"Fourth sister, do you like your courtyard?" Ah Chen took Ning Yutong for a quick tour around her courtyard, which had been newly renovated; it was much larger than where Ning Yutong had lived before.
The courtyards of several sisters had all been expanded with everything fully equipped to ensure they could live comfortably and freely.
Whether they were choosing a husband, getting married, or deciding to remain single for life, these courtyards belonged to them.
In addition, she had prepared sumr retreats for them as well—individual buildings that were not far apart. Later, they could easily bring their families for a sumr retreat and gather with their sisters.
She didn’t provide much financial support; the sisters would need to leverage their own abilities to acquire more wealth. How much they could obtain was up to their skills.
"I like it," said Ning Yutong, naturally cheerful, her eyes turning red; Ah Chen treated her so well, it would be hard for anyone to match, "I’ll live here for the rest of my life."
"Have you thought about the future, Fourth Sister?" Ah Chen asked, "Do you have any thoughts on your lifelong commitnts?"
This matter needed to be asked, given Ning Yutong’s youth, to avoid future regrets.
She had the capability to provide various options for them to freely choose their paths in life.
Not long ago, elder sister Ning Yulan had discussed with her about selecting a husband of good character, as Ning Yulan wanted a child and could not delay any longer due to her age. As for whether to marry out or bring the husband ho, Ning Yulan felt either was fine; her main aim was to find a good father for the future child.
Perhaps due to her own experiences, Ning Yulan wanted the child to have both parental love.
Currently, Ah Chen’s people were helping collect suitable candidates’ information; she reviewed these daily, noted those who seed good, and sent people to observe them to gauge their perspectives. If they did not mind such matters, they could be approached.
Ning Yutong smiled and said, "Anyway, I can’t possibly leave Prince Ning Mansion for the rest of my life; getting married is not an option. If soone suitable cos along, I’ll bring in a husband. If none are suitable, I’ll have a male concubine; I want a child."
Ah Chen: ... That works too.
"There’s a rather large room over there I haven’t checked out yet," Ning Yutong said, glancing at a building in the courtyard that was more secluded.
"That’s the study." Ah Chen stepped forward, "Do you want to take a look, Fourth Sister?"
Ning Yutong naturally wanted to see it.
She pushed open the door to the study, surprised by the number of books inside, all fully arranged. She had only visited Prince Ning’s forr study once, which wasn’t as good as this.
She did enjoy reading, but this was quite sizable.
"Fourth sister." Ah Chen guided her to a seat, looking at her with pretty eyes, "You have no idea how busy I am now; with your return, finally soone can help —who can be more trustworthy than one’s own sister."
Arranging for Ning Yutong to get involved with Prince Ning Mansion’s property wasn’t because she feared she would dwell on the past.
It was because she valued Ning Yutong, who was independent, strong, decisive, and had tenacity—an ideal candidate to help develop the business. With Ning Yutong as an example, the other sisters seeing her would surely have a clearer vision for their future, and gain courage in their endeavors.
After all, Ning Yutong was soone courageous enough to break conventions.
Among the rest of the sisters, who else could bring up the idea of male concubines?
In unnecessary situations, Ah Chen preferred not to reveal a woman’s identity, so Ning Yutong was the choice for this exemplary role.
"I have many ideas now, all because there aren’t enough competent and trustworthy people around." Ah Chen showed a face full of helplessness.
Ning Yutong was slightly at a loss, but she understood the underlying aning—Ah Chen needed help.
Yes, given Ah Chen’s age, managing Prince Ning Mansion wasn’t easy.
She needed to help Ah Chen!
Faced with Ah Chen, she didn’t think much.
Ning Yutong beca more energized, gripping Ah Chen’s hand firmly: "Tell , how should I help you, as an elder sister, I naturally should be protecting you."
Alas, sotis the world isn’t fair.
She possessed talent, wisdom, and boldness, yet lacked opportunities to showcase them.
Ah Chen got up, clapped towards the door, and imdiately two teams entered: "Let them first familiarize you with Prince Ning Mansion’s assets, then we’ll discuss other matters."
Ning Yutong was already imrsed in understanding Prince Ning Mansion’s assets.
Ah Chen walked away.
Being busy was good; it avoided idle thoughts, but being too busy wasn’t ideal—finding ti for romance was challenging.
Who ever heard of couples eting only at night?
"Ying Fang, you actually don’t need to follow ." Inside the carriage, Ah Chen spoke to Ying Fang who was seated in the corner, "Entering the palace is like returning ho; there’s no danger, and surely you know my skills? You have rare leisure ti, perhaps you could tend to your own matters."
Ying Fang kept a stern face: "I feel uneasy if not following; it’s beco a habit."
Sitting in the carriage with Young Master, she naturally wanted to follow.
Besides, she had no personal matters to attend to.
As for finding a husband, she had looked into it, even contacted so, but they were too troubleso, hesitating in all things, considering this and that, and so even subtly suggested that if they married, would it still be appropriate for her to stay by Young Master’s side as a guard? They suggested she could do sothing more stable in Prince Ning Mansion. Didn’t that imply a married woman should devote herself to family and child-rearing?
Didn’t they know what she did? If they sought her, they ought to know she wasn’t like other won.
Average people with high demands.
As Young Master said, wanting everything—too greedy.
She couldn’t live that life.
Even if she were to find soone, it’d be best to serve Young Master together; leaving soone at ho would an they tend to family and child-rearing, or perhaps both handle their own affairs during the day without bothering each other.
Even Your Majesty managed this, yet they couldn’t. Why look for anyone? She preferred solitude.
Having dealt with it long enough, Ying Fang found comfort in solitude and no longer had thoughts of further contact.
Ah Chen knew so of it but didn’t partake.
Arriving at the palace, Ah Chen was inford that Ye Ji was sowhat busy today.
Not disturbing him, she had soone guide her exploring different palace areas.
She first went to the bamboo grove behind Chenghua Hall, which had been transplanted recently and was initially weak; she watered it every visit, and now each bamboo grew strong, with vibrant green leaves.
Her manner was leisurely as she strolled through the bamboo grove, with Ying Fang and so palace servants following.
Bamboo leaves floated down, and each felt ti had frozen in place; a breeze swept by, montarily relieving all concerns and misfortunes.
They swiftly crossed the bamboo grove, promptly returning from that state of comfort and peace, sneaking a glance back. Though often tending to this grove, none felt as they did today.
"What’s that?" Ah Chen pointed at a palace still being decorated, appearing quite decent, even with bamboo planted around.
Could it be prepared for her?
Though she wouldn’t reside here often, the preparation delighted her.
As palace servants rarely knew about the palace specifics, everyone shook their heads.
Ah Chen walked over; approaching it, she noticed peculiarities—exposed iron bars where decoration hadn’t yet covered.
"What do you think this is for?" she asked Ying Fang.
"Seems ant for imprisonnt, but why decorate so exquisitely?" Ying Fang replied, "Even using gold dust..."
With an icy expression, Ying Fang said, "Did Your Majesty develop second thoughts?"
Would he dare? Ah Chen raised her eyebrows, soon realizing the situation, smiling.
She presud he wouldn’t dare such acts.
On realizing Ah Chen had discovered the iron-barred palace, Ye Ji rushed over frantically; others might not guess its purpose, but Ah Chen would surely know.
Currently, their relationship was good; he couldn’t afford misunderstandings.
He jogged over, witnessing Ah Chen quietly pondering over the palace.
"Ah Chen," he called gently, filled with affection.
Ah Chen turned back, curious eyes fixed, "There’s a unique palace here; what purpose does it serve, Your Majesty?"
Ye Ji fretfully thought: finished, she called him ’Your Majesty.’
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