“Lele, you’re back. Where did you go?” Mother Wang Huilan asked with concern.
“I went shopping in the East District with Qiuyu. It really is lively there. Mother, I’m a bit tired, I’ll go back to the side residence to rest for a while.”
“Alright, go rest then.”
Ever since her daughter recovered from her mental illness, she had become considerate, sensible, and organized in everything she did. Thinking that her daughter would soon be married off made her heart ache.
An hour later, Leng Dian returned to the Wang residence’s Yijing Pavilion to report:
“Master, Su Qinghe and Su Yixing are father and son officials known for their integrity. Su Lele is Su Qinghe’s second daughter. She suffered from mental illness since childhood and only recovered a little over a month ago. The snacks currently being sold in the Su residence—and are in extremely high demand—are all made by Su Lele.”
Cold Yi Chen’s black eyes flickered slightly.
“Mm. You may leave.”
She hasn’t even opened a shop yet, only selling snacks within the residence, and already thinking of leveraging influence—bold indeed!
Leng Feng, standing by, was very surprised. He thought: So these snacks were made by Miss Su? I thought they were made by the household chef. She’s quite talented.
Su Lele suffered from insomnia again.
Early the next morning, she sat in the pavilion of her side residence, at a round stone table, plucking petals from a colorful flower while muttering:
“Agree, disagree, agree, disagree… disagree.”
“No, start over… agree, disagree…”
“Why is there still no news? Did he really reject my brilliant idea? That imposing and dignified Cold Yi Chen doesn’t look like someone who doesn’t recognize talent.”
Su Lele had always been confident and full of certainty.
At the same time, another person suffering from insomnia was the daughter of a Minister of the Court, Yun Zhishu.
She was so excited she couldn’t sleep all night, dreaming of a future of happiness with the Second Prince.
With the Second Prince Cold Yi Chen’s birthday approaching, her wish was about to come true. Everyone said she and the Second Prince were a match made in heaven—perfect in family background, talent, and appearance.
For him, she had never married.
She had never heard of him having a beloved woman. Once his birthday passed, the palace would arrange a suitable marriage for him. As a prince, the court would certainly take it seriously. She was the most likely candidate—no, she would definitely be the one.
After lunch, Su Lele went to the kitchen to make snacks with the servants.
“Mother Gao, make more hawthorn rolls and roasted pine nuts daily. These can be stored for a while. Chestnuts and pastries should be made fresh daily. If there are leftovers in the evening, sell them at a discount.”
“Yes, Miss. The pastries and chestnuts are very popular right now. They sell out as soon as they are freshly made,” Mother Gao said with a smile while packing hawthorn crisps into oil paper bags.
Thanks to the young lady, she could now eat pastries even more delicious than those from the Rice Fragrance Bakery every day.
“Miss, a man is here to see you. He’s waiting in the side hall,” Steward Chen reported.
Su Lele immediately knew who it was.
She instructed Qiuyu to bring two packs of each snack to the side hall, then went there herself.
“Miss Su, my master requests your presence at the residence.”
“Alright.”
Once again, Su Lele entered the prince’s mansion with a nervous heart.
Yijing Pavilion, study room.
“Your Highness, have you decided?”
“Yes. I agree to cooperate with you. We will divorce after two years of marriage. The agreement has already been written.”
Su Lele carefully read the agreement.
“Can I add a clause that allows me to make snacks in the prince’s residence?”
“Mm.”
After confirming everything, she signed her name.
“Your Highness, will the Emperor and Empress agree to this marriage?”
“That is not your concern. Just keep the secret, do not overstep, and do what you are supposed to do.”
“Also, tomorrow I will go to the Su residence to present betrothal gifts. The wedding will be in five days.”
Cold Yi Chen’s style had always been swift and decisive.
“So fast?”
“Then I’ll wait for you tomorrow. I brought snacks to the mansion—please try them and see if you like them.”
She then instructed Qiuyu, waiting outside the study, to bring in the snacks.
After leaving the mansion, Su Lele encouraged herself:
Even though she was about to marry a silent and reserved prince and live together for two years, she could still make snacks, do business, and go out freely. That was already quite rare.
In the Imperial Palace, Moonlight Hall.
“The Dowager Empress favors Minister Yun’s daughter Yun Zhishu—she is well-mannered and compatible with Yi Chen.”
“This Empress thinks the Chancellor’s daughter Zhu Jinxī is also good in family background and appearance.”
The elegant Dowager Empress and gentle Empress were discussing the Second Prince’s marriage.
At that moment, the person in question arrived.
“Your grandson greets Grandmother and Mother.”
“Yi Chen, come quickly. Look at these two portraits and see if there is any girl you like.”
“Grandmother, I already have someone in mind. I came today to inform Grandmother, Father, and Mother.”
“Tell me quickly, whose daughter is it?”
“Su Lele, daughter of ninth-rank official Su Qinghe. I will present betrothal gifts tomorrow.”
“This… isn’t it too rushed? Is tomorrow too soon?”
“It is enough. Preparations are already underway.”
The Empress ordered attendants to bring out boxes of jewels, cosmetics, fine fabrics, rare treasures, and precious medicinal herbs as betrothal gifts.
The Empress Dowager also added many gifts.
“I brought some snacks for you: sugar-roasted chestnuts, salted pine nuts, original pine nuts, fish balls, hawthorn crisps, three types of pastries. You’ve never had these before. I also brought fruit leather.”
Hearing this, the Dowager Empress immediately tasted a fish ball.
“So springy and flavorful—delicious!”
“These pastries are so soft and milky!” the Empress said, eating a milk bun.
Everything was delicious.
“I finished the fruit leather you brought last time. I’ve been waiting for more,” the Dowager Empress said pitifully.
“These snacks are very popular in the capital and are in high demand every day.”
“If you like them, I’ll bring more next time. I’ll return to the mansion first.”
Knowing he was busy with marriage arrangements, they did not keep him.
Back at the prince’s mansion, the steward reported:
“The Crown Prince and Crown Princess heard about your betrothal tomorrow and sent gifts.”
“Send some of the remaining snacks to the Crown Prince’s residence for my nephew and niece to try.”
“Yes, my lord.”
In the evening, the Su family gathered for dinner.
Grandfather Su looked at Su Lele.
“My granddaughter, I have something to tell you—”
But Su Lele interrupted.
“I already know what you want to say. I overheard it a few days ago. Someone will come tomorrow to present betrothal gifts. You don’t need to worry about finding me another husband.”
Everyone was shocked and didn’t believe her.
“Which family?” Su Yixing asked urgently.
“You’ll know tomorrow. I’m full—I’ll go back first.”
She did not tell them it was the Second Prince, partly because she feared they wouldn’t believe it, and partly because she feared opposition.
But tomorrow, when he arrived in person, they would have no reason to refuse.