The day after the engagement, Yu Shu returned to the Celestial Commissioner to cancel her leave. She had been absent from work for more than ten days. It was just in time for the New Year, so no one suspected her whereabouts. After the New Year, Kun Ling Bureau suddenly became idle. Most of the official marriage documents had been sent out by Yu Shu before the New Year. The Kun Register stopped again and again, so there was nothing to do.
Wen Shao An saved money and finally bought a small courtyard with two entrances in the south of the city. When he saw Yu Shu, he told her the good news of moving. He could not repay Yu Shu for her support and could only do his best to work under her, hoping that in the future, he would be able to take his suffering mother out of the Wenchen Family and live out the rest of her life.
After Yu Shu sat down, he placed the hot tea that he had just brewed in a position where she could reach it. He took two steps back and said in a small voice: "This subordinate has something that I do not know if I should say."
Yu Shu lifted the lid of the tea and raised her chin at him. She listened to him talk about the thirteenth day of the first month, when Xue Lingnan had run to the Celestial Commissioner to ask for her. He had been in the prison at the time and knew more than Gui Da. Yu Shu immediately straightened and let him recount the events in detail.
It turned out that after Xue Rui disappeared, Xue Lingnan had insisted that it was Ning Wang Fu who had kidnapped Xue Rui. Ning Wang had not been convicted for the Tenth Princess case and had been detained by the Imperial Commissioner. Xue Lingnan had confidently found the Great Tiandao to argue. In order to appease him, the Great Tiandao had taken him to the Imperial Commissioner to confront Ning Wang.
"I know someone in the Imperial Commissioner and heard privately that Ning Wang and Xue Daren had quarreled that day. Ning Wang not only did not admit that he had sent people to kidnap Xue Daren, he angrily called Xue Daren a traitor and said that he wanted to drag Xue Daren with him to Huazhen Garden to see the Emperor."
This was different from what Gui Da had said. The one who wanted to see the Emperor was not Xue Lingnan, but Ning Wang. Ning Wang had killed the Tenth Princess. The evidence of his crime was clear. How could he have the face to see his Emperor? He probably knew that Emperor Zhao Qing was beyond cure. If he didn't fight with all his might, he wouldn't have another chance.
Since Yu Shu knew about this, she decided to support a puppet emperor and wait for the Tai Bone of Destiny to appear. Prince Ning was the first to be abandoned. The Ninth Prince, Liu Tan, who was backed by the Xue family, was also not considered. The remaining candidates were the Eighth Prince, Liu Du, and the Twelfth Prince, Liu Chan. These two were equally mediocre and their mother's family was not prominent. Even if they became the Emperor, in the future, the Book of Mystery Woman's Six Rens would predict that the Emperor would be someone else, and it would be easy to overthrow them.
How would the Big Clue Point choose?
Yu Shu pondered for a while and gave up trying to figure out the big point. In any case, she would rather die than let anyone take her child as a Destiny Grand Bone. She also believed that Xue Rui would definitely have a way to stop her marriage with Jing Chen.
Before that, she had to find something for herself to do.
Wen Shao 'an saw Yu Shu suddenly stand up and walk out with her cloak. He quickly went forward to roll up the curtain for her and asked, "Where are you going at this time?"
Yu Shu turned back and smiled at him, "Previously, the Big Clue Point gave me a task. I have completed it and am now going to ask for a reward."
Wen Shao 'an was more perceptive now. How could he not hear the hidden meaning in her words? However, he did not ask more. After sending her to the door, he turned back to study the notes he had obtained from Taishi Library. He always remembered Yu Shu's advice and did not waste his time.
.....
When Yu Shu arrived at Taixi Lou, the Big Clue Point saw that she was amiable. Needless to say, he knew clearly about the matchmaker's proposal yesterday. Taking advantage of his good mood, she begged him.
"You were also present at the joint hearing between the three courts. My family's ancestors can be said to be the inheritors of the Book of Changes. My grandfather's grandfather's grandfather used to be an official in the Celestial Commissioner. This matter can be verified by the Imperial Commissioner. My family has had two Book of Changes in seven generations. It has been a hundred years, and I am the deputy chief of the first bureau. Logically speaking, my Yu family is qualified to be called the Book of Changes Aristocratic Family, right?"
The Grand Preceptor listened to her spouting a bunch of nonsense, finally boasting shamelessly about calling it an aristocratic family. He could only treat it as a joke and teased, "This seat has never heard of anyone who dares to carry the title of an aristocratic family."
"Why not? I can afford it." Yu Shu said calmly.
Da Tidian raised his eyebrows and asked her, "Do you know that in order to be called an aristocratic family, apart from those rules and regulations, you must first offer a unique skill to the Celestial Commissioner, and then pay a hundred thousand taels of tax before you can exchange for an aristocratic family plaque."
In other words, if you are willing to teach your unique skill to outsiders, do you have that much money?
Yu Shu had already made up her mind. She didn't feel the pinch as she said straightforwardly, "I can't offer the Death Severing Mystic Art, but I have more than one secret art that I can offer. As for the one hundred thousand taels of silver, I'll just pool it from various places. As long as you say a good word for me and don't let the Imperial Commissioner make things difficult for me. "
This time, Da Tidian finally knew that she wasn't joking. She really wanted to be called an aristocratic family. He thought about it and couldn't refuse. After all, if she obediently returned to the capital and got engaged to Jing Chen, he would give her a stick. If she wanted a name, he would give her a name. If she wanted benefits, he would give her benefits. If she didn't have any desires, he would be worried.
"Since you are begging me, I will make things convenient for you. I will inform the Imperial Commissioner. When you collect the money, you just need to report it. No one will make things difficult for you."
Da Tidian gave Yu Shu a guarantee. She was sure that she wanted to be called an aristocratic family. However, Yu Shu didn't just want the title of an aristocratic family. She wanted to use this title to open the Great Exchange Shop. Xue Rui had already paved the way for her, so how could she waste his efforts?
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*
As soon as Yu Shu got home, she was called over by Zhao Hui to discuss her marriage. In Zhao Hui's view, if Yu Shu married into the princess's residence, she would undoubtedly marry into a noble family. It was necessary to prepare a generous dowry so that she wouldn't be looked down upon by outsiders. However, the problem was that Yu Shu was the head of the family. If she married away, would the family be divided? How would they be divided?
Zhao Hui told her concerns to Yu Shu. Yu Shu said without thinking, "If we don't separate, why should we separate? Even if I get married in the future, I will still be the head of the Yu Family."
In the whole Yu Family, there were only her and Yu Xiaoxiu. If she wanted to be called an aristocratic family, she must shoulder the burden of being the head of the family. There were precedents of female families in Daan. Her move wasn't shocking, but it would at most cause criticism.
Sure enough, Zhao Hui wasn't surprised after hearing it. She only worried about her, "You are so strong. What if Young Master Jing Chen doesn't like it?"
Yu Shu said indifferently, "If he doesn't like it, I will just break off the engagement." Zhao Hui was stunned, "Break, break off the engagement?!" Seeing that her expression wasn't right, Yu Shu quickly laughed, "I am just joking. He won't be unhappy."
Zhao Hui became suspicious, "Are you serious with me? Do you like this marriage or not? Why do I feel that you don't care about it at all? If you don't like it, you should make it clear as soon as possible. Don't wait until it is too late to regret it. "
"How could I?" Yu Shu laughed dryly and stood up guiltily. "I'll have to trouble mother to help you with the dowry. I'll go back and ask Yun Dou to send the key to my storeroom over. You can take it or use it." After saying that, she hurriedly slipped away. Zhao Hui couldn't even stop her.
.....
In the north wing, Yu Shu took out a foot-long red lacquer box from the secret compartment behind the bed and opened it on the bed. The box was divided into two layers. On the first layer, there was a stack of banknotes neatly stacked. The smallest denomination was one hundred taels. On the other layer, there were house deeds, land deeds, warehouse keys, and so on. These were her family's assets. In addition, there were a lot of silver and copper coins, antiques, paintings, jades, and jewels in the warehouse.
One month ago, she wouldn't even think about exchanging one hundred thousand taels for a nameplate of an aristocratic family. But Xue Rui handed over all his assets to her. With the fifty thousand taels of gold hidden under the wine cellar of Wangji Building, she dared to talk big in front of the big suggestion.
Yu Shu took out the stack of banknotes. Inside were the profits Pei Jing gave her after clearing the crystal business before the New Year. Together with her previous savings, it was a total of one hundred thousand taels. She counted it twice and put the extra banknotes aside. Then, she took off the purple jade bat that she wore and put it in the bottom of the lacquer box. This was the token that Xue Rui left for her. After seeing it, Gui Da handed over all of Xue Rui's assets to her without saying anything. She no longer needed it as a witness. She was afraid of accidentally losing it, so it was better to hide it.
She put the lacquer box back into the secret compartment and took the extra banknotes to the outside room. She called Yun Dou and said, "There are three thousand taels here. Send it to Madam along with the key to my warehouse and ask her to help me buy my dowry. If Madam asks, just tell her that I said half of the valuable things in the warehouse are for Xiaoxiu. The other half is up to her. I don't need you to do anything for now. Just help Madam. "
When Yun Dou heard this, tears fell from her eyes and she suddenly knelt down in front of Yu Shu. "This servant was originally Madam's maidservant. I was lucky to have the opportunity to serve you. This servant admits that I am not as smart as Sister Xin 'er and Sister Lin' er, and I am not as likable as Sister Xiao Kui. However, this servant dares to swear that when it comes to loyalty, this servant does not lose to any of them. This servant is willing to not marry and serve you until you grow old. However, when Miss marries, please bring this servant along. Don't leave this servant behind."
Yu Shu was a little surprised to hear this from her. One must know that Yun Dou was an honest person and had never been clever. Ever since she became rich, she bought many servants in the residence. There were many who were smarter and more diligent than Yun Dou. The reason why Yu Shu had always put her in an important position and let her manage the affairs of the North Palace was mostly because of Zhao Hui and Old Madame He. Yun Dou had never expressed her loyalty in front of her. The other maidservants in Yu Shu's courtyard, who didn't rack their brains to get close to her?
"Miss, I beg you." Yun Dou was afraid that she would not agree, so she knelt two steps forward and hugged her leg as she begged.
Yu Shu laughed involuntarily and coughed lightly. She didn't hurry to let her get up and instead earnestly said, "I have the final say in the entire Yu residence. You don't have to suffer if you follow me here, but if you go to the Princess residence, we will become outsiders. You will inevitably suffer with me. How can it be compared to staying in the residence? I've already told Godmother that you will be managing by her side for now. Later, she will choose a good family for you, return your slave status, and reward you with a dowry. Isn't it good for you to get married with a clean name?"
Yun Dou shook her head without hesitation and wiped away her tears. She raised her head and resolutely said to Yu Shu, "This servant has been following a trafficker for as long as I can remember. In between, I was sold a few times before I went to Madame's side. Originally, this servant's life was meant to be a servant. Who would have thought that one day I would follow Miss and actually live a luxurious life? This servant only feels that this life has not been lived in vain. Although I'm a lowly person, this servant doesn't feel the slightest bit wronged. Instead, my heart feels extremely at ease. I don't have to worry about not having food to eat when I open my eyes, and I don't have to run around every day to make a living. Why should this servant get rid of my slave status and marry a man who I know but don't know his face? Who knows what kind of hard days I will have to live for the rest of my life! "
She said so much, but in summary, there was only one sentence — — following you will have meat to eat.
After listening to this, Yu Shu smiled and reached out to pull her up from the ground. She took out the handkerchief pinned to her lapel and wiped her face while saying, "I said that you are honest. You are really honest. You dare to say such words. Aren't you afraid that I will misunderstand you as a greedy villain and hate you from then on? Forget it. Since you have such loyalty, in the future, follow me well. "
Yun Dou's tears turned into a smile. She stood obediently and waited for Yu Shu to wipe her tears before reaching out to take the handkerchief. She squatted down and said, "This servant will go to Madame's side to help."
Yu Shu waved her hand and let her go.
*
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The Princess Residence
The matter of Jing Chen's marriage was not publicized or deliberately concealed. There were instructions from the higher-ups. The people from the Ministry of Rites came to the Princess Residence every two or three days to prepare betrothal gifts. This commotion naturally alarmed Shui Yun. She went to ask the Chief Steward and was told that Jing Chen's marriage was approaching. For a moment, she was at a loss of what to do. When she asked in detail that the person he was going to marry was actually Yu Shu, she felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck down from the clear sky, blasting her to pieces.
In a panic, Shui Yun had someone push her to Shufeng Pavilion. She found Jing Chen who was practicing his swordsmanship and anxiously asked him with a pale face, "Shixiong, you want to marry that Yu Lianfang?"
Jing Chen did not pay attention to her. His clothes were thin and his body was like the wind. The sword shadows in his hands intertwined and formed a hazy green light. She did not know why her heart palpitated. Every move and every move merged with heaven and earth. It was actually a situation that could only be seen when swordsmanship had reached perfection.
But Shui Yun did not pay attention to this. She thought that he had tacitly agreed. She put her hands on her knees and held back her scream. She asked him with a trembling voice, "Why? Why do you want to marry her? Did she force you? Did she use the matter of losing her life to threaten you and force you to marry her? "
Jing Chen's wrist paused and he fell from midair. The Celestial Being Realm just now was like a flash in the pan, disappearing without a trace. He turned around and raised his sword. With a move of Strong Wind Sweeping Lotus, the Sword Qi went straight for Shui Yun's face. However, when the sword approached, it was deflected layer by layer and stopped right between her eyebrows. If it had gone forward half an inch, it would have chased after her soul and taken her life.
"You are wrong. It is not her who forced me. I forced her."
The blood drained from Shui Yun's face. Jing Chen moved the sword away and raised his arm to wipe the blade with his sleeve. Only then did she see clearly that the sword in his hand was not a sharp sword, but a rusty dagger. It was so blunt that she could not tell how old it was.
"You, what do you mean by this?" She was so smart that she could guess the truth in the blink of an eye. However, she was not willing to face it.
Jing Chen glanced at her struggling expression and coldly said, "Haven't you always wanted to know the method to break her life? Let me tell you, the Great Calamity of Peace must be husband and wife to the person who breaks her life in order to break her life. "
Shui Yun gasped for breath and clutched her chest. She stared at him in disbelief and said, "How could that be? Did you make a mistake somewhere? You don't have to marry her. There must be some other way, right?"
"There is no other way." Jing Chen mercilessly pierced through her delusion. Looking at her as if she had lost her parents, he did not say anything to comfort her or provoke her. He walked around her with his sword in hand.
"Senior Brother!" Shui Yun suddenly called out to him and shouted at his back, "Now both of your wishes have come true. I know you admire her and she also likes you. If it weren't for me getting in the way, you two would have already become a couple! I'm afraid this is what you think in your heart. That's why you always despise a cripple like me. You want to drive me back to Mount Longhu so that I won't ruin your happy occasion! "
Jealousy could drive a person crazy. In the end, she still had not given up on Jing Chen. She had dragged her crippled legs and refused to return to Mount Longhu to receive treatment in order to win his sympathy. She hoped that he would change his mind, but who would have thought that this would be the result of her enduring humiliation.
Jing Chen stopped and turned around to say, "I don't hate you. On the contrary, I have to thank you. If it weren't for you stopping me, I'm afraid I would have already harmed her."
In the beginning, he and Yu Shu were in love with each other. If it weren't for Shui Yun forcing him to cut off his feelings, he and Yu Shu wouldn't have fallen out, and there wouldn't have been any twists and turns later. Now he should be glad that Yu Shu didn't have him in her heart. She wouldn't be sad because of him, and she wouldn't have any regrets because of him.
After saying this, he walked away. Even though Shui Yun cried her heart out, he never looked back.
*
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*
There was one thing to mention. When Yu Shu went to the Celestial Commissioner's office to declare her aristocratic family, she didn't encounter the slightest bit of trouble. The scribe had already checked the background of the Yu Family's great-grandfather, who used to serve as a Celestial Commissioner, and matched it with Yu Shu's. Then, he made a copy of the residence card, genealogy, and other official seals that she brought with her. Then, he took it to Cao Zuoling to ask for the official seal. In the end, Yu Shu paid the one hundred thousand taels for the plaque and submitted the 'Rule of Clear and Rain' that she had researched herself. The official personally reviewed it. In less than three days, she successfully applied for the title of the Yi Xue Aristocratic Family.
After that, the Celestial Commissioner sent a letter to the Secretariat to have someone create a brand new aristocratic family plaque for the Yu Family. The day the plaque was changed and unveiled would be the day the Yu Family would be officially recognized.
For this reason, Yu Shu specially found a piece of Purple Mist Fragrant Nanmu from the Southern Woods Lumber Shop and sent it to the Secretariat to make a plaque. After the plaque was completed, it was hung on the courtyard. Every time one passed by the door, there would be a refreshing fragrance, which was very rare.
The news that Yu Shu wanted to be called an aristocratic family wasn't a secret in the Celestial Commissioner. When it was spread out, some people laughed at her for being arrogant and conceited. A woman without any background dared to call herself an aristocratic family. Some people also praised her courage. After all, one hundred thousand taels was not a small amount, but she took it just like that. However, more people saw the Secretariat standing behind Yu Shu and supporting her. Therefore, although Yu Shu's move was criticized, no one jumped out to criticize her.
Along with this news, her marriage with Jing Chen was also spread. The marriage between Daozi Da An and Female Envoy Miao Ling, who was personally appointed by the emperor, was a good story in itself. Coupled with the Secretariat's deliberate embellishment, it quickly became known by everyone.
That afternoon, Yu Shu left early and walked out of the Celestial Commissioner's door. When she was about to take the sedan chair to Wangji Tower to meet the group of workers, a fast horse rushed over on the street and blocked her way.
Yu Shu opened the curtain and saw Feng Zhaomiao, who she hadn't seen for a long time, riding on the back of a horse. His eyes were burning with anger as he glared at her and shouted in a low voice, "Yu Lianfang, I used to think highly of you, but I didn't expect you to be such a heartless woman!"
Yu Shu frowned as she guessed in her heart that he was feeling indignant for Xue Rui, and she couldn't help but be slightly surprised. Why is it that it isn't just Yu Xiaoxiu who's able to see through my relationship with Xue Rui, even that idiot Feng Zhaomiao has noticed it?
"Zhaomiao, if you have any grievances against me, let's go to a quiet place and talk, okay?"
Fortunately, Feng Zhaomiao wasn't a person who would pester endlessly. Although he was angry, he knew that they were outside and those words couldn't be said carelessly. Therefore, he angrily followed her sedan chair and went to Wangji Tower.
Now, Wangji Tower was an empty building. The door facing the street had been closed for a few months. Many people wanted this piece of land and came to inquire about renting it. There were also people who were willing to pay a sky-high price to buy the entire restaurant, but they were all rejected.
The shopkeeper, Lin Fu, and the others were still living in the backyard, so they became a group of idle people. Yu Shu just came a few days ago and brought the news that Xue Rui was safe. She comforted everyone and told them that she wanted to open a Great Exchange Hall here. Because Xue Rui had mentioned this a long time ago, no one was against it. They all expressed that they were willing to work under Yu Shu and wait for Xue Rui to come back.
Seeing that she brought him here, Feng Zhaomiao's expression softened a little. He knew that this was Xue Rui's property. If Yu Shu really did something that let Xue Rui down, she wouldn't have the face to come here.
Yu Shu invited Feng Zhaomiao to the east tea room. After sitting down, she took the initiative to ask him, "Just now on the street, why did you say that I was heartless?"
Feng Zhaomiao held back his anger and said, "We don't know whether Brother Rui is alive or dead. Not only are you not anxious to find him, but you are also engaged to someone else. I said that you are heartless. How did I wrongly accuse you?"
Yu Shu said, "I am more anxious than anyone when something happened to Brother Rui. But my marriage was personally decided by the emperor before he left the capital. No one can interfere. Even if I don't want to get married, I can't disobey the emperor's order."
Feng Zhaomiao was shocked. He never thought that the emperor arranged the marriage. He didn't doubt Yu Shu's sophistry and said blankly, "If you get married, then, then what about Brother Rui?"
Yu Shu couldn't show the pain in her heart. She pretended to be confused and asked him, "If I want to get married, what does it have to do with Brother Rui?"
"What do you mean we're not related? Aren't the two of you …" Feng Zhaomiao suddenly became mute. He was slightly unable to make up his mind. Did I misunderstand the relationship between Xue Rui and Yu Shu? Aren't they a couple? But he clearly saw Xue Rui being gentle and careful towards Yu Shu several times. Could it be that King Xiang had a dream and the goddess had no heart?
"Not what?" Yu Shu pretended to be puzzled.
"Aren't, aren't we sworn siblings?" Feng Zhaomiao stiffly changed the topic, "If you want to get married, how can I, Brother Rui, not be present. Ai, I don't know where Ning Wang hid the person. He wouldn't hand the person over no matter what. It is really hateful. "
Yu Shu sighed, "Things are strange. It is useless for us to be anxious. It is better to quietly wait for news. Brother is a good person and will definitely turn misfortune into fortune."
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