GBP Chapter 642 Inviting the Grand Tutor to His Residence for a Visit (Part 1)
Chapter 642 Inviting the Grand Tutor to His Residence for a Visit (Part 1)
The next day, Su Lingyue took Cai Die and A Jing to the He residence. The two guards driving the carriage were specially arranged by Xiao Yu.
The white silk and lanterns were no longer in the He residence, but upon entering, Su Lingyue could clearly sense that the atmosphere was different from before; it was a dull and lifeless silence.
The maids and servants we encountered along the way were all in a hurry, with no smiles on their faces.
Mrs. Xu came out to greet her.
"Welcome, Your Highness." Madam Xu bowed to Su Lingyue with a composed smile on her face.
Su Lingyue smiled and said, "Madam, you may excuse yourself. I've come to see Wan Ning. Would you mind announcing my arrival?"
Mrs. Xu smiled and said, "Of course."
He turned around and instructed the maid to inform the servant.
Su Lingyue recalled Xiao Yu's instructions, suppressed her smile, and said, "The rumors outside today have also been heard by the Prince and me. I wonder how the Grand Tutor is doing? There are many things going on in the court right now, and the Prince is very worried about the Grand Tutor."
Madam Xu said, "My father was already quite old, and he fell ill because of my sister-in-law's matter. Fortunately, His Majesty sent an imperial physician to take care of him, and he is fine now, but he still needs to rest in bed for a while."
"After seeing Wan Ning, may I go see the Grand Tutor?"
After thinking for a moment, Madam Xu said, "You should ask my father. Your Highness, please allow me to inform him."
Su Lingyue smiled and nodded, "Thank you for your trouble."
She didn't have to wait long in the hall before Qiuwen came to greet her personally.
"Your Highness, the young mistress requests your presence." Qiuwen curtsied and then bowed slightly to Madam Xu.
Madam Xu smiled and instructed her, "Serve the Princess well. Bring her whatever tea or water she needs, and don't neglect her."
"Yes, ma'am."
*
On the way to Qinfang Courtyard, Su Lingyue asked Qiuwen, "How was Young Master He today? Did he come to Qinfang Courtyard?"
Qiuwen's voice was filled with undisguised disgust and aversion as she said, "He came here yesterday and knelt outside the bedroom. The young mistress never agreed to let him in. He knelt for more than an hour, but perhaps he found it boring and left."
Hearing Qiuwen say this, Su Lingyue fully understood Qin Wanning's attitude.
She was determined to divorce He Yulin.
When Su Lingyue arrived at the bedroom, Qin Wanning was still resting in bed. Upon seeing Su Lingyue, a smile immediately bloomed on Qin Wanning's face. "Yue'er, you've come! I thought the Prince had taken a liking to you and wouldn't let you leave the manor for some time."
Su Lingyue smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed, placing her delicate fingers on Qin Wanning's wrist, and said, "There was turmoil in the capital today, and the Prince arranged for several guards to accompany me before letting me out."
"I'm truly happy for you that the Prince dotes on you." Qin Wanning smiled faintly, but there was a hint of disappointment and sorrow in her eyes.
When she first heard that Yue'er was marrying into the Prince Su's mansion, and that the Prince Su had a notorious reputation, she was extremely worried. She feared that the Prince Su would harm Yue'er and that Yue'er would suffer after marrying into the mansion.
She and He Yulin had been married for two years and were very happy at the time. Who could have imagined that their circumstances would turn around?
Her relationship with He Yulin started so beautifully, but it ended up like this.
Su Lingyue carefully examined Qin Wanning's pulse, and after a moment, she relaxed her brows and teased Qin Wanning, "Your body is a bit weak. These days, eat more of the He family's tonics. In any case, you need to take good care of your body before Uncle Qin and the others return so that you can travel such a long distance."
"Okay." Qin Wanning responded softly, and tears welled up in her eyes as if she were thinking of her family and what she was going through now.
If her family were all in the capital, they would never dare to treat her like this.
If she can leave Beijing successfully this time, she will never want to return to this place full of intrigue and scheming again in her life.
Qin Wanning took Su Lingyue's hand, hiding the tears in her eyes, and said, "It is my greatest fortune to have met Yue'er in the capital and become friends with her for so many years. Yue'er, thank you."
Su Lingyue originally wanted to tease Qin Wanning, but after hearing her sentimental words, she couldn't help but feel sad, and her eyes also became moist.
If Qin Wanning can successfully get a divorce this time and return to the Western Region, then this will be the last time they spend together.
Qin Wanning lived happily with her parents in the Western Territory, while she and Xiao Yu lay eternally asleep underground.
Su Lingyue rushed over and hugged Qin Wanning. "Wanning, when we return to the Western Territory, you must write to me often, okay?"
Qin Wanning hugged Su Lingyue back, embracing her tightly, resting her chin on Su Lingyue's shoulder and nodding gently, "Yes, you too, you must write to me."
Su Lingyue stayed with Qin Wanning for most of the hour, leaving behind the tonics she had brought, before returning to the main hall.
The Xu family was waiting there.
"Madam, would the Grand Tutor be willing to see me?"
Madam Xu smiled and nodded, "My father is waiting for the Princess in the room, but he is still unable to get out of bed. I hope the Princess will understand."
In Feihong Hall's bedroom, Grand Tutor He leaned against soft pillows, his almost gray hair appearing even thinner.
After Su Lingyue entered, he gave a slight bow to Grand Tutor He and asked, "Grand Tutor, did I disturb your rest?"
Grand Tutor He's eyes, which had been lowered, lifted slightly when he saw Su Lingyue, but his voice was still weak: "This old minister has not seen outsiders for a long time. I am naturally delighted that the princess has come to see this old minister."
After saying that, he instructed Madam Xu, who was standing to the side, "Prepare a seat for the Princess."
Madam Xu brought over a stool, and Su Lingyue sat down without any ceremony, saying, "Although His Highness is bedridden, he still cares about the court and the country. His Highness said that the Grand Tutor is a veteran of three reigns and the cornerstone of the Great Ning court, and asked me to come and see the Grand Tutor on his behalf."
Grand Tutor He thought about the current state of the court and the situation in his own household. He felt that he had spent his whole life teaching and educating people, but he had failed to manage the affairs of his household properly, which led to the chaos that had ensued.
He sighed, “Your Highness is kind. But I am already over seventy years old, and I am afraid that my days are numbered. Even if I have the will, I am powerless.”
Madam Xu, who was waiting nearby, heard him say this and quickly smiled and scolded him, "Father is just tired from a short time. He will get better after resting for a while. May you live a long and healthy life!"
Grand Tutor He looked up at his second daughter-in-law and felt a little gratified. At least not everyone in the household was a fool; there were still some who could understand things. As long as his second daughter-in-law was there, this household would at least not fall apart until the next generation.
"I'll try to live a few more years so I can see my grandchildren grow up a bit more."
After exchanging pleasantries, Su Lingyue said to Grand Tutor He, "Grand Tutor, you know that the Prince is unwell. However, there are some matters that the Prince wishes to discuss with you, matters concerning the stability of the nation. If possible, I would like to invite you to my residence for a discussion."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu hurriedly smiled apologetically and tried to stop her, "Your Highness, you are really asking too much of us. How can Father go out in his condition?"
On the surface, it does seem a bit inhumane, but Su Lingyue knows that while He Taifu's condition is partly due to physical ailments, it is mostly caused by mental illness.
If it concerns the fate of the nation, he certainly wouldn't stand idly by.
Sure enough, after a moment's thought, Grand Tutor He said to Su Lingyue, "This old minister has been lying down long enough. It's time to go out for a walk. Tomorrow, I'll go see Your Highness tomorrow morning."
Having accomplished the task assigned by Xiao Yu, Su Lingyue was naturally very happy, but she still did not forget Xiao Yu's instructions, "Grand Tutor, Madam, this matter is of great importance. If others ask, the Grand Tutor must tell the outside world that he went to visit."
Grand Tutor He nodded, "This old minister understands, Your Highness, please rest assured."
Xu nodded in agreement.
*
Back at the Prince's residence, Su Lingyue hugged Xiao Yu and said coquettishly, "I have successfully completed everything Your Highness instructed. Will Your Highness reward me?"
Feeling the most intimate caresses, Xiao Yu smiled faintly and asked, "What reward does Yue'er want?"
Upon hearing this, Su Lingyue immediately distanced herself from Xiao Yu, her expectant gaze meeting Xiao Yu's deep eyes. "What does Your Highness want to say to the Grand Tutor? Can you tell me?"
If Xiao Yu wanted to tell the Grand Tutor something, he could have Su Lingyue relay it. If he was still worried, he could have Yan Qing write a letter, which she would then deliver to the Grand Tutor.
But Xiao Yu didn't have any of those.
He didn't want anyone except Grand Tutor He to know about this.
Su Lingyue was not only curious, but also very worried.
What exactly is it that prevents Xiao Yu from telling Yan Qing and her?
When someone keeps a secret in their heart for a long time, they will inevitably get tired. Su Lingyue wanted to be the one who could share that burden with them.
Xiao Yu lowered his eyes and gazed intently at Su Lingyue.
Su Lingyue thought Xiao Yu was going to tell her, but to her surprise, he gently curled his lips and teased her with a playful look in his eyes, "I knew you little thing would be driven by curiosity and couldn't help but ask, but your husband won't tell you!"
"you!"
Su Lingyue pouted in annoyance, but seeing the amusement in Xiao Yu's eyes, she became angry and bit Xiao Yu's neck.
But she still couldn't bring herself to use force, only sucking on the soft flesh of Xiao Yu's neck, and mumbled, "I'm not curious, I won't tell you!"