Chapter 020: Mischievous Holding the Qin

In this way, Zhao Ruyi would accompany Song Wuji every day, entering and exiting together, eating and living together.

During this period, Physician Xu came once again to check on Song Wuji's condition, and it seemed that his condition had stabilized.

Although he still took his medicine, the smile on Song Wuji's face gradually increased, and the mood in the Xizhao Hall also improved along with it.

Only Baoqin was oblivious to all this.

Because she was still immersed in the fantasy of being "specially taken care of by the young master," she couldn't break free from it.

When she finally realized it, Song Wuji had almost forgotten that Baoqin was still around.

Hearing that Zhao Ruyi was favored by the young master, Baoqin felt resentful.

How many years had she been by the young master's side, compared to how long Zhao Ruyi had been there?

Time quickly passed, and it was already July.

One summer afternoon, Song Wuji, who hadn't been out in years, suddenly wanted to take Tianfu out for a walk.

For the people in Xizhao Hall, this was undoubtedly great news.

Worried that the two of them would need help outside, Zhou Rui's family specifically sent Zhou Rui to help them with their carriage.

After everyone joyfully sent them off, Xizhao Hall returned to its usual calmness, but everyone felt optimistic as if there was something to look forward to.

Learning that the young master had left the house, Baoqin felt it was a rare opportunity, so she dressed up and prepared to confront Zhao Ruyi.

At this moment, Zhao Ruyi was wiping the thriving Gentian in the main room, which was slightly damp.

It turned out that neither Song Wuji's bedroom nor study had ever featured these flowers and plants. Most of the decorations were made of coral, jade, and artificial landscapes, luxurious but lackluster.

After getting along with Song Wuji, Zhao Ruyi expressed her desire to place some lively flowers and plants in these rooms, making the place look vibrant.

Upon hearing this, Song Wuji didn't express any objection; instead, he told her to talk to Zhou Rui, in charge of the daily purchases at Xizhao Hall, and all the expenses would be covered from the usual purchases.

Zhou Rui was quite capable. As long as Zhao Ruyi wanted it, he could always find a way to get it.

Later, Zhao Ruyi learned that although Zhou Rui's family was a companion of the former lady, Zhou Rui's elder brother was in charge of Duke Mao's estate. When the former lady, Lady Xu, passed away, Duke Mao ordered that in the future, no one from Duke Mao's family should obstruct the matters concerning the Lord Heir of Duke Ningguo.

It was clear to Zhao Ruyi that Zhou Rui was extremely competent. The batch of flowers and plants purchased by him for her were thriving exceptionally well. For example, the Gentian she was currently wiping was particularly impressive, with large and robust leaves that looked as if they had been carefully trimmed.

With such good flowers and plants, Zhao Ruyi took great care of them, taking the time to loosen the soil, water them, weed, and trim the dead branches.

Baoqin, who hadn't visited the main room for a long time, was stunned as she entered.

The places that used to be adorned with various jade ornaments were now filled with flowers and plants, making the room lively and bustling.

Zhao Ruyi was humming a tune while standing among the flowers, looking very content.

Watching this, Baoqin was furious.

She rushed to Zhao Ruyi and, without saying a word, grabbed her hair and dragged her out of the flowerbed.

"Why did you make the young master's room look like this? Don't you know that the young master's room should not have flowers and plants?" Baoqin accused Zhao Ruyi with full certainty.

Before, Zhao Ruyi, with a sudden pain in her scalp, had no strength to fight back. After realizing that it was Baoqin who had grabbed her hair, she also had no mercy and grabbed Baoqin back.

The two maids then awkwardly struggled and collided, hitting a nearby pedestal table. There was a "clang," and a pot of plum blossoms, which had been standing there stably, fell and smashed, scattering soil across the floor.

Hearing the commotion, Baoqin let go, and when she saw the mess, she pointed at Zhao Ruyi and said, "See, if it weren't for you, how could it have ended up like this?"

Zhao Ruyi, who found her ability to work properly obstructed by Baoqin, decided not to tolerate her and, instead, glared at her viciously. "First, for no reason, you invaded and fought with me. Now you have made trouble and instead of thinking about cleaning up, you're here talking nonsense. Why can't flowers and plants be kept here?"

She was baffled by Baoqin's behavior and had no mood to argue with her. So she quickly went to get a broom to clean up the mess.

However, Baoqin wasn't willing to let her go. She aggressively grabbed Zhao Ruyi and said, "You still haven't answered my question. Why did you make the young master's room like this? Don't you know that the young master's room should not have flowers and plants? Get them out of here!"

"You're really strange!" Enraged by Baoqin's nonsensical behavior that obstructed her work, Zhao Ruyi decided not to put up with her anymore and fiercely stared at her. "First, you inexplicably invaded and fought with me, and now you have caused trouble and instead of thinking about cleaning up the mess, you're here talking nonsense. How can't flowers and plants be kept here?"

"No means no!" When Zhao Ruyi questioned her like that, Baoqin couldn't come up with a good reason. She only remembered that when she first started working in the prince's mansion, Ru Hua had emphasized more than once that no living things were allowed in the prince's chambers.

Whether it was flowers or pets, nothing was to appear in front of the prince.

At that time, she didn't understand why. She just remembered what Ru Hua had said, and over the years, there really hadn't been any of these things in the prince's chambers, so she didn't question it.

Now, Zhao Ruyi had taken advantage of the days when she wasn't serving in the main house to keep so many flowers and plants, which was a big problem.

When Zhao Ruyi insisted on cleaning up the broken tea plum on the floor, Baoqin moved all the flowers and plants outside by herself.

This move nearly made Zhao Ruyi spit blood out of anger.

"What are you trying to do?" Feeling that all these plants were meticulously arranged and Baoqin was about to destroy them, Zhao Ruyi rushed to stop her.

"What am I doing? Of course, I'm throwing out all these things that harm the prince!" Baoqin said as she picked up a pot of blooming June snow and threw it out. With a loud bang, the pot smashed in the courtyard.

"Are you crazy?" Unable to tolerate it any longer, Zhao Ruyi slapped Baoqin hard, leaving her stunned in place.