Chapter 392: Chapter 302: The One That Got Away?
The return to the city took only seven-tenths of the time it took to leave the city. Guarding all four city gates were Liang Chen, Du Mingqian, Cheng Chili, and others recently appointed by the emperor, making the passage smoother than ever.
The carriage arrived at the Pei family’s courtyard where Lu Chongyang was arranged to stay. Guo Song, who had come ahead to scout the place, was already leading Lu Chongyang out to greet them.
Pei Zhan was the first to get off the carriage and handed over the person he brought back from the box to them: "He reacted strongly just now, so I knocked him unconscious. He is injured, his tendons seem to be severed. Get him settled first and check for any other dangers. Ideally, you should wake him up within two hours!"
Guo Song and the others immediately took the person away. Lu Chongyang had already rolled up his sleeves, sending someone to prepare hot water and medical supplies.
Just as they got the person settled, Du Mingqian rushed over: "Old Five! What happened?"
As they returned, they happened to pass through the North Gate, which Du Mingqian was guarding. It was late at night, and seeing the couple soaking wet and hurrying in and out like this, how could Du Mingqian not be concerned? So after they entered the city, he kept an eye on the activity outside the gate, finished his tasks, and quickly came over.
In recent months, Pei Zhan and the others frequently clashed with Prince Rong’s Mansion and the Xu family. Even Pei Yu, who used to call Prince Rong his brother, went to the Prince’s Mansion and tore down Prince Rong’s courtyard wall, which was unimaginable. Du Mingqian and the others had also expressed their doubts before, but Pei Zhan played it down, so they never pressed. After all, they’re brothers; when it’s time to talk, they will naturally talk. How could they not trust one another?
However, the sudden death of Princess Rong, with so many suspicious points, was baffling, and tonight the couple’s strange actions just happened to land in his hands. How could he not come to ask?
Not asking would not count as brotherhood!
Pei Zhan looked at Fu Zhen, and Fu Zhen nodded.
Pei Zhan then said: "Go wash up first, and change your clothes before coming out."
Then he gestured to Du Mingqian: "You come with me."
Du Mingqian avoided looking at the drenched Fu Zhen and quickly followed.
Fu Zhen also looked at herself, and at that moment, Ziyan and Bixi quickly came out from the inner room: "Young Madam!"
They came up slightly out of breath, who knows how hastily they came out, yet there was no surprise or shock on their faces. One glance and it was clear they knew what was going on and were waiting there for her early on.
"Young Madam, the hot water is ready, and your clothes are brought here, please go into the house to wash up!"
Fu Zhen has been diligently exercising the past few months, coupled with the Liang Family’s ancestral health prescriptions and Mrs. Ning’s baskets of nourishing goods continuously sent for her diligent upkeep, her body has improved significantly and she’s gained weight. Handling these activities is not an issue.
But still, she didn’t dare to be reckless. Being soaked in wet clothes for so long definitely needed to be taken care of urgently.
So she followed Ziyan and the others into the annex chamber behind.
As soon as she entered, she saw everything was indeed prepared, and even steaming midnight snacks were served. She took a bite and said: "Did the General arrange for you to come?"
Ziyan nodded and helped her change clothes: "Before going out, the General instructed us maids to wait until the Young Madam returned before going to bed. Two quarters of an hour ago, the guards suddenly asked us to bring the Young Madam’s clothes to the other courtyard, so we hurried over. Later, Guo Song returned, telling us to quickly prepare hot water, saying the Young Madam would need it upon return. And now, we’ve just made it in time."
At this point, Ziyan tilted her head to glance at Fu Zhen, pursed her lips, and smiled: "Previously, this maid thought the General was a careless person, having eyes only for things outside. I didn’t expect to be so wrong. When it comes to the Young Madam, the General is the most attentive. It’s just that he has too few opportunities to show it. Otherwise, who knows what the General would become."
"Exactly." At this time, Bixi also came up with clothes, "Over at the main house, Yin Shuang and the others gossip every day about how the Great General dotes on his wife. As soon as they see this maid, they shove sunflower seeds into my hand, asking how our General and Young Madam are doing? When will their General and Madam be able to hold a little grandson?
"What grandson! Isn’t this just hitting the sore spot! Who knows that our General and Young Madam haven’t even slept together yet, making this maid too guilty to even accept the sunflower seeds..."
Fu Zhen only asked casually, but look how one by one they kept taking turns, unsurprisingly indifferent to why Fu Zhen was so drenched.
Pei Zhan led Du Mingqian into the back room and first took two sips of tea and changed into dry clothes.
When he came out, Du Mingqian stood up: "Where have you been? Who is the person you brought back? Also, did you know that two hours ago, Xu Yin also took a carriage out of the city?"