Aunt Wei and Ye Xuhui both seemed quite afraid of Ye Wanshu.
After listening to Ye Wanshu speak a few words, the two hurriedly left.
Before leaving, they did not forget to remind Ye Cishu to rest well and recover her health…
"Fourth Sister, why don't you sleep with me tonight! We can chat." Ye Wanshu said with a smile as she removed her hairpins and ornaments.
Ye Cishu nodded, then leaned over to watch Ye Wanshu remove her makeup.
After a careful look, Ye Cishu had to admit that the Ye Family produced beauties.
Not to mention her own face, which was exquisitely beautiful, Ye Wanshu was even more radiantly lovely, gentle and graceful.
"Eldest Sister, you're really beautiful!" Ye Cishu couldn't help but say.
Ye Wanshu smiled, allowing the maid to apply ointment to her face.
"In terms of looks, among our four sisters, who could have a face as lovely as yours?
It's just a pity that your health has always been poor, and others call you the 'Sick Xishi.'
But don't worry, Grandfather has invited Doctor Liao from Ping An Tang. He was out on a night call in the city outskirts today.
He'll return first thing tomorrow morning and come to our mansion to check your pulse.
Grandfather and Father said that you'll stay with me these two days, so Mother and I can take good care of you." Ye Wanshu said.
Ye Cishu nodded without speaking, waiting until Ye Wanshu had finished tidying up and sat on the edge of the bed.
Ye Wanshu's personal maid had already prepared the bed early on, and the two sisters lay down side by side, heads close together.
"As for Su Jieyuan's matter… don't think too much about it. Everything will be handled by Grandfather and Father.
When I returned, Mother told me to tell you that the most important thing for you now is to recover your health." Ye Wanshu said softly.
Ye Cishu nodded.
After all, she had already made her intentions clear to Grandfather. Someone as shrewd as him would surely be able to discern Su Xiaosheng's schemes.
"Eldest Sister, the business at Chun Bu Wan Tea House seems quite good.
After causing such a scene this time I went, will I not be able to go there in the future?
Actually, I really like the atmosphere at Chun Bu Wan. It's very relaxing there." Ye Cishu whispered.
Ye Wanshu smiled, turning on her side to look at Ye Cishu sleeping on the inside.
Ye Cishu also turned on her side, facing Ye Wanshu.
"You usually don't like going out, preferring to stay at home calculating accounts, so it's normal you don't know about Chun Bu Wan.
I didn't know about it before either.
In the past year, Father and Mother spent a lot of money to invite an old nanny from the capital to specifically tell me about matters in the capital.
It was only then that I learned about Chun Bu Wan.
The first Chun Bu Wan in Dayu was opened in the capital.
When it first opened, some people said that the Chun Bu Wan in the capital had powerful backing.
I heard it not only has shares from Ding Guo Gong Fu but also shares from the imperial family before they ascended the throne!" Ye Wanshu whispered.
Ye Cishu inwardly exclaimed.
The imperial family before they ascended the throne?
Wasn't that the current imperial family?
The imperial family opening a tea house…
Ye Cishu quickly understood.
What kind of place is a tea house? It's a place where people drink tea and chat, and also where information flows fastest and most safely.
No wonder the current imperial family was able to ascend the throne; everything they did was in preparation for their accession.
"Later, Chun Bu Wan's scale grew larger and larger. In every respectable prefectural city within Dayu, and even in some border areas, there is a Chun Bu Wan.
Now, Chun Bu Wan is no longer simply a teahouse.
In fact, Chun Bu Wan serves as the imperial family's eyes and ears across the regions.
Through Chun Bu Wan, the imperial family can stay informed about affairs in various places.
You know, I've heard that the one currently in charge of Chun Bu Wan is the imperial family's own cousin, the former eldest daughter of the Ding Guo Gong Fu, Princess Pingning.
The officials of Dayu all know that whether they can secure an official position depends on their own abilities.
But whether they can be promoted depends on how Princess Pingning writes her memorials to the imperial family.
After all, Chun Bu Wan holds the covert responsibility of monitoring all officials!" Ye Wanshu said slowly.
A name immediately sprang to Ye Cishu's mind: Princess Taiping!
"Our Dayu's princesses are so formidable? They can even monitor officials?" Ye Cishu asked in surprise.
"That's nothing! This Princess Pingning oversees Chun Bu Wan, but her younger sister, Princess Ping'an, is even more remarkable.
She is also the former second daughter of the Ding Guo Gong Fu.
Since childhood, she has loved wielding swords and spears and was close friends with the Empress in their youth.
During the great war between Dayu and Bei Hu, Princess Ping'an led the Empress's personal troops onto the battlefield, charging ahead and slaying countless formidable enemies of Bei Hu.
She is truly a heroine who rivals any man.
But then, a tiger father does not beget a dog daughter. The Old Duke Dingguo of those days also galloped across the battlefield with a long spear, holding back the Bei Hu people beyond the Northern Region and ensuring thirty years of peace for Dayu.
Now, the commander of the Wei Yuan Army stationed in the Northern Region is this very Princess Ping'an.
Oh, and also, didn't our Empress give birth to a pair of Long Feng Cheng Xiang?
The Eldest Princess, born of the Empress, has been kept by Princess Ping'an's side, staying in the Northern Region all along.
I've heard she is also one who prefers martial attire over feminine adornments." Ye Wanshu grew more and more excited as she spoke.
Ye Cishu listened with great interest.
This… the imperial princesses seem quite different from the impression she had of princesses!
"Does the imperial family have only this one princess?" Ye Cishu asked curiously.
Ye Wanshu nodded.
"Yes, the imperial family and the Empress share a very deep bond. They are childhood sweethearts who grew up together.
When the Empress gave birth to twins, the Eldest Princess was born first—the one now in the Northern Region.
The other child, a prince, was named Crown Prince at birth and is the imperial family's only son.
The Empress's maternal family consists of military generals who originally guarded the Northern Region but gradually withdrew over time.
However, I've heard that the imperial family holds great respect for the Empress's Father. Every year on his birthday, the imperial family sends gifts.
The Empress's maternal family has many descendants. I've heard that in this generation alone, there are twelve notable male heirs.
Each is vigorous and robust, all promising talents for the battlefield." Ye Wanshu continued.
Ye Cishu remained silent.
A powerful maternal family is not necessarily a good thing.
"Isn't there also a Noble Consort in the palace? Doesn't the imperial family like her?" Ye Cishu asked curiously.
"It's not that he doesn't like her; the imperial family probably holds great respect for that Noble Consort!
Her family background was once extremely illustrious.
She is the granddaughter of Prime Minister Xu, who was known as Xu Ban Chao during the late emperor's reign.
After she entered the palace, Prime Minister Xu retired and returned to his hometown." Ye Wanshu said.
Ye Cishu understood—this was the product of a political marriage, bringing this Noble Consort into the palace as a mere figurehead…
Ye Wanshu gently stroked Ye Cishu's beautiful hair, which was spread over the jade pillow, and sighed.
"By this time next year, I will likely have entered the capital as well, and there won't be many more opportunities to speak with Fourth Sister like this."
Ye Cishu finally realized that next spring, Ye Wanshu would be married off to Ping Xi Hou Fu in the capital, becoming the wife of the third son of Ping Xi Hou.
"Eldest sister…" Ye Cishu suddenly didn't know what to say.
"It's fine, I've reached the age, isn't this normal?
There's still half a year left to spend time with you all, isn't there?
Don't worry, after I marry into the capital, I'll definitely write to you often.
If anything happens to you, you must also write and tell me." Ye Wanshu said with a smile.
Ye Cishu nodded seriously.
"Eldest sister, do you know what kind of person the son of Ping Xi Hou you're marrying is?" Ye Cishu asked.
Ye Wanshu's face flushed slightly.
"I haven't met him, but I heard from Father that he's a minor commander in the Imperial Guard.
Although he won't inherit the title in the future, his prospects won't be too bad.
Oh, the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guard is the Empress's elder brother, and the Grand Commander thinks highly of… him!" Ye Wanshu whispered.
Seeing Ye Wanshu's expression, Ye Cishu knew she was very satisfied with this marriage.
Indeed, as the legitimate son of a marquis, even though he won't inherit the title, compared to the Ye Family, who are Imperial Merchants, this is still marrying up.
Such a marriage is considered top-tier even in Gusu City.
"Eldest sister, you're so good, I can't bear to part with you!" Ye Cishu hugged Ye Wanshu's arm tightly.
Ye Wanshu smiled and glanced outside.
"It's getting late, let's sleep! We have to pay respects to Grandmother early tomorrow morning!"