Zhao Moyan stopped his horse at the city gate and spoke with the guards. Then, as if sensing something, he looked up at the hill where Tian Yu was standing, but only caught a glimpse of her back. When he tried to confirm, she was already gone. Zhao Moyan looked around on horseback for a while, thinking that he must have seen wrong. She was now the Crown Princess, so why would she come to greet him? He smiled bitterly and rode into the city.
Knowing that Zhao Moyan had returned safely was enough for Tian Yu, and she felt much better. After descending the mountain, she didn't go back but went to the farm. With Tian Yu's help, those who stayed behind had basically built houses nearby and were living a stable life. Tian Yu had also been granted permission to cultivate the nearby wilderness at will. Tian Yu planned to distribute all the land to them so that they could have some income. However, there were many elderly, weak, women, and children here, and no one was willing to do the hard work, so farming alone wouldn't be enough.
As soon as Tian Yu entered the village, everyone came out to greet her. Tian Yu greeted them with a smile. Seeing several elderly people huddled together weaving something out of straw, Tian Yu picked up a pair of straw sandals and asked, "Did you make these?"
“Yes, madam,” said the older woman.
"Did you make this straw mat too?" Tian Yu asked, picking up the straw mat again.
"Yes, madam, we make these in our spare time to keep for household expenses. If you like them, you can give them to us!"
"I love it! I love it! I love it so much!"
“Then we’ll weave more next time to give to you, Madam,” the old woman said.
Tian Yu was pleasantly surprised and asked after thinking for a moment, "Could you add some variety or incorporate some other elements?"
"Does Madam mean...? You want to try something different?"
"Um!"
"It should be possible. We also have a few other styles, but the selection here is limited and may not meet Madam's requirements."
"I see! If you have something else, can you make other patterns?"
"Of course I can. I'm not bragging, but I'm very good at weaving. I used to make a living this way back in my hometown," the old woman said with a smile.
Tian Yu happily hugged the old woman who was talking to her and said with a smile, "That's great! Grandma, we're saved! We're saved!"
Everyone was completely bewildered by her. The old woman being hugged smiled and said, "Madam, I don't have any special skills. If you like them, I'll make more for you."
"Grandma, I really like it! I love it so much! But not this kind," Tian Yu said with a smile.
“Whatever kind of thing Madam wants, this old woman will definitely make it for her.”
"Okay, I'll bring you a few patterns in a few days to see if you can make them."
“Alright, we’ll do as you say, Madam. We’ll definitely help you write it down.” The others echoed in agreement.
With a plan in mind, Tian Yu was in high spirits and had dinner with them, chatting for a long time before returning to Qinyuan. Once back at Qinyuan, Tian Yu worked through the night, sketching several drafts of various cushions, baskets, and crates, hoping to get things moving quickly so she wouldn't have to borrow money anymore. Before she knew it, dawn had broken. Tian Yu yawned as she finished the last sketch, blew out the candle, rubbed her nearly frozen hands, pulled the quilt tighter around her, and warmed them by the fire. Qiu Ju came in and, seeing Tian Yu like this, said, "Madam, why are you staying up so late again? This isn't good."
"It's okay! I'm going to catch up on my sleep now, so don't wake me up unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Yes! Madam, you should rest quickly! I'll change the brazier for you."
Tian Yu drank some water and fell asleep immediately. Green Willow brought in rice porridge and a brazier. Seeing that Tian Yu was already asleep, she told the servants to put down the brazier, close the door, and leave.
The moment the door closed, a dark figure emerged from behind the screen and appeared before the bed. It was Zhao Moyan, who had been watching over Tian Yu all night. Looking at the sleeping Tian Yu, he was filled with mixed emotions. She had been engrossed in drawing all night, and he had been standing in the shadows without her noticing. Zhao Moyan was so angry with her that he wanted to kill her, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. They hadn't seen each other for so long, and she had only returned at the very last minute. He thought that this would allow him to let go of the past, but when he arrived in the capital, he realized how much she resembled him. Everywhere on the streets, he saw her shadow. He hoped that every woman who passed by was her. But even after he returned from his duties at the palace that evening, he didn't see her. Finally, he couldn't resist the urge to see her and came to see her. But when he arrived, he found that she was too busy to think about him at all. It seemed that the figure he had seen yesterday was not her at all. He had been overthinking things. She was now the Crown Princess, so why would she miss him?
Tian Yu was sleeping soundly when she felt a chill behind her and couldn't help but burrow deeper into the blankets. Zhao Moyan thought she was about to wake up, but seeing that she only stirred, he knew she was cold. Without hesitation, he took off his coat and shoes, lifted the blankets, and lay down next to Tian Yu. Tian Yu felt the warmth and moved closer to it. Zhao Moyan reached out and pulled her into his arms, closed his eyes, and thought that this was the last time, the last time he would be close to her!
When Tian Yu woke up again, it was already afternoon, and Zhao Moyan had long since left. Tian Yu stretched comfortably, feeling that she had slept very well and wasn't so cold anymore. She turned her head and smelled the pillow strangely, then picked up the blanket and smelled it, then smelled her own clothes. Tian Yu felt like she could smell Zhao Moyan's scent, but then thought it was impossible. She shook her head and said to herself, "He probably won't come in broad daylight. Even if he did, he would definitely be very angry. I must be overthinking it."
Hearing the commotion, Qiuju brought over some water and then had a maid bring over some hot porridge from the kitchen. Tian Yusheng lazily yawned and asked, "What time is it?"
"It's already afternoon, Madam, you should have something to eat!"
Looking at the setting sun outside the window, Zhao Moyan realized that he had slept for so long. He wondered how Zhao Moyan's day had gone.
Before Tian Yu could finish packing, a palace eunuch came to announce that a banquet would be held in the palace today, inviting all ministers and their families to celebrate the ministers' success in controlling the floods in Jiangnan.
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