When Chen Anzhi saw Si Que, his pupils contracted sharply, and he couldn’t help but take a few more looks at Si Que’s red dress.
You Yuji looked up at Si Que and smiled at him.
Immediately after, Chen Anzhi incredulously saw the unattainable Princess Que, whom he had always placed on a pedestal, smile back at You Yuji.
Si Que sat down beside You Yuji and asked her what song she wanted to hear.
You Yuji’s movements as she groomed Baisui’s fur slowed down. She tilted her head slightly, pondering for a moment before saying, “How about ‘Man Ting Fang’? It’s the beginning of the new year, so I want to hear something lively.”
Si Que didn’t say anything, casually strumming the zither strings to tune it. Then, as his long fingers plucked the strings, lively and bright music flowed from his fingertips.
The moment the first note drifted from Si Que’s fingers, the laughter in the courtyard stopped instantly, and everyone turned their heads to listen intently to Si Que playing the zither.
Chen Anzhi listened to the joyful melody and felt a pang in his heart. It turned out everyone was doing well, except for him.
Standing outside the courtyard gate, Chen Anzhi watched the merriment inside and felt the cold winter wind brush his face, making him shiver. He had walked a long way today, and the wound on his abdomen had bled through the thick bandages.
The pain from the wounds on his abdomen and hand reminded Chen Anzhi of Fang Qingyi. Thinking of Fang Qingyi made him repeatedly recall the last words she had said to him—words that cut into his heart.
Even Wangshan felt uneasy. He tentatively asked, “Your Highness, should I announce your arrival?”
Chen Anzhi exhaled deeply.
“No need…”
Although he had come to thank You Yuji for saving his mother, he thought that if he entered now, the joyful atmosphere in the courtyard would turn sour. They probably didn’t want him there…
Chen Anzhi turned around and walked away with difficulty. With each step he took, his wounds seemed to hurt more.
Behind him, the cheerful and light music floated into his ears, constantly reminding him of the joyful atmosphere in the courtyard.
For a moment, Chen Anzhi’s mind was in turmoil.
He had trusted Fang Qingyi so much, but she had first drugged him with the Irritation Powder, repeatedly embarrassing him, and then outright tried to kill him.
He still didn’t understand. Was he really as terrible and worthless as Fang Qingyi and Chen Lingyan had said? No, it couldn’t be… But if not, why did his father and mother not want to see him? Why did he subconsciously know that the people in the cheerful courtyard did not welcome him?
It seemed that everyone liked You Yuji. Everyone except him.
Was he really so blind?
Why did everyone gather around You Yuji and like her? He began to seriously think about what was so good about You Yuji. Chen Anzhi asked aloud, “Wangshan, what do you think of the princess consort?”
“Of course!” Wangshan replied without hesitation, “She’s kind and generous, treats everyone around her well. Unlike those unreasonable masters who are hard to serve, she speaks kindly to everyone, regardless of their status, and never bullies others because of her position. She also considers the servants, never harshly blaming them for minor mistakes. During the New Year, she even grants them leave to visit their families and gives them more bonus money than anywhere else. Everyone in the other courtyards envies those who work in Tanxiang Yingyue!”
Because of his status, Wangwhan naturally thought from the perspective of a servant first.
“Now, the storytellers in the tea houses even recount the tale of Madam taming a horse on the street. Those scholars and literati have written poems praising Madam for her skills in horse riding, archery, and dancing. They wrote a poem called, called…” Wangshan, not being very literate, couldn’t recall the famous lines circulating in the capital.
“Madam is also very capable. When General You had his accident, everyone thought the You family business would collapse. But Madam took over directly, not only preventing the businesses from failing but actually making them thrive even more!”
There was one more thing Wangshan didn’t say.
He wanted to add—”Madam is also incredibly beautiful, too beautiful!”
But he dared not comment on the mistress’s appearance, so he obediently kept silent and swallowed those words. Wangshan sneaked a glance at Chen Anzhi’s expression, unable to understand why the heir would leave such an extraordinary woman unacknowledged. He truly couldn’t comprehend it.
Chen Anzhi walked back in silence, not speaking again. As he walked back to his room, his distracted state caused him to stumble, almost tripping over the threshold. Fortunately, Wangshan caught him in time.
“Blood!” Wangshan exclaimed, his hand covered in blood.
Upon unbuttoning his clothing, they saw that the wound on Chen Anzhi’s abdomen was bleeding profusely. Wangshan was startled and quickly helped Chen Anzhi sit on the bed, then turned and ran outside, instructing the maids in the courtyard to fetch a doctor immediately.
Chen Anzhi sat dazedly on the edge of the bed, feeling almost numb to the pain in his body. He was still pondering—was he really so blind?
In Tanxiang Yingyue, Si Que had finished playing a song. The kitchen had almost finished preparing dinner, and although it wasn’t yet mealtime, You Yuji knew many people were thinking about the roast lamb they had last time, so she ordered the meal to be served early.
Hearing her words, everyone in the courtyard smiled happily. They had all been longing for the roast lamb from a few days ago!
Cuiyu, eating a large piece of roast lamb leg, said, “Sister treats us so well, letting us have roast lamb again!”
You Yuji smiled and handed her a lotus flower cake.
Baohe, standing to the side and listening to Cuiyu’s words, found it curious—she hadn’t expected Concubine Cui to one day speak so pleasantly, without her usual tone of mockery.
Baohe gave a knowing look to Zhenxu.
Zhenxu understood Baohe’s meaning. She couldn’t help but remember when Cuiyu first entered the household and often said unpleasant things. She had been dissatisfied, but You Yuji had said that Concubine Cui was also a pitiful person, having lived in such an environment for many years, it was natural she hadn’t developed a gentle and cultured demeanor.
At that time, Zhenxu hadn’t understood You Yuji’s words. Now she understood a little. Thinking further, Cuiyu’s transformation must be due to being around Madam every day. What was that saying? “He who keeps company with the virtuous becomes virtuous!”
Yes, it was all thanks to Madam.
Zhenxu nodded to herself.
Si Que didn’t eat much and soon put down his chopsticks, leaning lazily against the back of his chair. He lifted Baisui onto his lap and used a small knife to cut away the sauce-coated outer layer of the lamb, feeding the clean meat to the cat.
When Baisui was younger and more mischievous, it used to jump onto the table to snatch food from Si Que’s bowl, but after being scolded, it had become much better behaved. Now, when adults were eating, it would no longer jump onto the table but would lie obediently on someone’s lap, waiting to be fed.
You Yuji watched Si Que feed the cat with a smile in her eyes. She then looked up at the pale sky. The unusually warm and sunny weather of the past few days seemed to be preparing for a heavy snowfall.
Before the meal was over, a servant reported that You Heng had arrived. You Yuji quickly instructed to have him brought in.
“Oh, starting dinner so early? This aroma, what a good life,” You Heng said with a loud, cheerful voice.
The servants in the courtyard immediately stood up—it wouldn’t do to give the guest an impression of disorder.
You Yuji had already risen and, asking You Heng why he had come over, walked with him toward the flower hall.
Lady Jing, seeing the servants exchanging bewildered glances, sternly said, “Continue with your meal.”
You Heng wasn’t really a guest; he was You Yuji’s true family.
In the flower hall, You Yuji personally poured a cup of hot tea for You Heng and handed it to him. “Is there something important, Second Brother, for you to come over at this time?”
“I entered the palace today. As soon as I left, I came straight here,” You Heng said, taking a sip of the hot tea before continuing, “The appointment has been confirmed. As expected, it’s the position of vice general.”
“Second Brother, you must take care of yourself,” You Yuji said with a slight frown, “No glory or achievements are worth more than returning safely.”
You Heng nodded and said, “There’s something else I need to tell you. Jiamu wants to come along. If he does, I’ll do my best to protect him. But on the battlefield, with swords and spears flying, one’s personal ability is always limited. I can’t guarantee absolute safety.”
“Jiamu?” You Yuji stood up from her chair, her eyes filled with worry.
She almost spoke words of objection but held them back. Everyone has their choices, and she didn’t want to stubbornly stop others, only persuade them.
“I’ll find a chance to talk to him,” she said.
You Heng nodded, “I’ve already tried to persuade him twice, but the kid is stubborn.”
You Yuji sighed softly and nodded slowly. She wanted to try persuading him, but she had a feeling she wouldn’t succeed. Jiamu had grown up and his thoughts were increasingly complex.
After a while, You Yuji asked, “When do you leave? Is it set for the eighth?”
“Not yet decided, depends on the weather,” You Heng replied. “Winter isn’t the best time to set out on a campaign, but the Emperor is anxious.”
The Emperor’s eagerness to unify the twelve kingdoms was well known throughout the land.
Before leaving, You Heng reminded You Yuji, “The assassination attempt on Heir Qi will have a conclusion in a few days. There might be changes in the capital.”
After talking a bit more, You Heng hurriedly left, declining You Yuji’s offer to stay for dinner. With the expedition approaching, he had many matters to attend to.
The tea on the table was still steaming when You Heng left the flower hall after only about fifteen minutes of conversation.
“Second Brother!” You Yuji called out from the flower hall.
You Heng, who had already reached the courtyard, stopped and turned around to look back.
You Yuji chased after You Heng from the flower hall, instructing a maid to bring a pair of knee pads she had made herself.
“They were just finished yesterday. I was planning to have them sent to you tomorrow or the day after, but since you’re here today, it’s perfect timing.”
You Heng laughed heartily, accepting the knee pads and praising You Yuji for her thoughtfulness.
Baisui, perched on Si Que’s lap, stared longingly at the piece of lamb in Si Que’s hand, growing anxious. It couldn’t understand why Si Que wasn’t feeding it. It didn’t dare snatch the food from Si Que’s hand.
“Meow…”
The tantalizing aroma of the meat was making Baisui feel very aggrieved.
Si Que glanced at You Yuji’s smiling profile, momentarily lost in thought. Hearing You Yuji call You Heng “Second Brother” reminded him of the time she had called him “Brother” with a hint of coquettishness.
This vixen had never called him “Brother,” nor had she ever acted coquettishly toward him.
Si Que, his face cold, placed the piece of lamb he had cut on the table.
Baisui’s gaze followed the lamb, watching it be placed on the table, so close yet out of reach.
“Meow…”
Finally, Si Que looked down at Baisui. The cat perked up its ears and wagged its tail. Si Que, however, grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and unceremoniously tossed it to the ground.
He stood up, his expression listless, and walked away.
You Yuji accompanied You Heng to the courtyard gate. He told her she didn’t need to see him off further and should go back to continue eating. As You Yuji turned around, she saw Si Que’s departing figure.
Her gaze swept over Baisui on the ground, guessing that the little thing had been thrown aside by the capricious trickster again. She smiled, walked over, picked it up, and placed it on a stone bench, setting a large bowl of lamb in front of it to let it eat to its heart’s content.
The servants were eating dinner outside, and the house was empty.
You Yuji entered the house and found Si Que in the small room.
He was changing clothes, his red dress lying on the floor, trampled underfoot.
“Do you not like the new clothes your sister picked for you?” You Yuji asked softly, leaning against the dressing table.
Si Que listened to You Yuji refer to herself as “sister” with displeasure. He removed his red inner pants and put on a pair of his original white ones.
He didn’t look at You Yuji.
You Yuji watched Si Que adjust his trousers. She lifted one foot, slowly running her toes up his calf.
Si Que finally looked up. You Yuji’s eyes curved as she smiled and softly said, “Help your sister take off her shoes.”
With the shoes off, it would be more convenient to step on you.
