"Yes, please hold, my lady." Shuixin turned and left the room.

She could sense the fury in Wang Xiangyun's words and wondered what could have set her off.

Ever since Wang Xiangyun had visited the countryside a few days ago after Ye Mo's nightly screams disturbed her to no end, she had not been there in a while.

Even though Dongfang Ming and his carriage had disappeared from the corner of her eye, she still kept staring in that direction.

Her jealousy had long since transformed into hatred... and something else.

Shuixin acted quickly too. Very soon, she had a carriage prepared and, as she helped Wang Xiangyun board the vehicle, Little Tian came running.

"My lady." Little Tian smiled as she called her. "My lady, where are you going?"

Shuixin had never been on good terms with Little Tian. When she saw her lady's face lit up by Little Tian's appearance, she felt utter contempt, though she did not show it.

"I'm going to the countryside." Wang Xiangyun did not get on the carriage. Instead, she strode towards Little Tian.

She held Little Tian's hand and looked her up and down before giving her comment. "Looks like you've been living a good life after marriage. You've even gotten rounder. Ming Yan treats you well, doesn't he?"

It had only been a few days, but Wang Xiangyun felt that not only had Little Tian's complexion gotten better, but she also seemed to have become fitter too.

"Yes, he's very good to me." Little Tian smiled shyly, looking blissful. "It's just that he's been busy recently and I don't know why. He comes home late."

She did not know that Ye Mo had gone missing, and that Ming Yan had been helping the officers with the search every day.

The smile faded from Wang Xiangyun's face, because she knew exactly what Ming Yan had been busy doing.

So, she changed the subject. "Little Tian, now that you're pregnant, you have to keep in mind that you can't starve yourself or the child. Eat whatever you want."

"Yes, I know."

Little Tian noticed that Wang Xiangyun looked paler than the last time she saw her. "My lady, you have to take care of yourself too. Eat well and rest well."

Those were the familiar words Little Tian used to say to her before she got married. Wang Xiangyun did not mind it at all as she listened intently.

They talked and talked, so much so that Shuixin felt invisible standing next to them. She looked up at the sky.

Since her lady wanted to go to the countryside, they would have to start the journey soon if they planned to return before dark.

So she stepped up to remind her. "My lady, shall we leave?"

Wang Xiangyun frowned at her. She did not like Shuixin interrupting her!

Little Tian, sensing conflict, immediately turned things around. "My lady, since you have business to attend to, I shan't interrupt. I can visit you another day. It's best you be on your way to the countryside, before it gets dark on your return trip."

She did not want her sudden visit to delay their trip to the countryside, and she did not want Shuixin to be punished for giving a kind reminder. She would feel bad about it.

Wang Xiangyun was under Shuixin's care now, after all. It would be dangerous if the people around her lady had malicious intentions.

"Right. I shall leave now. I'll visit you soon." Wang Xiangyun muttered a few more words before she turned to board the carriage.

Little Tian watched the carriage leave before she slowly headed home.

...

"Brother Ye, the house is spacious and quiet, and I've had someone clean it up. You can relax and enjoy your stay."

Dongfang Ming had picked up the three brothers and Liu Duo from their inn and invited them to stay at his other mansion.