The album was wrapped in cloth, so others didn’t know what was inside.
Along the way, the maids wanted to help her carry it, but Qu Fulan, guilty as a thief, didn’t let anyone touch it. She planned to get ho and lock it away so no one would know.
Although Ren Hua said she was giving it to her, if she later wanted a second child or sothing, she might need it again. So, Qu Fulan didn’t plan to put it in space; she just intended to find a cabinet at ho and lock it up.
But when she returned to Lixiang Courtyard, she found Pei Ji’an was unexpectedly back!
"I was just about to send soone to find you, and here you are." He smiled as he walked towards her.
Holding the "bomb" in her hands, how could Qu Fulan dare face Pei Ji’an? For a mont, she was so nervous she didn’t know what to do.
Actually, Qu Fulan’s ability to react on the spot is decent; otherwise, she wouldn’t have made a na for herself in the business world. However, so situations are destined to elude imdiate responses, like now.
"What are you holding?" He noticed her uneasy expression and looked at the item in her hands, though wrapped in cloth, it resembled a book.
"Nothing, nothing." Qu Fulan avoided his gaze, "It’s sothing my sister-in-law gave , a girl’s thing."
She specifically emphasized the word "girl," hoping he wouldn’t ask more.
Sure enough, he didn’t ask further, but couldn’t help but find it strange that she was so nervously anxious.
Just then, soone called for the Heir outside, so Pei Ji’an went out, and Qu Fulan breathed a sigh of relief, taking the book back inside to find a place to hide it.
Because she had space, many valuables were directly stored there, while other registered items were kept in the warehouse, overseen by four main maids. They coordinated the pairing of clothes and jewelry in advance, with only personal maids having access to the warehouse.
The keys were with them.
Everything taken out or returned daily was recorded ticulously, to prevent anyone from stealing.
Of course, she couldn’t keep the book in these warehouses, as it wouldn’t be good if the maids saw it later.
She had her storage cabinet for personal items, with the key solely in her possession.
But the key was in the space, and she needed to find it.
"Young Madam, I heard the old lady accidentally fell, you should go check on her."
Upon hearing this, Qu Fulan didn’t have ti to search for the key to hide the book, leaving it on the floor and quickly going out.
Arriving at Fushou Hall, she found it was a false alarm.
"You all are making too much fuss. It was rely so water on the ground making it slippery, almost causing a fall, but the maids supported , nothing happened. Is this really worth all your fuss and bother?"
The old lady’s gaze fell on Ren Hua, "Especially you, just barely on pregnancy, need to be cautious. What if you harm yourself over my issue?" She further rebuked Pei Yuan, "And you, not even checking thoroughly before bringing your wife over. So reckless and careless."
Pei Yuan lowered his head quietly, letting the old lady reprimand.
At this mont, mbers from the third and second rooms arrived, evidently having heard the news and co over.
Mrs. Pei’s age and status ant that everyone rushed over anxiously, fearing sothing had happened.
Qu Fulan’s worry eased too, thinking similarly to everyone else. Such falls might not an much to the young, recovering easily, but the elderly certainly couldn’t endure it.
After repeatedly ensuring the old lady was alright, everyone left reassured.
When the others departed, Pei Ji’an remained while Qu Fulan naturally stayed with him.
She understood that he had mostly been raised under the old lady’s watch, with Madam Pei focused on the battlefield then, unable to care for her son. Therefore, Pei Ji’an’s emotions towards the old lady were more intense than others’.
"Though it was a false alarm, it wasn’t trivial. The old lady was startled; it’s better to have the doctor co over." Pei Ji’an proposed.
Qu Fulan agreed, "It’s better to have the doctor check. If she feels anxious, so dicine would be necessary."
Although she could check too, it wouldn’t match the expertise of a professional doctor. Concern often disrupts clarity; such matters should be entrusted to professionals.
The old lady couldn’t resist her grandson’s and granddaughter-in-law’s requests, agreeing to summon a doctor.
Upon examination, the old lady’s pulse did appear abnormal. With age, it’s not a light matter. The doctor, ticulous, prescribed calming dicine, advising thrice daily for three days.
"Rember to ensure the old lady takes her dicine on ti. Otherwise, although she seems fine now, illness might follow in a few days." The doctor reminded the old lady’s maids even as he left.
Pei Ji’an also heard, insisting the maids be diligent, intending to send soone daily to monitor her dication.
He further ordered a thorough check inside and out of Fushou Hall, to eliminate any potential safety hazards.
Finally, Pei Ji’an punished the staff managing Fushou Hall, for failing to promptly clean the water in the yard, holding them accountable.
Returning to Lixiang Courtyard, Pei Ji’an remained tense, a sentint Qu Fulan could empathize with, recalling when her grandfather’s health was poor.
Truthfully, Pei Ji’an fared better than her; though the Marquis and Madam didn’t focus on him either, they didn’t suppress him like her parents, which she’d rather not ntion.
Considering the recent scare with the old lady, his discomfort was understandable.
Qu Fulan sought to comfort him, though not too overtly, gingerly tending to his needs: brewing hot tea, selecting clothes for his bath, finally offering a massage.
Pei Ji’an leaned in the bathtub, turning slowly, quietly watching her for a while.
Then, he smiled, eyes sincere, "If you care for , you have ways to console now."
Qu Fulan wasn’t foolish enough to ask what ans, her face flushing, tossing the towel at his face, refusing to serve.
Perhaps n don’t need solace; their hearts are clear as mirrors, distress may or may not be real. Won should focus on themselves.
"Wait a mont." He called out to her.
Qu Fulan thought he had sothing to say, turning back, only for the man to rise from the bathtub with a splash, "Once you’re sending Buddhas to the west, help your husband get dressed at least."
Steam rose as he moved. That wasn’t the issue, but his imdiate standing exposed everything before her.
She didn’t want to look, but it happened suddenly, too late to evade, stalling for a mont before covering her eyes, yelling uncontrollably, "Rascal!"
She fled in panic.
Leaving behind a bewildered Princely Heir Pei.
He pondered...
Having seen it all before, and done this and that, how could her reaction be so strong?
The man resigned and dressed himself in undergarnts, then entered the dressing room to find outerwear, inadvertently kicking sothing in the storage room.
Underneath the table.
Upon lifting it, he found the book she’d previously held, its wrapping cloth loose, revealing a corner of the book.
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