Chapter 173: The Consequences of Putting on an Act

Nangong Shu reached Qingxin Tavern. Sure enough, the people of the Dragon Conqueror Gang were all there, along with Prince Rui as expected.

Everyone immediately greeted him when they saw him arrive. Suddenly, the place was a burst of hustle and bustle.

Just as they were talking and laughing, Princess Yu Long came along as well!

Chang Huan’s relaxed smile suddenly disappeared. He turned slightly and looked out the window.

Yu Long noticed Chang Huan’s evasive look. Her eyes dimmed slightly, and then she smiled and walked towards Su Jiu. “Mr. Su, I heard that it is very lively here, so I took the liberty to come! I hope I didn’t disturb anything!”

Why did Yu Long come here? Only Su Jiu, Xiao Lie, and Chang Huan knew. Su Jiu hurriedly replied, “No, you didn’t disturb us! Princess, if you want to come, we are more than welcome!”

Yu Long smiled faintly, saw Xiao Lie and Nangong Shu, and paid her respects. “His Royal Highness Rui! General Nangong!”

“Greetings to you, Princess Yu Long!” Nangong Shu politely replied, albeit with several qualms. He thought that Yu Long came to find Prince Rui, and he did not expect her to know Su Jiu.

“The weather is excellent today, and the spring flowers are blooming. Why don’t we go on a cruise?” Yu Long suggested.

Behind Qingxin Tavern was the famous Huanhua River in Shengjing. The banks of the river willows were smokey and green. It was an ethereal display of nature’s glory.

“Sounds good! We do nothing else other than drinking when we get together. Why don’t we go on a cruise together this time around?” Xiao Lie wore a black-colored brocade embroidered with cloud patterns, along with purple and gold thread on the cuffs. The cloak lined the man’s prosperous posture, and he looked graceful as he spoke.

Since His Royal Highness Rui agreed to the suggestion, everyone else naturally had no objections. Thus, they went downstairs together and walked towards the river bank.

Facing the river breeze, there was a touch of rouge fragrance, coupled with the flamboyant laughter of the women in the shipyard. The extravagance of drunk reminiscing also lingered in the air.

There was a three-story boathouse with carved beams on the banks of the river. Everyone went up. The young noblemen and women were wearing colorful thin shirts. They gathered in groups of three and five, laughing and enjoying the joy of spring together.

Su Jiu and her party sat down by a set of tables and chairs at the ship’s bow. As soon as they sat down, they heard the boatman shouting, “We are setting sail!”

His loud and thunderous voice spread far across the river, echoing with the breeze.

The windows swayed gently, slowly leaving the river bank and heading towards the center of the river. The breeze carried with it a moist atmosphere, which was refreshing and pleasant.

A woman’s soft and sweet singing came floating by, and it was gentle and melodious. The songs sung were of a girl pining for love. It made one feel soft as they listened to her voice.

The waiter came over to pour tea for them, and served melon and fruit snacks.

At this time, the door of the cabin opened, and a group of three came to the bow. A man smiled and asked, “Eldest Young Master, why don’t we sit by the bow and listen to the music as we enjoy the wind?”

Su Jiu abruptly looked up. She looked into the dull eyes of Ji Yuxian.

The person who spoke was Young Royal Highness Liang, and there was another person with them. It was Big Golden Teeth.

Ji Yuxian stepped aside and seemed to want to walk away. However, he stopped in his steps when he saw Su Jiu. His lips pursed, and he nodded. “Alright!”

As they walked towards her, the faces of the women around flushed excitedly, and they whispered amongst themselves.

“Is that Eldest Young Master Ji? It is him!”

“The Eldest Young Master has come to this cruise?”

“The Eldest Young Master is so beautiful!”

…

Su Jiu and her group had an empty table next to them. The three of them sat down, with Ji Yuxian sitting behind Su Jiu.

Xiao Lie’s eyes were deep. All of a sudden, he held Su Jiu’s hand under the table.

Su Jiu subconsciously tried to shake him off, but the man merely tightened his grip. Despite that, his handsome face showed no sense of panic. He lightly held his cup of tea and sipped away.

The people from the Dragon Conqueror Gang were aware of the entanglement between Su Jiu and Ji Yuxian, and it was best not to say hello to Ji Yuxian at this moment. The atmosphere suddenly became silent and tense.

At this time, the waiter came, nodded, and smiled. “My distinguished guests, what do you want to eat and drink?”

Su Jiu looked towards Yu Long. “What do you like to eat, Princess?”

Yu Long grinned. “No need to be polite, you can do whatever you want. You can just order anything. I have always been an easy-going person!”

Su Jiu nodded with a chuckle. She then casually ordered a few special dishes on this ship and asked for their best wine.

“Wherever we go, we are still inseparable from wine!” Xiao Lie sat beside Su Jiu, his thin lips lightly pursed as he saw her give a weak smile.

“In the past two months in Youzhou, our Chief has been heavily deprived of wine!” Qiao An sipped his tea and smiled faintly.

“Says who?” Hu Dapao blurted out. “Didn’t you all buy wine at the market that day, even though that wine had to be mixed with water?”

Ah Shu and Chang Huan glanced at each other, and their faces immediately changed. It was too late to stop Hu Dapao from mentioning it.

Su Jiu looked at them and sneered, “That’s great. I was killing enemies in the village. To think that you all even bought wine and secretly drank without me!”

“Boss, I’m wrong! I acknowledge my mistake, and please punish me!” Chang Huan first admitted his guilt.

Ah Shu decided to defend himself. “At that time, you were living in the big tent of His Royal Highness Rui, Chief! We would never have dared to let you drink!”

As he leaned back against Su Jiu, Ji Yuxian’s body suddenly stiffened. His enchanting phoenix eyes were frosty, and his long fingers holding the teacup turned white!

They had slept together in the same tent. No wonder they became so close.

The man’s lips pursed with a self-deprecating sneer. What did he do? Why did he have to come here to experience this?

He knew she was there, but there was nothing else he could do!

“Eldest Young Master, please drink some tea!” Big Golden Teeth saw that Ji Yuxian’s face had turned ugly, but did not know what made him unhappy. He hurriedly got up and poured him some tea.

Young Royal Highness Liang was very interested in looking at the woman next to him. He squinted gently at her, and the woman shyly avoided his gaze.

Ah Shu and Hu Dapao then talked about the situation in Youzhou, and it became an endless talk. Yu Long listened with fright and frowned at Chang Huan.

It turned out that they had encountered so many dangers in Northern Xinjiang!

“In the end, it was fortunate that our Chief was desperately trying to pull the sheepskin over that wooden coffin. That truly saved our lives. Otherwise, we would probably be buried in the Coiling Dragon Ridge right now!”

Ji Yuxian’s hand trembled. The clear wine reflected the man’s deep and dark phoenix eyes.

She had entered the Coiling Dragon Ridge and encountered such dangerous matters. Why didn’t Wei Tan’s letter to him mention all these?

And at that time, it was Xiao Lie who was beside her.

The man’s chest felt dull and unbearable. He regretted his decision. Why didn’t he follow them? Perhaps then, things wouldn’t be like how it was now.

“Maybe it was the owner of the tomb who intended to let us live!” Su Jiu half-joked.

Chang Huan raised his eyebrows and whispered, “Maybe you don’t believe me, but I think I saw something firmly grabbing onto Hage at that time!”

As soon as his voice fell, everyone remembered the tragic situation where Hage chopped off his feet. They could not help but shudder.

Was Hage perhaps inseparable from that coffin? Was there something holding onto him?

Nangong Shu said, “At that time, it was Hage who had led the people into the tomb first, and it was also them who had forced the door of the main hall open!”

Everyone heard this, and they felt even more miserable. Did the tomb owner despise Hage for disturbing his tranquility, and refused to let him go?

However, the truth of the matter was that Hage has been buried with the tomb owner, and he would stay there forever. What was he stuck to the coffin by? What was he stuck with? No one would ever know.

Xiao Lie chuckled. “Why would there be a ghost? The tomb owner must have set up a trap so that no one can steal from the tomb!”

Everyone followed with a grin. Afterward, they no longer mentioned the things that happened in the tomb.

Young Royal Highness Liang was teasing the beautiful woman in front of his father-in-law. Then, he turned back to toast Ji Yuxian. “I will first make a toast to you, Eldest Young Master! Thank you for your willingness to be here for my sake today!”

“Your Highness is polite!” Ji Yuxian replied. Dressed in crimson, he had a beautiful face and a graceful posture. He sat there, and the women on the ship abruptly lost their composure.

That crimson color became another gorgeous scenery, set along the river with flowers.

“Eldest Young Master, I invited you to come out today because I want to be a matchmaker for you.” Young Royal Highness Liang glanced at Big Golden Teeth next to him and smiled. “Eldest Young Master, you should know that Shopkeeper Li’s precious daughter is my concubine. But he also has a third daughter. She has a flower-like appearance and has just reached the age to marry. Therefore, I want to help build a bridge between you and Shopkeeper Li. How about we make this happen?”

“Yes, yes!” Big Golden Teeth bobbed his head with a smile.

Ji Yuxian’s face was faint, and he took a sip of his drink slowly. His voice remained pleasant as he replied, “Thank you for the kind gesture, Young Royal Highness Liang and Shopkeeper Li. However, I have promised my wife that I will never have another concubine again, so I can only waste your efforts!”

Su Jiu’s hand, which was carrying a wine bottle, slightly quivered.

Xiao Lie glanced over, took Su Jiu’s hand, and smiled lightly. “Don’t drink anymore. This wine is strong, so it’s easy to get intoxicated!”

Everyone else was joking around and merry-making. Yu Long noticed Xiao Lie’s closeness to Su Jiu and was puzzled. She felt that the way Xiao Lie looked at Su Jiu’s expression was unlike how ordinary friends would behave.

Su Jiu put down her wine, changed to tea, raised her eyebrows. She smiled and exclaimed, “Okay!”

Behind her, Young Royal Highness Liang continued persuading Ji Yuxian. “Eldest Young Master, you shouldn’t say that. Men should have three wives and four concubines. If they only marry one wife, it will be rather shameful if the news spreads! They will say that you are afraid of your wife!”

Ji Yuxian nodded. “I’m scared of my wife indeed!”

She frowned. He could not bear to give her up, but he promised everything to her instead!

Young Royal Highness Liang said with a chuckle, “The Eldest Young Master is kidding!”

Ji Yuxian smiled, but he did not deny.

Big Golden Teeth grinned. “It is better to have Shopkeeper Li send his third daughter to your house and serve you, Eldest Young Master. If you like her, then we will send her to your room for more. How about that?”

Ji Yuxian shook his head. “My wife has not been in the manor recently. Before she left, she had told me that she would be so angry she might not even return! I do not dare to do this!”

Young Royal Highness Liang fell silent. “…”

For someone to readily admit that he feared his wife so frankly, only the Ji Manor’s Eldest Young Master was capable of this.

He wanted to see how beautiful this Young Mistress in Ji Manor was, such that the Eldest Young Master became so obsessed with her.

He heard that it was Miss Su from the Su Family, but he also heard that the marriage between the two was going to be renounced.

Big Golden Teeth was even more embarrassed, and he had to laugh. “It’s very admirable to care for your wife like this! Truly admirable! Although my marriage is not as successful yet, I have been friends with you for many years, Eldest Young Master. Once the spring tea from the Ji Manor soon enters the capital, please take care of me!”

Ji Yuxian smiled lightly. “You’re welcome, Shopkeeper Li!”

Su Jiu suddenly got up. “I’m going to the latrine!”

“I’ll go with you!” Xiao Lie took her hand.

Yu Long looked up, and her eyes landed on the hands that were holding onto each other. She gave a deep gaze.

“You don’t need to!” Su Jiu snorted. “The ship isn’t so big. I can surely find the latrine. I’ll be back soon!”

Su Jiu said her goodbyes, turned and walked out.

A neatly dressed young male servant immediately stepped forward and asked, “What’s the matter, sir?”

“Where’s the cottage?” Su Jiu asked.

“At the stern!” the male servant pointed back with his hand. “Go to the end and turn left!”

“Thank you!” Su Jiu nodded. She walked across the dazzling array of women and headed towards the stern.

She pushed the door open, and the interior was very elegant. The mahogany floor was set with two tables and chairs for guests to rest. The incense was lit on the table, and the fragrance was faint, without any trace of a smell.

There were two screens behind, with a wooden door in the middle. Su Jiu walked in and closed the door.

After a moment, Su Jiu washed her hands and left. When she lifted her head, she was stunned for a moment.

The man leaned obliquely on the desk case, looking captivating in red. He slowly looked up.

Su Jiu rolled her eyes and asked, “…Isn’t this the latrine for women?”

Ji Yuxian stared at her bitterly, got up, and took her arm. He turned her around and suddenly trapped her in his arms. He gritted his teeth fiercely and asked, “Su Jiu, are you done?”

Su Jiu’s face was pale, and she did not speak.

“Do you truly like him? Or do you want to be Princess Rui?” The man’s phoenix eyes were cold as he asked, pinching her chin.

Su Jiu’s eyes were equally cold as well. She looked up and said, “I like him!”

Ji Yuxian’s eyes shook fiercely. His thin lips rolled into a line, and he looked at her with pain. “You like him? When did this happen? Is it because both of you spent two months together? Is it because he was by your side when you were in danger?”

Su Jiu said nothing.

“Speak!” The man’s eyes were deeper in pain, and he bowed his head heavily on her lips. He swallowed her lips ferociously and angrily. He had conquered her and kissed her however he wanted.

Su Jiu struggled hard, but couldn’t withstand his strength. The heat on her lips pained her, but in her mind, it was ever chaotic.

The man tasted blood and slowed down. He thought of her for so long. How could he be willing to hurt her?

“Su Jiu, other than my identity and status, where else do I not match up with him? So why?”

“I missed you so much over these two months that I have exhausted all my mental strength. Tell me, how can I live my life without you in the future?”

“I’m aware of your feelings towards the Su Family, so I dare not force them to divorce me immediately. I decided to plan out a step-by-step procedure and let them take the initiative to divorce instead. This is so that you can be relieved and not feel guilty! However, now that I have managed to do it, why did you go and like other people instead? You promised me that you will wait for me!”

“You promised to stay with me forever!”

The man questioned with agony and kissed her resentfully. He wished to rub her into his body and never be separated from her, ever again.

Su Jiu closed her eyes as she struggled hard in her heart. She grasped her hands tightly and wanted to stay awake. She said that she was no longer going to be involved with Ji Yuxian. She did not like him! She disliked him!

He could kiss Lan Zhihui or marry Miss Su from the Su family. It had nothing to do with her!

She would never suffer that kind of suffering again!

Knock! Knock! Suddenly a knock came from the door, and Xiao Lie’s dull voice rang outside, “Ah Jiu, are you inside?”

“Ah Jiu?”

Ji Yuxian glanced at the wooden door and kissed harder.

“Ah Jiu?”

The voice outside the door started to panic.

“You wrote a letter and told me not to come and find you. I thought you needed to be calm, but why did you come back like this?” The man bit her lips unwillingly and grunted.

“What letter?”

Su Jiu’s lips were sealed, and a vague voice was heard. She extended her arms to push Ji Yuxian away, and the door suddenly was being kicked open. Xiao Lie looked at them coldly, his eyes sharp as needles.

“Ah Jiu, come with me!” Xiao Lie took Su Jiu’s wrist and raised his hands to wipe the blood on her lips. Then, with a cool spirit emitting from his body, he left with her.

Ji Yuxian reached out and grabbed Su Jiu. “She won’t go with you!”

Xiao Lie looked back. His handsome face was cold, and his presence overwhelming. “Su Jiu has promised to be with me, and she hopes that the Eldest Young Master will no longer be entangled with her. If you make it difficult for her, I won’t let you go easily!”

Ji Yuxian’s eyes were clear as he remarked, “How will Your Highness kill your humble servant?”

“I know how much power you have, and my father, the Emperor, dare not easily move against you, Eldest Young Master. I will not do anything to suppress you in that matter, but, in addition to having the rights of the prince, I also have the right to be a man. I will not allow you to touch Ah Jiu!”

“It would be better to try and find out who is ever more determined!”

“Are both of you done?!” Su Jiu suddenly screamed and flung her hands violently, freeing herself from both of them.

She pulled out a silver ticket from her arms and threw it on the boat, then glanced coldly at the two. “No one shall follow me, or I’ll sever all ties! I will do it!”

The girl looked pale and turned to walk past the screen. She kicked the cabin with one foot and jumped down.

Plop! Then, they heard a woman screaming from the other end, “Someone has fallen into the water! No, no, someone has fallen into the water!”

Ji Yuxian and Xiao Lie both changed their faces and rushed forward, only to see that the girl had gone very quickly towards the shore. Once she landed, she hurriedly left and disappeared.

Ah Shu and Hu Dapao also heard the sound, got up, and looked. They saw Su Jiu’s figure on the shore. Shocked, they ran to the stern.

Looking at the entire wooden wall where the cabin was kicked, Chang Huan and Ah Shu stood up, got into the water, and chased after Su Jiu.

“What’s going on?” Princess Yu Long asked in surprise.

Qiao An’s eyes fell on Ji Yuxian and Xiao Lie with coldness, and he said softly, “Please, both of you, stop forcing our Chief!”

Nangong Shu walked from behind and looked at the two equally distinguished and upright men. The deep tide flowed through his eyes. He slowly squinted and turned to look in the direction where Su Jiu headed towards.

Young Royal Highness Liang and Big Golden Teeth also heard the sound. At this time, they saw Xiao Lie and stepped forward to greet him. “We didn’t know you’re here, Your Highness! How rude of us!”

Xiao Lie coldly glanced at Young Royal Highness Liang, turned around, and strode away. He then ordered the boatman to go ashore.

…

“Ah!” Su Jiu sat around the fire, covered in a quilt with a depressed look.

The water in March was still frigid. The consequences of putting on an act were to wear drenched clothes and catch a cold. With a cold, one would get a headache and fever and would be in bed for at least two days.

Su Jiu was in good health and rarely got sick. However, when she would get sick, it would come violently, and medicine would not work.

The nanny walked in, carrying a medicine bowl. Worried, she anxiously muttered, “Miss, you were already uncomfortable yesterday, why didn’t you mention it? You simply laid in bed for a whole day, and now your condition is getting more and more serious!”

It was a cool March, but Su Jiu still shivered despite having a fire in the house. She frowned and replied, “I thought I would be better after I lay down for one day!”

“Hurry up and drink the medicine!” The nanny carefully passed the bowl over.

Su Jiu frowned at the thick soup, which had a sour and bitter smell. “Can I not drink it?”

“No!” The nanny said firmly.

Su Jiu accepted her fate and took a few sips.

The nanny put the bowl down, stretched out the quilt, and supported Su Jiu to let her lie down and sleep.

Su Jiu’s head was dizzy. She laid down for a while, before falling asleep. Between moments when she was awake and asleep, she felt that such an arrangement was good. The chill made her drowsy, and she slept immediately when she laid down. This helped her from thinking too much about troublesome matters!

Chang Huan and Ah Shu sat on the stone steps. As soon as the nanny came out, they stood up. “How is the Boss?”

“Speak softly!” The nanny hushed them. “She had just taken the medicine and went to sleep, so don’t disturb her!”

Chang Huan glanced worriedly at the room and nodded slowly.

“Will our Chief be alright?” Ah Shu asked nervously.

“She will be fine. The doctor said it’s just a cold. She just needs to drink a few days of medicine!” Nanny said.

Ah Shu felt relieved but frowned in the next instant. “What’s going on with His Highness Prince Rui and the Eldest Young Master?”

They had forced Su Jiu to escape from the ship!

Chang Huan’s face was gloomy. He straightened himself and remained silent.

The sun was setting as Chang Huan said, “Ah Shu, please go back to the Bodyguard Agency first. I can stand guard here by myself. I will send someone to let you know if something happens!”

“Well… okay. Come to me immediately if something happens!”

Ah Shu then left. As he went out, Qiao An and Hu Dapao were seen coming down, hurrying to the Western Courtyard.

They saw Ah Shu and immediately asked, “How’s our Chief?”

“Still sleeping. You all better not go over, Chang Huan is there!”

Hu Dapao’s face was ugly, and he said with contempt, “Chief has already left the Ji Manor, but why is the Eldest Young Master still entangled with her?”

Ah Shu glanced at him. “Why don’t you say then that it was Prince Rui that came between them?”

Hu Dapao’s eyes widened when he heard this.”Chief is no longer Mrs. Ji from the Ji Manor. Thus, why can’t Prince Rui like her?”

“But our Chief likes the Eldest Young Master. Otherwise, why is she so sad?” Ah Shu retorted.

“Okay, you two!” Qiao An frowned and said, “Isn’t this messy enough? Go back! I’ll find you all if I have something!”

“Yes!”

Ah Shu and Hu Dapao responded in unison.

Qiao An sighed heavily and walked towards the Western Courtyard.

In the Ji Manor…

Ji Yuxian did not leave the study room for two days. Old Housekeeper Yu became anxious, and even Jin Feng did not know what to say this time around.

Ji Yuxian did not take Jin Feng with him when he went out that day. His face was ugly when he came back, but he knew that it must be related to Su Jiu. No one except Su Jiu could make Ji Yuxian like this.

“The Su Family sent someone again! Will you see them, Eldest Young Master?” Old Housekeeper Yu asked.

Jin Feng sneered. They did not agree to the conditions that Ji Yuxian had proposed before. Alas, now that they had no choice, they were starting to worry again.

“Let them wait. When the Eldest Young Master wants to see Su Wenqian depends on his mood!” Jin Feng said.

“Okay!”

Old Housekeeper Yu nodded and went out to inform the messenger.

As he walked out the courtyard door, he saw that the Fourth Young Mistress, Chen Yuchan, was holding a food box and standing outside the door. She was probably afraid that the guard would not let her in, so she had been waiting there.

“Anything of the matter, Fourth Young Mistress?” Old Housekeeper Yu asked.

“I heard that the Eldest Young Master had a bad appetite in the past two days. The concubine made some appetizing cakes!” Chen Yuchan lowered her head and muttered.

Usually, he would always ask Ji Yuxian for his permission, but today he simply said, “Go ahead, Fourth Young Mistress!”

Chen Yuchan was a little happy, and joy spread across her face. “Thank you, Old Housekeeper Yu!”

“You’re welcome, Fourth Young Mistress!”

Chen Yuchan walked until she was outside the study. She glanced at the closed door of the study and handed the food box to Jin Feng.

Jin Feng’s face was dull. “Fourth Young Mistress, please take it back. The Eldest Young Master will not eat it!”

Chen Yuchan was anxious. “How can he not eat it? The Eldest Young Master will be hungry!”

Seeing her sincere worries, Jin Feng said softly, “Fourth Young Mistress, you can try to send it yourself!”

“Ok!” Chen Yuchan nodded gently.

She pushed open the door to enter, and a whiff of lotus fragrance floated into her nostrils. The woman suddenly felt a little nervous. She squeezed the handle in her hand and gingerly walked inside.

Ji Yuxian lay obliquely on the low couch. His red robe spread out, and large lotus flowers blooming were on it. He was beautiful, enchanting, and gorgeous. The man’s eyes were closed tightly, with a strand of hair scattered across his forehead.

The hair covered the man’s pale and beautiful face. Although his red lips were gorgeous, there was a hint of decay in its beauty. It was somewhat distressing.

Chen Yuchan frowned at the man but dared not to approach. She softly called, “My lord?”

The man’s long eyelashes trembled, and his thin lips lifted lightly.

“Get out!”

His voice was hoarse and fierce.

Chen Yuchan felt a chill down her spine, but she dared to stay in her position. “My lord, you haven’t eaten for two days. If you go on like this, your body will not hold on further!”

The man’s voice did not seem to change.

“Get out! Don’t let me say it again!”

He heard that she had nothing to eat in the mountains for a few days. As a result, he was going to stay hungry for a few days and see how it felt.

Chen Yuchan squeezed the food container tightly, turned, and walked away. Then, suddenly, she turned back and whispered, “The pastries made by your concubine were all loved by the previous Young Mistress. I made a lot of them, and I will put them here. When my Lord is hungry, just eat some!”

With that, the woman gently put the food box on the ground.

The man slowly opened his eyes and murmured, “She loves to eat those? What does she love to eat?”

Chen Yuchan immediately replied, “This hazelnut cake, as well as the lotus root powder osmanthus cake. They are all loved by the Young Mistress!”

“Bring it here!” The man said quietly.

“Yes!” Chen Yuchan nodded happily. She hurriedly opened the food box, brought out a stack of lotus root powder osmanthus cake on one knee, and knelt in front of the man.

Ji Yuxian reached for a piece.

His fingers were clear and as white as jade. He held the yellow and white translucent food that was made into a sweet-scented osmanthus cake. He inspected it carefully.

“Does she love to eat this?” Ji Yuxian asked softly.

In Chen Yuchan’s memory, Ji Yuxian had never spoken to her in such a soft tone, and her heart pounded rapidly as she hurriedly nodded. “Yes, the Young Mistress said that what I made was delicious, and she likes it very much!”

Ji Yuxian nodded lightly. “Then you shall make more of it and wait for her to come back. Then, give her food!”

“Yes! The concubine will remember this!” The woman said softly.

“Go on then!”

“Yes!” Chen Yuchan placed the lotus root powder osmanthus cake and hazelnut cake on the side table beside him.

“Did the Eldest Young Master eat?” Jin Feng was surprised when he saw that Chen Yuchan had stayed in the study for a while and quickly asked.

Chen Yuchan smiled gently. “No, but he asked me to put down all the food, and asked me to make more in the future!”

Jin Feng smiled faintly. “Okay, then in the future, we shall trouble you to come here a few more times, Fourth Young Mistress!”

“You are too polite! These are all within the concubine’s duties!”

Chen Yuchan gave a slight curtsy and turned to go.

The woman left the main courtyard and walked slowly back to hers. As she passed the garden, peach blossoms were blooming on both sides of the path. The begonias were colorful, and the scenery of flowers helped one’s mood to get better.

Chen Yuchan stopped, folded a peach blossom, and placed it in the food container. She then smiled lightly.

“Fourth Young Mistress!” Suddenly, a low voice came from nowhere.

The woman turned her head and smiled. “Oh, it turns out to be Qiao’er!”

Qiao’er looked up and replied, “Fourth Young Mistress, how are you? Your servant has a request and needs your help!”

“What request? Just say it!” Chen Yuchan helped her up.

“Fourth Young Mistress, my mother is very ill, and she needs money to buy medicine. The money that your servant received this month has been used up. Thus, I’m afraid that I have to ask if the Mistress can lend me some money in advance…” Qiao’er asked with her head bowed down.

Chen Yuchan’s eyes flickered, and her complexion grew softer and softer. “Of course! Money is easy. It is more important to treat your mother first!”

Afterward, she took out a piece of silver and put it on Qiao’er’s palm. “Here are ten silver taels. If it is not enough, ask me for more again!”

“Thank you, Fourth Young Mistress!” Qiao’er happily thanked her. “As your servant, I will most definitely be loyal to you, Fourth Young Mistress! The words that you asked me to tell Mingfu, I did it. Indeed, within a while, Young Mistress was kept restricted within Lotus Pavilion.”

“Hush!” Chen Yuchan made a quiet gesture, looked around, and grinned. “Don’t mention those things. I was also merely feeling unfair for our previous Young Mistress. If you need money, you can always come and find me!”

“Yes, your servant will remember!” Qiao’er smiled.

Chen Yuchan turned around and walked to her courtyard, holding a peach flower in her hands. The petals were gradually peeled off by the woman and they fell on the stone path and were blown away by the wind.

Qiao’er kept the silver and walked proudly out to the gardens. Just then, a figure came out from behind the begonia tree and glared at Qiao’er coldly. “Well, Qiao’er, you saw Miss Su coming over the other time and said those things deliberately!”

“Mingfu?” Qiao’er was astounded.

“You collected the money from the Fourth Young Mistress, and you intentionally angered Miss Su’s family. I worked with you for so long, but I didn’t know that you were so cunning!” Mingfu said, “I will go to the Eldest Young Master now!”

“Mingfu, you must not go and tell the Eldest Young Master about this! Otherwise, I will be kicked out. Let’s drive that Miss Su away! Isn’t that what he wanted?” Qiao’er hugged Mingfu’s arm and explained in a panic, “I did this to get our Young Mistress back quickly as well!”

Mingfu stood still, but she still felt something was wrong. “What else did you collude with the Fourth Young Mistress?”

“Nothing else, absolutely nothing else! Only this once! Mingfu, based on our relationship of so many years, please let me go! I won’t dare to do this anymore! If I am kicked out, my mother would have no money to cure her illness! She will die soon!” Qiao’er begged mournfully.

Mingfu looked at her and calmed down. “In the future, you can’t do such a thing anymore, no matter what purpose Fourth Young Mistress has in mind! If we get involved in the issues of our masters, it will only lead to death. Do you understand? Have you forgotten what had happened to Shaoyao and Zhao Liu’er?”

Qiao’er shuddered and bobbed her head in trepidation. “Yes, yes! I dare not do this again!”

Mingfu sighed and turned his head to look at the back of Fourth Young Mistress, his brow furrowing slightly.

Early the next morning, a sedan carrying the Su Family’s Eldest Mistress entered the palace.

Upon entering Fushou Palace, a familiar and delicate scene came into view. Bai Jingrou’s quiet and water-like eyes did not fluctuate. Under the guidance of the Lady-in-charge, she went to pay her respects to Empress Dowager Xiao.

The servants went in to inform them that Mrs. Su was here.

Empress Dowager Xiao was taking her medicine.

Hearing this, she decided to not take her medicine, and immediately went forward to greet her personally. Her footsteps were eager, albeit unstable.

Imperial Concubine Rong was busy supporting her from behind.

Before they left the hall, Bai Jingrou had already walked in. She looked at Empress Dowager Xiao, and she raised her eyebrows. She then knelt on her knees, collapsed, and performed a dramatic bow. “Commoner Su Baishi, paying her respects to the Empress Dowager and Imperial Concubine Rong!”

Empress Dowager Xiao gaped at the woman on the ground, and she suddenly burst into tears. She went forward and helped her up with both hands. “Jingrou, 20 years have passed. You finally came to see me!”

Bai Jingrou lowered her head and said quietly, “Please don’t be alarmed!”

“Sister Rou, I’ve finally met you again!” Imperial Concubine Rong’s eyes were tearful as she choked.

“Imperial Concubine Rong!” Bai Jingrou politely paid her respects, with a touch of alienation in her tone.

Imperial Concubine Rong’s eyes could not help but look away as her gaze dropped.

“Jingrou!” Empress Dowager Xiao looked at the woman with an earnest gaze. As she watched the girl that she dreamed of at midnight becoming a mature woman, sadness welled up through her chest. She couldn’t help but start crying.

“Empress Dowager Xiao!” Imperial Concubine Rong wiped her tears and comforted her in a warm tone, “Sister Rou entered the palace well, why are you crying? You will make us all cry with you as well in a minute!”

Empress Dowager Xiao smiled and took Bai Jingrou’s hand. “Come, come in with me and chat with me! I have so much that I want to talk with you!”

Bai Jingrou wanted to put out her hand for a moment, but just barely held back. Together with the Empress Dowager, they strolled towards the inner hall.

Upon entering the inner hall, Imperial Concubine Rong personally went to get tea and placed it in front of Bai Jingrou. She then pointed to the medicine bowl on the table. “Empress Dowager Xiao heard that her sister was coming, and she greeted her without drinking her medicine.”

Bai Jingrou looked at the medicine bowl and turned to Empress Dowager Xiao. “Empress Dowager, are you unwell?”

Empress Dowager Xiao sat on the soft lumpy chair and looked at her kindly. “People get old, and there will always be something wrong. If you still don’t come, maybe we won’t even see each other after this!”

“Empress Dowager Xiao, here you go again!” Imperial Concubine Rong smiled faintly.

“To make Empress Dowager Xiao so worried, I deeply apologize!” Bai Jingrou muttered.

Looking at the woman’s indifferent look, Empress Dowager Xiao sighed slightly and said to Imperial Concubine Rong, “Go down! Let Jingrou and I speak in private!”

“Yes!” Imperial Concubine Rong stood up with a smile. “This concubine shall go and prepare lunch. Sister Rou, you must stay with the Empress Dowager Xiao and have a meal together.”

After she helped Empress Dowager Xiao to put a blanket on her leg, Imperial Concubine Rong took the rest of the palace staff and headed out.

Empress Dowager Xiao gently stroked Bai Jingrou’s curly hair, her eyes tearful and loving. It was as if she was looking at her daughter whom she had not seen for many years. “Jingrou, you have white hair already! In my impression, you were still a young and fair maiden!”

“Empress Dowager, you still look the same!” Bai Jingrou raised her head and smiled gently.

“Don’t say these polite words to me. I am old too! How can you not be old after 20 years?” Empress Dowager Xiao laughed and asked, “Are you okay with the Su Family? Does Su Wenqian treat you badly?”

Bai Jingrou lowered her eyes gently, shaking her head slowly.

However, Empress Dowager Xiao looked at her, and she sighed. “Jingrou, I haven’t drunk the tea you make for a very long time. Make me a cup of tea, will you?”

“Yes!”

After Bai Jingrou walked over to the tea case, she kneeled on the futon, cleaned her hands, and began preparing to make tea.

Empress Dowager Xiao sat opposite her. She had a light, somewhat blurred expression on her face. She said in a deep voice, “Jingrou, I knew that you resented me in your heart. When your daughter got married and you entered the capital, you did not come and see me!”

Bai Jingrou’s hands shook a little, but she did not respond with the same fear as before. She continued to pour water.

The faint tea fragrance wafted out. The air was warm, and although the days from then had long passed, it was as if they had returned to how it was 20 years ago.

“I don’t blame you. It was all my fault. I had said that I treated you like you’re my daughter, but in the face of the big picture, I still threw you aside!”

Bai Jingrou was still indifferent.

“I know that the Emperor liked you, and it was a kind of love that was more than what he had for his concubines. He had even wanted to promote your mother’s family into the dynasty for you, paving the way for you to become the queen. I could not allow such a thing to happen and I had to give you up as a result!”

“I sent you out of the palace, and I sent someone to find your parents’ house. It happened that the Su Family committed a crime and the family needed to leave the capital. I saw that Su Wenqian was a talented man and that they were also suitable for you. Thus, I secretly guided your father for him, so you would get married into the Su Family and leave Shengjing as quickly as possible!”

“The Emperor didn’t know that all this was done by me, and he was sad and resentful for a very long time.”

Empress Dowager Xiao slowly spoke of the things that had been buried in her heart for the longest time. With that, she could finally heave a sigh of relief.

“I know that you are smart and you thoroughly understand everything, so I do not want to hide anything from you. Everything was done by me!” Empress Dowager Xiao choked slightly as she said this, “You have been cold to me and treated me differently as before, and I can truly understand. You must have felt that you’ve been wronged for the past two decades!”

Bai Jingrou lowered her head, as tears dripped down her beautiful face and fell on the tea case. The slight sound seemed to steer up the dormant past in her heart that had been buried for more than 20 years.

At that time, she was magnificent, pure, and proud. She had fallen in love with the young Emperor and immersed herself thoroughly in it. She had thought that she was different from others.

The result of being young and vigorous was for her future to be entirely buried!

She gave birth to a daughter for Su Wenqian, but she never loved him. Therefore, she could calmly watch and accept as she saw how he spoiled the Second Mistress.

This was fine too. Otherwise, in these years, she would be the same as those jealous women in other men’s harem, disheveled and jealous.

However, what she hated most was that the heavens had taken away her daughter, and she was not allowed to receive love or affection. She felt that in her life, she was destined to be lonely.

“Jingrou, throughout these years, I have always dreamed of you. I dreamed that you would play the piano, make tea, sit there and carve out a seal, and ask me if it looks good.” Empress Dowager Xiao held her hand and choked. “Jingrou, please don’t blame me!”

Bai Jingrou closed her eyes, and tears glided across her plain face and fell on the back of Empress Dowager Xiao’s hand. Those were hot tears.

She walked over and knelt in front of Empress Dowager Xiao. Her body then fell on her lap. She was as close to her as she was 20 years ago. Her eyes were closed as her tears streaked her face.

“Empress Dowager Xiao, Rou’er is back!”

Empress Dowager Xiao shuddered, hugged Bai Jingrou hard, and wept silently.

With that soft voice, she knew that she had forgiven her!