The next morning, Yin Hui rose early with Wei Luo and, as she combed her hair, instructed Jinzhan to prepare the carriage.
Wei Luo glanced over and inquired, “Heading out again today?”
Yin Hui realized that Wei Luo was aware of her recent departure from the house. It was true that such matters couldn’t be concealed from him. The arrangements for carriage and horses had to be entrusted to An Shun’er, who was the most loyal to Wei Luo. Thus, Wei Luo must have been informed. Wei Luo , on the other hand, hadn’t questioned her about why she had left the mansion that day, likely assuming it was merely her monthly visit to Jinxiu.
Yin Hui turned to face him, her expression anxious, and spoke in a hushed tone, “Last time, there was an incident at the bun store, and today I’m heading to Jinxiu. Is that okay?”
Wei Luo remained silent.
Yin Hui pouted, hoping her familiar ploy would work with Wei Luo. Whenever she had employed it with her grandfather, he had indulged her. Wei Luo, wearing a stern expression, looked away without saying a word.
His silence was taken as consent by Yin Hui, who smiled and resumed combing her hair.
Outside the Donghua Gate, An Shun’er had cleverly arranged her carriage, anticipating that the lady and the third master would leave at the same time.
Unfortunately, neither Yin Hui nor Wei Luo could have predicted their unfortunate timing. As the couple exited the East Sixth Hall and arrived at the central alleyway dividing the front palace from King Yan’s harem, King Yan himself emerged from Qinzheng Hall, heading in the direction of Donghua Gate.
Yin Hui nervously glanced at Wei Luo, who stood still.
In the early morning light, the young couple stood side by side, one looking composed, the other appearing somewhat uneasy.
When King Yan drew closer, they saluted him in unison, then Wei Luo inquired, “Father, are you leaving?”
Yan Wang responded, “Yes, I’m going to the guard house for a visit. Join me.”
His gaze briefly passed over Yin Hui’s face and quickly averted. He refrained from asking any questions.
King Yan strode ahead with long steps, and Wei Luo followed him composedly.
Yin Hui had a difficult time keeping up with them while maintaining her composure. Losing her decorum would only worsen her father-in-law’s impression of her. Thus, by the time she reached the Donghua Gate, both King Yan and his son had already ridden away.
Yin Hui entered her carriage with Jinzhan.
Jinzhan clutched her chest, her heart racing, and said to Yin Hui as if her life depended on it, “Madam, in the future, let’s use the north gate. Don’t be too eager. You won’t meet the king by using the north gate.”
Yin Hui feigned composure, replying, “My lord didn’t say anything.”
In reality, she was quite concerned about whether her father-in-law would scold Wei Luo for allowing her to frequently leave, and whether Wei Luo would subsequently discipline her. Being reprimanded was one thing, but she feared that it might result in her being prohibited from going out again in the future.
Nevertheless, that day was a significant occasion. Even though she anticipated running into King Yan, Yin Hui was determined to go out.
When Yin Hui arrived at Jinxiu, Liao Qiuniang and Lihua were already waiting there.
Concerned that her grandfather might leave, Yin Hui expedited matters. She allowed Liao Qiuniang to enter the carriage directly, with Jinzhan and Lihua following outside.
Three days had passed, and Liao Qiuniang still had faint blue bruises on her fair face.
Seeing this, Yin Hui felt a pang of discomfort. Liao Qiuniang smiled and said, “Don’t worry, the pain is gone. I deliberately didn’t apply ointment so the master could see.”
The girl’s eyes remained clear and bright. Yin Hui admired her resilience. How brave and unyielding she was, able to carry on with life in the open after going through such a traumatic experience. In her previous life, she had lived to be twenty-five years old, only to be upset by trivial matters like a concubine.
“I’ve treated you unfairly,” Yin Hui finally found the right words to express her remorse.
Liao Qiuniang smiled and, with some trepidation, mentioned, “Madam, my father knows.”
Her father had keen eyes, and there was no way to hide it, so she had to confess.
Yin Hui suddenly became anxious. Liao Shisan had once attempted to assassinate Yin Wen, and she worried if he might try it again this time.
Yin Wen was not innocent, but she was concerned that he might use her grandfather to shield himself from harm, or that Liao Shisan’s assassination attempt would fail, leading to his capture by the Yin family’s guards. He might be charged with murder and imprisoned in vain.
Liao Qiuniang sensed her unease and quickly explained, “My father and I share the same sentiment. It’s the young master’s fault entirely. We don’t want to implicate you and the master. We only hope the master can provide us with an explanation. Father also believes the young master is hiding secrets. He was keeping an eye on me, so he pretended to be unaware over the past few days. My father rushed to the Yin Mansion early that day to inform the master, fearing that the young master might discover our visit and invent an excuse to send the master away ahead of time.”
Yin Hui’s back was drenched in cold sweat.