The truth

"The flower market in Jiangqian will open in April. The two young ladies can go out with their Madam to see all the different flowers at the market."

Nanny Fan smiled and said, "When it comes to copying, I always strive for vividness and naturalness."

"There are quite a few flowers in the manor, but Jiangqian travels all over the country, and the flower markets in April have far more flowers than ours, vying for attention with their beauty... it's dazzling."

She meant that it would be best to go out and see for herself.

"I won't be coming to teach the two girls for the next few days."

Lin Yunwan and Lin Yunjiao said together, "Respectfully seeing off Granny."

Nanny Fan left with a few books. The writing brush and ink were provided by Nanny Zhao at Lin Huabin's request. They were usually kept in the Side Room, and after use, a maid would come to clean them and leave them untouched in the Side Room.

"Snort."

Lin Yunjiao, accompanied by her maid, hurried over to Zheng Shi's place for some refreshments.

Lin Yunwan went back and discussed the trip to the flower market with Xiruo.

"... I can't go out, but I must see Lingxiang, the maid who was dismissed from Madam's side, in person."

"Go ask the Prince if he can bring her to the flower market so Lingxiang and I can meet her."

Xiruo patted her chest and said, "His Prince will definitely agree."

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "Go and talk to Nanny Zhao yourself. I'll give you two days off so you can go home."

Xiruo responded and went to find Nanny Zhao. She first told her, "The young lady's brush is worn out, and the cinnabar is all used up."

Nanny Zhao did the math in her head and said, "That shouldn't be the case... It's only been a short time since you received the cinnabar last time."

Xiruo said, "The young lady is diligent and uses it quickly."

She asked with a stern face, "You're still asking for such a small thing, miss?"

Nanny Zhao laughed, "Young lady, your words are truly hurtful. I'm in charge of these matters, and asking a few more questions is simply to ensure that everything in the manor is done according to the rules, not to intentionally mistreat the Eldest Miss."

"Master had instructed that if Eldest Miss has truly run out, she should still give it to me."

Xiruo buy it and snorted coldly.

They're just looking down on people!

"The second young lady is here, and you dare to ask such a question?"

Nanny Zhao personally fetched a box of cinnabar, had the maid write it down in the register, and said, "The second young lady never asks for it."

How could Madam be short of the Second Miss's cinnabar?

That Eldest Miss serving the young lady is really difficult to please!

She was just asking a routine question.

Xiruo said coldly, "The young lady gave me two days off; I need to go home to see my family."

Not wanting to argue further, Nanny Zhao said, "Eldest Miss, please let the young lady go back. She can just talk to the old Matron at the Second Gate."

Xiruo left with the cinnabar.

Nanny Zhao sneered at her retreating figure, "What's the use of receiving ten catties of cinnabar?"

The Eldest Miss's handwriting is like a Daoist priest drawing talismans; she definitely won't be able to learn it well by tracing.

Xiruo sent Zhu Sha back to the Bixi Hall, along with a Lin Yunwan had promised to give to Qi Lingheng. She hailed a carriage at the gate of the mansion and took a roundabout route to the Prince Huan's Residence.

"The young lady wishes to meet Lingxiang in person."

She presented the rolled-up calligraphy scroll with both hands.

Qi Lingheng took the letter, laid it out on the table, and asked softly, "Did she say why she wanted to see him in person?"

Xiruo thought for a moment, then shook her head. "The young lady didn't say."

Qi Lingheng pondered... What was her plan now?

Why don't you tell him?

Xiruo continued, "The young lady said she'd meet me at the flower market."

She had planned out the time, the place, and the method.

Qi Lingheng said, "I understand, A Fu."

"Yes, sir."

Qi Lingheng said, "Find a place for Xiruo to stay for a couple of days, and send this calligraphy to the Embroidery Room."

A Fu went over and rolled up the scroll, Xiruo out to stay in a Garden outside to avoid being seen by Nanny Wang.

Qi Lingheng sat in the study for a while, feeling bored. He rowed a boat to the Island in the Heart of the Lake. The surrounding trees were already green, much greener than when he last came.

He sat in the house, but found it too quiet and boring, so he rowed back by himself.

Soon it arrived that the Jiangqian Flower Market would open.

"Nanny Fan said she wanted the two of them to go to the flower market, why don't you take them there?"

Lin Huabin specifically spoke to Zheng Shi.

Zheng Shi had been preparing to go for a while, and she agreed with a smile, taking Lin Yunwan and Lin Yunjiao with her.

Lin Huabin added, "The Zhao family has a private garden over there. If you want to go in and have a look, just take my invitation."

Zheng Shi was more than happy to be able to visit Zhao Jingyi's Garden.

When we arrived near the flower market, we couldn't squeeze into the Garden, so we found a restaurant to stay in. Looking out from the private room on the second floor, the street was packed with people.

"Why are there so many people on the first day...?"

Zheng Shi dared not take the girl downstairs.

Nanny Fan pointed to a garden to the east and said, "That's the Zhao family's private garden over there, with lots of flowers... Madam, would you like me to take Master's invitation and go in to ask?"

Zheng Shi urged, "Go quickly!"

Nanny Fan led her people over to inquire, the other party, upon seeing the invitation from the Lin Residence, indeed agreed to let them in.

Zheng Shi, accompanied by her two daughters and servants, went to the Zhao family's private garden.

Is the owner available?

Zheng Shi wanted to pay her respects to Zhao Jingyi's wife, but the maid who was leading the way replied, "Madam, our master and mistress are not here. The steward of the manor is in charge of this area."

Nanny Fan then smiled and said, "Then we won't pay our respects to you, sir and madam."

The maidservant smiled and said, "We have many guests today, so I'll take you to the Side Rooms. Madam ladies, please feel free to wander around. Most of the flowers in the Garden are for sale."

"There's only one place you shouldn't go. Go all the way to the east; that's where our master usually lives. It's guarded, so you won't easily wander in by mistake."

Nanny Fan quickly replied, "We understand, we won't wander in."

The maidservant nodded with a smile.

As soon as Lin Yunjiao arrived in the Garden, she looked around. When she got to the Side Room, she saw that the maid had left, so she pestered Zheng Shi to go out for a stroll with her. She left Lin Yunwan in the Side Room.

Xiruo had already returned to Lin Yunwan's side and whispered to her, "Miss, I stayed in this Garden for two days and I know Garden very well. Please come with me."

The master and servant went together to a place the maid had told them they shouldn't go.

This is a Courtyard hidden behind a rockery made of Taihu Rock stones, filled with various kinds of bamboo. Entering through the small gate, there is also a very tall evergreen tree inside.

Hearing the sound, Qi Lingheng pushed open the door and came out, smiling faintly as he said, "She's in the innermost room. Go in and see for yourself."

Lin Yunwan originally wanted to thank her.

But the Prince spoke to her in such a familiar tone that it seemed a bit superfluous for her to say thank you at this moment.

He nodded and went inside to see Lingxiang.

She was terrified as soon as she entered. The maid's name was very elegant, but her current appearance had absolutely nothing to do with her name!

"You are... Lingxiang?"

Lingxiang turned her head and looked at Lin Yunwan, looking very puzzled.

Xiruo said, "Don't you recognize her? This is Lin Yun Wan, the Eldest Miss of the Third Branch of the Lin Residence."

Lingxiang seemed to have heard a name she was terrified of, and froze in shock.

"Young... Eldest Miss?"

Lin Yunwan asked, "Lingxiang, did you and your Madam kick me down together?"

She approached and said, "My head hurts so much... You know what? There was a lot of blood flowing from the back of my head, it really hurt."

Lingxiang suddenly cried out, "Eldest Miss, I'm sorry. It wasn't my idea, it wasn't me... Madam forced me to kick you!"

She knelt down and kept kowtowing.

Lin Yunwan sighed. She casually asked Lin Yunwan a few questions, and Lin Yunwan guessed correctly.

It really was Zheng Shi deliberately wanted to drive Miss Lin away!