25 – July 7th
Xing Er was helping Shen Qiu dress and freshen up in the room, listening to Ye Chen outside explaining childbirth to Xiao Fu, and she couldn’t help but want to laugh.
Shen Qiu, on the other hand, had a face full of exasperation. How could her husband describe such matters in a way that… that made her want to hit him?
Shen Qiu looked at Xing Er in the mirror and asked, “Did all of you plan today’s affair together?”
Xing Er immediately replied, “Madam… I… we were just forced by the Duke.” There was no other way—Madam was angry, so they had to use the Duke as a shield.
Shen Qiu sighed and said, “Whether you planned it or not, what I don’t understand is how your husband convinced all of you to help him with this? Ming Yue is unreliable, but Xing Er, you’re usually very steady.”
Xing Er lowered her head and said, “The Duke promised us that if this succeeded, we could take whatever we wanted from his small treasury.”
“And… and we could pick any jewelry from Cuiyue Pavilion.”
Shen Qiu was so shocked her jaw nearly dropped. She had the key to Ye Chen’s small treasury, and only the Emperor’s small treasury could compare to it.
Cuiyue Pavilion was a jewelry store under Ye Chen’s name, catering to the young ladies of the Capital City. Ye Chen had really gone all out for this matter.
To be honest, Shen Qiu felt sweet inside. She was truly happy that her husband would go to such lengths for her.
But now, everyone knew she and her husband had been intimate during the day—how embarrassing! How was she supposed to go to the Hall of Glory and Majesty for dinner later?
Moreover, her husband was outside openly discussing with Xiao Fu how to have a child with her. This… this was practically trying to infuriate her to death!
Shen Qiu snorted, picked up an apple, and threw it outside. Xiao Fu caught it with one hand, then grinned at Shen Qiu as she walked out.
Shen Qiu glared at Ye Chen but ignored him, then asked Xiao Fu, “Xiao Fu, are you hungry? Do you want some mung bean cake?”
Xiao Fu immediately ran to Shen Qiu’s side, rubbing his head against her shoulder, and said, “Sister, Xiao Fu doesn’t want mung bean cake. Xiao Fu wants to hold a little nephew. From now on, Xiao Fu won’t disturb you and brother-in-law when you’re being affectionate.”
Shen Qiu asked Xiao Fu, “Xiao Fu, do you know what being affectionate means?”
Xiao Fu smiled and said, “Yes, brother-in-law said it’s mouth to mouth, and then…” Before Xiao Fu could finish, Shen Qiu covered his mouth.
She yelled at Ye Chen, “Ye Chen!”
Ye Chen immediately took off running. How could he say such things to a child? And in the courtyard with so many people around—didn’t he know what shame was? Was he a Duke or a little rogue?
As he ran, Ye Chen shouted, “Darling, calm down! I’ll sincerely reform and never do it again!”
Then he vanished without a trace.
Shen Qiu stamped her feet in frustration. What could she do? He couldn’t even withstand a single beating from her.
July 7th was Shen Qiu’s birthday. She was quite happy that day because it was her birthday, and she had also received a letter from the northwest the day before, along with birthday gifts from her father and mother.
When she woke up in the morning, it was already Chen hour. Ye Chen wasn’t by her side. She got up and called for Ming Yue and Xing Er, but it was Xiao Shu who came in—the maid specially assigned to comb Shen Qiu’s hair.
Shen Qiu asked, “Xiao Shu, where are Ming Yue and Xing Er? Has the Duke gone out?”
Xiao Shu lowered her head and said, “The Duke said he was taking Xiao Fu out to play, and he brought Ming Yue and Xing Er along too. They left at Mao hour.”Shen Qiu furrowed her brows and asked, “Didn’t he say where he was going?”
Xiao Shu shook her head, “No, and Mu Qing went with him too. They left on horseback.”
Shen Qiu said, “Never mind them then. Help me with my hair first. I’ll go directly to the Hall of Glory and Majesty later, and you’ll accompany me.”
Xiao Shu nodded in response, “Yes,” and then a young maid brought in warm water to assist Shen Qiu with her washing.
Xiao Shu was highly skilled at hairstyling. At home, unless it was a grand occasion, Shen Qiu always wore the simplest of buns, adorned with just a single jade hairpin.
When she arrived at the Hall of Glory and Majesty, she had a meal with the Old Duke and the Old Madam and chatted for a while. From start to finish, the two elders made no mention of the fact that it was her birthday. Though she felt she was being overly sensitive, her heart still ached with disappointment.
By the time Shen Qiu returned to the Cherishing Autumn Pavilion, it was already the end of the Si hour, and Ye Chen and the others had yet to return. Had they all forgotten that today was her birthday? And it was also the Qixi Festival.
Although it was a festival meant for unmarried young women, Shen Qiu had wanted to celebrate it for the young maids in the estate, making it lively along with her own birthday. Even though there were elders in the household and the celebration couldn’t be too extravagant, they could at least celebrate together. But now, it seemed as though everyone had forgotten her.
On the Qixi Festival evening, river lanterns could be released—a tradition for all women to pray for peace and smooth relationships. She had originally planned to take Xiao Fu, Ming Yue, and Xing Er out to release river lanterns in the evening, but now she was all alone.
Shen Qiu practiced with her sword alone in the bamboo grove and embroidered a pouch by herself—a gift she had intended to give Ye Chen today. She still asked Granny Li to go out and purchase items for the Qixi Festival, planning to celebrate properly with the young maids in the estate when everyone returned in the evening.
It wasn’t until lantern-lighting time that Mu Qing finally returned. Shen Qiu asked, “Why have you come back alone? Where are the others?”
Mu Qing replied with a grim expression, “Madam, the young master has run into trouble. Please come with me.”
Shen Qiu stood up abruptly, her voice tense, “What happened to my husband? Where is he?”
Mu Qing said, “Madam, please come with me first. I’ve already had a carriage prepared. You’ll understand when we get there.”
Without waiting for Shen Qiu to ask further, Mu Qing turned and walked out.
Once in the carriage, Shen Qiu couldn’t stop thinking about what might have happened. Her mind involunt conjured up various scenarios—Ye Chen being kidnapped or injured. Unconsciously, her hand reached for the soft sword at her waist.
She glanced around the carriage when suddenly, there was a “thud” from outside. She immediately leaned out to look—Mu Qing was no longer in the driver’s seat. A throwing dart was embedded in the right door of the carriage. She picked it up and read the message: “Go to Cuiyue Pavilion.”
Shen Qiu then instructed the coachman, “Uncle Gen, head to Cuiyue Pavilion.”
Upon arriving at Cuiyue Pavilion, the manager came out to greet her, bowing and saying, “Madam, please follow me.”
Shen Qiu was led to a pavilion where, to her surprise, Xiao Shu was waiting inside. Shen Qiu looked at Xiao Shu suspiciously, “Why are you here? What’s going on?”
Xiao Shu bowed her head and said, “This servant is here to do your makeup.”The moment Xiao Shu appeared, Shen Qiu suddenly had a premonition—this was all arranged by Ye Chen.”
Since that was the case, she decided to follow his lead. Xiao Shu applied a beautiful peach blossom makeup for her, styled her hair into an elegant bun, and even brought out the entire South Sea Pearl Headdress Set. Shen Qiu then changed into a pink dress.Then Xiao Shu helped Shen Qiu to the backyard of Cuiyue Pavilion, where a carriage had long been waiting, with Uncle Gen still driving.
Xiao Shu and Shen Qiu sat together in the carriage. As if afraid Shen Qiu might speak to her, Xiao Shu kept her head lowered, staring at the handkerchief in her hands.