Chapter 1253 - 1259: Suspicion (5)
On the road, she encountered Master Situ again, but this time he was not on the second floor; instead, he was at the entrance of the pawnshop, speaking with a guest. Seeing Liu Xi, Master Situ asked in surprise, "Eunuch, why are you out again? Where are you off to?"
Liu Xi replied, "Madam is worried that Madam Mo Shao is leading a hard life in the manor, so she sent me to deliver some things to her!"
Earlier, when the two men were drinking, Liu Xi had already told Master Situ about Xiang Yun’s situation. Master Situ felt great sympathy for Xiang Yun, believing she was kind and forthright. A woman who could be moved to tears by a few drops shed from a swindler, daring to argue her case without regard for her reputation—such a woman surely could not have killed the fetus inside her. It was inconceivable. It must be the wife in the mansion, the one with the deep schemes, who used such poisonous means to frame her. It’s a pity that her husband lacked insight and failed to give such a good woman the love and respect she deserved. Instead, she suffered such great indignities!
Hearing Liu Xi speak the words ’hard life,’ Master Situ frowned and asked, "Is she having a hard time there?"
After asking, he realized his question was rather abrupt. She was the young madam of Duke Li Guo’s mansion; he shouldn’t be probing. If he wanted to know if she was faring well, he could have just visited under the cover of nightfall to see for himself rather than raise suspicions by asking, especially since it might also tarnish her reputation.
So, without waiting for Liu Xi’s answer, he bowed his hands and said, "Please go ahead. I have some matters to attend to here and can’t keep you company in conversation any longer!" With that, he resumed talking to the guest.
Liu Xi, indifferent, shrugged his shoulders and mounted the carriage, heading straight for the manor...
After dinner, the previously excellent weather took a turn as the wind started blowing, and daylight began to darken. Fearing rain, Cui Wen ordered Cui Lu and Cui Ping to collect the drying clothes and other items. They shut the windows, moved the flowers—there was a bustle of activity.
Xiang Yun went out to the courtyard and moved the two basins of tranquilizing flowers that Cai Wei had sent through Liu Xi indoors. Just as she entered the room, the downpour began, pattering loudly against everything as the day turned even darker. Xiang Yun instructed Cui Ping to hold up the lamp while she fetched her basket of needle and thread, deciding to pass the time by making a purse.
Her embroidery skills were not great, and the things she made were rather ugly. The unfinished pomegranate-shaped purse she was working on had to be scrutinized carefully to be recognized as a pomegranate. Otherwise, at first glance, it would surely be mistaken for a spoiled bun.