Two carriages stopped at the Yun family entrance.

Yun Chu sat in the front carriage, while the rear carriage was loaded full of ice blocks just pulled from the warehouse.

Madam Lin felt distressed seeing this: “Why are you spending money so recklessly, child? A whole carriage of ice—how much silver must that cost?”

Though the Yun family held high position and great power, they weren’t some wealthy great clan. Spending several thousand taels of silver on ice blocks seemed quite extravagant to Madam Lin.

“That Chen’s Ice Shop on the street—I own it.” Yun Chu said directly. “Mother, if you need ice, just have someone go fetch it directly.”

Madam Lin was astonished: “The southern merchant who stockpiled ice extensively in the third and fourth months—that was you?”

“Mother just needs to know about this matter herself.” Yun Chu changed the subject. “Last time, the Xie family had a conflict with Marquis Xuanwu, which resulted in An’er losing his opportunity to study at the Imperial Academy. If elder brother doesn’t plan to send Jiang’er to the Imperial Academy, why not give this opportunity to An’er?”

Jiang’er was Yun Chu’s eldest brother Yun Ze’s eldest son, Yun Zhenjiang. He was five years old this year and, like Xie Shi’an, studied at Huaide Academy established by the capital’s educational bureau.

Madam Lin said casually: “Your elder brother didn’t go to the Imperial Academy back then, so naturally Jiang’er won’t go either. Since it would just sit empty anyway, let An’er go.”

Yun Chu knew no one in the Yun family would object. Even her eldest sister-in-law Liu Qianqian knew that Yun family members couldn’t enter the Imperial Academy and would be eager to give this quota away.

In the previous life, Xie Shiyun had gotten this benefit.

In this life, would she let Xie Shi’an have his wish?

The smile on Yun Chu’s lips deepened somewhat.

Madam Lin smiled and brought up another matter: “Ran’s marriage has been settled.”

Yun Chu was surprised: “So quickly?”

“Ran is already seventeen—we can’t delay any longer.” Madam Lin spoke. “That child from the Dai family is also nineteen. In other families, boys this age already have children. The Dai family is anxious, and we’re anxious too, so we set the wedding for autumn. This gives us just enough time to prepare the dowry.”

Yun Chu nodded and discussed the concubine-born sister’s dowry with Madam Lin.

After they had discussed it thoroughly, Madam Lin lowered her voice: “Tomorrow, accompany me into the palace to see Consort Yun.”

Yun Chu heard the unusual flavor: “Has something happened to Aunt?”

Madam Lin shook her head: “Didn’t the Crown Prince fall ill a few days ago?”

Yun Chu knew about the Crown Prince’s illness—Yu’er had told her yesterday when she went to the Yin residence.

Originally, Prince Pingxi was to go to Ji Province to suppress bandits, but because the Crown Prince was seriously ill, the emperor had Prince Pingxi remain in the capital.

She hadn’t understood before why the Crown Prince’s illness required Prince Pingxi to stay, but now seeing Madam Lin’s grave expression, Yun Chu understood a bit—the Crown Prince’s illness this time was probably man-made…

“The Fourth Prince visited the Eastern Palace once, and the Crown Prince began vomiting and having diarrhea. The imperial physicians determined there was a problem with the food the Fourth Prince sent to the Eastern Palace.” Madam Lin’s voice was very low. “His Majesty was furious and punished the Fourth Prince by sending him to Qing’an Temple outside the city to pray for the Crown Prince’s blessings… Now the princes in various palaces are all grown, and some have developed improper thoughts. The palace likely won’t be peaceful these next few years. Your grandfather wants me to enter the palace to admonish Consort Yun, telling her to keep a close watch on the Eighth Prince and absolutely not get involved in these matters.”

Yun Chu remembered—this had happened in her previous life too. The Fourth Prince was punished to go to Qing’an Temple to pray. After the Crown Prince recovered, the Fourth Prince was allowed to return. Later, when the Crown Prince reinvestigated the poisoning matter, it turned out someone else was responsible. The Fourth Prince was cleared of suspicion. The emperor, knowing he had wrongly blamed him, bestowed many things in compensation. That period was probably the Fourth Prince’s happiest and most comfortable time.

He had lived carefree and happy for less than half a year before trouble struck.

Yun Chu stayed at the Yun family to accompany Old General Yun for dinner before taking the carriage back to the Xie residence.

Xie Jingyu’s manservant was waiting right at the main entrance. Seeing her return, he hurried over: “Madam, you’ve finally returned. The Master has been waiting for you.”

Yun Chu asked mildly: “Where is the Master?”

“At Anshou Hall.” The servant said respectfully. “Does Madam wish to go there directly, or should this humble one invite the Master to Sheng Residence?”

Yun Chu went directly to Anshou Hall.

Right now, all the Xie family members were here waiting for news. The concubines were all present too, making the room lively and bustling.

“Chu’er, come sit quickly.” The old madam was all smiles. “Regarding An’er’s matter, what did Madam Yun and your elder brother say?”

Yun Chu took a sip of tea before speaking unhurriedly: “My elder brother feels that because he didn’t study at the Imperial Academy himself, he only passed the examination as a third-rank presented scholar and has always regretted it. He plans to send Jiang’er to the Imperial Academy once Jiang’er turns eight.”

The smile on the old madam’s face slowly disappeared.

She had placed too high expectations on this granddaughter-in-law. The greater the hope, the greater the current disappointment.

Xie Jingyu furrowed his brows slightly.

Based on his understanding of Old General Yun, he would absolutely never allow Yun family members the opportunity to have overly close contact with princes in the palace. How could he possibly send Yun Zhenjiang to the Imperial Academy?

Could it be that Consort Yun planned to borrow the Yun family’s power to help the Eighth Prince compete for the succession?

Thinking this, Xie Jingyu broke out in a cold sweat.

Although he relied on the Yun family, he didn’t want to follow the Yun family in backing the Eighth Prince, because the Eighth Prince was too young—seizing the throne would be far too difficult…

“However, I persuaded my elder brother that Jiang’er is only five years old. We don’t know yet whether he loves studying or prefers martial training. Wouldn’t occupying this opportunity now be a waste?” Yun Chu looked at Xie Shi’an with satisfaction all over her face. “An’er is thoroughly learned and has read his books until the binding straps are worn through three times. He’s a truly talented person. The Imperial Academy should have a place for An’er.”

Xie Shi’an’s face showed wild joy, which he immediately suppressed, though his voice held barely concealed excitement: “Thank you, Mother.”

Having lost this opportunity before, he knew how rare such an opportunity was.

He never expected that between Jiang’er and himself, Mother would actually choose him.

Then he absolutely would not let down Mother’s good intentions.

“Chu’er, you’re truly the Xie family’s lucky star.” Madam Yuan was full of emotion. “Without you, An’er’s entire life would have been ruined.”

The old madam spoke: “Chu’er, in the future An’er will certainly be filial to you and will also reciprocate to the Yun family…”

Yun Chu casually exchanged a few sentences with the old madam, then excused herself and left Anshou Hall.

Xie Jingyu followed her out: “Madam.”

Yun Chu’s steps halted: “Does my husband have something else?”

“Today on the street, I saw a hairpin very suitable for Madam.” Xie Jingyu took out a butterfly jade hairpin from his sleeve. “Let me put it on for Madam.”

Yun Chu glanced at it.

This hairpin was worth at most ten taels of silver. It might be fine for coaxing young girls, but she was already twenty—long past the age of being moved by such small favors.

Her voice was indifferent: “This hairpin is indeed not bad. I’ll take it to give to Ping—it would suit her.”

Xie Jingyu’s expression became somewhat stiff.

This was the first time in five years of marriage that he had bought jewelry for her, yet she only glanced at it once before wanting to give it away to someone else.

The heart he had offered up seemed to have been thrown on the ground by her.

“If my husband has nothing else, I’ll be going first.”

Yun Chu turned around calmly, her back quickly disappearing at the entrance to Anshou Hall.

Xie Jingyu gripped the hairpin tightly, his chest heaving violently.

“Master.”

A soft, delicate voice came. Immediately after, his hand was grasped, and the hairpin in his hand was drawn out.

He turned his eyes and saw Tingyu standing beside him.