Because Consort Yun had quieted down, Su Li was permitted to leave the estate.
She took Si Qin and Zhi Shu to the Wei State Duke's Estate, found Wei Yuanyao, and together they went to the Qu Family.
Finally, the three of them—Su Li, Wei Yuanyao, and Qu Zhirou—departed together.
Inside the carriage, Wei Yuanyao groaned.
“It's a good thing you ca for , Li'er, otherwise my mother would still have cooped up at ho studying those maddening rules. You know, after marrying, I'll still have to pay morning and evening respects to my in-laws.
Don't they say you should treat your in-laws like your own parents? I don't even pay morning and evening respects to my parents at ho, and I've never seen my mother pay morning and evening respects to Maternal Grandmother either.”
Su Li chuckled, “That's because your Maternal Grandmother is considerate of your Maternal Aunt. However, I think Madam Ji is also amiable; it won't be as dreadful as you imagine.”
Qu Zhirou also said, “That's right, one must learn the rules, but whether you'll need to use them later is another matter.”
Su Li recalled bumping into Wei Yuanling, who was about to leave the Wei State Duke's Estate, and asked, “Cousin, why was Cousin Yuanling leaving in such a hurry today? Where was he going?”
His attire didn't suggest he was going to the palace.
Wei Yuanyao giggled, “The Spring Imperial Examinations results were announced the day before yesterday, weren't they? My brother was so confident he'd be on the first rank, but he ended up on the third. He ca back looking like a deflated balloon.
My mother frankly told him he'd bragged too much, and my father makes him go to the Martial Training Ground every day, saying he should practice his martial arts well because in the future, he'll only be able to rely on brute strength to earn military rits and titles. So, he's off to the Martial Training Ground.”
Qu Zhirou let out a 'pfft' of laughter and said, “He's a fine young master, yet you two make him sound like a brute who only relies on his muscles.”
“To make it into the top three ranks is already quite good,” Su Li said.
The Wei State Duke's Estate typically followed the path of military generals, so Su Li wondered why her cousin had decided to take the civil examination.
Qu Zhirou nodded in agreent. There were twenty people on each rank list; being on the third rank was indeed quite good.
Wei Yuanyao laughed, “It's all because my brother was too confident. The teacher praised him as a 'teachable talent' only out of respect for Grandfather and Father, and he got carried away, declaring he'd excel in both scholarly and martial arts. Now he's suffering a blow.”
Wei Yuanyao teased her own brother without a shred of pressure. The group chatted and laughed, enjoying themselves greatly.
Qu Zhirou said happily, “Oh, that reminds , I can stay in the Capital City for a while longer! Mother said I should stay until after I've seen you all off to your weddings.”
Wei Yuanyao was also delighted. “I'm getting married in just over a month. I was worried you wouldn't be able to wait, but now it's fine.”
Su Li looked puzzled, “Has Eldest Young Master Ji not sought you out?”
Qu Zhirou's smile faltered. “No.”
Su Li frowned. That didn't seem right.
Wei Yuanyao took Qu Zhirou's hand and said, “He's working for the Crown Prince, so he must be very busy. The fact that he accepted your sachet shows he has feelings for you.”
Qu Zhirou shook her head and said, “It's fine. I don't have that much on my mind.”
If he didn't co to see her, she would return to Fu'an with her grandfather and find soone else to marry.
Su Li smiled. She was annoyed.
At this mont, the coachman's voice ca from outside the carriage.
“Young Miss, we've arrived at East Street.”
Su Li and the others alighted from the carriage, leading their maids as they walked past the street vendors.
They circled the street, finding at least four or five Su's Businesses on that single street.
Wei Yuanyao exclaid, “Li'er, you earn so much silver, you couldn't spend it all in several lifetis!”
Su Li chuckled, “If you know how to earn money, you should know how to spend it. Co on, I'll take you to spend money. Let's go eat sothing delicious first.”
“Aren't the best foods in the Capital City all at Drunken Immortal Restaurant? That's Aunt's restaurant, so we don't even need to spend money,” Wei Yuanyao said.
Su Li paused, realizing she was right. Nearly all their current food, clothing, and other expenses ca from Su's Businesses or her mother's establishnts. It seed they had money but nowhere to spend it.
Qu Zhirou laughed, “What's wrong with being able to eat well without spending money? Just looking at all that silver makes one happy every day.”
“I didn't realize Sister Qu was such a money-lover.”
The group chatted and laughed as they arrived at Drunken Immortal Restaurant, went up to a private room on the second floor, and ordered so tea and pastries.
As Su Li entered the private room, she coincidentally saw soone dressed in official robes enter the private room next door.
When the waiter brought the pastries, Su Li casually asked, “Who is in the room next door?”
“Replying to the Proprietress, it's His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”
Su Li nodded and said, “You may leave.”
“Yes.”
Su Li looked at the several maids standing by and said, “You all sit down and have so refreshnts too. You must be tired from walking.”
Si Qin and Zhi Shu were fine with it, but Wei Yuanyao and Qu Zhirou's maids politely declined.
“How can we do that? How dare a servant share a table with her masters?”
“Precisely, precisely, County Princess and the two Young Misses need not bother with us.”
Su Li didn't insist, seeing that these maids were uncomfortable in front of their mistresses. She said, “Si Qin, you and the others can go to the main hall. Order whatever you wish from the waiter.”
Only then did the maids happily leave.
The three young won in the room enjoyed their pastries, chatting about their girly secrets, feeling quite at ease.
After resting sufficiently, they spoke of going to a Su's Business to look at jewelry, then rose and exited the private room.
Just as they ca out, they saw the Crown Prince and his party also heading downstairs.
At the entrance, they each boarded their carriages and departed, leaving Eldest Young Master Ji behind, seemingly waiting for soone.
Su Li, Wei Yuanyao, and Qu Zhirou erged, gave him a slight nod, and were about to leave.
Ji Huaiyan's voice ca from behind them: “Miss Qu, please wait.”
Su Li and Wei Yuanyao exchanged glances. Su Li said, “Cousin, weren't you going to my residence? Let's go, Mother must be getting anxious.”
Wei Yuanyao was also quick on the uptake. “Right, right, let's hurry up and go.”
The two, with their maids, quickly boarded their carriage.
Qu Zhirou called out to the carriage, “Hey! You two...”
Su Li poked her head out and said, “Sister Qu, let's et again next ti!”
Qu Zhirou glared at her, exasperated, and watched helplessly as the carriage sped away.
She had co out in Su Li's carriage, and these two heartless people had just abandoned her on the street.
Qu Zhirou didn't turn around. Behind her, Ji Huaiyan's voice grew closer.
“Miss Qu, I'll escort you back to your residence.”
“No need, I can hire a carriage myself. Young Master Ji is incredibly busy; you don't need to trouble yourself with ,” Qu Zhirou refused.
Watching the woman walk ahead with her maid, Ji Huaiyan let out a soft chuckle.
Qu Zhirou, walking in front, heard the laughter and quickened her pace.
After they had left the bustling market, her waist was suddenly gripped tightly. Amidst her maid's cries of surprise, she ca to her senses to find herself seated firmly on a horse.
“Giddy up!”
“Young Miss!”
Qu Zhirou quickly turned her head and shouted, “You! Hire a carriage and go back to the residence yourself!”
Qu Zhirou hadn't expected Ji Huaiyan to be so brazen; her eyes reddened with anger.
“Ji Huaiyan, you scoundrel! Let down!”
Ji Huaiyan said nothing and didn't let her go.
Qu Zhirou stopped struggling.
“This isn't the way back to the Qu Residence! Where are you taking ?” Qu Zhirou loudly demanded, looking at the unfamiliar surroundings.
“You'll know when we arrive.”
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