Chapter 49: A Request
They continued walking side by side through the bustling streets.
Compared to the common marketplace they had visited earlier, this part of the capital was noticeably quieter. The vendors were fewer, yet every shop appeared far more refined. Elegant tea houses stood beside luxurious restaurants, while silk merchants and antique stores lined both sides of the stone-paved road.
Wang Gege’s eyes wandered from one establishment to another, quietly admiring the scenery around her. Before she realized it, nearly half the morning had already passed.
Only then did she subconsciously place a hand over her stomach.
Since leaving the Xie Residence, she had only eaten breakfast before later sharing a stick of candied hawthorn along the way. At the time, she had been too busy enjoying the lively atmosphere of the marketplace to think much about food.
Now that the excitement has gradually settled, she finally realized she was hungry again.
Her movements were subtle, but they did not escape Xie Rong’s notice.
"You are hungry." His calm voice suddenly reached her ears.
Wang Gege looked up in surprise before laughing sheepishly. "Is it that obvious?"
"It is nearly noon." Xie Rong replied calmly.
She instinctively lifted her head. Only after noticing the position of the sun did she softly let out an "Ah."
"I didn’t even realize..." A smile unconsciously appeared on her face. "I guess walking around really does make people hungry."
Xie Rong nodded faintly. "There is a restaurant ahead."
His voice remained as calm as ever. "Would Furen like to continue strolling afterward... or shall we dine first?"
Wang Gege’s eyes immediately lit up. "Can we eat first?"
A faint smile appeared at the corners of Xie Rong’s lips. "Naturally."
He slightly lifted his hand, gesturing toward the restaurant, "After you, Furen."
Wang Gege did not stand on ceremony. Hugging the wooden box containing the two hairpins, she happily followed beside him toward the entrance.
Just as they were about to step inside, a familiar black figure silently appeared several steps behind them.
"Young Master."
Xie Rong immediately halted, "What is it?"
Mo Yan lowered his head respectfully. Before speaking, his eyes briefly swept toward Wang Gege, who had instinctively turned around to look at him as well.
After a brief pause, he said in a lowered voice, "This subordinate has something that requires a Young Master’s decision."
Xie Rong remained silent for a brief moment before turning toward Wang Gege. "Furen."
"Mm?"
"There is a small matter that requires this Young Master’s attention." His voice remained as calm as ever. "Please go inside first. This Young Master will join you shortly."
Wang Gege nodded without much thought. "Alright."
Just as she was about to step forward, Xie Rong calmly called out, "Qing’er."
The young maid, who had been quietly following several paces behind throughout their stroll through the marketplace, immediately stepped forward before lowering her head respectfully.
"Young Master."
"Accompany your Young Madam." He ordered.
"Yes, Young Master." Qing’er instantly understood and took a few steps back before heading towards Wang Gege’s side.
Only after giving the instruction did Xie Rong turn back toward Wang Gege once more. "If Furen grows hungry, there is no need to wait for this Young Master."
Wang Gege smiled sheepishly. "Then... I really won’t be polite."
"Mm."
Receiving his approval, Wang Gege happily nodded before following Qing’er toward the restaurant entrance.
She had barely taken several steps when she suddenly stopped and turned around.
"Husband." She called for him.
Xie Rong slightly tilted his head.
"Don’t take too long." A faint smile unconsciously appeared on Wang Gege’s face, "The food tastes much better when everyone eats together."
Having said those words, she no longer lingered. Hugging the wooden box containing her two newly purchased hairpins against her chest, she cheerfully walked into the restaurant with Qing’er following closely behind.
Xie Rong remained standing where he was until her figure completely disappeared beyond the entrance.
Only then did he slowly turn toward Mo Yan. "What happened?"
Mo Yan respectfully cupped his fists before lowering his voice. "This subordinate has just received a message from the Shadow Pavilion."
Xie Rong remained silent, signaling him to continue.
"It concerns the servant, Chuntao."
The moment the maid’s name was mentioned, the atmosphere between them subtly changed. "What about her?"
Mo Yan answered without delay.
"Since being imprisoned yesterday, Chuntao has refused to answer any questions..."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"She neither defended herself nor admitted to poisoning Young Master. Regardless of how our people questioned her, she remained silent."
Xie Rong’s brows furrowed slightly. "And?"
"Just now... after the physician treated her wounds," Mo Yan lowered his head another fraction. "She suddenly made a request."
"What request?" Xie Rong’s voice carried an unusual trace of seriousness.
"She wishes to meet Young Madam."
Xie Rong fell silent.
Mo Yan continued respectfully, "She refused to explain her reason. She merely insisted that there are certain words only Young Madam should hear."
"Did she say what those words were?"
"No." Mo Yan shook his head, "When our people attempted to question her further, she remained silent once again. She only repeated the same request."
Xie Rong lowered his gaze, his thoughts quietly turning.
Chuntao had endured interrogation without uttering a single useful word. Even after being accused of poisoning him, she had neither defended herself nor attempted to shift the blame onto another.
But after the physician treated her injuries, the first thing she requested was to see Shen Taotao.
Such a sudden change was far too unusual.
"How is her condition?" Xie Rong finally asked.
"The physician said her injuries are not life-threatening. However..." Mo Yan hesitated briefly. "She appears to have made up her mind. She repeatedly told the guards that if she cannot meet Young Madam... there is no point in keeping her alive."
Xie Rong remained silent. His gaze lowered slightly as he considered Mo Yan’s report.
If Chuntao had truly wished to conceal the truth, there would have been no reason to request a meeting with Shen Taotao. On the other hand, if this meeting had been arranged by someone else...
Then allowing Shen Taotao to meet her alone would be no different from placing her in unnecessary danger.
After a long moment, Xie Rong finally spoke. "Increase the number of guards around the courtyard."
"Yes, Young Master." Mo Yan bobbed his head lightly.
"If Chuntao makes any unusual request before the meeting..."
Mo Yan immediately lowered his head.
Only then did Xie Rong continue, "Return and inform Chuntao..." He paused briefly before finishing in his usual calm voice, "that Young Madam will meet her later."
Mo Yan cupped his fists respectfully. "This subordinate obeys."
With that, his figure swiftly disappeared into the bustling crowd once again.
Xie Rong remained standing where he was as he took a few moments to think. After a few seconds he finally turned, heading towards the restaurant.
"Fresh flowers! Fresh flowers!"
Not far away, a flower vendor was enthusiastically calling out to passing customers. His footsteps slowly came to a halt and his head turned towards the direction of the vendor.
"Flower?"