Chapter 56

Fu'er moved closer to him and took the bundle from Zhu Ping's hands. "You heard what I said to the old lady just now, weren't we right?"

Zhu Ping concealed the pain in his eyes and forced a smile.

He gave an irrelevant reply: "My mother made colorless cakes and asked me to bring you some."

At this time, there were very few pedestrians on the road, as most people were having lunch at home and few were out.

Fu'er dared to discuss such a private matter with the old lady without anyone watching or scolding her.

Seeing that Zhu Ping didn't answer, Fu'er asked again, "You heard it, didn't you?"

Zhu Ping's lips trembled slightly, and he smiled bitterly, saying, "That was just an excuse you used to deceive the old lady."

Fu'er said firmly, "It's not an excuse, it's the truth."

"So, Zhu Ping, please stop saying things like you'll definitely marry me."

"Shall we continue to be siblings?"

"The teachers at the private school all say that you are exceptionally intelligent and will surely achieve great things in the future."

"Focus your energy on your studies, and you'll meet the girl of your dreams in the future."

With just a few words, Fu'er cut off Zhu Ping's escape route, leaving him unable to continue his pretense.

The frustration and pain in his eyes were too much for Fu'er to bear, and she immediately turned to leave.

Zhu Ping grabbed her hand and said firmly, "You are not me, how can you make such a decision for me so arbitrarily?"

“I don’t care about these things, I care about you as a person.”

Fu'er continued to comfort her, her eyes growing increasingly misty. "But I do care. You're my Ping'er brother, and I don't want to hurt you."

Zhu Ping rarely saw Fu'er shed tears in front of him, and he was at a loss for what to do. He was about to raise his hand to wipe them away for her.

Suddenly, I heard Wen's voice coming from behind me.

"You two are standing there, what are you talking about, whether you care or not?"

Wen interrupted the two of them with a shout, and Fu'er whispered, "My mother doesn't know about this yet, so please don't let it slip."

"Mother, what brings you here?"

Yang held the babbling baby Le Ge in her arms.

Le Ge'er liked his aunt very much and reached out to Fu'er.

Fu'er shoved the bundle in her hand into Wen's hands, picked up Le'er, and headed home.

And deliberately said to Zhu Ping, "Little brother Ping'er, you should hurry back to the private school. You're busy."

Ms. Wen was not happy about it, saying, "They've come all this way to deliver things to you, you still need to eat no matter how busy you are."

"Zhu Ping, let's go. Your aunt will cook you something delicious when we get back."

As Wen pulled Zhu Ping away, Zhu Ping wore a triumphant smile.

Fu'er smiled helplessly, thinking to herself, "Wouldn't it be that if I became a nun, all these troubles would be over?"

*

After dinner, Granny Yu went to Yunjin Hall to report something.

In Chang'an, unlike in Lingyang, Xiwu was in charge of the household affairs, with Granny Yu assisting her.

That would reduce a lot of trouble.

During those days, seeing that Ning Shiyu looked unwell, she didn't dare to approach him.

She came today and handed a stack of land deeds and books to Ning Shiyu.

“Master, the young lady only accepted the Ning residence and the shops on Ruyi Street.”

"She didn't want the rest of the jewelry, or the money you deposited into her account."

A faint pain welled up in Ning Shiyu's eyes, his gaze dimmed, and he asked softly, "What else did she say?"

Granny Yu replied in detail, "Miss, have the master summon Dongyue back."

Ning Shiyu gave a self-deprecating laugh, "Does she really want to cut ties with me so she can live her carefree life?"

Granny Yu sighed, "Young master, the young lady is not at ease."

"She lost a lot of weight after you left."

"I heard from Dongyue that he doesn't eat well and spends all day making incense."

Ning Shiyu suddenly looked up at Granny Yu, her eyes filled with heartache and worry, making Granny Yu unable to say anything more.

They left the side room.

Ning Shiyu's pain grew heavier and heavier.

He took out the sachet that Fu'er had embroidered before from his pocket and said softly, "What exactly do you want me to do?"

"I'm leaving, isn't that what you wanted?"

"Why don't you eat properly and take care of your health?"

Before long, the dead of winter arrived, and the second heavy snowfall in Chang'an followed.

Yunyou at Xiayue Pavilion quite likes this kind of weather.

She was used to the weather in Chang'an and preferred snowy days like this.

Perhaps it's because people are in high spirits when they're having a good time; they find everything appealing.

Her happy event was that Ning Shiyu brought her back to Chang'an.

Just as they suspected, Ning Shiyu disliked Fu'er's background and abandoned her in Lingyang.

She was the one who was ultimately brought back to Chang'an by her master.

After the failed joint plan with Young Master Wei, Yun You was depressed for a while.

Hearing that Fu'er had not returned to Chang'an, her resentment turned into schadenfreude towards Fu'er.

With such a formidable rival gone, Yunyou can save herself a lot of trouble.

What she needs to do now is to regain Ning Shiyu's favor.

I heard that Yun Jintang doesn't have any maids to serve her, so this is her chance to shine.

She had embroidered a purse for Ning Shiyu in Lingyang, and planned to deliver it to him tonight.

During the midday break, Caiwei tiptoed in. Yunyou heard the noise and slowly opened her eyes.

"Madam, I'll go out right away."

The room was warm with a brazier burning inside, and Caiwei didn't really want to go out and get cold.

Ke Yunyou disliked being disturbed during her afternoon rest. When Caiwei saw her sit up, she quickly apologized.

"Once I'm awake, I can't fall back asleep."

"How did your inquiries go today?"

Today, Yunyou instructed Caiwei to inquire about Xiwu's hobbies.

She realized they had arrived at the princess's residence.

Most of the affairs at the manor are handled by Yugiri, so as long as you do him a favor, that's enough.

She will be able to receive his care and guidance when she stays at his residence.

Caiwei replied, "Auntie, I couldn't find out anything from Steward Xi."

"But this servant asked about something else related to the young master."

Upon hearing this, Yun You's languid expression instantly turned serious. "What is it?"

Caiwei brought the pastries to Yunyou and said, "I heard that a few nights ago, Steward Xi sent a girl into Yunjin Hall."

Alarm bells rang in Yun You's mind. "Who told you this?"

"I heard it from the old woman who sweeps outside the courtyard."

"What does that girl look like?"

"According to the old woman's description, the girl was plump and beautiful. I think..."

At the crucial moment, Caiwei stopped, and Yunyou's lips curled into a smirk, her face showing displeasure. "What do you think?"

"This servant thinks that the girl the old woman mentioned looks somewhat like Miss Fu'er."

Yun You's heart sank suddenly. "Is that girl still at the manor?"

"Did you stay overnight in the young master's room?"

"He's not at the residence. I heard Princess Qingyang was the one who sent him."

"Whether she spent the night in the young master's room, this servant cannot find out."

"Everyone in Yun Jintang is very tight-lipped."

Yunyou's hard-won peace of mind was disrupted again by the appearance of a girl.

She knew that without Ning Shiyu's permission, the girl could not be sent in.

Seeing her face darken, Caiwei whispered a reminder: "Auntie, I've discovered that Miss Dongyue hasn't returned to Chang'an either."

"We should stay in Lingyang to protect Fu'er."

Yunyou was so happy to have come to Chang'an that she didn't expect this.

Thinking about it this way, Fu'er still holds some place in Ning Shiyu's heart.

This realization forced her to become vigilant once again.

Then, a calculating smile appeared on his face. "Caiwei, go and call Xiang'er over. Tell her I've brewed tea and am waiting for her."

"Yes, Madam, I'll go right away."

The sixth day of the twelfth lunar month was the auspicious day for Crown Prince Li Huijue to marry the granddaughter of Prime Minister Xie.

The entire court was filled with joy, and the main street of Zhuque was packed with people who came to watch the ceremony.

The taverns and silk shops lining the main streets of the city were all draped with bright red silk banners, and even the walls in ordinary alleys were covered with the character "囍" (double happiness).

The palace was even more magnificent, with a nine-zhang-long bright yellow flag embroidered with a gold dragon and two huge red lanterns hanging above the Meridian Gate.

Hundreds of red velvet balls hung from the banners, and the white marble railings on both sides of the palace path were wrapped with red silk. Every three steps, a gilded palace lantern stood.

Even the guards at the sentry post had red ribbons tied around their bodies.

Crown Prince Li Huijue led his bride through the Meridian Gate into the palace, where they knelt to pay homage to their father and mother.

This was also the most grand celebration since the new emperor ascended the throne.

The usually frugal emperor and empress surprisingly approved all the extravagant arrangements made by the Ministry of Rites this time.

The Crown Prince's three brothers: Prince Rui, Li Huiming; Prince Jing, Li Huiyuan; and Prince Rong, Li Huiqing.

The three of them, also dressed in festive attire, helped their elder brother welcome the bride.

After a series of elaborate ceremonies, the Emperor and Empress returned to the Eastern Palace around noon.

The banquet then officially began.

The Crown Princess sat on the new bed with a shy expression. After Li Huijue lifted her veil, he was stunned when he saw the dignified and beautiful bride.

His gaze was somewhat blank, and also contained a hint of complexity and melancholy.

It's like looking at another person through the bride.

The bride was too shy to look him in the eye.

It was the matchmaker who reminded them, "Your Highness, it's time to drink the nuptial wine."

Li Huijue then came to her senses.

Just like any other family, after the wedding ceremony, Li Huijue settled his Crown Princess in.

Then he would go out to greet the guests.

As soon as he arrived at the covered walkway, a guard came to report, "Your Highness, an old friend from Lingnan wishes to see you."