Southern Zhao is a vassal state of our empire.

Last year, the old King of Southern Zhao passed away.

The emperor appointed the young son of the deceased king as the new ruler.

Taking advantage of the new king’s youth, several local chieftains rebelled.

Recently, the court sent people to quell the rebellion. Victory seemed assured, but unfortunately, the leading general was afflicted with poison, and the campaign failed.

“The Young Master is skilled in military strategy and combat, so leading troops is no problem. But these chieftains are not only inept in battle; they use all sorts of malicious tactics. This mission is far more dangerous than previous ones.”

“Can he refuse to go?”

Xin zhu sighed, “The imperial edict came down in a hurry, commanding the Young Master to depart tomorrow. With the Crown Prince not in the capital, there’s no room for negotiation.”

Hearing that Xie Yuanchu would be going to such a dangerous place the next day, Zhenzhen’s heart twisted.

Just as she was about to speak, Luomei rushed out from the courtyard, looking somewhat unnatural: “Miss Zhenzhen, Young Master wants to see you in the study. He says he has something to ask.”

“Understood.” Zhenzhen turned and walked toward the study.

Xin zhu glanced at Luomei, “Since Young Master has asked for Zhenzhen’s presence, you should go back and rest.”

“Mm,” Luomei lowered her head and quietly left the courtyard.

The door to the study was open.

Zhenzhen stood at the door, lightly knocking, but there was no response.

She entered the room and greeted Xie Yuanchu with a bow: “Young Master.”

Xie Yuanchu had a calming tea that Luomei had just delivered in front of him.

After taking a sip, he looked up at Zhenzhen with a gentle smile: “Why are you standing so far away? Are you already tired of me?”

Zhenzhen looked down and took a few steps forward.

Xie Yuanchu’s smile turned into a smirk.

He took out two sheets of paper from a nearby box and placed them on the table: “This is what you wanted. Take it.”

Zhenzhen glanced at the papers and knew immediately what they were.

She shivered slightly.

“This document is your release deed, and this one is a letter I wrote to the officials with my seal. Take it to the Jingzhao Prefecture, and they will handle it appropriately.”

Zhenzhen, being a bonded servant of the marquisate, had her name officially registered with the officials.

To remove her from the records, she needed both the release deed from the marquisate and the proper official documentation.

“Your Highness,” Zhenzhen’s voice choked with emotion, “Thank you. I’ll go get the money for my release right away.”

“No need,” Xie Yuanchu sneered, “I wouldn’t dare take your money. That money was given by your dear friends, wasn’t it? She’ll soon be the Crown Prince’s favored consort, and I’ll have to curry favor with you.”

Zhenzhen didn’t know what to say.

She knelt on the ground and bowed deeply to Xie Yuanchu before standing up to take the papers.

Just as her fingers touched the papers, Xie Yuanchu’s cold voice rang out: “Are you so eager to leave the marquisate?”

Zhenzhen was slightly startled and turned around, but Xie Yuanchu’s face was turned away, making it impossible to read his expression.

“Does His Highness not want me to leave the marquisate?” Zhenzhen asked cautiously.

She saw Xie Yuanchu’s shoulders tremble a couple of times and heard a couple of soft laughs.

However, the laughter quickly ceased, and Xie Yuanchu suddenly shouted, “Who do you think you are? Just a servant! Does a noble young master like me need you? Leave if you want! Tomorrow, I can add ten or a hundred servants to this study room! Get out!”

He slammed the inkstone on the desk to the floor.

Since Zhenzhen had known Xie Yuanchu, he had always been gentle and protective. His sudden outburst was frightening, and tears immediately filled her eyes.

“I… I spoke out of turn. Young Master, please settle your affairs. I will take my leave.”

Zhenzhen covered her mouth, turned, and headed for the door.

At that moment, Xie Yuanchu suddenly leaped from behind the desk and tightly embraced Zhenzhen.

“Zhenzhen, don’t leave me. Don’t leave me, okay?”

Zhenzhen was shocked and apprehensive at being suddenly embraced.

She was unsure of what was happening.

As she tried to turn her head to see him, she felt something cold and wet fall onto her cheek.

…..

Rongrong sat in her room, flipping through the newly published books from the bookstore while listening to Feicui’s report.

The books were the same old patterns from the Laughing Monk series, and she found them quite uninteresting.

“Xie Daceng didn’t last long under interrogation; he confessed everything quickly.”

This wasn’t surprising. With Xie Daceng’s character, he wouldn’t be able to withstand the Eastern Palace’s secret guards’ interrogation.

“What did he say?”

“After Old Madam and Second Young Master left the village, Xie Daceng and his wife just sat around and quickly exhausted the family’s remaining money.

They didn’t know how to work, and with Ah Lin and Ah Mu being so young, they could only do some house chores. When they could no longer afford food, they sold Ah Lin.”

“What?” Rongrong was shocked, “Where was he sold to?” Xie Daceng was indeed a beast; selling his own younger sister wasn’t enough—he even sold his own son!

“Don’t worry, Miss. According to Xie Daceng, Ah Lin was sold to a family in Cuihe Village that needed a son-in-law. They said it was a gift, but they received four taels of silver from the family. Xie Daceng used this silver to come to the capital…”

“A son-in-law?” Rongrong couldn’t sit still anymore.

She slammed the table, her face turning pale with anger.

Ah Lin was the eldest child of the Xie family but wasn’t even ten years old. Selling him as a bridegroom was utterly insane.

After a moment of thought, Rongrong came up with a plan: “Feicui, quickly send someone to my old home. No matter what method you use, bring Ah Lin and Ah Mu back first. It’s best if you don’t make a fuss about it.”

“Rest assured, Miss. I’ll handle it discreetly. What should be done with Xie Daceng?”

Rongrong wished she could have Feicui hang Xie Daceng and beat him up, but thinking about Xie Daceng’s laziness, she said, “Keep him in the dungeon first, and only give him one bun a day. Let him starve but not die.”

“Yes.”

As soon as Feicui left, Liuli came in and respectfully said, “Miss, the Eastern Palace has sent a notice.”

“A notice?” Rongrong had been staying in Wutong Alley for a month.

She had returned to the Eastern Palace twice and Yuanbao had come to visit twice, all without any formal invitations.

She wondered if Yuanbao had come up with some strange idea, “Let me see.”

The notice Liuli handed over was exquisitely made, with a white background, gilded large characters, and a vivid and charming peach blossom illustration.

“A Peach Blossom Banquet?”

The notice was sent by the Duke of Su’s residence.

The Duchess of Su invited Rongrong to the Duke of Su’s residence the next day to admire the peach blossoms, which were in full bloom.

“Indeed. The Duke of Su’s residence has a peach grove in the back garden. Every spring when the peach blossoms are in bloom, the Duchess holds a flower banquet.”

When the Eastern Palace hosted a banquet before, Rongrong had accompanied the Prince to greet guests at the door.

The first to arrive was the Duke of Su’s residence.

The Duchess had indeed mentioned inviting her to the Duke’s residence. Rongrong had thought it was just a polite remark, but it turned out to be a real invitation.

Closing the notice, Rongrong was troubled.

Since it was an annual flower banquet, she wasn’t the only guest invited.

Even though it might not be as grand as the Empress’s banquets, other princesses and royal family members would surely attend.

With her current status, attending might make things a bit awkward.

“Help me write a reply saying that I have matters at home and won’t be able to bother the Princess.”

“Miss, you’re not going?” Liu Li laughed. “The old master and Young Master Yuanbao both said they want to go and join the fun. They’ve already arranged for a carriage from the East Palace to come pick you up early tomorrow.”

“They’re going too?” Rong Rong’s heart warmed at the thought.

Such flower-viewing banquets usually only invite female relatives.

The fact that the Old Duke An and Yuanbao are going means they are clearly there to support her.

Since they’ve already decided, if she didn’t go, it would seem like she’s rejecting their good intentions.

With this decision made, Rong Rong found herself facing another issue.

She had brought many clothes home, but she didn’t bring much in the way of jewelry.

After all, it was a trip home; wearing too much jewelry would seem ostentatious and inconvenient.

It seemed Liu Li could read her thoughts and said, “Miss, the person from the East Palace who delivered the invitation is Su Xin. She said she will help you with your hair and makeup tomorrow morning. Shall I call her in to discuss it now?”

Su Xin?

With Su Xin around, she didn’t have to worry about her attire.

Rong Rong quickly asked, “Where is she now?”

“She’s waiting in the courtyard.”

“Call her in.”

Liu Li called out from the door, and Su Xin soon entered.

“Miss.”

“I brought quite a few clothes from the East Palace but didn’t bring much jewelry. Can you check the wardrobe and see how I should dress tomorrow?”

Since the old master and Yuanbao wanted to accompany her to the Duke of Su’s residence, she needed to make sure she was well-presented and not embarrass them.

Su Xin hurriedly waved her hand, “Miss, there’s no need to worry. As soon as I got this task, I prepared everything for you. It’s all laid out outside! I’ll help you with your bath and grooming now, and if you rest early tonight, you’ll definitely look beautiful at the banquet tomorrow.”

“Thank you for your trouble.”