Chapter 84: Growing Suspicion

As they traveled, a new thought arose in Xu Jun Ying’s mind. He ordered Bao Ju and Bai Zhan to turn around and follow the direction the young woman’s carriage had taken. They were to keep a safe distance and make sure she arrived home safely.

Meinang, however, was cautious. She instructed Lin A Mao to change direction and take another street, preferring to take a longer route. Inside the carriage, she drew the curtains tightly shut and kept a close eye on the surroundings, both ahead and behind.

Xu Jun Ying spoke to her with a calm tone, but his sharp gaze was probing. His scrutiny might have unnerved someone less composed, causing them to panic and reveal something unintended, but Meinang remained composed.

While this was happening, Cui Si massaged her hands. She had not noticed the pain when she had grabbed the whip earlier, but now her palms were sore and raw, burning with a stinging sensation. Cui Xi added, “We wanted to help grandmother, but as soon as we lifted the curtain, we saw the Marquis and Bao Ju coming from the other direction. Fortunately, they were focused on grandmother and didn’t notice us. I quickly pulled Cui Si back inside and held her tight. I knew that with the Marquis there, no one could harm grandmother.”

Meinang smiled and said, “It was the right decision for you not to step out, but how do you know the Marquis would stop anyone from harming me? He doesn’t recognize me.”

Cui Si, ever outspoken, quickly retorted, “The Marquis is a court official and the General of the Wei Kingdom. How could he allow wicked people to oppress the good? Surely, he would help.”

Meinang nodded. “That’s a fair point. Today’s been unlucky. I’ve run into one trouble after another. That foolish man, what’s his name? Zhang Si? Is he from the Jing Guo Duke’s house? It seems they have some background.”

Cui Xi, now more anxious, added, “The Jing Guo Duke’s family is hereditary, much like the Ding Guo Duke’s. I’ve heard the maids gossiping about them. The Jing Guo Dukes have always been generals, leading armies. Their daughters have even entered the palace as imperial consorts, though that was from the previous generation. Nowadays, they would be referred to as the Dowager Empress. To offend someone from that family… if the Marquis hadn’t been there, it might have been hard to get away.”

Meinang smirked inwardly. Would the Earth stop spinning without the Marquis? She didn’t explain further, only muttered, “What’s there to fear? The son of a famous family, a useless playboy. What can he do? He flaunts his family’s legacy and bullies the good. I only gave him two lashes, and he screamed louder than Lin A Mao. If I hadn’t been bothered by the noise, I would have kept whipping him until he fell off his horse.”

Cui Xi and Cui Si exchanged worried glances. Cui Xi nervously said, “We’ve been with you since we were little, but we’ve never seen you use a whip like that… and the way you scolded him… it was so… so coarse. If Wang Mama heard, she’d probably faint. Where did you learn such language? None of the servants in the mansion would dare speak like that…”

Meinang fell silent for a moment before smiling gently. “After I recovered from my illness, my body changed in ways I don’t even fully understand. I know you’ve noticed, I’m different from before. Don’t be too surprised, I’m still the same person, your lady. As for what I’ve learned, let’s just say I knew it all along. Let’s just focus on living, and not worry about anything else, alright?”

Cui Xi and Cui Si quickly nodded. “Yes, we’ll listen to you, grandmother.”

Returning through the west gate, they were greeted by Lin Po Zi, who smiled and said, “Yu Yu Po Zi just came by. There’s no one in the garden right now. Please head back to Qing Hua Courtyard.”

Once back in Qing Hua Courtyard, Meinang bathed, changed clothes, and didn’t bother with her hair or outer robe. After eating a few snacks, she lay down, enjoying a well-deserved afternoon nap.

Meanwhile, Bao Ju and Bai Zhan ran down the entire street, but could not find the carriage. They returned to Xian Ke Lai and waited for Xu Jun Ying to finish his banquet before reporting to him.

While they were dining in the servant’s area on the first floor, Bai Zhan suddenly remembered something. He said to Bao Ju, “Madam asked that we make sure the Marquis eats something before drinking to protect his stomach. Should we remind him?”

Bao Ju nodded. “I’ll go.”

When Bao Ju reached the third floor, he saw Xu Jun Ying drinking and chatting with several high-ranking officials. Bao Ju stood to the side, waiting for him to finish a round of drinks. However, Xu Jun Ying noticed him and walked over, asking if the young woman had been escorted home. Bao Ju replied that when they followed, the carriage had disappeared. Xu Jun Ying nodded and dismissed him with a wave. Bao Ju hesitated before saying, “Master, there’s one more thing.”

At that moment, Chang Le Hou approached, pulling Xu Jun Ying away, “It’s my turn now! Every time we drink, you always have something to do, never letting me drink to my heart’s content!”

Xu Jun Ying dismissed him with a couple of casual words, then looked back at Bao Ju. “What is it? Quick, tell me.”

Bao Ju quickly explained, “Madam asked that you eat something before drinking to avoid getting too drunk and to protect your stomach.”

Chang Le Hou overheard and burst into laughter. Xu Jun Ying was embarrassed, glaring at Bao Ju, but then dragged Chang Le Hou back to the table to continue drinking. Chang Le Hou, not satisfied, grabbed two more jars of wine and shared them with Xu Jun Ying. Before long, both were completely drunk. Bao Ju and Bai Zhan had tried to help the Marquis avoid getting drunk, but he ended up drunker than ever.

By the time they made it back to the east courtyard of the Marquis’ residence, night had fallen. Bao Ju and Bai Zhan, worried about their master, hurriedly called for Rui Bao to inform Meinang. She reluctantly got up from her bed, sat down at the table to eat dinner, and grumbled, “I’m dizzy. I can’t even move, how can I go see him?”

Wang Mama, observing Rui Bao standing quietly nearby, approached Meinang and whispered, “Madam, you should go see him. If the Old Lady or the Madam hears that the Marquis is drunk and you didn’t check on him, it won’t look good.”

Meinang sighed, looking at Rui Bao, and then asked, “Is he like last time? Is he vomiting, or feeling very unwell?”

Rui Bao replied, “This time, the Marquis hasn’t thrown up, just fallen into a deep sleep. No matter how we call him, he won’t wake up.”

Meinang set down her chopsticks. “If he’s drunk, let him sleep. Don’t disturb him. If he wakes up, it might be worse.”

After a moment of thought, she added, “Cui Xi, where are the pears that Third Madam gave us yesterday? Bring them to Rui Bao. Rui Bao, take them and make pear juice for the Marquis. Let him drink it to help sober him up. After that, you can all go to sleep. Just leave Bao Ju and Bai Zhan to watch over him.”

Rui Bao nodded and took the pears back to the east courtyard.

The next day, Xu Jun Ying woke up early and went to practice swordplay in the training yard. He remarked to Bai Zhan, “What kind of wine was served at the banquet yesterday? I drank it and didn’t feel as bad as usual. I wasn’t as dizzy.”

Bai Zhan hesitated, but finally replied, “Master, you were so drunk last night, it’s good nothing bad happened. You just fell into a deep sleep.”

Xu Jun Ying sheathed his sword and sighed. “I don’t want to drink, but there’s a prohibition on alcohol in the army. Once back in the capital, it’s unavoidable. It’s only been two or three months since I returned, and I’ve already drunk enough to last me five lifetimes.”

When Bao Ju approached, Xu Jun Ying put on a serious expression. “Don’t talk about that in front of others. You’ll only make us a laughingstock. From now on, don’t bring it up.”

Bao Ju lowered his head. “Yes, Master, I understand.”

As they sat down for breakfast in the East Flower Hall, Xu Jun Ying told Rui Bao, “Go and check on that lady. If she’s awake, tell her to come to Jin Hua Hall to greet the Old Lady.”

Rui Bao replied, “The lady is still dizzy from yesterday. She stayed in bed all day. I don’t know if she’s better today.”

Xu Jun Ying put down his spoon. “Dizzy again? You’ve said she’s had this problem many times before. She’s not like the Second Madam, is she?”

Rui Bao lowered her head, remembering what she had told the Marquis about the Second Madam’s condition. “The lady was really dizzy last night. After the Marquis got drunk, she made pear juice to help sober him up and couldn’t come over to check on him.”

Xu Jun Ying looked at Rui Bao. “Was it pear juice? That explains it.” His gaze softened as he said, “Let her rest. There’s no rush.”

Rui Bao nodded and said, “I’ll go prepare the tea now.” She quickly returned to the courtyard.