Chapter 11: Madam, I’m Late.
1309 Words
“Sell a few secretly—who will know?” Shen Miaoyi gave Su Yun a sidelong glance and instructed, “Be more discreet. When I gain power, you’ll benefit too.”
Su Yun couldn’t persuade her otherwise and could only agree.
She sighed inwardly, puzzled by her mistress’s recent change.
In the past, she had always despised merchants but now engaged in mercantile activities.
As Su Yun prepared to leave, Shen Miaoyi remembered Pei Che’s words and felt frustrated. She said, “Wait!”
“Find a few literate maids to copy books.”
On the other side, Zi Ling sneaked in with the spring drink and was spotted by Chen Shu, who was looking for Yu Fei.
Her sneaky appearance was hard to ignore.
Chen Shu called out, “Miss Zi Ling.”
Zi Ling stopped, clutching the bowl of soup to her chest, fearing it would be noticed. Then Chen Shu said—
“You’re our young master’s wife’s maid. Always mind your image and don’t embarrass the young master and his wife… What are you holding?”
Seeing the small tag on the bowl that said “Spring Drink,” Chen Shu said, “It’s just spring drink. Why are you hiding it?”
Chen Shu’s tone was too casual, leaving Zi Ling wide-eyed and shocked, “You know?”
She thought to herself, oh no, the young lady’s reputation will be ruined!
“There’s nothing to hide,” Chen Shu said with a smile, “It’s a popular sweet soup at Yong’an Tower every spring and summer, used to clear heat and cool down.”
Zi Ling breathed a sigh of relief.
This spring drink was not the same as that spring drink!
When Zi Ling returned to Qingyun Courtyard and recounted what had happened—
“Shan Cuilou is impressive, they even made the bowl of spring drink look just like Yong’an Tower’s.”
Shen Sangning was focused on copying exam questions for the next twenty years.
In her previous life, she had always kept an eye on the exam questions to teach her son.
Not only the palace exam but also the county and provincial exams, she remembered some of them.
If there were no mistakes, these questions probably wouldn’t change.
Hearing Zi Ling’s voice, Shen Sangning folded the manuscript and burned it on the candleholder.
Copying was to commit these to memory to prevent future problems.
Leaving it behind would be giving others a handle.
At this moment, Chen Shu, who was a step slower, entered Qingyun Courtyard, and his conversation with Yu Fei was faintly heard in the main room.
“Just handle it, make sure the young lady returns with some grandeur.” Chen Shu spoke grandly.
Yu Fei sighed, “Does the young master really not accompany the young lady back? No matter how valuable the return gifts are, if he doesn’t come, it will still make the young lady sad.”
Chen Shu paused and sighed, “You know the young master is busy. You should persuade the young lady to understand.”
Inside the room, Shen Sangning was calm, not holding any expectations and not disappointed.
Zi Ling, on the other hand, was worried, “The young master really doesn’t care, how can this be? Perhaps it’s better to give the spring drink to the young master sooner to improve their relationship.”
Seeing Zi Ling’s eager expression, Shen Sangning found it amusing, “Have you asked a doctor how strong the medicine is and how much to take at once?”
Zi Ling didn’t understand; she had bought this for the first time, paid, and hurried back.
At this moment, she shook her head in confusion, “I thought you knew!”
Shen Sangning didn’t know either; she had only heard of its effectiveness in her previous life, but had never used it.
“Should I go again?” Zi Ling asked earnestly.
Since the medicine was for the precious young master, if it caused problems due to overdose, it would be unacceptable.
Shen Sangning thought that frequent trips to the pharmacy would increase the chance of being discovered.
She cleared her throat, “Don’t go. It’s just a minor aid, use less.”
After speaking, she transferred the spring drink from the bowl into small medicine bottles, labeled them “Cooling and Refreshing,” and put them in her medicine chest.
By dusk, Pei Ruyan hadn’t returned for dinner.
He didn’t come back to rest in the evening either.
Shen Sangning had to go to the study to find him, but found it locked from the inside.
No matter how kindly she spoke, the person inside only coldly said—
“Madam, the study can’t accommodate two people.”
Shen Sangning left, feeling displeased, and the small medicine bottle remained unused.
Not only today, but for the past two days, the study had been locked, guarded against her like a thief.
In the middle of the night, Shen Sangning woke from the spacious couch and often went to the bronze mirror to check if she still looked eighteen.
Having been reborn, she still found it strange and not fully adjusted.
As the first light of dawn appeared, it was time to return home.
Shen Sangning wore a light yellow lily dress with a pale pink front-opening sleeve blouse, and a white jade hairpin in her neatly arranged hair.
Her appearance was neat and clean but maintained a noble and elegant demeanor.
Logically, she should return home with Shen Miaoyi, just like in her previous life.
However, Shen Sangning didn’t want to accompany her this time, so she delayed and slowly walked out, only to find Shen Miaoyi still there.
In the morning light, Pei Che was riding a horse.
Shen Miaoyi poked her head out of the carriage and called to Shen Sangning, “Why are you alone, sister?”
Seeing her alone, Shen Miaoyi’s eyes showed a bit of schadenfreude.
Feigning surprise, Shen Miaoyi said, “Could it be that the young master isn’t accompanying you back?”
Shen Sangning replied***, “My husband is busy with official duties. The greater the responsibility, the less time he has. I don’t have the good fortune like you, to have the second brother accompanying me all the time.”
Her implication made Shen Miaoyi’s expression change immediately.
Meanwhile, Pei Che on the horse remained unaware of the tense atmosphere.
Shen Miaoyi’s smile stiffened. Even though Shen Sangning was the one returning home alone, how could she remain calm and composed?
“Though you’re stubborn, there’s nothing we can’t say between sisters. Since it’s been delayed, you must be upset.”
Shen Miaoyi then pretended to be concerned, “Come on, get in the carriage. There are many passersby here, and if they see you alone, they might say something unpleasant, which could make you even more upset.”
Before she could finish, Shen Sangning turned and silently walked toward the carriage at the back.
She completely ignored Shen Miaoyi’s words.
Shen Miaoyi felt frustrated, as if hitting cotton, with her anger unvented.
She frowned and looked at the carriage, wanting to retort, but suddenly heard the sound of urgent horse hooves from down the street.
From a distance, she saw a group of riders rushing towards them.
The leading man, in a red official uniform, became the center of attention. He rode swiftly and arrived at the government office’s gate in moments.
Pulling the reins, the horse raised its neck.
Shen Sangning saw Pei Ruyan’s face clearly. She paused on the step, motionless, surprised by his sudden appearance.
In his official uniform, Pei Ruyan appeared even younger and more distinguished, with an added elegance not seen before.
He had a serious expression and even looked a bit stern, “Sorry I’m late.”
- Writer
