Chapter 355: Song Que Buys a Small Courtyard

Chapter 355: Song Que Buys a Small Courtyard

She then spurred her horse and left.

Qin Xiaoyao waited until the King of Huaiyin was far away before mounting her own horse.

After leaving the palace gate, she headed toward Taiping Street.

Taiping Street was some distance away from the areas where the mansions of high-ranking officials, including the Marquis's residence, were located. It wasn’t within the circle where most high-ranking officials usually spent their time.

The location where Qin Xiaoyao and Song Que had arranged to meet was on this street.

Qin Xiaoyao silently recited the address in her mind while following the route to find the place.

Finally, in an alley, she found a residence.

After confirming she had the right place, Qin Xiaoyao approached the door and knocked.

After a short while, an old woman came out.

Qin Xiaoyao hesitated, wondering if she had the wrong address.

The old woman spoke first.

"Is this the madam? This old servant has been waiting for you for many days. Madam, please come in." She glanced behind Qin Xiaoyao to ensure no one was following.

Qin Xiaoyao glanced down at her clothes.

For convenience, ever since she arrived in the capital, she had been wearing men’s clothing. The fact that this woman recognized her as a woman and addressed her as 'madam' confirmed that she was likely sent by her husband.

"Mm-hmm," Qin Xiaoyao responded.

She led her horse inside and followed the old woman into the courtyard.

As soon as Qin Xiaoyao entered, the old woman closed the door behind them.

Then, with a warm smile, she approached Qin Xiaoyao.

"The young master acquired this courtyard some time ago and instructed me to wait for you here."

"Today, I finally have the honor of welcoming you, madam."

"Madam, please come this way," the old woman said enthusiastically.

Qin Xiaoyao’s eyes flickered, and she stopped walking.

"How did you recognize me? And who is this young master you mentioned?" she asked.

The old woman paused for a moment.

Then, a smile appeared on her face again.

"The young master showed me a portrait of you, which is how I recognized you. He also told me that you prefer to wear men’s clothing."

The young master once told me that his surname is Song.

Qin Xiaoyao felt a wave of relief.

She nodded and let the old woman lead on.

"You mentioned that your husband-to-be bought this place a while back?" she asked as they walked.

"Yes. It's been more than two weeks," the old woman answered.

Qin Xiaoyao's heart raced.

In other words, more than two weeks ago, her husband-to-be had already anticipated meeting her here?

Hmph, and he told her to leave the capital first. As expected, he was just pretending to be serious.

"Is anyone else staying here?" Qin Xiaoyao asked again.

At the same time, her eyes began to survey the courtyard.

The courtyard was small and neatly kept, but it was less than half the size of their yard in Lingquan Town.

"Only I am here, Lady."

"The young master instructed me to guard this courtyard and wait for you and him," the old woman replied.

Qin Xiaoyao looked at the old woman.

"What should I call you?" she asked again.

"Oh, you can just call me Nanny Hu," the old woman quickly said.

Qin Xiaoyao nodded.

"Nanny Hu."

"I am here," Nanny Hu quickly responded.

Qin Xiaoyao smiled warmly.

"When did you start following my husband-to-be? Were you already working for him?" she continued to ask.

This Nanny Hu's attitude and demeanor were not those of an ordinary old woman. Where did her husband-to-be find such a person?

To arrange for her to be here alone showed how much trust he had in this person.

Nanny Hu was taken aback.

After a moment of hesitation, she said, "I am a family servant of the Song clan. About two weeks ago, the young master saved me, and then he sent me here to wait for you."

The young master had previously instructed that they could tell the lady everything.

She understood that it was normal for the lady to have doubts about her given her important responsibility here.

Qin Xiaoyao was somewhat surprised.

"I see," she said.

And stopped asking further questions.

"Madam, why don't you rest in the room for a bit? I'll go get the horses ready." As they reached the front of the wing room, Nanny Hu suddenly said.

Qin Xiaoyao glanced at the wing room in front of her and nodded.

She passed the reins to Nanny Hu.

"By the way, what would you like to eat, Madam? I'll prepare it afterward," Nanny Hu asked after taking the reins.

"Since you're here, the Young Master might stop by later as well. I should prepare more food."

Qin Xiaoyao looked in the direction of the kitchen.

"Pick up some tofu, eggs, veggies, and meat, and grab two bottles of wine."

"I’ll join you in the kitchen later," Qin Xiaoyao said.

It had been a while since she last cooked a home-cooked meal after leaving Lingquan Town.

In this quiet little courtyard, with just a few people around, she suddenly felt the urge to cook.

Thinking about sharing a meal she’d cooked with her husband, Qin Xiaoyao felt a growing sense of anticipation.

"Sure thing!" Nanny Hu smiled.

She turned to leave.

"Wait—" Qin Xiaoyao called her back.

Under Nanny Hu’s curious gaze, she pulled out a money pouch.

"No need, Madam," Nanny Hu waved her hands when she saw it. "The Young Master has given me money. It's enough to buy the food."

Qin Xiaoyao didn't respond and took out five taels of silver from the pouch.

"What my husband gave you is for him. But this is from me, so please take it." She handed the silver over.

Nanny Hu’s eyes lit up with gratitude.

"Thank you, Madam." She finally accepted the silver.

Qin Xiaoyao smiled.

"Alright. Go do your tasks."

"The Young Master will be here soon. Let's try to finish the food before he arrives."

"Yes, Madam." Nanny Hu smiled and hurried out.

Qin Xiaoyao also smiled and turned to enter the wing room.

When she stepped inside, she realized that the furnishings were very similar to the room she and her husband had in Lingquan Town.

Realizing that Song Que must have arranged this, Qin Xiaoyao felt a warmth in her heart.

She opened the wardrobe and took out a set of women's clothing to change into. After changing, she carefully styled her hair into a neat bun.

Qin Xiaoyao then left the room and sat in the courtyard.

Not long after, Nanny Hu returned.

A basket slung over her back was filled with not only the items Qin Xiaoyao had requested but also some additional vegetables.

Noticing Qin Xiaoyao had changed into new clothes, Nanny Hu’s eyes lit up with approval and admiration.

She couldn’t help but admire their young master’s good taste.

"Let’s get cooking," Qin Xiaoyao said, after checking the items Nanny Hu had brought back.

"Sure thing," Nanny Hu smiled.

They then made their way to the kitchen.

As they cooked together, Qin Xiaoyao and Nanny Hu quickly grew more comfortable with each other.

It was during this time that Qin Xiaoyao learned Nanny Hu had once been her mother-in-law’s maid, accompanying her as part of her wedding entourage when she married.