Chapter 64

Having truly tasted the sweetness of meat, Zhu Yun shed her sharp quills, a faint smile always playing on her lips, as if she had returned to the time before everything happened, becoming unbelievably docile.

Liu Changsheng was unaware of the reasons behind it, but he knew about the changes. While fiddling with the chess pieces, he said, "When you weren't around, Yun-ge was an ice queen. Apart from Zhan Feng, who was itching for a beating, no one dared to get close to him."

Although Zhu Yun didn't like to talk to them when he was in Qingyuan Village, he was still a young boy with the same playful spirit and childishness.

After he entered the valley through his third sister's connections, he occasionally bumped into Zhu Yun. The boy was expressionless and lifeless.

It doesn't resemble the past at all.

Upon hearing this, Luo Yan lifted her eyelids and said, "Hold out your hand. I saw you steal two white pieces."

Inside the waterside pavilion, a high-ranking monk was giving a sermon.

Halfway through the story, they suddenly saw someone walking quickly towards them in the distance, seemingly in a hurry. As the person drew closer, they realized it was a palace maid from Fengzao Palace.

A palace maid stood outside the waterside pavilion: "Zhu Yun, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence."

It was a turbulent time, and people from the imperial court frequently came to see me, always to discuss the peace talks with the Northern Desert. This was the first time in several days that the Empress had summoned me.

Zhu Yun put down his pen, received a nod from the high monk, and then followed him.

Upon reaching the deserted Imperial Garden, Zhu Yun asked, "Do you know what happened?"

The palace maid shook her head and whispered, "The young lady from the Grand Secretary's family has entered the palace."

Inside the Phoenix Palace, laughter and conversation continued as usual.

Upon seeing Zhu Yun, the Empress's smile deepened: "Xuanji, please sit down."

He then asked Aunt Cui to bring him a stool and offered him some snacks, showing an unusual level of enthusiasm.

Liu Fu glanced at Zhu Yun, her smile fading slightly.

The Empress smiled and said, "In the end, Zhu Yun's marriage is both a matter of state and a family matter. As long as you two are willing, the timing of the imperial decree can be discussed."

Zhu Yun subconsciously looked up at Liu Fu. The latter's expression was indifferent, revealing nothing of what had happened.

Zhu Yun asked, "What does Mother mean by that?"

The Empress said, "Zhu Yun, let's hear what the Imperial Observatory has to say."

Aunt Cui led people in from outside the door. They were officials from the Imperial Observatory: "Your humble servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress and Zhu Yun."

The Empress said, "No need for formalities. There's no need for further words. Just tell Zhu Yun the results of your divination."

The official then turned to Zhu Yun and said, "Your Majesty the Empress summoned me some time ago to analyze the stars and select an auspicious day for the wedding. It was originally scheduled for September. However, I have recently noticed unusual movements in the celestial trajectories, and the auspicious day has changed."

Zhu Yun asked, "How many days earlier?"

The officials of the Imperial Observatory kowtowed: "This is the twelfth day of the fifth month of this year."

It turns out it wasn't just a few days in advance, but several months in advance.

Today is April 26th, and the imperial edict will be issued on May 12th, so there is less than half a month left.

Zhu Yun paused, then looked at Liu Fu: "What happened? Why the rush?"

The Empress said, "Your Majesty does not think it is too hasty. What difference does it make whether it is September or May? In the entire capital, only Afu is qualified to be Consort Zhu Yun's daughter. She is well-educated, polite, beautiful and intelligent, and can be regarded as a model for women in the capital. When she marries into the royal family next year, she will be a model for women all over the world."

Liu Fu lowered her head shyly.

The Queen took her hand and asked softly, "Does Afu feel it's too hasty?"

Liu Fu shook her head: "This subject will listen to Zhu Yun."

The Empress then asked Zhu Yun, "Xuanji, what do you think?"

Zhu Yun pondered for a moment: "Recently, court affairs have been very busy. Should we first report this matter to the Emperor and hear his opinion?"

The Empress smiled and said, "If that's what you're worried about, then there's no need to hesitate. Before you came, your mother went to see your father, and he said that since the celestial orbit has changed, then we should follow the celestial signs."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yun stood up from behind the desk, lifted his robes, and knelt down: "Xuanji respectfully obeys the decree of Father Emperor and Empress Mother."

As they left Fengzao Palace, Zhu Yun blocked Liu Fu's path: "I have a question to ask you."

Liu Fu was initially reluctant to say more, but given the Crown Prince's courteous and respectful attitude, she had no choice but to give Zhu Yun face.

"Please speak." The fifth day of the fifth lunar month is the Dragon Boat Festival.

The maids hung mugwort and calamus on the door early in the morning, intending to ward off plague and disease.

Azhi and several maids specially prepared five-colored silk threads, braided them into a single strand, and wrapped them around their wrists.

Luo Yan followed along, twisting the thread and learning to braid a few. She made one for herself, one for Feng's mother, and one for Feng Mengshu, which she could give to him when he returned.

Next, under A-Zhi's guidance, Luo Yan wrapped millet in water chestnut leaves, stuffed in jujubes, and made dozens of decent-looking zongzi.

The people of Dazhao have a custom of giving gifts during festivals. Since there were too many zongzi to eat, Luo Yan planned to distribute them.

Keep one copy for your own family, send one copy to the Cheng family, and then send one copy to the Luo family.

The Cheng family sent a servant to deliver it, while Luo Yan from the Luo family planned to go in person.

Before going, she specially took the best-looking zongzi, the five-spice platter, calamus wine, and braided five-colored thread, and made a detour to Nanyuan.

Before breakfast this morning, Adan, who was by Madam Feng's side, came to report that Madam Feng had not slept well last night and needed to catch up on sleep in the morning, so Luo Yan was to eat by herself.

Therefore, although it was the Dragon Boat Festival, Luo Yan, as a daughter-in-law, had not yet wished her mother-in-law a happy Dragon Boat Festival.

Luo Yan took Azhi to the South Garden, but Madam Feng was still not up.

The goalkeeper was Adan, thankfully not Alu.

Adan was honest and taciturn, and Luo Yan had a good impression of her. Alu, however, was just like Shuanghuan; the moment she rolled her eyes, you knew she was up to no good.

The South Garden was quiet, and the usual chanting was not heard.

Luo Yan asked, "Is Auntie still not up?"

Adan shook his head: "The old lady dreamed of the eldest son last night."

Luo Yan had heard Feng Mengshu mention it a few times before. Feng Mengshu was not an only child; he had an older brother.

However, Feng Dalang died young, still in school. This was a constant source of pain for Feng's mother, and as a result, she was extremely strict with Feng Mengshu.

A mother who dreams of her eldest son who died young must be very sad.

Luo Yan decided not to disturb her, so she handed everything to A Dan: "When Auntie gets up, cook some zongzi for her. But don't cook too many, two will be enough."

Mrs. Feng is getting old, and her daily diet is mainly light, so she probably can't digest too much sweet food.

Luo Yan still remembers the time she ate two plates of sugar cakes and couldn't eat anything for the whole day; it was so uncomfortable.

Adan nodded.

As Luo Yan was about to leave, she suddenly noticed that A Dan's wrist was bare. Remembering that the maid hadn't had time to tie silk thread while on night watch, she took out a thread and tied it around A Dan's wrist.

Adan was quite pleased: "Thank you, my wife."

Luo Yan waved her hand.

After Luo Yan left, A Dan looked at her wrist from left to right, when suddenly someone grabbed her wrist.

Looking up, she saw that the person who had grabbed her was Ah Lü.

Ah-Lu picked at the rope critically and looked at it with disdain, saying, "What an ugly thing, that you treat it like a treasure."

Adan protected her wrist and, holding the things Luo Yan had given her, tried to walk inside.

Ah-Lu stopped her, her expression changing to a kind one: "Good sister, you must be exhausted after a long night, let me help you take it inside?"

Adan hesitated, but Alu had already half-coaxed and half-snatched it away.

Once inside the house, there was no one around.

A-Lu opened the food box, disdainfully fiddled with the rice dumplings, and threw the food out the window.

Just as he turned around after throwing it away, he found Feng's mother standing behind the tent, watching for who knows how long.

Ah-Lu was startled: "Madam, this servant..."

Feng's mother looked at her coldly without saying a word.

Zhu Yun asked directly, "Have I done anything improper or inappropriate that would offend Miss?"

A sweet feeling welled up in Liu Fu's heart.

He was so perceptive that he could tell she was unhappy. For the dignified Zhu Yun to treat him with such humility showed that he did not disregard him.

However, when she thought of the pearl earring tucked into the poetry book and the woman, Liu Fu couldn't feel any comfort in her heart.

Her words carried a hint of resentment: "A gentleman of such refined manners, how could he possibly anger my daughter?"

Zhu Yun pondered for a moment, then inquired about the poetry gathering:

"I heard from Han Zhongyue that Miss's poetry gathering was very successful, with many ladies in attendance. I wonder if there are enough people to help? I happen to have some free time and could lend Miss a hand."

"You're overthinking it, that's enough."

"Do you have enough writing brushes, ink, and inkstones? If Miss needs any books from the library, I can send someone to deliver them."

The palace books cannot be lent out, so Zhu Yun's actions already showed considerable courtesy.

Liu Fu's attitude softened slightly, but she still politely declined: "I appreciate your kindness, Afu."

Zhu Yun suddenly took half a step back.

"If I have done anything wrong, I apologize to you, Miss."

He bowed deeply, showing great sincerity.

Liu Fu's beautiful eyes widened.

She never expected that Zhu Yun would perform such a grand ceremony towards her, a daughter of an official, regardless of their familial relationship. Even if she became Consort Zhu Yun in the future, it would still be she who showed Zhu Yun the respect due to him.

This is how it is when you marry into the royal family; although you are husband and wife, you still have to observe the etiquette between a ruler and his subjects.

Liu Fu recalled what her father, Liu Xu, had told her: "Emperors have three palaces and six courtyards, and men have three wives and four concubines, let alone Zhu Yun. If you want to be Zhu Yun's concubine, you must be tolerant and never lower yourself to compete for favor. Besides, favor is easy to lose, but interests are hard to give up."

Zhu Yun had already shown her more than enough respect.

Liu Fu's resentment vanished without a trace: "Afu didn't blame you. I just heard that the training has been arduous these days, so I came to the palace to take a look."

Recalling Zhu Yun's question earlier, Liu Fu felt a little guilty: "I only mentioned the auspicious day being moved forward casually; I didn't expect Your Majesty to take it so seriously..."

Even more unexpectedly, the Empress summoned officials from the Imperial Observatory to discuss the matter, and they actually set the date for May.

That's fine too.

As the future Consort Zhu Yun, what harm is there in indulging in such a trivial matter? Some people should be shown that no matter what tricks she uses, she is undoubtedly Consort Zhu Yun.

As for what happened at the poetry gathering, there was no need to tell Zhu Yun. Liu Fu had no interest in filing a complaint.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yun didn't seem to blame her at all; instead, she became even more gentle: "Afu is still resentful of me."

Liu Fu waved her hands repeatedly: "No."

Now it was her turn to feel guilty.

No matter how she explained, Zhu Yun always looked sad.

Unable to withstand the pressure, Liu Fu finally took out the poetry book and said through gritted teeth, "I am not a petty person. If you intend to take a concubine, please give the Liu family face and let's decide after the wedding."

Having mustered the courage to say those words, Liu Fu could no longer stay and lifted the hem of her skirt to leave.

After Liu Fu left, Zhu Yun composed herself.

The book of poems is not thick; you can tell there are hard objects hidden inside just by squeezing it.

Zhu Yun opened the poetry book and immediately noticed the pair of pearl earrings, her expression indifferent.

Zhu Yun's gaze shifted to the poem on the left side of the page, and she slowly frowned.

Noble and dazzling.

Perhaps Luo Yan doesn't yearn for that kind of life, but what he should do is give her many choices.

Luo Yan could vaguely guess his intentions and couldn't help but chuckle: "It's better not to tell my cousin. The Bai family has a famous beauty in the martial arts world. Perhaps she can help arrange a marriage."

"That would be best."

So that he won't be thinking about his wife all the time.