"Go and find out where the young master went when he returned, and where he is now."
Yinping and Huaping exchanged a glance upon seeing this, and secretly realized something was wrong. Having no other option, Yinping went out to investigate.
"...When the young master returned, he went to Aunt Li's place..." Yinping returned quickly. Knowing Third Madam's temperament, she knew that lying and trying to cover things up would only make her angrier, so she had to tell the truth: "The young master went to the outer study right now..."
These days, Yun Shen neither stayed at Third Sister's place nor at Aunt Li's place, but moved to the outer study to live.
Third Sister laughed out loud.
But hearing it on the silver screen and painted screen was more painful than crying.
******
After receiving the message from Zhao Shi, Hua Ping consulted with San Niang and then took the opportunity to return to the Nan'an Marquis's residence.
"Madam, you must help the Crown Princess! Her life is so hard!" Huaping's eyes reddened as she knelt on the ground, choking back tears. "Our young lady... our young lady is suffering so much! She cares so much about the Crown Prince!"
Lady Zhao was moved, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Good child, get up quickly!" Madam Zhao personally helped Hua Ping up.
Madam Zhao took out a handkerchief and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She steadied her voice and said, "Come with me to see the Grand Madam."
Hua Ping was somewhat puzzled.
"When you arrive at the Grand Madam's place, just answer whatever she or I ask," Zhao instructed.
Hua Ping nodded repeatedly.
Rong'an Hall.
It seemed that the old lady already knew that Zhao was coming back. When she arrived with the painted screen, the old lady was already waiting for them.
After exchanging greetings with the Grand Madam, Huaping stood respectfully to the side.
“Tell the Grand Madam in detail what Ninth Miss did and said when she went there that day, without omitting a single word,” Zhao said.
Hua Ping nodded and carefully repeated everything in great detail.
So, after Anran went in, she single-handedly persuaded Third Sister to stop, even describing clearly the tea stains on Third Sister's clothes. Next, Anran made some pastries and asked Yinping to notify her when the Prince returned. She described how Anran carried the pastries in, what she said, and how she instructed Yinping to change the gift for Li Shi, and what she said when Li Shi entered…
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Huaping finally finished speaking, his mouth dry.
The old lady looked solemn and remained silent.
"How does Ninth Sister treat Third Sister?" Zhao asked again.
Hua Ping didn't quite understand Zhao's meaning, so she carefully expressed her thoughts. "Ninth Miss has been very devoted to the Crown Princess, helping her in every way. She has thought of things that we haven't thought of. To be honest, if Ninth Miss hadn't gone that day, who knows what kind of trouble the Crown Princess would have caused."
Thinking back to how hysterical Third Sister was when she first received the news, she still felt lingering fear.
Ninth Sister was a great help.
“Mother, look…” Seeing that the Grand Madam remained silent, Madam Zhao finally lost her composure.
The Dowager Lady's gaze swept across the painted screen, and she slowly asked, "How is the relationship between Third Sister and the Heir Apparent now?"
Huaping gritted her teeth and told Zhao Shi and the Grand Madam in detail that Yun Shen had bought white sugar cakes for Third Sister a couple of days ago, but had gone to Aunt Li's courtyard and then went directly to the outer study without even stepping into Third Sister's door.
Now, the only ones who can help the young lady are the Madam and the Grand Madam!
The old lady's gaze grew colder and colder.
"Mother, I beg you to help Third Sister!" Zhao suddenly knelt before the Grand Madam. "If this continues day after day, Third Sister and the Heir Apparent will inevitably turn against each other sooner or later!"
The old lady let out a long sigh.
"Please grant my request, send Jiu Niang to Prince Yi's residence to be his concubine!" Zhao kowtowed heavily to the Grand Madam. (Just Love Network)
Chapter 37 Abyss
Hua Ping was taken aback.
Send Ninth Miss to Prince Yi's residence? To become the young master's concubine.
She almost thought there was something wrong with her ears.
One concubine, Li, is already driving my young lady almost insane. Now they want to send Ninth Miss in as a concubine to the young master? My young lady will really go mad!
Hua Ping stared wide-eyed in astonishment, her face filled with disbelief.
The old lady realized that Huaping was also there and that something seemed amiss. She personally helped Zhao up and stared sharply at Huaping, saying to her, "You are not allowed to spread a single word of what you heard today, not even to Third Sister."
Hua Ping was completely terrified and could only nod repeatedly.
The old lady ordered Xu Mama to take her out, leaving only Zhao Shi behind.
"Are you really sure?" the Grand Madam said in a deep voice. "What will you do if Third Sister doesn't agree?"
Zhao was still feeling dizzy from exerting too much force earlier, but she forced herself to say, "It's already like this. If we don't send her over soon, Third Sister and the Young Master will drift apart, and that Li will take advantage of the situation! You heard it too, that Li is hooking up with the Young Master and isn't going to Third Sister's courtyard anymore!"
"Anyway, Ninth Sister is still young, so for now... we won't let her serve the young master." Zhao said through gritted teeth, "Let's put Ninth Sister in Yun Shen's room first..."
The Dowager Lady sneered and said, "What kind of idea is this? Although Ninth Sister is younger, she is the most beautiful among her sisters. To place such a stunning beauty by the young master's side, just to serve him writing materials and tea? Do you think that's possible?"
Will Third Sister feel at ease?
Zhao bit her lower lip, remaining silent. In any case, the young master needed someone from the Marquis's household by his side, someone who could speak on his behalf and help Third Sister…