The Yun Family’s branch relatives gathered for over an hour before dispersing.

However, one person remained—the first woman from the Yun Family’s branch line to divorce, Yun Qin.

In these times, divorced women faced difficult lives, especially women with brothers in the family—their days were even harder.

After everyone left, Yun Qin stepped forward. “Chu’er, is that shelter entirely under your management?”

Yun Chu nodded. “Does Cousin Qin have some matter?”

Yun Qin awkwardly touched her hair. “I’m idle at home with nothing to do. I really have no work, so I was thinking of finding something to do. Do you need people there?”

When she was at her husband’s family home, she had to handle household affairs daily. After the divorce, her sister-in-law became the household manager. With a monthly allowance of two taels of silver, every time she went to collect it, she had to watch her sister-in-law’s expressions.

Actually, she didn’t need those two taels of silver, but if she didn’t take them, her sister-in-law would think she disdained the small amount.

Whatever she did was wrong.

She might as well find an excuse to move out.

“Cousin Qin, that shelter does need people. However,” Yun Chu said sincerely, “because it’s charitable work, the wages offered aren’t high.”

“I know, I know.” Yun Qin hurried to say, “It’s precisely because of this that I dare make this request.”

Yun Chu smiled. “Good, I’ll have Uncle Chen make arrangements.”

Yun Qin breathed a sigh of relief. “Then I’ll await news.”

After saying this, she didn’t linger and left.

Only then did Yun Chu have time to drink some tea.

She looked at Lin Shi and Liu Qianqian. “Currently, the Yun Family’s business affairs are all managed by Mother and Sister-in-law, with most in Sister-in-law’s hands. After thinking it over, I suspect that Sister-in-law’s miscarriage in my dream should be related to these business matters.”

Yun Family women had their own dowries, and the family also had supporting enterprises, all managed by the lady of the house.

When Liu Qianqian married into the Yun Family, Lin Shi had gradually handed those enterprises over to her daughter-in-law.

Lin Shi immediately spoke. “The Yun Family is currently affected in the official sphere, but business must continue—this naturally makes people envious. Qianqian, you’re pregnant now. You can conveniently hand over the business. Let me manage it all. I want to see just who has eaten a bear’s heart and leopard’s gall, daring to scheme and seize our Yun Family’s business!”

“Mother, I think we should forget it…” Yun Ze pressed his lips and coughed. “You haven’t concerned yourself with business matters for too long—it’s easy for people to find loopholes.”

In truth, his mother was too innocent. Rather than Qianqian having trouble, Mother might be harmed instead.

If that truly happened, Qianqian would never have peace of mind for the rest of her life.

“If Sister-in-law doesn’t mind, how about I temporarily manage these Yun Family businesses?” Yun Chu looked at Liu Qianqian. “Sister-in-law, rest assured, these businesses will just pass through my hands. I…”

“Chu’er, explaining all this is too formal.” Liu Qianqian held Yun Chu’s hand. “That you’re willing to shield me—such courage I greatly admire. I’m grateful enough. How could I question you?”

If she weren’t pregnant, she absolutely wouldn’t let Yun Chu charge ahead.

But the child in her belly moved around every day. She truly feared the scene from Chu’er’s dream would come true.

“We’re one family—no need for such formality.” Lin Shi was happy to see such harmony between sisters-in-law. “Yun Ze, you should also pay more attention to business matters. Don’t let everything fall on your sister.”

Yun Ze immediately said, “Mother, rest assured. I understand everything.”

Lin Shi pulled Yun Chu to stay for the meal.

At this moment, a woman servant from outside came in to report. “Madam, the palace has sent an invitation.”

The invitation was presented—it was for the Empress’s annual chrysanthemum viewing banquet, scheduled for tomorrow. Every year at this time, the Yun Family would receive a banquet invitation.

“Now that the Yun Family is no longer a First-Rank General’s household, logically speaking, this invitation shouldn’t have been sent.” Liu Qianqian spoke. “Mother, perhaps you shouldn’t attend this banquet.”

Lin Shi nodded. “With the Yun Family in trouble, if I’m ill, that’s only natural. I don’t even need to rack my brains thinking of excuses.”

Yun Chu took the invitation and spoke. “I’ll represent the Yun Family and make a trip.”

After the two little ones entered the palace, there had been no news. Although it had only been a few days, her longing could no longer be suppressed.

She deeply understood what it meant to feel like one day apart was like three autumns.

Furthermore, she needed to communicate with her aunt to prevent her from worrying incessantly every day.

Yun Ze knew her thoughts. Before Lin Shi could object, he said, “The Yun Family should indeed send someone, or it will invite others’ gossip. Chu’er going is just right.”

Yun Chu returned to her own courtyard to prepare.

An outfit suitable for attending a palace banquet, a set of jewelry neither ostentatious nor shabby—without needing cosmetics, her appearance was already captivating.

The chrysanthemum viewing banquet was arranged for the afternoon.

After finishing her meal, Yun Chu brought her maid and headed to the palace.

The carriage traveled to the palace gates and stopped. She would need to walk to the garden where the chrysanthemums were viewed.

Descending from the carriage and walking to the palace gates, she presented the invitation. A young eunuch led her toward the Imperial Garden in the rear palace.

Just as she took a step, a voice sounded behind her.

“Miss Yun.”

Without turning around, Yun Chu knew it was Prince Pingxi, Chu Yi.

She turned, smiling as she spoke. “Your Highness.”

“Is Miss Yun going to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion to view chrysanthemums?” Chu Yi walked toward her. “I happen to be going to the Imperial Study. Let’s go together.”

The Empress’s chrysanthemum viewing banquet only invited female family members. As a prince, he naturally wasn’t suitable to attend, but that didn’t prevent him from escorting her there.

Yun Chu had only visited the palace frequently before her coming-of-age, and even then had only been to a few sparse palaces. She truly didn’t know which direction the Imperial Study was in.

But the young eunuch leading the way knew. The Imperial Study was on the central axis, while the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was toward the west gate. Only a small section ahead was on the same path—afterward, they would be completely different.

Reaching the fork in the road, the young eunuch thought the two would part ways here. However, he saw Prince Pingxi very naturally turn the corner together with Miss Yun.

The young eunuch hurriedly reminded him. “Your Highness, the Imperial Study should be in that direction.”

Chu Yi: “…”

He had grown up in the palace, running to the palace every day. How could he not know where the Imperial Study was?

This young eunuch was really being meddlesome.

However, he had no need to explain to the young eunuch.

Meeting Yun Chu’s slightly puzzled gaze, he calmly said, “The Empress is hosting a flower viewing banquet. Surely Imperial Father would also like to view the autumn chrysanthemums. I’ll pick one along the way to send to the Imperial Study.”

Yun Chu nodded. “That’s indeed appropriate.”

The two continued walking toward the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

“Your Highness!” The young eunuch spoke again. “Earlier, when this servant was waiting for Miss Yun at the palace gates, the Court of Judicial Review Minister inquired about Your Highness’s whereabouts. Surely he has some urgent matter to discuss with Your Highness.”

Chu Yi’s brow furrowed.

The Yun Family’s case was currently being thoroughly investigated by the Court of Judicial Review. They must have discovered something.

He halted his steps. “Imperial Father’s autumn chrysanthemum will have to wait for next time. Miss Yun, I must go attend to business first.”

Yun Chu nodded. “Your Highness, don’t delay important matters. Please go quickly.”

Chu Yi turned and walked toward the Imperial Study. The Court of Judicial Review Minister should have gone to the Imperial Study.

After rounding this palace wall, just as they were nearing the main entrance of the Imperial Study, Chu Yi’s steps suddenly halted. “Something’s wrong.”

Chengxu behind him also paused. “Your Highness, what is it?”

Chu Yi quickly turned around. “That young eunuch is problematic.”

He directly used his lightness skill, swiftly pursuing in that direction.

Chengxu was completely baffled.

What problem did that young eunuch have? How had he failed to notice?