Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Ye Shuang finished writing the reply, sealed it, and took a candle she’d prepared earlier. She dripped wax onto the seal, then took a seal from her pouch and gently pressed it onto the warm wax, leaving a pattern that only the Ye family would recognize. She believed her aunt would understand at a glance.

"I don’t want others to know about this. I need you to make a trip for me."

"Of course, I’ll do my best." Song Yun took the letter without hesitation, tucking it into her robe. After a moment of hesitation, she voiced her concern, "What are you planning to do now?"

Ye Shuang, who had been tidying up, paused and stood up to retrieve a box from the cabinet.

"I’ve thought it all through. Take a look at this first."

"What is this?" Song Yun moved things aside to make space on the table and helped her set the box down.

The wooden box was locked. As Ye Shuang went to fetch the key, Song Yun turned her back, only turning around again after she had unlocked it.

"You’re being too cautious. What’s the need? Between us, why be so careful?"

Song Yun plopped down casually and picked up an orange to eat. "It’s because I value our friendship that I must be extra careful, to avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts caused by others with ill intentions."

Ye Shuang pointed at her from a distance but didn’t insist.

"Fine, suit yourself!"

The two sat down again at the table. Ye Shuang opened the box, took out a document from the top, and handed it to Song Yun as if presenting a treasure, raising an eyebrow mysteriously. "Take a look."

Song Yun recognized it immediately, her eyes lighting up as she quickly opened it. "A printing license? Impressive! So, are you planning to open a bookshop?"

"Yes. I nearly ran into trouble over this, but fortunately, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy stepped in, so I wasn’t harassed by that Du Maocai!"

"The Chancellor? Shen Qingyuan?"

"Exactly." Ye Shuang then told her all about what happened that day.

"That really is quite a coincidence. I recall that Chancellor Shen rarely interacts with merchants. Du Maocai has long admired him, hoping to get Chancellor Shen to improve his Book Guild’s books to make him look good among scholars. Chancellor Shen refused every time. Who would have thought he’d visit in person?"

"He said he happened to be passing by. I just didn’t expect it to be such a coincidence that I ran into him."

Song Yun listened with a furrowed brow, nodding from time to time. "That really is quite a coincidence."

"Speaking of which, Chancellor Shen holds great prestige among scholars. Even Pei Yu was very cautious around him. It was the first time I’ve seen him like that."

"Chancellor Shen has been at the Imperial Academy for many years, with disciples all over the court. It’s natural for younger generations to feel awe in his presence."

Ye Shuang agreed wholeheartedly. "True. I was nervous too, but he treated me quite well."

Song Yun, however, was puzzled. "Haven’t you met Chancellor Shen before?"

"Why would I have?"

"Shen Qingyuan is Xiao Lin’s mentor! Xiao Lin was very fond of by Chancellor Shen back when he was at the Imperial Academy."

Ye Shuang lowered her head, peeling the orange pith. "He never mentioned any of this to me."

Song Yun was startled and quickly changed the subject. "But that’s normal; it was years ago. By the way, you mentioned Pei Yu was with you that day?"

"Yes! It was another coincidence."

Ye Shuang laughed as she spoke.

Song Yun asked, "Don’t you think it’s a bit too coincidental?"

"I do, but it really was just a coincidence. I don’t know why—perhaps it’s just one of those strange coincidences."

Song Yun frowned. "Have you been spending a lot of time with Pei Yu lately?"

"Not at all. I’ve only seen him a couple times."

"What’s your take on him?"

"What do you mean?" Faced with Song Yun’s abrupt question, Ye Shuang wasn’t sure what she was referring to.

Song Yun didn’t elaborate. "Just his character."

"I don’t really know. I’m not really familiar with him." As soon as she finished speaking, the scene from that day at Lin’an Prefecture popped into her head—Pei Yu’s close presence, him standing too close. Taken by surprise, she still didn’t know what his intentions were at the time.

Seeing Song Yun fell silent, she asked, "Have you noticed something?"

Song Yun slowly shook her head. "Not really. It’s just the Pei family... In any case, stay away from him."

"Of course. But he’s now the Military Advisor in the Revenue Office, so I have to deal with him occasionally. Still, since you’ve mentioned it, I’ll only see him when I have to."

Song Yun nodded. "You have to see him for Ru Ru’s paperwork. As long as you’re careful, it should be fine."

Ye Shuang knew what Song Yun was worried about and pressed her hand. "Don’t worry, I’m good on my own now. I won’t get involved with anyone else. My only concern is Ru Ru. If she’s well, I’m well."

Song Yun felt relieved and patted her hand back. "It’s good that you’re clear-headed. I was worried that returning to Lin’an might affect you."

"Don’t worry, no one can disrupt my life now. All I care about is my finances, how I feel, and Ru Ru... and of course, you." Ye Shuang grinned playfully, adding the last part.

Song Yun couldn’t help but laugh. "You’ve got such a mouth on you. You never used to say things like that to flatter me."

Ye Shuang held Song Yun’s hand, her tone turning serious. "In the past, I was blind, always upset over people who didn’t matter. Now, I only care about those who care about me. But whether I say it or not, nothing will change between us."

Song Yun replied, "Of course, that goes without saying. Just remember to have Ru Ru call me auntie in the future."

Ye Shuang laughed. "Don’t worry, you’ll definitely have that role."

"When she’s older, I’ll teach her horseback riding and archery!"

"Alright, you’re so busy now. We can talk about that later. Who knows if she’ll even like those things?"

"True enough."

"How have you been? Why are you so busy? Didn’t you get promoted?" Ye Shuang picked up a green orange from the table and handed it to Song Yun.

Song Yun muttered through a mouthful of orange, complaining indistinctly, "It’s precisely because of the promotion that I’m busier. At first, I was just a low-ranking guard in the Palace Command, guarding Lin’an—originally to avoid marriage. Two years ago, I joined the Inspectorate as a Commandant. Now, I’m a Captain in the Imperial Stables, leading the Cloud-Awe Guard and overseeing the palace perimeter security. It’s even more hectic. You know how those old-fashioned types in the court dislike women in the military. Plus, they often clash with my father and frequently complain to the emperor, saying things like 'women meddling in men’s affairs' and that women shouldn’t hold military positions. Especially those from the Censorate and the Military Council..."

Song Yun trailed off, sneaking a glance at Ye Shuang before changing the subject. "Never mind, why am I telling you all this?"

"It’s fine, I’m listening."

Song Yun winced at the tartness of the orange, stuffed the rest into her mouth, and wiped her hands with a handkerchief. "It’s just these matters. On top of that, the Commissary Officer has resigned to go home to take care of his sick mother, so the Imperial Stables are even busier. But there’s something I really need to say—and I’m not making excuses for Xiao Lin. Since joining the Lin’an Prefecture, I’ve seen how troublesome those people in the Military Council can be. The civil officials in the court do nothing all day but impeach others and suppress dissent. With so many constraints, and Xiao Lin having no family backing or allies, it’s pretty impressive for him to have come this far. Even if he has his faults, he didn’t have much choice in some of it."

Ye Shuang listened quietly, seemingly pondering Song Yun’s words.

"I’m not saying this to make you forgive him. I just hope you won’t hold too much resentment and let it eat at you."

Ye Shuang: "I naturally know you didn't mean it that way. I understand. Thank you for telling me all this."

The two chatted a while longer until Wen Xiang asked outside the door if Ye Shuang wanted dinner served. Only then did Song Yun realize it was getting late and, having matters to attend to, she left without even staying for dinner.

After Song Yun left, Wen Xiang came in and reported the day's menu, asking Ye Shuang what she would like to eat.

Ye Shuang said there was no hurry and asked Wen Xiang to take out the wooden box on the right side of the second layer of the wardrobe. Wen Xiang complied and retrieved it.

Ye Shuang opened the box, revealing an exquisite gold-inlaid red coral headpiece with vine scroll patterns.

"This was left to you by your late mother as part of your dowry. Why are you taking it out today?"

Ye Shuang gently stroked the gold thread tassels, gazing at it for a long time.

"Wen Xiang, take this to the pawnshop tomorrow," Ye Shuang set it down.

"Miss, you mustn't! This is the only thing your mother left you." Wen Xiang exclaimed.

"I know, but it's also the only valuable thing I have now." Seeing Wen Xiang hesitate, Ye Shuang softened her tone, leaving room for compromise. "Alright, don't make that face. These are desperate times. Pawn it for now, and we can always redeem it later when we have the money."

"But miss..." Wen Xiang was already tearing up.

"Weren't you the one who advised me to accept the shop that Xiao Lin offered? I've thought it over—I can accept the shop, but I must pay the rent myself."

"But if it means trading your mother's headpiece for it, I would rather you not rent the shop at all." As she spoke, tears streamed down Wen Xiang's cheeks.

Ye Shuang laughed and reached out to wipe her tears. "Alright, I understand. My mind is set, and it's not entirely because of what you said."

"If that's the case, miss, why must you do this? After all, the Marquis has already paid a full year's rent for you. You could move in first and slowly pay him back gradually once you start earning."

"No, I must pay the rent myself. I don't want to risk offending Xiao Lin someday and having him kick me out with one word. What would I do then? Take you and... all my belongings to sleep on the street?"

Wen Xiang sobbed a few times but finally stopped. After thinking it over, she saw that Ye Shuang had a point.

"But... but what if someone buys this headpiece and we can't redeem it?"

Ye Shuang stared at the headpiece for a while, her eyes shifting. Finally, she said softly, "If that really happens, it can't be helped. I believe Mother wouldn't blame me."

These past two years, she had lost too much, had to give up too much, and gained what she had always wanted. Some things she was sure she had obtained, yet they weren't as she had imagined; others remained unclear to her, and she wasn't even sure if they truly belonged to her. But she was no longer like before, always trying so hard to hold onto things.

Wen Xiang knew Ye Shuang had made up her mind and that once she decided on something, she wouldn't change it. Although reluctant, she had no choice but to obey.

"Then I will take it to the pawnshop tomorrow. Will you come along, miss?"

"I have matters to attend to tomorrow. You take care of this by yourself."

Wen Xiang didn't ask further and simply agreed, "Alright."

"If it's too much for you to carry, ask Lao Chen for help. He is trustworthy, but be sure not to let Xiao Lin’s people know."

Wen Xiang nodded solemnly. "Wen Xiang understands."

Early the next morning, Ye Shuang and Wen Xiang went off in different directions. Wen Xiang and Lao Chen went to the pawnshop, while Ye Shuang hired a separate carriage and went to Lin'an Prefecture.

When Xiao Lin learned that Ye Shuang had arrived, he hurried out to greet her. Ye Shuang didn't avoid meeting him and instead bowed to him.

Xiao Lin looked at her strangely. What's with her today? She actually bowed to him? Besides, why did she need to bow to him?

Xiao Lin felt uneasy and stepped aside slightly to avoid the bow, then quickly urged Ye Shuang to rise.

As soon as Ye Shuang stood up, her first question was to the clerk nearby: "Is Military Advisor Pei here today?"

Xiao Lin's face instantly darkened.

The clerk felt a wave of cold air sweep over him and couldn't help shivering.