“Miss, my home is in the southern district…” The flower seller girl timidly spoke up when she noticed Yun Fuyi riding toward East Street where nobles resided. She was worried that her lowly status might cause trouble for her benefactor.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you vent your anger first, then I’ll take you home.” Yun Fuyi glanced toward Dongfeng Gate, the imperial palace’s east main gate. At this hour, the palace banquet should be over.
‘Venting anger?’ The flower seller girl touched the heavy pouches in her arms. Wasn’t beating the group earlier and taking their money enough?
As they entered the aristocratic district on East Street, the road, though lined with beautiful lanterns, was much quieter than other streets. From time to time, horse-drawn carriages passed by, luxurious and exquisite. The flower seller girl didn’t even dare look around, for fear of offending noble personages.
When a vermillion carriage passed by, Yun Fuyi adjusted the cloak on the girl to hide her face, then dismounted her horse and quickly stepped forward to the carriage to make a polite curtsy. “Greetings to the Duke of Chengzhong.”
The Duke, having just left the palace banquet, was in a state of drowsiness. He was jolted awake by the carriage’s sudden stop. Hearing a young woman’s voice addressing him, he lifted the curtain, confused, “And who might you be?” The girl seemed vaguely familiar, as though he had seen her somewhere before.
“This younger generation’s name is Yun Fuyi, daughter of Yun Wanggui. It’s been three years since I last returned to the capital. Seeing Your Excellency’s carriage today, I couldn’t help but feel excited and came forward to pay my respects. I hope you can forgive my abruptness.”
Upon hearing the name Yun Fuyi, a flood of memories overwhelmed Duke Chengzhong. Perhaps no one in the aristocratic circle in the capital hadn’t heard of her name—she had publicly insulted Lord Li’s eldest son, pulled Lord Zhang’s youngest son’s hair, and beaten Lord Wang’s grandson. Known as the number one menace in the capital, she was notorious for running wild with a group of fellow idlers and dandies, making mischief and troubles.
The Yun family had a reputation for generations of virtuous men and women. How they ended up with a troublemaker like Yun Fuyi remained a mystery.
Recalling how this girl was still young and had nearly lost her life after falling off a cliff three years ago, Duke Chengzhong patiently engaged in small talk with her. Noticing that Yun Fuyi had grown more poised and spoke with appropriate manners, he nodded inwardly in approval. It seemed like she had matured after her near-death experience.
His gaze fell on the horse behind Yun Fuyi, where a girl with her face covered by a cloak sat. “And who might this young lady be?” The Duke asked politely.
“She sells flowers in the alleys. I happened to pass by when I saw your grandson Wang Yanhe harassing her, so I intervened and brought her away, lest he tarnish your family’s name.”
“What?!” Hearing his grandson had been harassing a commoner, the Duke’s face darkened.
Yun Fuyi smiled. “Please don’t be upset, Duke. If a child was misbehaving, just a light scolding will do. No need to hit him—he wouldn’t be able to leave the house if he’s injured.”
“Thank you for informing me, Miss Yun.” The Duke was furious. ‘No need to hit him? Ha, Today I’ll definitely break that troublemaker’s legs!’
As the carriage departed, taking the fuming Duke with it, Yun Fuyi cheerfully waved. “Take care, Sir!”
The flower seller girl hesitated, “Miss…”
“No rush, no rush,” Yun Fuyi replied, turning to greet another passing carriage. “Greetings to Lord Chen!”
…
After sending the flower seller back to her home on the crowded South Street, Yun Fuyi departed, leaving the girl and her family full of gratitude.
South Street was where the common folk of the capital lived. Even though it was late at night, the streets remained lively. Yun Fuyi walked slowly through the crowd, leading her horse with one hand and carrying some light bites in the other. As she passed South Street and returned to East Street again, she noticed that someone was replacing the decorative lanterns with bright red ones.
A passerby asked curiously, “The Lantern Festival isn’t over yet, why are they already hanging red lanterns?”
“His Highness Ning Wang1 is getting married in three days. His Majesty, remembering that he was the late emperor’s favorite youngest son, specially ordered red lanterns to be hung along the wedding procession route to celebrate.”
“His Majesty is truly kind to his younger brother.”
“Indeed, we are fortunate to have such a benevolent emperor.”
Watching the exchange, Yun Fuyi couldn’t help but smile. Two years ago, the current emperor ascended the throne at the age of over forty. He governed the country with compassion and integrity, and he indeed cared for his subjects.
Someone nearby accidentally dropped the lantern in his hand, and the wind blew the bright red lantern to Yun Fuyi’s feet. She bent down, picked it up, and handed it to the person who had been searching for it.
“Thank you, miss,” the person said gratefully.
Yun Fuyi smiled and mounted her horse. Not far away, a carriage from Ning Wang Manor passed by, escorted by guards and followed by maidservants carrying lanterns, looking extremely grandeur. Yun Fuyi sneered, patted her horse, and disappeared into the night.
The carriage came to a halt, and Ning Wang peered through the curtain at the dark alley, his dark eyes flickering slightly,
“Wangye?” an attendant bowed his head and inquired, “Do you have any instructions?”
Catching the sight of the bright red wedding lanterns hanging along the street, Ning Wang lowered his eyelids slightly. “Nothing. Return to the manor now.”
…
After bringing her horse into the stable, Fuyi cautiously tiptoed to the entrance of her parents’ main courtyard, took a quick peek, and let out a sigh of relief. She was just about to sneak back to her own courtyard when—
“Where have you gone?”
Fuyi froze, her body stiffening. She turned her head toward the old tree in the courtyard and nearly dropped to her knees in conditional reflex. But then she remembered that she hadn’t caused any trouble tonight—quite the opposite, actually, as she’d saved someone. So she stood up straight again, squeezing out a smile as she walked over to her family. “Father, Mother, Elder Brother, good evening.”
“Speak up. Where did you go tonight instead of attending the palace banquet?” Yun Wanggui gestured to the empty seat by the stone table.
Fuyi quickly sat down on the stone bench and eagerly pulled some pastries from her pouch. “Mother, you should try these.”
Liu Qiongzhi took a bite of the pastry and smiled. “Peach blossom crisps from that shop on West Street?”
“Exactly.” Fuyi picked up the teapot from the table and poured hot tea for her family. “On the way back to the capital, you mentioned this pastry shop a few times, didn’t you, Mother? I made sure to keep it in mind.”
Liu Qiongzhi was quickly appeased by her daughter’s attentiveness. She beamed in a good mood and no longer pursued the matter of her late return.
Yun Wanggui sighed helplessly. “When I entered the palace to report my return today, His Majesty hinted at appointing me as the Minister of Revenue.”
“Minister of Revenue?” Fuyi sipped her tea. “Father, that’s incredible. His Majesty must truly value you.”
Yun Wanggui’s lips twitched into a slight smile before he quickly suppressed it. “Flattery doesn’t work on your father.”
“How is it flattery? Father, your daughter is very sincere.” Fuyi turned to her brother, Yun Zhaobai. “Brother, don’t you agree?”
Yun Zhaobai smiled but refrained from commenting.
Yun Wanggui’s lips curled again before he regained his composure and said in a serious tone, “The Empress has requested to see you tomorrow, so make sure you go to bed early tonight. Don’t wake up late.”
“The Empress wants to see me?” Fuyi muttered, confused. “Father, I’m fairly sure I haven’t offended Her Majesty’s child… right?”
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