You Yuji gracefully walked into the flower hall. Under the eager gazes of several concubines, she placed four indenture contracts on the table.
Cuiyu, Lin Yingying, Chunxing, and even Si Que’s contracts were all here.
“I’ve retrieved the contracts. For now, I’ll keep them with me,” You Yuji said, sitting at the head seat. She took the deer milk passed over by Zhenxu and continued her unfinished breakfast.
Cuiyu stood in a daze for a while before stammering, “So, I won’t be sent away by the heir to trade for horses?”
You Yuji was silent for a moment before saying, “Not this time.”
Cuiyu remained standing there, still stunned.
She couldn’t comprehend it. What seemed like a life-or-death situation for her was resolved so easily?
Is this the difference between a wife and a concubine?
Lin Yingying desperately signaled to Cuiyu with her eyes. Finally, Cuiyu came to her senses, crying and thanking You Yuji for saving her life.
The heavy burden in her heart finally lifted. Cuiyu sat down with a thud, sobbing as she spoke, “I was abducted when I was young, and I don’t even remember my parents. I have no family. I have a bad temper and am usually harsh to others. I never expected to meet someone as good as Yingying, let alone the best mistress in the world. I don’t know if it’s because my parents, wherever they are, prayed to Buddha for me.”
Cuiyu cried until her whole face wrinkled up.
Lin Yingying hurriedly consoled her, “Stop crying, stop crying. Madam is still having breakfast…”
Cuiyu sniffled, holding back her sobs, but couldn’t help whispering, “I don’t even have a surname…”
This had always been a sore point for Cuiyu. She had forgotten her own surname. Every time someone called Lin Yingying “Lady Lin,” she felt bitter for a long time. The more she thought about it, the more heartbroken she felt. She lowered her head, tears streaming down.
Si Que frowned and glanced over.
—It was really too noisy and annoying.
Suddenly, a copper coin was tossed high into the air, catching everyone’s attention, even making Cuiyu forget her crying.
Si Que removed his hand, looking at the coin lying quietly on the back of his hand.
—Heads.
He raised his eyes in surprise, looking at Cuiyu who was sitting not far away. How many times was this now? The third or the fourth? She was too lucky, wasn’t she?
Si Que suddenly laughed.
Cuiyu frowned and said, “Why are you always mysteriously playing with that coin? Even kids don’t play with that anymore.”
Si Que ignored her, putting away the coin, picked up the bowl of deer milk, and continued to savor it slowly, one sip at a time.
You Yuji looked at Cuiyu and gently asked, “You don’t remember anything at all?”
“I vaguely remember being called Cuiyu, but I’m not even sure if those are the correct characters. As for my surname… I’ve completely forgotten.”
“Maybe your surname is Cui?” You Yuji suggested.
Cuiyu was stunned for a long moment before suddenly smiling and happily saying, “I’ll listen to you, sister. From now on, I’ll be surnamed Cui!”
She turned to the maid behind her and said, “From now on, don’t call me Concubine Cuiyu, call me Concubine Cui!”
You Yuji smiled faintly. She had only said it casually, and whether Cuiyu’s surname was actually Cui didn’t matter. It was enough to fulfill Cuiyu’s own regret.
Chunxing sat quietly in the corner, occasionally glancing at the indenture contracts in front of You Yuji.
She was so close to getting back her own contract and having a normal marriage. But then the heir suddenly took a fancy to her, and everything changed…
Chunxing instinctively turned to look out the window. Unfortunately, it was morning, and there was no moon.
—When she missed him, she would look at the moon.
You Yuji sat in the floral chair by the bedside, holding a medical book in her hands. From time to time, she glanced at Si Que, who was lying on the bed. He lay on his side, using his long fingers to play with Baisui by the pillow.
At noon, he had suddenly fainted, giving You Yuji quite a scare. She wanted to call a doctor for him, but he declined, saying he just wanted to lie down for a while.
You Yuji’s gaze lingered on Si Que’s pale face for a long time. She put down the medical book in her hands and reached out to place her palm on his forehead.
“This won’t do,” she said, frowning with concern.
She blamed herself once again for seeking Si Que’s help and causing him to stop taking his medication.
Just as You Yuji was about to withdraw her hand, her wrist was caught by Si Que. He looked at her without saying a word.
Baisui jumped onto You Yuji’s lap and then to the floor, disappearing from sight in an instant.
Looking into Si Que’s bright eyes, You Yuji suddenly understood what he hadn’t said. She sighed silently, hoping the days would pass quickly, so the time for her to conceive would come sooner. Only then could Si Que resume his medication early.
“Sister, I’m sleepy,” he said.
You Yuji nodded and replied softly, “I’m a bit sleepy too. I’ll lie down with you for a while.”
Si Que’s expressionless face instantly blossomed into a compliant smile.
You Yuji took off her embroidered shoes and lay down on the outer side of the bed. Si Que hugged her from behind, enclosing her in his arms. He whispered in her ear, “Sister, if there comes a day when I faint and can’t be woken up, just tell me you’re going to find another lover. That will surely wake me up.”
Though his words were meant to tease her, You Yuji couldn’t smile at all. If only Si Que didn’t like her, she could end their relationship, she could find someone else, and he could continue his medication. But now that things had come to this, she couldn’t bear to let him down.
A feeling of guilt arose in You Yuji’s heart. She blamed herself for being rash and reckless back then, not understanding the trouble it would cause him before seeking his help.
She touched the hand Si Que had placed on her waist and gently held it.
Si Que felt her hand gently cover his, gradually increasing in strength until his hand was firmly held in her palm. He lowered his eyes, the clarity in his eyes dissipating, replaced by his usual lethargy.
He didn’t know how long she would remember him if he died. A day, a month, or a year?
No, she should remember him forever.
If he died, no one in this world would remember him, as if he had never existed. So, she must remember him. He had to make sure someone remembered him.
Si Que reversed his hand to grasp You Yuji’s hand, holding it tightly in his palm.
Sensing something was wrong, You Yuji asked softly, “What’s the matter?”
Si Que’s face remained expressionless as he slowly nuzzled You Yuji’s fair neck, saying, “Sister, I’m cold.”
You Yuji immediately turned to embrace him.
Si Que’s lips curled up slightly as he filled his arms with her softness.
Si Que didn’t fall asleep, but You Yuji gradually did. Her sleep was light, and she clearly heard the sound of Baohe’s footsteps approaching.
Baohe’s steps were lively, and her voice carried a note of joy: “Miss Jiang… no, Madam Zhao has come to visit!”
You Yuji opened her eyes in surprise.
Lady Chun, who was pregnant, had come running?
Baohe finished speaking and reached the bedside. Since it was a noon rest, the bed curtains were not drawn. She saw You Yuji and Si Que embracing each other, and a strange feeling arose in her heart as she scratched her face.
You Yuji immediately sat up and, after saying a word to Si Que, hurriedly slipped on her shoes and walked out. Just as she stepped out of the inner room, she heard Jiang Chun’s hearty laughter: “Your place is quite nice!”
Jiang Chun had a good relationship with You Yuji, and You Yuji’s maids greeted her with smiles and did not stop her. She was unceremonious, not waiting in the flower hall but heading directly to the bedroom upon hearing that You Yuji was resting.
You Yuji closed the inner room door behind her, smiling as she took Jiang Chun’s hand, leading her to sit on the beauty couch by the window. Only then did she scrutinize her.
Despite being married and pregnant, she still had a childish face, dressed in her favorite red riding outfit with small black leather boots reaching up to her knees.
You Yuji frowned, “You didn’t come on horseback, did you?”
“Of course not, I do have some sense.” Jiang Chun laughed brightly, holding You Yuji’s hand and acting coquettishly, “Good sister, I haven’t seen you for so long, I missed you.”
You Yuji also smiled, “I should have visited you earlier, but something happened on the way the last time I planned to visit, and then I got caught up with trivial matters, making you come all the way here today.”
“Have they caught the people who tried to kill you last time?” Jiang Chun asked immediately.
“You needn’t worry about that. Are you doing well?” You Yuji’s gaze fell on Jiang Chun’s belly.
Jiang Chun smiled, her eyes curving, “He’s behaving well!”
Zhenxu and several maids brought in tea and fruit, placing them one by one.
Jiang Chun glanced at You Yuji. The two had grown up together, and one look was enough to convey her intentions. You Yuji dismissed the maids in the room.
“What do you want to tell me?” You Yuji asked, looking over.
Jiang Chun shifted her position, her expression becoming serious. “I’ve heard about your mother’s situation. Are you already preparing for pregnancy?”
You Yuji’s brow furrowed slightly, and she didn’t respond immediately. There were hardly any secrets between her and Jiang Chun, but this matter involved Si Que’s secret of cross-dressing as a woman, and she wasn’t sure how to start.
Seeing You Yuji’s hesitation, Jiang Chun quickly grabbed her hand and urgently said, “You mustn’t be foolish. Don’t sacrifice yourself to save your mother. That scoundrel Chen Anzhi doesn’t deserve it! If it comes to that, we can go to the Liyuan and find a young man to borrow instead; it’s better than having a child with that scoundrel!”
You Yuji was stunned, her eyes widening as she looked at Jiang Chun.
“Do you understand what I’m saying? My good sister, you can’t be trapped in the Jinnan Prince’s Mansion for life. If you have a child with that scoundrel Chen Anzhi, it’ll be hard to escape later!” Jiang Chun was so anxious she stomped her foot.
You Yuji couldn’t help but smile.
“Why are you laughing?” Jiang Chun asked, exasperated.
You Yuji nodded repeatedly, “I think your idea is great.”
Jiang Chun breathed a sigh of relief, lifting her chin proudly. “Back home, Zhao Sheng said you wouldn’t agree. Hmph, men underestimate us!”
You Yuji leaned over and handed Jiang Chun a piece of her favorite pastry.
Jiang Chun didn’t eat it. She stared at You Yuji with bright eyes. “Do you have someone in mind?”
You Yuji pressed her lips together. If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t hide it from Jiang Chun, but Si Que…
“I think Fu Xuesong is perfect!”
Inside, Si Que had been listening to the conversation between the two. Upon hearing this, his face darkened instantly. Fu Xuesong? Such an unpleasant name; the person must be ugly.
Wait…
Fu? Si Que suddenly remembered the refined young man who had stood at the flower hall door talking to You Yuji that day. He seemed to be named Fu as well? Why would Jiang Chun suggest Fu Xuesong? Could it be that You Yuji and that pretty boy had a secret relationship?
Si Que’s expression grew increasingly grim.
In his distraction, he didn’t catch how You Yuji responded to Jiang Chun. The two outside had already changed the subject and were no longer discussing Fu Xuesong.
“I’ve made up my mind. When the time comes, you give birth to the child to cure your mother’s illness. Then, you take a fake death pill, and Zhao Sheng and I will figure out a way to rescue you. We’ll send you and your mother back to the grasslands! Zhao Sheng and I don’t want to stay in Chenjing either. We’ll go back together! Then we’ll drink, ride horses, sing, and dance every day!”
“Fake death pill?” You Yuji murmured softly. She had been contemplating leaving the prince’s mansion and worrying about the concubines after her departure. If there was a fake death pill, couldn’t she use it to help them escape?
Jiang Chun immediately deflated, muttering, “That’s the problem… The fake death pill is hard to come by! It’s said that it’s a creation of the Poison Pavilion, and only they have it. But…”
Jiang Chun looked distressed, “No one knows where the Poison Pavilion is. Besides, everyone knows the master of the Poison Pavilion is a sinister and terrifying weirdo. Even if you offer him silver, he might refuse to sell if he’s in a bad mood, and he might even poison the buyer on a whim.”
Jiang Chun made a grimace, “No one wants to deal with that monster!”
In the inner room, Si Que had already gotten up. He sat on the edge of the bed, leisurely eating a piece of chrysanthemum pastry from a small plate on the bedside table.
Listening to others talk bad about him was quite amusing.
