Chapter 17

Nanny Zhou hesitantly opened her lips, as if she had more to say, but after much deliberation, she eventually swallowed her words and nodded with uncertainty.

Rong Shu was preoccupied with another matter and failed to notice Nanny Zhou's peculiar expression. After some thought, she asked, "Nanny, before my wedding, did Mother ask you to send a girl to Su Prefecture?"

Chapter 8

Nanny Zhou was the most trusted and competent nanny in the Shen family, and Shen usually confided in her about everything.

Rong Shu guessed that Nanny Zhou must be aware of Wen Xi's whereabouts.

Sure enough, upon hearing Rong Shu's question, Nanny Zhou's eyes widened in alarm, "How did Miss know about this?"

"Please don't ask further, and don't mention it to Mother. Just tell me where you sent her."

Rong Shu knew that Wen Xi had gone to Su Prefecture, but not the specific location within the vast region.

Su Prefecture was extensive, making it no easy task to find someone like searching for a needle in a haystack.

A young and beautiful girl in such a remote and harsh area of Su Prefecture should be found as soon as possible.

Auntie Zhou clutched her handkerchief tightly and composed herself before saying, "It's a military garrison in GaoTai County. Miss, that young lady willingly left the capital for Su Prefecture. Allow this old servant to give you a word of advice - don't go looking for her."

As Wen Xi's wet nurse, Aunt Zhou had always been aware of the thorn in Madam Shen's heart. It was indeed she who had personally handled the matter of sending Wen Xi away back then.

Yet, even Madam didn't know much about this. How did the Eldest Miss come across such information?

Could it be that Mother Zhang has inadvertently revealed something?

The old nanny, who had already passed the age of knowing her destiny, was feeling anxious and wanted to consult with Zhang's mother to get to the bottom of things. However, today, Zhang's mother was ill and had not returned to the Marquis's residence.

She hesitated, yearning to ask more, but in the blink of an eye, she grasped the fuller picture. The Elder Miss likely knew only one side of the story, not the other.

Otherwise, her reaction at this very moment wouldn't be like this.

Thus, the words on the tip of her tongue were instantly crushed, for fear of asking too much and making mistakes.

Relieved to have learned of Wen Xi's whereabouts, Rong Shu didn't wish to engage further with Nurse Zhou. Noticing the time, she returned to the main chamber.

Nurse Zhou had sworn that Wen Xi had willingly gone to Su Prefecture.

If Rong Shu had no memory of the past three years, perhaps she would have believed it.

But in her previous life, her mother had tearfully confessed in prison that she owed Wen Xi an apology and implored Rong Shu to find her. Back then, her mother held her hand tightly, regret etched on every line of her face.

Though her mother had a fiery temper, she was inherently kind-hearted. The reason for sending Wen Xi away was likely to fulfill her own wish.

At times, Rong Shu felt that her mother was more determined about her marriage to Gu Changjin than she was.

Therefore, regardless of what Nurse Zhou said, Rong Shu was determined to find Wen Xi. Not just because she was Gu Changjin's beloved, but also because she was an innocent victim caught up in the situation.

Wrongs needed to be corrected as soon as possible.

Rong Shu recalled that Wen Xi had married six months after leaving Su Prefecture. As long as she found her before her wedding, there was still time to set things right.

Returning to the main chamber, Rong Shu laid out paper and picked up a brush. In less than fifteen minutes, a letter addressed "For Nijing" was tucked into her sleeve.

No sooner had she finished writing than Madam Shen stirred awake.

Glancing at the hourglass by the wall, she scolded Rong Shu, "Why didn't you wake me earlier? The banquet is about to start." She hurriedly summoned a maid to help her dress and prepare for the event.

Hardly had she finished arranging herself when a servant woman announced from outside the door that Madam Elder and the Marquis had already departed for Cloud Emerging Pavilion.

Cloud Tower is the designated venue within the Marquisate for hosting grand banquets.

On usual banquet occasions, the guests were separated by gender, with children having their own table, attended to by maids and servants while they dined.

Tonight is a family banquet, thus it has a touch of sophistication. Only one table is set up in the grand hall, yet it is abundantly adorned with cold and hot dishes, fruits, and pastries, amounting to several dozen plates.

When Rong Shu and Madam Shen entered, Duke Cheng'an and Gu Changjin were already seated at the table.

The two men sat together, with Duke Cheng'an speaking animatedly while Gu Changjin listened attentively with his eyes lowered, giving the impression of a pleasant conversation.

Rong Shu couldn't help but glance at Gu Changjin a few more times.

Her father had an unassuming and free-spirited nature, usually preferring to hide away in his study, composing poetry and painting. He wasn't much interested in the affairs of the officialdom. Due to his knowledge of foreign languages, he now held a minor position in the Honglou Temple as the Right Vice-Minister, a fifth-rank official. His duties were light, mainly involving overseeing foreign envoys' visits and tributes during specific months of the year.

Gu Changjin, on the other hand, was quite the opposite. He didn't enjoy reciting poetry or appreciating art, but instead, found pleasure in administrative work. Even on his days off, he would visit the government office to write reports.

When her father had summoned him to the study, Rong Shu expected their conversation to be short-lived, probably ending after a few cups of tea.

Yet now, it seemed that Father was finding much in common with him in their conversation.

Rong Shu was surprised and couldn't help but linger her gaze on Gu Changjin for a moment. It wasn't until he turned his head to look at her that she snapped back to reality.

Their eyes meeting like that appeared to others as an affectionate exchange between a loving couple.

Second Madam chuckled and said, "Zhaozhao might as well sit beside Yunzhi. That way, you two won't strain your eyes trying to see each other from afar."

Her playful remark drew a burst of laughter from the entire room, even Mrs. Shen covered her mouth with her handkerchief, giggling.

Rong Shu also smiled and said with grace, "Niece begs Aunt Second to spare us your jesting. Will you kindly stop teasing us?" As she spoke, she took her seat beside Madam Shen.

The banquet began, and the servants served soup and savory dishes to the guests. Lady Rong surveyed the room and beckoned a maid, inquiring, "Where is Concubine Pei? How can such a family feast be without her? Send someone to invite Concubine Pei to join us at the table."

Lady Pei held a unique position in the Marquis household. Unlike other prominent families where she would have to stand behind the matriarch during family banquets, serving her, Lady Pei was seated among the others, enjoying the meal as an equal.

Today, Rong Shu was visiting her parents' home. Although it was a family banquet, Gu Changjin was technically an outsider. To have Lady Pei and the others dine at the same table as him would indeed be improper and might lead to ridicule if word got out.