sjar Chapter 406 If Consort Shu knew, she would definitely be unhappy.
Chapter 406 If Consort Shu knew, she would definitely be unhappy.
“Miss Song,” he swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he spoke instinctively, “you, you are in love with me…”
As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he regretted them.
Such a question is rather abrupt and presumptuous.
He quickly shut his mouth, a blush of embarrassment rising on his face, and looked at her helplessly.
Song Ruyan was taken aback by his sudden question, and her cheeks immediately turned bright red, like a ripe apple.
Her heart was pounding, and she instinctively wanted to retort, but the words that came out of her mouth changed.
She turned her head away, avoiding his burning gaze, her voice barely audible, yet carrying a hint of the frankness unique to those who live the life of a wanderer.
"I guess so. At least, I don't want to see you get beaten up or bullied."
After she finished speaking, her ears turned red, but she felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart.
Qian Mingyuan stared blankly at her blushing profile, the words "I suppose so" echoing in his ears like heavenly music.
He felt an overwhelming joy well up from the bottom of his heart, instantly overwhelming all the pain and unease.
He grinned, wanting to laugh, but the movement aggravated the wound on his lip, making him cry out in pain. Yet, he still laughed like a fool.
Hearing his cry of pain, Song Ruyan turned around abruptly. Seeing his silly expression of both pain and laughter, she was both annoyed and amused, and scolded him, "What are you laughing at!"
Inside a side courtyard of the General's Mansion.
Yingyue stood by the window, gazing at the half-withered pomegranate tree outside, her brows furrowed.
This secluded courtyard has become her prison. To this day, she cannot understand why she, as someone personally sent by Consort Shu, is being treated so coldly.
It’s been a month, a whole month!
Apart from a brief glimpse of the general on the day he first entered the manor, he never had the chance to get even half a step closer to him again.
Every morning, she would carefully dress herself up, hoping that she might be summoned that day, but day after day of disappointment had made her heart turn to ashes.
"This Chu Ruohan is going too far!" Yingyue suddenly turned around and slammed her hand on the windowsill, making a crisp "smack" sound.
The candlelight in the corner flickered, casting her distorted shadow on the wall.
"She's leaving us hanging like this, clearly deliberately making things difficult for us!"
Qinghe sat at a small table to the side, her needlework never stopping. She only raised her eyes slightly and glanced at Yingyue.
"You should behave yourself. We're new here, so it's best not to make any rash moves."
Yingyue sneered, her eyes full of disdain: "Behave yourself? If I always behave myself, when will I ever see the General? That Chu Ruohan is nothing but a jealous woman; she's imprisoning us in a roundabout way!"
She walked up to Qinghe and lowered her voice: "Do you know that everyone in the manor is saying that the Madam has been unwell lately, and the General has been by her side every day? If Consort Shu finds out, she will definitely be unhappy."
Qinghe paused slightly in her needlework: "So what? This is a matter between husband and wife, what right do outsiders have to interfere?"
"You!" Yingyue gritted her teeth. "Are you just accepting your fate? Consort Shu sent us here to serve her, not to keep idle people here!"
She walked to the other end of the room and took out a tiny folded letter from her sleeve.
"I have already contacted Li San from Yanliu Lane. He is the spy that Consort Shu planted outside the General's Mansion. Tonight, I will write down what I have seen and heard during this period and have him deliver it to Consort Shu."
Qinghe stopped sewing completely, raised her head, and stared sharply at Yingyue: "Are you really going to do this?"
"Otherwise what?" Yingyue sneered. "Do you think Consort Shu sent us to the General's mansion just so we could serve the General?"
"What she wants is news from the General's Mansion, the General's every move. Now we can't even see the General, how are we supposed to explain this to Consort Shu?"
A ruthless glint flashed in her eyes: "Besides, since Chu Ruohan treated us this way, it's time to let Consort Shu know, and see how she continues to be so jealous!"
Qinghe sighed and put down her needlework: "If you insist on doing this, I won't stop you. But is the General's Mansion such a place that you can easily deceive everyone? If things are exposed, I won't take responsibility for you."
Yingyue's eyes were full of disdain: "Don't worry, it's not like this is the first time I've done something like this. Besides, Chu Ruohan is heavily pregnant now, how could she have the energy to take care of us?"
"As for those maids and servants, they're just rough people. What discernment could they possibly have?"
Qinghe said no more, but lowered her head and picked up her needle and thread again.
As night fell, Yingyue quietly slipped out of the courtyard under the moonlight.
She avoided the night patrolling servants and walked along the path inside the wall toward the side gate of the backyard.
Once you climb over that low wall, you can meet Li San, who is your contact outside.
The night in the mansion was exceptionally quiet, with only the occasional chirping of insects. Yingyue's heart pounded like a drum. She looked around to make sure no one was following her, then quickly climbed the low wall and jumped over it.
In the darkness, a small figure approached: "Miss Yingyue?"
Yingyue breathed a sigh of relief: "It's me. Li San, quickly send this letter to Consort Shu and tell her that I have been in the General's mansion for more than a month, but I haven't even been able to see the General."
"Chu Ruohan placed us in a secluded courtyard, just to keep us from getting even a step closer to the general!"
Li San took the letter and carefully tucked it into his pocket: "Don't worry, young lady, I'll deliver it right away. If Consort Shu replies, I'll be here waiting for you at this time three days from now."
Yingyue nodded, and was about to give a few more instructions when she suddenly heard a rustling sound behind her.
She turned around abruptly, only to find the night completely silent.
"What's wrong?" Li San asked alertly.
Yingyue frowned and shook her head: "It's nothing, it's probably just a commotion. You should go quickly, don't delay."
Li San responded and turned to disappear into the night.
Yingyue took a deep breath, patted her chest, and rolled back inside the wall.
She carefully retraced her steps, finally feeling a sense of relief.
She firmly believed that as long as Consort Shu learned of what had happened to her at the General's Mansion, she would definitely find a way to teach Chu Ruohan a lesson.
However, just as Yingyue thought she had gotten away with it, a slender figure emerged from the shadows of a tree not far away and then turned and headed towards the main courtyard.
Chu Ruohan's room was brightly lit by candlelight. She leaned against the bed, toying with a small jade pendant in her hand.
“Madam,” Yu Ling pushed open the door and entered, her voice filled with barely concealed excitement, “Ying Yue really couldn’t stay still any longer.”
"She just slipped out of the manor and gave a letter to a man named Li San, saying it was to be sent to Consort Shu, complaining that the lady was jealous and wouldn't let them get close to the general..."