Chapter 2143: Love Rival
When it came to Minister Wan's only son, Hou Shi was quite calm.
In her words and expressions, there was a contentment with her current life. It seemed that Wan Daren's favor towards her surpassed that of Second Master Shu by a long shot.
Shu Yu smiled and said, "That's great. As long as you're doing well, I'm happy."
"You're doing well too, now you're even a county princess. When the master came home earlier to tell me this news, I was qui...
Chapter 2142: Minister Wan Treats Her Well
Shu Yu understood; in reality, it was still managed by the Hou Shi.
However, since Hou Shi was just a concubine, if Minister Wan allowed a concubine to oversee the household, it might lead to accusations by the imperial censors.
So, nominally, the estate's affairs were entrusted to professionals, but in reality, it was still overseen by Hou Shi.
"It seems Minister Wan treats you... quite well," Shu Yu remarked.
This...
Chapter 2141: The Alluring Lady Hou
As Shu Yu listened, she welcomed Hou Shi into the house.
She had been in the capital for five or six days now. Apart from the first day when she had visited Aunt Hong with Xiao Song Le, she had also paid visits to several familiar families such as the Yao and Qi families.
However, she hadn't visited the Wan family. Mainly because she wasn't very familiar with Minister Wan, and they didn't have much of a relationship. Visiting them witho...
Chapter 2140: Hou Shi
After Shu Yu had finished speaking with Meng Yunzheng, she waited for quite some time. Finally, the sound of drums rang out from the entrance of the Spring Emperial examination hall.
The provincial examination was presided over by the Ministry of Rites and had four chief examiners.
At this moment, they all stood outside the Spring Emperial examination hall as the soldiers pounded the drums to maintain order and began the process of checking and admi...
Chapter 2139: Spring Emperial Examination Begins
Zhao Xi looked at the sky and wondered if he was running late. But seeing Shu Yu starting to pack up, he quickly picked up a bowl and hurriedly took a few bites of food.
Then, the group accompanied Meng Yunzheng to the Emperial examination hall. Little Huohuo was still asleep, so Shu You didn't bring him.
They initially thought they had left early, but when they arrived near the provincial examination hall, the streets were...
Chapter 2138: One Fried Dough Stick, Two Eggs
After this incident, the rumor about Meng Yunzheng and Shu Yu having a child out of wedlock was completely clarified.
Meng Yunzheng's name had left an indelible impression in the minds of the courtiers.
Shu Yu quickly learned about the incident in the court. The next day, she and Shu You and others went to visit the Yao family. They happened to meet Yao Tianqin returning from the court and explained the situation to them.
<...
Chapter 2137: Clarification
After Kang Shi held Shu You's child for a while, she inquired about the origins of the rumor. When she learned that it had started from a servant they encountered outside their home the previous evening, her expression turned indescribable.
"Yibo Marquis Mansion is becoming more and more in decline. How could they believe such baseless rumors spread by a servant who didn't even bother to clarify the situation? Did they just blindly believe it?" The is...
Chapter 2136: Did Shu Yu Have a Child Out of Wedlock?
Speaking of this, Kang Shi leaned forward a bit, "Why are you asking? I heard that you had a child before getting married, and I was so shocked that I hurried over to ask about the situation."
Shu Yu took a sip of tea and was about to swallow it when Kang Shi's words almost made her spray it out.
She looked at Kang Shi in astonishment and coughed twice, "What did you just say? Who had a child before getting married?"
Chapter 2135: The Young Madam from the Yao Family Has Arrived
Shu Yu understood. Jiang Kuangyu and the deputy escort head's families had all returned to the north. People would generally follow the principle of taking care of family members who were closer, so it made sense to search in the north.
Therefore, searching in the north was not unreasonable.
Meng Yunzheng continued, "In addition to Jiang Kuangyu and the others, there was also some misleading information. Qi Lie...
Chapter 2134: High Possibility in the Southwest
Others began to inquire as well, "Who is that young lady, and she looks quite wealthy."
"Yes, just buying a piece of clothing cost her three taels of silver. She must come from a rich family."
"Hey, Auntie, what does this kid's uncle do?"
"What does he do?"
Even Aunt Hong herself was stunned. She slapped her forehead and said, "I forgot to ask."
The crowd responded, "...So, after chatting for so long, yo...
Chapter 2133: No News from the Wei Family Yet
Yu Shi's expression stiffened briefly, a hint of embarrassment crossing her face. She quickly put on a smile and said, "Right, right, Song Le, look at me. This child is already attending school; he's a scholar now. We can't call him 'Gouwa' anymore."
Shu Yu nodded in agreement, then turned back to continue her conversation with Aunt Hong.
Yu Shi were slow in setting the table, seemingly reluctant to leave.
Ignoring them...
Chapter 2132: His Name Is Now Song Le
Aunt Hong patted Song Le's head and nodded. "Yes, that whole area was damaged. Those darn rebels disrupted the peace of the dead. They weren't afraid of retribution."
Oh, they definitely faced retribution. They either died quickly or were caught and exiled, didn't they? None of them met a good end.
"After the rebellion was quelled, we went up the mountain to repair the Hong family's burial grounds. I asked my eldest and second sons to...
Chapter 2131: Involving the Song Family
Aunt Hong found it difficult to speak about this family matter, as it was a source of shame, and her children's behavior had put her in a tough spot.
Originally, she didn't want to mention it, but this matter had also involved the Song family. She gritted her teeth and decided to explain it more clearly.
"When you brought Gouwa to say goodbye to me years ago, you gave me thirty taels of silver. After you left, my eldest daughter-in-...
Chapter 2130: Saved Up Quite a Bit
Yu Shi's remark was clearly meant for Shu Yu, trying to make her aware of her efforts.
However, Aunt Hong felt a bit embarrassed by this and chuckled, saying to Shu Yu, "She's just shallow-minded; don't mind her."
Shu Yu was well aware of Yu Shi's character, but she was surprised that someone like Yu Shi would go to such great lengths to celebrate Aunt Hong's birthday. Could it be for the sake of collecting gifts or money?
But tha...
Chapter 2129: Gouwa Experiences the World
Aunt Hong was very curious about how he had been these past three years and eagerly asked Song Le for details.
Xiao Songle, being an obedient child, answered every question willingly. "I have a best friend named Quan Quan, who is a little younger than me. We go to school together and come home together. He's Auntie's cousin. We also have a cat named Zhao Cai, who loves to eat. Now it's so fat it can barely walk."
"Although Dong'an...
Chapter 2128: I'm Going to School
Otherwise, how could a child have three taels of silver on them?
Shu Yu was momentarily stunned, looking at the clothes in her arms with a mix of amusement and bewilderment.
She handed the clothes back to Aunt Hong. "Xiao Songle bought this specifically for you with his own money. He spent a long time picking it out, and he really put his heart into it. He held onto it tightly the whole way here. If you don't accept it, Xiao Songle will b...
Chapter 2127: Three Taels of Silver
Shu You smiled and said, "No problem. We promised that we would bring him back to see you within four years, and I kept my word, didn't I?"
"No, no," Aunt Hong hurriedly waved her hand. Not only had Shu Yu not broken her promise, but it had only been three years, and she already got to see Gouwa again.
Aunt Hong lowered her head, holding the little one's hand, and the more she looked, the more she liked him. "Alright, Miss Lu, please co...
Chapter 2126: This is Songle
Aunt Hong took a few steps forward, looking at Shu Yu with a mix of happiness and nervousness. "Miss Lu, you..."
Shu Yu lowered her head and gently pushed Song Le forward. "Why don't you call her 'Aunt'?"
Xiao Songle took a deep breath, tilted his small head, and faced Aunt Hong with clear and bright eyes. He spoke in a clear voice, "Aunt."
Aunt Hong widened her eyes, staring at the little boy in front of her, and for a moment, she cou...
Chapter 2125: Visiting Aunt Hong for a Feast
Shu Yu glanced at Xiao Songle, who occasionally looked toward the door, and said to Xia Yan, "Let's go to Aunt Hong's place first. You can inform Ah Yun when he returns."
Xia Yan immediately agreed.
Shu Yu picked up their belongings and took Xiao Songle with her onto the carriage.
Aunt Hong's house was only three streets away, not too far, and the carriage stopped at the alley entrance in just a quarter of an hour.
Chapter 2124: He Came Back Last Night
Early the next morning, just as daybreak arrived, Meng Yunzheng left with the letter.
Zhao Xi, acting as if he were trying to sow discord, teased Shu Yu, "You see, as soon as you're not around, he starts staying out all night. We happened to catch him last night. How many nights do you think he stayed out while you weren't here?"
Shu Yu was unimpressed and didn't buy into Zhao Xi's attempts to create discord between her and Meng Yunzh...
Chapter 2123: Have You Been Drinking?
When Xia Yan heard this, he looked around and lowered his voice, "No, Lord Qi is not in the capital."
Shu Yu understood. Qi Lie had always been responsible for the dealings in the black market, and there was still one last place they hadn't located. Qi Lie must be on an operation outside and was pretending to be sick at home.
She had initially wanted to give the letter to Qi Lie herself, but now it seemed that she would have to let Ah...
Chapter 2122: Is Meng Yunzheng Casting a Wide Net?
Meng Yunzheng was a special case. He was originally the son of Gong Qiu, and later, he exposed Gong Qiu's crimes to avenge his mother.
The Emperor wanted to reward him, but he refused and went back home.
After he left, many people stopped paying attention to him, thinking he was returning to his father's profession as a bodyguard.
However, to their surprise, he decided to participate in the imperial examinations. S...
Chapter 2121: Our Young Master's Fiancée
Everyone at the door turned their attention to Xia Yan, and he greeted Shu You with delight, saying, "Miss, you've arrived? Just entered the city, right? Come in quickly."
Shu Yu nodded, "Yes, we just arrived. Our carriage is behind, and it's blocking the way. There are many things on the carriage. Can you help us bring them in later?"
"Of course."
Xia Yan immediately agreed, and Shu Yu was about to walk inside.
Howe...
Chapter 2120: Meng Yunzheng Refuses Guests at Home
As the sky grew darker, the carriage finally arrived at a small courtyard in the south of the city.
As they got closer to the courtyard, the surroundings became livelier. Just as they were about to reach their home, they noticed another carriage parked outside the main gate.
Since the road to the courtyard was blocked by the other carriage, Shu Yu had no choice but to get out first.
Ying Xi approached the gate, but...
Chapter 2119: That's Your Aunt
Zhao Xi went to inquire and returned, saying, "Isn't the spring imperial examination just a few days away? The city's entry and exit checks are very strict now. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of people coming and going at this time. Let's wait patiently."
Shu Yu nodded and glanced ahead again. Not only were there many people, but there were also quite a few carriages in the queue, indicating that they were from wealthy families. It seemed like...
Chapter 2118: Arriving in the Capital
Zhao Xi was stunned, "The last Black Market is in the southwest?"
"Not confirmed yet."
Zhao Xi was somewhat frustrated. The Second Prince concealed it well. Although the southwest had heavy military presence, it was a region filled with complexity and danger.
He looked at Shu Yu, "Are you planning to get involved in this?"
Shu Yu gave him a look as if to say, "What a silly question." She replied, "Of course not. I'm ...
Chapter 2117: Only Telling County Princess
Shu Yu felt that this might be true. Regardless of whether it was based on a feeling, it was still a clue, better than searching aimlessly.
"Have you discussed this matter with Lu Wu?" Shu You asked.
Qiao Rou shook her head, "No."
"Why haven't you told him?" Lu Wu was her husband, and she received the letter yesterday. She should have had plenty of opportunities to tell him.
Qiao Rou's thoughts were quite comple...
Chapter 2116: Qiao Rou's Letter
Although Shu Yu had her doubts, she asked, "Who is this madam?"
The gatekeeper replied, "She said her name is Qiao Rou, the wife of Inspector Lu."
Lu Wu's wife? Shu You didn't expect it to be Qiao Rou. While she knew both Qiao Rou and Lu Wu and had some interactions with them, it was mostly Lu Wu who approached her.
For example, the last time she left Chenggu County, Qiao Rou asked her to take care of her sisters who were settlin...
Chapter 2115: Wants Big Sister
The account book was in order, and Jiang Fengshou, despite his seemingly careless appearance, was actually very organized and kept clear records of every transaction. Moreover, the profits were even higher than Shu Yu's estimates, so it seemed she needed to raise his wages.
Shu Yu finished checking the accounts and took a rest. She planned to spend a day at Changjin Prefecture since she was here. Since she was about to marry Meng Yunzheng, it w...
Chapter 2114: Not Taking a Boat
With Little Huo Huo, the journey was anything but lonely.
Four adults, or rather, four adults plus Xiao Songle, who considered himself a little adult, taking care of a little one was quite manageable. Especially since Little Huo Huo was not difficult to handle. When Xiao Songle and he lay side by side in the carriage, he could babble away.
Xiao Songle was quite happy. Even though Little Huo Huo was still young, they were friends and peers, ...