After the Lantern Festival, rumors spread throughout the capital that Li Shiyue would be adopted by the Emperor as his goddaughter and bestowed the title of princess. The rumors were initially quite widespread, but since neither the Rongguo Duke's mansion nor the palace took any action, the rumors subsided after a few days.

Xu Yunyang and his sister Xu Lingwan were nowhere to be found, let alone disturb Li Shiyue's life. They spent their days either at Shousong Hall or at Yang's place, learning household management from Xu Lingzi. They were very happy with their quiet life.

The weather was fine that day. Li Shiyue, with Chunling, had just rounded the small hill in front of them and was heading towards the main courtyard when they heard the crunching sound of snow crust ahead. Li Shiyue stopped in her tracks.

Chunling understood and called out in that direction, "Who's there?"

Xu Yunyang seemed to be in low spirits today, with dark circles under his eyes. He held a wooden box in his hand, standing two steps away from Li Shiyue, and smiled bitterly: "My previous behavior was abrupt, please forgive me, cousin."

Li Shiyue stared at the wooden box in his hand with a hint of wariness in her eyes, remaining silent.

"This is a shop I previously acquired. It's an excellent one. I heard my cousin wanted to use money to buy a shop, and I happen to know the details well. Consider this my way of apologizing to my cousin." Xu Yunyang's expression was sincere, but his slightly haggard face added to his broken appearance.

Li Shiyue did not take it immediately, her gaze hesitantly falling on Xu Yunyang's hand: "Grandmother has already dealt with the previous matter, so Third Cousin, you should not mention it again."

“Okay.” Xu Yunyang looked at the wooden box in his hand that hadn’t been taken away, opened it, and found a contract for a manor.

Li Shiyue glanced at it and then looked away: "This is my third cousin's kind offer, and I should have refused it, but my aunt helped me with this whole matter. Today, my aunt called me over to confirm that everything was in order and to prepare to put my fingerprint on it."

"If I accept my third cousin's gift, wouldn't my aunt have to work for nothing? Since it's my third cousin's gift, please keep it safe."

"Besides, the gift itself isn't important; I've already received your sentiment."

Bypassing Xu Yunyang, Li Shiyue led Chunling through the artificial hill, no longer paying attention to Xu Yunyang behind them.

The weather these past few days has been like a fickle child, with several days of heavy snow followed by two days of clear skies, and the sun even shining brighter, as if trying to break through the heavy cold winds.

The sunlight stretched her shadow long, falling onto the ground beneath her feet. After walking a short distance, Chunling finally couldn't help but complain, "Ostrich tears, all fake compassion."

Li Shiyue turned her head helplessly: "That's called knowing a person's face but not their heart."

Chunling stuck out her tongue shyly: "Oh, is that so? Now I can finally rest assured. The mistress's dowry has been delivered, and having money in our hands gives us more confidence."

Li Shiyue smiled with relief: "That's right. Once your aunt has taken care of things, the shop's income and expenses will add up to some money. I'll mention it to your aunt later and find you a reliable husband so you can have a dignified marriage."

Chunling was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook her head: "This servant will not marry, this servant will not go anywhere, wherever you go, I will go, I will never leave you for even a moment!"

Li Shiyue raised her hand and pinched her cheek: "What kind of girl doesn't get married? Besides, your indenture was given to me by my grandmother before she died. With your aunt in charge, you won't be looked down upon when you leave the Xu family."

Chunling still refused: "If you don't want to get married, then I won't either. I'll stay with you."

The shop's affairs were kept busy until the day of the Dragon Raising its Head on the second day of the second lunar month. Finally, the last step of the procedures was completed, the contract was obtained, and Manager Wang went to manage the shop.

On the surface, it was a shop belonging to the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, but in reality, the accountant's name was Li Shiyue's, meaning the shop was clearly her own. The account books were sent to Chengyu Pavilion monthly, which was also part of Yang's training of her.

Ultimately, the ledger would still need to be handed over to the Yang family. If there were no errors, everything would be fine.

The chill of late winter lingers until the very end of March before people are finally able to shed their heavy winter coats.

Shousong Hall faces the sun, and it was the best time of day. When Madam Yang entered, she saw an old woman and a young child each doing their own thing. Old Madam Xu held prayer beads in her hands, and the Buddhist scriptures on the small square table in front of her were open and lying there quietly.

Li Shiyue sat on the other side, holding an embroidery needle in her hand. On the embroidery frame in her hand was a piece of silver-white brocade, on which half of the lark feather and bird pattern had already been embroidered.

Yang walked more quietly, and only when she got closer did Li Shiyue notice her. She hurriedly tried to get up, but Yang pressed her back down.

In silence, Yang placed her hand on Li Shiyue's shoulder, leaning close to her and scrutinizing her closely.

The stitches are meticulous and very neat, and butterflies are depicted below the flying birds, as if a beautiful scene of birds and butterflies playing has already appeared before one's eyes.

"If we keep looking, I'm afraid she won't be able to finish embroidering today." Old Madam Xu opened her eyes at some point, her eyes filled with doting affection as she looked at the two of them.

Li Shiyue blushed upon hearing this, and was about to say something when Yang interrupted her: "Continue."

She glanced at Old Madam Xu and Madam Yang, then focused intently on the brocade in front of her, holding the embroidery needle.

After saying that, Madam Yang walked up to Old Madam Xu and curtsied, her tone light and cheerful: "Mother, the people from the Great Forbidden City have arrived. Tomorrow, His Highness will bring the Empress back to the manor."

Madam Xu couldn't hide her joy as she reached out and grasped Madam Yang's wrist: "Really?"

Madam Yang nodded, her eyes beaming with joy: "It's true." She then took out a golden booklet from her sleeve. Old Madam Xu took it and opened it; sure enough, it bore the vermilion seal of Chonghua Palace.

“After Yuan Niang got married, her noble status also constrained her. This time, it was His Highness’s idea to let Yuan Niang show filial piety to her mother.”

Speaking of Xu Lingyu and Xu Yunci, these two siblings are Xu Lingyu's most beloved grandchildren of this generation in the Xu family. She even raised them herself until they were 7 years old, so their relationship is naturally extraordinary.

With tears in her eyes, Madam Xu clasped her hands together and smiled, repeatedly saying, "Good, good, good."

Li Shiyue put down her embroidery frame and stepped forward to hug Old Madam Xu's arm: "Should we welcome my eldest cousin back?"

Madam Yang looked at Old Madam Xu and said, "Your Highness means that we should not make a big fuss. This trip is only to accompany Yuan Niang back to the mansion to visit her relatives."

Madam Xu shook her head: "Your Highness has always been humble. It's good that you don't want to be extravagant, but you also can't be too stingy."

"Mother, rest assured, your daughter-in-law has already started preparations." Madam Yang was always reliable in her work, so Old Madam Xu was naturally at ease.

A ray of sunshine peeked through the window cracks and shone on the carpet, while the faint scent of sandalwood swirled upwards like rising clouds and mist.

After a moment of silence, Madam Yang's expression remained as gentle as ever, but a faint sorrow lingered between her brows: "Yesterday, His Majesty issued an edict to bestow the daughter of the Imperial Censor Zuo and the sister of General Yunhui upon the Lady of Chonghua Palace."