Chapter 185

The next day, no matter how unwilling Wang Min’er was, she had no choice but to obediently get on the carriage sent by the Tang family to pick her up. Early in the morning, she left quietly. During her departure, Grandma Wang never came out to see her off.

Wang Yuan’er knew that their grandmother was truly disappointed in Wang Min’er this time. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have avoided meeting her entirely.

Although Wang Min’er’s commotion hadn’t caused much of a stir, Wang Yuan’er still felt uneasy. Such a noticeable person couldn’t have gone unseen. While outsiders noticing might not matter, she was worried that Miss Rong in the Tang family might catch wind of this and take action against Wang Min’er.

With a six-to-seven-month pregnancy, if Miss Rong were truly ruthless, Wang Yuan’er feared that Wang Min’er might lose her very life.

Wang Yuan’er’s concerns were not unfounded. Later that day, as she returned from handling tasks at the workshop, she ran into a group of people.

“Hey, Yuan girl, didn’t I see your Min’er yesterday? I didn’t see wrong, did I? That was Min’er, wasn’t it?” Madam Lu, the neighbor’s matron, looked at her with eyes full of gossip.

“You must have been mistaken. How could she have come back?” Wang Yuan’er responded with a calm smile.

“Tch, don’t try to fool me. My eyesight is sharp—I recognized her figure and look; it was definitely her!” Madam Lu clearly didn’t believe her words.

Wang Yuan’er couldn’t help but want to laugh. Recognize her figure? Wang Min’er’s body might not have changed completely, but she was no longer the slender figure she was before. How could Madam Lu claim to recognize her by her figure? Besides, it wasn’t as if she saw her every day.

“If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to come to my house and see for yourself,” Wang Yuan’er said nonchalantly as if inviting Madam Lu to confirm it.

After all, Wang Min’er had already left, so no one would find her even if they looked.

Feeling embarrassed, Madam Lu muttered, “Fine, if it’s not true, then it’s not true!” She paused for a moment and then added, “But since Min’er married, I haven’t seen her return to her family. Surely a prominent family like that would allow her from visiting her natal family, would they?”

This was clearly an attempt to probe for information indirectly!

Wang Yuan’er lowered her gaze and replied, “Prominent families have strict rules. Besides, she’s been busy praying for blessings on behalf of Old Madam Tang. She hasn’t had the chance to return, though my second aunt has visited her. Oh, it’s getting late—I should be heading home.”

Without waiting for Madam Lu to respond, Wang Yuan’er quickly slipped away. If she stayed any longer, she would surely be bombarded with endless questions.

Watching Wang Yuan’er’s retreating figure, Madam Lu pursed her lips. Returning to her group of gossiping women, she said, “I’m certain that the person I saw yesterday was definitely Wang Min’er! Her belly is already so big!” She gestured a circle around her waist and stomach to emphasize her point.

The others replied, “That’s impossible! She’s only been at the Tang family for a short time!”

“Young people are strong and healthy—it wouldn’t be surprising if she got pregnant quickly. Otherwise, why haven’t we seen her back here?” Madam Lu lowered her voice and added, “There’s definitely something fishy going on.”

“Regardless, the Tang family married a new bride yesterday. If that’s the case, things are going to get difficult!”

“I heard the mistress of those prominent families has quite a ruthless streak!”

“Exactly! There are plenty of ways to ensure a woman can’t carry a pregnancy to term, and even if the child is born, it might not survive long.”

“…”

Wang Yuan’er hadn’t walked very quickly, so snippets of their conversation reached her ears. She pursed her lips and quickened her pace.

Their suspicions had indeed been aroused. She could only hope that no trouble would arise on the Tang family’s side.

At the Tang family’s West Wing.

Tang Xiuping’s legitimate wife, Madam Rong, was leisurely sipping tea and listening to her trusted nanny’s report.

Notes: It’s Madam Rong now because she’s married, and her mother will be called Old Madam Rong.

“Old Madam Tang smashed a porcelain tea cup decorated with Magu offering longevity, had the two individuals beaten with ten strikes of the paddle, and drove them out. Early this morning, Nanny Tang arranged for a carriage to be sent out,” the nanny whispered.

“The Dongshan manor—isn’t that where that woman is staying? For the Old Madam to be this angry, it must have something to do with that wench. Nanny, carefully investigate and find out exactly what happened,” Madam Rong said with a raised eyebrow.

The nanny nodded but hesitated and asked, “But, Third Madam, we’ve just arrived. Wouldn’t investigating like this be…”

Engaging in such underhanded actions right after entering the household is a serious taboo.

“Nanny, as the saying goes in military strategy, ‘Know yourself and your enemy, and you will win every battle.’ Am I supposed to act blind? Besides, this matter originally stemmed from the Tang family’s mistake. What’s wrong with me just wanting to know the truth?” Madam Rong’s lips curled coldly. “If we ignore it, someone might take advantage of us without us even realizing it!”

The nanny quickly agreed.

“There’s no need to go digging too deeply. Simply find those maids and servants who were just expelled. Since they’ve been driven out, they’re bound to hold resentment. Give them some silver—what can’t be coaxed out of them?” Madam Rong casually traced the rim of her teacup.

Money can make anything possible. She didn’t believe for a second that she couldn’t get the information she wanted by offering a generous sum to those expelled servants.

The nanny naturally agreed without further comment.

“Wife, I picked two branches of plum blossoms for you…”

It was Tang Xiuping’s voice. Madam Rong immediately stood up to greet him. Seeing the two sprigs of winter plum blossoms in his hand, she couldn’t help but smile.

This man is hers, and she would like to see who dares to challenge her for him.

Before heading home, Wang Yuan’er stopped by Butcher Zhang’s shop to buy two cuts of meat and arranged for him to bring her two piglets when he went to collect the pigs.

Since she was planning to raise pigs, she also needed a pigsty. Wang Yuan’er then visited Li Shugen’s house to ask him to help construct one.

Carrying the meat to her doorstep, Wang Yuan’er suddenly felt a small stone hit her back. She spun around swiftly and looked around. “Who!”

It was late January, and the weather was still cold. With the thick clothing she wore, she didn’t feel any pain when the stone hit her back—but what if it had hit her head?

Assuming it was some mischievous child, Wang Yuan’er shouted, “Come out now, or I’m going to get angry!”

No one appeared, and after waiting for a while, she turned back around.

“Hey!” Just as she turned, someone jumped out in front of her and yelled.

Startled, Wang Yuan’er screamed. Upon closer look, she realized it was the irritating Cui Yuan. Furious, she yelled, “Do you know scaring people can be deadly?”

“It’s broad daylight—how was I supposed to know you’re so easily frightened? Got a guilty conscience?” Cui Yuan shrugged with a mischievous grin.

Wang Yuan’er shot him a glare. “You’re the one with a guilty conscience!” With that, she brushed past him and went inside.

Cui Yuan naturally followed her in.

As soon as the two entered the Wang family courtyard, Grandpa Wang was sitting under the porch working on carpentry, while Grandma Wang was doing some needlework. Both of them froze at the sight of the two.

Wang Yuan’er found it strange and turned around, only to realize that Cui Yuan had followed her in.

“And this is…?” Grandpa Wang set down his tools and looked at Cui Yuan.

“Cui Yuan, at your service, paying respects to Grandpa and Grandma Wang,” Cui Yuan said smoothly, stepping forward and bowing politely.

Grandpa and Grandma Wang, unused to such formalities, were momentarily flustered and looked toward Wang Yuan’er for an explanation.

“What are you doing?” Wang Yuan’er asked in confusion, walking over to him and whispering, “Don’t scare the elders.”

“Ah, look at me. During my first visit, I showed up empty-handed. Truly rude of me. I’ll make up for it next time,” Cui Yuan said, glancing at Wang Yuan’er before addressing Grandpa Wang.

“Oh, it’s nothing, nothing at all. Please, come in and have some tea,” Grandpa Wang stammered, clearly unsure of what to make of the situation.

Wang Yuan’er frowned and said, “Grandfather, he’ll be leaving soon!”

To her surprise, Cui Yuan laughed aloud. “That’s fine,” he said, winking at Wang Yuan’er before following Grandpa Wang into the house.

“Yuan’er, go brew a pot of tea. There’s some oolong stored in my room. Wife, go fetch it,” Grandpa Wang instructed.

Wang Yuan’er couldn’t help but feel amused.

In the main room, after receiving the oolong tea from Grandma Wang, the old lady asked, “What kind of mischief are you up to? Men and women shouldn’t mingle carelessly, so don’t even think about fooling around!”

She had once been bitten by a snake and now feared even harmless ropes—a sign of her deeply rooted caution.

Wang Yuan’er silently cursed Cui Yuan several times in her heart. Facing her grandmother’s suspicious gaze, she could only smile and say, “He’s just a very ordinary friend.” Remembering that Cui Yuan also knew Song San, she added, “He’s also an acquaintance of Master Song San.”

Grandma Wang paused in surprise. “Master Song San knows him too?”

She was aware of Wang Yuan’er’s cooperation with Jinji and knew that Song San was in charge of it.

Wang Yuan’er nodded, and Grandma Wang didn’t ask further, though she pursed her lips thoughtfully.

“Elder Sister, the water’s boiling!” came Wang Chun’er’s voice from outside.

Wang Yuan’er quickly went out, brewed a pot of oolong tea, and poured two cups to serve in the main hall. As she reached the doorway, she overheard her grandfather asking Cui Yuan about his background, age, and whether he was married yet.

Wang Yuan’er nearly stumbled but steadied herself before bringing the tea inside.

“Yuan’er, go cut two pieces of meat. Let’s have young Brother Cui stay for lunch today!” Grandpa Wang said cheerfully, looking at Cui Yuan. “We’re simple folks with plain food—don’t mind it.”

“Not at all, not at all. It’s my intrusion!” Cui Yuan quickly folded his hands respectfully and bowed.

Wang Yuan’er became even more confused by him. Were they even close enough to invite him for a meal?

However, since her grandfather had spoken, she had no choice but to comply.

As a result, Cui Yuan stayed at the Wang household for lunch. When Wang Er returned at midday and saw Cui Yuan, he learned that Cui Yuan was on good terms with Lord Li and insisted on drinking with him.

The lunch ended with everyone enjoying themselves. Wang Yuan’er walked Cui Yuan to the door and frowned upon seeing his face flushed red from drinking.

“My second uncle always goes overboard when it comes to drinking. Why’d you follow along? If you can’t drink much, just have fewer cups.”

Hearing this, Cui Yuan’s heart unexpectedly warmed. He then grinned and said, “It’s fine—your second uncle can’t outdrink me!” He took a box out of his pocket and handed it to her. “This is for you!”

“What is it?” Wang Yuan’er was stunned. The box was made of brown wood with exquisite carvings on it.

“Thanks to your advice earlier, I managed to solve a major case. This is my token of gratitude,” Cui Yuan said with a smile. “Lunch today was great—thank you!”

Before Wang Yuan’er could respond, he waved and walked away!

Wang Yuan’er was momentarily stunned. Looking down at the box, she opened the intricate brass clasp and was left speechless by the contents. Inside was a gold hairpin inlaid with jade and carved with hibiscus flowers. The craftsmanship was intricate, and the materials were of the highest quality—immensely valuable.

Cui Yuan had gifted her a gold hairpin?

Wang Yuan’er stared in the direction Cui Yuan had disappeared, blinking as if walking on air, completely bewildered.