Just as Ming Shu lowered the carriage curtain, a woman’s surprised voice rang out: “Mother, I saw a woman three times more beautiful than Sister Guan.”
Madam Gu turned to look, but there was only a passing carriage—no sign of anyone at all.
“In broad daylight, are your eyes playing tricks on you?”
Gu Yingzhen, holding Madam Gu’s arm, lifted her chin slightly. “It was someone inside that carriage. Which household does it belong to?”
Madam Gu seemed thoughtful. “I haven’t seen it before.”
But she already had a guess in mind.
She patted Gu Yingzhen’s hand. “Your Sister Guan is beautiful and highly regarded by her family. In the future, it might be difficult for you two to spend much time together. While nothing is settled yet, you should visit her often.”
“Mother, I know…”
Meanwhile, Ming Shu was asking Yuan Rong about matters in the capital.
Along the way, Ming Shu realized that the guard Yan Wei had sent her was actually someone who seemed to know everything.
“What do the ladies and young misses of the capital enjoy?”
Yuan Rong replied, “That would definitely include Yunxiang Pavilion and Linglong Tower.”
Just from the names, it was clear these were places favored by women.
Ming Shu nodded slightly.
Yuan Rong continued, “They also enjoy visiting Buddhist temples and Taoist monasteries.”
This was understandable—who didn’t have a place to entrust their wishes and prayers?
Ming Shu kept her gaze on Yuan Rong.
Yuan Rong paused, then whispered, “And some ladies like to visit the Pear Garden. Have you heard of it, Miss?”
“Is that the Pear Garden where ‘jade flutes soar to the heavens, and crimson robes move the lord’s heart with a single song’?”
“That’s the one. The star performers of the Pear Garden are highly admired by many noble ladies, especially one named Ling Yu, who stands out among them.”
Yuan Rong added, “Although Ling Yu is a man, his physique is even more delicate than a woman’s. His slender waist sways softer than willow branches in March, and with that beautiful voice of his…”
Just from Yuan Rong’s description, Ming Shu could already imagine how stunning the man named Ling Yu must be.
Ming Shu listened in a daze.
The carriage stopped.
Yuan Rong fell silent at the right moment, hopping off the carriage first.
Ming Shu descended with Yuan Rong’s assistance.
Once she was steady, Duan Cang approached. “The general instructed that Miss Biao should stay in Jinlan Courtyard.”
Ming Shu assumed it was just an ordinary courtyard.
But to her surprise, Yuan Rong abruptly looked at Duan Cang upon hearing “Jinlan Courtyard.”
Jinlan Courtyard was the main courtyard, once occupied by the general’s late wife. Could the general’s arrangement be a signal to the household that he intended to treat Miss Biao as the future mistress?
Yuan Rong lowered her head again, careful not to let Ming Shu see the peculiar look in her eyes.
Duan Cang ordered Ming Shu’s trunks to be carried into Jinlan Courtyard.
The residence couldn’t compare to Linghe Estate. Although the flowers and trees had been tended to, they lacked refinement.
Everywhere bore the traces of long-term vacancy.
Ming Shu gazed at Jinlan Courtyard—carved beams, jade-like walls, pavilions and towers, with lush greenery and delicate blossoms painting a picturesque scene in the courtyard.
She wondered, “Why would Cousin arrange for me to stay here?”
Though she had never been here before, she had a general understanding of a residence’s layout. This wasn’t a courtyard she should be occupying.
Yuan Rong quickly thought of an explanation. “Perhaps it’s because this courtyard is closer to the front courtyard. After all, there are only you and the general as the masters here.”
Ming Shu muttered to herself, what kind of mistress was she?
But she didn’t argue. She couldn’t quite grasp Yan Wei’s intentions behind this arrangement, so she accepted Yuan Rong’s explanation for the time being.
Tang Li directed the servants to tidy up the courtyard.
Ming Shu was already hungry.
Just then, an elderly woman arrived at Jinlan Courtyard, her face beaming with kindness.
“Miss Biao, this old servant is Mama Xu from the front courtyard. I’ve come to deliver a message. The general invites you to the dining hall for dinner.”
Ming Shu smiled and responded, “Thank you for making the trip, Mama. I understand.”
As the sun set in the west, the entire Yan residence was draped in a layer of golden gauze, with bamboo shadows and red walls harmonizing in stillness and motion.
When Ming Shu arrived at the front courtyard, Yan Wei was already there.
The table was laid with many dishes Ming Shu had never seen before, likely specialties of the capital.
Hearing the movement, Yan Wei looked up from his military book and casually placed a scroll on the shelf to his right.
“Let’s eat.”
Although Ming Shu had exchanged words with Yan Wei along the way, she still felt reserved.
This man, her nominal cousin, appeared aloof and distant on the surface, and interacting with him was much the same. He spoke little, and his eyes seemed capable of discerning everything.
Ming Shu had no choice but to finish her meal quickly.
Yan Wei suddenly spoke up, “Since we’ve already arrived in the capital, accompany me to visit the Gu family tomorrow.”
The Gu family had been frequent visitors during Madam Yan’s lifetime and maintained a deep relationship with the Yan family.
Ming Shu tightened her grip on her chopsticks. “Am I going too?”
Yan Wei paused and glanced at Ming Shu in surprise.
“You are the Yan family’s cousin.”
Ming Shu was always mindful of her status—she was merely a cousin in name.
“Cousin, I…”
“The Gu family treats people generously. As the Yan family’s cousin, you won’t be slighted. Moreover, Madam Ming also had a good relationship with the Gu family during her lifetime.”
Ming Shu lightly furrowed her brows before relaxing them. “Thank you for the reminder, cousin. I understand. But since it’s my first visit, I’m not sure how to prepare gifts?”
Seeing her agreement, Yan Wei simply said, “The steward will take care of such matters.”
Thus, there was no need for her to worry about it.
Ming Shu happily agreed.
Meanwhile, the Gu family had also received the news.
Madam Gu spoke of the matter to Lord Gu, “The Yan residence has sent us a visiting card. Fan Yu would surely be delighted to see how A-Wei has grown.”
Lord Gu, however, seemed to recall the discussions in court and cautioned his wife.
“He is now a prominent general. Although our two families are close, things are no longer the same as before. We should still be mindful of propriety.”
Madam Gu shot him a glare. “No matter what, A-Wei isn’t the type to be opportunistic. Your words are truly hurtful.”
Lord Gu chuckled. “You still think of him as the young boy from his childhood, but he has long grown into a wolf. How can you expect him to be as close to us as before?”
Madam Gu was displeased.
“If you continue speaking like this, then there’s no need to say anything more.”
What kind of talk was this? It only added to her worries. How could a child of such character be an ungrateful person?
“Alright, alright, I won’t say any more. We’ll see for ourselves tomorrow.”
Yet, Lord Gu had his own measure, and the whispers in court had left an impression on him.
Madam Gu, however, began thinking about Yan Wei’s marriage prospects.
“A-Wei has no elder to arrange his marriage. Why hasn’t it been settled yet? I think the eldest daughter of Minister Zhang’s household is quite suitable. Should I ask about it tomorrow?”
Lord Gu flicked his sleeve. “Madam, let’s wait until we’ve met him tomorrow before discussing such matters.”
This wasn’t something they could decide anyway.
Madam Gu nodded. Very well, they would see tomorrow.
At that moment.
Tang Li was overjoyed upon hearing Ming Shu’s news. “Then the young lady must dress up beautifully tomorrow. Wear that lilac-colored brocade skirt with the paired butterfly and rosy cloud patterns, and the hairpin…”
Tang Li counted on her fingers as she planned for Ming Shu.
But when she turned around, she saw Ming Shu with her eyes tightly closed, breathing softly, her hands resting on her abdomen in a perfectly proper sleeping posture.
Tang Li knew her young mistress was weary from days of travel.
She trimmed the lamp wick with gentle hands and quietly closed the door.