The Dashing Tanhua

But if we can separate after we get there, that's fine too.

At the same time, Xu Weibei also asked Gao Lan to urge the four concubines, "What are they dawdling about?"

Since you made an appointment with Gu Wanning, why didn't you leave earlier?

Gao Lan thought to himself, "They're not as anxious as you are."

"Fourth Concubine drank too much last night and kept the eldest young lady awake. The First Concubine felt sorry for her and let her sleep a little longer. I've already urged her to get some rest, so please be patient."

How could Xu Weibei not be agitated?

Four whole hours had passed since he returned from eavesdropping!

Who can understand the urgency of someone eager to "turn over a new leaf"?

Is it absolutely necessary to bring children to a temple fair?

If he hadn't told Qin Lie in advance about the "chance encounter" at the temple fair, he wouldn't even want to bring his First Concubine with him right now.

After First Concubine had finally finished getting Jiaoniang ready, Linglong arrived just as she was about to leave.

This was the first time the four concubines in the mansion had met Linglong.

Linglong held a child in her arms, followed by a wet nurse and maid. She was dressed in a pale white outfit that was neither new nor old, and she looked haggard.

It was only after Gao Lan said, "Linglong, what brings you here?" that the women realized this was Xu Weibei's mistress.

Even the most impetuous Fourth Concubine didn't say a word, only looking at Xu Weibei.

Xu Weibei was clearly displeased, but he didn't show it. He said in a deep voice, "Why did you bring A Yi out in this cold weather?"

"I usually don't dare to take her out, but today is the New Year, and I wanted to bring her to pay my respects to the Marquis, after all, you are her biological father."

As she spoke, Linglong knelt down, holding A Yi in her arms.

Xu Weibei frowned.

--What exactly happened, others may not know, but you and I know perfectly well, don't we?

Why bring up her biological father? Why did she show up without being told? What exactly is Linglong trying to do?

Gao Lan was also anxious and stepped forward to help Linglong up. "A Yi has just recovered, go back quickly, don't let the child get cold. The Marquis will visit you and your daughter when he has time."

During the Lunar New Year, she was blocking the doorway, looking so pitiful. Anyone who didn't know better would think she had come to demand an explanation.

"Hmm. Is the Marquis heading out?" Linglong asked with a smile, looking at the four concubines behind Xu Weibei.

"Do I need to report my itinerary to you? Let's go!" Xu Weibei tossed his cloak aside, ignored Linglong, and walked away.

Linglong's gaze fell on Jiaoniang.

Jiaoniang bowed to her and said timidly, "Greetings, Auntie."

She gripped her First Concubine's hand tightly, her nerves on edge.

Although Linglong had been kind to her before, she felt for some reason that Linglong looked different now, and even a little scary.

Linglong nodded to her, "Go ahead."

The four concubines rode together in one carriage, with Jiaoniang sitting close to the First Concubine.

As the carriage started moving, Fourth Concubine lifted the curtain and glanced back, clicking her tongue in disapproval. "Still standing at the door watching, are they going to turn into a statue waiting for their husbands?"

The Second Concubine said, "Ever since the Madam left, the Marquis has been in a state of confusion. I guess he hasn't gone to see her and is getting a little anxious."

"I've never really understood why the Marquis didn't bring her into the household," the First Concubine said softly. "After all, she's served the Marquis for so many years; their bond is special."

"The princess disagreed at first, and later the Marquis probably couldn't care less," the Third Concubine said calmly.

Why would a man care about past relationships?

"Will the Marquis bring her back afterward?" Fourth Concubine asked. "Let me make it clear first, I don't like her."

"Don't talk nonsense. You and she have no grudges or enemies, so why would you dislike her?" the First Concubine scolded.

"It's creepy," said Fourth Concubine. "Her gaze gives me the creeps."

It's as if she's hiding a knife, ready to pull it out and stab herself at the slightest provocation.

"I don't think so," said the Second Concubine. "We only benefit from being in the household before, and the madam is kind and treats us well. If we were also from outside and wanted to enter now, the Marquis wouldn't allow it in order to please the madam."

She understood it best.

The other day, the Marquis wanted to send them away, wasn't that just to curry favor with the Madam?

But she didn't leave.

She's shameless.

She insisted on staying at the Marquis's Residence.

Once she goes out, no matter how much she talks about how good her relationship with the Lady of the Marquis is, people won't buy it as much as they do now.

Now that she's the Marquis's woman, that's more useful than anything else.

Anyway, she doesn't make any mistakes. When the lady is around, she tries to please her; when the lady is away, she keeps a low profile and doesn't let the Marquis find anything wrong with her.

This couple are actually both reasonable people.

The Second Concubine felt that she was living a carefree life and was somewhat Qingxing for her good fortune.

The First Concubine, with a soft heart, said, "Whether she comes back or not is not a big deal, but she gave birth to a daughter. With the label of being an illegitimate child, what kind of good family can she marry into?"

"There's nothing we can do about it," Fourth Concubine said. "That was her choice. She could have taken advantage of her proximity and pursued a legitimate relationship, but she insisted on secretly getting together with the Marquis while Marquis was away on campaign... The Madam is already married into the family, what does she take her for?"

Gao Lan rode over, knocked on the side of the carriage, and said in a low voice, "Grandma, please keep your voice down, the Marquis heard everything."

Xu Weibei's expression grew increasingly grim, and he had no choice but to come over and offer a reminder.

Fourth Concubine had the loudest voice.

"Alright, alright, that's enough," said the Second Concubine. "Let's think about something that will make everyone happy; we'll see Madam soon."

"What's so great about him following us? Madam might even avoid him if she sees him," Fourth Concubine muttered.

Gao Lan: I bet you're going to get a beating sooner or later.

Chapter 152 The Handsome Tanhua

Gu Wanning arrived at the temple fair first.

The temple fair was very lively, with acrobatic performances, food vendors, and vendors selling all sorts of trinkets, their cries rising and falling in a cacophony of voices.

"Big brother, you go ahead with your work," Gu Wanning said with a smile. "I'll take Zhi Nu to buy candied hawthorns."