Her voice attracted the attention of Wei Kun and Duke Ying, the several adults lowered their heads one after another. Wei Kun spoke surprised: Ah Luo? Why are you here?

Wei Luo raised her clear and bright small face, dimples showing as she smiled. Her words were especially sensible: Ive come to give big brother Prince Jing this medicine, since big brother Prince Jings hand has an injury. Applying the medicine, it should get well right away.

Finished speaking, she kept her short arms up, but seeing that Zhao Jie didnt move to accept, she simply gripped his big hand and pried his fingers open, placing the white glaze porcelain bottle inside. Big brother, apply this every day twice a day, itll get better very quickly.

The little girls voice was sticky sweet. Looking down from this angle, her eyelashes were long and thick, hiding that pair of bright and lively big eyes. What expression did that pair of eyes show right now? Sly or sincere? Zhao Jie wondered pensively, then closed his palm and put the bottle in his pouch, the edge of his lips lifting slightly in a smile: How did you know my hand was injured?

Wei Luos shoulders flinched. She retreated two steps to meet his line of sight. Compared to her, he was much taller. At her current age, her height was much too inferior, looking up at people almost made her neck snap. There wasnt the slightest hint of shame on her face as she crisply spoke: When we met at the front courtyard a moment ago, big brothers sleeve fell back, and Ah Luo saw.

It actually could be explained that way.

Zhao Jie smiled and reached out to stroke her head, his thumb rubbing her forehead. With a deep tone, he said: Thank you, youre considerate.

His fingers were long and strong. In the sunlight, they seemed to glow like white jade, really like a pair of hands raised in a respectable house. He accidentally parted the bangs on Wei Luos forehead, only to find a bright red small birthmark between the little girls eyebrows. Set on her white and tender small face, she appeared even more delicate, charming, and cute. The longer he looked, the more it seemed as if she had walked out of a picture, her lips like cherry, her teeth like pearls. Zhao Jie turned away, and didnt look at her again. Together with Duke Ying, he walked out of the Dukes residence.

Wei Luo stood in the yard pondering. The stuff was received, it should mean she was forgiven, right?

She couldnt see through Zhao Jies thoughts, only feeling that this persons thoughts were deep, complex and hard to fathom. She searched through the memories related to the previous lifes Zhao Jie. He was intelligent and outstanding, noble and handsome, the Retired Emperors favorite. He was conferred the rank of Prince at twelve years old. His methods were firm and shrewd, very quickly gathering a group reliable aides. After the Retired Emperor passed away, Emperor Chong Zhen, who was unhappy with his (Zhao Jies) growing ambitions, soon found an excuse to send him off to Wurong to toughen his body, for the duration of exactly three years. Calculating the days, he should have recently come back from Wurong. After returning, he discovered that the structural changes in the Imperial court were very big. Emperor Chong Zhen vigorously supported his younger brother Zhao Zhang, even intending to establish him as Crown Prince

If memories served right, Zhao Zhang was Noble Consort Nings son.

Was the Emperors mind blinded by love, letting go of the perfect from head to toe legitimate son, and insisting on backing up the illegitimate one?

Wei Luo had a few words of silent critique in her mind, the secrets of the royal family were too many and too complex, she couldnt possibly grasp it all in such a short time. In any case, as far as she could remember, Zhao Jie would later become someone, who would overturn all levels of society.

*

After sending off Zhao Jie, Wei Kun took Wei Luo along to return to Pine courtyard.

As for Ginkgo courtyard, it was still restless. Madam Du couldnt see Wei Kun, so she thought of a method and got in touch with the third madam Liu. Weeping loudly, she poured out her great sufferings in front of Madam Liu, then asked her to go to Pine courtyard and persuade Wei Kun to bring her back, as she couldnt go on living in this place anymore.

Wei Kun flung his sleeves and remained unmoved: If she cant go on living there, then let her return to Count Zhongyis residence!

Returning to the maternal home divorced and pregnant, how big of a disgrace was that? What would other people think? They would certainly assume Madam Du had had an affair with someone, that the child wasnt Wei Kuns, so Wei Kun couldnt put up with her. At that time, not only would Madam Dus reputation sweep the floor, the rest of the young ladies in Count Zhongyis residence wouldnt be able to marry.

Madam Liu hadnt expected that even after several days, his anger still had not dissipated one bit. Drinking a mouthful of tea, she advised: How can fifth brother-in-law say that? Fifth sister-in-law has followed you through thick and thin for five years, in these five years shes helped you manage the home. Even without earning recognition, she has worked hard Now shes only made one mistake due to confusion. Making the mistake, fine, its good that you punished her, but refusing to compromise for so long is not the way to go. She glanced at Wei Luo, who was in Wei Kuns arms, with a veiled expression, After all, fifth sister-in-law is pregnant, she should take good care of herself, yet shes living in that place, without any people to care for her. If the child is a son, Ah Luo will gain another younger brother, then continuing to live in that place is even more unacceptable

Wei Luo didnt like the expression in her eyes, it made her feel uneasy all over. Thus, she burrowed deeper in Wei Kuns embrace and ignored her.

Ah Luos intuition was really accurate. The past lifes Madam Liu didnt like her, and in this life it was still the same. Madam Liu was very nice to Wei Zheng, but towards Ah Luo and Changhong, she wasnt particularly warm. Sometimes there was even a trace of loathing. The cause of that, the Ah Luo from before couldnt have understood, but she could partly see it now

That day in the reception pavilion, when they had discussed how to handle Madam Du, she had been peeping from outside, and had naturally also seen the conflict between third uncle and father. Afterwards, third uncle had come out and had looked at her with a somewhat distracted expression, as if he was looking at someone else.

Ah Luo wasnt a fool. Third uncles behavior had been so obvious, she had to be slow-witted not to have guessed correctly.

Wei Kun wasnt saying anything. Wei Luo was worried he would relent, so she muttered a protest within his arms: I only have Changhong as a younger brother, I dont want any other younger brother.

Her worry wasnt unfounded. Wei Kuns disposition was mild and easily swayed, and the third aunt was silver-tongued. Perhaps Wei Kun would be persuaded in a few words. How was that alright? That would be letting Madam Du off too lightly.

Madam Liu looked at her with a weird smile, Madams son is your younger brother, how could Ah Luo say you dont want him?

Wei Luo didnt look at her. She lowered her head and opened Wei Kuns hand to play with his fingers, going over each and every digit back and forth, mumbling as though she felt wronged, Ah Luo just doesnt want.

For the most part, the child had gone through a great trauma on her way back from Huguo Temple, to the extent that she couldnt help but shiver at the mere mention of Madam Du. Wei Kun watched her affectionately, his arms enveloping Wei Luo even closer, as he said to Madam Liu: Third sister-in-law doesnt need to persuade me again. Madam Du has made a mistake and deserves to be punished. As for her child, be it a son or a daughter, wait for her to give birth first, then talk! I wont discuss this matter again, third sister-in-law should go back.

In other words, Madam Du should at the very least reside in Ginkgo courtyard until she gave birth?

Madam Lius expression wavered. Whether she had more to say or not, she didnt have a good reason to stay behind. She got up to take her leave. She didnt directly return to the third branch house, but turned around midway to head for Ginkgo courtyard, so she could personally deliver Wei Kuns words to Madam Du.

Madam Du listened in a daze. Sitting in an armchair, she couldnt come to her senses for a long time.

Still eight more months to live here, but she couldnt go on staying here for even a day longer! The house was simple and crude, with only two maidservants by her side. Although the servants didnt treat them harshly, it was very different compared to her previous lifestyle after all. It had been a life of luxury before. Dozens of maidservants and old servants all around, whoever saw her would be courteous and respectful, calling her fifth madam. Now she was trapped inside this small courtyard, seeing her own daughters face was already difficult. How could she accept such a downgrade?