should try it for yourself. I’ve used up all the time I had to manage Xian Ke Inn just to teach you to drum, even private meetings aren’t this demanding.”

After seeing Prince Qi off, Meinang turned to Lin Ru Nan and asked, “Who is Princess Xu De?”

Lin Ru Nan sighed, shaking her head. “You’ve truly forgotten much. Princess Xu De is the Emperor and Prince Qi’s younger sister. After marrying a husband, she moved with him to their assigned territory. I just heard yesterday that her husband recently passed away, so the Empress Dowager, pitying her recent widowhood, asked the Emperor to summon her back to the capital.”

“A widow? She’s still so young!”

Meinang thought about it. The Emperor was around the same age as Xu Jun Ying, and Princess Xu De was only a year or two younger than Prince Qi, likely only seventeen or eighteen. To be a widow so early in life seemed almost cruel.

Lin Ru Nan replied flatly, “Widowhood or not, she’s a royal daughter, and won’t lack for marriage prospects. With the Empress Dowager and Emperor arranging things, she’ll likely have another marriage set up within a year.”

Meinang laughed, “True. Why worry about her? We have our own matters to concern ourselves with.”

Lin Ru Nan looked at her warily. “Who do you have to worry about?”

Meinang grinned, “I have many people to worry about. Which one are you asking about?” Then, suddenly serious, she added, “Zhang Jing Yun may have already relayed news of you to the Empress. She might summon us before she gives birth.”

Lin Ru Nan paled. “I’m now the daughter of a convicted official, how can I meet her?”

Meinang said, “If she wishes to meet you, she’ll find a way.”

Lin Ru Nan nodded. “Yes, I would like to see her. If she summons me to the palace, I won’t be afraid.”

Meinang took her hand, “I’ll go with you.”

As the two friends spoke in the garden, Cui Xi hurried over with a worried expression. “Miss, it’s getting late; we should head back.”

Lin Ru Nan held onto her. “We can go after dinner.”

Meinang suddenly remembered she had a dinner appointment at Jinhua Hall tonight. She quickly pried Lin Ru Nan’s hand off hers. “Another time. I really can’t stay today. If I’m late, I won’t get to see Heng Ge’er tonight.”

Seeing Lin Ru Nan’s reluctance, she consoled her, “I won’t come tomorrow, but I’ll come in a few days. For now, don’t visit me at the Xu residence. It’s no fun there; I’m always looking for a chance to escape. When you’re free, come to Xian Ke Inn. There’s good food and drink, and you can ask Manager Lu to serve you anything you like. Many young scholars gather there, all bright and handsome, of every height and build. If any catch your eye, we might even….”

Lin Ru Nan listened attentively at first, then pushed her away, laughing. “Go, go! Marriage has really changed you, you’re daring enough to say anything now.”

Meinang and her servants, Cui Xi and Cui Si, got into the carriage. She instructed Lin A Mou to ensure their safety and to hurry. Luckily, there were few pedestrians and carriages on the road at this hour, so the journey was quick. By the time they reached the Xu residence’s west gate, Meinang had changed into a maid’s attire.

When they entered Qing Hua Courtyard, Cheng’er came to them, whispering, “The Marquis is in the main room having tea. He said he’ll wait for the Madam to return so they can go to Jinhua Hall together.”

Cui Xi and Cui Si were taken aback, and Meinang frowned. Is Xu Jun Ying bored, or has he perhaps seen through something, like Prince Qi?

She needed to think about whether to continue pretending as Qin Meinang or to reveal the truth to him. But for now, she needed to change out of her maid’s attire and meet him in the main room.

After preparing herself, she entered the main room and sat down, sighing, “It’s exhausting. I regret not listening to you, Marquis. Managing such a big household is too much for a delicate woman like me, just touring the garden nearly did me in.”

Xu Jun Ying looked at her coldly. “I sent Bao Ju to check most of the garden for you, but he didn’t see you anywhere.”

“Oh, Bao Ju? Hasn’t he come back yet?”

“He just returned. Cui Mei also sent people to look for you in the third wife’s and fourth wife’s courtyards, as well as the young ladies’ rooms, but they didn’t see you either. Where exactly were you?”

“They couldn’t find me because I was in the side courtyard with the two concubines, Ru Yi and Xiu’er, admiring their needlework it’s excellent.”

Xu Jun Ying looked at her, perhaps judging her sincerity, before finally averting his gaze.

Meinang added, “Marquis, if you have time, visit the side courtyard more often. It’s a beautiful place with fresh air and lush flowers.”