Chapter 6: Inquiries

“No need.”

Xu Yourong’s expression softened somewhat as she took her hand and stood close beside her.

“You grew up surrounded by splendor, never lacking anything. Besides, she has never been exposed to those people over there, nor does she understand how harsh life outside truly is. She’s surely just acting out in defiance—you wait and see.”

Xu Yourong spoke with conviction, while Madame Zhao by her side stared blankly in the direction Xie Yun had left, silently thinking that this time, perhaps it really wasn’t just defiance.

She could sense that the young mistress was different now—why couldn’t the madam see it?

Looking again at the newly arrived Miss Yu Ming, she was simply worlds apart from the young mistress.

Madame Zhao pondered for a moment, then lowered her voice: “Madam, the affairs of the household are all managed by the young mistress now. If she were to leave, what would become of us?”

Xu Yourong was momentarily taken aback, as if suddenly recalling this fact.

Xie Yun had been raised with excellent tutelage from a young age—intelligent and capable. Her skills as housekeeper were unparalleled. One year, when Xu Yourong was unwell, she entrusted the household affairs to Xie Yun, who surprisingly managed everything impeccably, earning praise from everyone in the residence. After recovering, Xu Yourong simply took a hands-off approach.

Now she could take back those responsibilities, but having once been a hands-off overseer, she no longer cared to manage the household herself, which posed a bit of a dilemma.

“All right, you go to her room and bring back the account books. These few days, I will teach Yu Ming how to handle things. When Xie Yun regrets her decision and returns, she can resume.”

The “she” here naturally referred to Xie Yun.

Xu Yourong seemed very certain that Xie Yun couldn’t endure the squalor and poverty outside; within three days she would be crying and begging to come back.

Madame Zhao parted her lips but said nothing more, only quietly agreeing.

...

In the Lotus Blossom Garden, Xie Yun was packing her belongings.

There weren’t many things she could take with her. The gold, silver, jewels, and jade had all been obtained by virtue of her status as the prime minister’s daughter, so naturally she could not bring them along.

Fortunately, her embroidery skills had always been outstanding. She had embroidered several screens depicting birds and flowers, which Lady Chengyuan had admired and purchased from her. That silver was now the only money she could carry.

Bao Zhu repeatedly tried to stop her, urgently saying, “Miss, being upset with Madam is one thing, but really leaving the prime minister’s residence? Wouldn’t that just be giving that person an advantage?”

After finishing packing, Xie Yun tied up her bundle, which contained all her worldly possessions.

She approached the long table, dipped her brush in ink, and quickly wrote a letter, solemnly handing it to Bao Zhu.

Upon returning, she had already sent Yixiang away. With her experiences from her past life, Xie Yun naturally did not trust her.

“When Grandmother returns, give this letter to her. Once she reads it, she will understand.”

Seeing that Xie Yun was sincere, Bao Zhu’s round face immediately welled with tears.

“Miss, I can’t bear to see you go. Madam said you could stay in the residence, so why must you leave? I just don’t understand!”

Xie Yun gently touched her hairpin, her expression softening.

She glanced at the sunlight streaming through the window, then mused, “Perhaps it’s because everyone has their own path to follow.”

She would reveal Xie Yueming’s true nature and ensure she received her just deserts, but not yet.

In her past life, Xie Yueming had harmed Grandmother out of jealousy towards herself. This time, by leaving the prime minister’s residence, her arrogance might be somewhat curbed, but Xie Yun had to prepare for all possibilities.

Though she still hated Xie Yueming after rebirth, her perspective on herself had changed.

...

She had lived too wearisome a life before; now she wanted to live differently.

Bao Zhu anxiously stamped her foot, wiping away tears. “Then I will go with you, Miss. Wherever you go, I shall follow! I don’t want the monthly allowance—I only want to serve by your side.”

Xie Yun smiled and pinched her cheek. “If you don’t take the monthly allowance, how will you support your little sister’s schooling? Besides, I have a task for you.”

Bao Zhu looked up in surprise.

“You must be wary of Yixiang and also watch out for Xie Yueming. The maids in Grandmother’s quarters are all from our household; if new maids come to the residence, do not let them enter Grandmother’s rooms. If there’s any trouble, write to me.”

Xie Yun had thought it through: since Xie Yueming had poisoned Grandmother in her past life, it was likely that once she had solidified her position in the prime minister’s residence, she sent her own people into Grandmother’s chambers to facilitate her schemes.

Even if Xie Yun wasn’t in the residence, this possibility must be prevented at all costs.

“Yixiang?” Bao Zhu asked with some surprise, glancing outside before lowering her voice.

“She is ill-intentioned. In any case, you must be cautious. If you find an opportunity, it’s better not to keep her in the residence.”

Bao Zhu nodded. “I understand.”

Xie Yun then recalled something and, seeing that it was still early outside, lowered her voice to ask, “By the way, do you know if Lord Pei Shiqin of the Dali Court ever had any connection with the Xie family?”

...