Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 618 - 310: Efficacy_3

Chapter 618: Chapter 310: Efficacy_3

Monkey Brother had taken the other members of the House of Animals to the mountains to play, and they had not returned for ten days already. The House of Animals had grown familiar with Jiufeng Ridge; once they entered, they would play for ten days to half a month, making Qian Yixiu’s teeth itch with frustration.

Stepping out of the gates of Peach Court, one could see the Plum Court in the distance to the east. Walking past the walls of Peach Court, the Lan Courtyard to the north also came into view. Old Duke Liang had been spending the summer in the Lan Courtyard and would often visit the Plum Court to play chess and chat with Old Master Pan, and he frequently freeloaded meals and drinks there as well.

Before long, Qian Yixiu saw Grandfather Sangui standing under a massive ancient banyan tree by the Plum Court, craning his neck looking in her direction. She quickly walked over and, with a laugh, wrapped her arm around Grandfather Sangui’s arm, "Grandfather, what brings you out into the courtyard under this fierce sun?"

Qian Sangui laughed and said, "Grandfather was waiting for you."

Qian Yixiu shook his arm and chuckled, "I knew Grandfather couldn’t bear to be without me. That’s why I built Peach Court next to the Plum Court, so that when I get married in the future, Peach Court can be part of my dowry. Then, every day when I step outside, I’ll be able to see Grandfather."

Qian Sangui laughed heartily and said, "Good, good."

A voice then came from behind the tree, "You girl, have you no shame? Which young lady haggles over her own dowry?"

It was Zhu Sujin, emerging from behind the tree as he spoke. He was dressed in a wide-sleeved robe of ice lake blue brocade, with a grey confucian headband on his head and a large folding fan in his hand that he flapped ceaselessly, looking every bit the scholarly gentleman. The young boy had grown into a handsome and refined gentleman of the secular world.

Qian Yixiu was both shocked and delighted and asked, "Today is the eighth day of the month, aren’t you supposed to attend classes in the palace?"

Zhu Sujin replied, "My father fell ill with heatstroke from being too busy at home, so I asked for two days off to accompany him to the Chrysanthemum Courtyard for some summer respite."

Qian Yixiu’s eyes curled with laughter upon hearing this, as she indeed found it a bit boring to be surrounded by several old men every day.

Since Prince Ning had arrived, it was time to fetch the items.

Qian Yixiu didn’t go back to the Plum Court but directly had a horse carriage prepared, saying that she would take Zhu Sujin for a ride nearby.

The two of them, accompanied by Monkey Sister and Zi Zhu, got into the carriage, which was escorted by ten mounted guards as they headed northwest.

After traveling roughly five miles, they arrived near a forest. After passing through three layers of security checkpoints, only the carriage was allowed to enter the forest and stop in front of the Glass Factory’s gate. The coachman and Zi Zhu stayed in the carriage while Zhu Sujin and Qian Yixiu, leading Monkey Sister, got out.

They were not allowed to enter the factory but instead went into the External Affairs Office at the entrance. After sitting inside for a while, Jack arrived and handed a box to Qian Yixiu.

Qian Yixiu opened a crack in the box, and having seen that the five beads inside closely resembled those of Zi Zhu and met Prince Ning’s requirements, she nodded at Jack, stood up, and left with Zhu Sujin.

The carriage left the forest and went straight to the Chrysanthemum Courtyard, to the northeast of the Plum Court.

Prince Ning was waiting in the outer study. Qian Yixiu handed the box to him, and Prince Ning took out a bead and held it up to the sunlight streaming in through the window, smiling with satisfaction, "With sunlight shining, the beads still emit a golden glow." He then smiled at Qian Yixiu, "Well done, very good."

Qian Yixiu rarely saw Prince Ning smile so brightly and thought his smile had a hint of mischief to it, making her curious about what he intended to do with these beads.

Zhu Sujin asked, "Father, what do you need these glass marbles for?"

Prince Ning rarely joked with humor, "My father has ingenious uses for it."

Having completed the task, Qian Yixiu took her leave, and Zhu Sujin followed along, with both of them going for a stroll by the lotus pond at the back of the courtyard. Gazing at the endless expanse of green leaves and lotus flowers, Zhu Sujin laughed and said, "This is even more splendid than Moonlit Lotus Pond. However, I still prefer Moonlit Lotus Pond a bit more, wondering when I can return to see it again."

Qian Yixiu said, "I also wish to go back for a visit." She always had a premonition that perhaps in the near future, she would return. Prince Ning having those beads made was not a coincidence, and perhaps the true Zi Zhu would soon be revealed.

Qian Yixiu then asked, "How is the Princess’s health?"

Zhu Sujin laughed, "My mother’s illness has improved greatly. Even my father said that this year, she’s been the most spirited."

Qian Yixiu thought to herself that this was the power of the mind. Knowing that she had the life-saving Red Demon Fruit, she no longer worried about dying at any moment; on the contrary, her body would slowly recover.

As the sun set in the west, the two of them made their way to Mei Garden, chatting and laughing. Yet afar, they saw two people riding horses at a gallop, realizing upon closer inspection that it was Liang Jinzhao and Liang Gao. They didn’t return to their own Lan Courtyard, but went straight to Chrysanthemum Courtyard instead.

In the outer courtyard of Mei Garden, Grandfather Sangui was under the eaves, weaving baskets with bamboo. Whenever he had nothing to do, he would pass the time by making baskets.

Old Master Pan and Old Duke Liang were playing Go in the Octagonal Pavilion next to the plum garden in the back courtyard. Raising their eyes, they could see the curved Crescent Spring, where the sparse lotus leaves and flowers gently swayed with the wind, and the blue water shimmered with gold under the sunset, surrounded by the fragrance of flowers. This place was Prince Consort Pan’s favorite.

Zhu Sujin paid his respects to them, and they also stood up to return the gesture.

Qian Yixiu smiled and said, "Old Duke Liang, we just saw General Liang return."

Old Master Pan said, "Have someone invite him over for dinner."

Zhu Sujin spoke, "General Liang has gone to Chrysanthemum Courtyard, and my father will surely keep him for drinks."

Old Duke Liang had dinner in Plum Courtyard before returning to Lan Courtyard. He waited in the study until late into the night, and Liang Jinzhao returned under the starlight.

Seeing the study still lit, Liang Jinzhao entered and asked, "Grandfather, why haven’t you rested yet?"

Old Duke Liang dismissed the servant and inquired, "Zhaozhao, are you already serving Prince Ning?"

Liang Jinzhao replied, "Grandfather, we each serve our own master. I am sorry, but I cannot disclose the affairs of Prince Ning to you, just as you wouldn’t divulge the private words the Emperor spoke to you, which I won’t reveal to Prince Ning either. If Junior Hongji wishes to be Emperor, I will definitely serve him. But I know he would not fulfill the Emperor’s wishes, and regarding the other princes, I will only serve Prince Ning. In doing so, I am not betraying the Emperor’s wishes, but rather considering the wellbeing of all under heaven."

Old Duke Liang looked at Liang Jinzhao for a long while and then spoke, "Our Liang Family will eventually be in your hands, and you must find a way to ensure the safety of our family... Above all, you must take good care of yourself. Go and rest."

Prince Ning and Zhu Sujin stayed in the estate for another day and did not return to the capital until after breakfast on the tenth day. Qian Yixiu, worried about Pan Yue, also followed them back. Grandfather Sangui and Prince Consort Pan, on the other hand, continued to stay in the estate to escape the summer heat.

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