After eating pastries, the three of them began shopping—jewelry shops, clothing shops, fabric shops, and cosmetics. At every place, whatever Ye Qingyu or Ye Qingya fancied, Ye Qingyu didn’t even blink before ordering it to be wrapped up and sent directly to the Duke’s household.
Lu Qianqian’s eyes turned red with envy, her jealousy so strong she nearly wanted to snatch those exquisite jewels for herself.
Of course, Ye Qingyu also bought her a few things, but compared to what Ye Qingya received, they were pitiful—like tossing scraps to a beggar.
Lu Qianqian gnashed her teeth in hatred, yet she couldn’t bear to throw the items away, so she accepted them resentfully.
After tiring from shopping, Ye Qingyu took the two to Tianfu Restaurant for lunch. She ordered a dazzling variety of dishes, filling the entire table. Even tasting just one bite of each left them stuffed.
By the end of the day, money had flowed like water. Lu Qianqian was left numb, but her determination only grew stronger. She vowed she must become the true young lady of the Marquis’ household—then all these treasures would belong to her.
Ye Qingyu escorted Lu Qianqian back to Chunhui Hall, then returned to her own courtyard with Ye Qingya.
Ye Qingya stared at her intently, her expression full of gossip.
“If you have something to say, just say it.”
“What were you doing today—acting like the God of Wealth, scattering money everywhere?”
Ye Qingyu smiled faintly. “What, you’re unhappy that I spent silver on you?”
Ye Qingya shook her head. “Of course not. But you were far too obvious with Lu Qianqian. I think you were deliberately targeting her. Did she offend you?”
Ye Qingyu chuckled softly. “Not yet.”
Ye Qingya frowned in confusion. “Then what exactly are you doing?”
Ever since returning from Nanhua Temple, Ye Qingyu’s behavior had struck her as different. She couldn’t pinpoint what had changed, but she did feel that Ye Qingyu was treating her better than before.
Ye Qingyu didn’t answer her question. Instead, she smiled and dismissed her. “Enough. We’ve been out all day—aren’t you tired? Go back and rest. And take this letter to Eldest Brother for me.”
She pulled a letter from between the account books and handed it to Ye Qingya.
Ye Qingya looked at her suspiciously. “What are you plotting with Eldest Brother?” She eyed Ye Qingyu, muttering inwardly that she must be up to something troublesome.
“It’s nothing. I just want to ask him for a little help.”
In truth, Ye Qingyu was simply giving Ye Yanzhi advance notice of what was about to happen, so he would be mentally prepared.
Ye Qingya left with a puzzled expression, while Ye Qingyu picked up the account book on the table and continued reading. Suddenly, she thought of something and called for Nian Chun. “Go summon Steward Fu.”
Steward Fu was the manager her grandfather had assigned to help oversee her shops.
“Greetings, Miss.”
“Steward Fu, I have something to trouble you with.”
“Take these silver notes and use them to purchase grain and coal. Stockpile as much as possible.”
Steward Fu accepted the notes, puzzled. It was only early spring, with seedlings just planted. The market was still full of last year’s old grain, and the estate’s stores should last until the new harvest. Stockpiling grain now seemed premature.
Grain might be reasonable, but coal was usually stored closer to winter. At present, coal was last year’s supply—buying it now seemed far too early.
“Miss, coal is cheap at the moment, and grain, being old stock, isn’t expensive either. With a hundred thousand taels, you’ll buy a great deal. Are you planning to open a coal shop? But this isn’t the right season to start such a business.”
Ye Qingyu smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, Steward Fu. I have my own plans. Just buy as much old grain and coal as possible. If the silver runs short, come back to me for more. And remind the Duke’s household to stockpile grain and charcoal as well—it will be useful later.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Even though he thought her orders strange, Steward Fu could only obey.
It was nearly March, and everyone believed spring meant warmer weather. But suddenly, heavy snow fell. The young crops in the fields were frozen to death. Snow disasters struck across the land. Without charcoal for heating, countless commoners froze to death or suffered frostbite.
Ye Qingyu’s stockpiling of grain and coal was not for profit, but to earn merit.
Thinking of the current emperor, Ye Qingyu suddenly realized with a jolt—she had forgotten to thank Prince Chu for saving her life. She felt deeply ashamed. She had been so busy unraveling Marquis Ye’s schemes and rescuing her third cousin that she had neglected such an important matter.
“Wan Qiu,” she called urgently, “go and gather the calligraphy, paintings, rare manuscripts, and aged medicinal herbs Mother left me. Select the finest ones and bring them here. I want to choose some to gift Prince Chu. No—forget it, I’ll go myself, to my private treasury.”
Her heart was full of guilt and anger at herself. How could she have forgotten something so important?
Sigh. Prince Chu must already think poorly of her. She should have gone to thank him the very next day after returning home. Instead, she had let his life-saving grace slip to the back of her mind. Truly unforgivable.
Wan Qiu suddenly realized the gravity of the matter. “Miss, it’s my fault—I forgot about preparing a gift of thanks for Prince Chu.”
Ye Qingyu tapped her flawless forehead in frustration, her beautiful face full of regret. “It’s not your fault. I forgot myself. Ah, tomorrow I must properly apologize to His Highness.”
She personally went to her private treasury and selected three century-old wild ginseng roots, famous calligraphy and paintings, rare manuscripts, jade pieces, and a porcelain vase from the previous dynasty’s Ru kiln— altogether dozens of items, each of great value.
The next day, Ye Qingyu brought a group of guards and loaded two carriages full of gifts before heading to Prince Chu’s residence.
Dismounting from the carriage at the gates of Prince Chu’s mansion, she saw that the guard on duty was none other than Commander Jiang, the same man from that day.
“Commander Jiang, please inform His Highness that Ye Qingyu of the Marquis of Qingyuan’s household has come to pay her respects.”
“Please wait a moment, Miss Ye.”
Soon, Commander Jiang returned. “Miss Ye, our lord invites you in.”
Ye Qingyu nodded slightly and followed him inside, while Wan Qiu directed the guards to unload the gift boxes from the carriages.
Prince Chu’s residence was filled with winding corridors and ornate carvings. Under Commander Jiang’s guidance, Ye Qingyu arrived at the guest hall.
“Miss Ye, His Highness is inside. Please enter.”
She stepped in slowly. At the head seat sat a man in a dark teal brocade robe. He seemed unaware of her arrival, calmly pouring himself tea. His long, slender fingers held a porcelain cup, his brows lowered, his handsome profile cold and distant.
“Your servant, Ye Qingyu, greets His Highness Prince Chu. I am guilty beyond measure, for only now, after many days, have I come to thank you for saving my life.”
Ye Qingyu knelt swiftly, her voice filled with shame and remorse.
“It is of no consequence. Rise.” His deep voice was cool and detached, without a ripple of emotion.