After Jiang Shuyue left, Xie Linzhou escorted her home, but Song Ning's mind was still on Jiang Shuyue.

Jiang Shuyue, as expected of someone from the imperial city, defeated Consort Shu, and the Qin family was imprisoned.

This time, by using Mu Xueyun's matter, they not only helped her get rid of suspicion, but also made the Mu family owe them a favor.

Although this is a win-win situation, why should she be the one to suffer?

Oh, she's such a weak and helpless little thing.

Anyone can bully her, and in the end, she has to take responsibility herself. It's so frustrating to think about.

They didn't speak the whole way. The carriage arrived at their doorstep, and Song Ning jumped off the carriage and looked at Xie Linzhou, who was about to get off.

"General, please don't come down. You should go back quickly. I'll go in first."

After saying that, without even looking at Xie Linzhou's expression, she turned around and went home.

The Song family was anxious. They were just honest, ordinary people doing business, and now that their business was just getting off the ground, one problem after another was coming their way.

When Song Ning returned, Liu Yuelan had already packed her things, and even Yunniang couldn't persuade her otherwise.

“Your mother has been feeling very anxious lately. She doesn’t want to stay in the capital anymore, saying it’s too dangerous and she’s afraid something will happen to you,” Yunniang whispered.

"We couldn't persuade them otherwise, and now everything is packed up."

Song Ning sighed. Her mother was probably terrified, thinking she had gotten into some trouble.

"Don't worry, everything's fine now. I'll talk to my mother."

The shop is still open as usual, but Song Ning doesn't go out much these days.

Xie Linzhou came by during this time, but I didn't see him. Jiang Shuyue also came by, but she left without saying much. I heard she's been quite busy lately.

That day, Song Ning was scribbling at the table when Old Mrs. Liu called out from outside, "Er Ya, we have a guest."

Song Ning quickly put down his pen and went outside to see what was happening. It turned out to be Cheng Yuying.

Cheng Yuying only brought one maid with her today. When she saw Song Ning come out, she happily stepped forward and said, "Miss Song."

"Princess." Song Ning gave a slight curtsy.

"No need for formalities. I just came to see you. You won't mind if I come uninvited, will you?"

"How could that be? Princess, please come in."

They invited the man into the house, served him tea, and the two sat down to talk.

Cheng Yuying told her about Mu Xueyun's recent situation.

I heard she's much better now, able to eat and sleep well, and no longer threatening suicide. But the Mu family still won't let her go out, probably afraid she'll do something foolish again.

It's said that Mu Xueyun is a sick person. She won't listen to kind advice and has to be scolded a few times to calm her down. That's when she'll be fine.

Cheng Yuying smiled and said, "She knows she was wrong about what happened last time. Xueyun has been spoiled since she was a child, but she doesn't really have any bad intentions. I went to the Mu residence before I came here today, and she asked me to thank you on her behalf."

Is it true? Song Ning was a little skeptical.

Mu Xueyun looked like she wanted to kill her that day, would she thank her? She probably wouldn't be satisfied until she gave her a thorough dressing down.

Thank her? She probably wouldn't even believe it herself if you told her.

However, Cheng Yuying said that if it was true, then so be it, since she and Mu Xueyun would never have any further contact in the future anyway.

Besides, the Mu family had recently sent her a lot of nice things, which she accepted without hesitation.

"He who takes a gift is bound to be obligated to it." Since she had accepted the gift, she decided to let bygones be bygones and wouldn't bring it up again.

"Princess, rest assured, let's consider this matter over. I will not mention it again, nor will I say anything about it in the future."

Cheng Yuying smiled with relief: "That's good. You and Xueyun are both good girls. If it weren't for... you should have been friends."

No way, she wouldn't dare.

As they talked, the topic turned to Mu Xueyun's kidnapping.

“Miss Song, you should be careful lately. I heard that Xueyun was taken away because of General Xie.”

"I also heard about this matter. The Mu family has been getting closer to the Duke's mansion a few days ago, and people are speculating that the two families are about to have a good match, which led to what happened last time."

After saying that, he smiled and said, "But you don't need to worry, there are people watching outside, nothing will happen."

"I understand, thank you, Princess."

As she was leaving, Cheng Yuying suddenly said, "By the way, there's a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet at my residence the day after tomorrow. If Miss Song doesn't mind, she could come out for a stroll and relax."

As he spoke, the maid behind him handed over the invitation.

"I hope you can come that day."

After saying that, he left with his maid.

Holding the invitation, Song Ning hesitated for a moment, but was also a little tempted.

The princess's chrysanthemum appreciation banquet will definitely be attended by young ladies from noble families. She has always wanted to open a shop for Yunniang, specializing in selling jewelry and the like.

I've been busy with work at the restaurant, but now that I finally have some free time, I can start making some plans.

If she takes the hair ornaments made by Yunniang to the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, wouldn't that be a perfect opportunity to expand her market?

Thinking of this, Song Ning decided that she still had to make a trip. Otherwise, in this capital city full of shops, with such intense competition, she didn't know how many good shops would go unnoticed.

Unfortunately, the clothes she drew hadn't been made yet, so she couldn't wear them.

Having made up her mind, Song Ning told Yun Niang about it. Yun Niang didn't care about these things; she was just doing them to pass the time.

"You don't need to go to so much trouble. I'll stay at the restaurant and help you out."

"How can that be? Auntie's skills can't be wasted. In the future, all the young ladies from noble families in the capital should be able to wear the hair ornaments made by Auntie."

They were usually busy at the restaurant, but since coming to the capital, Old Mrs. Liu's health had improved considerably, and she usually helped take care of the household.

Xiao Cui is earning quite a bit now. Mr. Yu is also working at Xiangyunlou, working with Manager Du to manage the accounts.

Song Dahai and Liu Yuelan have been extremely busy at the restaurant lately, while Yunniang has nothing to do. Song Ning is worried that she might be bored, so if she had a shop, it wouldn't feel so empty on weekdays.

"Auntie, if the shop opens, we can hire a few more people. We can go whenever we want, or stay home if we don't want to."

What was that saying again? Having nothing and not using something are two different things.

Yunniang was preoccupied and unwilling to talk about anything. It was better to have something to do than to be lost in her own thoughts.

The people who came from Tianxiang County last time said that their county magistrate was coming back.

They're probably after Yunniang.

Zheng Gaoyi was originally from the capital, and now that Tianxiang County is getting better and better, he can rest assured that he will not leave again after returning this time.

Yunniang has been in a bad mood ever since she heard the news, and Song Ning wanted to find her something to do so that she would feel better.

That was settled. Two days later, Song Ning prepared the gifts she had brought and boarded the carriage that Cheng Yuying had sent to pick her up.

As the saying goes, enemies often meet on a narrow road. Sure enough, on his way to the banquet, Song Ning ran into Mu Xueyun.