How thick-skinned was Princess Shengyue to return so soon after being expelled!
Yun Shu snapped back to reality and said with a smile, "I'm not angry, there's more to this than meets the eye."
A Cha froze, then her expression also grew serious. Snapping out of her anger, she detected a hint of something amiss. "Miss, I didn't feel it until you mentioned it. It is indeed unusual. The Emperor ordered Princess Shengyue to leave, yet she returned this morning. Not only was the Emperor not angered, he even allowed her to stay in the imperial palace within the capital."
Yun Shu appreciated A Cha's sharpness and intelligence. "You're right, when something is too unusual, there must be a reason. This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly."
As they were discussing this, a carrier pigeon landed before them.
Yun Shu caught the pigeon.
Upon reading the message, her face lit up with a smile. "It's a message from my father. They'll be staying in the village for a month."
She could imagine how happy the three little ones would be in the village, and how well they would be protected by the villagers.
"I already miss Xiao Li and the others," A Cha said immediately.
Unbeknownst to her, time had passed quickly. She often thought of the three little ones, and they had all become like family in her heart.
If she hadn't met Miss, she would still be in prison, living a miserable life, beaten every few days.
Like a rat scurrying across the street, she had always lived in darkness, dreaming of escape.
Seeing A Cha's wistful expression, Yun Shu gently patted her shoulder. "We'll reunite with them soon."
"Mm!"
The gatekeeper from not far away trotted over.
"Miss, a woman who claims her surname is Qian wishes to see you."
Qian Le'er?
She had heard Qiu Lu mention Qian Le'er recently. Qian Le'er had been recuperating well, her health had improved, and she hadn't succumbed to despair or become trapped in her tragic past. She had been reading and learning to play chess.
For some reason, she had sought her out today?
"Please invite her in."
"Yes."
A Cha put away her melancholic thoughts. "Miss, I'll go prepare some tea and pastries."
"Mm, go."
A moment later, the gatekeeper led Qian Le'er in.
Qian Le'er walked in with her head bowed, not looking around. In the past, she would have surely surveyed her surroundings, eager to see how prosperous the former general's mansion was.
But now, she had no such inclination.
Soon, Qian Le'er met Yun Shu.
"Second Miss Yun."
Yun Shu looked at Qian Le'er.
Upon seeing Qian Le'er, Yun Shu was slightly surprised. In the time they hadn't seen each other, Qian Le'er's demeanor had become much more composed. She was still as thin as when she had been rescued from the dilapidated temple.
"Please sit and talk," Yun Shu gestured for Qian Le'er to sit.
Seeing Yun Shu's gentle and polite attitude, Qian Le'er's worried heart settled down.
She had expected Yun Shu to resent her.
After all, when she had been blinded by deceit, she had said many hurtful things to Yun Shu and her cousin. Even now, thinking of those words made her cringe.
Alas, words spoken could not be taken back.
After she sat down, A Cha had already brought the hot tea and some pastries.
Then, A Cha went off to attend to other matters.
With no one else around, Qian Le'er's nervousness eased.
She picked up the teacup, her hands cupping it, the warmth of the cup thawing her slightly cold hands. She lowered her head, gazing at the tea, and said, "Second Miss Yun, I was too foolish before. I apologized to you then, but I still wish to say I'm sorry now."
"Let the past be the past. Let's look forward," Yun Shu said gently.
These seemingly insignificant words caused Qian Le'er to suddenly look up at Yun Shu, her eyelashes fluttering, before quickly lowering her head again. "Yes, Second Miss Yun is right. The past is gone, and we must look forward."
Her hand nervously caressed the teacup.
She bit her lip.
Yun Shu saw that Qian Le'er seemed to want to speak but hesitated, clearly having something on her mind. Qian Le'er's visit today was definitely not just for an apology.
"Le'er, just say what's on your mind."
Hearing herself called "Le'er," Qian Le'er's eyes reddened. At this moment, the only people who could still call her by that name were her cousin and the Second Miss Yun before her.
"I... I heard some rumors that Jiang Luoxi has become a concubine in the imperial harem, but she's not favored by the Emperor. I wish to see her, is that possible?" Jiang Luoxi bit her lip hard.
Finally, she bravely spoke what she wanted to say.
She had told her cousin, but he had refused.
And from her cousin, she had learned that Jiang Luoxi was not having a good time in the palace lately, and that they had already made a move against her. Jiang Luoxi's good days were numbered.
Because Jiang Luoxi was the devil in her heart, she had to see Jiang Luoxi to banish the devil.
Most importantly, she wanted revenge! She hated Jiang Luoxi with all her heart. It was Jiang Luoxi who had led her step by step into ruin!
Yun Shu heard this but did not immediately respond.
Just then, the gatekeeper, who had already returned to the mansion, trotted over again.
"Miss, Marquis Yi is here. Do you wish to see him now?"
Upon hearing this, the teacup in Qian Le'er's hand spilled, tea wetting her hand. Her expression became flustered, and her face turned pale.
Marquis Yi...
These three words had been popping into her mind uncontrollably lately.
It was as if they existed only in dreams.
So unreal.
She thought she would never see him again in this lifetime.
Yun Shu looked at Qian Le'er and asked, "Le'er, would you like to excuse yourself?"
Qian Le'er's face was somewhat ashen. "I..."
She wanted to stand up.
But her legs were stiff and wouldn't move.
She simply couldn't stand up.
Just then, Yi Zixing walked in.
Yi Zixing had visited the general's mansion several times and was familiar with it. Thus, when the gatekeeper came to report, he walked in directly.
He had intended to wait in the front courtyard for a while.
But then he realized Yun Shu was actually in the front courtyard.
So, he strode directly over.
"Second Miss Yun, I've come to bid you farewell," Yi Zixing said, after approaching and cupping his fist in greeting.
Since he had told his father that he wanted to leave the capital and travel the world, his father had surprisingly agreed.
His father had also said that there was nothing much to miss in the capital, only fame, fortune, and the vast marquis's estate.
But these were external possessions. Even if he left the capital, his father would still be the loyal Marquis, and he would still be Marquis Yi.
Once they had made their decision, he and his father felt a sense of liberation.
Therefore, before leaving, he felt it was necessary to come and bid Yun Shu farewell.
As he finished speaking, he suddenly noticed that Yun Shu was not alone.