Chapter 134

Chapter 134: Don’t Be Afraid

The wedding day was getting close.

Chun Zhi grew busier and busier. After Song Wan’er acknowledged Madam Mu as her godmother, she almost put down roots at the Mu residence. She helped plan the wedding every day and was happily busy.

In late May, Empress Wang sent palace nannies to teach Chun Zhi court rules. After they arrived, life at the Mu residence stopped feeling so easy. Song Wan’er could have gone back to Song Manor, but she could not bear to leave her sister to suffer alone, so she kept reminding herself: [We share blessings and hardships together].

After three such days, the Princess Royal of Anyang sent Court Lady Cao and Yu Zhu with a few others to the Mu residence. Court Lady Cao was no weaker than the palace nannies; she quickly sent them all back to the palace. Chun Zhi’s days became comfortable again.

Court Lady Cao passed along the Princess Royal’s words. Huo Qiong Hua said: “You only need to learn a little etiquette. No one lives by etiquette alone. Knowing a bit is enough.”

Before, Empress Wang had said Chun Zhi was a merchant’s daughter who could not appear in high places. Now that she had become the daughter of the Vice Minister, Empress Wang said Mu Qing Shan, as a future father-in-law, was no real help to Huo Zheng. One way or another, she disliked what she saw, but the matter had already come this far and she had to accept it. Sending those palace nannies was only to press down Chun Zhi’s spirit and make her obedient and meek. The Princess Royal of Anyang, however, liked her future niece-in-law and did not fear Empress Wang at all, so she sent Court Lady Cao to face off with Empress Wang’s people. In just a few days, the Empress’s people were driven back to the palace.

After Chun Zhi moved back to the Mu residence, Huo Zheng could not see her every day as he did at Song Manor. He could only send small gifts or handwritten letters daily. Mu Qing Shan did not like the prince’s messengers coming day after day, but since his daughter and Huo Zheng had already set their hearts on each other, as a father he could not say much. Madam Mu also urged him to turn a blind eye, so Mu Qing Shan stopped complaining.

After Yu Zhu arrived at the Mu residence, Chun Zhi was delighted and had her by her side whether going out or staying in. At first, Song Wan’er felt a little jealous. But when she learned Yu Zhu lost her parents at a young age and had even sold herself to save her sick mother, she respected her. After a few days together, the two grew close. Madam Mu was kind to both girls.

Chun Zhi had been embroidering her wedding robe for several days. When the weather turned clear, she carried Little Xing Hui and took Yu Zhu and Song Wan’er to the garden for some fresh air. The maids gathered to kick shuttlecock, their faces full of smiles. Song Wan’er played with them and soon had fine beads of sweat on her brow.

Holding the baby, Chun Zhi said to Yu Zhu: “Yu Zhu, go play with them too.”

Yu Zhu shook her head and smiled, saying: “I’ll just watch.”

As she spoke, she took Little Xing Hui from Chun Zhi’s arms. Chun Zhi saw how skilled she was at holding a child. Back at Gu Manor, the eldest young master had not yet married, so there were no babies for Yu Zhu to hold. At Princess Royal Manor, Huo Qiong Hua had no children either, so Yu Zhu had nowhere to practice. Chun Zhi remembered the baby in Yu Zhu’s belly when she left Linshui Town and was about to ask when a maid ran over.

The maid stopped before Chun Zhi and said with a smile: “Miss, Prince’s Manor has sent things again.”

Ever since Chun Zhi moved back to the Mu residence and Huo Zheng could not visit daily, he sent things every day. Chun Zhi said: “Then bring them here.”

The maid said: “Today the person is different. He’s a very handsome young master…”

Chun Zhi laughed, saying: “So because he’s handsome, you won’t take the package?”

Yu Zhu also laughed.

“It’s not that…” The little maid blushed: “That young master said the prince told him to hand it to you in person, so I didn’t take it.”

“In that case,” Chun Zhi said with a smile, “invite him in.”

“Yes.” The little maid, face still red, went to bring him.

Holding Little Xing Hui, Yu Zhu said to Chun Zhi: “I wonder what Prince Chang’an has sent this time.”

Chun Zhi said: “Who knows?”

While they were talking, the little maid returned with the visitor. Yu Zhu lifted her eyes and saw Gu Yuan Jia in fine clothes and a jade belt walking toward them. Her face changed at once. Hugging Little Xing Hui, she hid behind a tree. When Chun Zhi saw that the maid had brought Gu Yuan Jia, her face also changed a little. Yu Zhu hid quickly, and Chun Zhi shifted to block her.

Song Wan’er was playing shuttlecock with the maids when she saw someone coming. She stopped and led the maids to stand by Chun Zhi’s side: “Yu—”

She had just started to ask where Yu Zhu and Little Xing Hui had gone when Chun Zhi cut her off, saying: “Wan’er, you must be tired. Go sit in the pavilion and rest. Have some tea and pastries.”

“But…”

Song Wan’er found it strange. Yu Zhu had been there a moment ago and now she had vanished. Chun Zhi said: “Go on.”

“All right.” Every time Song Wan’er tried to ask where Yu Zhu had gone, Chun Zhi cut her off, so she turned and went to the pavilion.

Just then Gu Yuan Jia reached Chun Zhi. He cupped his hands and bowed, saying: “Miss Mu.”

“So it’s Young Master Gu,” Chun Zhi said, still standing where she blocked the tree: “What did Huo Zheng ask you to deliver?”

“A letter in the prince’s own hand,” Gu Yuan Jia said, taking out a letter from his sleeve and offering it with both hands: “The prince asks that you read it and send him a reply.”

Chun Zhi smiled, saying: “Is a small errand like this worth a personal trip from Young Master Gu?”

“I came to pay my respects to Official Mu,” Gu Yuan Jia said. “Delivering your letter is only along the way.” As he spoke, his eyes slid past Chun Zhi’s shoulder. The thick tree trunk hid a person behind dense leaves; only a sliver of skirt showed.

“All right,” Chun Zhi said at once, afraid he would notice Yu Zhu: “Young Master Gu, please go to my father’s study first. When I finish the reply, I will have someone bring it to you.”

Gu Yuan Jia nodded, saying: “Then I’ll go ahead.” Before leaving, he glanced behind the tree again.

Sitting in the pavilion, Song Wan’er watched this scene while sipping tea. Though she had no idea what was going on, she could tell Yu Zhu was hiding from Young Master Gu.

When the maid had led Gu Yuan Jia far away, Chun Zhi called softly: “Yu Zhu, he’s gone. Come out.”

Yu Zhu came out from behind the tree with Little Xing Hui. Her face was a bit pale, and sweat beaded on her brow. Chun Zhi quickly took the child from her and soothed her, saying: “He’s far away now. Don’t be afraid.”

Song Wan’er walked out of the pavilion and asked in a low voice: “What happened to Sister Yu Zhu? Who was that man just now?”

Chun Zhi gave Song Wan’er a look. Song Wan’er lifted her hand and covered her own mouth at once. Since her sister looked at her like that, those were questions she should not ask. She quickly found an excuse and led the maids away.

Only Chun Zhi and Yu Zhu were left. Chun Zhi spoke gently, saying: “Yu Zhu, you now serve the Eldest Princess. Even Gu Yuan Jia can’t touch you. Besides, I am here. You don’t have to fear him.”

“Sister…” Yu Zhu looked up at Chun Zhi, clearly wanting to speak but stopping.