Chapter Thirteen Analysis

  Since she said she would take out time to visit her relatives, Shí yī niáng went to Dà tàitai's place at the same hour as yesterday morning.

  From a distance, she saw Wuniang wearing a crimson silk cloak with a golden macaque pattern - she was talking to Aunt Ke under the eaves.

  Ke Yiniang wore a pomegranate-red ten-sample brocade skirt, with blue-green plum-bamboo-orchid edging on her underskirt. Her delicate features looked even more gentle and beautiful under the big red lantern's light. The two of them didn't know what they said, but suddenly both covered their sleeves and laughed. The scene was very warm and cozy.

  Eleventh was thinking about whether to go or not, and the purple vine standing next to the wintergreen tree that had been trimmed into a large round ball on the steps had already seen her.

  She smiled and walked towards Shiyi: "Miss Shiyi, you're really early today!" Her voice was louder than usual and sounded a bit sharp in the quiet courtyard.

  The little maids under the eaves all looked over. Of course, it also startled Wu Niang and Ke Yi Niang.

  It's impossible to hide now!

  The eleventh girl smiled and walked over: "Because we need to get familiar with each other, so I came early."

  "No wonder I didn't run into Eldest Sister yesterday when I came to pay my respects to Mother." Fifth Daughter-in-law smiled and said, "I was writing letters for half the night and couldn't fall asleep no matter what. So I got up early and came here to chat with Mother. Who would have thought that I'd run into Little Sister? Let's head out together later!"

  Is it necessary to explain it to her in such detail?

  "Good!" Shí yī niáng smiled and stepped forward to greet her, saying with concern: "Sister, are you feeling better now? Sometimes I embroider till midnight, although I'm very tired, but after lying down, I still can't sleep. It takes several days to recover. Sister should take good care of herself, lest she hurt her body."

  The fifth daughter returned the courtesy and smiled: "It's just that these two days have been too worried about the birthday gift."

  "It's cold outside, you sisters go talk in the house." Aunt Ke came over.

  Eleventh girl smiled and shouted "Aunt", and Fifth girl followed her into the house.

  The lady of the house had not gotten up and was not going to get up, knowing that they came to pay their respects, she just sent a little maid to say "got it" and let them disperse.

  The Fifth Daughter and the Eleventh Daughter looked at each other in dismay, with the Fifth Daughter anxiously looking towards Aunt Ke.

  Auntie Ke was also full of confusion: "Last night it was Mrs. Xu who was on duty..."

  "What's going on with Mother Xu keeping watch at night?" Wu Niang's expression changed slightly as she glanced around at the little maids, wanting to speak but stopping herself.

  The eleventh girl's eyes flickered slightly as she smiled and said: "In that case, let's go back first! We'll come again tonight to see Mother."

  In this case, it's also impossible to ask for a clear explanation. The Fifth Daughter could only gather her thoughts, smile and nod, and leave the main house with the Eleventh Daughter.

  On the road, Wu Niang and Shi Yi Niang chatted idly.

  "I heard from Ziwei that Wu's mom also went there last night?"

  "Uh-huh." The eleventh daughter smiled and said, "And also sent two jars of Huangjiu wine." As she spoke, she smiled again to thank her, "Also thanks to sister for sending the best tea leaves over."

  "What's the point of saying these things between sisters!" Fifth Daughter smiled, wanting to ask more, when a little maid rushed over panting: "Fifth Miss, why did you go to Eldest Madam's place so early today? I had a hard time finding you. If I hadn't met Sister Shanhu, I'm afraid I would have missed you."

  Eleventh Sister looked at the young maid with an unfamiliar face.

  The fifth daughter smiled and explained: "This is Xiao Yuliu, a little maid in Fourth Brother's house."

  Fourth Master Luo Zhensheng lives in the outer courtyard, no wonder she doesn't recognize him. Since a young maid was sent to find him, there must be something going on.

  Eleventh Sister heard the sound and knew it was elegant. She smiled and said, "Sister, don't see me off anymore. Once I'm on the corridor, I'll be at Green Bamboo Building."

  The fifth daughter thought for a moment and smiled: "Then I'll send my sister."

  "Sister, please stay!" Eleventh Maiden smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries with her before turning around to head towards the Green Jade Building.

  Amber, who was following beside, frequently turned her head back and saw the little maid whispering a few words in Wu Niang's ear, and the two of them went to the main house.

  As a maid in the Fourth Master's residence, why did you take Fifth Miss to the main house?

  A thought flashed through her mind, and Amber's face changed slightly.

  That little girl only said she came to find Wu Niang, and Wu Niang only said that the little girl was from Fourth Master's house, but didn't mention at all that the little girl had been sent by Fourth Master to find her... However, such words would make anyone misunderstand. They would think that the little girl had been sent by Fourth Master to find Miss Wu, giving an innocent person a misunderstanding.

  She thought of the 11th girl before she came, Wu Niang and Ke Yiniang standing under the eaves talking, while Ziwei stood beside the steps as if on guard... She thought again about what had happened in the past few days... and couldn't help but feel a little frightened.

  Amber gazed at the eleven maiden in front of her, whose steps were light and elegant, yet she hesitated to speak.

  She really didn't know how to start.

  Back at the Green Building, Eleventh Young Lady smiled and said to Amber: "There are many people here with little to do, and everyone is idle most of the time. Now that you're here, everyone will be even more idle. I spent the whole day today locked up at home doing needlework. If you have anything to attend to, go ahead and take care of it yourself. In a few days, I'll start embroidering screens, and Wintergreen will help me with it, so everything in this house will be left to you. It won't be as convenient for you to move around later."

  You'd better get going with whatever you need to do, because once I start embroidering, it's best if you don't go anywhere. I'll make sure everything in this house runs smoothly.

  Originally, a young lady who has not yet reached the age of hairpinning should not have anything to do outside. Moreover, since it is now the twelfth month, Master Fang has returned home from his academy. Except for regular morning and evening visits, someone like Tenth Mistress who stays at home reading books every day cannot go anywhere else.

  Miss Eleven said so, is she warning her?

  Tell her to cut off all past relationships and warn her not to run around recklessly in the future.

  Amber took a deep breath, smiled and bowed: "Eleventh Miss, rest assured that I had taken care of everything before coming here. You've started embroidering the screen, so naturally I won't be able to leave. Although there are fewer things to do in your room, eating, chatting, and socializing with other rooms are also indispensable. If I were to delay your embroidery because of my presence, I would rather die a thousand deaths!"

  The eleventh daughter was slightly stunned.

  No wonder she's from a wealthy family, really clever and quick-witted... speaks fluently without having to think twice.

  She nodded and sat down on a velvet cushion beside the brazier to start knitting.

  Amber quietly walked out and called Dongqing in to serve, while she brought Binju to start sweeping the house.

  Binju smiled softly and said: "Twenty-six just started sweeping dust!"

  Amber smiled and said: "Those few days Miss has already started embroidering the screen, also to avoid disturbing her."

  Binju smiled and said: "Our young lady looks quiet but she's actually a lively and cheerful person, with a good temper, you don't have to worry."

  Her eyes sparkled and she smiled: "Oh, I thought Miss was a quiet and reserved person."

  "Our young lady is so calm and composed." Binju was skeptical, "She just likes to be surrounded by excitement!"

  "What's so fun about being in a crowded place?" Amber asked with a smile.

  "Likes to grow flowers and grass, likes to hear people around her laughing and chatting in front of her, also likes everyone wearing bright clothes..."

  Amber listened carefully and remembered every word in her heart.

  In the bedroom, Dong Qing was also talking to Shi Yi Niang.

  Binju said, "There's nothing unusual at Miss Wu's place, it's just like before."

  "It should be like this." Eleventh Sister's fingers were extremely agile, bending and twisting to the left and right, and in an instant, she had finished shaping a small bat's body. "Just look at Tianzi's attitude back then, it can be known that she shouldn't have had any suspicions before."

  "What's going on?" Dong Qing was stunned.

  Eleventh girl's eyes did not leave the rosary in her hand, and she nodded: "I didn't know before. However, just now when I went to pay respects to the old lady, I met a strange little maid who said that everyone was looking for her, and she explained to me that it was from the fourth master's house. At this time, the inner courtyard had not yet been unlocked, where did she come from? Even if you lie, you should make up something reasonable!" Her hand paused slightly, and she looked at Dongqing with raised eyebrows: "Yesterday, Wu Xiaquan's family came, so Fifth Lady must have noticed something, so early in the morning she went to Ke Yiniang's place to see if she could get some news - after leaving, she was called back by Ke Yiniang, she must have found out something! Let Binju continue to move around in Fifth Miss's room. If anything happens, it will be within these two days."

  Dong Qing respectfully replied "yes", and then said: "Early this morning, Da Yiniang came."

  "What is she doing here? Where's the person?"

  "Upstairs!" Dong Qing pointed to the attic above, "Said to be looking for Miss Shi to help copy Buddhist scriptures."

  Two aunts believed in Buddhism. Although Wu Niang's handwriting was good, she wasn't someone who could be invited easily. Among the sisters, Shi Niang's learning was the best, and she often received praise from her husband, but she had a quick temper and was prone to mood swings, making her not a pleasant person to get along with. At this time of suspicion and unease, Da Niang's actions made Shi Yi Niang feel somewhat uneasy.

  "But don't worry." Shiyi had once told her "the abnormal is the demonic", and today's arrival of Dagu made Dongqing feel very abnormal, so she kept a watchful eye. "Baizhi and Jiuxiang are quite close to the people in our house... if there's something going on, it may be hidden for now, but not forever!"

  Eleventh Sister smiled and nodded, jokingly saying: "Wintergreen is getting more and more like a capable person."

  Dong Qing listened with a covered mouth and smiled, but before the smile reached her eyes, her gaze had already turned dim.

  The eleventh girl could only comfort her: "I still have two years until I wear my hair in a bun, and you also have two years."

  The longer I stayed in the Lu manor, the more I could feel the master's power over life and death.

  Dong Qing was not as optimistic as Shiyi Nang, but she didn't want to make the little girl who rarely spoke but never lost her temper unhappy.

  "Ah!" She smiled and nodded, "We'll definitely think of a way."

  Eleventh girl didn't want to discuss this topic with Dong Qing.

  In the face of absolute power, plots and means become meaningless.

  In ancient times, people married early. Although she wanted to use her own efforts to find a reliable person to marry, on the one hand, she had some subconscious contempt for this approach, and on the other hand, she had no opportunity, so she was somewhat slow in taking action.

  Who would have thought that although the pace of life in this time and space is slow, things change just as quickly... being careless and becoming passive was to be expected.

  Changing the subject, she asked: "Is there any news from Qiujie's side?"

  Dong Qing smiled and said: "I just mentioned it to Qiu Ju this morning, I'm afraid we'll have to wait two more days for news."

  The eleventh girl murmured "uh-huh" and lowered her head to focus on knitting.

  (There are guests at home, so I can only update once this weekend... ⊙﹏⊙ sweat)