Chapter 38: Grand Concubine Yi returns (1/2)

Chapter 38: Grand Concubine Yi returns Original and most updated translations are from volare.

Murong Wanru paused to think. “Morning. I was unconscious until the next morning. When I saw that mufei hadn’t yet returned, I sent someone out again. Then later I saw Little Sixth sleeping by the door.”

“Oh…” Han Yunxi intentionally dragged out her words for emphasis. “So, you didn’t send anyone else after that?”

Han Yunxi had been imprisoned for three whole days!

Murong Wanru was speechless. It was a long time before she spoke again. “I did, I went myself but…but I didn’t find mufei. Sister-in-law, you should know, the words of the lowly carry little weight. I couldn’t speak up for your sake. I was worried, I could only continue to look for mufei.”

While Grand Concubine Yi doted on her, she placed more importance on keeping up appearances. For this girl to use Grand Concubine Yi as an excuse really showed her amount of daring.

“So you never thought to send someone to tell Imperial Physician Gu that you couldn’t find mufei?” Han Yunxi asked again.

Murong Wanru’s eyebrows knitted together as teardrops glistened in her eyes. “Sister-in-law, I was so worried that…I forgot.”

“Oh…” Han Yunxi gave another significant pause. “So did you find mufei in the end?”

Murong Wanru shook her head. “No. Later on I heard the mama say that you’d returned, so I rushed over. Sister-in-law, I’ve wanted to see you for so long, I’ve wanted to explain, but you…you wouldn’t even see me…”

Hearing this, Han Yunxi couldn’t help but admire her expert lie-patching skills. As a result, she said sincerely, “Then why did I hear the Duke of Qin say you were at home all those days? He saw you multiple times in the flower gardens.”

At these words, Murong Wanru’s face turned ghastly in a flash. The Duke of Qin…

Had Han Yunxi told on her? Heavens, what did this woman say to the Duke of Qin? How would he see her now?

Facts proved that to defeat an expert liar, one had to tell even better lies!

“The Duke of Qin…he…I…my body isn’t so well, so, I didn’t look personally everyday, but I sent people in my stead.” How wan her excuses were now!

Gu Beiyue had figured out what was going on and kept silent. Mu Qingwu was the straightforward type who had had a good impression of Murong Wanru before, but now saw the truth for what it was. He gave a snort without any hint of politeness. “Miss Murong, you don’t need to explain anymore. We have words to say with Qin Wangfei, so please take your leave.”

This was obviously driving her away.

Murong Wanru’s tears flowed out, her ugly face was exposed. Still, she adopted a pathetic manner as if someone had blamed her unjustly. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what kind of misunderstanding came from this, but I really had sister-in-law’s best interests at heart. If sister-in-law doesn’t forgive me, then I’ll…then I’ll…” She held out the tea in both hands and fell to her knees. “Then I’ll keep kneeling here instead!”

Han Yunxi wasn’t about to stomach this, and spoke lightly. “You two, it’s getting late. If there’s anything to say, let’s find time to talk another day.”

Gu Beiyue and Mu Qingwu exchanged glances before nodding in tandem. Before leaving, Gu Beiyue heaved a sigh. Although it wasn’t as straightforward as Mu Qingwu’s snort, it made Murong Wanru’s entire heart stop. She didn’t know what he was thinking, but she knew it probably wasn’t good. This really wasn’t to her taste.

Those two had considerable influence with their words in the upper social circles. If they spread this around, it’d destroy Murong Wanru’s carefully crafted image! Han Yunxi ruined everything. Why didn’t she die in prison? Murong Wanru was filled with hate!

Gui mama[1] only hurried over after seeing Han Yunxi and the others walk far away. “Young miss, it’s fine if she doesn’t forgive you. What’s more worrying is whether she’ll complain to the grand imperial concubine.”

Grand Concubine Yi placed appearances above all else. Even if a servant of the Duke of Qin’s household received a scolding from the empress dowager’s people, she’d take offence for half the day, much less Han Yunxi being imprisoned for so long. Murong Wanru would be implicated as well for not telling her. She stayed unmoving, a sinister gleam flashing across her eyes.

“When does mufei return?”

“Tomorrow is the Bodhisattva’s birthday, so the grand imperial concubine will definitely return today to pray to Buddha. She didn’t say what time, though. Young miss, about this matter…” Gui mama was very anxious. If Murong Wanru was punished, then none of the lesser servants would escape punishment either.

Yet, Murong Wanru was full of smiles as she straightened her back. “Since she’s coming back today, I won’t get up. I’ll wait here and admit my wrongs to mufei.”

If it was about lodging complaints, then of course she’d have to beat Han Yunxi to it. Gui mama knew how things stood as soon as she spoke. “Young miss, don’t worry. When Grand Imperial Concubine returns, that woman’s days will assuredly turn difficult. Your servant will keep watch for you.”

—

Han Yunxi personally sent off Gu Beiyue and Mu Qingwu at the gates. Who knew that as soon as their carriage left, a resplendent one would come to take its place? She could tell with one glance that this was Grand Concubine Yi’s carriage. Wasn’t she supposed to stay in another courtyard for awhile? Why did she return so soon?