Chapter 81 The young lady is the Crown Prince's bedchamber maid.
The father and daughter sat down, and Sheng Yu personally served her food.
"The cook only joined the household yesterday. Father didn't know your tastes, so he had him make a little bit of everything. During your stay at the household, if you want to eat or have anything, just tell the servants. Don't feel embarrassed."
Yun Kui silently ate the food in her bowl, and finally spoke up: "From now on... you don't need to go to so much trouble. I'm not picky about food, and I can handle whatever I need in terms of food, clothing, and shelter."
She had been a palace maid for six or seven years, and the food in the East Palace was much more plentiful. Before, she ate the communal meals of the palace servants and slept on a shared bed. Before entering the palace, she often didn't know where her next meal would come from, and she could even fall asleep on straw at night.
Even if she didn't say these words, Sheng Yu could guess: "Over the years, I have failed your mother and caused you suffering."
Yun Kui looked down at the poached egg in the bowl, picked it up with her chopsticks, and revealed the soft, golden yolk inside.
She suddenly remembered her childhood. "I remember when I was five years old, I was washing clothes for someone. The mistress of that house took pity on me and gave me an egg. I hid it at the bottom of a trunk and couldn't bear to eat it. Until one day, the egg went bad, and my aunt found out. She scolded me severely, asking why I didn't give it to my cousin. Now that it had gone bad, I couldn't eat it... But I still secretly ate the bad egg, hiding from everyone. As a result, I felt unwell and vomited for three days without being able to eat..."
She never wanted to recall the past; every day was torture. But seeing this perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg, the memories still welled up, and tears streamed down her face.
Seeing this, Chun Chan, a maidservant standing nearby, quickly handed her a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
Sheng Yu felt extremely guilty. After hesitating for a long time, he finally reached out and gently patted her back. "It's all my fault. I've made you suffer all these years... I don't ask for your forgiveness. I just hope you can give me a chance to make amends and atone for the mistakes I made back then, okay?"
Butler Liu chimed in, "Miss, our master is not the kind of person who would abandon someone after starting a relationship. It's just that back then, he faced numerous dangers and was seriously injured. He was afraid that he himself would be in danger and would ultimately become a burden to the madam, so he didn't insist on searching for her..."
This is also the reason why Sheng Yu has not married all these years.
Butler Liu never expected that the woman who saved the master in the mountains years ago would give birth to a daughter for him. Since the master had never married and the woman had never married either, he simply started calling her "Madam".
Butler Liu's eyes were filled with tears: "You don't know, over the years, the master has suffered more than ten knife wounds, and has almost lost his life several times. His trusted confidants have also died or been wounded..."
Yun Kui remained silent for a long time, her eyes red as she said, "I know that what happened back then was not solely your fault. I don't hate you that much, I just feel sorry for Mother... I have suffered for more than ten years, and now I can finally live a good life, but Mother will never have the chance to see all of this again."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room couldn't help but shed tears.
Sheng Yu sighed, “It’s all my fault for having too many concerns back then. In the end, I still harmed your mother. She saved me from danger, but because of me, she suffered endless blame and the pain of childbirth, and left this world early. Even if I die ten thousand times, I can never escape my guilt.”
Yun Kui looked up and saw tears in his eyes and gray hair at his temples. Only then did she notice a faint scar at the corner of his eye.
Both His Highness and Steward Liu have said that he went blind that year and never even saw what his mother looked like...
She gripped the spoon tightly, swallowed hard, and after a long silence, said, "Things have come to this, sir, there's no need to blame yourself too much. Let's eat."
More than a decade has passed, and her mother's life is beyond saving. She did not return to the Sheng family mansion to demand an explanation.
After dinner, they returned to the east wing, where Huaiqing and Huaizhu stood guard outside.
As soon as she entered, Chun Chan brought her a basket of fresh fruits, and another maid named Jing Zhe presented her with a tray full of candied fruits and pastries.
It turns out that he had sent someone to buy food on the street earlier.
Yun Kui was worried about the Crown Prince, wondering how and when he would remove the curse. She was in the Sheng Mansion and didn't know how to face her father. With so many things on her mind, she couldn't eat dinner, which was even worse. So she asked them to share the food with Huai Qing and Huai Zhu.
Chun Chan opened the wardrobe and pointed out the silks and ready-made clothes inside to her. "These were all personally selected by the adults at the silk shops and clothing stores. Miss, try on the ready-made clothes and see if they fit?"
Yun Kui glanced at it; it was pink, purple, and apricot yellow, with a moderate thickness—styles that young girls would like. Judging by the size, it should fit well.
Jingzhe then brought out the various brocade boxes from the dressing case and opened them one by one. "These are gifts that the master prepared for the young lady. They are all fashionable jewelry and cosmetics in the capital. The master only picked the best from the store because he did not know the young lady's preferences."
Yun Kui picked up the pure gold butterfly hairpin from the box. The butterfly wings were made of filigree and cloisonné, and were exquisitely crafted, clearly indicating that it was very valuable.
Even though she still couldn't get over it in her heart, it didn't change the fact that she still felt these things were too extravagant.
He used to be a fifth-rank official, and was only transferred back to the capital last month. He is honest and incorruptible, so how much savings could he possibly have? Just building this house for her and buying these jewelry pieces has already cost more than a thousand taels of silver.
Besides, how many days can she stay here? Once His Highness's poison is cured, she will still have to return to the palace.
Yun Kui sighed and put the items back into the box.
Two maids were about to help her wash up, but she felt a little uncomfortable. After being a palace maid for so many years, doing everything herself, she was still not used to being served. After bathing herself, she lay down on the bed.
The mattress was very soft; although it couldn't compare to the brocade mattresses in Chengguang Hall, it was still the best material that ordinary people could buy.
Too many things happened today. Yun Kui closed her eyes and fell asleep soon after.
In a daze, I entered a dream.
The wind howled across the wilderness, rustling the leaves like the lowing of ghosts. Dozens of men in black surrounded a man wielding a long spear. Swords flashed and each move was deadly. The man's white robe was stained with blood, his eyes were tightly closed, and blood dripped from the corners of his eyes.
Even his disheveled appearance couldn't hide his youthful and outstanding features, and Yun Kui quickly recognized him—it should be Sheng Yu from eighteen years ago.
Sheng Yu was severely injured and already exhausted. After exhausting all his strength to deal with the group of men in black, his physical strength had reached its limit, and he could barely stand up with his spear in hand.
He stumbled alone through the slippery mountains in the rain, each step leaving bloody footprints.
Although Yun Kui didn't have any special feelings for him, when she saw him fall into the thorn bushes, covered in blood, she still instinctively wanted to help him up.
However, she was in a dream, merely a phantom, unable to interact with the people in her dream.
The scene shifts to a relatively quiet and peaceful cave.
Inside the cave, a fire was burning, and a group of snake corpses lay on the ground. Yun Kui didn't dare to look closely. When she looked up, she saw Sheng Yu leaning against the cave wall, embracing a woman, their bodies pressed tightly together.
Yun Kui's heart trembled slightly. This was... her mother?
Sheng Yu had never met his mother, so the image of his mother in his dreams was only a blurry shadow.
He raised his bandaged hand, his fingertips tracing his mother's face as if trying to recognize her little by little with his fingers.
The mother was a little shy, her eyes lowered. "Is she not as pretty as the beauties you've seen?"
Sheng Yu shook her head, a smile playing on her lips: "No, you are very beautiful."
He sighed softly, "I just don't know if I'll ever see your face in my lifetime."
The mother said, "I have seen your eye injury. It is not beyond cure yet, but you should go to the county town as soon as possible to find a better doctor to treat you."
Sheng Yu said, "Okay."
Mother asked again, "Why were those people chasing you?"
Sheng Yu sighed, "Let each serve their own master. My existence will ultimately be an obstacle to them."
Mother didn't understand any of this; she just listened silently.
Sheng Yu remained silent for a long time this time, then gently rubbed her cheek. "Once my eye injury has healed and I've resolved everything, will you... be willing to marry me?"
The mother smiled faintly and said softly, "Let's talk about it when you're healed. I'm not going to marry a blind man."
The dim firelight flickered, casting the soft glow of the two figures embracing on the cold stone wall.
The scene flashed by, showing red silk fluttering in the bridal chamber, dragon and phoenix candles burning brightly, and red dates and longans scattered on the mandarin duck brocade quilt. The groom, Sheng Yu, sat on the wedding bed, gazing affectionately at the bride beside him, who wore a large red lotus veil.
The next scene shows a baby crying in the delivery room, and the midwife joyfully announces, "Congratulations, General, on the birth of your daughter!"
Sheng Yu took the baby girl from her arms, happily teasing her little mouth, then leaned down to look at his wife who had just given birth, saying, "Aying, you've had a hard time."
Looking at the little girl in the swaddling clothes, the mother smiled and said, "I'm relieved that the child is as beautiful as you."
The happy scene of the family of three vanished in the next moment.
The woman on the bed was gone, and the baby girl in the swaddling clothes was also gone. Sheng Yu leaned against the bed alone, reaching out as if to grab something, but he couldn't grasp anything. The room was empty, as if the joy and liveliness just now had never existed.
In the blink of an eye, wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes, his once black hair turned white, and he aged visibly.
He sat silently in the dimly lit corner, as if abandoned by the whole world, feeling that no matter what he did, his wife and daughter would never come back.
Yun Kui's eyes were already blurred with tears, and when she woke up, there were still wet tear stains at the corners of her eyes.
Two maids stood guard outside, and she dared not cry out loud.
In the early morning, Chun Chan came in to help her wash up. Yun Kui got dressed and heard voices and the sound of loosening soil outside. She opened the door and saw that a large patch of sunflowers had been newly planted in the yard.
Sheng Yu entered through the hanging flower gate. Seeing her stand up, he immediately composed himself, smiled, and walked towards her.
Yun Kui looked at the gardener in the courtyard, hesitated for a long time, and finally said, "I'll only stay here for a few days. You don't need to go to so much trouble, starting repairs and buying me clothes and jewelry..."
Sheng Yu sighed, his voice sounding a little hoarse: "No matter how bad my father is, he is still an official of the imperial court, and you are his only child. If he doesn't spend money on you, who else can he give it to?"
Yun Kui recalled the dream she had last night and noticed the faint red veins in his eyes, feeling a mix of emotions.
Sheng Yu said, "You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? I had someone buy mutton buns and ghee flatbread. Would you like to have some with Father?"
Yun Kui gripped the hem of her clothes tightly and nodded.
As soon as she entered the dining hall, the rich aroma of mutton and ghee filled the air. Yun Kui hadn't eaten much the night before, and her cravings were immediately aroused. Before she even stepped inside, her stomach was already rumbling.
Her face was flushed, and Sheng Yu just looked at her and smiled: "Are you starving? This mutton bun shop has been open in the capital for thirty years. Your father loved to eat here when he was young. I didn't expect to be able to taste the same flavor again when I returned to the capital this time."
Yun Kui sat down and took a bite of the fragrant and oily steamed bun. Her mouth was filled with rich broth, and there was plenty of mutton in it. Every bite contained a mouthful of mutton, and the aroma of scallions and mutton filled her mouth. It was fresh, fragrant, spicy, and appetizing.
If it weren't for Sheng Yu being there, she would have licked all the red oil soup off her fingers.
Sheng Yu pushed the steamer towards her, "Eat as many as you like."
Yun Kui nodded.
Sheng Yu found it amusing to see her looking both eager and reserved, but when he remembered the news his subordinate had just reported, the corners of his mouth slowly flattened.
He tentatively asked, "Father, I heard that you eat with His Highness the Crown Prince every day in the Eastern Palace. Surely the food in the common people is not as good as that in the Eastern Palace?"
Yun Kui thought for a moment and said, "No, His Highness the Crown Prince prefers light flavors and uses them sparingly. The kitchen usually doesn't prepare spicy or greasy dishes; they are mostly light-flavored. You can't get these in the palace."
The smell of these mutton buns is so strong that he would probably frown if he could smell them from afar.
However, she quite likes spicy food.
Remembering something, Yun Kui put down her bowl again. "Do you know when His Highness plans to remove the curse?"
Sheng Yu shook his head. "Your Highness will probably have to do more than just remove the curse these days. The one on the dragon throne is utterly wicked and his sins are as heavy as a mountain. There will probably be a contest between Your Highness and him."
It involves a power shift and a life-or-death struggle, so he shouldn't reveal too much.
Seeing the girl's pale face and furrowed brows, Sheng Yu comforted her, "Don't worry. In terms of bloodline, His Highness is rightfully his. In terms of martial prowess and military skills, that other person is far inferior to His Highness. The one who should be feared is the one on the dragon throne, not His Highness."
He paused, then asked, "Are you very worried about His Highness?"
Yun Kui pursed her lips. "I... I was just asking."
Sheng Yu noticed the unease on her face and recalled the report from his subordinate earlier—
"Your subordinate has confirmed that the young lady is not an ordinary palace maid of the Eastern Palace, but rather His Highness the Crown Prince's... bedchamber maid."
“Since His Highness returned to the capital at the end of last year, the young lady has been sleeping in the same bed with His Highness. Now, the servants in Chengguang Palace all treat her as half a mistress.”
...
It turns out that the Crown Prince wasn't specifically looking for a daughter for him, but rather for the father of his wife.
No wonder the two were much closer than ordinary master and servant.
No wonder the girl said that if the curse couldn't be lifted, she would stay by the Crown Prince's side forever...
It was all his fault. If she had been Sheng Yu's daughter from the beginning, even if she were a concubine, he would have thought twice. He would never have let his daughter become a palace maid serving someone else.
Sheng Yu silently clenched his fist. "Just stay here and rest easy this time. Once Your Highness has finished everything, we'll talk about the future later."
Yun Kui paused, then looked up at him in confusion.
Sheng Yu said seriously, "The Sheng family is ultimately your home. You are a young lady of the Sheng family, not a servant in the palace. Don't worry, your father will make all the decisions. From now on, your father will not allow anyone to order you around or bully you."
Yun Kui: "Actually, I..."
She didn't know how to explain, but in truth, she and His Highness had already...
However, hearing these words still warmed her heart.
I never imagined that I would hear the phrase "Father will take care of everything" in my lifetime.
Noticing the bandaged wound on his arm, Yun Kui recalled the man covered in wounds from her dream last night.
He's been living like this all these years, hasn't he?
I wonder what he was feeling when he woke up from those dreams.
Her eyes stung slightly, and she lowered them, asking, "Are...are your injuries any better?"
Sheng Yu hadn't expected her to be willing to take the initiative to care about him, and he couldn't hide the joy in his eyes: "It's just a minor injury, nothing serious."
Yun Kui nodded, relieved.
After hesitating for a long time, she couldn't help but ask, "Could you send someone into the palace to inquire about His Highness's whereabouts? The removal of the curse is imminent, and I'm afraid it will be extremely dangerous. But he won't let me leave the residence at will, let alone return to the palace..."
Sheng Yu's upturned lips slowly fell, and the smile from before vanished without a trace.
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