◎Your daughter is foolish, bringing shame to you and the elder sisters.◎

In the Li family’s front courtyard, nine hundred and ninety-nine pots of chrysanthemums were stacked into a pointed Chrysanthemum Pagoda, standing proudly in front of the Yuan Cui Pavilion where male guests were being entertained.

Upon entering the front courtyard, the air was thick with the fragrance of chrysanthemums. Male and female guests either admired the flowers in the center or formed a circle in the northwest corner to play touhu, chatting and laughing lively.

Chu Yufu tugged Lán Zhu and stood in a corner of the courtyard, craning her neck to look around for a long time, yet still couldn’t spot Third Young Master Li. Lán Zhu asked, “Could it be that he’s not in the front courtyard?”

“That shouldn’t be.” Chu Yufu murmured.

As the host, where else would Third Young Master Li be if not in the front courtyard? The Pin Fang Tower was for the ladies, and she had just come from the garden without encountering him on the way.

Suddenly, Lán Zhu raised her arm and pointed to a window on the second floor of Yuan Cui Pavilion near the corner, signaling her to look. “Miss! Isn’t that Third Young Master Li?”

The direction Lán Zhu pointed was southwest. The gray-black eaves partially hid the setting red sun, and the light shone directly, dazzling the eyes. Chu Yufu squinted and could only make out a figure in a dark blue robe leaning half out of the window, holding a wine cup, relaxed and casual in posture.

She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun and looked again—just as the person turned, they unexpectedly met each other’s gaze from a distance.

It was an exceptionally handsome face, with sharp features, a high nose bridge, and half-closed leisure-filled eyes. A wisp of slightly curled black hair hung over his forehead, reminiscent of pine trees swaying lazily in a winter lake breeze, cold yet relaxed.

By his aura alone, he wasn’t from the Li family.

Normally, she would have looked longer at such a handsome man, but her mind was preoccupied. After a silent admiration, she withdrew her gaze and said, “Not him, just the robe color is similar.”

The two circled the front courtyard and even went to the entrance of Yuan Cui Pavilion to look, but still couldn’t find him. Finally, Lán Zhu asked a few courtyard servants and learned that just an incense stick ago, Third Young Master Li had left in his carriage.

Chu Yufu felt a wave of regret.

Just an incense stick ago—that meant Third Young Master Li had just left when she entered the courtyard. If it weren’t for the incident with Fifth Miss Zhao at the garden gate, she could have blocked him!

…

The sun was setting, and the wind grew colder. By the hour of Shen, the sky had taken on a faint yellow, and distant layers of clouds looked as if touched by fire, flowing in golden light. Guests began to bid farewell, and Chu family also took leave of the hosts, heading toward the main gate.

Madam Wu walked at the front, with First Miss Chu and Chu Yufu on either side, while Lu Jia’an lagged a step behind with her personal maid.

Approaching the Li residence’s main gate, Madam Wu glanced at her coldly and said, “Today, your attire is… remarkably bright.”

Chu Yufu’s heart skipped a beat; she knew the reckoning had come and immediately braced herself.

Madam Wu had been holding back anger all day and finally couldn’t contain it once the banquet ended.

That foolish woman, Wan Yiniang, gave birth to a foolish daughter who couldn’t even understand words, and now she came dressed like this to embarrass her. From the moment she removed her veil and cloak at the Li residence gate, she feared she had become the laughingstock of the entire banquet.

Improper upbringing causing embarrassment was one thing, but if her foolish attire ruined the marriage negotiation, that would be catastrophic. Heaven knew how tense she had been when speaking with Lady Li earlier!

Madam Wu steadied her breath, suppressing her anger and waiting for Chu Yufu’s reply. After a long moment, a timid voice came from her right: “I-I’m alright, I guess.”

“Alright?” Madam Wu turned to look at her.

Second Young Miss bowed her head slightly, her large innocent eyes timidly meeting her gaze, as if sensing displeasure but not knowing what she had done wrong. Her neck was slightly hunched—her whole posture radiated a mix of fear and confusion, infuriating to watch!

Madam Wu closed her eyes and opened them again, taking a deep breath and controlling her tone: “Alright? Look at this entire banquet—does anyone else dress like you? If the Li family didn’t take notice of you, all my effort would have been wasted!”

At these words, Second Young Miss truly seemed scared. Her eyes reddened, lips bitten, and she dared not make a sound. After a long while, she couldn’t hold back and spoke in a choked voice:

“Your daughter is foolish and has brought shame to you and my elder sisters. I just wanted to dress properly.”

“I know Mother has gone to trouble on my behalf and even had this outfit made new at the start of the year.”

The trembling young girl’s nose was red from the cold wind. Her tear-filled eyes held panic, appearing both pitiable and exasperating. If she had been disobedient, there would have been plenty of ways to discipline her, but she was obedient.

Seeing her pitifully foolish expression, Madam Wu’s fury immediately softened by half, even leaving her feeling a little powerless. Obedience in daily life was useless if she couldn’t understand instructions at critical moments—truly a foolish child.

Crying and sniveling like this, it was almost too much effort to scold her, and even scolding might go over her head, wasted words.

Madam Wu pinched her brow and sighed deeply, scolding: “I never realized your eye sockets were so shallow. Pull yourself together quickly, or we’ll be laughed at by outsiders.”

“Yes.” Chu Yufu took out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes, trying hard to suppress her sobs.

Stepping out of the Li residence gate, the carriage with the Chu family lanterns was already waiting.

Before boarding, Chu Jinhe looked at her suddenly: “Second sister, just now I saw Zhao Shizi and Fifth Miss Zhao. Fifth Miss said she nearly fell in the garden. You helped her?”

“Yes, I happened to be passing by.” Chu Yufu paused, then sniffled in response.

Chu Jinhe’s gaze fell on her shoulder: “She specifically mentioned it to me. It seems your shoulder was hurt.”

“Fifth Miss of the Mingxuan Marquis’s household?” Madam Wu stopped and looked at her daughter.

“Yes,” Chu Jinhe replied.

In the capital city, wealthy families were numerous, but the most prominent clans could be counted on one hand, and the Zhao family of the Mingxuan Marquis was among them.

The current emperor had three sons, the youngest being the Fourth Prince, born to Noble Consort Yun. Her full name was Zhao Ciyun, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Mingxuan Marquis, and the elder sister of Young Master Zhao. Setting aside the Mingxuan Marquis’s own tenure as Minister of Revenue for over a decade, her status as a member of the imperial family alone made her inconceivably noble.

On ordinary occasions attending banquets, Madam Wu occasionally encountered the Mingxuan Marquis’s wife, though conversation was impossible; after all, her own husband was only a Ministry of Works officer, many layers removed from the Zhao family. Unexpectedly, the Second Young Miss had a stroke of luck—at her very first banquet, she had managed to speak with someone from the Zhao family. Perhaps next time, she could use that conversation to chat a bit more and make herself familiar.

At least she had some use.

Thinking this, Madam Wu felt somewhat appeased, her expression softening, and she casually said to Chu Yufu, “Since Miss Zhao is concerned about you, see a doctor once we return home.” With that, she was helped by her maid into the carriage.

Two carriages had arrived for the Chu family; Madam Wu and Chu Jinhe rode together, while Chu Yufu rode with Lu Jia’an. Seeing her elder sister lift her skirt to get on, Chu Yufu clutched the embroidered handkerchief in her palm, lowering her gaze as she whispered to Lu Jia’an, “You may go first, Cousin.”

Once both were settled, the coachman cracked the whip and the carriages departed. Chu Yufu carefully arranged her skirts and shrank into a corner of the soft seat, trying not to take up much space.

Lu Jia’an beside her hesitated, seemingly wanting to speak, but ultimately said nothing. She closed her eyes and rested in the gently swaying carriage.

The relationship between Cousin Lu and Chu Yufu was somewhat delicate—not exactly good, but not bad either. This went back to when Lu Jia’an had first come to live with the Chu family about half a month ago.

As the only daughter of the Lu family, Lu Jia’an had been spoiled by her parents since childhood. Though she was terrible at needlework and poetry, she was excellent at cuju (an ancient form of football) and knew every popular story circulating in town. Her lively, candid personality endeared her to her grandmother, who had given her residence in the Cishou Hall.

The matriarch, normally devoted to Buddhism and indifferent even to the daily duties of younger relatives, was unusually fond of this granddaughter, which caused Chu Jinhe to feel a twinge of jealousy.

As the only legitimate daughter of the Chu family, she had never dared relax under her mother’s strict guidance. Skilled in all the arts, she considered herself far superior to this rustic Lu girl, yet still failed to earn the grandmother’s favor, while Lu Jia’an had it effortlessly.

Thus, whenever they met, Chu Jinhe always tried to show up her cousin. As the Second Young Miss, Chu Yufu dared not offend either her mother or grandmother, so she avoided Lu Jia’an like a mouse evading a cat.

Naturally, Lu Jia’an assumed she was siding with Chu Jinhe, deliberately distant, and so they grew apart.

To be fair, Chu Yufu liked making friends with sincere, lively people, but now she dared not.

The original story clearly stated that at this chrysanthemum-viewing banquet, Lu Jia’an and Zhao Chunheng would secretly develop feelings for each other, while Chu Jinhe would also harbor a crush on Zhao Chunheng. Soon, the Chu family’s inner household would become chaotic.

She wanted no part of it—only to find a way to cancel the marriage quietly and live peacefully.

Perhaps because she hadn’t slept well the night before, the carriage’s jostling made her feel nauseous. After a while, she could no longer bear it and lifted the side curtain to get some fresh air. When her eyes fell on the right front, her pupils constricted sharply, and she immediately shouted:

“Stop the carriage!”

The carriage screeched to a halt. Lu Jia’an turned to her, puzzled: “What is it?”

Chu Yufu lowered the veil and held her shoulder, pale-faced: “Cousin, I just saw a pharmacy nearby. I want to check my shoulder injury—go on ahead. The house isn’t far; I’ll walk back.”

Seeing her pale expression, Lu Jia’an assumed she was in severe pain and nodded. Once Chu Yufu had donned her veil and cloak and stepped down, the coachman cracked the whip, and the carriage gradually moved away.

This was the northern section of Jinma Street, only two streets from the Chu residence.

On the right of the stone-paved road stood a Taoist temple with a plaque reading “Yu Zhen Temple.” To the left, besides two restaurants, several pharmacies were lined up, the air infused with a faint mixture of herbs and incense—not unpleasant, but subtly atmospheric.

Chu Yufu walked slowly to one pharmacy. “Lán Zhu, buy some oil for treating falls and injuries.”

“Don’t rush, take your time. I’ll wait outside.”

Lán Zhu nodded and entered. Chu Yufu lifted the veil from her hat and scanned Jinma Street.

By now, lanterns lit the street, the restaurants had hung flower lanterns, and the air buzzed with festive energy. The sunset cast long shadows across the blue-stone street, blending with sounds of laughter, hawking, and carriages.

Her gaze eventually landed on the stone steps of the temple opposite, and on the carriage with the ‘Li Residence’ lanterns. Her heartbeat quickened.

She had first glimpsed the temple, then the carriage. Words like “concubine,” “female Taoist returning to secular life,” “Third Young Master Li leaving in a carriage,” “Li family carriage in front of the temple” flashed through her mind—so she had shouted for the carriage to stop.

The capital was vast, with many families surnamed Li, but for some reason, she had a strong intuition—this carriage belonged to Third Young Master Li!

The original story mentioned little about Third Young Master Li taking a concubine, never specifying when he met the Taoist girl. Their story wasn’t important to the main couple and could be lightly glossed over, but for her, it meant everything.

When Lán Zhu returned from buying the medicine and saw her staring at the temple, she asked: “Miss, shall we go?”

“Wait a moment. The jolt made me dizzy—I want some fresh air.” Chu Yufu said.

“Ah,” Lán Zhu nodded.

The sun continued to set, the autumn wind slipping into her collar. After a while, Lán Zhu asked: “Miss, are you feeling better? It’s getting late. Be careful not to catch a cold.”

“Wait a bit longer.”

“Miss, we really should go—you’ll still catch the wind on the way back…” Lán Zhu glanced at the sky, about to urge again.

“Lán Zhu, look—is that Third Young Master Li across the street?” Chu Yufu interrupted, lifting the white veil on her hat with her left hand and pointing to the temple with her right.

“Ah?” Lán Zhu followed her gesture.

At the temple’s main gate, a man in a blue robe was walking out. Handsome enough, wearing a blue jade crown, holding a carved folding fan even in the cold, fanning himself occasionally—if not Third Young Master Li, then who?