Chapter 27: The Visitor from the Heavenly Prefecture

  Dong Er remembered what Zhong Shi said, and the next day, before dawn, she got up early, washed and dressed, and waited for Liu Rong to wash up, still a bit dazed. The two returned to their residence together, where Mrs. Chang had sent someone to inform them that the person who was supposed to give lessons to Chang Gu Gu was already waiting outside.

  "Rong Jie, the madam has instructed you to go to Mei Garden every day at Chen time from now on. Chang Gugu will be teaching there for two hours each day until Ninth Sister enters the palace." Zhuangzi said with a smile to Liu Rong.

  "Trouble Rouge sister, and actually made a special trip for this." Liu Rong smiled and exchanged pleasantries, then carefully asked about the time. Seeing that it was now the fourth watch, there was still plenty of time, so she thought to go to Er Nainai's place first to take a look at the situation. After all, in two more days, they would be taking down the lines.

  Dong Er saw Liu Rong and wanted to take advantage of the time in between to visit Er Nai Nai's place, but was hastily stopped. Chattering on about insufficient time, until Liu Rong nodded in agreement, she finally let out a sigh of relief: "Miss, you really are... have you forgotten what Auntie said? This time when we go to Chang Gu Gu's place, we'd rather arrive early than not at all, lest Chang Gu Gu gets a bad impression of you."

  "If you mention it again, I'll change my mind." Liu Rong said, looking at Dong Er.

  Dong Er's face tensed up, and she cried with a sad face: "Don't, don't be like this, can't I not say it? Let's hurry to Mei Garden."

  Rouge found it amusing and couldn't help but cover her mouth to stifle a giggle. But as she laughed, she couldn't help but let out a faint sigh in her heart - what a wonderful young lady, unfortunately born out of wedlock.

  Then went with the two people to Mei Garden.

  It was probably due to the snowfall that in the plum garden, all the plum trees were covered with a layer of white. As pedestrians walked by, the snow on the branches fell off like salt.

  Liu Rong arrived at the plum garden, Liu sister was already there, sitting quietly on one side watching Chang aunt make tea. When she saw her coming over, she gave her a sweet smile.

  Liu Rong was slightly stunned, with some puzzlement in her heart. This child who had always been silent suddenly showed kindness to her today. However, this didn't occupy her thoughts for too long, as she was captivated by Chang's skillful tea-brewing technique.

  Only the tea that had been brewed was a flower bud, which slowly unfolded and turned into a full-blown peony. The process was so beautiful that it left people breathless. Even when Big Sister, Second Sister, and Fifth Sister arrived, Liu Rong didn't come to her senses until Sixth Sister pulled on her sleeve.

  "Third sister... Third sister and I will sit together." Sixth sister said, somewhat unnatural, her slightly trembling small hat showing tension, as if afraid that Liu Rong would not agree.

  Liu Rong's heart was filled with doubts about Liu Si's transformation, but on the surface, she smiled: "I was worried that no one would be willing to sit with me, you say this, I should thank you."

  On the side, Second Sister puckered her mouth, her eyes showing disdain. A concubine's daughter is just a concubine's daughter, and can only be with people who are not worthy of recognition like herself.

  After Aunt Chang finished brewing the tea, she took a glance at everyone and saw that Liu Xuan had not arrived yet, so she slightly furrowed her brow. Just as she was about to speak, the door creaked open and a gust of cold wind blew in. A figure wrapped in a white fox-fur cloak appeared, with a hat covering their head, revealing a melon-seed-shaped face and beautiful peony eyes. Upon seeing Aunt Chang's apologetic expression, they said: "Aunt Chang, I'm so sorry, but halfway here, I accidentally slipped and fell, so I had to go back and change into another set of clothes, which delayed me and made me late."

  The maid who followed Liu Xuan in hastily closed the door again.

  Liu Rong was slightly stunned, and since the other party didn't speak up, she really couldn't recognize the person. It turned out to be Liu Xuan, who had never come before. She couldn't help but take a glance at everyone, only to find that several of her sisters all had an "as usual" expression on their faces. Perhaps the Liu Xuan in her cognition was not the normal state of Liu Xuan.

  Aunt Chang frowned: "Being late is being late, no need for excuses."

  "Since you're late, and everyone else is seated, you can just stand and listen to my lesson." Chang Gu Gu said calmly, without giving any special treatment because of Liu Xuan being the most favored by Tai Fu Ren, nor did she give her any extra attention for being the daughter of Da Fu Ren.

  "Yes, Auntie." Just as Liu Rong thought Liu Xuan would refuse, she didn't expect her to respond lightly, with a devout expression on her face that was completely different from yesterday and the day before when she let Madame Ta take her place in the palace. This seemed to be the real daughter of the Wen Ding Marquis's manor.

  Just as Liu Rong was stunned, Liu Xuan glanced at her with a hint of complacency in his eyes, which made Liu Rong's heart tighten. Before she could ponder the meaning behind his gaze, Liu Xuan had already returned to normal and respectfully waited for Chang Auntie to begin class.

  Xianyu's attitude was still acceptable, so Auntie's eyebrows relaxed a bit, and she glanced at the others: "Today, I brought tea sets with me, but it's not to teach you tea art lessons. What I want to tell you today is about the relationship between imperial consorts and court ladies. Since the current empress came from the Wenchong Marquis Manor, the empress has a very good relationship with Madame Wenchong. From time to time, she would invite her into the palace to keep her company. However, this is a privilege only the empress has, and it also requires that the person entering the palace be a court lady. Generally, imperial consorts need the empress's consent to see court ladies..."

  Liu Rong heard from behind, but it was from a careless state to become an expression of solemnity. Aunt Chang seemed to be saying ordinary things, but it was actually showing a deep and shallow relationship network in the imperial court's backyard in front of several people. Although she didn't mention anything about the previous dynasty, her words made people see the previous dynasty between the lines.

  Refined and concise, that's a bit better than the old professor, who wants to make some political lectures clear and easy to understand, probably just this level.

  For the first time, Liu Rong had a deep respect for an ancient woman. At the same time, she listened more seriously, and only by understanding more things about this world could she live a better life. As for the status of a concubine or a legitimate daughter, she never thought it was important. If a modern person were limited by such an identity, that would be ridiculous.

  It has been several days like this, and I have learned a lot. I have to admire that my aunt is not only knowledgeable but also well-versed in learning. Apart from these complicated relationships, she teaches how to manage people, which is no less than the business management courses of modern universities, and it's much deeper and more practical than those things.

  Several girls who followed Chang's aunt to study, unknowingly, their temperament has changed a lot, at least they have gained some refinement, although Liu Rong feels that this so-called refinement is all deceitful, once something happens, these few will definitely show their true face!

  It's another day of class, and Chang Gu Gu is teaching the etiquette and rules of various places. Liu Rong was listening with great interest when Dong Er led a small maid into the room quickly. Seeing everyone looking at her, she couldn't help but feel a little flustered, but still hastily opened her mouth: "Third Miss, Left Gentleman... no, it's not that, Madame is calling for you."

  Liu Rong's eyebrows furrowed, and she had already been ordered by Chang Gu to follow Dong Er. Liu Rong stood up gratefully and bowed to Chang Gu before turning around and following Dong Er out.

  Always being surpassed by Liu Rong in her studies, Er Jie became increasingly displeased with Liu Rong. However, Liu Xuan seemed to be completely unaware of the change and sat quietly, observing everything around her. Lately, Liu Xuan had been very quiet, but this silence seemed to be brewing something, making Liu Rong feel uneasy without knowing what was wrong.

  Only Liu Jie's face was filled with doubt. Seeing Liu Rong about to reach the door, she finally couldn't help but ask: "Will San Jie be back soon?"

  During this time, her relationship with others remained poor, but her relationship with Liu Jie's daughter was getting better and better, and the child became more and more dependent on Liu Rong.

  Liu Rong heard Liu Jie's inquiry and paused for a moment, glanced at Dong Er, and saw that Dong Er's face was slightly pale, her eyes were anxious, and her heart tightened. However, she showed a reassuring smile to Liu Jie: "Maybe I won't be back, Liu Jie, you must listen carefully, and when I come back, I'll tell you."

  Liu Rong said, and then quickly left the house with Dong Er and the little maid who had brought the news.

  Until the door was closed, he asked Dong Er in a low voice: "What happened after all?"

  "The official from the Tianfu Prefecture, Left Grand Master, has sent an officer to say that there is a change in the case of the second lady and you must go with him to the Tianfu Prefecture immediately." Dong'er's words ended in sobs. It was hard enough to have a peaceful life, why did these officials not let Miss be at peace? Clearly it had nothing to do with her...

  Liu Rong's face tensed up, and she responded to the summons from the Tian Fu. Had something happened to that patient she had treated?