Yunyu paused her massage of Jiang Shu's shoulders. She knew all too well about Jiang Shu's marriage plans, and seemed to understand Princess Ning's intentions all too well.

“Princess,” Yunyu stared at Jiang Shu, “Young Master Zheng is certainly good, but there is a world of difference between his status and yours. If he thinks about it carefully, Zheng Yu is ultimately just the stepson of Minister Zheng, and now the master is still bedridden…”

"Enough!" Jiang Shu suddenly shouted, forcing Yun Yu to swallow her torrent of words. She looked at Jiang Shu, unsure of what the other was up to.

At this moment, Jiang Shu slowly stood up.

"Prepare the car, I'm going to the Minister's residence." Jiang Shu's voice wasn't loud, but her tone was resolute.

Yunyu was clearly taken aback by Jiang Shu's suggestion to go to the Minister's residence. She was shocked and stared at Jiang Shu in astonishment: "Princess! What are you doing? Are we going to the Minister's residence now? This is against etiquette! What if the Princess Consort finds out..."

"I want to see Zheng Yu." Jiang Shu turned around, her eyes already urging him on.

She added, "As long as you don't tell, how could my mother possibly know where I went?" Jiang Shu looked at Yun Yu with a burning gaze that was almost cold and ruthless.

That cold, stern gaze rendered all of Yunyu's attempts to dissuade her futile in that instant; she had never seen Jiang Shu so resolute.

"Hurry up and get the car ready! Let's go now. You don't have to go if you're worried."

Yun Yu sighed deeply, and finally, under the pressure of Jiang Shu's almost heartless and indifferent gaze, he timidly left. In the end, he knew Jiang Shu's temperament too well. Don't be fooled by the county princess's usual gentleness; once she becomes stubborn and determined, not even nine oxen can pull her back.

After hesitating for a long time, Yunyu gritted her teeth and made up her mind, "Fine, I'll go and make the arrangements right away!" Yunyu hurriedly left the room, but her heart was pounding wildly.

Yunyu sighed, hoping that nothing bad would happen this time. If Princess Ning found out that she and Jiang Shu had gone to the Minister's residence, and things got out of hand, she would be in real trouble.

But now that Jiang Shu has made up her mind to leave, what can she, as a maid, do?

Soon, the carriage arrived at the Minister's residence.

Zheng Yu spent most of his day serving his father, almost never taking off his clothes. Now, Zheng Yu was finally able to return to his study. He picked up a scroll he had only read halfway through and buried himself in the fragrance of ink.

Nothing could disturb him. Zheng Yu's bookshelf was filled with classics, histories, philosophical works, and collections of literature. He would occasionally compare his work with past exam questions, and at that moment, he couldn't help but think of He Yi.

After all, it was He Yi who reminded him to take the imperial examination at this critical juncture. Now he is doing his best for the future. Although it is already dusk, Zheng Yu does not feel tired.

On the contrary, his eyes were exceptionally bright and sharp.

He was missing He Yi when he heard a knock on the door. Zheng Yu thought it was He Yi and a peaceful smile appeared on his lips. He turned around, but the butler, Uncle Gong, walked in.

The announcement said that Princess Jiang from the Prince of Ning's residence was visiting. At that moment, Zheng Yu's hand holding the brush froze in mid-air. What was Jiang Shu doing here at this time? He was still pondering when a large ink dot on the brush fell down with a thud.

[Yu-ge is reading; please do not disturb me.]

[I'm learning, thank you for your cooperation.]

[It's the female lead, hehehe.]

Upon hearing that Jiang Shu had arrived, Zheng Yu slowly put down his pen, straightened his clothes, and walked out of the study. In the courtyard, Jiang Shu, accompanied by Yun Yu, gracefully approached.

The setting sun outlined Jiang Shu's silhouette. The two hadn't seen each other for a while, and no one knew what sudden change Jiang Shu had encountered, but she looked even thinner than before.

Zheng Yu noticed the weariness and sadness etched on his face, and Xin tensed up slightly as well.

"Jiang Shu? What...do you have any instructions for me?" Zheng Yu looked at Jiang Shu with suspicion and bowed.

He stared at the woman opposite him respectfully, maintaining the aloofness and subtle resistance befitting a young master from a prominent family.

Jiang Shu's eyes lightly fell on Zheng Yu. "Can I come in and talk to you?" Zheng Yu didn't expect Jiang Shu to make such a request.

“Let’s talk in the courtyard.” Zheng Yu looked into Jiang Shu’s eyes. Jiang Shu glanced at the study, where a single lamp cast a dim glow, revealing a mountain of reference materials piled on Zheng Yu’s desk.

A fleeting smile appeared on Jiang Shu's pale lips.

"Young Master Zheng is indeed working hard, that's good."

Zheng Yu's expression was complicated. Ever since Jiang Shu arrived, he hadn't forgotten to observe her. He noticed that Jiang Shu's expression was strange and complicated as she spoke, and her eyes kept glancing at him.

There was admiration, surprise, astonishment, and a hint of barely perceptible concern in his eyes. Zheng Yu said casually, "I've been having nothing to do lately, and I'm bored all day, so I'm making some early preparations for the autumn examinations, hoping to win first place this autumn."

Jiang Shu nodded silently, but a perfectly timed smile appeared on her lips. Seeing that Jiang Shu had already walked inside on her own, Zheng Yu knew he couldn't refuse.

He led her into the study. The room was simply furnished, but the scent of books and ink filled the air as night approached, creating a surprisingly pleasant atmosphere.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two fell silent. Only when the steward, Uncle Gong, brought in the tea kettle did Jiang Shu slowly and absentmindedly pick up her teacup.

She looked at the tea leaves floating in the teacup, then took a deep, sorrowful breath. In that instant, Jiang Shu seemed to have made a firm decision.

She turned to look at Yunyu standing to the side and instructed, "Yunyu, go wait outside first. I have something to say to Young Master Zheng."

I just had to get those words out, and today I finally have the chance.

This opportunity was something Jiang Shu had fought for. No matter what the future holds, she has already worked very hard for her future. Yun Yu looked at the two of them with suspicion.

Her heart skipped a beat. What kind of situation was this? She had been tricked by the county princess into becoming a matchmaker. If the Princess of Ning found out when she returned, would she even be able to live?

Yunyu glanced at Jiang Shu with concern, then quickly glanced at Zheng Yu, who was sitting upright on the other side of the octagonal table.

Her lips moved, clearly wanting to refuse, but in the end she said nothing. She dared not and could not disobey Jiang Shu's wishes, so she lowered her head, closed the door, and left.

The door slammed shut with a dull thud, instantly cutting off all outside sounds.

"Zheng Yu!"

Jiang Shu's voice trembled violently. She looked at Zheng Yu, her eyes filled with painful despair. Zheng Yu was standing in front of the desk, staring at the book. When he noticed that the narrator was calling him by his name and getting close to him, before he could react, Jiang Shu rushed over like a moth to a flame and threw herself into Zheng Yu's arms.