Chapter 57 Serving the Young Lady

After an autumn rain, a chill settled in the air.

A carriage bearing the insignia of the Marquis of Chengde stopped at the palace gate, and a slender figure dressed in a moon-white dress and a smoky-colored cloak stepped off the horse.

At the palace gate, the eunuchs who had been waiting there at the Empress's behest hurriedly came over and said respectfully, "Miss Shen, this way please. Her Majesty the Empress has prepared a sedan chair for you."

"Thank you," Shen You nodded politely and followed the eunuch into the sedan chair.

Because of yesterday's rain, they couldn't go to the racecourse today. Qi Zhaoyan couldn't wait any longer, so she begged Ye Mingyu to play pitch-pot with her again at Zhaoyang Palace.

As Shen You stepped down from the sedan chair and followed the eunuch through the covered walkway into the courtyard, he heard Qi Zhaoyan's cheer.

"Yes! There was a beginning!"

"Your Highness, Miss Shen has arrived."

The eunuch bowed outside the pavilion and whispered a reminder.

Upon hearing this, Qi Zhaoyan threw down the other arrows in her hand and ran over quickly, exclaiming, "Fairy Sister!"

Shen You smiled and opened his arms to catch her. "Your Highness, how have you been lately?"

Qi Zhaoyan hugged her neck, chin raised, beaming, "It's wonderful!"

"It's just a bit boring," she pouted, then leaned closer to Shen You. "It would be great if Fairy Sister came to play with me more often."

Ye Mingyu stood in the pavilion, holding an arrow in her hand, watching Qi Zhaoyan whimpering and acting coquettishly beside Shen You, and laughed out loud, "Yan Yan, if you don't come back soon, this round is over."

Qi Zhaoyan immediately straightened up, "Mother, you're cheating!"

She finally managed to get off to such a beautiful start.

Ye Mingyu looked at her leisurely, "Want to continue?"

"Let's continue!" Qi Zhaoyan pulled Shen You into the pavilion. "Fairy sister, let's go together."

“Okay,” Shen You patted her little face and readily agreed.

Ye Mingyu and Qi Zhaoyan were playing pitch-pot, which involved four arrows. Qi Zhaoyan's "Youchu" meant that she successfully placed the first arrow in the pot in this round.

Three more arrows followed.

After all four arrows are thrown, both players keep score, and the player with the highest score wins.

Qi Zhaoyan had finally gotten off to a good start, so naturally she was unwilling to give up so easily.

But before Shen You arrived, she had already lost many rounds to her mother and was hoping to win back some points. Therefore, her chubby little face was serious, as if she were facing a formidable enemy.

Shen You and Ye Mingyu looked at each other and smiled when they saw how serious she was.

Ye Mingyu teased her, "Yan Yan, what if you lose this round again?"

Qi Zhaoyan pouted, somewhat unconvinced, but she tried her best to think about what she would do if she lost, following Ye Mingyu's words.

A moment later, her eyes lit up.

Looking up at Ye Mingyu, she said joyfully, "If Mother wins, then I won't secretly open the door for Father tonight! I... mmm..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ye Mingyu covered his mouth.

Shen You was stunned, realizing that he seemed to have heard something incredible.

Ye Mingyu's cheeks flushed slightly, looking a little embarrassed.

Qi Jincheng would always bother her at night, and when she got annoyed, she would hide in Qi Zhaoyan's Zhaoyang Palace to stay overnight, where the mother and daughter would sleep in each other's arms.

But Qi Zhaoyan, this "little traitor," had promised before going to bed that even if Qi Jincheng came to Zhaoyang Palace to demand people, she would stand on the same side as the Empress Dowager.

But what is the reality?

Several times, the father and daughter worked together from the inside and outside, and by the time she woke up, she was already in Qi Jincheng's arms.

Qi Zhaoyan was young, and seeing her father always clinging to her mother, she could only think that her parents had a very close relationship.

But what do adults not understand?

Now that Qi Zhaoyan had said it so openly, Shen You only regretted not covering her ears earlier.

However, Ye Mingyu was quite open-minded. After her cheeks flushed, she turned her attention back to the pitch-pot game.

Qi Zhaoyan sidled up to Shen You and took her hand. "Fairy sister, please help me, okay?"

Shen You smiled, "But this is a scheme orchestrated by the young prince and the empress."

Qi Zhaoyan didn't care about anything else. She snuggled up to Ye Mingyu and acted coquettishly. With just a few words, she convinced Ye Mingyu to let Shen You take her place in the pitch-pot game.

"If only you had put in this much effort when you were in school, you would have all these clever ideas."

Qi Zhaoyan stuck out her tongue, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and handed the arrow in her hand to Shen You.

Pitch-pot was not difficult for Shen You.

She removed her smoky-colored cloak, revealing a moon-white dress that was both delicate and resilient. Holding an arrow, her clear, clean eyes were filled with seriousness and caution as she looked at the mouth of the pot.

With a slight flick of her slender wrist, the arrow traced a graceful arc and pierced the flask.

It has an end.

The fourth arrow also landed accurately in the pot.

"Fairy sister is so amazing!"

Qi Zhaoyan was already clapping her hands on the side, looking quite mischievous.

Ye Mingyu smiled and looked at Shen You, "Shen You, you win."

Shen You returned the smile with the same smile, "Your Majesty is too kind."

She took the handkerchief handed to her by a maid, wiped her hands clean, and sat down with Ye Mingyu at the stone table, where delicate pastries and tea were laid out.

Ye Mingyu lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea. She watched Qi Zhaoyan play in the late autumn and sweat slightly. She then instructed the nanny and the maid to take her into the palace to clean herself and change her clothes.

The pavilion fell silent instantly, the little girl's chatter gone.

Shen You looked at Ye Mingyu, "Your Highness came to the Marquis's residence yesterday, did you have something to discuss with me?"

Ye Mingyu put down her cup, looked at her, and smiled, "It's nothing."

"I was just feeling bored staying in the palace, so I went out for a walk and thought of coming to the Marquis's residence to find you."

"I went to inspect the shops downstairs yesterday, causing Your Majesty to make a wasted trip."

"Inspecting shops?" Ye Mingyu came from a family of military officers and owned businesses, but she had never paid attention to such things. "Is it fun?"

As Shen You recalled her encounter with Bao Yunxiu and their efforts in preparing for the opening of Ruyi Embroidery Pavilion, the light in her eyes became clear and bright.

She replied with a smile, "It's fun. Watching the shop grow from nothing to something, and then to a stable and thriving business, is very fulfilling."

Ye Mingyu didn't understand these things, but seeing her expression, she knew that Shen You had put a lot of effort and energy into it.

His eyes lit up when he talked about these things.

"I didn't expect you to have such insights into business."

“I wouldn’t call it insight,” Shen You said, not trying to hide anything. “I just feel that some things need to be held in my own hands to feel secure.”

Ye Mingyu completely agreed with this statement.

She smiled, raised her glass, and gently clinked it against Shen You's. "Great minds think alike."

She added with a sigh, "After all the ups and downs you and Chu Xiao have gone through, you've finally managed to get this relationship back into your hands."

Shen You was taken aback, and said softly, "Has Your Highness misunderstood something?"

Ye Mingyu asked in confusion, "You...you didn't agree to him?"

Shen You pursed her lips and remained silent.

Ye Mingyu finally understood, and she seemed to remember something, smiling teasingly.

"That day I heard the Emperor say that Chu Xiao discussed official business with him before leaving the city, and he seemed to be in a good mood, so I thought that the two of you had reconciled."

So it wasn't there yet?

Why is Chu Xiao in such a good mood?

After laughing, she straightened her expression and said, "But it's normal that you don't agree to him."

As Chu Xiao's friend, she naturally hoped that Chu Xiao could get what he wanted.

But from the perspective of a woman herself...

Chu Xiao had insisted on divorcing Shen You in the first place, supposedly for her own good, but now he's back clinging to her.

Any woman would find it difficult to give him a pleasant look.

Shen You lowered her eyelashes slightly, then raised her eyes again to look at Ye Mingyu and asked, "Your Majesty, could you tell me about those four years?"

Ye Mingyu's eyes lit up. "Of course."

She really wanted to say it, but she was afraid that Shen You wouldn't want to hear it, so she never brought it up before.

“When Chu Xiao told you about the divorce, Qi Wulin’s men had already been lurking in Qingxi Town for some time,” Ye Mingyu said, as if she remembered something. “By the way, at that gathering in Qingxi Town, you fell at the alley entrance. Qi Wulin’s men were nearby at the time. Chu Xiao was afraid that revealing his whereabouts would implicate you, so he didn’t turn around.”

But later, he sent someone to inform the old lady next door, and he waited in the shadows of the alley until he saw the old lady find Shen You before he left with peace of mind.

Qi Jincheng's situation wasn't good back then either, and Ye Mingyu followed him to bide her time. Later, they finally reunited with Chu Xiao. When Chu Xiao unintentionally mentioned Shen Youshi, a rare tenderness would always flash across his face.

At that time, Ye Mingyu and Qi Jincheng both thought that Chu Xiao would soon bring Shen You to their base and introduce her to everyone.

Unexpectedly, the situation deteriorated, Qi Wulin pressed closer and closer, and Chu Xiao's identity was on the verge of being exposed.

Left with no other choice, she could only propose a divorce to Shen You.

Although Chu Xiao had his own difficulties, when it came to this matter, Ye Mingyu couldn't help but stand on Shen You's side and wanted to give Chu Xiao a good scolding.

Men, huh?

If you consider yourself a hero who saves the world, you can stubbornly do what you think is right without saying a word.

But he never asked what the people around him thought.

Thinking of this, Ye Mingyu's eyes seemed to spit out a fire of anger.

If Qi Jincheng dared to do that, she would definitely make him regret it.

Hearing this, Shen You curled the corners of her lips and said, "He has his ideas, and I have my will."

It's very simple, we just have different paths.

Ye Mingyu looked at her, "So what are your thoughts now?"

What are your thoughts?

Shen You chuckled softly.

She herself wasn't sure.

Let nature take its course.

"That..."

Just as Ye Mingyu was about to speak, Qi Zhaoyan had already changed her clothes and came out of the bedchamber.

The little girl came running over, lifting her skirt, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with a infectious smile.

Shen You raised her lips, a faint smile appearing in her beautiful almond-shaped eyes.

When Qi Zhaoyan returned, the two stopped talking.

Afterwards, Shen You played chess and fed the fish with Qi Zhaoyan in Zhaoyang Palace. It wasn't until nearly sunset that the little princess reluctantly watched her leave the palace.

At the end of Shenshi (3-5 PM), the carriage stopped in front of the Chengde Marquis's residence.

With the help of Granny Zhao, Shen You got off the carriage and headed towards Wen Gui Courtyard.

However, as soon as we passed the moon gate and approached the corridor, we heard the rustling of the green ivy under the eaves.

"Tell me, the young lady's birthday is coming up soon, what's the best way to celebrate?"

"How about we go to Shi Ding Fang?"

"Shi Ding Fang?" Zi Teng laughed. "Are you craving their new dishes?"

Green Ivy blushed, "Don't talk nonsense!"

"It's been a long time since the young lady celebrated her birthday. Shouldn't we have a proper celebration this year?"

Zi Teng stopped smiling and began to think very seriously, "But Miss doesn't like grand celebrations."

"Then how about we do it for the young lady right here in Wen Gui Courtyard?"

"This idea..."

Shen You stepped out from the side and teasingly finished the sentence, "What do you think of this idea?"

"Girl, you're back."

When the two maids saw her return, they smiled and came to her side, "Miss, your birthday gift is a big deal."

Granny Zhao, standing to the side, cast a loving glance at Shen You. "How does the young lady wish to live?"

During the three years that Shen You observed mourning for the old lady, she practically never celebrated her birthday.

Now that the mourning period is over, although we won't hold a grand celebration, it certainly can't be like before.

Upon hearing this, Shen You smiled and said, "I remember that my birthday is the day when the Embroidery Pavilion will have the embroidered screens inspected by the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion. I'll just stay at the Embroidery Pavilion."

After all, it's such a large embroidered screen, and it's the Yong'an Marquis's business, so it's always good to be cautious.

Seeing that she didn't take her birthday seriously at all, Green Ivy pouted, "Miss, this is your birthday gift."

Seeing her like this, Shen You laughed out loud, "Have you forgotten how you used to dream of making a fortune every day?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Granny Zhao and Zi Teng laughed along.

Inside the Wen Gui Courtyard, the four of them, master and servants, did not reach a final conclusion, but they chatted and laughed, creating a light and pleasant atmosphere.

In the following days, Shen You seemed to completely forget that her birthday was approaching, and went to Ruyi Embroidery Building every day to keep an eye on the progress of the embroidery screen.

November 2nd.

The warm sunshine of early winter was gentle, dispelling some of the chill.

Shen You didn't care about her birthday, but Granny Zhao didn't want her to have such an ordinary day, so she got up early to prepare.

Longevity noodles and longevity cakes were laid out on the table. Shen You sat at the table and, under the expectant and eager gazes of the three women, slowly finished eating the longevity noodles.

After eating longevity noodles and longevity cake, Yu Shenyou felt that her birthday had passed.

So after rinsing her mouth, she went to Ruyi Embroidery Building with wisteria and green ivy, just like every other day.

The Marquis's carriage was parked at the main gate, and the coachman waited respectfully to the side for Shen You to get into the carriage.

As Shen You descended the steps and stepped onto the horse bench, he glanced at the groom and noticed that he seemed much taller than usual.

But she didn't think much of it and was about to look away when the coachman slowly raised his head.

It was none other than Chu Xiao.

The warm sunlight fell on the man's cold and sharp face, casting a small shadow on his high nose.

Shen You stood there, stunned. He had already stepped forward, and the man's warm palm held her arm. He said in a low voice, "How about I serve you today, young lady?"