The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort - 243. Sisterhood

It seems that this light rain in early spring has wiped out all the haze that came in the winter, and it has been sunny for several days. Unlike the fine weather outside, the palace is still lifeless. In the silence of the still water, it seemed that something was about to break out of the ground again, with a sprouting sprout just around the corner, making people feel that the danger was approaching for no reason.

In the Yingshui Hall of the palace, a young and beautiful woman is sitting in front of the dressing table and dressing up. She is wearing a colorful dark-flowered cloud brocade palace dress. Although the color is not very bright, the good materials and embroidery needles are enough to make this dress attractive. Human eyes. And wearing a Chaohuang updo, the appearance is beautiful, but it is a little less beautiful, although he is still young, the makeup is complicated, showing a bit different from usual sharpness.

She gently stroked her cheeks with her hands painted in bright red cotan. The snow-white cheeks were embellished with rouge and showed a bit of delicate color, but they weren’t the natural beauty of a girl. The beauty was beautiful, but like a bunch. The fake flowers seem a bit blunt and soulless.

The maid from outside came in to report and said, “Niang Niang, Miss Zhao’s is here.”

“Come in, please.” Dong Ying’er smiled slightly, got up and walked to the side of the soft couch to lie down.

The beauty leaned back, but made a completely different posture. When Dong Ying’er entered the hall and saw this scene, she was also slightly startled.

The gorgeously dressed beauty on the soft couch saw her coming, but she smiled: “Zhao Jin.”

Zhao Jin settled for a while, standing still on the spot seemed to hesitate for a while before raising her foot and walking towards the soft couch. Dong Ying’er had already patted the soft couch and smiled at her: “Come here and sit down.”

“This… I’m afraid it’s not so good.” Zhao Jin pursed her lips: “Emperor Jinzhiyuye…”

“Why do you and I have to say this before? Have you forgotten that we used to embroider a veil together and take a nap on a couch?” Dong Ying’er waved her hand, and Zhao Jin was speechless with a fluttering sentence.

Perhaps it was Dong Ying’er’s words that touched the depths of her memory. Zhao Jin couldn’t help but think of the days when she was a girl. She, Dong Ying’er, Lin Zixiang and Wen Feifei were friends who grew up together. At that time, the three of them were carefree, and they were just thinking about the delicious and fun things every day. There was no family chaos or court disputes. All the troubles in the world had nothing to do with them. That was probably the happiest day in life. , Where is it like now, the mountain and rain are going to be full of wind, it is their Zhao family, and it is like a raging fire, now it is safe for the time being, but who knows what the next step is. One step is wrong, and the whole game is lost. What this is done is a matter of gambling. A trace of sadness flashed across her face, she still walked to Dong Ying’er and sat down, then raised her eyes to look at her former friend.

Dong Ying’er looked very different from the past. Whether it’s makeup, clothing, or the look on her face, although she is smiling, she also wants to make the same intimacy as before, but on the face there is no longer the clarity of a girl, but there is more Cool and sophisticated. Perhaps life in the palace was not easy, but Dong Ying’er was sent to the palace at the same age. Her father said that Dong Ying’er is now in the harem, but in Zhao Jin’s view, this is all nonsense. What is the place in the palace, if you want to seek wealth, naturally you feel good, but Dong Ying’er has been spoiled and raised since she was a child. Fortune is nothing great to her, but the self-ownership lost after entering the palace is more precious. That’s why she looks so strange now. Zhao Jin sighed. Among them, the most unfortunate is probably Dong Ying’er.

Thinking of this, Zhao Jin felt sympathy for Dong Ying’er, but she didn’t have her own gaze in Dong Ying’er’s eyes, and a trace of disgust flashed quickly across her face. Immediately afterwards, I heard Dong Ying’er’s smiling voice: “After I entered the palace, it seemed that I seldom interacted with you. When I meet now, I have a sense of righteousness. I don’t know if you feel that way.”

After Dong Ying’er entered the palace, several sisters of the past had visited her in the palace, but at that time Dong Ying’er was gloomy and didn’t pay much attention to her every time. Lin Zixiang was a fierce temper. Did not say anything. Later, when Lin Zixiang saw a few of them, she said, “She made up her mind to alienate us. Forget it, the relationship we asked for will not last long. We treat her as sisters, but she doesn’t treat us as sisters.”

At first, Wen Feifei and Zhao Jin didn’t believe that they were both military commanders. They were not as sensitive to human emotions as Lin Zixiang, but even if they were as slow as them, they gradually realized that Lin Zixiang was right. Dong Ying’er did. Is consciously alienating them. Zhao Jin felt that several times she followed her mother into the palace, and wanted to talk to Dong Ying’er, but she was shunned by Dong Ying’er’s maidservant. This was the case every time, as if she was deliberately embarrassing her. Zhao Jin couldn’t figure it out, but when she entered the palace later, she stopped asking Dong Ying’er’s news with such enthusiasm. Who wants to use her hot face to stick to someone else’s cold ass?

But at this moment, Zhao Jin still followed with a sigh and said: “It is true. At the beginning, you were the best at dealing with things and making friends. Now it seems that you are still promising.” Are you really promising? I’m afraid it’s not all, but now Zhao Jin is not the one who didn’t know anything before Zhao Jin took it. The pressure of the family has made her mature gradually, and she has started to think about it when she speaks. For the changed Dong Ying’er, how could she still be as open-minded as before, and her heart is always separated by a few minutes.

When Dong Ying’er heard the words, she gave Zhao Jin a meaningful look and shook her head: “Time is ruthless. I didn’t expect that someone as straightforward as you would say such a smooth thing now. Why are you in front of me? Say more, if you know that I grew up with you, you and my mind don’t have to guess more, is it okay to be serious in this palace? What is your so-called prosperity? Maybe if your Majesty returns in a hundred years, I I also have to accompany…”

As soon as this remark came out, Zhao Jin was shocked and quickly checked to see if anyone was eavesdropping. He was relieved to see that no one was eavesdropping. For a while, he forgot Dong Ying’er’s identity, knocked her on the head, and said: “Never talk nonsense. Such words can be said nonsense. What are you thinking about all day? You have to pay attention to the words in the palace. How can you be so smart and be stupid? After a moment of stunned, I suddenly realized that I had lost my attitude unknowingly. Whether it was handkerchiefs that grew up together, there are still some old feelings in my heart, that is, I feel that I have been born, but when the other party is in danger, I can’t help but think about the other party.

Dong Ying’er seemed to be taken aback by Zhao Jin’s actions. A trace of complicated emotions flashed across her eyes, and she said lazily, “What’s so terrible? Every day in this palace is so hot. I’m worried every day, and I can’t live it? It’s as you think, it’s better to die than life.”

There was a rare hint of coldness and casualness in her words, as if she didn’t cherish her own life, this kind of depression and Xiaosuo made Zhao Jin’s heart a pain. At the beginning of the four of them, Lin Zixiang was frank and almost stereotyped. She and Wen Feifei were also careless military commanders. When a few people inevitably had disputes together, it was Dong Ying’er who came out at that time. It may be that Master Dong is sleek, and Dong Ying’er is also quite paternal, and he is very considerate in handling problems at a young age. The few playmates at that time, Lin Zixiang didn’t say anything, but in his heart he was secretly convinced of Dong Ying’er. Dong Ying’er is always kind and generous, and everyone likes it. Such a bright and flowery girl now looks like a withered tree. Zhao Jin can’t tell what it feels like, but it is always uncomfortable.

When Dong Ying’er saw this, she smiled slightly and said, “Speaking of which, I asked you to come into the palace today. It’s not for this matter. I just want to accompany you for a crime.”

“Apologize?” Zhao Jin was stunned and looked at her: “What crime?”

“At the beginning, you thought I alienated you, but it was not your illusion. I did it deliberately. I did alienate you deliberately. Because for a while, I hated you and was jealous of you, so I didn’t want to see you. I just saw you. Makes me angry, I thought at that time, I would treat it as if I didn’t have your friend. That’s why I made such an attitude. It hurts your heart to think about it.”

Zhao Jin was even more puzzled when he heard this, and didn’t mind the rest of Dong Ying’er’s words. Instead, she asked: “Why do you hate me to be jealous of me, but what did I do wrong?”

Among the several playmates, the attitude towards her was the most obvious, almost undisguised. Zhao Jin himself was also very confused. Now listening to Dong Yinger’s words like this, she has asked the question she has always wanted to ask.

“The marriage between you and General Jiang is finished? When do you have a wedding wine?” Dong Ying’er smiled and asked another question.

“Spring next year…” Zhao Jin was a little embarrassed: “This is something that hasn’t been written yet…”

“Nothing, I have already heard. Now that your two have agreed, naturally they are not far away.” Dong Ying’er smiled narrowly: “General Jiang is very good, young and promising, and has a bright future, Ruan The younger sister is your little sister, and she won’t let you be bullied by him. Besides, there is no grandfather and wife. In the past, you were in charge of the house, and you will only have a good life.”

Zhao Jin was a little embarrassed by Dong Ying’er, but she felt that the two of them were talking like this as if they were returning to the carefree girls’ time. They were talking about which son and the lady, and joking leisurely. She smiled: “You haven’t said why you hate me?”

Dong Ying’er glanced at her, Zhao Jin’s eyes were a little puzzled, and she only sighed: “You are not afraid of a joke when you say it. I was also happy General Jiang at the beginning.”

All the questions will be answered in one sentence. Zhao Jin was stunned and listened. There were some fragments in her mind, intertwined, almost making her mind clear. Jiang Xinzhi was not as prestigious as he is now. He just showed up in the court, but he rescued her and Dong Ying’er at a palace banquet. At that time, Dong Ying’er seemed to be a bit shy, and seemed to like Jiang Xinzhi very much. But at that time, Zhao Jin had a rough mind, thinking that Dong Ying’er was a natural admiration of seeing a good man, just as he was eager for a personable champion. But now listening to Dong Ying’er, she really liked Jiang Xinzhi at that time?

Good sisters fall in love with the same man, which is fatal to any friendship. Zhao Jin never thought that it would happen to herself, thinking that Dong Ying’er was just kid-like jokes, and she actually used her heart. She suddenly felt that she didn’t know how to face Dong Ying’er. She should be angry, because Dong Ying’er was going to be a stranger with her because of this. I should still feel guilty. As a good friend, I have never noticed Dong Ying’er’s mood.

Dong Ying’er smiled slightly: “I know what you are thinking at the moment, whether you feel that I am shameless or vulgar, that is all things in the past. When I entered the palace, I was reluctant, so I refused to admit my fate. If you are all living so well, you will feel jealous, thinking about why I am the only one in the world so unfortunate. But now I confess my fate, God is about fairness, my life has long been held in his palm, and Why struggle? I accepted my fate, and those thoughts about General Jiang were gone. Don’t worry, now my heart is like a mirror, and it’s all gone.”

She said this calmly and with a bit of vicissitudes, which made people unable to even get angry. Zhao Jin’s originally somewhat overwhelmed complex mood gradually calmed down under her words. I only heard Dong Ying’er’s faint voice: “I’m telling you this today, but I don’t want to regret it. Everyone has a time to die, but it’s too unwilling to die with regret. I have no friends in the palace. When I was in the house, it was just you friends. I don’t want to feel regretful…” After a pause, Dong Yinger said: “I just said that. I don’t know when I will return. Before that, I always I hope I can leave a little thought.”

When Zhao Jin heard it, she immediately thought of her previous words, and asked: “Did you hear something about it? Why do you keep saying this? Mr. Dong hasn’t thought of any way? The tone in your words seems to be that you don’t want to live. It’s average.”

“How?” Dong Ying’er laughed, laughing extremely bitterly: “I said earlier that this is my destiny. What way I am looking for. My first half of my life has been ruined, what should I do next? I stayed alive, concealed my name, and couldn’t even go back to my own home. What’s the point of being alive? As for my father, since he sent me in to protect the Dong family and did everything to the end, it would be better for me to take care of the Dong family. Fame, at least gives the Dong family a title of loyalty.”

“It’s wrong for you to do this, how can you…” Zhao Jin still wanted to say, but Dong Yinger interrupted her. She said, “Zhao Jin, can you forgive me?”

“I…” People are about to die, and their words are good. Besides, Zhao Jin remembered carefully that, except for being a little colder towards them, Dong Ying’er didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. We all grew up together. Speaking of Jiang Xinzhi, Zhao Jin felt a little sad for Dong Ying’er in her own heart, but fate couldn’t force it. Dong Ying’er was really pitiful in the land like this. She calmed down and looked at Zhao Jin and said: “I never blamed you. It’s no big deal to like someone. Don’t blame you, I will always be your sister.”

Dong Ying’er laughed lightly, stretched out Zhao Jin’s hand, and smiled: “I know that you are the easiest to be moved for so many years. I am afraid that you are the only one who can be so generous and don’t care about me. If you like it The sweetheart of Zixiang…” She laughed self-deprecatingly: “Did you bring the things you brought into the palace?”

Zhao Jin was listening attentively to Dong Ying’er’s words, and said after hearing the words: “Take it, I let my brother steal it to me, he doesn’t know that I brought this thing into the palace.” Zhao Jin’s hometown is rich in precious ginseng. In the past few days, the emperor was seriously ill, and the ginseng in the palace was used faster every day, and it took too long to collect it. Zhao Jin’s family had two good ginseng. This is something that has long been known. Dong Ying’er asked if Zhao Jin had it, and brought it to the palace to boil some medicine for the emperor. Zhao Jin agreed. Her father didn’t care much about these things all day long. As long as she let her brother steal it out, it’s okay. Zhao Jin only said to take a friend’s husband who was seriously ill, and his second brother didn’t say much. NS.

“Thank you,” Dong Ying’er said with a smile: “Although he is the emperor, he usually has three thousand beauties in the harem, but I also hope that he can live longer, not for anything else, even for myself…” She looked towards Zhao Jin: “Thank you.”

“Between you and me, don’t say thank you.” Zhao Jinhao said dryly.

The two began to talk and laugh again, as if they were a pair of good sisters who had never been separated. When I said this, it was too late outside. Because the Zhao family’s carriage was still waiting outside, the emperor was now in a serious condition, so Dong Ying’er couldn’t keep her, and personally let her close court maid send Zhao Jin out of the palace.

After Zhao Jin left, the Yingshui Hall was empty again and only Dong Ying’er was left. She walked slowly to the pile of gifts left by Dong Ying’er that she brought into the palace, and reached out to hold the innermost sandalwood box. The box is extremely delicate, with old pine and cranes carved on it, which means prolonging life. As soon as it was opened, a flawless old ginseng appeared in front of you, scented it close, and even smelled a scent of ginseng.

This is indeed the Zhao family’s participation. Zhao Jin did not lie, and she really did what she said. This ginseng actually doesn’t have much effect. Although it is precious, it can only help hang one’s life at best. It is impossible to remember the dead. Therefore, the Zhao family didn’t really regard these two ginsengs as treasures. They really wanted to ask for them again, just to find some more from their hometown.

Dong Ying’er stretched out her hand and gently picked up the old ginseng in the box, with an imperceptible smile on her face. She unwrapped a sachet from her waist, then took out another locked small box from under the dressing table, took out a bottle of water from the inside, poured some powder from the sachet and mixed it in the bottle. After shaking it carefully, the roots of the old ginseng were gently immersed in the water in the bottle from the bottom up. I don’t know how long it took to take it out.

Putting things away again, Dong Ying’er put the old ginseng back in the small box, returned to the couch, and pulled out a hosta from his head, playing with it carefully, with a mocking smile on the corner of her lips.

Friendship, fate, what is that? The so-called friendship is just a betrayal of Mingzhe’s protection, and fate has always been in the hands of high-powered people. This world has always been so unfair. Since it is so unfair, why should she follow those laws? affection? Not as good as grass!

Dong Ying’er thought bitterly that in this world, only people like Zhao Jin would believe her. But why would Zhao Jin believe that it was stupid or naive? Dong Ying’er believed it must be the latter. Because Zhao Jin is protected in a stable environment, she has the right to be naive, and if she wants to climb up in the palace, if she is naive, she will be crushed if she is not careful. Why is this, and why?

Dong Ying’er’s nails were inserted into her palms, but she didn’t seem to feel the pain. Her smile was a little distorted: “Zhao Jin, this is what you owe me. You robbed my life and happiness. Now, it’s time to come to me. It’s time for you to get it back.”

She stopped a court lady who walked in and said, “Clean up the things that Miss Zhao sent. The box contains two thousand-year-old ginseng. Remember to send it to the imperial dining room. piece.”

The maid sent Zhao Jin outside the palace, and Zhao Jin smiled and said: “Go back, I got on the carriage.” The maid left, and Zhao Jin was about to step on her carriage, and suddenly heard someone calling her name behind her: “Jin’er.”

Zhao Jin looked back. Jiang Xinzhi was walking towards this side. Zhao Jin was a little surprised and asked, “Why are you here?”

“Come to the palace to discuss the affairs of A Ruan with the empress dowager, I want to divide some soldiers and go out to find someone.” Jiang Xinzhi replied briefly, nodding when she saw her and asked: “How did you enter the palace?”

“Ying’er asked me to come.” Zhao Jin said. Seeing Jiang Xinzhi’s strange appearance, he took the initiative to add: “Dong Xiuyi, Dong Ying’er.”

With that said, Jiang Xinzhi understood it. Thinking of seeing Dong Ying’er with a weird face that day, he couldn’t help but frown and said, “What did she ask you to do in the palace, but is it embarrassing for you?”

“No, no.” Zhao Jin waved her hand hurriedly, after thinking for a while, she took Jiang Xinzhi’s arm and walked towards her carriage: “Let’s talk about it.”

Jiang Xinzhi followed Dong Ying’er into the carriage. There was a small table in the carriage, so Dong Ying’er poured Jiang Xinzhi a cup of tea. At this moment, I took a closer look at the carriage, and realized that Jiang Xinzhi’s face was exhausted, and the stubble on his chin was lightly cleaned, and he looked a bit decadent and embarrassed. Zhao Jin and Jiang Xinzhi have not seen each other for a long time. Since Jiang Ruan was taken away, Jiang Xinzhi has been busy investigating the whereabouts of Jiang Ruan. Zhao Jin knows that he is very busy, but it seems that maybe Jiang Believing is harder than I thought. Zhao Jin couldn’t help but feel a little distressed.

Jiang Xinzhi drank the tea that Zhao Jin had offered him, wiped his mouth, and Zhao Jin asked, “Is there still no news about Sister Ruan?”

When Jiang Xinzhi heard this, his eyes darkened, and he shook his head.

Zhao Jin also became sad with her. Jiang Ruan’s relationship with her is not good. After Jiang Ruan’s accident, Zhao Jin also asked her brother to mobilize his friends to go out to find people, but dozens of days passed, stunned. There is no news from Jiang Ruan. Zhao Jin was very anxious, and some bad rumors were spreading here, saying that Jiang Ruan might have encountered an accident. As a good friend of Jiang Ruan, Zhao Jin naturally did not believe it. But as for what it means to have no news, Zhao Jin was also very scared in her heart.

“How come there is no news at all?” Zhao Jin asked: “It is always impossible for these people to run far. There was someone guarding the gate of the capital that day, and I have never seen any suspicious people. Since we are in the capital, we have almost all I searched through the capital, but there is still no news. Could it be that those people will fly into the sky and escape? How can there be no news about a big living person? It must be those officials who are not doing things well, so that people can’t be found.” Zhao Jin was a little frustrated. Throw the responsibility on Jing Zhaoyin’s head.

Jiang Xinzhi smiled bitterly and shook his head: “These people were premeditated, and now that A Ruan is hid so well, no one can find it, and it reflects this. Even Jin Yiwei can’t find a person. , It’s really a bit difficult. Besides, these people are most likely to be from Southern Xinjiang…” Jiang Xinzhi couldn’t hide his worries as he said. You must know that Southern Xinjiang’s methods are the cruelest. What he is most worried about is nothing more. Those frenzied southern Xinjiang people used cruel methods to treat Jiang Ruan. As long as he thought of the torture that Jiang Ruan might have suffered, Jiang Xinzhi felt bitter pain. He and Jiang Ruan have lived together for so many years. He is still Jiang Ruan’s eldest brother, but even his younger sister can’t protect him. If Jiang Ruan really has any shortcomings, Jiang Xin will never forgive himself.

“Believe it, I’m a little scared.” Zhao Jin shook Jiang Xinzhi’s hand: “I…. I feel very upset.” The daughter of the military commander’s family has also heard about the cruelty of the secret techniques of the people of Nanjiang. So many days have passed, and Jiang Ruan has no news at all. What does it mean to have no news? Could it have been met by an accident? Everyone would think so.

“No.” Jiang Xinzhi held Zhao Jin’s hand instead, his big hand wrapped Zhao Jin’s small hand in his palm, holding it warm and strong, and his tone was also low, slow but firm: “No Yes, A Ruan is very smart and strong. She will not give up in any adversity. She is my sister and I know her better than anyone. She will definitely find a way to protect herself and wait for us to save him.”

Zhao Jin smiled relievedly when she heard the words. It seemed that Jiang Xinzhi’s remarks also gave her a lot of peace of mind. She didn’t say anything immediately, just leaned her head on Jiang Xinzhi’s shoulder. Jiang Xinzhi suddenly remembered something and asked: “What does Dong Yinger want you to enter the palace today?”

Zhao Jin was startled, thinking of Dong Ying’er’s words in the palace, but faced with Jiang Xinzhi’s a little embarrassment, she couldn’t tell Jiang Xinzhi what Dong Ying’er thought of him. Although there is still a slight discomfort in her heart, Zhao Jin is not a caregiver, but she is not used to lying, so she has to vaguely say: “It’s just going to the palace to talk about the past.”

“Your feelings have always been weak, what can you tell the old?” Jiang Xinyi pointed out the wrong thing in Zhao Jin’s words.

Zhao Jin was a little embarrassed, and said: “Your Majesty’s dragon body is unsafe, and she is also worried, maybe she is a little uncertain about her future, and there is no one in the palace to talk to. Anyway, we also grew up together. I won’t hurt her anyway, she probably can only trust me now, and only talked to me for a while, and nothing else.”

This is half true, but it is indeed a reason. Jiang Xinzhi was silent for a long time when he heard the words, and after a long time he said: “You will rarely see her in the future, it is best not to see her again.”

Zhao Jin was startled, thinking why Jiang Xinzhi said this, but she didn’t know that Jiang Xinzhi had only met Dong Ying’er not long ago, and she didn’t know which side caused the turmoil, but it was Jiang Xinzhi. What happened, but it should be impossible, so he asked in confusion: “Why?”

“The power in the palace is complicated.” Jiang Xinzhi said: “The position of your Zhao family is also at an awkward time. If you pull too much with her, someone accidentally takes your Zhao family in and will see you at that time. How to end it.” Jiang Xinzhi threatened her like this. I can’t tell Zhao Jin that Dong Ying’er is not a good person. Moreover, with Zhao Jin’s straight-forward temperament, you may not be able to listen to it when you say it like this. It is best to involve the Zhao family. Dong Ying’er is the most filial, because it is for the Zhao family. Next time she will do something in advance. Weigh a few minutes.

Hearing this, Zhao Jin really stopped arguing, but just lowered her head dullly. Knowing that she would easily get into a dead end every time, Jiang Xinzhi didn’t persuade her, knowing that she would figure it out by herself, just reached out and rubbed Zhao Jin’s head. But the heaviness in his eyes did not relax at all.

Jiang Ruan has always been his biggest concern now.

At this moment, Jiang Ruan was in a quiet yard, in a certain room, looking at the big white dog lying lazily under his feet. These days, she would ask the dumb maid to cook more food every day, and share it with the dog, so she doesn’t have to make a separate dog food. The dumb maid had no doubt about him, and she really served a large portion of meals every day. Jiang Ruan wants to eat a lot, and the dog eats some too, but in the eyes of the dumb maid, it’s just that the big white dog is a bit gluttonous.

In such a peaceful day, Jiang Ruan’s heart was somewhat unrevealed. Why did Xuanli be so slow to do it? Only when Xuanli did it, the plan could be implemented faster. Now that she is pregnant, the place is clean, but if there is a case, she will be noticed if she is not careful, and it will only cause a lot of trouble. And what she wants to do most now is not to protect the child in her stomach.

Thinking of this, she only felt a surge in her throat, and the feeling of nausea suddenly came back, and she immediately supported the pillar beside the bed and retched. At this moment, the dumb maid stepped into the door with tea. She was shocked when she saw the scene, and immediately ran forward in a panic, looking at Jiang Ruan with no idea what to do.

Jiang Ruan had just stroked his chest, and his sickening reaction became more obvious every day. As soon as he raised his head, he saw the dumb servant’s anxious look. Oops, she cried out in her heart that it was not good, and immediately said without even thinking: “What is added to this meal today, I have a pain in my abdomen!”

The dumb maid was startled, and immediately wanted to run out. Jiang Ruan said sharply: “Stop!”