Chapter 59 Why am I running away!: "Lord Yu is bold, meticulous, and possesses superb martial arts skills. Yesterday, upon returning to Yuqing Palace, the Crown Prince said he was invincible..."

"Lord Yu is bold, meticulous, and has superb martial arts skills. Yesterday, when he returned to Yuqing Palace, the Crown Prince said that he was brave enough to fight ten thousand men. Madam, if this is not a great joy, what could be a great joy?"

"Is the Seventh Prince alright? Getting a horse startled is no joke."

Gao Laixi spoke with great enthusiasm, almost jumping up and down with excitement. He seemed to regret not being there at the time, thinking that if he had been there, he could have leaped onto his horse to save them.

Shen Wanqing's heart sank. Yu Lang wasn't really a fool, so why did he have to show off at a time like this? If it was just to save people, there was no need for this. There were so many martial arts masters around, was he really the only one with unparalleled riding skills and courage? How could that be!

He did it to save people, and also to give the Crown Prince another testament to his loyalty. The eldest prince had made a name for himself at the training ground; did the Crown Prince, who was only seventeen or eighteen this year, really feel no displeasure at all?

However, you are the emperor and he is the subject. It is only natural for Yinzhi, as the eldest brother, to ride on horseback and teach his younger brothers riding and archery skills with a majestic air. If you, the crown prince, were to follow closely behind and ride around as well, it would be considered that you are not broad-minded.

Yu Lang's actions were to stand up for the Crown Prince, slapping the First Prince and his attendants across the face. He was telling them that if the Seventh Prince listened to him and actually fell to his death, things would really get out of hand.

As for Yu Lang, after today's events, even if he disregarded the surname Hesheli, he could only be a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince. At least the First Prince Yinzhi and Mingzhu's faction, who had been slapped by him in a daze, would absolutely not want to recruit or win him over.

Thinking of this, Shen Wanqing couldn't bring herself to laugh. But she couldn't cry at this moment, so she could only pretend to be surprised and frightened to get through it for now.

"I heard that she had a fever after returning to the prince's palace. The Crown Prince sent a royal physician to watch over her yesterday afternoon. When I left the palace today, I didn't hear any other news, so it seems to be nothing serious."

Gao Laixi was surprised that Shen Shi, instead of being overjoyed, immediately thought of how the Seventh Prince was doing. This shrewd woman was quite humane, and not the kind of person who would become arrogant after receiving benefits. This made him add another note to his notebook: this couple was trustworthy.

Shen Wanqing was unaware that she had been added to Gao Laixi's list of names. After asking all the questions she needed to, Gao Laixi, as a eunuch of Yuqing Palace, could not stay outside the palace for long. Almost at the right moment, Chunxian came in from outside with a purse, interrupting the two of them from continuing their pleasantries.

"Oh, it's getting late. The Crown Prince is waiting for this servant's reply."

“My father-in-law is a very busy man, so I won’t say anything to force him to stay. I just hope that next time my husband has some kind of happy event, we can meet and talk with him again.”

Gao Laixi was going back to the palace, and Shen Wanqing hadn't prepared any food or anything, only having Chunxian deliver the purse to him.

He took the purse and rubbed it casually. Inside the light purse were silver notes. Having been used to collecting these things, Gao Laixi could roughly tell how much Shen Wanqing had put in just by touching it, and his smile became even more solicitous.

"Please don't be so polite, Madam. I'll be running errands for you a lot more often in the future, so please don't stand on ceremony."

Gao Laixi was the head eunuch of Yuqing Palace. The fact that he was frequently sent to run errands meant that Yulang had a bright future with the Crown Prince. The words were nice, but they made Shen Wanqing's heart sink. After seeing Gao Laixi off, the smile on her face vanished completely.

"Steward Wan, could you please go to the old lady's courtyard and tell her about this, so that she can be happy too?"

"Yes, yes, this servant will be right there."

After seeing Gao Laixi off, the housekeeper's face was beaming with a smile that rivaled the chrysanthemums in the old lady's yard, completely oblivious to the fact that Shen Wanqing's mood was off.

His father was originally the head steward of the Hesheli family. Three years ago, his father passed away, and he naturally took over the position. Shen Wanqing didn't want to change this kind of steward who passed down from father to son; she planned to use him as long as she could.

But this little steward, Wan, is really useless. He doesn't even know how to treat guests, let alone manage a household. He's lucky he hasn't offended anyone yet. We can't let him continue to drift through life like this.

"Sister-in-law, did I do something wrong?" Steward Xiao Wan happily headed towards the main courtyard, leaving Tu Nan somewhat embarrassed. If he still couldn't understand what he had done wrong, he would truly be a fool.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. No matter how attentive the people from the palace are, it’s not wrong.” Shen Wanqing shook her head. “It’s your attitude that’s inappropriate.”

“You are the master of the Hesheli family. No matter how illustrious our family is compared to that of Suo Zhongtang and the Duke of Chengen, you are still the master. Even if Gao Laixi serves the Crown Prince, he is still just a servant eunuch.”

He'll be happy if you treat him with respect, but if that respect goes too far, regardless of whether you feel comfortable or not, he'll feel awkward.

Sometimes, inappropriate flattery can be quite unpleasant. The fact that Gao Laixi was chosen to guard the gate of Yuqing Palace shows that he is a shrewd and calculating person. Tu Nan's behavior towards him won't make him feel honored; instead, it will make him look down on him.

With a father like He Yi, Tu Nan couldn't be stupid. After thinking for a moment, he realized where he had gone wrong, and bowed to Shen Wanqing with his hands clasped, "I understand now, thank you for your guidance, sister-in-law."

"It's not really a suggestion. As you meet more people, you'll naturally learn to handle things properly. You're still so young; even if you do something inappropriate, no one will take it to heart."

Just like recent graduates, young people always have more room for trial and error and a protection period for beginners. When Shen Wanqing gave a gift for the first time, she was so embarrassed that her face turned red and she stood there with her hands and feet shaking. Now, it is as natural as eating and drinking for Chunqian to stuff the purse into Gao Laixi's hands. This is all due to practice.

Tu Nan listened to Shen Wanqing's words thoughtfully. After a short while, he bowed to Shen Wanqing again before turning around and leaving to return to the west courtyard.

"This picture of Second Master is really interesting. He looks quite different from Second Madam and Second Master."

"How old is he? If he grows up to look like the Second Master now, that would be a miracle."

Back in the East Courtyard, the first thing that caught Shen Wanqing's eye upon entering was the gifts bestowed by the Crown Prince: one hundred taels of snowflake-patterned silver, a waist knife, and a bow. Even Shen Wanqing, who was not an expert, could tell that these were high-end items, perhaps even tributes from elsewhere. There were also two bolts of Ning silk, two bolts of gold-embroidered satin, and a chest of fine fox fur.

These things are all things that can be used immediately; none of them are decorative items made in the factory that can only be viewed and not touched.

After carefully examining these items, Shen Wanqing realized that the Crown Prince truly intended to cultivate Yu Lang into a trusted confidant. Otherwise, the gifts bestowed upon him today would have been something like a porcelain vase or a jade ruyi, which were beautiful but useless.

"Xueyan, sort through these fox furs and see if you can make a python robe for your grandfather to wear in winter."

"This fur is really good, there isn't a single speck of blemish on it, Grandma, take a look."

"It's just a little fur, don't be stingy. I have plenty of fox fur, your great-grandmother has plenty in the storeroom."

"We can't waste the gifts bestowed by the Crown Prince. These fox furs will be used for the lining; if we run out, we'll supplement with similar colors from the storeroom. The outer layer will also be made of the brocade bestowed by the Crown Prince. These things the master gives are meant for people to use; we need to make them into clothes for your master to wear before the Crown Prince. Only then will the Crown Prince be pleased."

Yu Lang seemed to have a cheat code. Every time he went to the palace to serve, he would always be able to show his face in front of the Crown Prince. The Shen family also benefited and became the liaison between the Crown Prince and the aristocratic families.

One cannot fight against fate; perhaps one's existence in this world is not merely an isolated accident.

She didn't know if there was a Yu Lang by Yinreng's side in the original timeline, nor did she know what kind of couple Yu Lang would have become with the original owner if she hadn't come and the original owner hadn't died.

Crown Prince Yinreng was completely unaware that there was a version of himself in the world who knew his future path and was even afraid that he would follow the predetermined path. Wasn't this a sign that something was already beginning to change in the unseen world?

Having figured this out, Shen Wanqing immediately got up and went to the small study in the west wing to write a letter. "Chunxian, go back this afternoon and give this letter to my mother. Tell her to give it to my father when he comes back tonight."

According to what the Crown Prince had told Yu Lang, Shi Wenbing should depart from Fuzhou for the capital no later than this month.

Shi Wenbing's trip to the capital was ostensibly for official business, but he would definitely bring his future Crown Princess with him upon his return. Shen Wanqing vaguely remembered from her previous life that the Crown Prince married quite late, but she couldn't recall why.

Yu Lang was not an indecisive person. Every time he returned from the palace, he would talk to me about Yuqing Palace and his work there, and he would also mention how he hoped his future would be like this or that.

But he was just talking; he knew exactly what to do. Just as he didn't want others to interfere in how he managed his household, he also had his own plans for his future and career, which no one else could dictate.

Therefore, if Shen Wanqing wanted to get close to the Crown Prince in the safest way, the safest way would be to approach the Crown Princess as a 'close confidante of the Crown Prince'. If that was the case, she would have to be more attentive to Shi Wenbing and the Shi family.

Previously, Yu Lang and Shen Hongshi discussed how to help manage the Shi family's affairs after Shi Wenbing arrived in the capital. At that time, Shen Wanqing felt that this matter should not wait. There was no reason to wait until everyone had arrived in the capital to handle these matters.

Ultimately, it's because these two families are of such high status. The Shen family considers themselves a family of scholars for generations, and Yu Lang's ancestors for three generations actually held titles. Even if he were to fall behind, he would still only be a captain in the Manchu Banner. Usually, others would fawn over them, but they would never fawn over others.

However, at that time, Shen Wanqing instinctively resisted the Crown Prince's affairs, not wanting to get involved or concern herself with them; she would rather avoid them than actively seek them out. Now that her mindset has changed, she naturally can't stand seeing them unable to even do their jobs properly.

The letter was very simple, telling Shen Hongshi not to wait idly, but to quickly send two groups of people, one by waterway and the other by official road, to meet him in Fuzhou.

Upon welcoming Shi Wenbing and his family, we inquired whether anyone remained at their old residence in Beijing and whether they needed any assistance. We also wanted to check how many people they had brought back and what their needs were for the journey.

Then leave a portion of the family to follow the Shi family back, and send another portion back to make arrangements and purchase what needs to be made. Ideally, when the Shi family arrives in the capital, the kang (heated brick bed) at home should be warm, the tea should be freshly brewed, and the food should be to their liking. Only then can we say that the Crown Prince's instructions have been taken to heart.

Since the 20th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, Shi Wenbing had been stationed in Hangzhou and had not lived in the capital for an extended period. It was uncertain whether he would return to Fuzhou after this trip back to Beijing, but Shi's family would definitely stay.

Emperor Kangxi has yet to announce to the world that Lady Shi has been made Crown Princess. The Shi family is still not satisfied with how much they pamper their future mistress, Lady Shi, and they never think they have enough people in the family.

The Shen family's actions now are not considered flattery or bootlicking; rather, Shen Hongshi is sharing the burden of his old superior, General Shi Wenbing of Fuzhou. Neither the Shi family nor the Crown Prince would think that the Shen family is going too far.

If you, Shen Hongshi, wait until the Shi family has arrived in the capital before eagerly going to their door to ask if their journey was easy, if they need anything in the capital, and if they need any assistance, then it will be truly too late.

Chunxian carefully placed the letter close to her body and went out. Shen Wanqing changed out of the clothes she had been wearing all day, and then had Qiuwen loosen her hair and re-braid it into a simple double bun. After changing into some casual clothes, she got up again and headed to the main courtyard.

When Shen Wanqing arrived at the main courtyard, besides Madam Tongjia and Madam Daijia, there were two unfamiliar women. One of them looked to be about the same age as Madam Tongjia, and appeared particularly energetic and shrewd.

Especially her eyes, which gleamed with a sharp light; Shen Wanqing glanced at them and looked away. She knew she was too cunning; she didn't want the old woman to see right through her.

There was another younger man who sat in the chair with an unusually upright back, so upright that it seemed unnatural. It wasn't that he was trying to be graceful, but rather that he didn't want to touch the back of the chair at all, and he only barely sat on one-third of the chair.

Shen Wanqing rarely saw such behavior. In an instant, she realized who these two were. They must be Wanyan's mother-in-law and great-grandmother-in-law, both women from the Fuchang family.

Shen Wanqing was right. They had come to join in the fun after hearing that Yulang had received a reward from the Crown Prince. However, the other families who came to join in the fun were all coaxed back by Dai Jia Shi. Only the two of them stayed and did not leave, just to wait for Shen Wanqing.

“We all know about the new rules that Grandma set at the village the other day. Several elders in the clan and the patriarchal clan are unhappy about it. They even went to Fuchang to ask if it was his idea and if he knew about Grandma’s plan beforehand.”

"This has nothing to do with the clan or other families under the command of the Zuo Ling. I already told Uncle Xiao Wu about it yesterday."

The faster people come to inquire about the news, the more people are interested in her approach. Shen Wanqing thought to herself, but remained calm on the surface. It was a good thing that Fu Chang was willing to let his wife and daughter-in-law come to ask. After all, he was Yu Lang's chief supervisor. If he supported this matter, things might proceed more smoothly afterward.

"To be honest, I had no choice but to do this. I'm young and inexperienced, and the tenant farmers and managers on the estate have no affection for me. If we continue to meet twice a year like before, for no more than half an hour each time, I won't know what's going on on the estate all year round after a few more years."

"Don't worry, Grandma. I'm not here because I think your method is bad. I just want to ask if you think this method really works. Other families in our Zuoling want to learn it too. If we have extra chickens and ducks, do you have any other plans for us?"

"I'm just taking it one step at a time. I just said that to the head of the village the day before yesterday. You're asking me about the future as soon as I get back today. I really can't say for sure."

As expected of an old fox, Fu Chang had already sent someone to inquire about things before anything even started. This person guessed that I definitely had some plans in mind, but couldn't quite figure out what they were. He wanted to profit from the situation but was afraid of being taken advantage of, so he came to sound him out beforehand.

How could Shen Wanqing tell him that no matter what they thought, she shook her head and insisted that she hadn't thought that much about it, and that she was just taking it one step at a time. She said that if they really wanted to see how it would go, they should at least wait until the end of the year.

With just a few words, the matter was dragged out until the end of the year, and Fu Chang's wife's smile faded. However, as Yu Lang was increasingly favored by the Crown Prince, Shen Wanqing, the eldest mistress, was also rising in their eyes. If she was unwilling, there was really nothing they could do about it, so they could only go back and discuss it later.

After leaving the main courtyard and seeing off the two members of the Fu Chang family and Lady Daijia onto the carriage, Shen Wanqing was truly exhausted.

But there are always those who are more eager to get involved the busier they are. As soon as Shen Wanqing entered the East Courtyard, she saw Niohuru walking towards her from afar.

If it were to go to Tongjia's place, it would be a matter of obligation to show one's face after three days of absence. Seeing off Daijia and the others was a matter of courtesy. As for Niohuru, who subconsciously wanted to avoid her, Shen Wanqing simply couldn't be bothered with her.

Turning away now wasn't an option. Shen Wanqing didn't know if she was too tired and her mind was blank, or if she suddenly wanted to experience what it was like to be surrounded by people like a true heroine. She turned her head and whispered to Qiuwen, "Hold me up a bit."

Before Qiuwen could react, his legs went weak and he fell backward. He felt Qiuwen holding his arms and waist, and then he sat down on the ground with peace of mind.

Niohuru had been waiting for her daughter-in-law to come and pay her respects, but she waited and waited and waited and waited and she didn't come. She wanted to go directly to Shen, but her daughter pulled her away and wouldn't let her go.

They finally managed to get out and saw Shen Shi, but even from a distance of twenty or thirty steps, they watched her fall to the ground.

Startled, Niohuru quickly turned and ran back. When she got back to her own courtyard and saw the various expressions on the faces of the nannies and maids, she realized what had happened! She had done something wrong; why had she run away when her daughter-in-law had fainted?

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Red envelopes will be given away in the comments section of this chapter. Have a great holiday everyone! [Dog head carrying a rose][Dog head carrying a rose][Dog head carrying a rose]