My parents were from the capital city, but I was born in Jiangzhou, so I suppose I’m from Jiangzhou!
said Qu Le hesitantly.
Why did your parents relocate to Jiangzhou then?
asked Qin Wanru, with a flash of light across her eyes.
I think they moved here… following their master. My parents were supposed children born to servants in an influential family in the capital city. Later on, they were separated from their master somehow and so ended up in Jiangzhou. They didn’t dare to return to the capital city they lost their master.
Qu Le blurted out everything she knew even though her father had given her instructions not to reveal certain things. She was not planning to return home because she knew she would be sold as a slave anyways. It seemed to her that her mistress right in front of her was a kind girl, who was able to protect her even in a precarious circumstance a moment ago.
What a strange thing to have happened! However, this had nothing to do with her.
Do you know my elder sister?
said Qin Wanru, who tried to change the topic as she remembered Qin Yuru’s reflection yesterday.
No, I don’t know her,
replied Qu Le, shaking her head as she continued,
Yesterday was the first time I met Elder Miss Qin.
Then why did she target you?
asked Qin Wanru, looking intently at Qu Le.
I… I don’t know too,
Qu Le was so fearful that she started weeping and continued,
I’ve never met Elder Miss Qin, but I’ve met Qing Xue. I heard that she was working in the General’s Mansion.
Qing Xue?
asked Qin Wanru, batting her lashes.
Yes, it’s Qing Xue. Qing Xue’s family and I lived in the same village. Qing Yue and I used to play together when we were younger, but later on, we heard that Qing Xue was sold to the General’s Mansion. However, I saw her again yesterday and heard that she was just sold to the General’s Mansion, but wasn’t she already working for the General’s Mansion?
Qu Le said while wiping away her tears. She had recognized Qing Xue the day before but did not dare to say it. Now that Qin Wanru asked about it so she answered honestly to her question.
She was aware that the Madam, as well as Eldest Miss Qin in this house, were not pleased with her. If she were to offend the Second Miss Qin, She would definitely end up being sold again.
Qin Wanru turned to look at Nanny Yu, who shook her head after a moment of pondering and with certainty, she said,
Miss, I’ve not seen Qing Xue before.
Qing Xue was quite an outstanding maid. It was unlikely that Nanny Yu did not notice her if she had been working in the General’s Mansion. She truly could not recall seeing her as a maid in the mansion.
Do you want to ask her?
suggested Nanny Yu.
Qin Wanru shook her head and turned her eyes back to Qu Le, saying,
Qu Le, since I’m the who saved you, I can also sell you away. If you remain loyal to me from henceforth, you can be assured that nothing will happen to you. However, if I find out that you are double-minded, you know what the consequence will be!
Yes, I know. Rest assured, Miss, I will remain faithful to you will never betray you!
said a clever Qu Le, wiping her tears as she pledged her loyalty.
I will find out about Qing Xue and report to you, Miss,
continued Qing Yue.
She overheard the conversation between Nanny Yu and Qin Wanru earlier on and was aware that Second Miss Qin was interested in the things concerning Qing Xue, so she raised this issue to Qin Wanru straight away.
Nodding, Qin Wanru said,
Go and wash up. Try not to go out of this courtyard in the coming few days.
Yes, I will,
replied Qu Le. She had been so scared, so when Qin Wanru told her to excuse herself, she breathed a sigh of relief, sit up in her kneeling position and gave Qin Wanru and bow, before she left the room in a respectful manner.
When she reached the corridor, she wiped away her tears and headed to the room where Nanny Yu prepared all the new clothes for the maids, to get changed.
Coincidentally, Qing Yue was also in that changing room. When she spotted Qu Le, she gave her a cold glance and turned to leave.
Wait a minute, Qing Xue!
Qu Le called out to her.
What is it?
said Qing Xue coldly.
You… don’t you recognize me? I’m…
Qu Le said with caution as she observed Qing Xue’s expression closely.
You must have gotten the wrong person, I don’t know you!
said Qing Xue, who looked at her with indifference and turned to leave.
Staring at Qing Xue’s back, Qu Le frowned. Although they haven’t met each other for a few years she could still recognize that Qing Xue was her playmate when they were young. Why did Qing Yue pretend not to recognize her?
This… had to be intentional!
The fight between the two maids was blown out of proportion, then it was said that the new maid did not know the protocol of General’s Mansion, that she was a liar who deceived Second Miss Qin into believing that she was innocent, and Xi Huan, who was Elder Miss Qin’s maid was sent away as a result.
It was also said Madam was a kind woman who could not bear to see Second Miss Qin being upset and therefore let Qu Le off.
Some even said that Qu Le had bad conduct since young, that she had even been a thief. The rumors going around in the village were even more rampant and outrageous…
From the mouth of Nanny Yu, Qin Wanru gathered countless rumors, saying that Qu Le was no good at all, that she was full of lies and was not trustworthy. As for why such an ill-behaved maid was kept in the General’s Mansion was mainly because Mrs. Qin doted on her youngest daughter and did according to what she willed.
It was also rumored that Mrs. Qin had sent for an experienced maid to warn and advise Qin Wanru not to trust in Qu Le and her words too much.
The main thing was to spread the rumor that Qu Le was very cunning.
All the many rumors boiled down to the accusation that she has been lying!
said Qin Wanru, as she walked to her dressing table and sat down.
I suppose this was what all of them meant!
said Nanny Yu, nodding.
I am still clueless as to what Madam wants to achieve.
She doesn’t want us to believe whatever Qu Le says,
Qin Wanru said cooly with a smile.
If it were just concerning the words spoken by a maid, why would Madam make so much effort?
said Nanny Yu, puzzled. She truly could not see the purpose behind all these.
First of all, Elder Miss Qin had asked for her, then she framed her and wanted to chase her out of the house. It seemed that a lot of troubles were related to her.
Don’t be too bothered about her. Let’s just watch patiently!
said Qin Wanru. There was definitely something fishy about Qing Xue as well as Qu Le. She would put the two of them together and see who was the greater problem. Suddenly, Qin Wanru said,
Is everything ready for us to go to Jingxin Monastery?
Everything has been prepared, but…
Nanny Yu hesitated for a moment then said,
I heard that Elder Miss Qin is also going long.
Does big sister still want to go to Jingxin Monastery in her current state?
asked Qin Wanru as she looked into the mirror and gritted her teeth.
She said she wants to tag along so she can ask the reverend to have a look at her burn,
replied Nanny Yu.
The statement sounded logical and Qin Wanru pondered over it for a while and said,
Did Aunt give any instructions on what time to get up?
Miss Shui had not sent men over to tell us yet, but I think it wouldn’t be too early. Old Grandma’s still not well and I don’t think she can get up that early,
said Nanny Yu as she analyzed the situation.
Nanny Yu was right. Qin Wanru nodded and she pulled out a book on medicine from a shelf in the dressing table and opened it up on the dresser top.
Are you reading on medicine again, Miss?
asked Nanny Yu as she looked over her shoulder. Recently, Miss Qin seemed to have lost interest in reading the other books but concentrated on books on medicine and this made Nanny wonder.
Qin Yuru used to enjoy comic books, so much so she would visit the book stores whenever they go out of the mansion. She would secret buy some comic books and hide them under her bed. In fact, they were still there, under her bed at this moment.
I want to study medicine,
replied Qin Wanru, flipping through the pages and nodding as she read. At this time in her previous life, she was clueless about the subject of medicine. Since the day Mingqui Nun took notice of her and gave her a book on medicine, she had chucked it aside and never read it.
Subsequently, she did pick up some medical skill from taking care of the person with a long-term illness, so much so he became better. Although this person was highly competent in his medical skills, he could not save himself.
When Qin Wanru came to think of this, she felt a pinch of pain in her nose and tears welled up in her eyes. If she ever got a second chance, she wanted to save that man who taught her the medical skill. In fact, the delay of medical treatment had been the main reason he did not recover eventually.
Qin Wanru wanted to take this opportunity when she visited Jingxin Monastery to tell Mingqiu Nun that she wanted to study medicine.
Are you thinking of studying medicine under Mingqiu Nun, Miss?
asked Nanny Yu, almost reading Qin Wanru’s mind. However, Nanny Yu was still surprised and she said,
It would be hard-going and Old Grandma would not agree to it.
Old Grandma doted on Second Miss Qin and would not allow her to be overtired.
Grandma will agree. Age is catching up with her. If I can master medical skills, I would be able to take care of her something befalls her!
Qin Wanru said, sighing softly. She was equipped with some medical skills, however, she was not supposed to have any medical knowledge at this time in her previous life, so she did not dare to show it.
However, once she understudied with Mingqiu Nun, she could openly show that she knew medical skills.
Studying medicine was not just to save herself, but to save others. All the more, she was going to save the life of the man she so wanted to save in her previous life.
In her previous life, he was the person she was grateful to in her limited lifetime.
In the morning the next day, Qin Wanru first went over to Old Grandma’s to make sure that the preparation was complete. Once Old Grandma woke up, she returned to her room to eat her breakfast. By the time she was done with breakfast, Shui Ruolan had sent men to fetch her.
The horse carriages were parked at the main gates, waiting for them to embark. There were altogether four horse-carriages. The first one was the largest of them all, which was for Old Grandma and Shui Ruolan. The second carriage was for Qin Yuru and the third for Qin Wanru, while their belongings and other servants took the last carriage.
By the time Qin Wanru came to the gates, Qin Yuru had been waiting there for some time. When she spotted Qin Wanru, she smiled warmly and said,
Second Little Sister, do you want to come in my carriage? We can keep each other company while chatting.
She pretended to be warm and welcoming, as if nothing had happened between them.
Elder Sister, both of us have been injured, which means at some point during the journey, we may need to lie down to rest. I’m afraid there wouldn’t be enough space for both of us to lie down,
replied Qin Wanru, shaking her head.
If the two of them were to share the same carriage, it would appear that they had a good relationship. However, Qin Wanru was not willing to put up that false front for their relationship.
Not expecting Qin Wanru to outrightly reject her offer, Qin Yuru’s expression turned cold as she said,
Since you’re not willing, forget it then.
After speaking, Qin Yuru did not want to wait for Qin Wanru any longer. She boarded the second carriage, holding on to Mei Xue’s hand. On the other hand, Qin Wanru continued waiting outside, and soon Shui Ruolan, helping Old Grandma by holding on to her, arrived. Qin Huaiyong and his wife were accompanying her as the group of people walked through the gates of the General’s Mansion.
Qin Wanru took out a small stool from within the horse carriages for Old Grandma to step on as she supported her grandmother’s weight. A few other servants who had hopped on to the carriage together helped pull Old Grandma up the horse carriage.
After everyone had settled in their respective carriages, the entire group procession embarked on its journey.
