Madam Du had given the married couple a lot of money, rushing them to leave the capital and go away to Liulin county, never to return. Wuzhou hadn’t gotten what he’d come for and his face was ruined by Ah Luo, so he didn’t want to let them go easily. But looking at the sum Madam Du had offered, that would be enough to feed them for three to five years without working, he had agreed without a fuss. That’s why Nurse Dou was so bold. After so long, that couple was certainly far away. Even if Wei Kun searched, he wouldn’t find them.
“Good, good.” Wei Kun nodded angrily, and called eight guards over. Pointing at Jin Lu, he said: “Go with her to Huguo Temple, and find the people she talked about. If you don’t find them today, don’t come back!”
Duke Ying’s guards were well-trained and worked very efficiently. Hearing his orders, they complied immediately, and followed Jin Lu to go out.
*
Just as the guards left, two women waked in from outside.
Leading the way was the third madam, Madam Liu. Her hair combed in a cloud bun, jade hairpins with golden cicadas at her temples and pearls coiled around, it was really luxurious. Combined with her bright, showy tunic, the ensemble was actually consistent with her temper. Passing through the gate, she exclaimed with surprise, “What is going on? Such a huge commotion, did fifth sister-in-law do something wrong that let fifth brother-in-law get so angry?”
Walking behind her was the fourth madam, Madam Qin. She was comparatively low-key. She had two golden butterfly hairpins tucked in her bun, and was wearing a honey-colored dress with peony patterns, she looked beautiful and gentle.
A while ago, Madam Du had signaled for Ning Xue to bring the third madam over as her ally. When Ning Xue went to the Pear courtyard, she had found the fourth madam in the third madam’s room, so she had invited them together.