When Zhu Yu heard that Lu Qing was taking her to Yunyin Pavilion, she was quite surprised. She instinctively glanced at Lu Qing, seeing him resting with his eyes closed, not wanting to speak, so she didn’t say anything either.
After a long day, she too felt a bit tired. Since Lu Qing was quiet, she mimicked his posture, hugging herself and leaning aside to rest with her eyes closed.
With her eyes closed, she unexpectedly fell asleep until the carriage slowed down. She awoke suddenly, opening her eyes to find Lu Qing already sitting upright across from her.
"Awake?" Lu Qing saw her open her eyes and smiled slightly at her, "Just in ti; we’ve arrived."
The carriage shook and stopped. Zhu Yu heard Fu Lu disembarking and knocking on the door, followed by soone whispering a few words. Soon, the carriage started moving again.
She thought the carriage would stop once it entered the courtyard, but after hearing the door close behind her, the carriage continued moving for a while. Only after another opening and closing of the door did it finally stop.
To her surprise, a place like Yunyin Pavilion had such deep courtyards!
Zhu Yu felt secretly amazed inside.
Originally, as a newcor, she didn’t know the significance of Yunyin Pavilion within the Capital.
However, no matter what, having married into the Prince Xiaoyao Mansion and beco Princess Xiaoyao, even if she was broad-minded and didn’t care about Lu Qing’s comings and goings, she couldn’t stop Mrs. Zhao and the four maidservants of the inner courtyard from being concerned.
Among them, Mrs. Zhao was particularly concerned.
In Mrs. Zhao’s view, Zhu Yu, this princess, was different from other won since entering the mansion. Beautiful and daring, she was able to keep the Prince in the mansion on their wedding night, and later bought many nice things to please her husband. This indicated that in the Prince’s heart, his wife was distinct from the other won.
Since that’s the case, naturally, the madam should pay more attention to the Prince, seizing the opportunity to firmly bind the Prince’s heart, allowing not only for a quick addition of heirs to the mansion, but also more vitality, and preventing outsiders from gossiping about the Prince unfairly.
So, Mrs. Zhao sought various opportunities to subtly inform Zhu Yu about things outside, hoping she would know her enemy and herself, striving for victory in every battle.
Thus, Zhu Yu learned that Lu Qing often visited the well-known qin house in the Capital - Yunyin Pavilion, and why this pavilion stood out so prominently within the Capital.
Zhu Yu never believed that matters of the heart could be "bound" by anyone. If it belongs to you, there’s no worry of it running away; if it doesn’t, even if you set up a vast net, it will find wings and fly away.
Moreover, with Lu Qing, Zhu Yu sensed no trace of the arrogance and indulgence typical of young heirs, but rather felt a deep and unpredictable mind.
Hence, she wasted no effort in trying to save a wanderer who, perhaps, might not even truly exist.
But unexpectedly, on this very day, she found herself at Yunyin Pavilion with Lu Qing.
Unlike Fu Lu’s shock, Zhu Yu quickly realized after a brief surprise that Lu Qing’s actions likely held a deeper aning.
As she descended from the carriage, Zhu Yu looked curiously at Lu Qing walking ahead of her.
Lu Qing alighted from the carriage, holding the curtain, and glanced back, eting Zhu Yu’s probing gaze.
Instead of being surprised, he raised his eyebrows and smiled at her, "Hungry? I’ve asked the cooks here to prepare so special dishes to reward the Chief Historian for today’s ritorious service and hard work.
We’ll have strength to talk once we’re filled."
After Zhu Yu got off the carriage, she took in her surroundings and noticed their carriage was indeed parked within a courtyard. Two n looking like servants waited respectfully there. Once Lu Qing and Zhu Yu disembarked, they were led inside.
Upon entering, Zhu Yu was nearly overwheld by the pervasive fragrance. Gentle qin music lingered in her ears, contrary to her expectations of a noisy and lively ambience.
The two servants guided them through a long corridor, from which nurous poems and paintings hung from the high ceiling, each distinct in style; so bold and vigorous, like iron and silver hooks; others elegant and graceful, soft yet firm.
The calligraphy papers, hanging like white silks overhead, complented the silk and bamboo sounds, creating an otherworldly atmosphere free from mundane vulgarities and evoking a sensation of transcending earthly affairs almost to the point of becoming immortal.
The corridor seed to connect the human realm and a celestial paradise.
At the other end of the corridor, a woman awaited, who upon seeing Lu Qing from afar, gracefully approached him, gracefully offering a bow.
"Your Highness, I didn’t expect you to co at this hour, thinking you might be occupied elsewhere, almost instructing not to prepare food. Fortunately, I held back." She warmly greeted Lu Qing, sounding quite familiar.
Yet when she noticed the unfamiliar face trailing Lu Qing, she displayed a brief hint of surprise, which quickly vanished, reverting to her calm deanor.
"This is Liu Yueyao, the steward of Yunyin Pavilion. If you wish for anything to eat or drink, just tell her; she possesses such great skills that even if you wanted to try Stead Dragon Tendons, she’d find a way to catch a dragon from the heavens." Lu Qing introduced, then indicated Zhu Yu, "This is Mr. Zhu."
"So this is Mr. Zhu." Liu Yueyao examined Zhu Yu, smiling and greeting her, "Previously, the Prince had sent word that each month, soone might deliver profits to Mr. Zhu, instructing to keep accounts ready. I was curious about Mr. Zhu’s identity. Upon eting you today, you indeed possess remarkable presence.
However, don’t believe what the Prince says about ; such bold claims as catching dragons are exclusive to him. I lack such abilities.
Still, regarding ordinary food, Mr. Zhu, please feel free to instruct without reserve."
Liu Yueyao’s appearance wasn’t suprely beautiful, yet she carried an elusive allure throughout her being. Her phoenix eyes didn’t gaze directly but rather glanced from the corners, imbued with a shyness, revealing a seductive charm. Her eyes seed to carry countless delicate hooks, stirring a subtle itch within others’ hearts.
Her voice, matching her graceful form, held a soft, smooth cadence that inexplicably evoked a tender sympathy even in straightforward individuals like Zhu Yu.
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