Chapter 160 Leaving the Capital (Part 44) It's a deal. ...
Speaking of this person, Dongmei said, "I don't know who this person is. It happened the year before last. Shuqiang received a letter from home saying that her father was sick and urgently needed money. Shuqiang asked us to lend her twenty taels of silver, but we sent all our monthly wages home, and we didn't have any good jobs, so we didn't earn much extra money. Therefore, the three of us could only raise five taels of silver for her at that time."
Yu Xiang quickly interjected, "Yes, yes, that's right! I remember Shu Qiang was so worried about the remaining fifteen taels of silver, but after two or three days she was no longer worried and said she had gotten the fifteen taels. I asked her who she borrowed it from, but she just smiled and wouldn't say. I then asked how she would repay it, since it was mostly interest, and she told me that the lender didn't want her to repay it."
Another Cuifeng also said, "Later, she even made handkerchiefs and other items for that person as a reward, but she was very secretive and refused to tell us who that person was, saying she was afraid of causing trouble."
After listening to the three of them finish speaking, Jiuli pondered to herself, "People in the palace help each other out, so how could this cause trouble?"
The three palace maids looked at each other, and Yuxiang whispered, "That person must be either a guard or an eunuch, which is why he's afraid of causing trouble."
Jiuli suddenly realized, "That makes sense. People outside are afraid of gossip, let alone the forbidden palace. They especially avoid talking about men and women."
Rong Le was embarrassed for a moment. Seeing that she seemed to have no more questions, she dismissed the three palace maids and turned to say, "Just now, Eunuch Shen sent someone to say that the Emperor has summoned you to Yugan Palace."
Did Eunuch Shen say what it was about?
Rong Le shook his head, "I don't know, why don't you go and find out, Miss?"
The Emperor summoned her, so naturally she had to go. Jiuli hurriedly straightened her clothes, and Rongle helped her up as they entered the inner hall of Yugan Palace. There she saw Zhou Hao sitting behind his desk eating snacks, with two other people standing in front of him: Lü Hechun and Lü Jing. Jiuli was puzzled. There were important people inside, yet Zhou Hao had summoned her in. Was he going to tell her directly that he wanted to betroth her to the Lü family?
She considered declining, but stepped forward and bowed. Zhou Hao told her to stand up, glanced at Chen Quan, and waved his hand towards the plate of pink pastries.
Shen Quan quickly held the plate up to Jiu Li's face, "Please try it, Miss."
Jiuli, not understanding the reason, had no choice but to take a piece and eat it. He didn't know what it was made of, but it had a cherry flavor, was soft and chewy, and had an unforgettable aftertaste.
Zhou Hao leaned back in his chair and looked at her, saying, "This was made by the old lady of the Marquis of Yan'an's mansion. The Empress Dowager used to love the old lady's cooking. How do you like it?"
She nodded truthfully, "It's delicious, sweet but not cloying."
Zhou Hao smiled and said, "You've eaten two meals at Minister Lü's house today. I heard that Minister Lü sent someone to deliver lunch to you this morning? His old lady is quite the connoisseur of food, and the chefs in the mansion are all renowned chefs. You're quite lucky with your food."
The Lü family father and son hurriedly cupped their hands and said, "It is a blessing for your subjects."
Lü Hechun then said, "I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's grace. Yesterday, he sent the young lady to personally deliver the annual allowance. I originally intended to hold a banquet to express my gratitude, but the young lady had to leave early. So I had to prepare a feast and send it to the Qi family."
Zhou Hao nodded and dismissed the father and son. He sat for a while before slowly standing up and walking towards the couch. "Just now, Lord Lü mentioned the Qi family, and I remembered that you were still staying at the Qi family's residence?"
"Yes, I have no relatives or friends in the capital, and nowhere else to go." Jiuli followed with a smile to the bedside. When she saw Zhou Hao's expression change, she realized that she had misspoken the words "no relatives or friends" and quickly lowered her head.
Shen Quan brought the snacks to the kang table and said with a smile, "Miss, you used to have no relatives or friends, but things are different now."
Zhou Hao's expression softened a bit. "Since you don't want the whole household, how about you come and live in the palace?"
Startled, Jiu Li quickly grabbed her skirt and knelt down. "Your Majesty," she said, "I'm used to the life of an ordinary citizen. I grew up in the countryside, climbing mountains and walking roads everywhere. My uncle didn't restrict me much, which is why I have this temperament—I'm rude and don't know how to speak properly. If I were to live in the palace, I might accidentally say something wrong and offend some noble person, wouldn't that just cause trouble? I really can't get used to living in the palace. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy and let me live outside!" She then kowtowed twice more.
Zhou Hao told her to get up. "I called you into the palace because I wanted to arrange your marriage with Lu Jing, the young master of the Lu family. I was planning where you would get married. You can't stay in the Qi family forever and get married from the Qi family, can you?"
Before Jiuli could straighten her back, her knees buckled and she knelt down again. "Your Majesty, I do not wish to marry, nor do I like that young master Lü. I implore Your Majesty to rescind your decree!"
Shen Quan was startled and quickly glanced at Zhou Hao's expression.
Zhou Hao glanced down at him and asked, "The reason that you don't want to get married doesn't count. You're a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl. What makes you not want to get married? If you don't like Lü Jing, you can at least explain why. Get up and say it."
Shen Quan helped Jiu Li up. Jiu Li racked her brains for a long time, not knowing what to say about him. In terms of appearance, Lu Jing was quite good-looking. In terms of family background, he was even better. If you wanted to criticize his personality, you didn't know what kind of personality he had!
After thinking for a moment, she steeled herself and said, "There's no reason why. I just don't like it. I... I already have someone else in my heart." Hearing Shen Quan cough beside her, she glanced at him and muttered, "I'm telling the truth."
Zhou Hao asked coldly, "Who is this person?"
Seeing that he looked unwell, he feared that Yu Qi had angered the emperor, so he quickly came up with a story: "He is our neighbor in Suzhou, about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, and he is a schoolteacher."
Zhou Hao just smiled coldly and didn't say anything. Shen Quan then smiled at Jiu Li and said, "Regardless of whether it's right or wrong for you to say that, how can a schoolteacher be a match for you? That was just youthful ignorance and shouldn't be taken seriously. Please don't mention it again, lest you anger the Emperor."
Jiuli muttered under her breath, "A person should keep their word; how can they not take it seriously?"
Shen Quan said, "Marriage is a matter of personal freedom and parents' decision. What the girl said herself doesn't count."
This is utterly ridiculous, Jiu Li thought to herself. She'd lived for over ten years without parents, and now a "father" had suddenly appeared, yet he wanted to dictate her life without benefiting from her. It was completely unreasonable. She truly regretted ever having the idea of finding her father. Not only had it cost Du Zhong his life, but now she'd ended up losing more than she gained!
She just kept muttering to herself, "Anyway, I don't like Lu Jing, I won't marry him!"
Unexpectedly, with a crash, Zhou Hao knocked the teacup to the ground. She looked up and saw his sharp expression and piercing eyes. Just then, someone came from outside the hall to report that Zou Chang was waiting to see the Emperor. Zhou Hao's expression softened slightly, and he summoned Zou Chang.
Shen Quan hurriedly pulled Jiu Li out of the hall and entrusted her to Rong Le again, "Take the young lady to Yanxia Tower first, and then go to Cangwu Pavilion around dinner time."
Jiuli had thought that since the Emperor was angry with her, she wouldn't need to eat dinner and should be sent out of the palace. But she couldn't get away, which was so boring. She had no choice but to follow Rongle to the Yanxia Tower to wait.
In an instant, dark clouds gathered, a cold wind howled, and snow began to fall heavily. Yu Qi was pondering in the room when Yang Qingnian lifted the curtain and came in, brushed the snow off his clothes, and handed him a pot of good tea, saying that he had obtained it from outside and had specially brewed it for Yu Qi after sending Li Mama away.
As he spoke, he brewed tea over the boiling water on the tea stove, making small talk as he went, "Our second master hasn't returned since yesterday. I wonder where Mr. Yu sent him?"
Yu Qi walked over to the couch and said, "He returned at noon, but was invited away by Lord Zou."
"Yes, look at my memory." Yang Qingnian smiled and brought the teacup to the kang table. "But do you know why Lord Zou asked him to come?"
This question suddenly alerted Yu Qi. Since moving into the old Qi family mansion, the servants here all knew that the Qi family's fortunes were waning and they would be dismissed sooner or later. Therefore, everyone just muddled along and did not serve Qi Xubai very diligently. Only Yang Qingnian cared about Qi Xubai's movements every day, and even asked about the guests.
Yu Qi sat down and waved to the other side, "Steward Yang, please sit down as well." After he sat down, he added, "I think Lord Zou has probably found out something and asked him to come and discuss it."
Yang Qingnian leaned forward unconsciously, "What did you find out?"
Yu Qi smiled and shook his head, noticing the disappointment on Yang Qingnian's face. He was about to probe further when he picked up the tea and took a sip. The taste seemed familiar, like Yunwu tea. This tea was originally a tribute tea from the palace; he had tasted it once before at the Jade Garden. Yang Qingnian said he obtained it from outside—could it be from the Jade Garden? He had a pretty good idea, but remained silent, chatting briefly with Yang Qingnian. He waited until Yang Qingnian realized he couldn't get anything out of him and got up to leave before asking him to hire a carriage for him.
Yang Qingnian quickly turned around and asked, "It's snowing, where are you headed, sir?"
"Why don't you lead me to buy a pair of shoes?"
Yang Qingnian couldn't stand the cold, so he quickly made an excuse to decline and hired a horse-drawn carriage on the street. Yu Qi then rode away in the carriage.
Heading straight to the east of the city, I asked for directions to Youyu Rice Shop and found it. Because of the heavy snow, the shop was deserted, with only three planks of snow on the ground. Several wheelbarrows were standing on the side of the shop. Inside, I saw about a dozen employees gathered in the left room, warming themselves by a fire and drinking, making a lively scene.
An older man greeted him, and Yu Qi simply said, "My surname is Yu. I'm looking for your Miss Guan. Please announce my arrival."
The man hurriedly went into the backyard, knocked on Guan Youjun's door, and told her mother, "Young lady, you're quite the schemer. Sure enough, a Mr. Yu has come looking for you today."
The woman glanced into the room and said, "Please come in quickly."
She turned and came in, saying, "Mr. Yu really did come, but he arrived a little faster than the young lady predicted."
Youjun straightened her skirt and stood up. "Mr. Yu is a reasonable man. He should understand that as long as the current emperor is around, Miss Yu will leave his side sooner or later."
As she spoke, she walked to the door, lifting the curtain slightly. She saw Yu Qi walking across the corridor, separated by drifting snowflakes. Snowflakes had settled on his shoulders, reflecting off the lake-green silk, making his face appear even more serene. It had been many days since they last met. When they were apart, she felt nothing, but upon seeing him again, she realized that a deep longing had been churning within her heart.
She stepped out the door to greet him, nodding and smiling at Yu Qi. "Mr. Yu, you are a rare guest. How did you find out about our rice shop?"
Yu Qi stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I heard you mention me when I was at Wangfeng Temple."
“Oh, I’ve forgotten—” Youjun turned around, her mother-in-law lifted the curtain, and she went in first with a smile, leading Yu Qi to a chair. “Then, Mr. Yu, what made you decide to come today? How is Yu’er?”
"Young lady, you're well-informed, don't you know about her affairs?"
Yesterday, Jiuli went to the prestigious Yan'an Marquis's residence in the capital. When Youjun received the news this morning, she thought that the Emperor was probably planning to arrange the marriage. However, she did not expect that Yu Qi would be so impatient about this matter, and he came to work today.
She pretended to be foolish and slowly sat down at the head of the table. "I heard that although the Emperor has not recognized her as a princess, he often summons her to the palace, so the father and daughter have met. I'm afraid Yu'er will settle down in the capital from now on. I wonder if she will live in the palace or if the Emperor will bestow a mansion upon her? And Mr. Yu, after the case of Prince Zhao is settled, will you stay in the capital or return to Nanjing?"
Yu Qi glanced at her, knowing she had expected this, and took a breath before saying directly, "I will not stay in this capital city, and Yu'er must come with me."
At that moment, Niangzhuang brought in tea. Youjun glanced at her, then smiled and said, "Go with you? I'm afraid that won't be easy. Yu'er's biological father is the current emperor. Even if it's not easy to acknowledge him openly, he's not short of money to support her. Why should his daughter be left out in the cold?" She then picked up her tea and took a sip. "I think Mr. Yu should stay in the capital. He can enjoy endless wealth and honor. Before long, he'll probably be able to personally escort Yu'er to her wedding. What's wrong with that?"
Yu Qi's cheek twitched slightly, and his face turned cold. "Why has Miss Guan become so mean? I came here today to ask for your help. I'm sure you've already guessed it. If you refuse, then so be it. I'll take my leave now." He then stood up.
The maidservant hurriedly pulled him back and tried to persuade him, "Mr. Yu, what's wrong? You haven't even said what kind of help you want, and you're already saying our young lady refuses. Isn't that unfair to her?" As she spoke, she pressed Yu Qi back into his chair.
Youjun chuckled slightly. "Sir, you are not an impatient or easily angered person. Are you afraid to ask me for help or be blackmailed by me today? You underestimate me, Guan Youjun. My relationship with you is not a business transaction. Please speak freely, sir."
Yu Qi bowed respectfully and said, "I would like to ask Miss Guan to find a cargo ship bound for Nanjing."
These words struck a chord with the young prince, who laughed and said, "What a coincidence! Today, everyone is asking me to find them boats."
"Who else has asked the young lady to find a boat?"
Youjun just smiled and shook her head, "Let me ask you first, sir, why does it have to be a cargo ship? Do you also start a business in the capital?"
Yu Qi hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'm afraid the Emperor won't let Yu'er go back with me, so we need to find a cargo ship to secretly leave the capital."
"If that's the case, wouldn't I be accused of abducting a princess?" Although Youjun's words were filled with fear, she smiled faintly. "Mr. Yu, tell me the truth, who exactly are the people who want to get on this ship?"
Yu Qi was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "The young lady has already guessed, why ask again?"
Youjun countered, "How can you say I guessed correctly?"
“You just said that everyone who came to you today was asking for cargo ships. Young lady, you never talk nonsense. If they were business people, they wouldn’t need to complain to me like this. I suppose we all know the people who came to you to ask for ships. It must be Qi Xubai.”
Youjun smiled and said, "Let's be frank. Whether it's Mr. Yu or Master Qi who asked for the boat, there's a huge responsibility on this boat. I'm risking my whole family's lives to help you, but I can't do it for nothing. If I can't get you out of the capital safely, then I, Guan Youjun, am just unlucky, and there's nothing to say about it later. But if I do get you out, you'll have to ask for my help in front of Prince Zhao."
Yu Qi had guessed about eight or nine parts of her "face," so he stood up, bowed, and said, "It's a deal."
Because of Yu Qi's visit, Youjun finally made up her mind and instructed Xue Niang to do her makeup in the corridor, "Please invite the Ding brothers over tomorrow."
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Author's note: Thank you for reading.
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