Chapter 1417: What Kind of Help?

Shu Yu was puzzled and had a bunch of question marks floating above her head. Meng Han wanted her to help... but how? They had just met today, and they weren't familiar with each other, so what could she possibly do to help?

Despite her confusion, Shu Yu still walked to the table, poured them both a glass of water, and after they both sat down, she smiled and asked, "Why did you think of asking me for help, little sister Ah Han?"

"Because you dared to carry an axe to your grandmother's house and confront someone," Meng Han said.

Shu Yu, "...Huh? So, do you want me to carry an axe and confront someone for you?"

"No, not that," Meng Han's eyes sparkled as she looked at Shu Yu, admiration in her gaze. "I just think you have a strong personality. You don't let others take advantage of you just because they are elders. You are the first junior I've seen who dares to stand up against my mother."

Typically, as Meng Yunzheng's future wife, she should be polite to the other party's relatives. Even if they were making things difficult, most people would endure it. Even if they were unhappy, they wouldn't lose Tao Shi's face in front of Meng Yunzheng.

However, Shu Yu didn't give Tao Shi any advantages. When they arrived, she even refused to cook for them.

She had countered every word Tao Shi said.

Although they didn't openly argue, the tense atmosphere had already reached the point where they couldn't get along harmoniously.

Meng Han felt that Shu Yu had a sense of confidence and self-assurance, and she couldn't help but feel a subtle, unnoticeable admiration for her.

However, after hearing Meng Han's words, Shu Yu had a bad feeling in her heart.

Meng Han said she dared to confront Tao Shi, so was she asking her for help related to Tao Shi?

Shu Yu didn't want to get involved in Meng Yunzheng's family affairs. She wasn't familiar with them, and even after she and Meng Yunzheng got married, they would be living in Dong'an Prefecture. It was far away from Meng Yunzheng's uncle's family, and they wouldn't have many interactions. They would just treat each other as ordinary relatives.

It would be better not to meddle in the Meng family's affairs.

Shu Yu was about to politely decline her request when she saw Meng Han lower her head and say softly, "Actually, I came to the city this time to seek my cousin's advice. Although we are not close, he's someone who passed the provincial exam three times in a row and must be very intelligent."

Indeed, Meng Yunzheng was intelligent, but didn't they still strongly oppose him returning to the Meng family with Meng Pei before?

Meng Han sighed, "It's just that when I looked at my cousin's expression earlier, I felt a bit scared. I thought about how you, sister Shu Yu, managed to become a village head based on your own abilities and how my cousin values you so much. I'm sure you're also a very clever person. That's why I came to you for help."

Shu Yu pursed her lips. Just because you praised me, it doesn't mean I'll blindly agree.

Am I that superficial?

However, seeing Meng Han's situation, if she couldn't get help from her, she would probably go to Meng Yunzheng.

Meng Yunzheng wasn't a person with a soft heart, but if this matter involved his uncle, he wouldn't be able to turn a blind eye.

Both of them knew that Meng Yunzheng wasn't actually the Meng family's real son. However, Meng Yunzheng had always been treated with utmost sincerity by his uncle, who treated him like a true nephew. With just this point alone, Meng Yunzheng would lend a helping hand if he could.

Forget it, who else could she turn to?

Shu Yu looked up at Meng Han. "Tell me what you need help with."

If it wasn't something too troublesome, then maybe she would consider... considering it?

 Chapter 543: Hidden Malice (2)

Chen Ji's eyes dimmed, and he gently embraced Du Shi, saying indifferently, "It's not Lan'er's fault that we don't have children. Even if we don't have children, I will make sure everything is arranged for our future. I can't let Lan'er be without care in her old age!"

If he could, he certainly wished his beloved woman could bear him a child, even a daughter would be fine. But after so many years without any sign, he had given up hope!

Du Shi, upon hearing this, felt even more sorrowful. She leaned tightly against her husband's chest and said painfully, "If I hadn't abandoned those three children back then, maybe I wouldn't be unable to have children now. This must be Heaven's punishment for me, punishing me for being a cruel mother. It must be, it must be!"

Chen Ji's expression changed, and he scolded, "Don't think like that. Even if there is retribution, it's Heaven punishing me, not you!"

Worried that he might scare his wife, he softened his tone, a hint of suspicion appearing on his face. "All these years, you've never mentioned those three children in front of me. I didn't bring it up because I feared it would make you sad. Why are you mentioning it today... are you hiding something from me?"

Du Shi was startled, shaking her head in panic. "No, no! Today, I saw a couple with their children joyfully strolling in the street, and I thought of how I couldn't give you children to carry on the family line or let you enjoy the happiness of having a family. I couldn't help but think of those children! Ji Ge, I'm not hiding anything from you. Please don't be angry."

She couldn't, under any circumstances, let Ji Ge know that the children were also in the capital. Otherwise, he would definitely harm them! If she hadn't desperately stopped him back then, those three children and that man might have been harmed by Ji Ge. She already felt guilty enough towards them and couldn't let Ji Ge harm them now.

Seeing the flickering look in his wife's eyes, Chen Ji's gaze darkened with malice. He restrained himself from acting out, his expression becoming even more tender. "Lan'er, I'm not angry. It's just that seeing you so sad makes me feel bad too! If you want, I will send someone to Mo Family Village to bring those three children back to reunite with you! However, there were natural disasters and banditry in that area a couple of years ago. I don't know how things are now." As he spoke, he carefully observed his wife's reaction.

If she hadn't seen the three children before, Du Shi would have been very worried upon hearing this. But now, knowing that the children were safe and seemed to be doing well, she naturally wasn't as worried. However, to avoid arousing Chen Ji's suspicion, she still showed a concerned expression and said anxiously, "Ji Ge, then quickly send someone to check. If they're safe, let them stay there. If something has happened... it can only be their bad luck..."

Saying this, Du Shi's eyes reddened again, but not from worry. It was because she might never be able to reunite with her own children, or even receive their forgiveness.

She wasn't worried that her husband's people would find the children. The natural disasters and turmoil from a few years ago had displaced so many people that finding a few individuals would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Even if the children stood right in front of her husband, he might not recognize them.

But this time, Du Shi underestimated Chen Ji's determination.

Chen Ji nodded, agreeing without hesitation, "Lan'er, rest assured, I will definitely send someone to find out. Don't be sad about this, or else I will truly be angry."

Although he couldn't read much from Du Shi's expression, the naturally suspicious Chen Ji had already planted the seeds of doubt in his heart. He would indeed send someone to inquire, but he hoped to hear that Mo Yan and her siblings had perished in those disasters.

...This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://www.eternalnovelhits.com

To him, the three siblings were the offspring of his beloved woman and another man. He dreamed of them being dead.

 Chapter 542: Hidden Malice (1)

Du Shi returned home deeply troubled. Learning that her husband, Chen Ji, was in the study reading, she quickly changed into a new outfit, washed her face, and refreshed herself before personally carrying the ginseng soup from the kitchen to the study.

The two attendants of Chen Ji saw Du Shi arrive and quickly bowed. The attendant on the left, with a fawning attitude, said, “Madam, the master was just asking about you!”

Normally, Du Shi would respond gently, but feeling distressed at the moment, she simply nodded at them and pushed open the slightly ajar door, walking straight in.

The study door was firmly closed behind her, leaving the attendants outside puzzled.

“What’s wrong with the Madam? Could it be that the Young Miss upset her again?” the attendant on the left asked the one on the right curiously.

The attendant on the right shook his head and replied, “The Young Miss went to the Lin residence with the master early this morning to accompany the Lin family’s young lady. How could she have upset the Madam?”

“That’s strange. The Madam’s expression seems really bad today, and she came later than usual. Did she hear some gossip and think the master is involved with someone outside?” the attendant on the left murmured.

The attendant on the right’s gaze turned stern as he admonished, “The master and the Madam have a good relationship. Don’t spread nonsense! If the master and Madam find out you’re making up such stories, you’ll be in trouble!”

The attendant on the left, feeling guilty, glanced at the study door, slapped his own mouth, and dared not say anything more.

Seeing this, the attendant on the right felt relieved. Not only was there no one outside the master, but even if there were, the Madam wouldn’t know about it.

When Du Shi entered the study with the ginseng soup, Chen Ji quickly set aside his book and stepped forward to take the tray. He frowned and chided, “How many times have I told you? Let the servants handle such chores. The soup is so hot; what if you burn yourself?”

Hearing her husband’s seemingly reproachful yet caring words, Du Shi finally managed a smile. As she uncovered the soup bowl, she said, “Carrying a bowl of soup isn’t such a big deal that I’d burn myself. Besides, if a servant brought it, would you drink it?”

In the end, Du Shi shot Chen Ji a glance and handed him the bowl of soup.

Chen Ji chuckled and took the soup, drinking it slowly. He frequently glanced at his wife, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Although Chen Ji was forty-three and had an ordinary appearance with slightly drooping eyes that gave a shrewd impression, when he looked at Du Shi, he appeared entirely different. The tenderness in his eyes made him seem exceptionally gentle, completely unlike the ruthlessness he exhibited when committing murder.

Du Shi gazed at her husband’s graying temples and touched the fine lines at the corners of her eyes, her eyes uncontrollably misting up.

Despite the stigma of abandoning her husband and being scorned by many, despite being unable to acknowledge her children, she had no regrets about leaving everything behind and unconditionally following the man before her to become his wife. Apart from not having children, he had given her everything she wanted as a woman, and she should be content. But…

Chen Ji, attentive to every movement of Du Shi, noticed her reddening eyes and anxiously set down the bowl to hold her hand, asking, “Lan’er, what’s wrong? Did someone upset you today?” His eyes, once filled with tenderness, gradually darkened with a terrifying ferocity.

Du Shi took out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes and said dejectedly, “Ji Ge, no one has wronged me. It’s just that after all these years, I’m still unable to give you a son or a daughter, and it weighs heavily on me!”

 Chapter 541: Forgotten to Check the Almanac (3)

When Mo Yan heard someone calling her name unexpectedly, she looked up instinctively while talking to Xin’er and saw the last person she wanted to meet. She frowned, thinking, “I really didn’t check the almanac today!”

Realizing there were other people around, especially Xin’er, she tried to maintain a calm demeanor and forced a cold smile, saying, “Oh, it’s you, Madam. What a coincidence!”

Seeing the rejection in Mo Yan’s eyes, Du Shi’s expression flashed with pain but she quickly put on a forced smile and said, “It’s fate! From the first time I saw you, I felt a sense of familiarity. Who would have thought that in such a big city, we’d run into each other again? Isn’t this fate?”

Mo Yan nearly lost her false smile at these words. Just as she was about to make an excuse to leave, she heard Xin’er’s curious voice, “Madam, how do you know my sister’s name?”

Xin’er’s memory of Du Shi was from last winter when two carriages collided in the city, and Du Shi had intervened, preventing the situation from escalating. She had a good impression of Du Shi, who appeared kind and gentle. Hearing Du Shi mention her sister’s name in such a familiar manner made her curious.

Du Shi, upon noticing Xin’er and seeing her resemblance to herself, was instantly moved to tears, covering her mouth and unable to speak.

“Madam, are you alright?” Xin’er was startled, not expecting that her simple question would make Du Shi cry.

“…”

Seeing Xin’er’s helplessness, Du Shi wanted to say she was fine, but her mouth opened and closed without producing words, and her tears continued to fall more heavily.

Seeing Du Shi like this, Xin’er felt a pang in her heart and wanted to comfort her but didn’t know how to start. She looked pleadingly at her sister, hoping she could help.

Mo Yan sighed inwardly, thinking: Is this what they call a mother’s instinct? If Xin’er ever learns that this tearful woman is her mother who abandoned her, I wonder if she would choose to forgive or resent her.

Unable to bear Xin’er’s pleading look and the surrounding curious gazes, Mo Yan finally took out a clean handkerchief and handed it to Du Shi, her tone somewhat stern as she said, “Madam, this is Duobao Pavilion, not your home…”

Du Shi, thinking her daughter was concerned for her, gratefully accepted the handkerchief but hesitated to use it, carefully placing it in her sleeve before taking out her own handkerchief to wipe her tears, her voice quivering as she said, “I—I’m sorry for my behavior. Did I scare you?”

...This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://www.eternalnovelhits.com

Mo Yan observed her actions, frowned slightly, but chose not to comment further. She replied, “Madam, don’t take it the wrong way. I’m only concerned about potential misunderstandings, not your well-being.”

Du Shi understood the implication, and seeing her daughter’s indifferent gaze, she was heartbroken again, nearly breaking down in tears once more but managed to control herself.

At this moment, Wu Shi, who had been observing Du Shi for a while, suddenly changed her expression as if recognizing something, and stepped between Mo Yan and Du Shi, saying, “Yan’er, weren’t you going to pick out some jewelry? Let’s go quickly, we need to head back soon!”

Ignoring Du Shi, she took Mo Yan by one hand and Xin’er by the other, preparing to leave.

Mo Yan realized Wu Shi had recognized Du Shi. She quickly agreed with Wu Shi’s suggestion, saying, “Yes, let’s go now, or we’ll run out of time!”

Turning to Du Shi, she added, “Madam, we have things to attend to, so we’ll be leaving now. If you’re feeling distressed, try talking to your loved ones. It might help ease your pain since they’re your family.”

Without waiting to see if Du Shi understood her hint, Mo Yan left with Wu Shi and the others, guided by the shop assistant to a private room for guests.

Du Shi wanted to say something but found she couldn’t come up with a reason to keep her daughters. She stared blankly as they disappeared around the corner, her eyes filled with an unspoken sorrow.

……

After encountering two unwanted people in a row, Mo Yan, looking at the array of jewelry, forced herself to cheer up and selected two sets of exquisite pearl headpieces for Xin’er and Sheng’er. She also allowed Wu Shi and her daughter, Li Xiu and her niece, Sheng’er, and Tang Xin to pick their own items.

The group couldn’t refuse Mo Yan’s kindness and chose only the cheapest silver jewelry, adamantly refusing the beautiful and expensive gold and jade pieces Mo Yan had selected for them.

When they came out to pay, the shopkeeper informed them that someone had already paid for the items.

Mo Yan immediately guessed it was Du Shi who had paid in advance. Not wanting any involvement with Du Shi, she refused to use her money. Ignoring the shopkeeper’s bewildered look, she paid the 86 taels and 6 qian herself and instructed the shopkeeper to return the money to Du Shi next time she came.

Duobao Pavilion, a century-old shop, had a good reputation and wouldn’t risk damaging it by keeping the money Du Shi had provided. The shopkeeper agreed to Mo Yan’s request.

Though the encounter had somewhat dampened her shopping mood, Mo Yan didn’t want to spoil the outing for the others. Relying on her familiarity with the capital, she led everyone through nearby streets and alleys, buying everything they needed and more.

By the time the sun began to set, they returned to the shop, carrying heavy bags of items, and then went back to Liuyang Village with Li Zhong, Tietou, and Wang Pangtou.

Back home, Wu Shi, aware of Du Shi’s identity, casually inquired about Mo Yan’s acquaintance with her. Mo Yan briefly explained, pretending not to recognize Du Shi as the mother of the three siblings.

Wu Shi sighed in relief and sternly advised Mo Yan not to trust anything Du Shi said, fearing she might have ill intentions. Mo Yan, content to play dumb and having no intention of acknowledging Du Shi, readily agreed.

Xin’er, still puzzled, asked a few questions hesitantly. Mo Yan and Wu Shi skillfully deflected her inquiries, keeping the truth hidden.

No one planned to inform the Mo family, including Mo Yonglu and the others, about the encounter with Mo Er Ni’er. It was deemed unnecessary and avoiding them would prevent being hounded by the parasitic Mo Hongshi. Even though she hadn’t gained any benefit from the new brick houses after the autumn harvest, she was still a constant annoyance.

Chapter 1416: I Need Shu Yu's Help

Tao Shi was nearly infuriated; this father and daughter duo seemed to be deliberately causing trouble for her, weren't they? One followed everything Meng Yunzheng said, while the other couldn't make up her mind and didn't know whom to support.

She had hoped her daughter's arrival would be helpful, but now it seemed that her daughter was siding with Shu Yu instead.

Fuming with anger, Tao Shi didn't bother with Meng Yunzheng's uncle and stormed towards the door.

Meng Yunzheng looked at her retreating figure coldly, and then had Xia Yan take his uncle to the inn.

Meng Han stayed back, but seeing Meng Yunzheng's icy gaze, she felt a little uneasy. She regretted not going to the inn with her father.

Shu Yu looked at her with a smile and said, "Let's go and see the rooms."

Meng Yunzheng had rented a small courtyard with three rooms. Since they would be staying here for several months, he didn't want to skimp on comfort when it was possible.

Thus, he had one room, Xia Yan had another, and there was also a study room.

His room had a bed and a daybed, which Xia Yan occasionally used. Whenever Aunt He had something to attend to and stayed overnight, she would stay in Xia Yan's room, and he would sleep on the daybed.

This time, Meng Han would be staying here, so the daybed was for her to sleep on.

As they entered the room, Meng Han took a look around but didn't express any opinions. She sat down on the daybed.

Shu Yu was about to speak when Meng Yunzheng called her from outside.

She could only say to Meng Han, "Rest for a while, I'll be right back."

"Okay."

Shu Yu came out, and Meng Yunzheng ruffled her hair, apologizing, "I didn't know that my aunt and the others would come too."

Meng Yunzheng had mentally prepared himself for his uncle's arrival.

The day after the provincial exam results were announced, his uncle had come as well.

However, Tao Shi had never liked him. This time, not only did she come, but she also brought her daughter and niece with her. She even had the intention of matchmaking him with that Tao Qin.

If it weren't for his uncle being present, Meng Yunzheng didn't want this elder who had always been kind to him to be in a difficult position. He would have directly let Xia Yan drive Tao Shi away, regardless of whether she was a little aunt or a big aunt.

Shu Yu pulled his hand down. "It's fine. What's the big deal? She's just a jumping clown. She's not your mother, nor can she be considered a legitimate elder. It's okay to speak a bit harshly; she doesn't have any real power anyway."

"Well, in a couple of days, I'll go to the Meng family to pay my respects to my mother, then I'll head straight back to Jiangyuan County."

"Good, once you return to Jiangyuan County, that's our territory."

Seeing that she was in a good mood, Meng Yunzheng didn't bring up the Meng family again and asked about the Daoqing master.

Hearing that she left the Yuelai Inn immediately after leaving, Meng Yunzheng couldn't help but feel speechless; she was in such a hurry.

The two of them talked outside for a while, and Meng Han had already finished packing and was feeling drowsy, but she didn't see Shu Yu return to the room.

As she was shocked and wondering if the two of them were really going to sleep together, the door was finally opened.

Meng Han suddenly jolted and sat up straight. Shu Yu's footsteps paused as she whispered, "Did I wake you up?"

"No, no, I've been awake. I've been waiting for you."

Shu Yu was puzzled, "Waiting for me? What are you waiting for?"

Meng Han's eyes sparkled, and all signs of drowsiness vanished. She saw Shu Yu close the door and hurriedly stood up, saying, "I need sister Shu Yu's help with something."

 Chapter 1415: Meng Han

Tao Shi's face darkened, and she glared at her.

Meng Han lowered her head but muttered, "I didn't say anything wrong."

Shu Yu looked at her in surprise. She thought Meng Han didn't like Meng Yunzheng and was probably forced to come here by Tao Shi. She expected her to remain silent until they left, but she didn't anticipate that Meng Han would speak up for her.

In return, Shu Yu used the public chopsticks to pick up a chicken leg and passed it to Meng Han, saying, "Little sister Han, eat more. You look too thin."

Meng Han lifted her head and smiled at her.

"All right, all right, why talk about this? Ah Yun did nothing wrong, and Shu Yu did the right thing. Both of them are people who clearly distinguish grudges and kindness, they are impressive, how can you call them malicious?" Meng Yunzheng's uncle banged on the table and looked at Tao Shi and Tao Qin. "Today is a joyous occasion, why are you saying these things?"

He wasn't a fool; he could see that his wife was targeting Shu Yu.

However, he didn't expect his wife to have such thoughts about Meng Yunzheng. After all, in his opinion, since Yunzheng was already engaged, as a man, he should be loyal and righteous. That was what a true man and husband should be.

In his eyes, Meng Yunzheng was a thousand times good, a real hero who had concealed himself for more than ten years to avenge his mother.

Therefore, he thought that his wife couldn't stand Shu Yu, so she instructed Tao Qin to say some unpleasant words.

Having been interrupted, Tao Shi and Tao Qin didn't know how to respond.

The rest of the meal went on quietly, except for Meng Yunzheng's occasional attentive actions towards Shu Yu, which made Tao Qin's eyes turn red.

After the meal that lasted half an hour, Meng Yunzheng's uncle finally stood up reluctantly.

The sky had already darkened, so Meng Yunzheng didn't stay long. "I've arranged two rooms in a nearby inn for my uncle. I'll take him there."

It was fortunate that many students who hadn't passed the exams or had already left after the exam results were announced, so the inns and restaurants had some vacant rooms.

He had already instructed Xia Yan to find two rooms when he returned, which were about a mile away from this courtyard.

Tao Shi held his other hand and said, "Why only two rooms? There are four of us, plus Shu Yu and her servant. We need at least three rooms."

"Ah Yun, have Xia Yan book another room for you," she said.

Meng Yunzheng's patience with Tao Shi's repeated antagonism towards Shu Yu was wearing thin.

His tone turned cold, "No need. Ah Yu will stay here."

"Isn't it inappropriate?" Tao Shi said, "Although you are already engaged, you are still unmarried. If you live together, it might tarnish Shu Yu's reputation. You young people don't understand anything. It was passable before, but today, with the two of us, the elders, here, we should remind you a bit."

"Elders?" Meng Yunzheng sneered, "You're indeed good at playing the elder card today."

Tao Shi widened her eyes; she didn't expect him to speak so impolitely.

Feeling annoyed, she tugged at Meng Yunzheng's uncle, who had a headache, "Enough, this is Ah Yun's business, why do you interfere so much?"

"I do it for their own good. Yunzheng has gained fame now, and reputation is crucial."

"Mother, if you're worried, I can stay here with Sister Shu Yu. That way, no one will say anything, right?" Meng Han spoke up again.

Chapter 1414: So I Went and Smashed Her Family

Thinking about this, Tao Qin couldn't help but clench her fists.

This was the first time she had been so close to a young man who would become an important official in the future. Moreover, he was not only talented in both literature and martial arts, with a bright future ahead, but also exceptionally handsome, better-looking than anyone she had ever seen.

Such an outstanding man would make any woman's heart flutter.

Unfortunately, he was already engaged, but that didn't matter. After all, he hadn't gotten married yet, and she had a natural advantage. After all, her aunt and uncle were Meng Yunzheng's uncle and aunt.

Tao Qin took a deep breath, and her gaze towards Meng Yunzheng became even more intense.

Unable to contain herself, when the topic about Meng Yunzheng's uncle concluded, she suddenly spoke up, "Lu... Miss Lu, I heard that you were once exiled. Is it true? Why? Did you commit some crime?"

Her words silenced everyone at the dining table, and they looked at Tao Qin with surprise.

Only Meng Yunzheng and Shu Yu didn't raise their heads. One was peeling shrimp, and the other was eating vegetables.

The dishes had been on the table for a while, and if they didn't start eating soon, the food would get cold, and the flavors would diminish.

Feeling the silence, Tao Qin shrunk her neck, "Did I... did I say something wrong? I'm sorry."

She lowered her head.

However, Shu Yu put down her chopsticks and smiled, "No, you didn't say anything wrong. It's true that I was once exiled."

She brought up the topic without any reservation, leaving Tao Qin and the others stunned.

Shu Yu finally looked at Tao Qin, "As for the reason, it's not complicated either. When I was a child, my grandmother sold me to the prefect magistrate's family. Later, when the magistrate's family got into trouble, I, as the adopted daughter, got implicated and was exiled together with them."

Tao Qin widened her eyes and exclaimed, "Ah? Your grandmother sold you? How could she do that? Did she want you to live a good life?"

Shu Yu smiled wryly, "Of course not. She didn't know who the buyer was, she did it for the money."

"That's so cruel of her."

Shu Yu nodded, "Yes, that's why after I returned to my family, I took an axe and went to her house to smash everything. Now, my two uncles—one lost a tooth, and the other had his leg broken!!"

As she spoke, her eyes turned cold.

Tao Shi and Tao Qin trembled inexplicably, and both leaned back in their seats.

When they regained their composure, they were somewhat indignant and sat up straight again.

Tao Shi frowned and said, "Shu Yu, I don't mean to criticize you, but your grandmother, although she did something wrong, is still your elder. What you did was... it's too vicious."

"Vicious?" Shu Yu smiled and looked at the two opposite her.

Tao Shi didn't approve, and Tao Qin seemed to expect Meng Yunzheng to reprimand Shu Yu as well.

So, Shu Yu looked at him, "Ah Yun, what do you think?"

Meng Yunzheng placed a bowl of peeled shrimp in front of her and said, "Eat."

Then he wiped his hands with a handkerchief and raised his head, appearing to be in thought, "I think that I also sent my foster father, who raised me for more than ten years, to be beheaded. We really are... a perfect match."

"I think so too," Shu Yu said with a smile, enjoying the shrimp he peeled for her, eating it with relish.

Meng Yunzheng then turned to look at Tao Shi, "Auntie, do you think I'm also vicious?"

Tao Shi's expression froze, and she awkwardly chuckled, "How... how could that be? You were avenging your mother."

Meng Han, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up, "Then, Sister Shu Yu was avenging herself too."

 Chapter 1413: Someone from the Old Meng Family is Going to be an Official

Meng Yunzheng's lips curled up, but there was no trace of a smile in his eyes. "Auntie, I'm afraid that won't do. I came to the city to study, and I rarely go out, so I might not be as familiar with this place as Uncle."

Meng Yunzheng's uncle immediately chimed in, "Exactly, exactly. Ah Yun came here to study, so he wouldn't know which medical clinic is good and which doctor is skilled. Didn't I tell you before I came? I know two highly skilled doctors. I'll take you and Ah Qin to see them tomorrow."

Tao Shi's expression stiffened, and she exchanged a glance with Tao Qin. Both of them fell silent.

Shu Yu just watched like a spectator, Tao Shi's intentions were too obvious.

Meng Yunzheng ignored Tao Shi and turned to look inside and outside the courtyard, not seeing Dongqing's Daoist Master. He then looked at Shu Yu with some suspicion.

"Where's Master?"

"Gone."

Meng Yunzheng didn't ask any further. He was quite familiar with Dongqing Temple Master's casual nature. After meeting Shu Yu, he probably went straight to the capital.

He nodded and turned to chat with his uncle.

Tao Shi couldn't join the conversation, so she could only signal to Tao Qin to get closer to Meng Yunzheng.

However, Tao Qin was eyeing Shu Yu, seemingly eager to win her over.

Shu Yu resisted the urge to roll her eyes. This woman seemed to have some problems with her thinking. She had Meng Yunzheng as her target, but she was dealing with Shu Yu? It made no sense.

Thankfully, before long, Ying Xi returned with several dishes from a nearby restaurant.

Meng Yunzheng invited everyone to sit down, and Tao Shi's eyes wandered. She saw that Meng Yunzheng's uncle had already sat next to Meng Yunzheng, so she quickly called her daughter, "Ah Han, sit next to your brother and get to know each other better. After all, you haven't seen each other for so many years. Have a nice chat."

She didn't push Tao Qin towards Meng Yunzheng, as that would be too obvious and inappropriate.

But seating her daughter next to her nephew would separate him from Shu Yu.

Shu Yu found Tao Shi's childish behavior very speechless, but Meng Yunzheng furrowed his brow when he saw the arrangement. He told Meng Han, who was about to sit down, "Ah Han, sit over here. I have something to talk to Ah Yu about."

Meng Han hesitated for a moment but obediently moved to the side.

Tao Shi glared at her with a bit of frustration but couldn't say much.

Shu Yu nodded at Meng Han and took a seat gracefully.

Meng Yunzheng's uncle was indeed a good drinker, and especially today, he was particularly happy. As soon as he sat down, he filled his cup, "Come, Ah Yun, have a few drinks with your uncle. Our old Meng family is now in the limelight. You don't know, for several generations, the Meng family has been a family of warriors. When it comes to studying, we get headaches, let alone taking the imperial examinations. In this big family, only one Jinshi scholar has emerged in these decades. But you, you're the only one in our old Meng family who has become a scholar with honors. Hahaha."

He patted Meng Yunzheng's shoulder, "I believe, with your talent and ability, becoming a Jinshi scholar and then passing the imperial examinations is definitely not a problem. When you become an official, our old Meng family's ancestors will be pleased. Ah Yun, you're amazing, and your uncle is proud of you."

Meng Yunzheng didn't drink much and just listened quietly.

But Tao Shi and Tao Qin were excited by Meng Yunzheng's uncle's words.

Yes, Meng Yunzheng achieved honors and is a Jinshi scholar. Passing the imperial examinations shouldn't be difficult for him. If they marry him, they would become an official's wife.

  Chapter 540: Forgotten to Check the Almanac (2)

Mo Yan chuckled softly, crouching down in front of Qiu Yue. She lightly lifted Qiu Yue’s chin with her index finger, examined her, and then glanced at Mo Er Ni’er, who was angrily trying to come over. With a tone that was half-sincere and half-fake, she said to Qiu Yue, “You don’t seem like a fool. How did you end up being used as a pawn so easily? I know Mo Er Ni’er well; she’s trying to use you to deal with me. Besides seeking revenge, she wants to make you fall out of favor with your young lady. That way, she’ll have a chance to stand out and possibly replace you. Don’t be foolish and mistake a venomous snake for a sister. You might not even know how you died in the end.”

Qiu Yue’s expression changed, her eyes filled with suspicion as she looked at Mo Yan, clearly having a hard time believing what she was hearing.

Mo Yan, maintaining her calm demeanor, added fuel to the fire. “Think about it, Miss Qiu Yue. Do those colors of fabric really suit you?”

Qiu Yue’s skin was darker, and she was well aware that lake blue and light cyan were not flattering for her.

Indeed, upon hearing Mo Yan’s words, Qiu Yue’s face turned even uglier, her cold gaze now directed at Mo Er Ni’er, showing her complete disdain.

Seeing this, Mo Yan nodded with satisfaction and turned to Wu Shi and the others, saying, “Don’t stop her. People like her don’t need anyone else to act against them; they’ll destroy themselves sooner or later!”

With that, she no longer watched the unfolding drama and took the fabric from the stunned shopkeeper, heading straight out of the fabric shop.

Mo Er Ni’er’s arrogance was merely the result of being a dog under the wing of a powerful master. Now, with Qiu Yue likely holding a grudge against her, Mo Er Ni’er’s days ahead would not be pleasant without any further effort from Mo Yan.

As for the so-called Miss Lin, although Mo Yan was unclear about the Lin family’s influence, she was not truly afraid of her!

If that so-called Lin young lady were petty and insisted on defending a servant, she would have to weigh whether it was worth it. After all, Yan Junyu was her own ally. Though their relationship was not that close, the initial agreement meant Yan Junyu would not stand by and do nothing, and few in the capital would dare to go against him.

...This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://www.eternalnovelhits.com

Relying on others’ influence might not be ideal, but it was certainly better than being powerless against bullying!

Moreover, Qiu Yue would likely try to recoup her grievances from Mo Er Ni’er, whether or not Mo Yan’s words had any effect. She would not bring this matter to the Lin young lady’s attention, as it would be to no benefit for her. As for Mo Er Ni’er, a mere servant who ranked low in her master’s eyes, there was nothing to worry about.

On the street, Xin’er, Da Ni, and others watched Mo Yan with admiring eyes, eager to learn how she handled the argument. They were amazed at how their sister (Yan Mei) resolved the situation so effortlessly, even managing to get the fabric they wanted back. It was truly impressive!

Feeling their intense gaze, Mo Yan shook her head in resignation. Noticing the nearby Duobao Pavilion, she decided to step inside. Few women could resist the allure of jewelry, and distracting them with some accessories would be a great idea.

As the group of seven or eight entered, the once quiet and sparsely populated Duobao Pavilion instantly became lively, attracting the attention of other customers.

Du Shi, having chosen her jewelry, emerged from the private room and immediately spotted the child who had caused her so much pain. She approached with excitement, ignoring the surprised looks from others, and called softly, “Yan’er…”

 Chapter 1412: Meng Yunzheng's Return

Shu Yu sighed and said apologetically, "Auntie, I did want to cook myself. But, my cooking skills are not that good, and Ah Yun feels sorry for me and would eat even if it tastes bad. But I can't subject you all to that. You came all the way here, so you should have a good meal."

Tao Shi suggested, "Then, you don't have to buy from the restaurant. If your cooking skills are not good, you can assist Aunt He in the kitchen. Let her cook."

Shu Yu's expression turned cold, with a smile that was not quite a smile, "But Aunt He hurt her hand before, and it's inconvenient for her to handle the cooking utensils now."

Just as she finished speaking, Aunt He, who was just finishing up with the chicken, walked in from the back door, and Shu Yu glanced at her.

Aunt He sighed and said, "It hurts so much, it hurts so much. How come the old injury flared up while slaughtering the chicken? I need to find some ointment."

Aunt He headed back to the kitchen.

Shu Yu looked at Tao Shi and smiled, "Auntie, you don't seem too tired. If you're worried about spending too much money buying from the restaurant, how about you cook? I can assist you; after all, you're my elder, and you understand Uncle and Ah Han's tastes better."

Tao Shi's face darkened, and Meng Yunzheng's uncle finally sensed that something was not right with the atmosphere.

He frowned and pulled Tao Shi aside, "What did you just say? How can you let Shu Yu assist Aunt He? It doesn't sound good if word gets out."

Tao Shi's expression stiffened.

At that moment, a voice came from the back door again.

Aunt He came out of the kitchen and said, "Young Master Meng is back."

As soon as she finished speaking, Meng Yunzheng's uncle rushed out.

"Ah Yun."

Meng Yunzheng, who was walking in with his head down, heard the familiar voice and stopped in his tracks, looking up in surprise.

"Uncle?!"

"Hahaha." Meng Yunzheng's uncle was overjoyed and patted Meng Yunzheng's shoulder, "Well done! You didn't embarrass the Meng family. You even achieved the First place in the prefectural examination. You've made our family proud."

Meng Yunzheng relaxed when he saw his uncle's expression, "Uncle, there's no need to praise me."

As they chatted and walked towards the living room, Meng Yunzheng's relaxed expression disappeared when he saw Tao Shi.

Clearly, his relationship with Tao Shi was not very good.

When he reached Shu Yu, he whispered, "How was it? Did Tao Shi give you a hard time?"

Shu Yu smiled, "No, everything's fine. How did you manage to escape? Didn't they stop you?"

"They did." But he managed to push them away since Shu Yu said she wanted to go back to celebrate.

Who knew that their celebration plans would be ruined? Not only did Meng Yunzheng's uncle come, but Tao Shi also showed up.

Meng Yunzheng wasn't too pleased, but in front of Meng Yunzheng's uncle, he didn't want to show too much.

As they entered the house, they saw Meng Han and Tao Qin. Meng Yunzheng's eyebrows tightened even more.

He looked at his uncle, "Who is this..."

Before Meng's uncle could speak, Tao Shi quickly said, "This is Ah Qin, my brother's daughter."

"What brings Tao Miss here?"

"Ah Qin hasn't been feeling well these days, and we happened to come to the Changjin city, so we brought her to see a doctor. Ah Yun, you've been living here for a while and are familiar with the place. Can you introduce a good doctor here and take her to see?"

Meng Yunzheng suddenly felt like laughing. Tao Shi used to look down on him. What's her intention now?

 Chapter 539: Forgotten to Check the Almanac (1)

Mo Er Ni’er’s greatest pride was successfully persuading her guardian, Steward Song, to leave the Xue family. By a stroke of luck, she then entered the influential Lin family as a third-class maid.

If the Wei Yuan Marquis House and the Wu An Duke House were the two top families in the capital, the Lin family was one of the major families just below them. The current head of the Lin family was the Minister of Revenue, managing the country’s treasury. With the Lin family’s talent and their close ties to the favored Prince Heng, they wielded significantly more power than other ministers.

Even as a third-class maid, Mo Er Ni’er felt superior with such a powerful backing. The influence of the Lin family allowed her to intimidate others with ease.

After enjoying a period of smooth sailing in the Lin family, seeing Mo Yan and her group today, Mo Er Ni’er decided to scheme against Mo Yan by goading Qiu Yue into causing trouble. She believed that Mo Yan, being merely a powerless village girl, could be easily dealt with using the Lin family’s influence, which would allow her to vent her frustrations.

However, her plans were destined to fail.

Seeing Mo Er Ni’er’s smug expression, Mo Yan remained unperturbed and calmly replied, “The Lin family’s young lady? Even if she has power and influence, does that mean she can bully ordinary people without cause? We haven’t even seen her, let alone offended her. Even if we had, we merely bought two pieces of fabric before you did. Is it that a noble young lady cannot even tolerate such a minor grievance? If word gets out, how will that reflect on her reputation? Or is it that you don’t like your own mistress and are deliberately tarnishing her name?”

Mo Yan stretched her tone, looking at the pale-faced Mo Er Ni’er and Qiu Yue with feigned surprise. “From the looks of you, am I right? Are you deliberately creating trouble to damage the young lady’s reputation?”

Mo Er Ni’er or Qiu Yue, shocked and fearful, did not expect Mo Yan to twist the situation this way. They were now deeply afraid.

If the young lady heard this and even if she believed in their innocence, she wouldn’t let them off easily. The young lady’s temperament meant they would face severe punishment, possibly even being sold to brothels. None of the servants who had angered her before had ended well.

...This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://www.eternalnovelhits.com

Thinking of this, Mo Er Ni’er wished she could tear Mo Yan apart. Gritting her teeth, she said, “You’re talking nonsense! Our young lady is kind and benevolent. How dare you slander her reputation? I’ll go back and report this to her immediately!”

Frightened, Qiu Yue also reacted, pointing at Mo Yan and shouting, “You sharp-tongued wench! How dare you defame our young lady like this? If we don’t deal with you today, you’ll never know how formidable she is!”

With that, she bypassed Wu Shi and the others, charging at Mo Yan and delivering a heavy slap.

Mo Yan sneered and easily intercepted Qiu Yue’s wrist, twisting and pushing her with a skillful move, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Mo Yan looked at her own hands, brushing off imaginary dust with satisfaction. It seemed that all the farm work and the spiritual spring water had paid off; she had gained considerable strength!

Qiu Yue, frightened, looked at Mo Yan approaching her and scrambled backward, terrified of being struck. 

Chapter 1411: Tao Shi

Shu Yu took the opportunity to sit down on a chair and smiled, "Auntie, you're just joking. How could I bother with such things? Ignorance is forgivable. Now that you know my identity, I believe you will treat me as well as you do Ah Yun."

Tao Shi's thought, "...Who said I'll treat you well?"

Meng Yunzheng's uncle nodded beside them and said with a smile, "That's right, you and Ah Yun are engaged, and you will be family from now on. Ah Yun is a good kid, and you are too. If you need any help in the future, just ask your uncle. If Ah Yun ever bullies you, I'll stand up for you."

His enthusiasm made Shu Yu feel a bit overwhelmed by Meng Yunzheng's uncle.

Tao Shi was even more angry, and she gave Meng Yunzheng's uncle a fierce stare, but he didn't notice and stared at thin air instead.

Tao Shi could only rub her forehead and inserted into his non-stop chatter, "When did Lu Xiangjun arrive? You..."

Meng Yunzheng's uncle interrupted, "Why call her Lu Xiangjun? That's too distant. She's Ah Yun's fiancée, so just call her Ah Yu. We don't need to be formal with family."

Tao Shi, "..."

Shu Yu almost burst into laughter.

She nodded, "Yes, Auntie, you don't need to be formal."

Tao Shi could only force a smile. She was extremely annoyed with Meng Yunzheng's uncle's interference, but what could she do? He was her husband, and she had to endure it.

After being interrupted several times, Tao Shi didn't know what to say to Shu Yu.

However, the girl on the left, who had caught Shu Yu's attention earlier, suddenly asked, "Miss Lu, why were you wearing a robe earlier? You looked like you were about to do some work. Doesn't the house have servants?"

Shu Yu raised her head, "And you are..."

Meng's uncle immediately introduced, "This is Ah Han's cousin, Tao Qin."

Ah Han was the girl on the right, Meng Yunzheng's uncle's daughter.

Cousin from the maternal side? That means she's the daughter of Tao Shi's sibling?

Now, it's getting interesting. Why did they bring their cousin along?

Tao Shi sat up straight after hearing Tao Qin's question and smiled, "Yes, Ah Yu, why were you wearing a robe earlier?"

Shu Yu glanced at Tao Qin and saw her bowing her head. Shu Yu smiled and faced Tao Shi, "Oh, Auntie, you see, Ah Yun passed the provincial exam today, so it's a joyous occasion. Of course, we need to celebrate. That's why I changed clothes and planned to help Auntie He prepare a delicious meal."

Tao Shi's eyes lit up, "I see. Then, we must have disturbed you. You can go and cook; no need to entertain us. Making the meal is more important, and it's getting late."

Shu Yu nodded, "You're right. It's getting late, and Ah Yun should be back soon."

Tao Shi felt somewhat satisfied; at least this girl was sensible. But she was still puzzled by the fact that Shu Yu wanted to cook herself and then let the maid go to a restaurant to buy food and wine. The dishes and wine in the restaurant were not cheap.

 Chapter 1410: Meng Yunzheng's Uncle

Meng Yunzheng's uncle hurriedly put down his cup and wiped his mouth. He looked at Tao Shi and asked, "What are you doing?"

Tao Shi pointed at Shu Yu angrily and said, "Didn't you hear what she just said?"

"What did she say?" Meng Yunzheng's uncle didn't quite understand.

Tao Shi sighed in exasperation, "She called Yunzheng 'Ah Yun.' Is that how a hired helper should address him?"

Looking at Shu Yu, Tao Shi sneered, "Do you not know the rules? Ah Yun is the master, so you should address him as 'Young Master.' What's with your behavior? Do you think of yourself as the mistress of this house? Do you know that Ah Yun is already engaged?"

Meng Yunzheng's uncle was taken aback for a moment but soon nodded with a serious expression.

Shu Yu was also stunned for a moment, then she understood the misunderstanding.

She smiled and took off the oversized robe, revealing a more refined and beautiful outfit underneath.

...This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com

Her already lovely appearance, combined with the change of clothes, gave a completely different impression.

Shu Yu smiled and said, "You are Ah Yun's uncle and aunt, right? I forgot to introduce myself earlier. Hello, I am Lu Shuyu, originally from Jiangyuan County, Dong'an Prefecture. I am Yunzheng's fiancée, and we got engaged last year."

After hearing her words, the four people present widened their eyes in shock.

The girl on the left almost dropped the cup cover in her hand.

Shu Yu noticed this and squinted her eyes, but before she could think further, Meng Yunzheng's uncle stood up abruptly, delighted, and stood in front of Shu Yu, "You, you are Shuyu? You've come to Changjin Prefecture!"

"Uncle, it's a pleasure to meet you for the first time." Shu Yu faced him with a warm smile.

Everyone else was unfamiliar to her, but she had heard a lot about Meng Yunzheng's uncle from Meng Pei and Meng Yunzheng.

He was genuinely happy to see her.

Meng Yunzheng's uncle waved his hands repeatedly, "No need for pleasantries, it's our fault for not informing you and just coming over like this. Did we startle you? Ah Yun often mentions you to me, saying that you are kind, generous, intelligent, and beautiful. Today, seeing you in person, it's indeed true. When did you arrive? Are you worried about Ah Yum? Hahaha, I just passed by the bulletin board earlier, and I heard that Ah Yun ranked first in this year's Prefectural examination. He's really making the Meng family proud, full of prospects."

He was beaming, talking a bit too much, but his joyful and excited emotions were contagious.

"By the way, is everything fine at home? My eldest brother went back to Jiangyuan County after the New Year. It's been almost half a year since I last saw him. Is he still in good health?"

Once he knew Shu Yu's identity, he kept talking non-stop, as if he intended to have a long chat.

Tao Shi's head was pounding, and she wanted to slam the table again.

She coughed heavily, interrupting Meng Yunzheng's uncle's chatter.

Only then did Tao Shi force a smile and observe Shu Yu, "So, you are Lu Xiangjun. Earlier, with your attire, I thought you were hired to do chores and cleaning for Yunzheng. What a misunderstanding. Please don't take it to heart, my dear niece."

Shu Yu could tell whether her words were sincere or not.

Especially when Tao Shi mentioned her, she used the title "Lu Xiangjun" instead of directly addressing her by name. And the way she mentioned Shu Yu's attire clearly had a hint of sarcasm.

What's wrong? Is it inappropriate for a "Xiangjun" to wear a robe? Or is it that even with the title, she's still seen as a lowly country girl, unfit for higher society?

Chapter 1409: The Arrival of the Meng Family

Shu Yu was taken aback and turned her head. At this time, who could be knocking on the door?

Aunt He was busy slaughtering a chicken, with blood on her hands, making it inconvenient for her to open the door.

Ying Xi was tending to the horses in the stable, leaving Shu Yu the only one available.

She wiped her hands and turned to open the door.

"Who is it?"

As the door opened, Shu Yu looked up and saw four people standing outside, one man and three women.

Among them, one man and one woman appeared slightly older, while the other two women were quite young, similar to Shu Yu's age.

...This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com

The people outside the door also looked at Shu Yu in surprise. The older woman turned to ask the man beside her, "Are you sure you didn't get the wrong place? Is this really the courtyard where Yunzheng lives?"

The man scratched his head and replied in a low voice, "No mistake, this is the place."

"Then, is this the woman you mentioned, Aunt He?"

The man shook his head, whispering, "Of course not. Maybe she's a new helper hired to do some work."

Shu Yu had just changed into clean clothes and wore a loose robe provided by Aunt He. She tied her hair back and wore a headscarf, giving her a somewhat... shabby appearance.

Her current appearance caused the people at the door to have various expressions on their faces.

The older woman, after observing Shu Yu, couldn't connect her with the hired helper mentioned by her husband. The woman was too young and beautiful. How could Yunzheng have such a person by his side and still focus on his studies?

Although Shu Yu had never met these people before, she recognized them from the way the woman mentioned Meng Yunzheng's name. Moreover, the man beside her resembled Meng Pei, so even if she were slow, she could guess their identities.

The older man and woman should be Meng Yunzheng's uncle and aunt, while the two younger girls were probably his sisters.

Today was the day when Meng Yunzheng's provincial examination results were announced, so it was not unexpected for them to come.

Shu Yu composed herself and smiled, saying, "This is indeed Meng Yunzheng's home. Please come in."

There were still onlookers outside who were curious, so it would be better to talk inside.

Shu Yu stepped aside, and the four people walked into the courtyard.

Once inside, Meng Yunzheng's uncle immediately recognized Aunt He and proudly said to his wife, Tao Shi, "See, I told you we didn't get it wrong. This is Aunt He."

He had visited this small courtyard once before, last time when the results of the county examination were announced. He had met Aunt He back then.

Aunt He also noticed them and was about to stand up.

But her hands were covered in feathers, and her clothes were stained with blood.

Shu Yu spoke to her, "Aunt He, you continue, and I will take care of this."

"Eh? Alright."

Tao Shi frowned and looked at Shu Yu. Did this girl not realize her own identity? The way she spoke to Aunt He, with that tone and attitude, was like she was the mistress of this house.

Tao Shi was not pleased and walked to the main room before sitting down. She then asked Shu Yu, "Where is Yunzheng? Why haven't we seen him?"

Smiling, Shu Yu poured tea for everyone. "Ah Yun met with some fellow candidates to discuss academic matters, so he hasn't returned yet. As for you..."

Before Shu Yu could finish her sentence, there was a loud "bang," and Tao Shi slammed the table.

Everyone was startled, and Meng Yunzheng's uncle almost choked on his tea.

 Chapter 1408: A Knock on the Door

Ying Xi stopped the carriage from a distance and said, "Miss..."

Shu Yu followed her gaze and saw many students standing at the entrance of the small courtyard. Not only them, but there were also some servants and maids waiting there. In addition to them, several local women were sitting there chatting with small stools.

It seemed like all these people were waiting for Meng Yunzheng to return.

Shu Yu didn't expect that a scholar's achievement in the preliminary examination would have such a significant impact, causing so many people to wait for him.

And this was just for the provincial examination. If he were to pass the imperial examination and become a top scholar, the scene might become even more overwhelming.

Suddenly, someone ran over and shouted, "Why are you all still waiting here? Master Meng is at the Yuelai Tavern, exchanging knowledge with many other candidates. It looks like they are going to have a late-night discussion, and he probably won't return tonight. Go and check it out!"

After saying that, the person turned around and ran towards Yuelai Tavern.

...This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com

The people at the entrance of the courtyard looked at each other, and the students quickly followed the person and left. The servants and maids hesitated for a moment and also dispersed.

The remaining nearby women were still there since they wouldn't go to the tavern to discuss anything. Moreover, the courtyard was closer to their homes, so they continued to wait outside.

Shu Yu thought the crowd would disperse quickly, but it seemed that these women gathered even closer.

She could only say to Ying Xi, "Let's use the back door."

Some people had also been guarding the back door, but they left after hearing about Meng Yunzheng. Thus, no one was there now.

Shu Yu breathed a sigh of relief, got off the carriage, and used the key to open the door.

As she entered the house, Aunt He, the housekeeper, greeted her, "Miss."

She looked behind Shu Yu but didn't see Meng Yunzheng, feeling puzzled. "Isn't Master at home?"

"He met some fellow candidates and hasn't come back yet."

Aunt He nodded after hearing that and then got excited. "Miss, do you know...?"

"Did he get the top score in the prefectural examination?"

Aunt He nodded rapidly, "Yes, yes, Master Meng is truly amazing. People are saying he has a bright future ahead. The messenger came not long after you left this morning, and I was astonished when I heard the news. Fortunately, I reacted quickly and closed the door; otherwise, all those people outside would have rushed in."

Shu Yu tilted her head, observing Aunt He, who was smiling brightly. She suddenly felt a bit unsure, lowering her gaze to check herself, and then said, "Why, is something the matter, Aunt He?"

"Nothing, it's just that when Miss talks, it always makes me feel comfortable."

Aunt He laughed a couple of times, feeling that Miss's words had a unique charm.

Shu Yu sighed softly. "Aunt He, you can't say that. Your current appearance shows that you genuinely feel happy for Yun'er and treat him as your own."

Aunt He touched her head, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "I might have been a bit too talkative."

"That's not true. Your behavior shows that you are sincerely happy for Ah Yun. Please help me in the kitchen, alright?"

"Sure." Having an engaged young lady at home is different indeed.

Aunt He gathered all the ingredients and went to the courtyard to slaughter a chicken.

Shu Yu went to change her clothes. Just as she was about to start cooking, there was a sudden knock on the front door.