When Wang Xiluan approached, Yun Shuyao was the first to notice her. Seeing her walking this way, she stopped her previous topic: “Chen Yu, have you had any contact with Miss Wang before?”

Chen Yu answered without thinking: “No. I saw her once from afar when paying respects at the Jia residence before.”

Luo Yu had also heard back then that the Wang family had intentions of forming a marriage alliance: “Wasn’t it rejected?”

The path the Wang family took was different from the Lin family’s.

However… Luo Yu carefully looked at her younger brother, feeling a bit of pride in her heart. Oh my, it seemed he was too outstanding.

Wang Xiluan approached, a smile rising on her face: “I didn’t expect to meet you all here. What a coincidence.”

Yun Shuyao: “Indeed quite a coincidence. Is Miss Wang here to offer incense?”

After exchanging pleasantries, she kept stealing glances at Chen Yu from time to time, as if she had something to say. Unfortunately, the others all “couldn’t see.” She had no choice but to speak up herself: “Cousin Lin, I have some words I want to say to you. I wonder if you could go over there with me to chat?”

Naturally that was not possible.

A lone man and woman together could easily affect each other’s reputations. Right now here they had many people. Even if others saw them talking, it wouldn’t affect anything.

Chen Yu smiled apologetically: “Let’s talk here. Originally we don’t have anything that can’t be said to others.”

Wang Xiluan: “…”

She hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping.

She could say it facing him alone, but with his older sister and concubine mother both present, how could she open her mouth?!

Wang Xiluan’s complexion first turned red, then white—very dramatic.

Looking at his face, Wang Xiluan stamped her foot, face flushed: “I have some words I must say to you, say to you alone.”

This was being unreasonable.

The polite smile on Chen Yu’s face became somewhat fainter: “Miss Wang, this is not in accordance with propriety.”

“Apart from this sentence, do you have nothing else to say?”

Luo Yu: “Naturally there are words to say, but some words are not convenient to say to you. I believe you can also understand this. After all, you two are strangers.”

Chen Yu shook his head: “Miss Wang, do you want to talk about matters concerning the Jia family?” Giving her a way out.

Their form of address was also because of that layer of relationship with the Jia family.

They weren’t truly relatives. At their age, they were right at the time of discussing marriage. Chen Yu truly didn’t think this was a relationship where they could talk alone together.

Especially since he knew that the Wang family had conveyed such intentions—he should avoid suspicion even more. The Lin family had already refused. If they were to have such words spread about them, it would be irresponsible to both of them.

Wang Xiluan had a way out, but she didn’t want to take it. She didn’t know if there would be another chance to see him. Without asking, she wouldn’t give up. But the pavilion was only so big. She still spoke up, her voice almost inaudible: “I just ask you—do you know or not know about the Wang family’s intentions? You know what I’m asking!”

Chen Yu sighed in his heart and nodded: “I know.”

Wang Xiluan was startled, then asked again: “Then do you know it was rejected?”

Chen Yu: “I also know.”

Wang Xiluan probed: “Then have you changed your mind now?”

Chen Yu: “No.” There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in his voice.

Wang Xiluan gave up hope. Tears were spinning in her eyes. They were all in cahoots—none of them were good people!

With one turn, her tears fell. She was about to run outside, but was stopped by Luo Yu.

She wouldn’t let her leave like this. If people saw, they would think that with their numbers they were bullying a young girl. They couldn’t bear such accusations—too wronged. She pretended not to have heard: “Miss Wang, I know you’re very moved. Come, let me tell you again about the legend of Buddha cutting his flesh to feed the eagle.”

Wanting to leave but being stopped, not having thought of this aspect at all, Wang Xiluan’s tears now fell in strings. Too much bullying! She didn’t want to hear this nonsense!

Seeing her like this, Luo Yu couldn’t help but sigh. Although their ages weren’t far apart, she was already married while the other was still unwed in her chamber. When looking at Wang Xiluan, there was an illusion that they differed by several years: “Miss Wang, outside here people come and go. Even if you’re moved by Buddha’s compassion, you don’t need to be so agitated. If others see, they’ll think something happened to us.”

Hearing these words, the expression on Wang Xiluan’s face paused. Her brain, which had been rushed with shame, indignation, and fury, began to calm down somewhat. Yun Shuyao slowed her tone: “Speaking of which, do you know how this Bodhi Temple came to be?”

“How did it come to be?” Chen Yu cooperatively spoke up.

Yun Shuyao: “In the center of the great hall is a several-hundred-year-old bodhi tree. It’s said it was already there from the very beginning. A scholar traveling saw it. He chose to rest under the bodhi tree. While resting, he had a dream… He achieved enlightenment under the bodhi tree and thereupon became a monk, building a thatched hut beside it. This was the predecessor of Bodhi Temple.”

By the time Yun Shuyao finished telling this origin story she had heard, Wang Xiluan had also controlled her emotions. Apart from her eyes being somewhat red, one couldn’t tell she had cried.

“What Bodhi Temple—nothing special!” She raised her chin and left with her head held high.

The Lin family didn’t recognize quality. She would find an even better family!

Luo Yu watched her departing figure, lightly shaking her head: “She shouldn’t have come.”

She already knew the Lin family had refused. She and her younger brother had no connection. She came to ask—could she possibly get an answer that would surprise and delight her?

However, thinking it over, she was Wang Ziteng’s only daughter. Wang Ziteng still didn’t have a son to this day. This only daughter was definitely raised held in the palm of his hand. In such an environment, developing such a temperament wasn’t strange.

Chen Yu looked at her departing figure: “Let’s just treat today as purely discussing Buddhist teachings. If it spreads, it still won’t be good.”

Not good for him, even worse for Wang Xiluan.

In the matter of reputation, women were more disadvantaged.

Luo Yu looked at him: “You don’t need to say it. But don’t be too kindhearted. I see she’s going to hold a grudge against us.”

“If she wants to hold a grudge, we still can’t ruin her reputation.”

Yun Shuyao nodded with satisfaction. She hadn’t done anything now. Today’s matter, when all was said and done, wasn’t anything too outrageous: “Later have someone hint to the Wang family’s side. They’ll arrange her betrothal more quickly.”

Originally Wang Xiluan was also of age.

She and Luo Yu were from the same selection period.

With this delay, the time was getting late. Luo Yu looked at the sky with regret: “I should return.”

“Go back then.” Yun Shuyao looked at her reluctantly. She couldn’t say when she would go out next time, but although it wasn’t convenient for her to go out, she herself could go visit her.

Chen Yu: “Is Fourth Prince still busy?”

Luo Yu: “Yes.”

Because next month the Emperor was going on a tour beyond the Great Wall. Speaking of it, their Emperor really was a person who couldn’t sit still in the capital.

How long had it been since he returned from the southern tour? Now he was already preparing to go beyond the Great Wall.

Yun Shuyao: “The Emperor’s travels are no small matter. Much must be prepared in advance.”

Moreover, this time both the First Prince and the Crown Prince would go along.

The Third Prince and Fourth Prince would remain behind.

Yun Shuyao: “Their being busy is also the Emperor’s regard for them, an affirmation of their abilities. You should be happy.”

…

At this time, far away in Jinling at the Xue family, Father Xue was gravely ill in bed, his complexion ashen. Madam Xue had cried until her eyes were red and swollen, looking at him with a haggard face.

Beside her, Xue Pan and Xue Baochai were also shedding tears.

The Xue family head was already breathing his last. He looked at the three of them, in his eyes reluctance, regret, and deep worry.

Illness strikes like a landslide. He had never thought that what he believed was a condition that would improve with rest had actually dragged him down to the point of no救 recovery.

He had invited all the physicians in the area, even invited a retired imperial physician who had returned to his hometown. The result was the same—he was finished.

It was just that looking at his son whose mental faculties were still like a young child, then looking at his daughter who was intelligent but unfortunately had the body of a girl, as well as his wife who lacked sufficient decisiveness, he sighed deeply. Once he was gone, the position of Xue family head definitely couldn’t be preserved. One reason was that his son was still young. Another was his mental capacity. If there were no capable stewards to assist, he might not even be able to maintain what they had.

The Xue family had great wealth and property, but it wasn’t their single family’s domain.

Much of it was the clan’s business. He had to arrange things first.

Thinking of this, his heart felt cut by knives, yet he had to do it. Taking a breath: “Have them come over. I have words to say…”

After Yun Shuyao returned, not long after Buddha’s Birthday, a peony plant she was raising bloomed.

This peony flower was pure white, as large as a big bowl.

When the earliest bud emerged, it attracted the Old Madam and Lin Ruhai.

Neither of them were peony enthusiasts, but this color, this form, made them both linger and stop. Even less need be said for those who loved peonies.

Yun Shuyao sent this peony plant out.

Now her shop had already set up its framework. After Lin Ruhai’s appointment came down and she knew he would take office in the capital, Yun Shuyao bought a shop in the location she had favored.

The capital was indeed the capital. Shops here were very expensive and not necessarily available for purchase.

She wasn’t in a hurry to open for business. After they had admired it enough, only then did she have them send this peony over, displaying it at the street side for passersby to appreciate and comment on.

On the first day it was put out, many people gathered around, inquiring about the price.

Right now was the season when peonies bloomed. Every year at this time, flower farmers would display a long street full of them, generally their best cultivated specimens. Masterpieces easily attracted customers.

The peony Yun Shuyao brought out could compete for this year’s Flower King.

Chen Yu specially went to look. One whole street, peonies competing in splendor and beauty. The one Concubine Mother raised had the purest color.

Although it didn’t win the joy of those who liked brightly colored peonies, for those who liked pure white peonies it was a rarely seen treasure.

He even saw a princely residence’s steward asking about the price.

In the end, this peony sold for over three thousand taels of silver.

The reputation was there, the money was there, and the shop also opened for business.

Inside there was no white peony, but there were next-grade red peonies, along with various other varieties.

Yun Shuyao earned a full bowl and basin.

Chen Yu: “…”

With Concubine Mother, earning money was always especially easy.

Although there were costs, they weren’t high.

However correspondingly, the time span was relatively long.

He couldn’t help but ask: “Concubine Mother, will that small estate be insufficient? How about buying a larger one?”

Yun Shuyao: “It’s enough. Rarity makes things precious. Raising more doesn’t necessarily mean earning more than now.” Her current workload wasn’t heavy either and didn’t affect her cultivation. Just right.

Chen Yu reflected: “I was thinking incorrectly.”

Momentarily dazzled by so much silver.

Lin Ruhai looked at him: “All right. You’ve been relaxed enough recently. You should get serious. Next year is the provincial examination. Do you have confidence in placing first?”

He achieved the Minor Triple Crown in the prefectural examination. If he placed first in the provincial examination, first in the metropolitan examination, and first in the palace examination, that would be the Six Firsts achievement—his name recorded in history.

Lin Ruhai didn’t necessarily require his son to achieve this. Besides literary talent, this also required favorable timing and circumstances—lacking one wouldn’t do.

As long as he could achieve first class, he would be satisfied. But it didn’t prevent him from using this to urge his son to advance. What if? Which scholar didn’t have this ambition?

Chen Yu’s spine straightened.

Passing the provincial examination, he was confident. Placing first… he never underestimated others.

“Your son will go read now.”

Watching him leave, Lin Ruhai had someone bring tea, then waved away the servants: “Chen Yu is of age. I’ve selected several families. You take a look…”

He should be betrothed.

The candidates Lin Ruhai picked were all from civil official families.

Their status wasn’t high.

There were Han people and also Manchu people.

While they were deliberating which family to betroth Chen Yu to, at the Wang household, Wang Xiluan had made up her mind: “Mother, I want to enter the princely residence!”

“Previously didn’t you say that with our two families’ friendship I could become Ce Fujin? I agree now!”

The Lin family—what did they amount to before an Iron Cap Prince!