Chapter 982: Chapter 986, The Beginning of Suspicion (Part 1)
Chong Ling and Chunqiu immediately accompanied Nalan Jinlian out of the Lotus Garden.
She felt unfamiliar with this residence, having no sense of direction whatsoever.
Because of this, although Nalan Jinlian didn’t express it, she began to have suspicions in her heart.
Logically speaking, even with memory loss, one’s own home should still feel familiar; knowing whether to turn left or right at a particular spot should be instinctive. Yet, she didn’t have that awareness.
There was too much confusion.
Chong Ling and Chunqiu seemed to be quite familiar with this mansion.
The maids and old women in the residence would call them "sister" when they saw them, and were even more respectful towards Nalan Jinlian.
"Greetings, Miss!"
Nalan Jinlian nodded to indicate that formalities were unnecessary.
Soon they reached Nalan Bo’s courtyard, where a young woman in blue clothing came out, "Maid Hanxiao greets the Miss. Earlier, the master was thinking about Miss, and now she’s come, truly showing the profound connection between father and daughter!"
Nalan Jinlian lightly nodded.
Though Hanxiao spoke quite a bit, she didn’t feel much.
Firstly, Hanxiao’s words were excessive, and secondly, she didn’t feel any deep connection or tacit understanding with her father.
Although Nalan Jinlian’s expression was calm, Hanxiao’s smile did not fade, "Miss, this way please, the master is in the study!"
Upon entering Nalan Bo’s study, she found rows of bookshelves already empty, with many items missing, clearly packed into boxes.
"Jinlian’s here, come and see how your father’s painting is!" Nalan Bo looked up and smiled.
Nalan Jinlian stepped forward and looked at Nalan Bo’s Snow Plum Blossom Painting.
"It has significant character and is quite commendable!"
Nalan Bo paused slightly.
He hadn’t expected Nalan Jinlian to say it had character; he thought she wouldn’t understand.
"I just feel somehow dissatisfied, yet can’t tell where it’s wrong!" Nalan Bo paused with the brush, unable to proceed.
"Why not let me try, Father?"
Upon hearing this, Nalan Bo handed the brush to Nalan Jinlian, who quickly sketched a few strokes, turning the once-spirited plum blossoms in the snow into ones with resolute, iron-like qualities.
"Marvelous, marvelous indeed!" Nalan Bo involuntarily praised, "How about Jinlian contributing a poem?"
Nalan Jinlian pondered for a moment before writing, "Shuofeng understands deeply, never easily damaged!"
"What a fine ’Shuofeng understands deeply, never easily damaged,’ truly matching the sentiment, and the handwriting is extremely good!" Nalan Bo praised.
His heart suddenly tightened.
Such an alluring appearance, with an insightful and sophisticated mind—whose family’s daughter is she?
Yet the prince went to great lengths to send her here, making her his daughter, just to give her a legitimate identity.
For an identity, it must be a principal wife. If it were for a concubine or a lady, they wouldn’t go to such lengths.
Nalan Jinlian smiled lightly.
Thinking that although Lotus Garden had the Four Treasures of the Study, it didn’t have a single painting or word she left behind.
Even if they were returning to the Imperial Capital, they wouldn’t clear everything so cleanly and neatly.
Nalan Jinlian found it increasingly strange.
Once the seed of doubt is planted, she would closely observe and think deeply.
Nalan Jinlian herself hadn’t realized that she didn’t trust anyone in this Nalan Residence.
"You’ve come at a good time; I have something to tell you!"
"Listening respectfully to Father’s teachings!"
Nalan Bo laughed, "It’s not any kind of instruction, but about your mother!"
"Mother?"
"Indeed..." Nalan Bo said, taking a deep breath, his gaze slightly adrift, speaking softly, "Back then, because of Mingzhu’s mother, your mother resided in the rear courtyard wing as an act of anger towards me, ignoring all the matters of the residence. Now that we’re about to return to the Imperial Capital, you should persuade her to move back to the main courtyard!"
Despite being deeply unwilling and reluctant.
At this moment, there was no choice but for Nalan Bo to compromise.
He even had to portray deep affection between husband and wife in front of Nalan Jinlian, displaying an immensely noble demeanor.