Chapter 62: Ambiguous and Seductive

In the warm, moist breeze blowing from the distant coastline into Qingzhou City in March.

Inside the Yu residence, Cui Xianglan got up early in the morning and called the concubines from the six households to have breakfast together. After the lively gathering, she had someone prepare the carriage and got ready to go out.

Before she even stepped out of the house, Zhao Meier, who lived next door, swayed her slender waist as she climbed the steps. She met Cui Xianglan, who was walking out of the house, and with a smug look on her face, she puffed out her full chest and raised her seductive eyes.

"Oh, Madam Yu, where are you going? Did you hear that I was coming today and get scared away?"

Cui Xianglan glanced at her, thinking to herself how she had been so upset about that despicable couple a few months ago. She must have been stuck in the Yu residence, which must have driven her crazy.

The shop she and Yuezhi co-owned is doing very well right now, and she's busy checking the accounts. She has no time to deal with this flirtatious widow's provocations.

"If Madam Zhao is truly capable, then let Yu Shao take you into his household. Anyway, there are plenty of concubines in the Yu family's inner quarters. It would be lively if you came, so you wouldn't be all alone living next door. Yu Shao runs back and forth between the two places, doesn't he get tired of it?"

She waved her hand and walked straight to the carriage parked outside the mansion gate, ignoring Zhao Meier.

Unable to ostracize her, Zhao Meier frowned slightly. Just as she was about to chase after her to see where she was going, several concubines hurriedly came from the inner courtyard and greeted her cheerfully.

"Isn't this Madam Zhao? It's been a while since she's come."

"Madam Zhao, please come in. Master drank too much last night and is still staying in my room. I suppose he must be missing you, Madam Zhao. Please come with me to see him."

Several concubines escorted Zhao Meier towards the inner quarters. Zhao Meier noticed that no one was seeing Cui Xianglan off when she left, and then she saw herself surrounded by a crowd. She thought to herself that it wouldn't be long before the position of the Yu family's principal wife would be hers.

He walked in triumphantly, only to be pushed into a stinking room by his aunts.

The stench made her want to vomit. When she turned around, she saw that none of her aunts had come in. Instead, they had mischievously closed the door from the outside and were laughing and joking outside.

Zhao Meier panicked: "What are you doing?"

One of the concubines said, "Since you are so fond of my master, you should learn to serve him. Last night, he vomited all over the bed and wouldn't let anyone near him. He's just waiting for you to clean up the mess."

The concubines nearby, not wanting to miss out on the fun, also laughed and said, "Madam, you were once a principal wife, so naturally you have the demeanor of one. Please be diligent and teach us how to serve others."

Zhao Meier wanted to bang on the door and leave, but Yu Shao was woken up by the commotion and climbed out of the vomit, muttering "water...".

Zhao Meier rolled her eyes. She couldn't argue with the petty aunts, so she could only suppress her disgust and take care of Yu Shao.

Little did she know that while Cui Xianglan was making money in business, she was also keeping a tight grip on the keys to the Yu family's storeroom. She was lending the monthly allowance to Yuezhi under the guise of a loan, and she was also using the money she earned from Yuezhi's shop to give monthly allowances to the concubines separately.

Over time, Cui Xianglan gained control over the concubines' food, clothing, and daily necessities. Yu Shao, on the other hand, was a greedy and womanizing man who never returned home. As time went on, the concubines naturally sided with Cui Xianglan.

The matter at the Yu residence is temporarily settled.

The "Honey Fruit Shop" in the east of the city was packed with customers. The aroma of milk, fruit, and flowers wafted from the doors and windows, filling the street and attracting passersby to stop and admire it.

In the shop, long queues of maids and servants waited to buy pastries and tea cakes for young ladies and ladies from noble families; business was booming.

Yuezhi came from the kitchen, dusted off the flour on her clothes, and went to the back room. She saw Cui Xianglan going over yesterday's accounts, the abacus beads in her hand clicking loudly. There was no trace of the sad look she had a month ago.

"How was it? How much did you make yesterday?" She sat down next to him.

Cui Xianglan looked up and excitedly made a gesture, "This amount, you've earned so much in just one month, Yuezhi, your skills are worth much more than the imperial chefs in the palace."

Yuezhi smiled, but she dared not agree.

Although she was a princess for less than a year, she tasted countless delicacies. The pastries sold in the shop were also made by her after tasting the finest pastries in the palace, the mansion, and even the capital.

"It's just to earn a little money through hard work. I still need to go check on the distillery. Want to come along?"

“Let’s go.” Cui Xianglan closed the ledger and went with her.

Originally, Yuezhi only planned to open a pastry shop and support it herself. However, the Yu family was in business, and Cui Xianglan had been managing the household for many years. She was quite knowledgeable about business accounting. In order to get out of the Yu family's financial pit as soon as possible, she asked her to open another business to share the risks and make money from the Yu family's accounts more quickly.

Half a month ago, Yuezhi opened a winery. Cui Xianglan, under the guise of cooperation, poured the Yu family's cash into the winery, agreeing to share the profits at this time next year. This was essentially lending Yuezhi a large sum of cash without interest—using Yu Shao's money to do her own thing.

The distillery has now been built and is cooperating with Zuixianlou. Yuezhi is only responsible for stir-frying the ingredients and filling them, and delivering the wine vats to Zuixianlou's cellar. The monthly quota is thirty vats. Although the scale is not large, it is a long-term and profitable business.

While things were bustling around here, the Yu family members weren't idle either.

Yu Shaogang, having just recovered from his drunkenness, noticed Zhao Meier's voluptuous figure and alluring eyes. He pulled her towards the main courtyard as soon as she changed her clothes.

After their tryst lasted a long time, they lay together on the couch and talked about their big business deal.

"You must have made a lot of money this month, right?" Yu Shao, who was bloated and covered in sweat, rubbed his face against Zhao Meier's, making her look unpleasant, but she had no choice but to comply.

"Of course. Although it's less than when my husband was alive, once I'm in the Yu family, I'll be able to manage the business for you without any worries, and the income will only increase in the future."

“I also wanted to marry you, but Cui Xianglan kept her dowry tightly under wraps. It was such a large sum of money. I supported her for almost three years, hoping to use the Cui family to get in touch with the capital. But the Cui family fell so quickly. I feel like I lost out.”

Zhao Meier rolled her eyes and said, "When I entered the manor today, I saw her taking a carriage out. Haven't you noticed that she's been going out much more often lately?"

"Is that so?" Yu Shao frowned.

Taking advantage of the situation, Zhao Meier stirred up trouble, saying, "You're eyeing her dowry, but maybe she's eyeing your money too. You shouldn't just focus your attention on outsiders; take a look at your own family as well."

Yu Shao belatedly realized what was happening and immediately summoned people to conduct a thorough investigation of the household's assets with Zhao Meier.

Upon investigation, it was astonishing that in just one month, the cash on the books was almost completely gone. The entire ten thousand taels of silver had vanished without a trace!

That evening, as soon as Cui Xianglan returned to the mansion, she was confronted by Yu Shao in the back hall and questioned.

Cui Xianglan calmly took out the account books of Miguozhai and the winery. Every expenditure was clearly listed and reasonable.

"How can you make cash so quickly in business? You have to know how to invest in potential and be generous in making friends. Isn't that what my father taught me? Why are you so angry now?"

"You, you stupid woman! You've squandered the entire fortune of the Yu family!" Yu Shao trembled with rage.

Cui Xianglan raised her eyes, her tone calm: "What do you mean I squandered the family fortune? I've been married into this family for over two years. I've taken care of everything in the household, from your food and clothing to your lifestyle outside. I helped you run the shop and earned nearly 30,000 taels of silver. Have you ever spent a single cent of it on me? You remember exactly how much you spend on your own family, but you spend countless amounts on your business partners and widows. I'd like to call someone to judge who really squandered this family fortune!"

"I bought you for five thousand taels of silver. You are mine, and the money you earn is mine. If I hadn't married you, who would want a widow like you who brings bad luck to her husband? And you think it's your own skill?"

Yu Shao angrily threw the two ledgers at her.

"I don't care what kind of lousy business you're in, you have to return all the money to me today. If you don't have cash, you can use your dowry as collateral!"

Cui Xianglan showed no fear. "I have signed a contract with the shop owner. If you want to break the contract, then report it to the authorities and let them determine who is right and who is wrong."

Upon hearing this, Yu Shao's anger subsided considerably: he and Mei'er were engaged in shady business, and there was still illicit silver in the mansion that hadn't been laundered; how could he allow the authorities to come knocking on his door?

He was sweating profusely. He had lost ten thousand taels of silver, but he could earn countless more in the future. However, if he continued to keep this spendthrift in the mansion, no amount of money would be enough to cover her waste.

After much deliberation, Yu Shao, his face ashen, forced out the words through gritted teeth: "Don't try to use the government to pressure me. Consider this 10,000 taels as money I've already given to the dogs. I'll write you a letter of divorce right now, and you can take your dowry and get out of the Yu family!"

Cui Xianglan appeared stubborn, but inside she was overjoyed.

She received the letter of divorce that very night. Amidst the pitying gazes of her aunts, she slunk out of the mansion and immediately moved into the house that Yuezhi had just bought.

The mansion has three courtyards, with five courtyards in addition to the front courtyard.

Yuezhi and Huachun lived in the main backyard with their two children, Cui Xianglan and her maidservant moved into the east wing, and Su Jingyun lived in the west wing.

The small courtyards in the northeast and northwest corners each house four guards, two maids, and two nannies, whom Yuezhi had just hired two days ago. They usually help with housework and take care of the two children.

That evening, the city was ablaze with lights, and Yuezhi's family prepared a sumptuous dinner to welcome Cui Xianglan back.

Meanwhile, in the Yu family, Yu Shao couldn't wait to marry Zhao Meier. Because it was her second marriage and Zhao Meier was still in mourning for her deceased husband, the wedding couldn't be publicized. So, a simple sedan chair was used to carry her into the house.

The two men plotted how to expand their business and set their sights on the newly appointed prefect.

"With the prefect's assistance, our path to wealth will be even wider."

Yu Shao shook his head repeatedly, "The worst thing you can do in this kind of business is to deal with government officials. How could we possibly run into them?"

Zhao Meier had a plan in mind. "Master, there's no need to worry. As the saying goes, officials protect each other, and a higher-ranking official can crush a lower one. As long as that prefect is smart, he won't refuse our toast."

Yu Shao was skeptical, but in order to earn more money, he let her do it anyway.

*

As the weather warms up, there are more and more people on the streets.

That morning, a sudden commotion broke out in the market. Shouts and hurried footsteps grew louder as a dashing figure in blue rushed past. It was Pei Yao, the prefect's personal bodyguard.

"The authorities are arresting people, retreat immediately!" She moved like a swallow, keeping a close eye on the suspect fleeing in panic ahead, dispersing the innocent passersby around her, and quickly closing the distance in a few leaps.

The suspect, cornered, pulled out a dagger and swung it wildly. Pei Yao dodged to the side, flicked her wrist, and the scabbard struck the suspect's hand, knocking the weapon from his hand. Then, she grabbed him and pinned him to the ground.

The constables hurriedly caught up from behind. Pei Yao swiftly tied the man up and handed him over to them. She then shook her right arm, as she had accidentally cut her sleeve with a dagger, leaving a small wound.

The minor injury was nothing to worry about. She didn't disturb anyone and had the constables take the person back to the yamen. She then turned into the nearby Miguozhai, a restaurant filled with the aroma of honey fruit.

There were quite a few customers in the shop. She nodded to the busy shop assistant, then skillfully lifted the curtain and went into the back room, intending to find some wine to wash her wounds.

In the back room, Su Jingyun was quietly having lunch.

Because Yuezhi was worried that he was very tired from making house calls every day, she discussed with Cui Xianglan and used the cash in the account to buy him a pharmacy on the same street as Miguozhai.

Su Jingyun looked up and saw Pei Yao stride in, her forehead covered in a thin layer of sweat from exercise. She was dressed smartly in men's clothing, and her brows still carried a sharp air, like a sword that had just been sheathed. Just one glance at her made him feel uneasy.

Pei Yao didn't look at him, her gaze went straight to the wine jar in the corner, and she reached out to take it.

"Lord Liang, please wait." Su Jingyun put down his chopsticks, stood up, and walked over, his tone gentle. "Are you injured, sir?"

Pei Yao paused, raised an eyebrow at him, shook her injured arm, and said nonchalantly, "It's just a minor injury, a quick rinse will do the trick."

Su Jingyun didn't want to interfere, but he had reached a delicate harmony with Liang Zhang and Pei Yao, and they all concealed their true identities from Yue Zhi, maintaining their current peaceful life as friends.

Having a shared secret inevitably leads to concern for each other, especially since he is a doctor and cannot bear to see others abuse their bodies.

"If you don't mind, sir, may I take a look?"

Seeing his serious demeanor, Pei Yao found it interesting, so she sat down at the table, stretched out her arms, and rolled up her sleeves.

Su Jingyun carefully examined the wound before turning around to retrieve the medicine box kept in the back room. He gently cleaned the wound, disinfected it with medicinal wine, and sprinkled hemostatic powder on it.

"Although the muscles were not damaged, adults should still be careful. Before the injury heals, avoid raw, cold, and spicy foods, and especially avoid drinking alcohol."

"I just heard a commotion on the street ahead. I suppose it's your business, sir. But if I may be so bold as to say something, you don't have any official position. Why risk your life to seek out excitement? Catching fugitives is a matter for the constables. It's best for you to stay by Lord Zhang's side and protect his safety."

He kept talking and moving gently. Pei Yao didn't feel any pain; instead, she found it rather novel.

As a bride, daughter-in-law, and widow, she was always taking care of others who nagged her, being pointed at and talked about, with few people thinking about her, and she was also a... nagging, fussy man.

Pei Yao squinted at his focused expression as he looked down, the soft lines of his profile, his handsome features that weren't strikingly handsome but possessed a gentle and reserved air.

The wound he had bandaged was throbbing and itching, which made her restless. She moved her fingertips to attract his attention.

"Your name is Su Jingyun? How old are you?"

The two met through Yuezhi, but they didn't know each other well.

She asked, and Su Jingyun didn't think much of it. The carefree Fourth Princess could chat with the shop assistants, so she was probably just trying to keep talking.

"I'm one year older than Yuezhi, and I'm twenty-eight this year."

"At this age, haven't you thought about getting married?"

“I’ve been in the palace for many years, and I know nothing but medicine and taking care of people. Apart from Yuezhi and patients, who would want to pay attention to me?”

Pei Yao chuckled, "What kind of man are you, cowering like this? If you wait another two years and end up like me in your early thirties, no one will want to talk to you anymore."

Sensing her teasing tone, Su Jingyun blushed. After bandaging her wound, he rolled down his sleeves and said, "This is a commoner's business, no need for you to concern yourself with it."

After saying that, he sat back down and continued eating.

Pei Yao crossed her arms, chuckled smugly, and looked at him without any hesitation, her gaze bold, scrutinizing, and subtly probing.

A gaze fell undisguised from his side, without malice, yet it carried a superior air of composure and sharpness that made Su Jingyun feel slightly uncomfortable. He wanted to refute it, but felt that as a man, such restraint was petty.

The atmosphere was somewhat subtle in the tacit silence between them.

Just then, the curtain moved, and Yuezhi came in carrying a plate of freshly baked pastries: "Lord Liang is here? Would you like some snacks?"

She looked at the dashing Pei Yao and saw her staring at Su Jingyun, who was eating, like an eagle eyeing a field mouse—this sight made her freeze in place.

Upon seeing her, Pei Yao raised her bandaged arm and laughed loudly, "Yuezhi, you've come at the right time. Your doctor is so kind; he bandaged me up and didn't even ask for payment. If I get injured again, I'll definitely go back to him."

So that's how it is.

Yuezhi realized she had misunderstood the atmosphere just now, so she smiled and said, "Please come in, sir. My eldest brother is the kindest person, and his medical skills are excellent. The wounds he has treated never leave scars."

"Then I have to see it for myself." Pei Yao stepped forward, took the pastries from her, pulled her to sit at another table, and asked curiously.

"I heard that Madam Cui was divorced by the Yu family, and Yu Shao is going around saying that Madam Cui is a spendthrift. What's going on?"

Pei Yao frequently visits the shop and blends in with the two under a false identity; the three are now very good friends.

Yuezhi then told her about the series of events between Cui Xianglan and Yu Shao, from their engagement to their divorce, which was incredibly fascinating and left Pei Yao in awe.

With his attention diverted, Su Jingyun was able to finish his meal in peace, quickly said goodbye to the two of them, and then went to the pharmacy.

The pastry shop was thriving, the winery was gradually getting on track, and the pharmacy was able to survive thanks to Su Jingyun's extraordinary medical skills.

During the day, Yuezhi goes to the shop to check on business, and in the evening, she goes over the accounts with Cui Xianglan. In the evening, she goes home to have dinner and spend time with her children. Her days are fulfilling and happy.

It was springtime, and the family went out for a spring outing, boating on the lake and flying kites. Their cloth clothes were replaced with silk, and they bought two grand carriages. Their mansion was decorated with more flowers, plants, and trees, and they even hired two chefs to come to their home regularly to cook. Their lives became more and more comfortable.

Even after her eyes were healed, Yuezhi still couldn't handle strenuous work, so she rarely embroidered anymore, only sewing small clothes and shoes for her two children in her spare time.

Seeing them pressed against her belly and back, she felt even more that they were flesh and blood of her own flesh. Stroking the children's little faces and round little bellies, her heart was filled with love.

She rarely remembers the past.

Although sometimes when she sees the two children, they look just like Pei Heng when he was a child—exquisitely cute, fair-skinned, and soft—she no longer feels any emotion about it.

She loves her life now and has placed her past, weak and helpless self into the darkness of her memories.

As I lay awake at night, I held my two children in my arms, one on each side, surrounded by the sweet, soft scent of milk. I felt utterly blissful and asked for nothing more.

A month passed in comfort and tranquility.

Just as April began, an uninvited guest arrived at Miguozhai and invited Yuezhi to meet him in a quiet and elegant private room on the second floor.

When they pushed open the door, the person inside was not a regular customer, but Zhao Meier, Yu Shaoxin's new wife.

Zhao Meier was dressed up meticulously today, adorned with pearls and jade, and her dress was made of the finest Suzhou satin. When she saw Yuezhi enter, she immediately put on a warm but somewhat deliberate smile.

"I hope I haven't disturbed your business by inviting you here, madam?"

Yuezhi was wary, but her face remained calm as she sat down opposite her: "Madam is too kind. In business, everyone who comes is a customer. May I ask what brings you here?"

Madam Zhao poured her a cup of tea herself and said politely, "I dare not offer any advice. I just see that your shop is thriving and you have a wide network of connections. Even the dignitaries in the prefectural government often come to visit you. It's truly enviable."

Pei Yao was a regular customer at the shop, and Liang Zhang would also come to sit for a while when he had free time, to eat some light snacks and enjoy a pot of tea.

Zhao Meier needed the help of the prefect of Qingzhou, so she inquired about information everywhere and kept an eye on Liang Zhang for a month. She learned that he had been in office for three months and was very busy with many things, so he rarely had time to go out for leisure. However, he came to Miguozhai three times and even specially set aside a day to invite Yuezhi's family to have dinner at Zuixianlou.

She tried roundabout ways of sending gifts and offering bribes, but to no avail. Finally, having exhausted all other options, she turned to Yuezhi.

Zhao Meier lowered her voice, her tone a mix of flattery and probing: "To be honest, my husband is eager to help the Prefect, but... he is incorruptible, and we want to do our best but have no way to do so. I see that you are quite familiar with both Guard Liang and the Prefect, so I wonder if you could... introduce us?"

As he spoke, he took out a heavy, bulging purse from under the table and quietly pushed it to Yuezhi's side.

Yuezhi's gaze swept over the purse: This amount was far too much as a thank-you gift for the introduction.

Zhao Meier knew perfectly well that she was on good terms with Cui Xianglan, yet she still humbled herself to come and ask for favors. Clearly, she was driven by self-interest—she must have failed to bribe the prefect and wanted to use her to get through to the prefectural government.

Yuezhi gently pushed the purse back, her voice indifferent: "Madam has come to the wrong person. My shop only sells pastries, not favors. The prefect is honest and just, and Guard Liang is also righteous and hates evil. I advise Madam to give up this idea as soon as possible, so as not to get herself into trouble."

Zhao Meier's smile froze on her face, a hint of embarrassment and anger flashing in her eyes. She forced a smile and said, "My lady, what you're saying is nothing more than a small favor..."

Yuezhi stood up and said decisively, "We have different paths, so we cannot work together. I will have the waiter refund the cost of this private room. Please leave, Madam. From now on, you will not need to patronize Miguozhai."

With the order to leave given, Zhao Meier's smile vanished completely, her face turned ugly, and she clutched the purse back into her hand.

"Fine, you've got guts. You don't give me face today, so watch out in the future, or you'll fall into my hands!"

Zhao Meier stood up and walked out without looking back.

After the person left, Yuezhi breathed a sigh of relief and called the waiter to clear the table.

She had no business dealings with the Yu family. If she was afraid of retaliation, she wouldn't have helped Cui Xianglan leave the Yu family back then. Naturally, she wouldn't ruin her and the two adults' reputations for a few benefits.

Yuezhi didn't take the matter too seriously. That afternoon, she went to the distillery to make wine as usual.

In the steamy winery, she stood with her arms bare and her skirt rolled up to her knees, standing with the other female workers, her feet treading on freshly picked green plums, her whole body exuding the tart fragrance of the fruit.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, which he wiped away with the back of his hand. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure standing inside the courtyard gate.

It is Prefect Zhang.

He wasn't wearing official robes, only a dark green casual dress, his long hair tied up on top of his head with a jade crown. He was so handsome that he looked like someone who had stepped out of a painting, clean and bright, completely out of place in this winery filled with the sweet and sour smell of fermentation.

Noticing her gaze, he paused, his eyes warm and smiling, filled with clear concern.

Yuezhi momentarily forgot what to do until he slowly approached and reached out his hand to her.

"Moon Lady," he said gently, "be careful, come out first."

In a daze, Yuezhi subconsciously offered him her hand, which was covered in plum juice. His palm was dry and warm, and he steadily supported her, guiding her to carefully step out of the wooden basin.

A cool breeze brushed against the instep of her feet. Yuezhi came to her senses and realized that she was barefoot, with her calves exposed and stained with juice. She blushed with embarrassment and hurriedly loosened the skirt tied around her knees, pulling her feet back under the hem to hide them.

"Excuse me," she said in a barely audible voice, her cheeks flushed.

Liang Zhang released her hand, bent down, took out a plain white handkerchief from his bosom, gently covered her instep, and carefully wiped her feet from ankle to calf. His gaze was focused, without any hint of lewdness, as if he were wiping a precious piece of porcelain.

Yuezhi was so shocked that she forgot to breathe and took two steps back.

"Sir, this is inappropriate..."

Seeing this, the busy female workers around slowed down their work and began to chatter and laugh.

"Oh my, the Prefect is so kind!"

"Our Moon Goddess is so blessed!"

Amid the murmurs, Liang Zhang slowly rose, his ears turning bright red, a blush spreading across his neck. He murmured in a hoarse voice, "I only saw Lady Yue just now, and I was in a moment of panic. I hope you won't blame me."

Yuezhi straightened her skirt, her feet awkwardly and nervously clasped together beneath it. Recalling the intimate touch just moments before, her heart raced.

Lord Zhang's concern for her was different from that for others, and she noticed it, but the two of them were very busy and rarely saw each other. Although she had unusual thoughts, she was unable to delve into them.

It's rare to meet like this, and the ambiguity at this moment is even more alluring.