Wei Yun asked Liuxing to find out who Xiao Yun would spend the night with. Liuxing quietly went towards Kangping Courtyard.
Xiao Yun was naturally in the main house, accompanying Wang Qingyao and the children. Huang Shiyu and Bian Siyue were also present.
Liuxing peeked around the doorway.
The maid on duty that day was Yin Zhu.
Since it was the day Xiao Yun was taking a concubine, even though Xiao Yun hadn't gone to Linglong Courtyard, people from Linglong Courtyard couldn't help but come looking.
Therefore, as soon as Wei Yun entered, Yin Zhu volunteered to guard the door.
With her here, no ghosts or monsters could get in.
Seeing an unfamiliar maid, she immediately guessed she was from Concubine Wei's side. Her eyes narrowed, and she sternly asked, "What are you doing lurking around? Which courtyard's maid are you?"
This wasn't the first time Liuxing had done such a thing. Back in the Grand Tutor's mansion, Wei Yun often sent her to inquire about the movements of the mistresses in various courtyards to gather firsthand information.
Each courtyard had a few unfavored, neglected maids. Those on door duty or sweeping fell into this category.
They usually harbored many grievances and urgently needed to vent. With a little favor, they would immediately become your confidantes.
When Yin Zhu questioned her, Liuxing immediately thought that her words were full of resentment because her duty was not going smoothly, making her an easy target.
So, she smiled sweetly and said, "Hello, sister. I'm from Linglong Pavilion. You can call me Liuxing."
Indeed, she was from Linglong Pavilion. Yin Zhu looked at her disdainfully.
She dared to come to the main wife's residence to ask for someone on her first day in the mansion. She was too bold.
Was she relying on someone's backing and no longer putting their Princess Consort in her eyes?
Yin Zhu's mind raced through countless scenarios. She found Liuxing increasingly displeasing. She raised her chin and asked, "What do you want?"
Liuxing was sharp. She continued to smile sweetly and said, "It's nothing. My mistress just married into the estate today and isn't familiar with the surroundings, so she sent me to look around. This is a small token of my mistress's regard for the young ladies of the estate. I won't enter your courtyard, so please trouble you to distribute it to everyone."
This move truly surprised Yin Zhu.
She wasn't here for the Prince?
As Liuxing spoke, she untied her purse and poured a handful of gold ingots into Yin Zhu's hand.
Hmph, quite generous, wasn't she?
But did she even know whose maid Yin Zhu was?
Could a maid from the Xiao family, the wealthiest in Da Sheng, be bought with such a trifle?
Although Yin Zhu disdained this small amount, on the principle of "if it's free, take it," she coughed lightly and wrapped the gold ingots in a handkerchief before tucking them into her embrace.
"Then thank you. I'll distribute them to the sisters in the courtyard later," Yin Zhu said indifferently, showing no sign of being swayed by the gift.
Liuxing assumed she was naturally cold and proud and didn't mind her attitude. She was confident that after her investment, the gatekeeping maid must be overjoyed and willing to tell her anything.
So, she stepped closer, acting friendly, and smiled, "Sister, it must be hot standing guard here, right? Actually, it's late now, and the Prince is back. Not many people are coming and going, so it wouldn't hurt for you to rest a bit."
Yin Zhu glanced at her, remaining silent. She thought, "Heh, her true colors are finally showing. She really came for the Prince, can't hold back, can she?"
Liuxing, however, thought that Wang Qingyao was fierce, and the maids were afraid, so they dared not slack off and chat with her. Thus, she added, "Princess Consort gave birth to two children at once. Everyone must be very happy, right? You'll receive plenty of celebratory money, won't you?"
Yin Zhu finally spoke, "Indeed, it's quite a lot. What, do you want to share in the good fortune?"
"I don't have that kind of luck," Liuxing said with a smile. "It's your Kangping Courtyard maids who are fortunate. The Prince and Princess Consort both care for their subordinates. By the way, Princess Consort must be resting now, right?"
Yin Zhu couldn't figure out what Concubine Wei's maid was trying to inquire about indirectly. She followed her lead and said, "Yes, she's resting. If you need to see Princess Consort, you'll probably have to wait until morning."
"I don't have anything urgent," Liuxing continued to smile. "I'm just asking. Princess Consort is in confinement, so it's only natural for her to rest early. However, since Princess Consort is resting so early, I wonder who is attending to the Prince right now?"
Liuxing asked this question clearly, but her tone and demeanor were casual, making one inadvertently lower their guard.
However, Yin Zhu was no ordinary person. She was the most capable maid by Prince Ding'an's side.
Upon hearing this, she really wanted to boast to Liuxing. Although their Princess Consort was in confinement, the Prince accompanied her every night. Even when she was pregnant, the Prince stayed with the Princess Consort and didn't seek out anyone else.
However, Yin Zhu swallowed the words that were about to come out. Her eyes rolled a few times, and she said, "Oh, it's Madam Bian."
"Madam Bian!" Liuxing pressed on. "When Princess Consort is indisposed, does she attend to him more often? I heard there were originally two other madams, but they later fell ill and were sent to the countryside..."
Yin Zhu sneered. Hmph, she was quite well-informed.
"It's not that Madam Bian attends to him more often; it's that she's been the only one attending to him from the very beginning."
"Ah?" Liuxing was greatly astonished.