Chapter 7

When Ning Shiyu returned home that evening, Fu'er was already waiting in his study.

She got up and took the cloak from his hands, then set out the meal and waited for Ning Shiyu to eat.

His movements were limp and his expression was blank.

After washing his hands, Ning Shiyu sat down at the tea table.

I also noticed that Fu'er wasn't as clever as usual today; she seemed a bit dazed.

Therefore, I couldn't help but glance at it a couple more times.

It was with this glance that she saw the bloodstain on Fu'er's cheek.

It stood out on her fair and delicate face, making it hard to ignore.

How did you get injured?

Today's dealings with Xu Yuan took a lot of effort from Fu'er, and she's still not quite recovered when she got back to the manor.

He was rather slow to react, noticing Ning Shiyu's gaze fixed on him.

She subconsciously wiped her cheek, a sharp pain shooting through her, and then she looked at the bloodstains on her fingertips.

Only then did I realize that I had a wound on my face.

Fearing that Ning Shiyu would ask about her sister's residence again, she quickly shook her head and said, "I accidentally bumped into it myself."

"Young master, please have your meal. Don't worry about me."

It must have been Xu Yuan who pushed her against the tree by the roadside today, causing her injury.

Fu'er was completely unaware of it, but Ning Shiyu still saw it.

The wound was small, just a scratch.

Seeing her evasive gaze, Ning Shiyu knew she wouldn't tell the truth, so she didn't ask any more questions.

Fu'er first served him a bowl of lotus root soup. "Young master, Aunt Yang said that this lotus root was just picked from the water today and is very fresh."

"Try it."

Ning Shiyu disliked eating overly fatty foods, and Yang was particularly careful in selecting ingredients for each meal.

The lotus root stewed with chicken today was indeed delicious.

Ning Shiyu was used to a life of luxury, and the food served to him was basically according to his preferences.

The lotus root used was the best section from the middle.

The tea table is set with a wide variety of dishes, including braised duck with chestnuts, West Lake fish in vinegar sauce, fried tripe with two different fillings, Longjing shrimp, and rose-flavored sauce.

Fu'er carried two food boxes and made two trips.

Of all the dishes, Fu'er wanted the lotus root soup the most.

She hadn't eaten lotus root in a long time and was really craving it.

She spoke with great interest.

Ning Shiyu picked out a piece of lotus root first, took a small bite, and was quite satisfied.

Knowing that Fu'er also liked lotus root, he immediately said, "Sit down and eat with me."

This is not unusual; Fu'er has been by Ning Shiyu's side for many years.

I often dine with her.

But this only applies to Fu'er.

Even Granny Yu never received this treatment.

Seeing that she ate with her cheeks bulging and wasn't picky about food, Ning Shiyu was able to eat more of her meals.

It's like finding a rice tower.

This is why Fu'er has a better complexion and figure than other girls her age; she's slim where she should be and curvy where she should be.

Fu'er didn't stand on ceremony and served herself a bowl of lotus root and chicken soup, adding the chicken leg to the bowl as well.

I felt a surge of joy.

Then he started talking more.

"Young master, the nanny said that the agarwood incense sent from Chang'an has arrived. Shall I light it for you tonight?"

Ning Shiyu continued working on the jade hairpin, replying calmly, "Continue using the pear blossom fragrance you made."

Fu'er's eyes lit up with joy and she was greatly encouraged. She had been learning how to make incense from Granny Yu for several years.

They were all for my own use or for my family.

A few days ago, Ning Shiyu ran out of agarwood in his house.

Knowing that he couldn't do without incense when he read at night, I casually lit the kind I used in my room.

Ning Shiyu not only didn't find it offensive, but was also willing to continue using it.

This made Fu'er feel flattered and overwhelmed.

Her tone became much cheerfuler, "This servant understands."

“Young master, I have changed your bedding today with embroidered pine and cypress patterns.”

“I originally wanted to change your bed to the one embroidered with lotus flowers, but I saw a beautiful woman on it, who is also a carp spirit.”

“I’m afraid she’ll transform into human form at night to seduce you and disturb your sleep, so it’s no use.”

As she continued speaking in increasingly absurd terms, Ning Shiyu coughed lightly, "One should not speak while eating or sleeping. Please eat your meal quickly."

"Um."

Zhuang Xing, standing outside, strained his ears and heard everything the two were saying.

Then he leaned close to Mu Li's ear and whispered, "Everyone says that Master dotes on Miss Yunyou, but I feel that Young Master has only ever doted on Fu'er."

A complex look flashed across Mu Li's eyes, and he coldly reprimanded, "Don't say anything about your master's affairs."

Ning Shiyu was in a good mood tonight. Not only did he not punish Fu'er by making her copy the Nine-Nine Song, but he also gave Fu'er a bottle of scar-reducing ointment before leaving.

By the way, I asked Fu'er to take the brocade quilt with lotus flowers and beauties embroidered on it for my own use.

Fu'er's wicked scheme succeeded, and she secretly rejoiced.

The embroidery on the bedding wasn't of a beautiful woman at all, but of Baidu (the Chinese search engine).

When the clothes were delivered, Fu'er took a liking to them.

That's why I'm bringing this up today.

With both beauties and lotus flowers, it was too effeminate, so Ning Shiyu would certainly not use it again.

She'll benefit from it then.

The bedding was warm, and Fu'er slept soundly through the night. Even when doing the accounting work in the accounting room the next day, she was much faster than usual.

Unexpectedly, his good mood didn't last long. Before lunchtime, the officials arrived at the Ning residence.

It is said that the Xu family sued Fu'er for taking away their child.

No matter how Fu'er explained, the officers wouldn't listen to her explanation.

They took her away without saying a word.

Although the matter did not escalate to the courts, Fu'er refused to confess.

The county magistrate immediately locked her up in jail.

They claimed they would keep him locked up until he told the truth.

Fu'er also realized that Xu Yuanding had given that official a bribe.

No matter how she argued, no one paid any attention to her.

Looking at the dirty and messy cell, Fu'er didn't want to stay there a moment longer.

But thinking of her sister and Le Ge'er's situation, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and persevere.

I could manage during the day, but at night, it was cold and I was hungry inside.

Rats even crawled over her, scaring her so much that she screamed for help.

This angered his fellow inmates, who began to curse and swear.

At that moment, she longed for someone to come and take her away from this place.

Thinking about it is pointless; even her own father has compromised, so who else would help her?

She crouched in the haystack in the corner, experiencing for the first time the feeling of being forgotten.

My heart ached, and tears unknowingly streamed down my face.

She finally fell asleep when exhaustion overwhelmed her.

He was shaken awake in a daze. "Get up, someone's here to take you out of prison."

Fu'er was filled with unease. She was led out of the cell by the jailer, and when she arrived at the cell door, she was surprised to see that it was Old Madam Ouyang.

Fu'er was overjoyed and bowed deeply to the old lady.

"Thank you, Madam."

Madam Ouyang looked her over from head to toe and found that she had no injuries.

He then said, "It's good that you're alright."

"Don't worry, your brother-in-law won't dare ask your family for children again."

Hearing that the old lady had helped her solve her problem, Fu'er was extremely grateful.

Just as she was about to kneel down and pay her respects, the old lady immediately helped her up.

"If you really want to express your gratitude, just come to my house and keep this old woman company more often."

The old lady had done Fu'er a great favor this time, and she gladly accepted.

On the way to send Fu'er back to Ning Residence.

The old lady told Fu'er that it was her father who went to the Ouyang residence to explain the situation.

Only then did the old lady realize that Fu'er was imprisoned.

As for how the county magistrate would release the man.

Fu'er probably knew in her heart that although Lord Ouyang had resigned from his post, Young Master Ouyang was still serving as an official in Chang'an.

Let alone the county magistrate, even the county magistrate would have to give him some face.

Fu'er returned to the Ning residence in a disheveled state.

When Granny Yu and Xiang'er saw her return, they were finally relieved.

I heard that Ning Shiyu didn't return to the manor tonight, so Fu'er doesn't need to serve him meals anymore. She can finally rest peacefully and get some rest.

Remembering what the old lady had said, the Xu family dared not cause any more trouble for her sister.

She plans to settle her accounts tomorrow and then bring her sister and mother home.

After a long day of activity, Fu'er was exhausted after taking a bath and fell asleep as soon as she lay down on the bed.

The Prince of Qin's Mansion.

Ning Shiyu had important business to attend to tonight, so he stayed at the Prince of Qin's residence.

He was busy until the second watch of the night before he returned to his room to rest.

On the way back, I discovered that it was snowing lightly.

This is the first snowfall of the winter, though not as heavy as the snow in December.

However, it arrived just in time and was beneficial to his plans.

Ning Shiyu stopped and reached out to take a few pieces.

I recalled what Fu'er had said when it snowed last year.

He insisted on building two snowmen as door gods in his Wenxuan Pavilion; the short, stout one was Zhuang Xing, and the tall, thin one was Mu Li.

Zhuang Xing was immediately displeased and started arguing with Fu'er.

Thinking of this, Ning Shiyu's cold eyes softened, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Speaking of snowmen, Ning Shiyu's memories inevitably return to his childhood.

Every year when it snows, he and his father would build a snowman for his mother.

No matter how ugly the pile was, his mother would not mind; instead, she would happily join in with him and his father.

That was also the happiest time of Ning Shiyu's life.

Unfortunately, everything is irreversible.

I snapped out of my reverie.

Ning Shiyu then perked up and left.

When they returned to the room, they did not see Zhuang Xing.

But then they saw a delicate and beautiful woman waiting for a long time.

Seeing Ning Shiyu enter the room, she hurriedly came forward with a charming smile, "Young Master is back. This servant will help you rest."

A strong scent of perfume emanated from her, wafting directly at Ning Shiyu.

Ning Shiyu frowned slightly and immediately dodged away, unwilling to let her touch his body.

He said coldly, "Miss, you've probably come to the wrong room."

The girl blushed and replied tenderly, "Young master, I was sent by the princess to serve you as you rest."

"It's snowing and very cold tonight. Young master, you need a maid to warm your bed."

"This servant will certainly serve the young master well."

Ning Shiyu glared at Zhuang Xing, who had just appeared at the door.

He immediately refused, saying, "No need, you may leave."

Seeing that Ning Shiyu was extremely indifferent, neither letting him get close nor even glancing at her, the woman left the room feeling wronged.

As soon as she left, Ning Shiyu instructed Mu Li to open the windows and change the bedding in the room.

Zhuang Xing then went inside and explained why he was late.

"Master, the roads are slippery due to snow tonight, so the carriage must not travel too fast."

"That's why I came back late and couldn't stop the person who shouldn't have entered the house."

Two days ago, the old lady of the Ning family sent a letter.

She said she missed her grandson very much.

I want him to visit Chang'an more often.

Ning Shiyu had seen far too many of these insincere greetings.

The reason why Old Mrs. Ning acted this way was because she was eyeing her mother's dowry.

In front of everyone, including the Ning family, Ning Shiyu presented himself as a mediocre businessman who enjoyed life to the fullest and had no ambition for fame.

Besides taking over his mother's business in Lingyang, he would spend his spare time organizing elegant gatherings with literati to compose poems and essays.

Ning Shiyu's true identity was unknown to his friends.

All that is known is that he is a merchant's son with outstanding literary talent but no ambition for fame and fortune.

The Cui family had never given up hope, fearing that he would join forces with the King of Qin, especially given his substantial family fortune.

It wasn't just the Empress who was concerned.

Prime Minister Cui also had his eye on it.

They feared he would use his family fortune to support the King of Qin and avenge his father.

They had him monitored for over a year.

It's not that I see him idling around all day, but that I see him attending poetry and song banquets with others every day.

It simply means accompanying friends to leisurely stroll through various scenic spots.

There was not a trace of ambition in him to avenge his father and revive his father's business.

Only then did the Cui family remove their spies around him.

For this reason, Ning Shiyu bought a separate courtyard house specifically for gatherings with his literary friends.

During this period, he was busy dealing with the important matters entrusted to him by his uncle.

I declined some gatherings with friends.

In time, they will surely discover something amiss.

Yesterday, I ran into his friends who were traveling and enjoying themselves. They said they were all gathered at his Langfeng Garden.

Ning Shiyu readily agreed and then asked Zhuang Xing to lead people to clean up ahead of time.

Purchase some delicacies and fine wines.

Zhuang Xing only needed to make the arrangements, but it took him half a day, which is typical of his usual work speed.

That was indeed somewhat inappropriate.

So, before Ning Shiyu could even enter the bathroom, he brought up another question that made him suspicious.

"Master, is it really your idea that Fu'er's sister and mother are living in Langfeng Garden?"