Chapter Forty: Zhang's Visit to Xu Chumian
The two people's private room was located on the street when a commotion suddenly came from below.
Xu Chumian was close to the window.
She glanced outside and saw a young man in fine clothes riding past quickly on horseback, while the vendors who were kicked over in the chaos cursed loudly.
"My eggs!"
"Damn it, what am I going to do for the rest of the year?!"
A servant hurriedly ran over, gave him a few silver ingots, and then rushed off with the man riding the horse.
Xu Chumian frowned: "Who is that person?"
Mo Zhen also saw it. She wrinkled her nose, looked disgusted, and whispered, "It's His Highness Prince Qin."
Xu Chumian's eyes widened slightly: "King Qin?"
The King of Qin was the youngest son left by the late emperor and the younger brother of the current emperor.
The King of Qin was a spoiled brat from a young age. On the surface, he seemed to have no intention of vying for power. However, in his previous life, he was the one who survived until the young emperor ascended the throne and stood on equal footing with the regent Zhao Yu in the court.
Mo Zhen thought for a moment, but still couldn't help but remind her, "Chumian, you're all alone, so you have to be very careful."
Xu Chumian is beautiful and kind-hearted. Besides Xiao Qingyan, there are countless other wolves eyeing her behind her back.
Xu Chumian nodded, "Thank you for reminding me, Sister Mo."
Mo Zhen pouted, "Why are you thanking me? I should be thanking you."
On that day, even the sisters and cousins in the mansion might not have pulled her away like Xu Chumian did.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
After parting ways with Mo Zhen, Xu Chumian went to the bookstore and bought a few books before heading to the shop.
The first thing she saw was Zhao Nai standing straight at the entrance of the shop.
Zhao Nai nodded when she saw her, "Miss".
Xu Chumian frowned, about to speak, when she heard a voice coming from inside.
Xu Chumian froze, a shiver running through her body.
Xu Chumian could never forget that voice, not even in death.
"Are you Mumu? Where's your sister?"
Xu Chumian immediately rushed in and hugged Mu Mu.
There were quite a few people standing in the shop. The one in the lead, Madam Zhang, was adorned with jewels and had two old women, four maids, and several guards by her side.
Mu Mu only had Xiao Tao protecting her.
Xu Chumian hugged her younger sister tightly, and only after confirming that her sister was not injured did her wary gaze fall on Zhang's face.
She pursed her lips and remained silent for a moment.
Xu Chumian's palms were sweaty; she hadn't expected her rebirth and meeting with the Zhang family to be so unexpected.
Hatred and helplessness filled Xu Chumian's mind. She suddenly lowered her eyes, clenched her fists, and tried desperately to calm herself down.
"You... are Chu Mian?"
Zhang's expression froze slightly, thinking that perhaps Xu Chumian had been frightened.
Xiao Tao was also stunned when she saw this. She said, "Miss, this lady said that she and our lady are old acquaintances."
Xiao Tao refers to her stepmother, Zhao Ying.
Mu Mu nestled softly against Xu Chumian's shoulder, her curious gaze involuntarily sweeping over the others. Xiao Tao had brought her a cap before going out, so the others couldn't see Mu Mu's face clearly.
Xu Chumian gradually calmed down. She moved her lips and bit her tongue, "I wonder what business Madam has with me?"
For some reason, Zhang felt a different kind of emotion the moment she saw Xu Chumian; she felt a pang of tenderness and affection.
The old woman Li, who was standing next to Madam Zhang, said with a smile, "Madam is the elder sister-in-law of the mother of the two young ladies. She is the Duchess of Zhao. She heard that you two sisters came to the capital and came here today to see you."
Zhang was merely passing by by chance.
Xu Chumian's face was stiff. She forced a smile and said, "This commoner greets the Duchess."
Upon hearing Xu Chumian's gentle voice, Madam Zhang felt even more affection for her.
"You little rascal, you call me so formally. By all accounts, you and Mumu should call me Auntie."
When Xu Chumian met Zhang's gaze, she was torn between two conflicting emotions. The image of Zhang from her past life was deeply etched in her mind, a stark contrast to the enthusiastic demeanor before her.
Xu Chumian remained still. She put Mumu down, took her sister's hand, bowed to Madam Zhang, and said softly, "Chumian greets her maternal aunt."
Zhang frowned, and the old woman Li immediately stopped the two sisters.
"You're too kind, young lady."
Xu Chumian lowered her eyes, revealing her quiet and obedient profile.
Madam Zhang continued, “I just returned to the manor yesterday, and things are still in disarray. Your eldest uncle misses you dearly. When the time is right, Chu Mian will bring Mu Mu to the manor. I have an only son, and your second uncle has a son and a daughter. You two sisters won’t be lonely anymore.”
Zhang's meaning is very clear.
Everything depends on the old lady's attitude.
Xu Chumian: "Chumian knows. I only settled down in Beijing a few days ago and didn't dare to disturb my aunt. I hope my aunt will forgive me."
Madam Zhang took in Xu Chumian's aloof and indifferent demeanor, but failed to see any intention in Xu Chumian to establish a connection with the Duke's mansion.
She sighed inwardly.
"What are you saying, child?"
Mu Mu looked up at Zhang Shi.
Zhang did not stay long and left in a hurry with her entourage.
As soon as Madam Zhang left, the shop became empty.
Xu Chumian then came to her senses. She drank cup after cup of tea and asked about the details of Zhang's arrival.
Amo stayed in the shop the whole time. “A luxurious carriage drove by. It was originally going to the jewelry shop across the street, but it turned around and came to our incense shop.”
Xiao Tao also realized that she had caused trouble.
"Miss, I shouldn't have brought the Second Miss out today. It was my fault."
Mu Mu's illness has improved a bit recently. Occasionally, Xiao Tao will take Mu Mu for a walk in the alley near the yard, worried that she might feel restless.
Seeing her sister's uneasy expression, Mu Mu pointed at Xiao Tao and shook her head. Her breathing was a little rapid. "I...miss...sister."
It has nothing to do with Xiaotao.
Xiao Tao had served Xu Chumian since she was a child, and she knew that the lady had never mentioned the Duke of Zhao's mansion before.
Xiao Tao asked worriedly, "Miss, is something wrong?"
The fundamental reason why Madam Zhang disliked Xu Chumian was that she married Zhao Yu.
Now that Xu Chumian has no connection with Zhao Yu, the Zhang family has no reason to touch Mu Mu again.
Xu Chumian took a deep breath, and smiled, saying, "Things will work themselves out. It's alright, let's go back first."
Xu Chumian and her group walked toward the Xu family's courtyard.
Zhao Nai followed closely behind.
Xu Chumian frowned: "You can leave now."
Zhao Nai lowered his eyes, "From now on, I belong to Miss."
Xu Chumian sneered: "Zhao Yu wants to spy on me?"
Zhao Nai remained expressionless and did not deny it.
"The young master is only worried that the young lady may be in danger."
Xu Chumian's face turned cold. "Tell Zhao Yu that it's unnecessary. I don't welcome him, nor do I welcome his people."
Zhao Nai's face cracked. "Miss... I will not leave. I used to be the prince's bodyguard. No one has ever seen my face. Even the madam doesn't recognize me. So you can rest assured, Miss."
Xu Chumian didn't look at it again.
Zhao Nai couldn't even get into the Xu family's courtyard; he could only stand guard at the entrance.
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