Chapter 281: Someone in the Rockery
Chapter 281: Someone in the Rockery
Upon hearing this, Princess Qii was also taken aback.
She actually had no impression of the young master of the Wei residence.
Because the Wei family had a distant marital connection with the Jinyang Marquis, Princess Qii subconsciously paid less attention to them.
Now that Land Xinglan had mentioned it, she curiously turned to look at the speaking maid.
The maid quickly replied, "The young master you mentioned is the eldest young master, and the one just now should be the third young master, born to Lady Xu."
With this explanation, Princess Qii and Land Xinglan understood.
Lady Xu was the current wife of the Marquis of Huayang, and the child just now was her stepson, probably a few years younger than the eldest young master.
After hearing the maid's explanation, Land Xinglan's eyebrows remained furrowed as she murmured, "It seems that Lady Xu's reputation for virtue is largely exaggerated. At such a gathering, she brings her biological son but pays no heed to her stepson?"
Land Xinglan finished with a slight pout.
Princess Qii, listening by her side, felt like smiling. "It's not our family's business, so it's not appropriate to comment, but perhaps the eldest young master is older and accompanies the Marquis?"
Princess Qii's words seemed reasonable. Land Xinglan thought for a moment but didn't say anything more. She turned her attention back to Sui Sui.
After all, it had nothing to do with them, so why bother about it?
Just don't let it affect their children.
Land Xinglan wasn't worried about herself. Her two sons were older and currently studying at the academy, so it wasn't convenient for them to take leave and come back.
Her youngest daughter was sick at home, so she hadn't brought any children with her today.
Her husband, the Duke of Chengguo, could be a bit muddle-headed at times, but he wouldn't go so far as to suddenly let her bring a child from a concubine to social events.
The Duke of Chengguo's family was already walking on thin ice. If he dared to do something so inappropriate, her father would truly bring his troops to their door.
Sui Sui watched for a while but found it uninteresting. Moreover, many people's gazes kept falling on her intentionally or unintentionally, making her feel uncomfortable. Sui Sui turned her head and hid in Empress Dowager's neck.
As the little child was not in high spirits and it was getting late, Princess Qii decided to head back.
Not knowing where Feng Xuanrui and the others had gone, Princess Qii became concerned and, along with Land Xinglan, searched for them in several directions.
However, after looking for half a day and checking several areas where children tended to gather, they still didn't find their two mischievous ghosts.
This caused Princess Qii to furrow her brows. Just as she was about to head back, Sui Sui pointed to a rockery and whispered, "Someone's there."
Upon hearing this, not to mention Princess Qii, even Land Xinglan was startled. She subconsciously turned her head to look at the rockery.
This rockery was decorative, separating a small garden from a pond. It was farther away from where they had been admiring flowers.
On the other side of the rockery was the residence of the female members of the Viscount's mansion.
Princess Qii wouldn't doubt Sui Sui's words; she was just afraid that there might be some other situation inside.
She and Land Xinglan exchanged glances, and Land Xinglan signaled to a sturdy-looking maid behind her to go over and take a look first.
The maid went over to take a look and checked the corners as well. Then, she exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, there really is a child!"
The maid's exclamation startled both Princess Qii and Land Xinglan.
The two women glanced at each other once more and quickly walked towards the rockery.
The child was wedged in a corner of the rockery.
The space wasn't big; it could barely fit two four or five-year-old children. If the children were any older, only one person might be able to squeeze in.
At that moment, the person was curled up in the corner, their face hidden and their consciousness seemingly blurred.
The maid wanted to reach out and pull the child out, but her arm wasn't long enough to fit through the gap above. She tried for a while but still couldn't reach them.
The maid had no choice but to try again from a lower position.
As a result, the child seemed startled by her touch. He flinched and curled up even tighter, shrinking further into the corner.
Every time the maid moved, the child recoiled.
Princess Qi: "..."
Land Xinglan: "..."
If this continued, the child would end up stuck in the corner.
Land Xinglan raised her hand to stop the maid, saying, "Wait, wait."
As she spoke, she turned to the group of servants, intending to choose one with a slender build who might be able to squeeze through the gap and push the child out.
The child was curling up tighter and tighter, and if he continued, he would soon be wedged into the narrow space. If he got stuck, it would be a real problem; they might even have to break the rockery to get him out, which would undoubtedly cause a huge commotion and alert the entire manor.
Land Xinglan felt annoyed just thinking about it. This was supposed to be a peaceful birthday celebration, but now some troublesome person had to cause a scene like this.
However, the gaps in the rockery were too small, and even the most slender maid couldn't fit through.
Finally, Sui Sui spoke up, "I'll do it. I'm small, I can fit."
Princess Qi couldn't bear to let her child go in there. The situation inside was unclear, and the child clearly looked distressed and might even be aggressive.
Princess Qi shook her head instinctively, and Land Xinglan quickly added, "No, no, Sui Sui, you can't go in there. You're still a child yourself."
Sui Sui looked at the boy in the rockery and said softly, "But, this brother doesn't seem to be feeling well."
If he didn't come out soon, he might end up like the sick children in the village who had passed away.
Sui Sui didn't want another child to die.
She said softly, her voice filled with concern, "He doesn't seem well. Will he... die? Mother, I don't want another child to die."
Sui Sui thought back to how she had been abandoned in the back mountain and left to the wolves, only to be saved by her brothers.
She believed that this brother in front of her also needed someone to save him so he could live.
Sui Sui's voice was soft and emotional, her words carrying a hint of a sob.
Princess Qi couldn't bear to see her precious child go through this, but she also didn't want to let Sui Sui go in there.
Land Xinglan was even more reluctant to let Sui Sui take such a risk. She quickly signaled to one of the quicker maids, "Go, quickly, fetch my sister-in-law. If she's occupied, ask her to send a trustworthy maid or nanny, and also invite a physician. It would be best if we could find a smaller child as well."
After rescuing the child, the matter would need to be handled discreetly.
Therefore, someone from the host family would have to take charge.
While Land Xinglan was a member of the Lu family, she was now a married woman, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to get too involved in certain matters.
It was her sister-in-law's decision to make, and she wouldn't interfere, thus avoiding any potential gossip or creating discord within the family.
The maid hurried off toward the banquet hall.
Sui Sui was worried and craned her neck to look into the rockery.
The child, who had been curled up motionlessly, suddenly began to twitch, causing Princess Qi's heart to tighten with anxiety. "This... this won't do!"
Second Watch
(End of Chapter)
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