Upon hearing Su Peng's words, Zhao Wu nearly spilled all the seasonings in his hand.
The thought of his beloved woman having to please another man filled Zhao Wu with immense pain.
This can't go on any longer; they need to leave as soon as possible.
Caiyan calmly poured a cup of hot water and placed it in front of Su Peng.
He glanced shyly at the waiter and Zhao Wu who were grilling meat.
She lowered her voice and said, "This servant is not feeling well. Would it be alright if I returned to the manor to serve you, sir, in a few days?"
When Caiyan said those words, she looked shy, but in Su Peng's eyes, she was charming and alluring.
Over the course of these days, Su Peng often compared Sunflower to Caiyan. Sunflower was very obedient to him and even took the initiative to please him.
But for some reason, he always felt that something was missing from Sunflower.
These past few days, all the workers at the dye shop have gone home for the Chinese New Year, so Su Peng has naturally had nothing to do.
Every day, he either drinks tea in Jiang Jiaojiao's room or sits at Sunflower's place.
With Lunar New Year's Eve fast approaching, while other families were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, his house was deserted and quiet, and he hadn't even prepared any couplets yet.
Jiang Jiaojiao had other plans in mind. Since Qin Shi wasn't buying anything for the New Year, she naturally wouldn't spend a single penny.
Su Peng thought that business at the shop had improved recently, and Caiyan had also handed over more money to Jiang Jiaojiao.
He discussed with Jiang Jiaojiao, asking her to take out some money to buy some New Year's goods.
Jiang Jiaojiao refused outright, and Su Peng, feeling annoyed, unknowingly found himself here after leaving the gate.
Hearing Caiyan's words, Su Peng had no choice but to nod, "Then you should return to the manor in a few days to spend the night."
As Su Peng spoke, he reached out and pinched Caiyan's smooth cheek. "It's been so long since I've served you, and you've become more and more beautiful. When you return to the manor, I will use all my skills to pamper you."
"Master, there are still people watching outside. Don't make a fool of yourself." Caiyan took a step back, and Su Peng's hand missed its target.
Su Peng stepped forward, looked down and stared intently into Caiyan's eyes, "Everyone knows you're my man. Anyone who dares to laugh at you, I'll kick them out tomorrow."
Su Peng's voice wasn't loud, so the helper at the barbecue might not have heard it, but Zhao Wu heard it clearly.
He was in front, but his ears were listening to the sounds coming from inside the house.
Hearing Su Peng's flippant words, Zhao Wu's heart jumped into his throat, fearing that Su Peng would force himself on Caiyan.
"Shh! Don't say things like that lightly. If we fire the guy, where are we going to find someone for the New Year?"
“Alright, I won’t say anything. Just give me the profits from the past two days, and I’ll pass them on to the young mistress.” Su Peng said, extending his hand.
Yesterday, Jiang Jiaojiao had just asked Caiyan how much money she had given to Su Peng. Su Peng hadn't had time to check the amount with Caiyan, and Caiyan wasn't a sage, so naturally she didn't know how much money Su Peng had embezzled last time.
Without thinking, she told the truth. Jiang Jiaojiao instructed her to hand over the money to her every few days and not let it pass through Su Peng's hands again.
Caiyan said, "Young Madam just came to collect the money yesterday. The money from today's sales needs to be used to prepare ingredients for tomorrow. Please forgive me for not being able to comply."
"Alright, I'll come back in a few days."
Su Peng arrived full of hope, but left disappointed.
"Take care, sir."
Zhao Wu bowed humbly and watched Su Peng walk away. He pretended to go back to the backyard to get something and walked straight there.
Caiyan glanced at the busy waiter and followed him inside.
As soon as Caiyan stepped one foot through the door, a pair of strong hands pulled her into a solid chest.
"Yan'er, feel it, my heart is still pounding."
Caiyan gently pounded her fist on her broad chest. "What are you afraid of? He can't possibly take me in broad daylight, can he?"
Zhao Wu tightened his grip on the person, saying, "He is the master, and you are the slave. If he tries to force you, even the government can't do anything about it."
"If I hit him, our affair will be exposed, so—I'm in a hurry!"
"Yan'er, try to get the indenture on New Year's Eve, and we'll leave the city early on New Year's Day, okay?" Zhao Wu's words were almost a plea.
Caiyan looked up and met Zhao Wu's worried gaze. "Okay, proceed as planned. New Year's Eve is a good opportunity."
Normally, Jiang Jiaojiao would not go to the East Courtyard to eat with Qin Shi. But New Year's Eve was different. Even poor families would sit together as a family, even if they were just having porridge.
Caiyan was certain that the master would call everyone to the East Courtyard to keep vigil that night.
...
As night falls and palace lanterns are hung high, the scene inside the palace is no different from any other day.
Xiao Jingzhao needed to find some things in the Imperial Study, so he had dinner in the Hall of Mental Cultivation and then went to the Imperial Study.
It is unknown how Lin Ruyin found out that he went to the Imperial Study.
He was looking through documents at his desk when he heard Lin Ruyin's voice outside the door.
As usual, Fu Gui tried to fool her, saying, "Miss, you've come at a very inopportune time. The Emperor is too tired from reviewing memorials and has already taken a break."
"Then I'll wait here. The Emperor will eventually return to his palace for the night."
Lin Ruyin gestured to the maid to put the tray she was carrying inside the room.
Another eunuch quickly reached out to take it, saying, "Miss, this is a late-night snack for the Emperor. I'll put it on the stove to keep it warm so the Emperor can eat it when he wakes up. I'll make sure to tell everyone that this is a gift from you."
Zhu Ying dodged to the side, "No need for you, sir, I can go in by myself."
Just as Zhu Ying lifted her leg, Fu Gui reached out and grabbed her arm. "His Majesty is resting. If I let you in and offend him, I will be punished by the head eunuch. Please understand."
Fu Gui was a smooth talker and a close associate of the emperor, so even though Zhu Ying knew he was lying, she didn't dare to confront him.
She and her mistress had come for several days but had not seen the Emperor.
The eunuchs on duty outside the door would always find an excuse to send them away.
That little eunuch was especially wicked; he always managed to say something that would make them leave with a midnight snack.
Miss felt something was amiss, so she had Zhufeng keep watch at a distance from the Imperial Study today.
She had already cooked bird's nest porridge and kept it warm on the stove. When she heard Zhufeng come back to report, she and her mistress rushed over.
Unexpectedly, they were stopped outside again.
Zhu Ying stepped back and stood beside Lin Ruyin; the two exchanged a glance.
Lin Ruyin smiled faintly, "It's alright. The Emperor is probably just resting in the Imperial Study. We can wait for an hour or two."
Upon hearing this, Fu Gui became anxious, realizing that this meant he wouldn't leave until he saw the Emperor.
He bowed slightly to Lin Ruyin respectfully, "Miss, look at the time. It's night, and the Emperor may sleep until dawn."
"It's alright. Let's wait an hour and see. If His Majesty is really asleep, we can come again tomorrow."
Fu Gui: "..."
The eunuchs on duty outside the door exchanged glances, and finally turned their gazes to Fugui.
Seeing that Fugui was standing there as if nothing had happened, they all returned to their posts.
Hearing the commotion outside the door, Xiao Jingzhao inside the house shook his head helplessly.
"Alright, let her in."
Eunuch Ma immediately walked to the door, and said with a forced smile, "The young lady has come again. The Emperor invites you in."
Lin Ruyin suppressed her excitement and nodded slightly, "Thank you, Steward."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
