Chapter 148

Chapter 148: Times Are Different Now

Chun Zhi and Huo Zheng stayed one night at the Mu Residence. When they got up the next morning, Mu Qing Shan had already gone to morning court. The two of them ate breakfast with Madam Mu and the family before returning to the Prince’s Manor.

When it was time to leave, Madam Mu could not bear to part with them. With Mu Kai Ji and Song Wan’er, she walked them all the way to the front gate of the Mu Residence.

Seeing that Chun Zhi also hated to part with her family, Huo Zheng spoke to comfort everyone: “From now on I will often bring Chun Zhi back.”

Chun Zhi glanced at Huo Zheng, then told her mother with a smile: “We both live in the Capital, and our homes are only three streets apart. It is very easy to visit. If you miss me, just send someone to tell me. In less than the time of two sticks of incense, I will show up in front of you with Little Xing Hui.”

Hearing this made Madam Mu laugh as she teased gently: “You always know how to cheer me up.”

People say that marrying into a marquis’s house is like stepping into the deep sea, and the gates of a prince’s manor are even deeper. Once a woman marries, her heart is tied to her husband’s family. Even if she lives close to her mother, coming and going freely is hard.

Luckily, Prince Chang’an is a considerate man.

Madam Mu watched as Huo Zheng held Little Xing Hui in one arm and used his other hand to help Chun Zhi into the carriage, then both of them went into the carriage together.

Chun Zhi lifted the curtain and looked toward the gate, then told her mother with a soft voice: “It is very hot outside. Please go back in.”

Madam Mu answered out of habit: “I am going back now,” yet she still stood in the doorway, unwilling to move.

Song Wan’er took Madam Mu’s arm and coaxed her with a plan: “Mother, let us go inside. After some days, we can go together to the Prince of Chang’an Manor to visit Sister.”

Only then did Song Wan’er guide Madam Mu back into the residence.

Seeing her mother return, Chun Zhi slowly put down the curtain.

Huo Zheng held her hand and ordered the coachman in a steady tone: “Return to the manor.”

The coachman answered crisply: “Yes, Prince,” then snapped the reins and drove the carriage toward the Prince of Chang’an Manor.

After they came back from the Mu Residence, Chun Zhi noticed Yu Zhu often staring blankly at Little Xing Hui, so she asked with concern: “Do you miss your daughter?”

Yu Zhu nodded, a little embarrassed.

She served the Princess Royal and could only go home once every five days. After she came to Chun Zhi’s side, she had been given special permission to go back and stay with her daughter for a few days. The last time she returned home, she happened to see Nian’er being beaten and made to cry by Mother Ji. Ever since then, Yu Zhu worried that her daughter was being mistreated by her mother?in?law. The child was still so small and could not speak; after a beating, all she could do was cry.

Chun Zhi spoke thoughtfully: “If you miss your daughter, then go see her. I was busy these past days and did not look after you well. Today I finally have time, and I want to discuss something with you. Bring your daughter to the Prince’s Manor to keep Little Xing Hui company. After some days I will ask the Princess Royal of Anyang to assign you to me, and from then on we sisters will always be together. What do you think?”

Yu Zhu’s eyes trembled as she whispered in surprise: “Sister Chun Zhi…”

She had not expected Chun Zhi to think through her future like this for her. Mother Ji disliked her as a daughter?in?law and also disliked Nian’er. No matter how the cousin tried to smooth things over, it did not help. Yu Zhu kept trying to give Mother Ji extra silver, hoping that for the sake of the money she would treat Nian’er better. But Mother Ji’s appetite only grew, while her treatment of Nian’er grew worse. Yu Zhu had been worrying over her daughter for a long time and still could not find a good solution. Now that Chun Zhi had spoken, raising the child in a place like the Prince of Chang’an Manor would of course be best.

Chun Zhi said softly to settle her heart: “There is no need to say anything else. It only matters that you are willing.”

Chun Zhi had been very busy. Many times she had seen Yu Zhu force a smile, wanting to ask but never finding a good chance. Today, after returning from the Mu Residence and finally having a free moment, she brought it up with Yu Zhu directly.

Yu Zhu choked up as she answered with relief: “Of course I am willing.”

Chun Zhi took Yu Zhu’s hand and promised: “You are my sister. Even though you work at the Princess Royal Manor and were assigned here to help me, in my heart I will never treat you as a maidservant.”

Back when she worked at the Gu Manor, Yu Zhu was determined to save enough silver to redeem herself as soon as possible. If she could help it, she would never choose to be anyone’s maid. Now that Chun Zhi had dowry money, she could even buy a house for Yu Zhu and the child and support them. But Chun Zhi knew Yu Zhu’s temper. Yu Zhu could not accept charity without earning it. It would be better for her to work in the Prince’s Manor, where Chun Zhi could look after her more and give her a higher monthly pay and extra stipends.

With red?rimmed eyes, Yu Zhu nodded as she said gratefully: “I know, Sister. I know.”

Chun Zhi ended the talk gently and made arrangements: “You must be tired these days. Go back quickly and see your daughter. Pack up soon and bring her here. From now on you will be together every day and will not suffer the pain of being apart.”

Yu Zhu agreed at once and said simply: “All right.”

After speaking, Chun Zhi walked Yu Zhu to the courtyard gate. Only when Yu Zhu would not let her see her off farther did Chun Zhi turn back to her rooms.

The weather was very clear today, and the whole Prince of Chang’an Manor was bathed in golden sunlight. Chun Zhi returned to her room to play with Little Xing Hui.

After wiping the corner of her eyes with her sleeve, Yu Zhu went to the steward to take a token and left the manor.

As she passed the front court, she met Gu Yuan Jia coming in face to face. Yu Zhu lowered her head by instinct and stepped aside.

Gu Yuan Jia stopped when he reached her side. Playing with the white folding fan in his hand, he spoke with lazy politeness: “We know each other at least. There is no need to pretend you did not see me, right?”

Yu Zhu looked up at him and steadied her heart. This was the Prince of Chang’an Manor, not Qingyi Lane. There was no Mother Ji here to scold her whenever she had the chance. Servants were walking by. With so many eyes around, Gu Yuan Jia, a noble young master, would not act improperly in public.

Composed now, Yu Zhu gave him a respectful bow and greeted him properly: “Young Master Gu.”

Gu Yuan Jia nodded in satisfaction, then opened his fan and asked with a smile that did not reach his eyes: “Miss Yu Zhu, where are you going?”

Yu Zhu answered calmly, keeping a straight back: “Where I am going has nothing to do with you, Young Master Gu.”

The day Gu Yuan Jia came to the Ji home had truly scared Yu Zhu. Luckily, with Sister Chun Zhi now the Princess Consort of Chang’an, and Gu Yuan Jia also a man under Prince Chang’an, he could not offend the prince. Because of this, Yu Zhu spoke with more courage.

Gu Yuan Jia narrowed his fox?like eyes and curved his lips as he murmured: “It really is different today from the past.”

Yu Zhu turned to leave and threw back firm words: “Times are different now,” for she truly did not want to remain in front of Gu Yuan Jia even for a moment.

Gu Yuan Jia stood in place watching Yu Zhu walk away and thought to himself in surprise: [She used to be so obedient. Now she is completely different. Was that obedience in the past all an act?]

The steward came out to greet him and invited kindly: “Young Master Gu has arrived. Please come with me.”

Gu Yuan Jia returned to himself and replied with grace: “Thank you.”

“This way, Young Master Gu,” said the steward as he led Gu Yuan Jia toward the study.

Just then Huo Zheng happened to be standing under a corridor not far away. He had seen the whole scene. When Gu Yuan Jia approached, Huo Zheng spoke with a cool tone: “Are there not enough noble ladies in the whole Capital for you to choose from? Why must you pick on her?”

Gu Yuan Jia’s smile deepened as he answered lightly: “Prince, you must be joking. I am not picking on her. I just do not understand why she left me to live such a hard life.”