Chapter 24 - Step By Step

 "Don't worry, Zhao Yujiao won't have the chance to be harsh on us. We still have the dowry property, which is enough for our expenses."

Ye Chuyan explained to Bai Zhi slowly.

"Although there are few masters in the Qing Palace, there are more than 500 servants and guards, and there are so many properties. After Zhao Yujiao takes over, she will have no time to bother us for at least half a month."

Bai Zhi had mixed feelings after hearing this. "Princess, you were not like this before. I always feel uncomfortable."

The master in the past dared to love and hate and disdained to scheme, but now she is taking every step carefully. Ye Chuyan curled the corners of her mouth in self-mockery.

"I used to be the daughter of a marquis, but now I am just the daughter of a criminal. All my honour and disgrace depend on Pei Xiuyan. The identity of the Princess of Qing makes it easier for me to do many things, and it cannot be taken away by others now."

During this period, she has figured out a lot of things. She carries the guilt of the past, but she cannot lose hope for the future. She wants to overturn the case for the Ye family, make Pei Xiuyan pay the price, and plan for the living. This road is long and bumpy, full of thorns and darkness. Even if you go to the end, you will lose everything if you are not careful. So what? She, Ye Chuyan, has made up her mind to go on even if she has to kneel down.

 

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After Zhao Yujiao went back, she picked up the vase on the table and smashed it hard on the ground. The fragments of the vase broke into pieces and scratched Hongying's forehead. Hongying, covering her forehead, thought about it. She was in the same boat with Zhao Yujiao, so she had to persuade her.

"Mistress, why are you angry? You are now the legitimate Princess of Qing, and you are in charge of the family. You just lack the formality of a wedding."

Zhao Yujiao's temples were throbbing. Just the formality of a wedding? ! Without a wedding, no matter how nice it sounds, she is still Miss Zhao! This is not the most terrible thing. The most terrible thing is that she felt Pei Xiuyan had a different emotion towards Ye Chuyan today. She couldn't tell what it was, like a possessive desire that burst out in anger. When Pei Xiuyan said in front of Ye Chuyan that he wanted to marry her, there was clearly a feeling of venting hatred in it. Pei Xiuyan wanted to use this to annoy Ye Chuyan. To make her jealous? Pei Xiuyan was attracted to Ye Chuyan! This thought was like a poisonous snake climbing up her back, making Zhao Yujiao's back cold, and she couldn't help trembling. Two years is prone to too many changes.

She glanced at Hongying and said grimly, "Why didn't you speak up for me today?"

Hongying: "..." In that situation, how could a servant like her interrupt?

Seeing Hongying remain silent, Zhao Yujiao picked up the teacup on the table and smashed it hard at Hongying.

She screamed, "You are just waiting to see me laugh, right?"

Her rage urgently needed an outlet.

Hongying subconsciously dodged the teacup.

"How dare you, a slut, hide?" Zhao Yujiao was furious.

The servant in the courtyard shouted outside the house, "Miss Zhao, housekeeper Li wants to see you."

Zhao Yujiao's ferocious face instantly returned to its past pity, and she said softly, "Please let him in."

After that, she looked at Hongying coldly.

When Li Fu came in, Hongying was picking up the teacup and vase fragments on the ground, and while cleaning up, she said, "Mistress, it was all my carelessness that broke your things. Please punish me."

Zhao Yujiao sighed softly.

"You are my personal maid; how can I bear to blame you? Breaking things is a small matter, but what if you hurt your forehead and leave a scar? I feel so distressed. Pack up and apply some medicine quickly."

Hongying agreed hurriedly, packed up the pieces, and quickly left the house.

Li Fu's heart softened. At his age, he couldn't help but sigh when he saw such a warm master and servant.

He cleared his throat. "Miss Zhao, these are all the slaves' indentures, land deeds, shops, and warehouse lists in the Qing Palace."

Zhao Yujiao then noticed that the red brocade box held by Li Fu was full of various documents. Seeing that Zhao Yujiao was a little absent-minded, Li Fu shook the wrinkles on his face.

"Miss Zhao, you are now the mistress of the Qing Palace with the power of housekeeper. Why are you still not happy?"

Zhao Yujiao raised her eyes and glanced at Li Fu, not knowing what medicine he was selling in the gourd. There was a moment of silence.

"Miss Zhao, I heard that the young master of the Wu family has come to Kyoto. When the emperor held a banquet yesterday, the young master of the Wu family was also there. The prince went to Jianjia Garden after returning from the banquet."

It is no secret among the nobles in Kyoto that Wu Mu loves Ye Chuyan. So, Pei Xiuyan stayed in Jianjia Garden because he saw Wu Mu was angry.

Zhao Yujiao's eyelids jumped suddenly, and her mind suddenly became clear. She looked into Li Fu's cloudy eyes and asked in confusion, "Butler Li, what do you mean by this?"

Li Fu narrowed his eyes, the wrinkles on his face piled up, and he smiled.

 

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Because of the visit of the new emperor of Beirong, the emperor cancelled the Spring Festival holiday and summoned all the court officials to discuss the matter on the first night of the first lunar month. The final conclusion of the discussion was: first, receive according to etiquette and rules; second, show the great power style of Dafeng; and third, wait and see after figuring out the other party's intentions.

The emperor gave Pei Xiuyan full authority to handle the reception of the new emperor of Beirong. Pei Xiuyan was so busy that he stayed in the Honglu Temple for several consecutive days, discussing the reception details with the Minister of Rites and the Honglu Temple Minister day and night. The Prince of Pingyang, who was supposed to go back after the Spring Festival, also stayed in Kyoto temporarily because of the arrival of the new emperor of Beirong. For a time, the court was in turmoil.

But the Qing Palace was peaceful. After Zhao Yujiao talked with Li Fu for a long time that day, she began to concentrate on taking over the power of the family. Just checking the accounts made her dizzy. While she was busy, she was secretly shocked. Ye Chuyan was really amazing. She took over such a large Qing Palace for three years and didn't make any mistakes. After being shocked, she vowed to take care of everything in the Qing Palace and surpass Ye Chuyan. Zhao Yujiao was a smart person, and with the help of Li Fu, she quickly got the hang of it and vaguely found the way.

During this period, Ye Chuyan stayed in Jianjia Garden every day to recuperate. Although the house arrest was lifted, she never stepped out of the yard. In this way, unknowingly, it was the tenth day of the first lunar month.

On the night of the tenth day, the moonlight was just right. Ye Chuyan tried her luck in the yard and found that she had not fallen ill at all and had recovered a few days earlier than Doctor Wei had estimated. She felt warm in her heart, all thanks to the muscle and bone growth pills given by Wu Mu. She would find a chance to see Wu Mu tomorrow. She asked Bai Zhi to find her long, tasselled spear that had been hanging for three years and took advantage of the moonlight to dance with the spear. She must pick up her martial arts now and never waste them again.

The new servants in the yard saw that Ye Chuyan was handsome and flowing like clouds and water, and they couldn't help but cheer. No one noticed that there was a servant missing from the courtyard at this moment, Lin Shi.