Chapter 398 - 390: Evasion
However, Nanny Wang pondered for a while here. Lin Youning saw that she didn’t say anything more, and she knew in her heart that it wasn’t that Nanny Wang couldn’t think of anything, but perhaps she thought of something she couldn’t say. Regardless of the reason, it would be pointless to keep asking.
"How did you come to the Capital, Nanny?" Lin Youning thought that they had only been back for a little over two months. In this regard, didn’t that mean Nanny must have left after they did?
Nanny Wang’s face showed a slight smile, "When I was young, I learned some kung fu, so I travel a bit faster than ordinary people. It took me about a month and a half to ride a horse from the border to the Capital. At each post station, I switched horses, and without resting for a month, I arrived here in the Capital. Because I found someone along the way inquiring about the Prince’s matters, I didn’t dare to attract much attention. Not until I was near the Capital did I discover someone following me, so I stayed outside for a few more days before entering the city. After finding out the location of the young lady’s mansion, I noticed someone around the mansion. I thought to wait for the Marquis or the young lady to come out before approaching, but I dared not be too obvious. Once I almost saw the Marquis but couldn’t go forward. Today, seeing the young lady and the Marquis Mansion going out of town, I finally followed."
Lin Youning was pained to hear this, "It’s been hard on you, Nanny. You should go and rest first, take care of your health. I am already aware of these matters, and in the future, I will just have to be wary of the Eldest Prince’s side."
With a smile, Nanny Wang stood up, "Then I will heed the young lady’s words and step out now. I’ll come again tomorrow."
Lin Youning then called Hailan from outside to escort her out. Only then did Hailan come in, but Nanny Wang waved her off, "The young lady is with child, and she should not be left unattended. I am just taking a short walk within the courtyard and will not get lost."
After persuading her several times and seeing Nanny Wang’s persistence, Lin Youning had no choice but to comply.
Lin Youning stood in the courtyard, watching Nanny Wang leave, then finally looked down. Hailan, well aware that the young lady had something on her mind, remained silent and merely supported the young lady at her side. It was already October, and although it was cold at the foot of the mountain, many ripe fruits could still be seen.
In this courtyard where they lived, there was a jujube tree with reddened dates hanging beautifully on it. Although it was already getting dark, it did not affect viewing these fruits.
Out in front, Nanny Wang, who had left the courtyard, saw a young servant waiting for her up ahead. Nanny Wang lowered her eyes slightly and walked forward.
Li Si had already greeted her, "The Marquis is waiting for Nanny up front. Please follow me."
The two of them then headed to the front courtyard.
After meeting the Marquis, Nanny Wang naturally repeated what she had told Lin Youning. Gu Yifeng, having heard it, inquired, "Does Nanny know there’s a rumor in the palace that Prince Shou and the Crown Prince are biological brothers?"
As Gu Yifeng spoke, he kept his eyes fixed on Nanny Wang’s, and when he saw a flicker in her eyes, he understood. It seemed this wasn’t just a rumor but possibly true.
"I have been away from the Capital for many years, and being just a palace rumor, I am even less aware. It sounds laughable that the Foreign Princess was always in poor health and could have offspring. Such talk would anger not just a servant like me but even the Empress herself. After all, the Crown Prince is a legitimate son, so how could he be attributed to a mere Foreign Princess?" Nanny Wang spoke with her head lowered, humor in her tone, clearly considering this to be groundless.
Gu Yifeng lightly responded, "That’s a relief. Currently, the Eldest Prince is searching everywhere for Prince Shou and even attempted to hurt Sister Ning to draw out Housheng’s side. Given that these are false rumors, presumably, the Eldest Prince will cease his entanglement soon."
"The Marquis must not relax his vigilance," Nanny Wang interrupted him.
Gu Yifeng feigned ignorance, "What does Nanny mean?"
"Having come from the palace, I naturally understand the character of Royal Family members. To aspire for that position above, they would stop at nothing. Even with a little chance, no matter how false, they would make it real. Now that the young lady is pregnant, the Marquis must ensure her protection." Nanny Wang waited a while, sensing the Dingyuan Marquis’s steady gaze upon her, and only when the gaze moved away did she secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
She thought to herself that the Dingyuan Marquis was indeed hard to deal with, no wonder that upon returning, the Master constantly instructed her to prepare her words in advance, or else she would definitely be seen through. It turned out to be true now.
"In that case, Nanny’s advice will be heeded. In the future, the young lady will still need to trouble Nanny. Just tell others outside that Nanny is one of my long-time servants from the estate." Gu Yifeng, having gathered what he wanted to know, chose not to inquire further.
With a nod, Nanny Wang retreated. Only upon reaching the courtyard could she finally relax.
A young maid came over to guide Nanny Wang to rest.
Nanny Wang also inquired a bit from the young maid about the mansion’s affairs, learning that the Madam at the Marquis’s Mansion was indifferent to this place and that the young lady was well-protected by Mrs. Gu Sr., living a good life.
Back at her resting place, Nanny Wang lay down, only then turning her back on the window to take out what she had been holding. It was a jade pendant with dragon and phoenix motifs, a kind of pendant only members of the Royal Family could wear.
She put it back in her bosom. It was handed to her back then by the Prince upon his departure, asking that should she find the young lady one day, she should pass it to her. But seeing how closely the young lady was watched, exposing this item would likely invite disaster upon her. Nanny Wang hesitated repeatedly, deciding to hold onto it until the situation stabilized before revealing it later.
Meanwhile, Gu Yifeng had written a letter and handed it to Li Si, "Deliver this to Chancellor Liu."
Li Si understood the importance of this letter, "Rest assured, Master, I will ensure the letter reaches its destination."
Gu Yifeng nodded, and after Li Si left, he went to the backyard.
Lin Youning had already been walking in the backyard for quite a while, wondering why he was not back yet. Just as she was about to send someone to inquire, she saw her elder brother return and hurried to meet him.
Gu Yifeng looked at her in this state, "It’s alright, I have already spoken to Nanny Wang and sent a letter to your grandfather’s side."
As he said this, he leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "I guess I have now married a Prince’s daughter."
Lin Youning didn’t immediately catch on, but seeing his teasing look, she blushed lightly and played along, "Then from now on, big brother, you must not bully me."
"I certainly wouldn’t dare." Gu Yifeng said with a smile.
Lin Youning blushed even more.
Just at that moment, having barely spoken much inside, Hailan rushed in with a face full of panic, "Marquis, Li Si has been injured."