“No way. I can’t let myself end up like in my past life. I must find a way to redeem myself before the Wang family sells me off.”

“Zhenzhen, do you know how much money I need to redeem myself?”

Zhenzhen, still feeling pleased about successfully applying medicine to the Young Master’s wife, was caught off guard by Rongrong’s question and didn’t immediately react. “Redeem yourself? Who needs to redeem themselves?”

“I want to redeem myself. Zhenzhen, do you know how much money is needed?”

“It seems like it would be thirty taels. Why are you suddenly talking about redeeming yourself?” Zhenzhen was extremely surprised.

Rongrong didn’t answer right away, but was calculating in her mind.

The original owner’s makeup box had saved up seven taels of loose silver, so she was short by about twenty taels.

She knew that many palace maids had secretly embroidered items and sold them outside the palace, earning two or three taels at a time.

Although she couldn’t get the materials from the palace now, she remembered the popular embroidery patterns and techniques.

If she worked diligently, she should be able to save enough in a year.

“Rongrong, say something. Are you feeling confused again?” Seeing Rongrong dazed, Zhenzhen anxiously reached out to touch her forehead.

Rongrong then came back to her senses. “I’m fine.”

“Fine?” Zhenzhen was not convinced. “You’ve been so absent-minded today.”

Before Rongrong could answer, Zhenzhen exclaimed, “Could it be that you were frightened by the Young Master’s wife? Is that why you want to redeem yourself?”

“Yes,” Rongrong knew that the original owner’s greatest hope was to become a concubine, so she couldn’t tell the truth.

To avoid raising suspicions, she followed Zhenzhen’s guess, “I’ve decided that the Young Master’s wife won’t tolerate us. It’s better to redeem myself and live a peaceful life outside.”

Hearing this, Zhenzhen’s eyes sparkled, but she shook her head helplessly after a moment. “I don’t know if you’re scared by this incident.

But Rongrong, if life outside the Duke’s residence were better, why would we have been sold here as servants?

You were sold into the residence by your family, so you don’t know the hardships outside.

I lost my parents when I was five and was sold and resold for three or four years.

That kind of life is truly harsh. For people like us, being a concubine to the Young Master is already the best possible outcome.”

Rong Rong was taken aback by Zhen Zhen’s heartfelt words and found herself speechless for a moment.

…

After paying respects to his parents, Xie Yuancho headed straight to the courtyard his wife, Wang Shi.

“Young master.” Wang Shi stood at the gate of the courtyard, dressed impeccably and greeted Xie Yuancho with utmost respect.

Wang Shi, hailing from a noble family in Longnan, had impeccable manners and education.

Initially displeased with Wang Shi due to the situation with Rong Rong, Xie Yuancho found himself unable to express his dissatisfaction upon seeing her composed and gentle demeanor.

He stepped forward to help her up.

“We are husband and wife; such formalities are unnecessary.”

Wang Shi’s hands were cold to the touch, indicating she had been waiting outside for quite some time.

Xie Yuancho squeezed her hands gently, expressing his concern, “Why didn’t you use a hand warmer?”

“It’s only right for me to greet you at the main gate upon your return to the manor. I am grateful you don’t blame me for not doing so,” Wang Shi said, lowering her eyes shyly. “I’ve prepared dinner at the Rongkang Courtyard. I wonder if mother has already had you stay for a meal.”

“No, I came specifically to dine with you.” Xie Yuancho held Wang Shi’s hand and led her towards the main house.

Feeling her hand held tightly by Xie Yuancho’s, Wang Shi’s face flushed slightly, and she quickly pulled her hand back, whispering, “Young master, we mustn’t.”

Xie Yuancho felt a slight sting in his heart.

Though Wang Shi was well-born and well-mannered, a fitting lady for the Marquis household, she neither possessed the beauty nor the emotional intelligence Xie Yuancho desired in a wife.

The most baffling thing for Xie Yuancho was that despite being from a scholarly and noble family, Wang Shi had no knowledge of literature, music, or games, which greatly disappointed him.

“Young master, we have a new cook in the household. I find the dishes quite tasty, but I’m not sure if they suit your palate.”

The dinner was indeed prepared with great care by Wang Shi: four cold dishes and six hot ones, with seven being Xie Yuancho’s favorites, and three new additions to the household menu.

Xie Yuancho sat down, and Wang Shi picked up the chopsticks to serve him.

“Yilan, I’ve told you many times, sit down and eat with me.”

“I can’t. Before I got married, my mother told me not to let the family’s rules be ruined by me.”

Xie Yuanchu’s gaze shifted as he let Lady Wang stand and serve him dishes.

He ate quietly.

“Young Master, a few days ago, the maid Rongrong from your study…”

“Since Mother has entrusted you with the management of the inner courtyard, you don’t need to discuss these matters with me,” Xie Yuanchu interrupted her, his tone not very pleasant.

Lady Wang nodded slightly, about to continue speaking, but Xie Yuanchu added, “Although there don’t seem to be many matters in my study, managing them can be troublesome. In the future, don’t assign tasks to those two maids.”

“Understood,” Lady Wang’s expression grew slightly dim.

Xie Yuanchu’s words clearly indicated that he didn’t want her to delegate tasks to those maids anymore, even though he officially acknowledged her as the person in charge of the inner courtyard.

Wang Yilan knew he was firm in his decisions and thus remained silent.

They sat in silence.

Xie Yuanchu, eating his favorite roast goose, found it tasteless.

He put down his chopsticks and said, “I need to visit the Eastern Palace. You continue eating.”

“So late, still going to the Eastern Palace?”

“Yes, the Crown Prince is waiting for my report.”

Xie Yuanchu had always been close to the Crown Prince, so it was natural for him to visit late at night.

Wang Yilan had nothing more to say and could only see him off.

…

When Xie Yuanchu left the Duke’s residence, it was just about dusk.

As he rounded the screen wall, he saw a carriage parked at the main gate.

When he approached the carriage, he realized it was not one belonging to the Duke’s residence.

A eunuch dressed in palace attire emerged from the carriage.

“Greetings, Young Master.” The eunuch spoke in a sharp voice but was quite polite, greeting Xie Yuanchu respectfully.

Xie Yuanchu recognized the eunuch as Xiao Liang from Kun Ning Palace, and felt a sense of unease.

However, he smiled and said, “Eunuch Liang? What brings you here?”

“The Empress heard that the young master has returned to the capital and has specially invited him to Kun Ning Palace for a chat.”

“Then please, lead the way,” said Xie Yuanchu.

He had just returned to the capital and hadn’t even had a chance to settle in, when the Empress sent someone to his door.

He had a vague idea of why she wanted to see him.

Even though he wasn’t keen on getting involved, he had no choice but to go.

Smiling, he boarded the carriage with Xiao Liangzi and headed to the palace.

By now, night had fallen, and the palace lights were shining, casting a beautiful glow on the red walls and green tiles.

However, as the heir of the Jingning Marquisate, Xie Yuanchu was used to the luxury of the palace.

The carriage stopped at the corner gate where a palace servant handed him a lamp.

Xiao Liangzi led the way with the lamp, and Xie Yuanchu followed.

They soon arrived at Kun Ning Palace.

In Kun Ning Palace, the Empress was having her evening meal.

“Your Majesty,” Xie Yuanchu greeted, bowing as he entered.

Nanny Anru, a palace servant, came forward to greet him. “You’re just in time; the Empress was worried about not having anyone to talk to!”

“You’re in luck; tonight, the imperial kitchen has just received fresh lamb from Mongolia. Try it!” The Empress instructed, and a chair was quickly brought for Xie Yuanchu.

The Empress didn’t indulge in luxury, so the meal consisted of only four cold dishes and six hot ones.

However, the hot dishes were quite special, including mandarin fish, squab, wild chicken, goose, and black pork.

Since it was winter, the imperial kitchen had also prepared a steaming pot of lamb stew.

Xie Yuanchu was comfortable with the Empress and, once the servants set the table, he began eating as if he were at home.

The lamb stew was made from freshly slaughtered Mongolian lamb, tender and without any strong smell.

The radishes cooked with the lamb were especially flavorful.

Xie Yuanchu ate heartily, finishing most of the lamb and drinking two bowls of soup.

“Is that enough? Should I have them bring another pot?” the Empress asked with a smile.

Xie Yuanchu waved his hand and laughed. “Please don’t tease me, Your Majesty. After being in the army for so long, I’m like a country bumpkin and find everything delicious.” He hadn’t had a proper meal at Rongkang Courtyard and felt fully satisfied only after eating here.

“It’s been hard on you too,” the Empress said. “Anru, pick out a good lamb from the ones sent over from the imperial kitchen and send it to the Duke’s residence later.”

“Understood.”

Xie Yuanchu did not refuse and accepted graciously, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.”

“Come, let’s go to the tea room for a while,” the Empress invited.

Kun Ning Palace was spacious, and the Empress lived there alone.

There was a tea room separated from the small garden at the back of the palace, filled with famous tea sets and leaves from around the world.

Xie Yuanchu followed the Empress into the tea room.

After the palace maids served the tea and quietly withdrew, Nanny Anru personally served the tea.

Xie Yuanchu took a sip and found the tea to be fragrant and lasting in flavor.

“I asked you here because the Empress has encountered a troublesome matter and needs your help.”

Xie Yuanchu realized the main topic had arrived and put down his cup, sitting upright. “Your Majesty, you flatter me.”

“There are some matters that elders find difficult to speak of, but peers like you can handle more easily. Especially you, Yuanchu.

You grew up with Liu Zhen and spent ten years with him in Daxiangguo Temple.

Your bond with him is even stronger than his own brothers.”

In the whole empire, only the Empress would directly call the Crown Prince Liu Zhen by name.

Xie Yuanchu was about to modestly decline, but the Empress waved him to continue listening. “When the Emperor and I had no choice but to send him out of the palace, he lived outside for many years.

It’s not that he has become estranged, but with other princes, I can tell their thoughts with a glance.

But Liu Zhen…

I really can’t figure out what he’s thinking. I intended to handle his wedding properly, but who would have thought it would cause such a scandal?”

Recalling the tumultuous wedding scandal from four years ago, Xie Yuanchu fell silent.

“He is the eldest and the legitimate heir. All his younger siblings are married, but he hasn’t even had a formal wife. As the Crown Prince, isn’t that strange?”

Xie Yuanchu pondered before responding, “I believe His Highness does want to marry, but he is a person of deep feelings. His old wounds haven’t healed, so he prefers to take things slowly and consider his options.”

“Yes, take things slowly, but it’s been four years, and only recently has he started to show some willingness,” the Empress said, becoming agitated.

She slammed her teacup onto the ground, spilling tea everywhere. “Don’t think I don’t know what he’s thinking. Even before I’m dead, he’s still mourning for someone else.”

“Do you know about filial piety?”

Xie Yuanchu was stunned.

He had never considered this before, but hearing the Empress mention it, he felt there might be some twisted logic to it.

Since that incident, the Eastern Palace had been quiet for a long time, and only this year did rumors start about selecting a new Crown Princess.

Maybe His Highness is really… oh well.

“Yuanchu, you grew up with him, and he values your friendship. Please help me by persuading him to be less stubborn.”

Xie Yuanchu wasn’t entirely sure what the Empress meant by persuading him, but he knew that when the Empress called him to the palace, she had a clear purpose.

He had no choice but to follow her instructions.

“I remember the Marquis’s residence has a hot spring villa in the suburbs. Some other day, take Liu Zhen there to relax,” the Empress said, her tone softening. “And you should invite a few beautiful women to go with you.”

Beautiful women?

Xie Yuanchu cleared his throat lightly. “Your Highness, with such high standards, it might not have the desired effect.”

“I know very well about his stubbornness. The beautiful women aren’t for him; they’re for you,” the Empress said. “You’re known as a charming young man in the capital, so having a few beautiful women around shouldn’t be unusual. Even if he is suspicious, he won’t think it odd.”

Xie Yuanchu hesitated.

The Empress chuckled and said, “I know a lot of things. I also know that all the maids around you are exceptionally beautiful.”

“Your Majesty, I…”

“There’s nothing wrong with that. As a prominent young master, being charming is a good thing. It’s said that ‘one who associates with vermilion gets stained red, while one who associates with ink gets stained black.’ I hope Liu Zhen can be enlightened like you.”

Xie Yuanchu was uncomfortable with this idea.

The Crown Prince wasn’t clueless; it’s just that… how could he voice this to the Empress?

The Empress, unaware of Xie Yuanchu’s thoughts, said meaningfully, “This will help me, Liu Zhen, and also Yuanzhuo.”

Yuanzhuo?

Xie Yuanchu was taken aback.

In the summer, his mother had mentioned that the Empress was gathering noble girls to the palace for a flower viewing, but Xie Yuanchu hadn’t thought much of it.

Yuanzhuo, his younger sister, had always been addressed as the Crown Prince’s sister.

But now, it seemed the Empress was considering Yuanzhuo as the Crown Princess?

Why would she choose Yuanzhuo?

Xie Yuanchu looked up at the Empress, but she only smiled and remained silent.

“It’s getting late. You should go back. Come again with Yuanzhuo to Kun Ning Palace another day to chat with me.”

Xie Yuanchu could only smile and agree.

After leaving the palace, he didn’t take the carriage.

He asked a palace servant for a horse and headed straight to the Eastern Palace.