Chapter 599: Xingxing Feels Enlightened

Chapter 599: Xingxing Had an Epiphany

Lady Qing An, together with several young noblewomen, visited the Yu family’s mountain estate.

The Yu family’s mountain estate was beautifully built, with cottages arranged in a pleasing disorder that exuded natural charm. The courtyard not only featured rows of weeping willows but also a dedicated orchard where many fruit trees were in bloom. From afar, the blossoms looked like a sea of color, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

“It’s truly beautiful,” Miss Zhu couldn’t help but exclaim.

Lady Qing An found herself stealing glances at Miss Zhu, then at Yu Yongliu.

She knew she shouldn’t think this way, but she couldn’t help feeling that if Yu Yongliu were to fall for someone as lovely as Zhu Yaoxu, it would be entirely understandable.

A hint of sadness flickered across Lady Qing An’s expression.

Xingxing had been secretly observing everything. She noticed that during the short walk of about a hundred steps to their estate, her third brother had awkwardly glanced toward Lady Qing An three times!

Three times!

And when her third brother wasn’t looking, Lady Qing An had glanced at him five times!

Five times!

Xingxing felt as though she’d had an epiphany.

Now, seeing the sadness in Lady Qing An’s expression, Xingxing grew anxious but didn’t know how to handle the situation, so she kept shooting pleading looks at her third brother.

Unfortunately, her third brother seemed lost in his own world, staring blankly at the ground.

Xingxing felt the frustration of caring more than the person involved.

She sighed silently to herself.

In the end, it was Xu Ge’er who, eagerly thinking of the frozen custard made by Li Chunhua, tugged on Yu Yongliu with his childish voice, urging him to take them to taste it.

Yu Yongliu took his leave with a polite “We’ll go ahead first” and left with the younger children.

Of course, Xingxing remained behind to accompany Lady Qing An and the noblewomen, giving them a tour of the estate.

When the maid brought out the frozen custard made by Li Chunhua, Lady Qing An’s eyes lit up at the first taste. “It’s so delicious!”

The noblewomen, who had originally planned to politely sample it just to please Lady Qing An, were equally surprised. The cool sweetness dissolved on their tongues, as if dispelling all the summer heat.

They exchanged looks, disbelief evident in their eyes.

Although Xingxing had been granted the title of Township Lady, outranking them, the noblewomen still held some prejudice, considering the Yu family simple country people who could never compare to aristocratic families like theirs.

A refined summer treat like frozen custard was something reserved for the elite. They never expected the Yu family to make it so exquisitely!

Even Lady Qing An, who had tasted countless delicacies at court, praised it—which said everything about its quality.

A single small bowl of frozen custard was enough to soften their condescending views.

Zhu Yaoxu, the lively Miss Zhu, asked Xingxing if she could take a bowl home for her younger brother, who had been suffering from the summer heat and remained listless even at the retreat. She hoped something cool might help.

Xingxing readily agreed and even considerately packed ice into the container to keep the frozen custard from melting during the trip back.

Watching Zhu Yaoxu beam with joy and offer her thanks, Lady Qing An couldn’t quite conceal her envy.

As they were escorting Lady Qing An and the noblewomen out, Lady Qing An seemed as if she wanted to say something—but in the end, kept silent.

But Xingxing stopped Qing An and the others, pulling out several more food containers like magic. Each was packed with ice, and she smiled gracefully, urging them to take some home for their families to try.

Qing An’s face lit up with surprise.

The others were delighted too. After thanking Xingxing, they had their maids take the containers and headed home.

Soon after, Zhu Yaoxu sent someone back with the container, now holding two small jars of honey produced on their estate as a gift. She also sent word, thanking Xingxing and saying that her younger brother had regained some appetite and seemed more energetic after eating the ice cream.

Xingxing smiled.

…

Qing An brought the ice cream to her mother, the Ying Princess Consort.

The Princess Consort was playing cards with her head maids in her chamber when Qing An arrived with the refreshing treat. The maids, quick to praise, raved about Qing An’s thoughtfulness, leaving the Princess Consort grinning from ear to ear.

The Princess Consort took a bite of the dessert and exclaimed in surprise.

“This ice cream is delicious—this doesn’t taste like our kitchen’s work,” she said, taking another bite, visibly relaxed. “It’s even more refreshing than the icebox in the room.”

Qing An sat quietly. “…It was made by Lady of Blessed Peace’s elder aunt. Before we left, Yao Xu asked her for an extra portion for her younger brother, and the Township Lady gave each of us one to bring home.”

At the mention of “Lady of Blessed Peace,” the Princess Consort pricked up her ears.

She set aside her cards and dismissed the maids.

The maids put down their cards, bowed, and withdrew, leaving only the Princess Consort and Qing An in the room.

Qing An spoke first. “Mother, I saw Yu Yongliu again today.”

The Princess Consort’s heart ached. She moved closer and sat beside her daughter. “…Your father has wanted to talk to Yu Yongliu, but before he could find the chance, he was sent to the southern border on imperial orders and hasn’t returned yet.”

Qing An shook her head, looking downcast. “I don’t think he really likes me. When he said he’d be responsible, it was probably just duty… Today, Yao Xu talked to him several times. Bubbly girls like her are more his type, I suppose.”

Seeing her daughter’s conflicted feelings, the Princess Consort sighed deeply.

After all, she had been young once too. How well she understood this kind of heartache.

Still, she decided. “…Now that I think about it, I’ve never met the Yu family. And look—here’s the perfect excuse!”

Qing An hesitated. “Mother, let me think about it a bit longer…”

She knew her status was high, but she didn’t want Yu Yongliu to marry her out of fear or obligation because of it…

Seeing her daughter so torn, the Princess Consort could only sigh.

“I’ll take you to visit the Yu family tomorrow,” she declared firmly. “We’re at the estate now, not in the capital, so we can skip the formalities. If the Yu family proves to be a good match, once your father returns, he can have that talk with Yu Yongliu!”