Ever since the Queen Mother agreed to the marriage and the two families exchanged engagement letters, Qingping couldn't wait to tell Cheng Chuyu.

However, Cheng Chuyu was either at Cheng Mansion or at Zhenbei Palace. She couldn't enter Zhenbei Palace, and going to Cheng Mansion to deliver a visiting card seemed a bit servile, so she asked someone to keep an eye on her. Until Cheng Chuyu came today to put on makeup for Sheng Xiyan, she came under the pretext of putting on makeup.

"Congratulations." Cheng Chuyu bowed and said with a smile, "If the princess sets a date for the wedding, I will go to buy makeup on time. I have prepared a lot of hairpins, pearl flowers and other things, enough for you to marry as many times as you want. You don't have to save money for me."

Qingping: “…”

She looked Cheng Chuyu up and down, trying to see a sense of discomfort and jealousy in her perfect smile, but there was none.

Cheng Chuyu smiled calmly and occasionally chatted with Sheng Xiyan, talking about which gold and jade shop had the best craftsmanship and whether they could go together to make a set of headwear.

Qingping asked her maid to deliver the make-up gift.

Sheng Xiyan accepted it with a smile and said, "Thank you, Princess, for coming to help me with my makeup."

"But, Princess, you may have misunderstood something." She said, "Chu Yu originally had no relationship with the Prince of Wu'an, but that day the Queen Mother suddenly asked Chu Yu if she had anyone... You and I both know what she meant, and your aunt was helpless, so she brought up Prince Fu to talk about it."

Qingping widened his eyes in surprise.

Sheng Xiyan quickly covered her lips, as if she had said something wrong, but the smug look between her eyebrows allowed Qingping to see that she had said that on purpose in front of him.

Qingping couldn't help but recall what happened that day, and it seemed to be true.

My grandmother suddenly asked if Cheng Chuyu was engaged. Everyone understood what she meant. She just wanted to choose a concubine for my cousin Prince Zhao. Then, Mrs. Cheng mentioned without warning that Cheng Chuyu was already engaged to Fu Junqing.

Did they say that on purpose?

Is it just because Cheng Chuyu doesn’t want to be Prince Zhao’s concubine?

It seemed to make sense when put this way, but Qingping still felt a little unhappy.

Sheng Xiyan asked someone to serve tea to Qingping and said with a smile: "If it weren't for you, Princess, Chuyu's marriage with the Fu family might not be clear. Speaking of which, Chuyu has to thank you, Princess."

Cheng Chuyu covered her mouth and chuckled, her relaxed brows filled with comfort and joy.

Sheng Xiyan said with a smile: "Chu Yu looked down on Fu Junqing. He had no opinion and was arrogant."

"Sister Yan, please stop talking." Cheng Chuyu deliberately waited for her to finish before saying, "It's not good to say that to Master Fu. In fact, Master Fu is also quite outstanding. However, if we want to get married, forget it."

The two of them were talking and laughing, but Qingping's face became more and more ugly, and she couldn't help but pull the belt around her waist.

When Wu Anbo and his men returned, they went to the palace to report their fate. At that time, she also went to the palace to pay her respects to her grandmother. From a distance, she saw the graceful Prince Fu. His silver armor was shining under the sun, which immediately attracted her attention.

She was moved at that time, but that was all.

She knew that the Wu'an Marquis's family was still in mourning, so she planned to wait until they were done with mourning before asking her mother to find out more.

Until I heard Madam Cheng say in Cining Palace that Cheng Chuyu and Fu Junqing were engaged...

Whatever she likes, no matter if it is something or a person, no one can take it away!

So being moved becomes obsession.

Later, she got it.

However, now, looking at Cheng Chuyu who was calm and cheerful, she felt a little uncomfortable.

Somehow, Fu Junqing didn't seem so dazzling anymore.

She felt more and more upset, as if she had been tricked.

The sweet scented tea becomes tasteless in my mouth.

She didn't want to stay any longer, so she stood up suddenly and said unhappily, "I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave now."

Without waiting for Sheng Xiyan to say a few polite words, she turned and left.

Cheng Chuyu did not forget to say: "Princess, take care. Don't worry, I will definitely give you a lot of makeup to thank you for your kindness."

When talking about the "feeling of rescuing someone", Cheng Chuyu was sincere, yet also a little scared.

Their family went to the northern frontier, and the Wu'an Earl's family went to Lingnan, one in the south and one in the north. In fact, she and Fu Junqing hadn't seen each other for many years, and her memory of him was still stuck in her childhood. Fortunately, she didn't walk into this big pit blindly.

Qingping was so angry that she staggered and almost fell on the doorstep. Fortunately, a maidservant beside her helped her up, and she looked a little panicked.

After the others left, the two smiled at each other. Cheng Chuyu gave Sheng Xiyan a thumbs up and praised: "It seems that this marriage will not be successful. Mrs. Wu Anbo will not agree to it easily."

She had done so many things behind Wu Anbo's back. When Wu Anbo came back after finishing his work, he would surely be furious. Originally, she could accept being scolded. After all, her son was so grown up and there was no way he would divorce her. However, if the marriage fell through, she would be in a bad situation. Not only would she be rejected by Wu Anbo, but Fu Junqing would also break off the engagement. In the future, she would probably have to choose someone lower than her.

"Mrs. Wu'anbo's wife even looks down on me. If her daughter-in-law's family background were lower than mine, she would probably cry to death." Cheng Chuyu said happily.

In fact, the Cheng family was of high status. Cheng Xianzhuo was already a second-rank military commander and had a foothold in the court. It was just that the wife of the Earl of Wu'an was arrogant and had a habit of pretending.

Sheng Xiyan said with a smile: "Didn't you say that the small engagement will be made in a few days? Then let's see if this small engagement can be accomplished."

Cheng Chuyu actually guessed it seriously: "I say it won't work."

Just as Cheng Chuyu guessed, in mid-February, when the Fu family enthusiastically went to Princess Yong'an's mansion to make the reservation on an auspicious day, Qingping refused.

To show her seriousness, Lady Wu'anbo not only came in person, but also invited Princess Yi of Prince's family to act as a matchmaker and prepared the most grand betrothal gift. She came to the door in great joy, thinking that she would definitely marry the daughter-in-law she had been longing for. However, she was severely slapped in the face in front of Princess Yi of Prince's family. Qingping arrogantly threw out Fu Junqing's engagement letter and told her to leave.

Mrs. Wu Anbo was shocked, and then became angry out of shame.

She had gone through so much trouble, even falling out with her uncle, just to get the daughter-in-law she wanted. What did Qingping mean now?! Did she regret it?

Mrs. Wu Anbo's hands were shaking with anger. If Qingping hadn't told her that she fell in love with her son at first sight, how could she have drugged Cheng Chuyu? !

"no!"

Lady Wu An was so angry that she slapped her teacup and said, "Our two families have already exchanged engagement letters. How can we go back on our word?"

"Everyone in the capital knows that Qingping is promised to the Fu family. If you destroy her relationship at will, will Qingping be able to get married in the future?"

"Your Highness, if you have any questions, we are one family. If you have any questions, you can sit down and discuss it properly."

Mrs. Wu Anbo suppressed her anger and spoke in a soft and hard way.

"What a joke." Princess Yong'an sneered, "My daughter Qingping is a noblewoman, there's no reason why she can't get married. She fell in love with Fu Junqing because he was good-looking, but now she doesn't like him anymore. It's nothing. The only problem is that your son is not good-looking enough. Even if they get married, they can get divorced, not to mention that they haven't gotten married yet. Don't mess around with her."

These words stunned Mrs. Wu Anbo.

Princess Yi felt sorry for her and quietly reminded her, saying, "Madam, Qingping has already rejected two marriage proposals."

She said this in an obscure way, and it sounded like she was saying that others had proposed to Qingping but Qingping had not agreed. However, when she said this now, it was clear that Qingping had taken a fancy to two men before, but soon lost interest in them again and, like now, refused the proposal.

Mrs. Wu Anbo's heart felt as if a huge stone had fallen on it, so heavy that she could hardly believe her ears.

His family had lived in Lingnan for many years and had just returned to Beijing last year. They had been observing mourning and had not left the house. How could she have imagined that such an absurd thing would exist in the world!

When she asked people about it, didn't they all say that Princess Qingping was gentle, virtuous and kind?!

Mrs. Wu Anbo's head began to hurt, and her temples were throbbing.

She felt a little regretful, but she couldn't give up now. The news that her son was going to marry Qingping was already known to everyone in the city. If this marriage didn't go through and Qingping dumped him, how would her son ever hold his head up in the future?

Their family has just finished mourning, and they will be moving around the capital in the future, and their son will also have a job.

No matter how bad Qingping is, she is still the empress dowager's legitimate granddaughter. Marrying her will definitely be beneficial to his son's future.

Besides, I can still have enough time to teach her slowly after she comes in!

"I don't agree!"

Madam Wu'an risked her dignity and shouted in the princess's mansion, "I will never cancel this marriage, even if I report it to the Queen Mother! Your Highness, your Qingping is a girl, let's see if you can put up with it or I can!"

"Your Highness, don't forget that you came to propose marriage in person that day!"

"You can regret it now. There is the Emperor and the Empress Dowager in the capital, and it is not up to you, the Princess, to decide."

Qingping frowned in disgust.

Initially, she was somewhat hesitant about whether or not to take back the engagement letter. To her, what she couldn't get was always the best, but once she got it, it would be meaningless.

Especially since Fu Junqing is not wanted by others!

Why should Cheng Chuyu give the person she despises to her? She doesn't want it!

Facing the question from Mrs. Wu Anbo, she frowned and said, "Anyway, I won't marry, whoever wants to marry can marry."

He flicked his sleeves and left.

As soon as Qingping left, Princess Yong'an also followed. Si didn't care about the threat from Lady Wu'anbo just now, and left Lady Wu'anbo in the main hall with an embarrassed look on her face.

"Madam," Princess Yi said awkwardly, "Why don't we just..."

Princess Yi wanted to persuade her to go. Originally, when she heard that Qingping had fallen in love with someone else, she was not very optimistic. If it were not for the old relationship between her family and the Wu'an Earl's Mansion, she actually did not want to be the matchmaker.

As expected, you are so shameless!

"Let's go first. This is a big marriage, and both parties must be willing. Since the princess is not happy, why not..."

Halfway through her words, she saw Princess Yong'an coming back with Qingping. They didn't say anything, but just stood there waiting for a while, paying no attention to Lady Wu'an.

Not long after, Eunuch Cao Xi from Cining Palace was led in with a group of eunuchs and guards, holding an imperial decree in his hand.

He glanced at Lady Wu Anbo and said in a shrill voice, "Madam, so you are here. That's perfect. Let's receive the decree together."

"The Queen Mother has ordered..."

Everyone in the main hall knelt down to receive the order.

The Empress Dowager decreed a marriage between Princess Qingping and the son of the Earl of Wu'an, Fu Junqing.

Everyone was shocked by the imperial decree. Lady Wu'an was surprised first and then happy. With the imperial decree, Qingping could not refuse this marriage just because he wanted to! But Qingping was surprised first and then angry. He grabbed Yong'an's sleeve with a look of anger on his face.

My grandmother had relented and agreed to let her get married, but she didn't say she would issue an imperial decree to grant her marriage!

"I'm going to find my grandmother!"

Cao Xi flicked his whisk and said with a fake smile, "My lord, the Queen Mother has had a headache recently and feels quite unwell. You and the Princess Royal, please don't bother her unless you have anything else to do."

Yongan frowned and said unhappily, "I want to see the Queen Mother but I can't."

Cao Xi just smiled and said nothing, which seemed to be saying: I can't meet you.

Yong'an was immediately furious. Cao Xi said in a shrill voice, "Your Highness, I have to go back to the palace to report. I will take my leave now."

Cao Xi bowed hastily and left with his people, completely ignoring Yong'an's shouting and scolding behind him, and led a group of people out of the Princess's Mansion.

The Queen Mother announced two imperial decrees, one for Qingping and the other for Cheng Chuyu. After learning that the marriage between Cheng Chuyu and Fu Junqing had failed, the Queen Mother still had her previous idea of ​​marrying Cheng Chuyu to King Zhao Qin Wei as a concubine.

Originally, after leaving Princess Yong'an's residence, they had to go to Cheng's residence, but...

Cao Xi stuffed another imperial edict for Cheng Chuyu to the accompanying eunuch and said nonchalantly, "Take it and burn it back."

The young eunuch replied with a smile and put the imperial edict in his pocket.

The Empress Dowager's arrangement of marriage between Qingping and Fu Junqing did not cause any stir in the capital. To most people, the marriage between these two families was not worth paying attention to. Only Qingping was very unhappy. She went to the palace several times to ask the Empress Dowager to revoke her decision. But just as Cao Xi said, the Empress Dowager was ill and she did not see her.

The marriage between Princess Yong'an and Earl Wu'an seemed to be a foregone conclusion.

To Sheng Xiyan, all this commotion was just a lively event, much more interesting than the new plays that had been going on in the capital recently.

"Miss." Xigui was confused and said in a way that was hard to understand. "What is Lady Yong'an doing? She is so reluctant. Even if Princess Qingping really marries, can she live comfortably? And Princess Qingping is the same. Isn't this what she asked for?"

Sheng Xiyan held the embroidery frame in her hands and said with a smile, "This is because I have too much free time. Look at me, I have so many things to do every day that I don't have time to think about it."

Xigui chuckled: "Miss, you are right..."

She handed over a pair of scissors, and Sheng Xiyan cut the last thread on the sleeve. Her wedding dress was finally almost finished.

The embroidery is so beautiful!

Sheng Xiyan held it in her hand and looked at it happily for a while. Her needlework had not been abandoned after a lifetime.

"girl."

Rui'e came and said outside, "My aunt wants you to go out for a while."

Huh?

Sheng Xiyan was stunned. Chu Yuanchen was looking for her?

However, didn’t Chu Yuanchen always climb through the window when he came to see her? Why did he come directly to her door this time?

Sheng Xiyan didn't want to think too much, so she asked Xigui to put away her wedding dress, put a pearl flower on her temples, and went out happily.

Chu Yuanchen was in the main hall in the front yard, talking with Sheng Xingan.

As soon as he saw her coming, Chu Yuanchen said, "Uncle, I want to take Ah Yan out for a while."

Sheng Xingan: "..." Although they are engaged and will soon be married, it is still a bit inappropriate for the two of them to go out together, right? Thinking about it, he changed his mind and said, "Come back soon."

Sheng Xiyan smiled sweetly and followed him out.

After they got on the carriage, Chu Yuanchen said, "Ayan, I'm taking you to see someone. It might be Sheng Jue."

Sheng Xiyan was stunned for a long time, and it took her a while before she understood what he meant.

She asked with a trembling voice: "Brother Jue?"

Is it Jue Ge'er?

"Brother Jue was found?!"

She asked twice in a row, and then couldn't wait to ask, "Where is Jue'er?!"

She looked a little anxious, but more nervous, staring at Chu Yuanchen with burning eyes.

"I'm 80% sure, but it's possible that it's not." Chu Yuanchen comforted her and said softly, "So, I'll take you over to identify it."

Sheng Xiyan tried hard to calm herself down.

When Jue'er was taken away, he was only four years old. So many years have passed, and he has grown from a child to a teenager. His appearance must have changed a lot. If she is too excited, she may not be able to recognize him calmly.

Seeing that she had figured it out, Chu Yuanchen continued, "This child is called Wei Xiu, and he is twelve years old this year."

"Wei Xiu?"

Sheng Xiyan whispered the name, it sounded a little strange, but when she held it in her mouth, it seemed somewhat familiar.

"Chi Yu's mentor Wei Lin bought a boy from a human trafficker eight years ago. Wei Lin and his wife had no children, so they raised the child as their own and registered the child under the name of Wei Lin of the Wei family. When the Wei family was in trouble, he was less than ten years old and survived."

Chu Yuanchen tried to say everything he needed to say, avoiding those things that would make Sheng Xiyan sad. He said, "At that time, Wei Lin and his wife protected the child tightly. Wei's aunt Lin held him in her arms before she died. It is said that her back was covered with knife marks." It can be imagined that before she died, she used her body to protect Wei Xiu. "I guess the 'robbers' at that time deliberately left him alive to shock Chi Yu."

Otherwise, it would be impossible for a child under ten years old to survive from the hands of a group of vicious and cruel gangsters.

Sheng Xiyan had once heard Chu Yuanchen talk about the misfortune that befell her teacher Chi Yu's family, but at that time, she could never have imagined that the child who luckily survived would be Yu Ge'er.

Sheng Xiyan didn't say a word. It wasn't that she didn't have anything to ask, but her mind was in a mess and she didn't know what to ask or what she could ask.

Chu Yuanchen naturally understood. The small clay stove on the carriage was simmering tea. He poured a cup of tea and handed it to her, letting her warm her hands while she sipped it slowly. He continued, "Later, Chi Yu took Wei Xiu to his own home. After Chi Yu's parents died, he raised Wei Xiu alone. Chi Yu's family also had some property, so he didn't suffer any grievances in the past two years."

Sheng Xiyan nodded blankly.

Chu Yuanchen went on to say, "Later, the child accidentally recognized the main bandit who killed the Wei family. He knew that the matter was of great importance, so he secretly told Chi Yu. After the setbacks in the past two years, Chi Yu became more rational and sober. He knew that they could not take revenge by themselves, and they could not count on the government. So Chi Yu hurried to Beijing and secretly surrendered to me. The only condition he put forward was to protect Wei Xiu and help him take revenge. After that, I sent a few guards to Jiangnan."

"Chi Yu originally wanted to go back and take Wei Xiu with him, and settle down in the capital from now on."

He sent Mu Bai to Jiangnan. A few days ago, he received a pigeon message from Mu Bai. In the pigeon message, Mu Bai told him that he had consulted Chi Yu, and Chi Yu said that Wei Xiu was indeed bought by Wei Lin and his wife from a human trafficker.

Chi Yu was extremely gifted in studying, and when he was seven years old, he was taken in by Wei Lin as his closed-door disciple. He even lived in Wei's home for seven or eight months out of the year, so he naturally knew Wei Xiu's background.

Bought from a human trafficker, has a birthmark behind his ear, twelve years old, and this was the time when Wei Lin bought the child...all these facts proved that he was Sheng Jue, so he went from being 80% sure to being 90% sure.

Today they arrived in Beijing, so he simply asked Sheng Xiyan to go pick him up so that she could be happy too.

Sheng Xiyan was overjoyed and couldn't help but burst into tears. After just a few breaths, her cheeks were soaked.

Chu Yuanchen patted her shoulder gently. At that moment, Sheng Xiyan seemed to have found someone to lean on. She leaned her head on him and sobbed.

This is not sadness, but joy, an attempt to vent the unspeakable happiness in my heart.

Chu Yuanchen hugged her and whispered, "If you keep crying, your makeup will be ruined."

"I didn't put on any makeup." Sheng Xiyan said with a sob, "I just put on some rouge."

Chu Yuanchen chuckled, Sheng Xiyan pursed her lips embarrassedly, and when she raised her head, her tears had dried up.

She wiped her cheeks with a handkerchief and said, "Is Jue-ge'er coming today?"

"Yes." Chu Yuanchen said, "They were already at the inn in Zhouyuan Town last night. According to their schedule, they should have reached Shili Pavilion around 3 p.m. It's just in time for us to go there now."

Sheng Xiyan nodded vigorously.

She can see Yu Ge'er now.

Over the years, she has only been able to see her mother and Yu Ge'er in her dreams. Moreover, after two lifetimes, their appearances have become increasingly blurry, as if shrouded in a thick fog. She is actually really afraid that one day she will forget what they look like.

"Achen..."

Chu Yuanchen knew what she wanted to say, so he raised his hand and gently covered her lips.

There was no need to say "thank you" between them.

Sheng Xiyan smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Throughout these two lives, he was the only one who cared about her wholeheartedly.

The carriage quickly left the capital and arrived at Shili Pavilion.

According to Chu Yuanchen's calculation, Chi Yu and Wei Xiu would arrive before 3 p.m. However, after 3 p.m., no one was seen until 5 p.m.

Sheng Xiyan felt homesick at first, but later she started to feel a little worried.

"Don't worry." Chu Yuanchen said, "Maybe something delayed him on the way."

Sheng Xiyan nodded. She was not in a hurry. Jue'er was still young and might not be able to hurry that fast.