Chapter 39: The Yao Sisters

Chapter 39: The Yao Sisters

Wei Shuyi had previously been given a secret decree to secretly travel to Hezhou on official business, accompanied only by his guards and Changji.

The Wei family had many properties, including a secondary residence in Hezhou, managed by four or five household servants.

The servant woman who returned to the capital with him was from that secondary residence in Hezhou.

Lady Duan immediately sensed something was amiss—though that picky young man knew the importance of propriety and public duty, it seemed odd that he would bring a servant woman all the way back just to take care of his daily needs.

Who usually requires a servant woman's care?

Lady Duan didn't have the patience to guess and directly questioned the servant woman herself.

The servant woman hesitated, clearly troubled: "…Indeed, there was a lady traveling with us, but Master repeatedly instructed me not to reveal her identity. It concerns a lady’s reputation, so I cannot break my word…"

As she spoke, she knelt down and asked Lady Duan to punish her.

Lady Duan's heart raced!

She did not make things difficult for the servant woman but instead praised her loyalty and kept her promise, rewarding her generously.

The servant woman could not refuse and thanked her repeatedly.

As she left Lady Duan's courtyard with a box of rewards, she happened to meet Changji coming towards her.

Seeing the box of rewards in her arms, Changji's face darkened instantly—had she sold out their master?

The servant woman couldn’t explain and gave him meaningful looks.

Unfortunately, Changji was notoriously oblivious to such signals.

With a belly full of suspicion, he went to see Lady Duan: "May I ask why you summoned me here, madam?"

Lady Duan looked in the direction the servant woman had gone, smiling mysteriously: "Everything has been explained to me by the one from Hezhou."

Changji's heart pounded, forcing himself to remain silent and observe—keep calm!

"Traveling together for thousands of miles, such dedication…" Lady Duan smiled widely: "In the next few days, I will find a matchmaker to propose marriage and settle the engagement as soon as possible. You have served Zi Gu for many years, so many preparations should be handled by you. Don't miss this auspicious opportunity."

Changji's eyes widened in shock—how could they be talking about an engagement already!

He hurriedly said, "Madam, do not believe what the servant woman said. Master and Lady Chang are perfectly innocent. This time, Master merely helped someone out of obligation, nothing more…"

"Lady Chang?" Lady Duan stood up abruptly, staring intently at Changji, her eyes burning: "Which Lady Chang? The one from Xingning Fang?"

Changji: "…?!"

Some people live yet seem dead.

Changji, deceased.

...

After several days of inquiries, Lady Duan grew increasingly curious.

The invitation sent to General Chang's mansion was specifically instructed by her, but since she had heard that the Chang ladies never attended in previous years, she did not hold much hope.

She simply thought of finding another opportunity to meet them someday.

At that moment, as the hostess, she was walking into the garden, chatting with a group of ladies.

Until a servant woman approached quickly and whispered something in her ear—

Lady Duan's eyes brightened, and she urged the ladies around her with a smile: "…We must hurry over; we shouldn't keep the children waiting."

The ladies laughed in agreement.

Hearing that the Lady of Duke Zheng had arrived, the younger generation all came forward to pay their respects.

Chang Suining stood at the back of the crowd, trying to blend in.

She felt this might be another form of homesickness…

She bowed with everyone else, trying to minimize her presence.

But Lady Duan spotted her immediately.

"…Just like every year, feel free to relax and treat this place like your own home!" Lady Duan smiled at the group of young girls, her gaze frequently landing on one particular person.

After the ladies bowed and thanked her, they dispersed in small groups, chatting and laughing.

Some admired the flowers, some walked to the bridge, where they could see the young men across the winding stream.

Others sat in pavilions playing music to entertain.

For a moment, the laughter of the girls mingled with the sounds of music, creating a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

"Where is Wei Shuyi…" a few young girls whispered among themselves.

"Wei Shuyi is a government official; he can't always be available in the mansion…"

"That's a pity; I thought I might see Wei Shuyi today."

"Not seeing Wei Shuyi, meeting the Lady of Duke Zheng is just as good… Your mother is here too; you could go talk to her. Maybe you'll catch the Lady of Duke Zheng's eye?"

"Yao Er, stop talking nonsense… I'll hit you!"

The girl blushed and playfully chased her friend, nearly bumping into Chang Suining.

Chang Suining stepped aside first, and the two girls still apologized awkwardly.

Chang Suining smiled. "It's fine."

Young girls have simple minds; upon seeing someone beautiful, they do not only feel jealousy but more often admiration and aspiration. With this opening, the two began chatting enthusiastically with Chang Suining.

"We've never seen Lady Chang before."

"What does Lady Chang usually like to do?"

The girl named Yao Er took the opportunity to move closer to Chang Suining, smiling sweetly as she asked, "What fragrance is Lady Chang wearing? It smells wonderful."

Behind her, a young girl almost rolled her eyes—Yao Er was truly a flirt! If she were a man, she'd be dragged to the police station at least three times a day! She was clearly cut out for a life in prison!

Just now, they had seen that Yao Er clearly wanted to bump into Lady Chang on purpose. Fortunately, Lady Chang avoided it in time; otherwise, she would have been hugged by Yao Er.

Meeting those sweet, crescent-shaped eyes, Chang Suining casually unhooked the sachet from her waist. "It's just some ordinary invigorating incense. If you really like it, take it."

Yao Er was overjoyed and flattered. "I love it, thank you, Sister Chang!"

Chang Suining was genuinely amused, curving her lips into a smile. "I don't go out much. I heard your surname is Yao just now. Are you from the household of Magistrate Yao?"

"That's my eldest uncle." Yao Er smiled even sweeter. "Look how forgetful I am. I know Sister Chang, but Sister Chang doesn't know me yet! After all this talk, I forgot to introduce myself. Sister Chang, my name is Yao Xia!"

Chang Suining nodded in understanding.

She was indeed the niece of Supreme Court Magistrate Yao Yi—

Yao Yi, who married the eldest daughter of Pei Min, was undoubtedly someone worth her attention.

She had stayed here precisely because she heard the girl's surname was Yao.

"...Sister Chang, I'm the second child in my family, with an elder cousin from my uncle's side." With the sachet in hand, Yao Xia became even more enthusiastic, her eyes suddenly brightening. "Sister Chang, look, there's my cousin!"

She waved the hand holding the sachet. "Cousin, I'm over here!"

Chang Suining followed her gaze and saw a green-clad girl around her age approaching.

This must be Yao Yi's only daughter—

Yao Yi married the eldest daughter of Pei Min, and they only had one daughter together after many years, with no sons or even any illegitimate children.

The green-clad girl approached. Unlike Yao Xia, she wasn't lively and energetic; her demeanor was more composed, though there was a slight hint of fatigue in her eyes that could not be fully concealed by makeup.

"Cousin, I haven't seen you in days. What have you been busy with recently?" Yao Xia linked arms with Yao Ran, asking affectionately.

"Nothing much. Recently... Grandmother has been unwell, so I've been copying Buddhist scriptures in her room," Yao Ran replied, her gaze somewhat distracted.

This subtle detail might not be noticeable to most, but to someone observant, it was particularly noteworthy.