Chapter 194: Clues From Back Then, Entering the Palace
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
On the 17th of March, at dawn, the Yu family’s construction site began. The clanging sounds mixed with the men’s shouts broke the silence of the small village.
Little Bruiser turned over and fell to the ground with a thud, instantly waking up.
Yu Wan woke up early. Most of the people working at the construction site were from the same village, and some were from other villages. They were all hired by Yu Feng. He had become a small contractor, so he could not care about the workshop for the time being. Yu Wan had to go to the workshop to help this morning.
Little Bruiser rubbed his butt that had almost split open and wanted to climb back into bed to continue sleeping. However, he inadvertently turned around and saw the box under the bed.
Oh? When did a box appear under the bed?!!
Yesterday, he was still hiding under the bed with Sister Zhenzhen to eat candy. He didn’t even find the box!
Did Sis hide something delicious again?
“Slurp~” Little Bruiser gulped and crawled under the bed to fish out the box.
Yu Wan went to the backyard to wash up, sweep the ground, feed the chickens, pick up the eggs, and planned to go back to her room to change her clothes. Unexpectedly, she saw Little Bruiser sitting on the ground in a daze with a big box in front of him. He was holding half of the red wedding dress in his hand, and the other half was in the box.
“Sis, what is this? Did you buy new clothes? They look so good…” Little Bruiser looked at Yu Wan at the door as if she was a treasure and said in surprise.
Coincidentally, Yu Shaoqing had finished cooking breakfast and came over to call Yu Wan to eat.
Yu Wan hurriedly stuffed the wedding dress back into the box. The moment Yu Shaoqing stepped through the threshold, she closed the box door!
Little Bruiser was dumbfounded by this storm-like reaction and speed.
Yu Shaoqing took in his daughter’s nervousness and looked meaningfully at the box his daughter was trying to hide. Then, he pretended not to see anything and said calmly, “Ah Wan, the food is ready. Come and eat. Is Bruiser still sleeping? If not, come and eat.”
With that, he turned around and went to the kitchen.
Yu Wan looked at Little Bruiser and said solemnly, “Don’t touch my things in the future.”
Little Bruiser: “Oh.”
“Go wash your face.” Yu Wan glanced outside the door.
Little Bruiser obediently left. Yu Wan opened the box and looked at the elegant wedding dress. The bright red color entered her eyes, making her heart thump.
There was another commotion in the central room. Yu Wan quickly put the wedding dress in and closed the box. This time, she did not forget to lock it.
“Dad, do you know what’s in Sis’s box?” After Little Bruiser washed up, he chased after Yu Shaoqing.
Yu Shaoqing was overjoyed by his son calling him Dad, but this was not what he was most happy about. He smiled mysteriously and said to his son, “Of course I know.”
Little Bruiser: “Huh?”
Yu Shaoqing could not hide his smugness as he said, “Your sister made it for me herself. Don’t tell anyone.”
That bright red dress… was, was, was… was it made by Sis for Dad? From his father’s reaction, he seemed to be very satisfied, fond, and want to wear it?!
Little Bruiser imagined his muscular father wearing a red dress. In the end, he was shocked!
Little Bruiser was on the verge of tears. “You’re a man. How can you have such a fetish?”
Yu Shaoqing : “…”
… .
After breakfast, Yu Wan went to the Yu Family’s old residence. The carriage from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion had already arrived to collect today’s goods. Yu Wan tallied the goods and said to the shop assistant, “Tally again.”
“No need, no need!” The shop assistant smiled. “Second Boss’s goods have never gone wrong. It’s fine after you tallied!”
“You should tally,” Yu Wan insisted.
“Aye!” The shop assistant counted the eight hundred pounds of stinky tofu. “It’s right.”
The fermented bean curd was served for three days yesterday, so there was no need to supply it for the next two days.
On the other hand, the first batch of sour bamboo shoots would probably be delivered at the end of the month.
In the middle of next month, they would be able to receive the payment for this month’s goods. As for the restaurant’s dividend, they would have to wait until the end of the year.
The waiter drove the carriage away, and Yu Wan returned to the central room. Uncle, Aunt, and Yu Shaoqing were sitting together. There was an abacus on the table, and they seemed to be carefully calculating something with solemn expressions.
Yu Wan walked over and asked softly, “What’s wrong? Is there not enough money to build the house?”
They had invested too much in the early stages of the workshop and would not be able to make back their capital for a few months. They had already spent most of the money they earned before the New Year. Now, they still owed the stone, green bricks, and salary. They were only waiting for the first batch of payment next month to settle half of it.
“Not this,” Aunt said. “At the construction site, your father used his military salary and we borrowed some from Aunt Bai. We don’t have to worry about money for the time being.”
Yu Shaoqing had been in the military camp for six years, and he ate and lived in the camp. He didn’t go out to play usually, so he had saved up his monthly salary. Other than spending some money to buy gifts for them, he handed the rest to Madam Jiang. And Madam Jiang took it out and gave it to Aunt, asking her to use the money to build the house.
Why else would it be said that Aunt doted on Madam Jiang? It was difficult to find such a sister-in-law.
“Since it’s not about the money, what are you worried about?” Yu Wan asked.
Uncle said, “It’s about Bruiser’s studies. Bruiser isn’t young anymore. Your big brother and second brother have already gone to school.”
It was just that the two of them were not very hardworking and refused to study well. After a few days, they stopped going.
Lotus Flower Village was small and did not have its own village school. Before the war, there were three to five villages that had village schools. After the war, the villagers did not have a good life, so the village schools fell one by one. Until now, only Apricot Flower Village was left.
However, thinking of the relationship between Apricot Flower Village and Lotus Flower Village, how could Uncle and Aunt dare to send Little Bruiser there? Wasn’t this pushing the child into the fire pit?
“So it’s because of this?” Yu Wan was enlightened. She didn’t know the ancient education system and had almost delayed her brother. Thinking about how her brother was already six years old, it was indeed time for him to study. “Isn’t there a private school in town too?”
If she remembered correctly, Zhao Heng used to study in town?
The private school in town was much more expensive than the village school. They had to pay one tael a month for tuition, which was not difficult. They were doing business now, so they could still afford one tael a month. The difficult thing was that the private school had an exam. They would only accept it after they passed the exam.
“They had to take an exam if they wanted to study?” Yu Wan was surprised.
“That’s right.” Uncle had already asked the village headman. “Many study in the village for a year or two before going to a private school to study.”
Zhao Heng had also taken an exam to enter the school, and he got first place. After that, he was first every year. That brat was a bastard, but he was really good at studying.
Uncle sighed. “What the village headman means is that we should let Little Bruiser study in Apricot Flower Village for a while first. Since your father is back, those people in Apricot Flower Village won’t be as arrogant as before.”
Yu Wan thought for a while and said, “Why don’t I go to town to ask around and see what they tested in the past?”
As a genius in the twenty-first century’s college entrance examination, preparing for the examination was her forte. As long as she figured out the scope of the questions, she could turn Little Bruiser into a little bookworm herself without sending him to Apricot Flower Village.
… .
Yu Wan went to town.
Shuanzi wanted to drive the ox cart to send her off, but she refused. The ox cart was not even moving fast. However, she did not know if it was her imagination, but she felt that someone was staring at her along the way. However, when she turned around, she did not see anyone.
“Aiya, what brings you here?” Shopkeeper Cui was calculating when he looked up. When he saw Yu Wan enter the White Jade Restaurant, he quickly put down his abacus and went up to her.
He already knew about Yu Wan’s cooperation with the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. It was also thanks to Yu Wan that he had a relationship with the Vice Alliance Master of the Jiangzuo Merchant Union. With his current status, he originally could not get close to Master Qin. Everything was because of Yu Wan.
Yu Wan first greeted him politely before explaining her intentions.
“I was wondering what it was!” Shopkeeper Cui clicked his tongue. “Isn’t it just the questions for the private school? Teacher Zheng from the private school is an old friend of mine. I’ll go to the Zheng family tonight and get the questions for you!”
Yu Wan did not expect things to go so smoothly. She could not help but be in a good mood. “Thank you, Shopkeeper Cui.”
Shopkeeper Cui said angrily, “We’re family. You’re treating me like an outsider!”
Yu Wan smiled. “How is Miss Bai?”
Shopkeeper Cui said in high spirits, “Good! Very good! Master invited a great master to the Bai Manor to perform a ritual and also asked a famous doctor in the pugilistic world to prescribe a prescription for Miss. The ‘smallpox’ is more than half recovered! The great master also said that Miss’s marriage is bumpy. If it is predestined to have it in her life, it will, but if it is not, one cannot importune for it. When Master heard this, he was frightened. He thought that Miss was destined to be unmarried. The reason why she obtained the smallpox was because he forced her to get married. Master said that no one should force Miss to get married in the future. If Miss wants to get married, she will. If she doesn’t want to get married, forget it. Master will raise her for the rest of her life!”
This was what a father would say.
Yu Wan was relieved to know that Bai Tang was doing well. Now that everything was ready, it depended on when her brother mustered his courage and went to the Bai Manor to propose marriage.
However…
Yu Wan thought of something and a hint of shyness appeared in her eyes. Who knew who would come to propose marriage first…
“Young Master!”
In the Young Master Manor, Shadow Thirteen strode into the study.
Yan Jiuchao closed the half-opened almanac.
Shadow Thirteen glanced at the almanac that he had flipped through. Uh… you didn’t stay in bed early in the morning just to look at this? She hasn’t even replied to the things that you’ve just given out, and you’ve already picked a day?
“What is it?” Yan Jiuchao asked indifferently.
Shadow Thirteen handed a small note that he had untied from a pigeon to Yan Jiuchao. “Shadow Six has news. He has found a clue in Gong City, but it’s a little tricky. He earnestly requests for us to send two sacrificial soldiers.”
After Yan Jiuchao finished reading the note, he threw it into a brazier at the side and burned it. “You said last night that you found traces of Zhou Huai. Where was it?”
Shadow Thirteen said, “In Gong City too.”
“What a coincidence.” Yan Jiuchao tapped his fingers on the table. “Go prepare the carriage. I’ll personally go to Gong City.”
Shadow Thirteen hesitated for a moment. “…Yes.”
… .
In the Xianfu Palace, a man in black knelt on one knee on the ground in the side hall. “Your subordinate greets Master.”
Only Worthy Consort and the nanny were allowed to enter the side hall.
Worthy Consort Xu gave the nanny in charge a look. The nanny understood and walked to the door to help them be vigilant of their surroundings.
“Have you found out?” Worthy Consort Xu asked.
The man in black said, “Yes, but… I’m not the only one keeping an eye on her. There’s another person who seems to be… His Highness’s spy.”
Worthy Consort Xu was not surprised. After all, if he did not care so much about her, he would not have rejected the consort she chose.
Worthy Consort Xu raised her hand indifferently, indicating for the man in black to continue.
The man in black said, “That girl’s surname is Yu. She lives in Lotus Flower Village.”
Worthy Consort Xu’s hand paused. “Village? Village girl?”
She never expected that her son, who had the royal bloodline, would actually take a fancy to a village girl. This was not much better than a woman from a brothel!
Worthy Consort Xu’s anger rose!
The man in black continued, “I also found out that she was once engaged. That family broke off her engagement and moved away.”
Worthy Consort Xu was so angry that she fell back. Not only was she a village girl, but she was also a village girl who had a failed engagement… Was her son blind?!
“Also, her father is Yu Shaoqing.”
Worthy Consort Xu frowned. “The centurion who snatched Marquis Yan’s military achievements?”
“Exactly.”
If it was said that the village girl’s background was low, then this meant that her background was tainted. Yan Congming was someone the Emperor wanted to protect. Stealing military merit from him was equivalent to snatching military merit from the Emperor. On the surface, the Emperor would investigate this matter thoroughly, but in reality, it was just a formality. When Yan Congming became obedient and the limelight of his achievements passed, this case would be decided.
And the outcome would definitely be Yu Shaoqing going to prison again.
Worthy Consort Xu clenched her fists and said, “Of all people, why would my son take a fancy to the daughter of a criminal? Isn’t this clearly going against his father? I remember that this case was handed over to the Second Prince to investigate. How’s his investigation going?”
The man in black said, “I don’t know, but I think that since His Highness has taken a fancy to Yu Shaoqing’s daughter, he will definitely avenge Yu Shaoqing at all costs.”
Worthy Consort Xu’s head hurt. “Go and tell His Highness that there’s no need to investigate this case carefully. Just say that it’s my idea!”
“Yes!”
The man in black accepted the order and left. Two hours later, he hurriedly returned to the palace to report.
“What did His Highness say?” Worthy Consort Xu looked at him and asked.
The man in black hesitated.
Worthy Consort Xu’s eyes turned cold. “If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t stammer!”
The man in black braced himself and said, “His Highness said that he will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly.”
Worthy Consort Xu knocked over the cup beside her.
The hot tea splashed on her feet. The nanny in charge hurriedly walked forward, squatted down, and wiped her wet shoes with a handkerchief. “Your Highness, calm down!”
Worthy Consort Xu was furious. “How can I calm down? My son has taken a fancy to the person His Majesty wants to kill! Does he think he’s not eye-catching enough? His Majesty has almost stuffed the princess of the Xiongnu in front of him. Is he blind? I’ve done so much for him. Is he so blind to things?!”
The nanny in charge: “Your Highness!”
The man in black lowered his head.
“You can leave first,” the nanny in charge instructed coldly.
The man in black bowed to Worthy Consort Xu and retreated behind the screen.
The nanny took off Worthy Consort Xu’s shoes and realized that her feet were wet. She quickly took off her socks. The tea was hot, and the entire instep was red.
The in charge nanny took the ointment and carefully applied it on Worthy Consort Xu.
Worthy Consort Xu was so angry that she could not feel the pain in her feet. “I raised such a big son. This is the first time he’s going against me like this, and it’s actually for a woman. I’m his biological mother. How can I harm him?”
The nanny in charge said earnestly, “His Highness has grown up and has his own ideas.”
Worthy Consort Xu said angrily, “Two years ago, I told him not to interfere in Prefecture Xu, but he didn’t listen to my advice. What happened in the end? He almost lost his life in Prefecture Xu, and now he doesn’t listen to me. I think he doesn’t want the position of Crown Prince anymore!”
The nanny in charge did not reply.
“What else does that girl have? Tell me too!” Worthy Consort Xu’s words were clearly directed at the man in black.
The man in black stood behind the screen and said respectfully, “She has dealings with the White Jade Restaurant and the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. I heard the waiter in the Drunken Immortal Pavilion call her Second Boss.”
“The second boss of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion?” Worthy Consort Xu narrowed her eyes.
… .
“Second Boss! Second Boss!”
Outside the Yu Family’s old residence, a carriage slowly stopped. Master Qin impatiently lifted the curtain and jumped down.
Yu Wan had just returned from town and was peeling bamboo shoots in the backyard. When she heard Master Qin’s voice, she stood up and went out to welcome him. “Why is Master Qin here at this time? Isn’t the Drunken Immortal Pavilion busy today?”
“Busy! I’m so busy!” Master Qin said in high spirits as he entered the central room with Yu Wan.
Yu Wan saw that he was sweating profusely and poured him a cup of cold tea.
Master Qin picked up his cup and drank it in one gulp. Then, he wiped his mouth and said, “You will never guess why I’m here.”
Yu Wan smiled. “Please elaborate.”
Master Qin said proudly, “Our Drunken Immortal Pavilion’s reputation has finally spread. Now, even the Empress in the palace wants to try our cooking! Quickly pack up and follow me into the palace later!”