"The rare items in the Imperial Kitchen are all sent to the palace by Yue Niang. Let's go to the storeroom and choose some medicinal herbs and jewelry instead."

Xiao Jingzhao simply didn't believe it; apart from the vegetables delivered from the restaurant, there was nothing on the market that could be called a rare item.

Eunuch Ma kept everyone in suspense, bowing and nodding repeatedly, "This servant obeys, send them all, nothing will be left out."

Seeing that the Emperor had no further instructions, Xiang Song cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please rest. I will take my leave now."

"Yes, any news that comes back to the capital can be reported at any time."

A moment later, Xiang Song ran back. "Master, Miss Lin is here. Do you want to see her or hide?"

Xiao Jingzhao stood up abruptly, as if facing a formidable enemy. "Hide, of course we have to hide."

He then said to Eunuch Ma, "Give the order that I go to see the Right Chancellor to discuss state affairs. Please, Miss Lin, make yourself at home."

Seeing the emperor flee in disarray, Xiang Song and Eunuch Ma exchanged a glance.

Eunuch Ma shook his head. "His Majesty is so frustrated! He's been hiding every few days. When will this end?"

"That's right. When the Emperor gets anxious, he can't even make up a coherent lie. Since ancient times, it has always been the subject who requests an audience with the Emperor, never the Emperor who goes to see the subject."

"Your Excellency is right. No emperor has ever hid from anyone before."

Xiang Song: "..."

This wasn't a slip of the tongue due to being in a hurry.

Xiang Song was not one to fool people. While Eunuch Ma was giving instructions to the eunuch on duty outside the Imperial Study, he strode out of the Imperial Study and headed in the opposite direction from where Lin Ruyin had come from.

...

The bright red lanterns still hung high in the Jiang residence; they hadn't been taken down since they were hung up for the New Year.

Whenever Sui Sui was home, Jiang Shuyue would have her maids and servants light all the lanterns.

Sui Sui went to Shumoxuan to play with rabbits with Yao Zu, while Jiang Shuyue waited in the hall for Cang Yun to return with a letter from the Su residence.

As soon as the lights in the mansion were turned on, Qiuju brought several tender ears of corn to the hall.

"Miss, please try this fresh corn. Mei'er went to the East Market today and happened to see a merchant from out of town selling corn. It's a rare treat this time of year."

Jiang Shuyue sighed, "These were transported from out of town. I wonder how much they cost per pound?"

"Twenty coins each."

"Cough cough..."

Jiang Shuyue almost choked to death on her own saliva.

He cursed inwardly. What a swindler! He had clearly offered him twenty coins per pound. The corn in his space was growing exceptionally well, and three ears of corn made a pound. He had made double the profit by reselling it.

In Beijing, this one ear of corn costs as much as a pound of pork.

Jiang Shuyue had a lot of money, so she wasn't worried about spending it.

After wiping her hands, she took a bite of the corn cob; it was soft, sweet, and really delicious.

"How much did Mei'er buy? Cook it all and share it with everyone. This one is enough for me."

As Jiang Shuyue spoke, she pushed the plate towards Qiu Ju.

Qiuju smiled and took the plate. "Young Master Suisui and Yaozu each have one. I'll take this away and distribute them."

Jiang Shuyue could guess with her toes that Mei'er hadn't bought much.

"Tell Mei'er not to skimp on food; let everyone try whatever is good."

"Yes, I already said that Mei'er said that Miss works hard to earn money and she is reluctant to spend it."

In this era, rich girls only knew how to enjoy themselves, while girls from poor families would do embroidery to supplement their family income.

There is absolutely no one like Jiang Shuyue who can independently accomplish great things and support an entire household of maids and servants on her own.

The maids and servants in the mansion all admired Jiang Shuyue greatly. Mei'er was in charge of the mansion's purchasing, and she was very frugal, never wasting a single penny.

After dinner, Cangyun returned from the Su residence.

Jiang Shuyue asked impatiently, "How is it? Any news? Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, it's almost here."

Cangyun cupped her hands and replied, "Miss is right. Lord Su and Madam Su will arrive in the capital tomorrow. Young Master Su will leave the capital to welcome them tomorrow morning. I don't know if he can make it into the city before noon."

"Young Master Su asked me to pass on a message that he would like Miss and Young Master to come to the Su residence for the Lantern Festival tomorrow."

Jiang Shuyue nodded, "Yes, I will go. Ajin has left the city, and I need to go and help with the arrangements."

Cangyun left, and Lan'er came in.

Jiang Shuyue then realized that she hadn't seen Xue'er for a while after returning to the room.

She said to Lan'er, "Are the dried fish fried yet? Xue'er is nowhere to be seen. Quickly help me look for her."

Jiang Shuyue was worried that the little one was in love and would run away from the mansion.

Lan'er covered her mouth and laughed, "Miss can't be without Xue'er for a moment now. I feel like Xue'er is almost on par with the young master."

"Xue'er is so cute, everyone likes her. Spring is the mating season for cats. Xue'er is so beautiful, she'll be kidnapped if she runs out of the manor."

"Tomorrow I'll ask an embroiderer to make a beautiful rope out of silk to put Xue'er in so she won't worry, Miss," Xue'er said earnestly.

Jiang Shuyue lifted the small blanket on the soft couch, but Xue'er was nowhere to be seen.

She said anxiously, "Don't talk about anything else yet, hurry up and help us find her. Xue'er usually sleeps on the soft couch most of the time, could she have gone to the warm pavilion today?"

Jiang Shuyue was about to head towards the warm pavilion when Lan'er said, "Miss, don't look for her. Xue'er is in Shumoxuan. She rarely goes to the warm pavilion now that the brazier is no longer lit."

"I'll go check if Sui Sui is resting, and bring Xue Er back while I'm at it."

Just as Jiang Shuyue reached the door, Qiu Ju walked in from outside.

Qiuju overheard Jiang Shuyue and Lan'er's conversation from under the eaves. She said:

"Young Master Sui Sui has already fallen asleep holding Xue'er. Miss, you don't need to go over there. I've already made everything ready. Yao Zu and the young master are settled in one room. We're going to the Su residence tomorrow, so Miss, please settle in early as well."

Jiang Shuyue stopped in her tracks. "Alright, you should get settled in as soon as possible."

Qiuju went inside to make the bed, and Lan'er tidied up the small blanket on the soft couch before leaving.

"Miss, what should we do if Young Master Nangong returns tomorrow?"

"Leave a message for Shuanzi: We went to the Su residence and met Uncle Su and Aunt Su. We'll be back after lunch. Besides, you can't just leave the military camp whenever you want, and he might not be able to go home."

Jiang Shuyue walked to the dressing table, took off her hairpin, and her smooth, black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, covering her entire back.

Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror, her long hair flowing, she remembered that sentence.

When my hair grows long enough to reach my waist, will you marry me, young man?

When I rule the world, I will grant you a lifetime of blooming flowers.

Between the two statements, she still felt the first one was more reliable.

After Qiuju made the bed and left, Jiang Shuyue slipped into the space, enjoyed a relaxing hot spring bath, and then lay back down on the bed.

As the days went by, the cold weather in the capital city eased.

There wasn't much going on at the clinic lately, so Jiang Shuyue stayed in her bedroom instead of leaving early.

Wearing the nightgown that the embroiderer had cut according to the pattern she gave me, it was loose and comfortable, and I felt completely relaxed.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Jiang Shuyue fell into a deep sleep.

At midnight, the window was pushed open, and the bright moonlight instantly streamed into the room.

A tall figure leaped in lightly.