◎Is Master referring to that Pei Yue?◎

Lan Zhu took the long list in her hands, eyes wide with disbelief. “Miss, how many sachets are you planning to make?”

“Not just sachets,” Chu Yufu replied. “I see this winter is going to be especially cold. I want to prepare some medicines to prevent and treat typhoid, just in case.” She opened a drawer and took out two silver coins, handing them to her.

At that moment, Yun Sui walked in carrying chestnut flour cakes freshly delivered from the kitchen. Hearing their conversation, she chirped, “Exactly! Snow usually doesn’t come until October. Miss, can Lan Zhu even carry all these things? Maybe I should come along too?”

“No need, no need! I can manage!” Lan Zhu shook her head vigorously. She had more important matters to handle—she couldn’t be dragging along Yun Sui, the Yunxi Hall maid sent as an “observer.”

Chu Yufu smiled at her and then turned to Yun Sui. “Since there’s some sun today, this afternoon the three of us can spread the books out in the corridor to dry.” She stepped forward and held Yun Sui’s hands. “Why are your hands so cold? Go warm them by the stove.”

Yun Sui had been sent by her stepmother, so Chu Yufu naturally treated her kindly. Having served her for nearly half a month, Yun Sui was diligent and careful, showing no airs despite coming from the main residence. She worked quickly yet steadily, making it impossible to give her a hard time.

In the girl’s almond-shaped eyes was genuine concern, her faint smile like a breeze gently blowing into Yun Sui’s heart, bringing a prickling warmth to her nose.

In the main residence, Yun Sui wasn’t a favored maid nor a member of the household. Whatever menial task came up inevitably fell on her. Serving in Zhuyu Courtyard was no different; anything everyone avoided always ended up on her shoulders.

But as the saying goes, “A blessing in disguise.”

She hadn’t expected Chu Yufu to be such an easygoing mistress. Her voice was gentle, she never scolded or even raised her voice, and she always saved the tastiest treats for the maids—tender and kind.

Even when Madam Meng said she should keep an eye on the second miss and report any issues back to Yunxi Hall, Yun Sui couldn’t understand why. The second miss rarely left her courtyard; she either read, embroidered, or chatted with the maids. What exactly was there to monitor?

Thinking this, Yun Sui blinked hard, pushing back the tears in her eyes, and nodded. “Yes! Thank you for your concern, Miss.”

Lan Zhu noticed the two hands held together and her gaze flickered. She pressed her lips into a thin line and walked out quietly. A few steps later, she felt her sleeve tugged.

Turning, she saw Chu Yufu at the doorway, her starry eyes curved like crescent moons, whispering, “Be careful on the way. Come back early. I’ll save the chestnut flour cakes just for you.”

Lan Zhu felt as if the sky itself had brightened! Miss really is the best in the world! She grinned and exclaimed, “Eh!”

Half an hour later, she reached the north end of Jinma Street.

The herbal drink stall near Yuzheng Temple was open. A few customers sat scattered around. Lan Zhu approached. “Uncle, one pot of golden pear drink to go, please.”

“All right, please wait… Eh!” The vendor looked up, surprised to see Lan Zhu, but kept his hands moving and smiled. “I’ve already gathered the information you wanted. The young master near the princess comes every two or three days, usually before the Shen hour, leaving at dusk.”

Lan Zhu tilted her head toward the temple and pulled a small piece of silver from her purse, placing it on the counter. “Please, Uncle, check the dates carefully to see if he follows this schedule.”

The vendor paused, sensing something off. This wasn’t about poetry with the princess; it was clearly about the young master. But seeing the silver, he handed over the bamboo container filled with the drink and, still smiling, accepted the coin.

After gathering the information, Lan Zhu went to the pharmacy across the street to buy the herbs. Carrying a huge bag of supplies, she had just stepped through the gate when a young gate servant eagerly helped her, delivering the items to Zhuyu Courtyard. She felt both happy and anxious.

Since the Li family sent the initial engagement notice, the second miss’s daily snacks and dishes had already increased slightly. Now with the detailed engagement notice, things were noticeably different.

Everyone in the household was used to currying favor depending on circumstances. Seeing the second miss about to marry into a prominent family, they all hurried to please her. Once the engagement was canceled, who knew what faces they would show.

Heaven help the second miss—why did she have to deal with such troublesome matters!

…

At dinnertime, the silver-threaded charcoal in Yunxi Hall burned brightly. The six dishes on the eight-immortal table had cooled, and Madam Wu called over her maid to ask, “Has Master gone to Madam Bai’s place?”

The household didn’t have many wives or concubines—aside from herself as the main wife, there were only the minor concubines, Madam Wan and Madam Bai. In terms of beauty, Madam Bai was far inferior to her. Master Chu usually spent twenty days a month in Yunxi Hall and only occasionally visited Madam Bai, but today, after waiting and waiting without seeing him return, she still asked.

“Madam, I just went to ask at the gatehouse. Master hasn’t come back yet,” the maid replied.

Madam Wu nodded, about to tell her to remove the dishes and reheat them, when the door creaked open—Master Chu had returned.

Chu Changru shook the snow from his cloak, his official boots leaving damp prints on the blue-brick floor. Taking the hot towel the maid handed him, he wiped his face. “Terrible weather. It was fine this afternoon, and now it’s snowing again.”

“I don’t even know what’s going on this year. This snow falls continuously. Someone at the Ministry of Works froze today. Doctor Wang asked for leave, and now all the river works reports are on my desk!”

Madam Wu rose to relieve her husband of his jade belt at the waist. Seeing the slight bluish tinge under his eyes, she spoke softly, “It’s not a solution for you to always do everything alone. If Doctor Wang can ask for leave, why can’t you? Why bear the burden by yourself?”

Chu Changru sighed and shook his head, sitting at the table to pinch the bridge of his nose. He said sharply, “What do you understand? Doctor Wang’s wife is the cousin of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Her uncle’s health is declining. In two years, he’ll retire, and it will be hard to assign anything to her. How could I compare myself to Doctor Wang?”

He picked up a piece of egg-foo-yolk chicken, chewed a couple of times, revealing faint bloodshot veins in his eyes, showing his fatigue.

“You’re right,” Madam Wu’s face stiffened slightly. She tightened her fingers around her porcelain spoon, stirred the silverfish soup in her celadon bowl, and placed it beside him. Her voice slowed: “Start with the fish soup. If it cools, it will smell fishy.”

Though the Wu family had been established in the capital for decades, her father had only ever been a minor clerk. By rights, she shouldn’t have been able to marry into the Chu family. But at a Lantern Festival poetry gathering, the two met, and her delicate looks and figure made Chu Changru fall in love at first sight. He insisted on marrying her despite opposition. Though she wasn’t favored by her mother-in-law after entering the family, she still felt it was worth it.

Later, as Master Chu rose in official rank, she truly entered the upper circles of the capital. In terms of appearance and demeanor, she considered herself equal to anyone, though her family background still fell short. Now, hearing her husband mention Doctor Wang’s wife’s family made her uncomfortable, so she changed the topic.

Chu Changru ladled some fish soup, his mind still on court affairs.

Vice Minister Hu was getting old, and both he and Doctor Wang eyed this position. In terms of ability and achievements, they were evenly matched, but in terms of connections, he was weaker.

Outside, the north wind blew fragmented snow against the window paper. Amid the rustling, he put down his chopsticks and looked at Madam Wu: “Secretary Pei mentioned the other day that his family’s nephew is seeking a knowledgeable and sensible girl to marry.”

Madam Wu frowned, tassels at her temples swaying. “You mean Pei Yue?” Seeing Chu Changru nod, she slammed her bowl down on the table and said firmly: “Impossible!”

Though Master didn’t name names, the fourth daughter was still young, and the second daughter’s match with the Li family was already arranged. If he was mentioning marriage now, it meant he intended it for Huo’er.

The Pei family had a long, prestigious lineage; the Secretary Pei himself was talented, and had he been healthy, he could have competed for the prime ministerial position. She would gladly agree to a marriage alliance with the Pei family—but not if it was Huo’er being promised to Pei’s nephew. She absolutely refused.

It was said Secretary Pei’s younger brother had little interest in literature, wanting instead to serve the country militarily. He later became the magistrate of Wuzhou, married, and had children. When he died in battle, Secretary Pei brought his only nephew to the capital to raise him. This Pei Yue, whom Madam Wu had met years ago, was handsome but now already twenty-two, serving as a local commandant.

In terms of family and official rank, he was entirely unfit for Huo’er.

Chu Changru knew his wife’s thoughts. He held her hand and said gently, “Don’t worry, my dear. I’ve had people check; this young man is indeed talented. Secretary Pei treats him like his own son. With the Pei family’s support, he will surely succeed. If Huo’er marries him, she will never suffer.”

Madam Wu asked suspiciously, “Treated like a son? If so, why isn’t he placed in the Ministry of Works, but sent to suffer in the capital?”

“Like father, like son. Secretary Pei considered it, but Pei Yue refused. Don’t underestimate the young commandant—he earned his rank himself,” Chu Changru paused and continued, “Though the appointment of vice ministers is ultimately decided by the emperor, the Secretary’s recommendation is important. If we can form a connection with the Pei family, my mind will be at ease.”

Madam Wu was slightly moved. After a moment’s thought, she looked at her husband: “If that’s so, I’ll find a moment in the coming days to talk to Huo’er and also ask her opinion.”