With the blooming of two flowers, each telling a story, just as Wufu and her entourage were rushing back, Purple Jade received the ssage she had sent on the road, knowing they had successfully relieved the Gu poison. So delighted, she walked with a spring in her step.
"Zhou Xiuer hasn’t returned yet?" Purple Jade called Ma Nao to ask.
Zhou Xiuer had been going out every few days, saying she wanted to witness the bustling prosperity of Changan City, pleading with Madam Zhou until her lips almost wore out. Madam Zhou, annoyed by her persistence, finally agreed to let her go out.
Today, Zhou Xiuer went out with her mother, claiming they were going to the temple to pray for blessings, wishing that Madam Zhou’s child would be born smoothly.
Madam Zhou gave them fifty taels of silver for incense money, and as for whether this incense money would entirely go into the temple’s offering box, Purple Jade was certain that more than half would be pocketed.
Ma Nao glanced at the small clock and said, "Not yet, I’m afraid it will be a while longer."
"Go keep an eye out and report once they co back." Ma Nao nodded.
After a short while, Ma Nao reported that the mother and daughter had returned, so Purple Jade summoned the Hidden Guard who had been secretly following them to inquire.
Even though Madam Zhou agreed to let them go out, Purple Jade was still uneasy. She discreetly dispatched a Hidden Guard to follow them, observing whom they interacted with and if anything unusual happened, to prevent any loopholes from being exploited.
Such a move by Purple Jade can be considered very cautious.
The Hidden Guard said, "Everything was normal, and they didn’t interact with anyone." After a pause, he added, "Except when burning incense, Miss Zhou accidentally knocked over the incense burner, covering herself in ash, then changed her clothes."
Purple Jade furrowed her brows and asked, "Was it an accident?"
"It was an accident."
"Did you see any familiar faces? Like soone from the Wu Family."
The Hidden Guard thought for a mont, shook his head, and said, "Today is the fifteenth, many people were there for incense, it was really hard to keep track, but no one was seen approaching them."
"Thank you, you may leave." Purple Jade dismissed him.
The Hidden Guard swiftly disappeared.
Purple Jade thought for a mont, then went to Madam Zhou’s courtyard. Before entering, she heard Madam Lu’s exaggerated laughter, talking about their sights and experiences at the temple.
The little maid at the door saw Purple Jade and announced her presence. Purple Jade walked in to see Madam Lu and Zhou Xiuer sitting on small stools by Madam Zhou’s couch, chatting.
Purple Jade approached and respectfully bowed, detecting the scent of sandalwood in the air, and frowned slightly.
"Purple Jade is here, is sothing the matter?" Madam Zhou asked with a smile.
"Nothing else, just received the girl’s ssage that she is on her way ho," Purple Jade replied with a smile.
Hearing Wufu was returning, both Madam Lu and Zhou Xiuer stiffened, exchanged a glance, and felt uneasy.
Though their movents and finances in the mansion were monitored, they still had food, drink, and clothing far more comfortable than their previous days of struggling to get three als a day, exposed to the elents.
But once Wufu returned, would they still have such comfortable days? The good days might be coming to an end.
Madam Lu thought, why couldn’t that damned girl stay away forever?
anwhile, Zhou Xiuer wondered how she could please Wufu to prevent being sent away or thrown out. She truly didn’t want to leave here; she desperately wanted a place of her own. Unfortunately, she knew nobody here, let alone any n!
Purple Jade noticed the two’s stiff expressions and her mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
"Wufu is back?" Madam Zhou didn’t notice Madam Lu and Zhou Xiuer’s reactions, felt a burst of joy, and stood up quickly, only to exclaim oh in surprise.
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