Zhou Yu looked at her coolly, his gaze clear and cold, exuding an air of unapproachable nobility. He did not pull his arm back from Zhao Yuehua’s hold.
Zhao Yuehua greeted Zhao E with a dignified and gentle bow. “Greetings, Eldest Sister.”
Her hand remained on Zhou Yu’s arm as if it had grown there, and even during the bow, she did not let go.
Zhao E smiled at her briefly but said nothing.
“What is Eldest Sister here to buy?” Zhao Yuehua asked with a smile.
“Some items for ancestral rites.” Zhao E replied casually, glancing at the things held by the maidservant behind her.
“We had our horoscopes matched a few days ago.” Zhao Yuehua’s cheeks flushed crimson as she explained shyly, “Xiao Wangye and I have set the Najie ceremony for the sixteenth of next month.”
Najie signified the formal betrothal.
“Is that so.” Zhao E curved her apricot eyes into a smile. “Then congratulations.”
No wonder Zhou Yu had been absent these past days—he must have been busy with the marriage arrangements.
“Xiao Wangye and I came to buy incense and candles, and to pray for the incense of matrimony.” Zhao Yuehua looked bashful yet sweet. “Both family ancestral halls will need them for the rites to honor our forebears.”
“Go on with your business then.” Zhao E smiled, sweeping a glance over Zhou Yu from head to toe before turning to board the carriage.
“Eldest Sister.” Zhao Yuehua took a step forward.
Zhou Yu remained fixed on Zhao E, shifting his body slightly without stepping forward, and withdrew his arm.
Zhao Yuehua’s hand came away empty, and her heart inexplicably felt a pang of emptiness as well.
“Is there something else?” Zhao E turned back with a smile.
“On the sixteenth, will Eldest Sister come to the residence for the banquet?” Zhao Yuehua asked.
Zhao E stood on the carriage, one hand resting on the frame, looking down at her from above with a faint, ambiguous smile. “Oh? Are you planning to invite me like this?”
“No, no.” Zhao Yuehua quickly waved her hands. “I simply hope Eldest Sister can come. The invitation will be delivered to the Fuguo Duke’s Residence later.”
To ask someone in the street whether they would attend without personally delivering the invitation was a grave breach of propriety.
A proper lady of her standing, so devoted to etiquette, would never do such a thing.
Zhao E smiled at Zhou Yu, her apricot eyes shimmering with a thought-provoking light. “A man of such great promise as my brother-in-law—of course I must come and curry favor.”
With that, she let out a lazy, light laugh and ducked into the carriage.
Zhou Yu’s ears turned red. He lowered his gaze, his straight, crow-black lashes veiling the emotions in his eyes.
“Xiao Wangye.” Zhao Yuehua turned to Zhou Yu, her voice soft. “Eldest Sister has gone. Shall we continue our shopping…”
Zhou Yu glanced at Lu Yi, who stood to the side.
Lu Yi jolted to attention, stepping forward with a bow. “Your Highness, Qu Xiao just sent word. The Ministry of Personnel has urgent official matters awaiting your attention.”
As he spoke, he stole a glance at his master. His Highness had abandoned his pending duties and rushed here in a hurry—just to catch a glimpse of the young lady?
Without even exchanging a single word, what was the point?
Tsk.
Zhou Yu smoothed his sleeves with an impassive expression.
“Since Xiao Wangye has pressing official duties, please go ahead.” Zhao Yuehua’s fair face held a smile of understanding. “I can purchase the rest on my own.”
As she spoke, a servant had already brought the horse over.
Zhou Yu took the reins, mounted, and rode off with a crisp, decisive crack of the whip.
Zhao E went straight to Jinchun Guan.
Jinchun Guan was a famed den of dissipation in the capital, housing not only beauties of every shape and form but also handsome male companions of varied charms.
In addition, well-trained “thin horses”—courtesans groomed from a young age—were sold there as well.
“Mother, do you have any newly arrived thin horses?” Zhao E held a round fan in one hand and lifted her skirt with the other as she stepped over the threshold.
The interior of Jinchun Guan was decorated in dazzling gold and jade. Zhao E was well-acquainted with this place and also familiar with the madam.
It was all because she and Ye Ruoling, having nothing to do, often came here for diversion. The two would drink some fruit wine and chat, then call a few young male entertainers to play music and sing songs for fun—it had its own charm.
At this hour it was still early, and there were no customers in the main hall—only the madam and a few subordinates.
The madam was facing outward, bending over and speaking with someone dressed in official robes. Only when she heard someone call her did she raise her head, piling up a face full of smiles: “Young Madam has come. Please sit, wait a moment.”
As she spoke, she hurriedly instructed her subordinates: “Serve tea.”
“Mother, attend to your business first.” Zhao E was in no hurry, and sat down casually at a table nearby.
The person in official robes stiffened, his hand clenching and unclenching several times. After steadying his heartbeat, he turned his head: “Miss Zhao.”
Zhao E was stunned for a moment, then curved her eyes into a smile: “So it is Lord Meng. I failed to recognize you.”
That day when Meng Ziqi attended the banquet, he wore casual clothes and looked handsome and refined. Today, having changed into official robes, he was different again—scholarly yet carrying a touch of uprightness. One glance and you could tell he was an honest and just official.
“Why has Miss Zhao come here?” Meng Ziqi asked in a gentle tone.
He ordinarily could not bear to see people come to such a place for diversion, especially young ladies—it would only make him think of the words “unfaithful to wifely virtue.”
But seeing Zhao E here, he surprisingly did not feel disgust in his heart.
He attributed this to the guilt he felt toward Zhao E.
“Why else would one come to this place?” Zhao E chuckled softly, her eyes darting about: “Is not Lord Meng himself here as well?”
“I am here on official business.” Meng Ziqi’s face immediately flushed with embarrassment: “Calculating the taxes of this place.”
“Oh, then we are different.” Zhao E did not mind, and flashed him a smile: “I am here for diversion.”
Meng Ziqi had not expected her to be so blunt, and for a moment was at a loss for words.
“My lord, the account books have all been brought. Will you take them back or go upstairs to calculate them?” the madam asked with a smile from the side.
Meng Ziqi ignored her, and gazing at Zhao E, summoned his courage: “Miss Zhao, may I speak with you privately?”
“Privately where?” Zhao E looked at him with a teasing smile: “Will you not treat me to tea?”
“Bring a pot of tea, and go upstairs.” Meng Ziqi turned his burning face away and instructed the madam: “Bring the account books over as well.”
The madam naturally complied.
Entering the private room, Zhao E leaned sideways on the official’s hat chair, holding the teacup and taking a light sip.
Meng Ziqi sat upright, covering his discomfort: “Would Miss Zhao like anything else?”
“No need.” Zhao E set down the teacup. Her tender lips, moistened by the tea, glistened with a pearl-like luster: “If Lord Meng has something to say, speak plainly.”
Meng Ziqi lowered his eyes, not daring to look again: “Miss Zhao should not have come here.”
“Oh?” Zhao E’s dark brows rose slightly, and she smiled with amusement: “Where does Lord Meng think I should be? At the Fuguo Duke’s Residence, supporting my husband and raising children?”
“No.” Meng Ziqi raised his head, then quickly turned his gaze away: “I… I misunderstood you before, and did such a thing.
I am willing, willing to make amends… to help you.”
“Why is it that when you speak properly, you start stammering again?” Zhao E covered her lips and laughed: “How does Lord Meng plan to help me?”
“Jiang Huaifu is truly not a suitable match.” Meng Ziqi hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I am willing to help you seek a divorce and leave the Fuguo Duke’s Residence. Please, miss, do not abandon yourself and come to such a place of mixed company again.”
“Help me seek a divorce?” Zhao E lifted her teacup and took a small sip. “Minister Meng, you are quite the warm-hearted soul. But why would I want a divorce?”
“I have heard from others that the Fuguo Duke’s Residence treats you poorly, and Jiang Huaifu was my classmate for several years—I know his character well.” Meng Ziqi looked at her with sincerity. “He is not a man you can entrust your life to.”
“Then who is a man I can entrust my life to?” Zhao E curved her eyes and smiled as she asked in return. “Minister Meng, perhaps?”
Meng Ziqi’s handsome face flushed bright red in an instant, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
“See, the little stutterer is so startled he can’t even speak.” Zhao E smiled and rose to her feet. “Isn’t life the same no matter whose household one marries into? The Fuguo Duke’s Residence is just fine. Minister Meng need not worry about me.”
Meng Ziqi instinctively stepped forward and called out to her. “Miss Zhao.”