Chapter 152: It Wasn’t Intentional
After everyone had left, Mrs. Chen began to assign rooms.
The eldest son would live in the east wing and the second son in the west wing. This was the custom.
Daughters were supposed to live in the rear courtyard. However, this Jiangnan courtyard was different from the courtyard houses of the Northern Land. The front courtyard only had one main hall and two side parlors, none suitable for living in, while the gatehouse rooms were for the servants.
So, everyone had to live in the rear courtyard.
Mrs. Chen had Gu Fei take the main room on the west side, and the adjoining side room was given to Lan Zhi and Lian’er.
No one had any objections.
But then Gu Erlang suddenly spoke up. "Mother, aren’t there two side rooms? Why not let them each have one?"
He felt it was unfair for Lan Zhi to share a room with Lian’er. After all, Lan Zhi was a Miss of the Marquis Mansion, while Lian’er was just a country girl. Besides, the side room was a little small.
Lan Zhi’s face immediately flushed, and she said urgently, "I’m perfectly fine living with Lian’er."
She knew Gu Erlang wanted her to be more comfortable. ’But I’m just a maid Gu Fei bought,’ she thought. ’I’m lucky to have a room at all. How could I dare be picky!’
Mrs. Chen glanced at Lan Zhi, then shot Gu Erlang a cool look. "I’m keeping that side room for storage."
"That settles it. Everyone, go sort out your bedding and luggage. Put everything where it belongs."
While Lian’er and Lan Zhi were inside the room, Gu Fei quickly took out the jumble of things Mrs. Chen had made her stuff into her space earlier.
She moved the large water vat, the broom, the dustpan, and the leftover cured meat to the kitchen in the front courtyard.
Little Cao’s old cradle, a sewing basket, scraps of fabric, medicinal herbs, and all sorts of other essentials for home and travel—Gu Fei dumped them all into the side room.
Just then, a small blue-and-white porcelain bottle rolled out of Little Cao’s cradle.
Gu Fei picked it up. She paused as she held it in her hand, then remembered: this was the antiseptic medicine Su Chen had sent Chen Hu to give her the other day.
For a moment, Gu Fei was lost in thought, her mind drifting to the dashingly handsome young man.
’I wonder if his injury has healed,’ she thought.
「Meanwhile, in a courtyard of the Prince Qi Mansion.」
Xiao Min grabbed Su Chen’s hand. "Chen’er, are you still angry with me?"
"I’ve already told you, I had no choice but to leave the city without you back then. Those refugees... they were terrifying."
Su Chen pulled his hand back and lowered his gaze, his voice flat. "You’re overthinking it, Mother. I only wish for your safety. How could I possibly blame you?"
Xiao Min dabbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. "I just assumed that with the guards there, you would be safe."
"I didn’t think about the issue with the official documents. I didn’t realize you wouldn’t be able to stay at the governmental post houses, and I never imagined what would happen to your leg..." She broke down sobbing.
Su Chen kept his gaze lowered. "Mother, my leg is fine. The physician has already examined it and said it should be fully recovered in about a month."
"It’s getting late. You should go get some rest, Mother."
"And you say you don’t blame me! I’ve only said a few words and you’re already trying to send me away..." she started crying again. "I really didn’t mean to abandon you, I was just so scared."
"Your uncle already gave me a terrible scolding. I know I was wrong." Tears streamed down Xiao Min’s face.
Su Chen rubbed his temples. "Mother, please don’t talk about this anymore. And stop crying. I’m fine, see? I don’t blame you."
He raised his voice, calling to the maid outside, "Chunying, escort the madam back."
The maid at the door lifted the curtain, entered, and helped Xiao Min to her feet.
Xiao Min leaned on the maid. After a few steps, she turned back. "I just heard your cousin, the Princely Heir, has returned. If you get bored staying in your room, you should go and see him."
Su Chen nodded. "I understand."