Hai Xiaotang seemed to think of something, rolled out of bed and said, âZhang Ma, Iâm going out for a bit, I need to figure things out!â
âMiss, where are you going to ask?â
Of course, itâs Dongfang Mansionâ
She was going to ask Dongfang Yuâs parents. In this matter, only they would know the most.
Aside from them, she would not believe anyone elseâs word.
Hai Xiaotang truly hoped that the content above was just a rumor.
But⦠why did she have a gut feeling that it was trueâ¦
Yet why would that be the case?
Dongfang Yu, what else are you hiding from me?
********************
Hai Xiaotang quickly arrived at Dongfang Mansion in Shallow Bay by car.
The car stopped in front of the main gate. She got out of the car and went to ring the doorbell.
The doorman recognized her and quickly came to open the door.
âYoung mistress, why are you here?â
âAre the lady and master home?â Hai Xiaotang replied with a question of her own.
âThe lady is at homeâ¦â
Before he could finish, Hai Xiaotang had already rushed inside. Normally, she would be driving in, which would be faster.
But she forgot, remembering only to run with her own legsâ¦
She ran a long distance, arriving soaked in sweat.
When she entered the living room, the servants were shocked by her urgency, âYoung mistress, whatâs happened?â
âWhereâs the lady?â Hai Xiaotang asked directly.
A servant was taken aback and pointed to the garden, âThe lady is in the garden.â
Hai Xiaotang rushed to the garden and saw He Meilian with a straw hat, pruning flowers in the flowerbed.
In the summer, the roses were in full bloom, but Hai Xiaotang had no time to appreciate them.
She slowly approached He Meilian, newspaper in hand, suddenly unsure how to ask her.
Feeling someone approach, He Meilian looked up and saw her.
Surprised, she questioned, âXiaotang, what brings you here?â
Hai Xiaotang composed herself and put forward the newspaper in her hand: âMadam, I saw the news in this paper today, have you seen it too?â
With a startled look, He Meilian calmly responded: âYes, Iâve seen it.â
âIs it true?!â Hai Xiaotang implored, âIt saysâ¦that Dongfang Yu has been in prison for the past six months, is that true?!â
He Meilian was neither surprised nor troubled.
She stood up calmly, and admitted: âItâs true.â
With wide eyes of disbelief, Hai Xiaotang demanded, âWhy?â
âWhy on earth would Dongfang Yu end up in prison? Why is this happening?â
He Meilian calmly sighed, and without answering, she turned and walked away.
Hai Xiaotang was taken aback, and hurriedly followed behind her. âMadam, can you please tell me why this happened?â
âWhy donât you ask him yourself, instead of coming to me?â He Meilian glanced back at her.
Hai Xiaotang was at a loss for words, not knowing how to respond.
Because she had this inexplicable feeling that she couldnât ask him. She was too anxious⦠so she had to seek the truth from them.
He Meilian walked to the edge of the fishpond, removed her gloves and washed her hands, then said to her, âCome to the living room with me, itâs too hot outside.â
And then Hai Xiaotang followed her to the living room.
The servant brought them two cups of cold tea. He Meilian took a sip, put down the tea cup, and began: âActually, I think this is something that Yuyu should tell you himself. However, Iâm certain he wonât, so Iâll tell you instead.â
Hai Xiaotang immediately became anxious.
Her intuition told her that Dongfang Yuâs imprisonment might be connected to herâ¦
But, why?
Hai Xiaotangâs eyes flickered, as if she was beginning to understand something.