“Miss, I’ve never been to Yiyue Residence for a meal or wine before! I’m honestly so excited!” Bao Yan said, her eyes shining with curiosity like a young girl.
Lingyun looked at her and felt a pang of tenderness. With her status and standing, she could have easily visited such places before. But in her past life, she had been so consumed by romantic affairs and heartaches that she had completely neglected everything else.
“Later, you and Rouge go to the shop next door to buy rose cakes. I’ll wait for you upstairs. And I’ve already ordered your favorite braised pork knuckle see? I’m reliable, aren’t I?”
At once, Bao Yan’s eyes lit up brightly. Everyone in the manor knew she had the biggest sweet tooth and loved food more than anything. Following her young lady certainly meant she always got to eat well!
“Miss, I didn’t think you’d remember I like rose cakes! I really thought you’d forgotten all about me!” Rouge pouted, looking adorably wronged.
Lingyun couldn’t help but pinch her plump, soft cheeks. They laughed and teased each other all the way until the three of them arrived at Yiyue Residence.
“Go and buy what you want. I’ll wait for you on the second floor. But remember don’t go wandering off or play around too much.”
Lingyun went upstairs. The moment she appeared, she drew the attention of almost everyone there.
She was fair and delicate, like a tender young bamboo shoot so fresh and soft it seemed you could squeeze water from her skin. When she smiled, two small tiger teeth showed, making her look even more lively and charming.
“Third Miss, please come this way.”
She was led to a room on the second floor. As she pushed open the door, the rich, warm fragrance of tea drifted out, filling her chest and soothing her heart.
“I pay my respects to the Third Miss!”
Lin Yudie stood up and bowed gracefully. Every movement and gesture she made was gentle and refined.
“There’s no need for such formality between us. Sit down,” Lingyun said, taking a seat opposite her.
“How is everything progressing?”
She picked up her teacup and took a sip. The tea had a light, subtle aroma and tasted as wonderful as it smelled.
“The fish has already taken the bait. But when I told him he must marry me, it seems he is too reluctant to give up the immense wealth and status of your younger sister. Instead, he wants me to become his concubine,” Lin Yudie replied.
Both Lin Yudie and Cao Lingyun burst into laughter at the same time. That Zhang Yachu he thought himself so clever, never realizing he was nothing more than food on their plate or a fish caught in their net.
“His concubine? Absolutely not. You are a respectable young lady from a good family. Besides, everyone knows he frequents courtesans and has relations with women from pleasure houses. He is hardly a man of clean character or virtue.”
Lingyun laughed coldly, nearly leaning right onto the table. She had thought Zhang Yachu was foolish in her past life, but it seemed he was even more stupid in this one.
“Rest assured, Third Miss. With me handling things, you will certainly get exactly what you desire. By the way, how is your mother doing?”
At this, Lingyun shook her head, her brows furrowing deeply and never relaxing.
“You know how soft and gentle her nature is. Today, Aunt Peng made a serious mistake. It had absolutely nothing to do with Mother, yet Father insisted that Mother be the one to decide her punishment. I had to come up with a plan having her pretend to faint just to get through the matter and avoid trouble.”
She dared not even think about what life would be like for her mother in the future. She sighed again and again, deeply worried.
“Why don’t I send a few of my former maidservants to help her? They have been with me for many years and are very clever and capable. They know all the tricks and schemes people use. Once you are married and gone, you won’t need to worry about her safety or well-being anymore.”
“I know exactly what that Aunt Peng of yours is like. A little bit of cleverness won’t be enough to deal with her. You need a whole bag of tricks to outwit someone like her.”
After a while, Lingyun left the room and met Rouge and Bao Yan returning.
The three of them ate and drank until they were full and happy, then headed home. But the moment they arrived, they saw an imperial eunuch waiting for her.
“Third Miss Cao, receive the Imperial Decree!”
Lingyun was slightly confused, but she knelt promptly and prepared herself.
“Your subject receives the decree.”
“Miss Cao…”
Half an hour later, the eunuch was respectfully seen off, and Lingyun finally stood up.
It was a summons from the Empress herself. But Lingyun knew very little about the Empress. She could not tell if this invitation was a blessing or a disaster.
“Miss, everyone knows the Empress watched over and raised the Young Duke since he was small. She surely just wants to meet and see what kind of person you are that’s why she summoned you,” Rouge said.
Lingyun shook her head. She knew almost nothing about this dignified and powerful Empress. For all she knew, the Empress might not even think much of someone from a family as “ordinary” as hers.
“Miss, what is wrong?” Rouge asked anxiously when she saw Lingyun remain silent.
“Nothing. I just… have something weighing on my mind.”
Before she could finish speaking, she heard Zhou Hongbai’s voice.
“I heard the Empress has summoned you to the palace?”
As Zhou Hongbai walked toward them, Rouge and Bao Yan stepped aside discreetly.
In the quiet garden, they sat facing each other. Seeing Lingyun looking low-spirited and anxious, Zhou Hongbai tried to comfort her.
“Lingyun, the Empress has always been very kind to me. She only wishes to meet you this time. You really don’t need to worry so much.”
Hearing his reassurance, Lingyun felt a strange mix of emotions in her heart. She lowered her head, unsure what to do, and finally managed a soft reply:
“Very well.”
“The Empress governs the inner palace with a reputation for strictness and authority. But in private, she is the kindest person you could ever meet.”
“Is that true?” Lingyun asked quickly. She knew the Empress was famous for her dignity and power. She was afraid that once she entered the palace, she would be put in a difficult position with no way out.
“It is absolutely true. She has always treated me with great affection. And you know how strict the palace rules are she has no choice but to be firm and serious to maintain order,” Zhou Hongbai explained. But seeing she was still worried, he reached out and took her soft, slender hands in his.
Surprisingly, she did not pull away.
The autumn wind blew gently. Her hands were cold as ice, but Zhou Hongbai’s hands were warm and so was his heart.
“How about this? Tomorrow, I will accompany you into the palace. Would that help?”
“There is no need. That is not what troubles me most. I am far more worried about the power struggle between the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Since I am your betrothed, she will certainly expect me to take sides. Even though you grew up under the Empress’s care, a truly loyal minister serves only the Emperor, and no one else.”
Hearing this, Zhou Hongbai smiled a rare sight on his usually stern and cold face.
Seeing him smile, Lingyun grabbed his large hand and looked straight at him.
“What is it? What are you laughing at?”
“I laugh because you are truly a clever woman. The truth is, matters of the court and matters of the inner palace are one and the same. When there is chaos behind the palace walls, the court cannot be stable either and how can an empire be at peace if its foundations are shaken?” Zhou Hongbai looked at her as if she were a rare and precious treasure.
In this world, very few women thought about such things. Most only dreamed of marrying a good husband, raising children, and living a peaceful life.
But having such broad vision and understanding… was it a blessing, or a curse?
“The Empress will never openly demand you take a side. You can always play the fool and avoid answering. She will not hold it against you. But in truth… whether you choose a side or say anything at all, does it really make a difference? I grew up close to the Empress. In the eyes of every official in this court, I am already counted as her supporter.”