Chapter 12

  As the day of Jiang Wan's departure from the Wang Fu approached, Lian Hao became increasingly busy and his days in the Wang Fu grew shorter. Jiang Wan also didn't follow the rules of the Wang Fu to go out on a regular basis, she almost went out every other day, each time carrying something with her. The people in Lian Hao's courtyard were all tense and paying close attention to the two masters.

  As they exited the palace's right gate, Ji Yan couldn't help but express her inner worries in a soft voice to Jiang Wanru: "Miss, will the Crown Prince's wife come to make things difficult for you?" Ever since the Queen's angry departure from the hospital, Ji Yan had been weighed down by worry, and with even the slightest rumor outside, she began to fear for Jiang Wanru's safety. Jiang Wanru comforted her saying: "Ji Yan, the Crown Prince's wife is different from the Queen, she just wants to come and pay a visit wholeheartedly."

  Fang Zheng and his family had left the capital with the caravan the day before, and they would wait for the two women in a nearby town. The business of the two shops had been fully entrusted to the two managers. Jiang Wanru and Ji Yan left the Wang Mansion, just wanting to get some fresh air. They looked at the packages in their hands, and Ji Yan took the package from Jiang Wanru's hand, walking towards the pawnshop on the street under her gaze.

  Ji Yan looked at Jiang Wanru's excited appearance and said in a low voice, "Miss, if we do things this way, won't the people from the pawnshop become suspicious?" Jiang Wanru smiled and glanced away, her eyes looking into the distance, and whispered, "Ji Yan, even if the pawnshop owner has some suspicions, they won't refuse such a good opportunity. As long as the people in the Wang Mansion don't harbor any suspicions about us for now, this matter will be just a legend after this year. I've heard that the clothes from the dead in the pawnshop are usually quickly sold and leave the city."

  The young master's wife arrived at Lianhao Courtyard with two attendants, where a table and chairs had been newly arranged under the shade of the trees. Jiang Wanju stood beside the table, looking up at the dense foliage above her head. She heard the sound of greetings and walked forward to meet the young master's wife, bowing and asking after her well-being: "Young Master's Wife is doing well." The young master's wife carefully observed Jiang Wanju's expression, seeing that she was calm and composed. She thought of the test that the young master had entrusted her with, and sighed inwardly, but still wore a delighted smile on her face.

  After listening to her words, Jiang Wanmu secretly paid attention. Everyone in the Wangfu knew that she would never bother with trivial matters in Lianhao Courtyard. The young master's wife was probably not visiting without a reason this time, and she must have something to say to herself, now looking for an excuse to continue speaking. Jiang Wanmu smiled and said: "Such praise from the young master's wife, I dare not accept it wholeheartedly. However, with two housekeepers praising you like that, your heart must be delighted."

  The young master's wife would not get entangled in this matter, she smiled at the tea set on the table and said to Jiang Wanru: "Wanru, let's talk properly, you tell the servants and maids to go down." Jiang Wanru was very pleased that the young master's wife knew how to treat people, she smiled and said to the two servant women standing beside her: "The young master's wife is considerate of you, take her good intentions and rest aside. Don't worry about no one serving the young master's wife, the people around her will definitely serve her well."

  Jiang Wanting thought that over the past three years, the people in this courtyard had never shown her closeness, but they had also never been hostile towards her. She took a deep look at the young master's wife and said calmly: "The people in this courtyard are all loyal to the third master. With the young master's wife here, they naturally turn to the young master's wife. They know that the young master's wife is particular about etiquette, so on the surface, they will give me, a woman who still has a few days as the mistress, some superficial respect to get through these next few days."

  Lian Hao's temperament wouldn't allow him to deceive the people in the Wang Fu. Jiang Wanru nodded and said, "There is this matter, Third Master was worried that after I leave the Wang Fu, I would have no fixed abode, sympathizing with me having no maternal family to rely on. He told me previously that he had already arranged for a residence for me. I myself felt it was extremely inappropriate, we all want to sever ties, and in the future if we still want to be entangled together, it wouldn't be good." Lian Hao had been busy with matters of the other courtyard these past few days. Occasionally, on his rest days, Jiang Wanru would hear him mention that courtyard, see his proud expression, and after a moment's hesitation, quickly change the subject.

  At mealtimes, Jiyan arranged the dishes on the table in the courtyard and picked up her chopsticks to feed Jiang Wanmu, who was lost in thought. Jiang Wanmu mechanically ate the food in his bowl. After a while, he looked up at Jiyan and said, "You go down and have your meal, I'll take care of myself here." Jiyan glanced around at the people coming and going in the courtyard and said softly, "Miss, it's only for these few days, let others see that you also have someone to take care of you with a warm heart." Jiang Wanmu heard her words and allowed her to stand by his side, not refusing her thoughtful arrangements.

  As it was almost dinner time, Ji Yan had already packed several small bundles. Listening to Jiang Wanru's arrangement, she said: "We only have a few days in the Wang Mansion, and there are people in the courtyard who are close to you. You can give them the remaining golden beans as a keepsake. Ji Yan, that woman who helps clean the side house every day is a kind-hearted person. You should find an opportunity to secretly give her some silver coins over the next few days, thank her for never neglecting me."

  Cat pounces on Chinese