Chapter 3208: Depends on What’s in a Person’s Heart

Ning Shu sat in the pavilion to cool off while Lianqiao fanned her and poured tea.

It was then that she saw several people coming out of the old madame’s courtyard.

The next day, the Gu family left with the gravely ill Gu Fanlu.

Ning Shu went to find Marquis Xuanping. He was practicing calligraphy. When he saw Ning Shu, he put down his brush and asked, “Is your father’s handwriting very easy to imitate?”

Ning Shu glanced at the paper on the desk. His handwriting was neat, steady, and perfectly proper, but it had no distinctive style.

It could be said to be easy to copy, yet also not easy, precisely because it was too ordinary, without any strong personal character.

Ning Shu replied, “Whether it looks alike or not depends on what’s in a person’s heart.”

The marquis lifted his teacup, took a sip, and studied his own handwriting.

“Father, Cousin has left,” Ning Shu said. “Once, Cousin asked me to lead him to the ancestral hall.”

The marquis’s expression did not change. “That boy fell ill while staying at Marquis Xuanping’s residence. His illness was caused by our negligence in caring for him.

“If there’s nothing else, you may leave. I’ll continue practicing my calligraphy. It’s been too long since I last wrote, and I’ve grown rusty.”

He picked up the brush again and spoke lightly.

Ning Shu had wanted to bring up matters of his business, but from his demeanor, it was clear he did not wish for her to meddle in affairs outside that of the rear courtyard.

However, she did not believe the marquis would simply let things go.

After some thought, she said, “Father, our ancestral hall is too conspicuous to the eye, and it strikes the heart as well.”

The marquis’s brush did not pause in his hand. “Spend more time helping your mother manage the rear courtyard. Keep a close watch over it.

“The rear courtyard has many people and too many watchful eyes. It won’t be easy to keep it well-guarded,” he said while glancing at her.

Ning Shu curtsied and left the study.

She knew he understood everything himself. If she spoke too much, she would only make herself unwelcome.

Marquis Xuanping’s household had survived to this day since the founding emperor had taken the throne. Surely, it had its own set of survival strategies.

Moreover, the marquis didn’t look like the sort of man who, after being spat in the face, would simply wipe it clean and pretend nothing had happened.

When Ning Shu left the study, she closed the door behind her.

She had arranged to meet Yin Qing two days later at a teahouse.

Ning Shu arrived early, but even then, Yin Qing was already waiting inside a private room. She had arrived even earlier.

Yin Qing rose and bowed. “Miss Su.”

Ning Shu returned the courtesy. “Miss Yin, I’m sorry for being late.”

“No, it was me who came too early.” Yin Qing glanced at Lianqiao, who stood beside Ning Shu, and said, “My maid was disobedient and injured Miss Lianqiao. I must apologize to you.”

Ning Shu cast a calm look at Hongling, who stood there with defiant eyes fixed on her like a predator. She replied evenly, “I understand your difficulties. How could I blame you for something beyond your control?”

This Hongling belonged to Zhuo Cheran and was merely assigned to protect Yin Qing. That did not mean she obeyed Yin Qing’s every command.

Hearing Ning Shu’s words, Yin Qing felt somewhat comforted. Though Hongling was there to protect her, she often repeated, ‘The prince’s heir says… the prince’s heir says…’

Yin Qing could sense that Hongling clearly looked down on her. After all, Yin Qing was only the daughter of a minor official, while Zhuo Cheran was the son of Prince Xin and the most favored nephew of the emperor.

The way Hongling’s eyes scrutinized her made it seem as though she were trying to see what qualities Yin Qing could possibly have that were worthy of Zhuo Cheran.

“Thank you, Miss Su, for your generosity. I will thank you on Hongling’s behalf,” Yin Qing said politely. Then, she called for a waiter to bring tea and refreshments.

Ning Shu smiled as she said, “I have something to discuss with you. Since it’s rare for us to come out, why don’t we let the maids go out for a walk?”

MTL Editor: Ran

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