Chapter 144: The Child Trapped in the Wall Cavity

Qin Wanru and Shui Ruolan followed the matron, winding through several covered corridors until they reached a courtyard. The matron went inside to announce their arrival, while Qin Wanru and Shui Ruolan waited under the veranda.

Before long, the matron returned with a smile and invited them in.

Qin Wanru followed closely behind Shui Ruolan, walking in with her gaze lowered, her eyes fixed on her nose and her nose on her mouth.

There were quite a few maids and matrons standing in neat rows along both sides of the room, yet not a sound was heard. It was evident that the rules and discipline in the Grand Princess Rui'an's estate were exceptionally strict.

With so many people inside the room, only the sound of breathing could be heard.

Upon reaching the inner chamber, Shui Ruolan first curtsied to the Grand Princess Rui'an, who was seated on the main couch, and Qin Wanru immediately stepped forward to follow suit.

"Do sit down!" The Grand Princess Rui'an looked at Qin Wanru with a gentle smile and beckoned her forward. Qin Wanru took two steps closer and prepared to curtsy again, but the Grand Princess reached out and stopped her.

"Sit right here!" The Grand Princess pulled Qin Wanru close to her. Mama Gao hurriedly brought over a small tea table, and Qin Wanru sat down on it right at the Grand Princess's feet, creating a remarkably intimate scene.

"Well now, did you have a spat with the young lady of the Marquis Yongkang's estate?" The Grand Princess Rui'an had already been informed of the earlier incident, and she asked with a smiling expression.

Qin Wanru's small face drooped, her dark eyes fluttering for a moment, but she honestly nodded without offering any defense for herself.

"Does the eldest miss of your household dislike you?" The Grand Princess reached out and gently stroked Qin Wanru's soft hair, feeling that this child truly suited her tastes. Her obedient and honest demeanor was simply endearing.

"I wasn't born to First Sister's mother, and I have no blood relation to the Marquis Yongkang's estate!" Qin Wanru lowered her head, a trace of despondency in her expression.

"Who is your biological mother?" The Grand Princess tilted her head to look at Shui Ruolan, feeling that the resemblance was lacking.

"I don't know who my biological mother is!" Qin Wanru's head dropped even lower, so that from the Grand Princess's angle, only the crown of her head was visible.

"Why don't you know?" the Grand Princess asked in astonishment. It was not uncommon for a biological mother to be someone else; many men recorded children born to other women under the name of their primary wife to give their offspring legitimate status.

"But I truly don't know. It seems as though... no one ever mentions my biological mother!" Qin Wanru shook her head, her voice tinged with bitterness.

"Madam Qin, why is the child's biological mother a taboo subject?" The Grand Princess clearly misinterpreted the meaning and turned to Shui Ruolan in puzzlement.

"Grand Princess, this wife truly does not know either... This wife was not in the Qin residence back then," Shui Ruolan said with a hint of shame.

"Surely people in the household would discuss this lady, wouldn't they?" The Grand Princess sensed that there was more to the story. How could no one ever mention the child's biological mother unless someone was deliberately suppressing it?

"Previously, I didn't even know I had a biological mother. I always thought Madam Di was my mother, but she harmed me time and again, which compelled me to investigate. Only then did I discover Madam Di was not my birth mother, which is why she single-mindedly tried to shift the blame onto me for Eldest Sister's sake."

Qin Wanru spoke frankly. Her voice was not loud, carrying the grievances of a young girl, but it was clear enough for the Grand Princess to hear every word.

"This child... another soul lacking love and care!" The Grand Princess heighed a sigh, her expression turning listless. The Grand Princess, who had originally looked quite youthful, suddenly seemed to age several years in an instant.

"Your Highness, a child like this is sensible. Look at the Second Miss Qin; at a glance, she is entirely sensible, and her temperament is much better than that of ordinary aristocratic misses." Mama Gao's words carried a profound meaning. Qin Wanru blinked, seemingly sensing something, though she could not quite grasp it for the moment.

"I only hope Hao'er is the same!" The Grand Princess sighed again, reaching out to stroke Qin Wanru's hair once more. "This child is indeed well-behaved. What a pity she lacks a mother to look after her!"

"Grand Princess, I have a mother now. Mother is exceptionally good to me, and it was partly because of me that she married Father. Originally, Mother even intended to live a life devoted to the Buddha's lamp and ancient scriptures." Qin Wanru raised her head and smiled at Shui Ruolan.

Her small face blossomed with a radiant smile, yet thinking of her background only made her seem all the more pitiful.

The Grand Princess found the child increasingly pleasing to the eye, and by extension, she looked upon Shui Ruolan with greater favor as well. Originally, she had invited Shui Ruolan merely as an afterthought on Qin Wanru's account, but upon hearing the backstory of Shui Ruolan's marriage into the Qin family, she nodded repeatedly and approvingly toward Shui Ruolan in secret.

Shui Ruolan possessed a quiet temperament. Having spent all these years secluded in the inner courtyards of the Qin residence, she rarely socialized and was not particularly eloquent. Yet simply sitting quietly to the side, with an appearance that blended delicate refinement with gentleness, she conveyed to everyone the impression of a person of noble and kind disposition.

"If you ever need anything in the future, just come directly to me!" The Grand Princess smiled gently at Shui Ruolan.

Though Qin Wanru had not spoken at length, the Grand Princess naturally understood the underlying implications. She immediately realized that Shui Ruolan's marriage into the Qin family likely involved hidden circumstances, and knowing that Shui Ruolan had entered the household precisely to care for Qin Wanru, she could not help but feel a growing sense of compassion toward her.

"Many thanks, Grand Princess!" Overwhelmed with emotion, Shui Ruolan stood up and offered another deep bow to the Grand Princess. Though inept at socializing, she knew full well that the Grand Princess intended to support her.

Having no solid foundation of her own and relying solely on the Old Dowager, gaining the backing of the Grand Princess was undoubtedly a monumental pillar of support.

She also understood that this was the greatest act of kindness the Grand Princess could bestow upon her.

"Your Highness, the time is nearly right. Would you like to go out and keep company with a few esteemed elder madams who rarely venture out?" Seeing that the Grand Princess's mood had improved somewhat, Mama Gao smiled as she glanced at the sky outside and suggested.

"Has the one from the Duke Xingguo's estate arrived yet?" The Grand Princess nodded and prepared to rise, but paused halfway, her face sinking.

Mama Gao, well aware of her mistress's emotional knots, tactfully smiled and steered the conversation away from the topic most likely to displease the Grand Princess. "Your Highness, Young Master Hao, whom you adore the most, has also arrived."

"Really? Where is he?" The Grand Princess's expression lit up with excitement as she tapped the armrest of her chair. "Quickly, bring him over here so I can see him!"

"I'm afraid... he is still outside right now. It's not as simple as just summoning him over whenever one pleases!" Mama Gao replied evasively.

"Hmph, it's that old hag again! Didn't she refuse to acknowledge him back then? Now she clings to him as tightly as can be. If it weren't for..." Here, the Grand Princess's face flushed with evident anger. "Come, I will go see Hao'er myself to check how he has been lately and whether anyone has been bullying him!"

With these words, the Grand Princess stood up.

"It is still early. The two of you may go stroll casually in the garden for a while; I shall have someone fetch you shortly!" Having taken two brisk steps, the Grand Princess suddenly remembered Qin Wanru and Shui Ruolan, turned back, and instructed them.

"Yes, Grand Princess!" Qin Wanru and Shui Ruolan rose together to respectfully send the Grand Princess off.

After the Grand Princess departed, Qin Wanru and Shui Ruolan strolled leisurely through the garden. Along the way, many madams and young misses could be seen enjoying the scenery.

Finding herself tired after walking for a while, Shui Ruolan was led by Qin Wanru to a pavilion to rest. Qin Wanru herself felt no fatigue; having frequently scaled courtyard walls back in the Qin residence, her physical stamina was quite good, and after walking this much, she felt no exhaustion. Instead, filled with high spirits, she continued on her walk.

Yujie was not tired either, as her physical strength naturally surpassed that of ordinary people. Finding the sights amusing—the Princess's estate was magnificent and filled with picturesque scenery everywhere—the mistress and maid ventured further and further away.

Before they knew it, they had wandered far from the crowds.

Passing through another moon gate and rounding an exquisite artificial hill, Qin Wanru looked up to see several osmanthus trees planted against the wall. The trees emitted waves of fragrance, with tiny yellow blossoms scattering across the grass below, accompanied by a cluster of waist-high shrubs and a few scattered stones arranged artfully about.

Even a small corner of the courtyard was imbued with a unique charm, reflecting exquisite craftsmanship.

"Hey, who are you? Give me a hand!" Just as Qin Wanru was gazing intently, she suddenly heard a child's voice by her ear. It was impossible to tell whether it belonged to a boy or a girl, but she knew it was a young child. Surprised, she lowered her head and searched left and right; yet when she had passed by just now, she had seen no children around.

"Where are you looking? Over here! Are you blind? I'm right here, do you see me?" The voice grew a trifle louder and tinged with annoyance. Qin Wanru blinked in bewilderment and followed the sound, only to find a jade-carved little boy lying in the grass behind the bushes. He appeared to be about six or seven years old, and a pair of fluttering, large eyes made him look instantly adorable.

However, his expression at the moment was rather sullen, and seeing Qin Wanru approach, he showed no politeness whatsoever.

"Come over and pull me out! I need to get through!" The little boy patted the grass beside him and said impatiently.

Taking a closer look, Qin Wanru realized that the boy wasn't simply lying in the grass; rather, he seemed to have tried crawling through a hole in the wall and had gotten stuck. Looking from the high wall to the trapped boy, Qin Wanru could not help but burst into a laugh.

"Hey, what are you laughing at? Be careful or I'll tell my grandmother and have you beaten to death!" The boy's face flushed red. He gritted his teeth, glared hatefully at Qin Wanru, and put on a fierce expression while slapping the grass hard with his hand—like a lively little beast, baring its claws yet possessing no real threat.

"Why are you so impolite?" Qin Wanru asked with a smile as she crouched down.

"None of your business! Whose family are you, anyway? What business is it of yours!" The boy's expression suddenly darkened, and he glared angrily at Qin Wanru like a combative rooster.

"Hey, why are you talking like that? Our young miss spoke to you properly, yet you are so rude! What kind of upbringing is that, so utterly poor!"

Yujie walked over as well. Seeing such a pretty and lovable child, she decided to tease him too.

"You... do you have a death wish?" the boy said coldly. Grabbing a pebble from beside him, he threw it directly toward Qin Wanru's head without a second thought, cursing as he did so, "Whether I have an upbringing is none of your business! Even without one, I'm better than the likes of you. Daring to bully me—I'll have my grandmother and maternal grandmother beat you to death!"