Chapter 52 - Furtive Plan (6) (1/2)

Chapter 52: Furtive Plan (6)

That patter of little footsteps was heard in the little courtyard and Xue Dongting knew that Rosecloud was back. She felt the girl was not a bad seed and was clever enough. Because she very well could have come back silently, yet she had purposely made some noise to alert Wanqing. She was not on Wanqing’s side, but she also didn’t have any intention harm her. Xue Dongting also knew full well that if Rosecloud knew that Wanqing was pregnant then she would tell Lady Yu for sure in order to protect herself. And she might perhaps heed Lady Yu’s order and send something over to make Wanqing miscarry.

Xue Dongting sighed inwardly, feeling a bit of misery loves company for Rosecloud. In her previous life in the third prince’s manor, she was pretty much the same as Rosecloud was now in the Zhang compound. Xue Dongting admitted that the previous her had done some things she had not wanted to do because her hand had been forced. In fact she was worse than Rosecloud because she had acted for personal gain out of greed. Rosecloud, however, was keeping an eye on Wanqing for Lady Yu because she was in love with a man, a love she kept buried in her heart. Maybe she knew that nothing would ever come of it, yet she steadfastly held onto that thread of tender affection and had chosen to not marry for the rest of her life. Even though Rosecloud was in love with Song Yuming, Xue Dongting couldn’t bring herself to hate her. Not because she was conceited and felt her beauty was enough to win Song Yuming’s heart, but because she knew Rosecloud’s affection was hers and hers alone. She loved Song Yuming, but it had nothing to do with him.

Rosecloud went to the outer room and stood, not raising the fine gauze curtain. “Reporting to Second Lady, Miss, I have given the two canisters of incense to Madame and Matron.”

“Mm,” Wanqing said. “It’s cold in the outer room, come inside and chat.”

Rosecloud lifted the curtain and entered. She had her head lowered, but Xue Dongting, who was seated in a chair, could clearly see the expression on her face. Xue Dongting scrutinized her closely. She was fair of skin with a round face and her eyes were clear and bright. She had a voluptuous body and was innocently lovable. Dongting smiled. “Did Matron or Madame say anything when they saw the incense?”

Rosecloud responded with her head down, looking at the floor. “Matron loved it and had some lit at once. Madame had already gone to bed, it was her maidservant who received it for her.”

Xue Dongting nodded. “I heard Big Sis say that in these rooms there’s only you two. How come I didn’t see you waiting on her this evening at the banquet?”

Rosecloud’s eyes flickered but she was silent.

Xue Dongting wasn’t about to let her off. “I heard you once tried to drown yourself in the river and that it was my husband who rescued you.”

That sentence made Wanqing frown, and Rosecloud’s face fell.

Wanqing gave Xue Dongting a look, telling her not to ask any further. But Xue Dongting shook her head. She already had a plan. Since she wanted to recruit Rosecloud she couldn’t keep from getting it all out in the open.

Rosecloud raised her head slightly and looked at Xue Dongting, then dropped her head again. “Responding to Miss,” she said softly, “this servant was unaware that the one who saved me was Brother-in-law. Had I know I would certainly have come forward to thank him.”

“Oh?” Xue Dongting said. She laughed. “Rosecloud, there’s no need for us to stand on ceremony, it’s unnecessary. Youy know that Matron took me as her foster daughter to favor me. Actually, I’m nothing more than a village woman.”

“Miss is lucky,” Rosecloud said. “You’re a respectable person, this servant wouldn’t dare be improper in front of Miss.”