Chapter 353 The Suspicious Hearer

“Are you going away? Where will you be going, Your Highness?”

A casual question on Lin Mengya’s part brought a frown to Long Tianyu’s face suddenly, which turned into awkwardness.

“It’s the time of spring that we plow the land, but many places are suffering from calamities. For this reason, the Crown Prince has commanded me to patrol these places to ensure that the plowing starts promptly.”

Lin Mengya nodded as though she understood. Indeed, in times of low productivity during ancient times, the nations relied heavily on springtime plowing and planting for survival.

If this matter was delayed, it would affect the survival of both the nation and her people. One should not take this lightly.

“You’re right, Your Highness. This is indeed an important matter. Do be careful on the way. There would be trouble if the Crown Prince and the queen plot against you, while you’re on your journey.”

She supposed no one would dare to lay a finger on Long Tianyu when he was in the capital city.

Once out of the city, however, it could not be guaranteed. Moreover, there were many places that had been struck by calamity. This would impact Long Tianyu negatively, if he did not handle it well.

This was definitely not a desirable task. Even she thought this was going to be a tough job for him.

“I am aware. Please be on your toes in everything you do when I’m away. Let us talk after I return.”

Long Tianyu had a feeling that deploying him at this moment was a ploy of the Crown Prince to tackle Lin Mengya.

Nevertheless, what the Crown Prince said, did make sense.

Last year, many people fell victim to natural calamities. It was with much effort that they managed to prevent insurrection.

If something were to go wrong with the spring plowing this time, the peaceful situation which had been so carefully preserved, might simply pop like bubbles.

At that time, the peoples’ uproars and riots would shake the foundation of the entire nation.

“I get it. When are you leaving? I’ll instruct Steward Deng to make the necessary preparation for you.”

Lin Mengya tried to hide her worries by breaking into a relaxed smile.

She was keenly aware that in Long Tianyu’s absence, her life might be at risk. Her father and elder brother were both away too, to lead their soldiers to return to the borders.

If Long Tianyu were to leave her now, there would be no one at her side to rely on.

The two persons in the palace were not the only ones who were after her life.

However, at the very least, she had attracted the attention of the high-ranking officials in the court. If she succeeded in developing the antidote for the poison in the emperor’s body, these men would not allow her, an innocent soul, to be sacrificed.

“Don’t worry. It will be a few more days before I leave. I need to make the necessary preparations to reassure the victims.”

Suddenly, Long Tianyu gazed at Lin Mengya with tenderness in his eyes.

He would love, if possible, that she be free from any worries and anxieties.

“Hm, I understand.”

Lin Mengya returned his look with the same tenderness and gentleness. In fact, she could take the opportunity while Long Tianyu was away from the capital city, to work in her Sanjue Hall.

It was said that Sanjue Hall was gradually building up its reputation in the surrounding areas of the capital city, because of its progress.

More thought should be put into it, if it were to expand further.

In the evening, as Lin Mengya was reading in the Liuxin Courtyard, she was simultaneously listening to the exchange of information gathered by the girls.

The information was really only gossip regarding things that happened in the mansion and about Concubine De.

Lin Mengya could tell that Concubine De was much more well-behaved since her return this time. She no longer tried to make trouble for Lin Mengya, or sent men to make her life difficult.

At this moment, Lin Mengya was a hundred percent certain that the woman in the Art Courtyard was not the original Concubine De.

Likewise, Long Tianyu ought to have noticed. Was it even possible for an intelligent man like him to not recognize his own mother?

He had allowed her to remain initially so that the queen would be used to this situation. Secondly, he wanted to extract information about the real Concubine De. Otherwise, he would have seized her and interrogated her harshly, given Long Tianyu’s character.

“I heard that the Art Courtyard had been rather quiet recently. I have not seen Yun Ruo for quite some time now. She used to be Concubine De’s favorite maidservant, always by her side. Strangely she was nowhere to be seen during this period when Concubine De is not feeling well.”

Not one gossip within the mansion could escape Baizhi when she was around.

The table was heaped with the dried nuts and snacks she brought back from outside. She had stuffed her mouth with so much of the food, that she looked like a chipmunk.

The other two girls were used to her ways.

“Even so, I can see that Yun Ruo is not a person who remains within her boundaries. On one occasion last year when I was chatting with the women working in the kitchen, they told me that Yun Ruo demanded a bowl of birdnest every day to nourish her skin. She was abusing the fact that she was favored by Concubine De. She even asked for red birdnest. When she was told that the red birdnest in the mansion is served only to our master and Concubine De, she became furious and had them sent from Concubine De. I perceive that Concubine De treats her better than the prince.”

Baishao’s tone was that of disdain. Although it was meant to be gossip, it seemed to bring back memories to Lin Mengya, when Baishao’s words entered her ears.

She would have put this behind her, if not for Baishao’s words.

Sometime back, when Yun Ruo was serving at Concubine De’s side, she was as good as the most important person in the home.

Lin Mengya thought Yun Ruo was an old acquaintance of Concubine De in the palace, but from Long Tianyu’s reaction, she could easily tell that Yun Ruo was new to them.

How could she have obtained favor to such an extent that she could eat the precious red birdnest, when she had just arrived to be Concubine De’s maid.

“The red birdnest did not amount to much. I heard from the servants doing the laundry that the clothes Yun Ruo wore were made of fine cotton. Even our master only has a few pieces of clothing made of the same material.”

Baizhi claimed, pinching her nose. Apparently, she did not have a good impression of Yun Ruo.

All the people in the Liuxin Courtyard were aligned in their views anyway. It was only natural that all of them loathed the people in the Art Courtyard.

“Aren’t the garments made from fine cotton offered only to the royalties? Our master only received three to four rolls of the fabric as gifts from the palace during the new year.” Even Concubine De received only five rolls of such fabric. There was not enough to reward others with the fabric. Concubine De was exceptionally kind to her to have gifted her with the fabric for clothes.”

The three girls laughed playfully, but they were in no way envious of her.

Yun Ruo was only eating and wearing better things than them. They, on the other hand, occupied an important place in their master’s heart.

At the very least, the monthly bonus they received from the medical hall would make them wealthy ladies.

A few rolls of fabric were no way comparable to Lin Mengya’s confidence in them.

“Baiji, will you fetch me those pieces of my clothing that were made from the fine cotton? I want to have a look at them.”

Putting down the book in her hand, Lin Mengya instructed clearly.

Lin Mengya had been perplexed by this matter all along.

If the queen had taken Concubine De captive, how could she make sure that this impersonator would not be exposed?

Come to think of it, the queen and Concubine De had been arch-rivals for many years.

The queen would know Concubine De even better than Long Tianyu, her own son, would.

If because of carelessness on her part she was exposed by Long Tianyu, all her plans and past efforts would come to nothing.

From another angle, if Lin Mengya were the queen, she would have to look for someone who was very familiar with Concubine De’s mannerisms, so that people would not see through this fraud. In addition, she also had to be someone whom the queen could confide in, so she could be a spy at Concubine De’s side.

This person was none other than Yun Ruo.

However, Yun Ruo’s mannerism was nothing like any other maidservant. She was either extremely humble or extremely supercilious.

She made people feel that her respectful mannerism was tinted with disdain.

Her fake smiles gave people the creeps.

What kind of a role did she play before the queen?

“Master, you have three pieces of clothing made from fine cotton. Here they are.”

While Lin Mengya was pondering over this matter, Baiji had quickly fetched the few pieces of clothing for her.

All three pieces of clothing were meant to be worn at the beginning of spring. The first was a purplish-rose colored long gown printed with a magic lotus flower pattern and the other two were dresses embroidered with peach flowers, that were in the colors of a pomegranate.

The material shone with brilliant colors even under the dim lights.

Lin Mengya reached out to touch the material.

It was said that the raw materials used for such fine linen were carefully selected. Not only was the surface completely smooth to the touch like the surface of the water, but the fabric was also even softer than human skin.

It was not surprising that the royal family members and relatives appreciated such fine fabric.

However, if what Yun Ruo was wearing was indeed gifted to her by Concubine De, the tailor in the mansion would have an impression of it.

“Baishao, will you inquire about this from the mansion’s tailor? Was what Yun Ruo was wearing given to her by Concubine De? Baiji, please go to the Art Courtyard to find out where Concubine De kept the five rolls of fine cotton fabric and if she had taken them out.”

Lin Mengya had a feeling that Yun Ruo was not an ordinary character.

Even if she used to serve by the queen’s side, she was definitely not someone common.

If the queen had revealed to Lin Mengya the real identity of Concubine De that night, it would not be simply to appease the enmity between them.

The disappearance of Yu Ruo could only mean two things.

Firstly, Yun Ruo had definitely been sent by the queen. Since the queen realized that Lin Mengya had found out the truth, sooner or later, Long Tianyu would learn the truth.

For this reason, Yun Ruo, who was working for the queen, would have either gone home or have been completely eradicated from the world.

That, of course, would be the best outcome.

Nevertheless, the latter was making Lin Mengya uneasy.

It would imply that the reason the queen devised this fraud concerning Concubine De was not simply to pin Long Tianyu down. There had to be another purpose.

For example, she was aiming to gain something—

If Yun Ruo were to disappear at this moment, did it mean the queen had achieved what she had set out to do?

Lin Mengya began to fret at this thought.

However, she quickly calmed herself down.

Long Tianyu was no dimwit. If Yun Ruo had come for him, he would have sensed it.

Moreover, nothing would be hidden from them, given that Concubine De had been in the palace for a long time.

Perhaps she was just being paranoid!