◎Miss Chu, how are you here?◎

Time passed neither too quickly nor too slowly, and soon it was the end of October.

Recently, Chu Yufu had used the excuse of buying medicine for her grandmother to personally visit Jinma Street twice. She saw with her own eyes that Third Young Master Li entered Yuzhen Temple in the afternoon during Shen hour. Lan Zhu followed him all the way through the main hall, watched him walk into a plum grove, and stopped a laborer to ask. When she learned that behind the plum grove were the residences of the temple’s ascetic practitioners, she quietly retreated.

The day to “catch them in the act” was approaching. Both mistress and maid were somewhat excited, yet on the surface, they maintained composure, continuing their daily embroidery and studies, and spending leisure time with her cousin and grandmother. Perhaps because they had been to Cishou Hall so often recently, Chu Yufu noticed her eldest sister’s cold attitude toward her a few times, but she didn’t take it to heart and simply pretended not to notice.

On the last day of October, Lu Jia’an’s red marks on her face had mostly faded, and she looked much more energetic. Hearing that the winter plum had bloomed in the garden, she insisted on taking Chu Yufu to admire it. Chu Yufu couldn’t refuse, so she only allowed Lan Zhu and Sang Lu to accompany them, and they walked toward the small garden.

The two sisters chatted and laughed as they approached the garden, when suddenly a voice came from Chaohui Courtyard: “My dear Third Brother, hurry back to the house—”

“Zhang Mama, I’ll play a little longer.”

They froze and looked toward the courtyard. Third Young Master Chu Junze was crouching in a small pavilion, collecting snowballs, while a tall, thin lady followed behind him, her expression anxious, her tone part pleading, part exasperated: “You’ve said ‘a little while’ several times already. Madam has instructed that you must complete the lessons assigned by your tutor today. If you delay, the one to be scolded will be you alone.”

Chu Junze, irritated by the nagging, stood up and smashed the snowball in his hand at the lady’s feet. Snow splashed everywhere, startling her.

“Nag, nag, nag! Always nagging! I’m tired of all these boring lessons! Whether I learn or not, what difference does it make? The marriage between Second Sister and the Li family is already settled, and my enrollment at the Imperial Academy is a done deal. What’s the point of learning more?”

Lu Jia’an stiffened and turned to look at her younger sister.

Under the winter sunlight, her second sister’s delicate profile was nearly translucent, her clear black eyes quietly watching the boy in the pavilion. Her gaze was deep, unreadable.

Now she understood why something had felt off.

Their stepmother wouldn’t even give her a bit of coal for warmth, so how could she care enough to grant her such a fine marriage? She was merely being treated as an object, to be sent to the Li family to secure her son’s future!

Snapping back to reality, Chu Yufu retracted her gaze and led her astonished cousin into the garden, quietly smiling: “Sister, don’t be surprised. I suspected this long ago. Even if Mother’s intentions are not pure, it’s still a kind of blessing for me. Third Young Master Li is good-looking and from a respectable family. Marrying him may not be so bad after all.”

“Don’t worry about that. Tomorrow is the first day of the month, a good day to offer incense. I’ll go to the temple to request a peace talisman for you, grandmother, and eldest sister, to bless you all with safety, smooth fortune, and good health. Will that be alright?”

Lu Jia’an’s expression softened as she looked at her second sister, whose smile bloomed like a flower beneath the plum tree. Something felt off, but upon reflection, it seemed that this was the only outcome. After all, the Chu and Li families had already exchanged betrothal letters—what else could be done?

Her second sister was beautiful, gentle, and skilled in medicine. Whoever married her would benefit; she only hoped that Third Young Master Li would recognize her worth and cherish her.

She plucked a branch of winter plum and tucked it into Chu Yufu’s hair, sighing: “Ah—”

Chu Yufu lowered her head, caressing the plum in her hair, and when her sister wasn’t looking, glanced at Lan Zhu and secretly smiled.

Lan Zhu cleared her throat, winked at her mistress, and silently signaled: let Third Brother keep dreaming today—Second Miss would never marry that kind of man!

The next day, Chu Yufu slept in until mid-morning. After lunch and a short rest, she began changing into her going-out attire.

She wore a white satin jacket patterned with pale pink lotuses and a pure white layered skirt. Her hair was adorned only with a water-drop tassel pin. Once ready, she sat at her vanity, dabbed a little rouge at the outer corners of her eyes with her pinky finger. It seemed minor, but when her eyes turned slightly red, it gave her a delicate, pitiable look.

Frowning slightly at the brass mirror, the young girl in the reflection raised her brows, let the corners droop, bit her lower lip, and appeared extremely wronged. The tassel swayed gently, reminiscent of a beauty’s tear.

Yun Sui placed the rabbit-fur cloak given by the old madam over Chu Yufu’s shoulders and asked softly: “Miss, why dress so simply? The colors are light, and you haven’t even put on lipstick.”

Chu Yufu smiled faintly: “We are going to the temple to pray, not to a fair. No need to wear bright colors.”

…

The Yuzhen Temple was frozen in the winter. Fresh snow had covered the plaque last night. The incense burners outside the halls were sunk into snow, and the curling smoke was scattered by the cold north wind. Perhaps because it was the first day of the month, the temple was not deserted; worshippers came and went, bowing in succession.

Chu Yufu first led Lan Zhu and Yun Sui to the Sanqing Hall, where they knelt and bowed, offering prayers. Afterwards, they slowly strolled to the Jade Emperor Hall to request peace talismans from the Daoist priest.

Taking advantage of a brief moment, Lan Zhu used the excuse of going to the latrine to slip away. After the time it took for one incense stick to burn, the priest handed three peace talismans in a brocade pouch to Chu Yufu. Lan Zhu returned just then, eyes curved in a smile: “Miss, I just saw a patch of pink plum blossoms behind the hall. They’re in full bloom. Wouldn’t you like to see them?”

Chu Yufu pocketed the pouch, blinking: “Let’s go take a look.”

The Jade Emperor Hall was busy with people reciting prayers. Even behind the hall, the chanting was audible—it was not quiet. The closer they approached the plum grove, the faster Chu Yufu’s heart beat, her palms starting to sweat. Lan Zhu’s hint was clear: Third Young Master Li had gone into the grove again. Could they actually succeed in “catching him in the act” today? Would they see the two of them being intimate?

Passing through the plum grove, in front of them was a row of small living quarters. From one of the rooms on the right came a dull “thud,” accompanied by a muffled female voice crying and shouting:

“…Are you really going to wait until after Qingming to give me this title? Or are you just dragging me along, refusing to give me my place?”

Chu Yufu reacted instantly, putting on a curious expression. She turned to the two others, signaling them to be quiet, and tiptoed closer to listen carefully. Inside the room, the female voice continued:

“Look at my belly—half a month from now, I fear even a waistband won’t cover it. How can I stay at the temple any longer? I have nowhere to go anyway. If you don’t give me a way to live, tomorrow I’ll smash my head in front of the Li mansion, so that all of the capital knows the filthy things you, Third Young Master Li, have done!”

Belly?

Chu Yufu and Lan Zhu were shocked. Princess Wang was pregnant?!

Yun Sui’s eyes went wide at the words “Third Young Master Li,” nearly letting out a shout. What was going on? Did she hear correctly? Was it really the Third Young Master Li she knew? And who was the woman inside? Could it be that they had accidentally caught Second Miss’s fiancé in the temple having an affair?

Lan Zhu was quick to react, covering Yun Sui’s mouth with her hand and shaking her head. The three exchanged a glance, all faces filled with shock.

“Xuan’er has cultivated here for quite a while—why is her temper still so fierce?” a male voice came from inside the room.

“Enough, don’t be anxious. I’ve already rented a house for you across the street. Just rest and take care of the pregnancy. Besides, you know how my two elder brothers above me have been married for two or three years with no progress. My mother is counting on your belly. Once you give birth, how could you not gain a title? If it’s a boy, after my own wedding, it might even be possible to elevate you as a secondary wife.”

The woman’s voice softened, choked with emotion: “Minlang, Xuan’er only has you. I’ve heard that Second Miss Chu gave birth like a flower—do not forget your first love when you take a new one.”

“It’s just a pretty face and shallow woman. What I treasure most is Xuan’er’s talent…”

If not for the situation and setting, Chu Yufu would have laughed aloud to the heavens. Was it divine justice, or had her wish in the Sanqing Hall come true? She had arrived at the perfect moment! In just five or six sentences, the two had revealed everything, said what should and shouldn’t be said!

She seized the moment, pressing a handkerchief soaked in mint juice under her eyes. Her dark eyes immediately reddened, a few tears forming. Staggering two steps, she bumped into a plum tree behind her, and snow from the branches fell onto her shoulders.

Lan Zhu cried out in alarm: “Miss! Are you alright, Miss?!”

Yun Sui, coming back to her senses, hurried to support her, only to find that Second Miss’s face was pale as paper, eyes full of disbelief, tears shimmering in reddened rims, her whole body trembling!

Inside the room, there was a moment of silence. Then the door opened. Third Young Master Li stood there, coming face-to-face with the Chu household servants. The slightly plump Princess Wang stood behind him, showing half her body.

Seeing who had come, Third Young Master Li looked flustered. “Miss Chu, y-you’re here?”

“Third Young Master Li…”

Supported by Yun Sui, Chu Yufu stood straight, giving a bitter smile. She pointed at the woman behind him. “Pregnancy? Secondary wife? Just a pretty face? Third Young Master Li, your family’s scheme is clever, but do you really think the Chu family is made of paper? Am I meant to be trampled by you all?!”

A single tear ran down her cheek. Without waiting for him to speak, she turned and, covering her face, ran into the plum grove crying.

Third Young Master Li rushed to pursue, but the woman behind him grabbed his sleeve: “Min… Minlang, don’t go, I’m scared, my… my belly hurts!” She sank weakly into his arms. He caught her, one hand on her stomach, and when he looked up, he could only see Second Miss Chu’s snow-colored figure disappearing into the distance. His heart sank—this was bad!

On the carriage ride back, Chu Yufu covered her face with the handkerchief, crying miserably, though only a few tears actually fell.

According to Third Young Master Li just now, the Li family eagerly awaited this child—it was impossible for them to terminate the pregnancy for the sake of the marriage. But if they tried to take the child without the mother, the Princess Wang would never agree. She was a concubine hoping to marry into the Li family through the child; abandoning her and taking only the child was impossible.

Now, the engagement was almost certainly going to be broken!

At the Chu mansion gate, Chu Yufu wiped her eyes again, forcing out tears, and cried as she headed to Yunxi Hall, Lan Zhu and Yun Sui closely following behind.

Halfway there, Lan Zhu grabbed Yun Sui and whispered: “Hurry, report this to Madam before Miss gets to Yunxi Hall! If you don’t tell her, do you want to get beaten? Miss won’t be angry, but if you don’t say it, she’ll tell Madam herself!”

Yun Sui glanced at Second Miss ahead, then at Lan Zhu. Gritting her teeth, she nodded and quickened her pace toward the small side door of Yunxi Hall.

Once Yun Sui ran ahead, Lan Zhu tugged on Chu Yufu’s sleeve. After receiving her glance of acknowledgment, she turned and ran toward Cishou Hall. For an incident this big, how could the old madam not know?