The headmaster had come only to inquire about Ming Shu’s situation. Seeing Yan Wei’s pale complexion, he exchanged a few pleasantries before taking his leave.
Ming Shu was about to follow when she suddenly heard a light cough from behind: “Cousin, wait.”
Ming Shu paused, and when she looked again, the headmaster had already hurried away.
Her pale, slender fingers clenched slightly before she turned around with a puzzled expression: “Did you have something to ask of me, cousin?”
Only then did Yan Wei take a closer look. The young woman had a cool, fair complexion, bright eyes, and pearly teeth. Her delicate willow-leaf eyebrows were tinged with a hint of green, and her slender waist added to her grace. The plain clothing she wore accentuated a touch of fragility in her features.
She looked like someone easily bullied.
Yan Wei frowned: “Why aren’t you attending the academy?”
He thought that as the eldest brother, he should act as a father figure and do something for his cousin. If she was truly being bullied at the academy, he would certainly stand up for her.
Ming Shu lowered her head even further and whispered a few words: “I don’t want to go…”
Her voice, as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, was keenly caught by Yan Wei. He pressed further: “Why not?”
But Yan Wei noticed a glimmer of tears welling up in Ming Shu’s beautiful eyes, and the words he intended to ask died on his lips.
“If you don’t wish to speak of it, then forget it. Return to the west courtyard.”
He would have someone investigate discreetly.
Yan Wei’s expression grew even colder.
Ming Shu glanced at him, her heart trembling with a hint of fear, and replied softly: “It’s just that there are a few unpleasant people, and besides…”
Ming Shu fell silent for a moment.
Yan Wei, not understanding, waited for her to continue.
“Besides, I don’t need to attend the academy anymore.”
Yan Wei furrowed his brows in thought but found no answer.
Meanwhile, the young woman standing a few steps away from him inexplicably blushed. Yan Wei pursed his lips and remained silent.
After a long while, seeing that he wasn’t speaking, Ming Shu felt awkward standing there alone. Summoning her courage, she said: “If you have nothing else, cousin, I’ll return first. I’ll visit you again tomorrow.”
Without waiting for his reply, she lifted her skirt, stepped over the threshold, and took Tang Li, who was waiting outside, back to the west courtyard.
Yan Wei’s gaze lingered on the flustered retreating figure, his mind filled with speculation. He then instructed Duan Cang to summon the chief steward.
Returning to the west courtyard, Ming Shu lay on the low couch, pondering the conversation between the headmaster and Yan Wei.
Suddenly, she sat up, startling Tang Li, who was massaging her shoulders: “M-Miss?”
“Tang Li, go and inquire about people who have come from Yunjing recently.”
Since the headmaster knew, and her cousin knew as well, this matter was no secret. Perhaps those from Yunjing might know something.
Tang Li was puzzled: “Why would Miss inquire about this?”
“Little Tang Li, how can your mistress remain deaf to the outside world? Hurry and go.” Ming Shu waved her hand, urging her.
However, as a maid in the inner courtyard, the only way to gather information from outside was to ask the servants in the front courtyard for help.
Tang Li handed a few silver ingots to a servant, instructing him to quickly find people from Yunjing. The servant hurriedly agreed.
Meanwhile, after hearing the chief steward’s report, Yan Wei finally understood why Ming Shu had spoken as she did.
If she was about to have her coming-of-age ceremony, it meant she would soon be betrothed. If elders were present, it might happen even earlier.
The chief steward counted the days carefully: “In ten days, it will be the young lady’s coming-of-age ceremony. How should the household prepare?”
Even if Yan Wei hadn’t returned, the chief steward would have written to ask. Now that Yan Wei was back, arrangements could be made more clearly.
Yan Wei didn’t understand such matters, but he knew the importance of the coming-of-age ceremony for a young woman: “Follow the standards of the prefect’s residence.”
The chief steward was taken aback: “But… wouldn’t that displease the prefect’s residence?”
Ming Shu was merely a cousin in the Yan residence, naturally no match for the magistrate’s daughter. If the magistrate’s household were to find out, they would likely harbor resentment.
Yan Wei closed his eyes, his voice calm. “The General’s residence need not fear such trivial matters.”
No matter how furious the magistrate’s household might be, they could only swallow their anger for now. He was not incapable of protecting a young girl.
The chief steward acknowledged the order and went to arrange personnel.
With Yan Wei’s return to the residence, the west courtyard became more restrained.
Ming Shu instructed someone to bury all the previously cut flower branches, not even leaving the flowers in the blue-and-white porcelain vase.
Tang Li was puzzled. “Miss, didn’t you love these peach branches the most? Why bury them?”
Ming Shu tucked the stray strands of hair that had been caught by the peach branches behind her ear.
“If I didn’t know about Cousin’s injury, it would be one thing. But now that I know, it would invite criticism.”
How could she still be in the mood to admire flowers when her cousin had suffered such a serious injury? That was not something a proper cousin should do.
She ought to appear so worried about her cousin’s injury that she grew thinner by the day. Hearing this would surely move him a little.
See how considerate she was.
Tang Li nodded, half-understanding.
Ming Shu’s lips curved slightly. “Tell the main kitchen to send only a bowl of plain porridge for tonight’s meal.”
Tang Li was shocked. “Just plain porridge?”
Ming Shu nodded. “Go quickly.”
Tang Li dawdled and asked, “What about me?”
Ming Shu parted her red lips, saying something that made Tang Li beat her chest in frustration. “The same, naturally.”
“Miss!”
“Hmm?”
Tang Li trudged dejectedly to the main kitchen.
The people in the main kitchen were about to kill a chicken when they heard Tang Li’s request and set it down. “Is that so? Then I’ll just cook a bit more.”
Coincidentally, the General had also requested only plain porridge.
The young cousin was truly kind-hearted. She must have seen the General’s injury and now couldn’t even enjoy her meals.
Tang Li glanced at the chicken and sighed inwardly. If she wasn’t mistaken, that chicken should have ended up in her stomach, but now she could only exchange glances with it.
That’s right, you rooster get to live a few more days.
Ming Shu had said she would visit the next day, and she certainly would.
It was also a coincidence that just as Ming Shu was allowed in by Yan Wei, Duan Cang arrived with a letter. Thinking Ming Shu wouldn’t stay long, he had no choice but to wait.
Yan Wei had changed into a robe and was sitting at a round table drinking porridge, with a few plates of light side dishes.
Ming Shu bent her knees slightly in a curtsy. “Greetings, Cousin.”
Yan Wei nodded. “You are thoughtful, Cousin.”
Today, Yan Wei was gentle and polite, which emboldened Ming Shu. “Cousin’s injury seems to be better.”
“It is better.”
Ming Shu pursed her lips, her fingertips tapping lightly. “Then I won’t disturb Cousin’s meal.”
Yan Wei glanced at her and asked, “Have you eaten?”
Ming Shu hesitated.
“N-not yet.”
She had originally planned to visit her cousin before returning to eat. Now, with his question, she couldn’t very well lie.
Yan Wei frowned, thinking that someone in the residence was mistreating her. He set down the porcelain spoon and ordered coldly, “Summon the kitchen steward.”
Ming Shu was at a loss. “Cousin?”
“You sit first.”
The kitchen steward, hearing that the General wanted to see him, arrived quickly.
Upon entering, he was slightly surprised to see Ming Shu present. He bowed and said breathlessly, “You called for me, General?”
“Is there any shortage of meals for the west courtyard?”
The kitchen steward was confused and shook his head. “No shortage.”
Yan Wei asked, “Was breakfast delivered today?”
The kitchen steward thought for a moment and replied truthfully, “The young mistress usually has her meal at the hour of Chen (around 7–9 a.m.). It might not have been delivered yet.”