Chapter 74: Unrest in the Palace
Two carriages stopped at the entrance of the Yun residence.
Yun Chu sat in the front carriage, while the one behind was filled with ice blocks freshly transported from the warehouse.
Lin Shi’s heart ached at the sight. "Child, why are you spending money so recklessly? A whole carriage of ice must have cost a fortune."
Although the Yun family held a high and powerful position, they were not particularly wealthy. Spending thousands of taels on ice seemed extravagant to Lin Shi.
"The Chen Ji Ice Shop on the street is mine," Yun Chu said directly. "If you need ice, Mother, just send someone to fetch it."
Lin Shi was astonished. "So you were the southern merchant who hoarded large quantities of ice in March and April?"
"Please keep this matter to yourself, Mother," Yun Chu changed the subject. "Last time, the conflict between the Xie family and Marquis Xuanwu cost An Ge’er his chance to study at the Imperial College. If Elder Brother doesn’t plan to send Jiang Ge’er there, why not give the opportunity to An Ge’er?"
Jiang Ge’er was the eldest son of Yun Chu’s elder brother, Yun Ze. His name was Yun Zhenjiang, and at five years old, he attended Huaide Academy, established by the Capital’s Education Bureau, just like Xie Shi’an.
Lin Shi replied casually, "Your elder brother never attended the Imperial College, so naturally, Jiang Ge’er won’t either. Since the spot is vacant, let An Ge’er take it."
Yun Chu knew no one in the Yun family would object. Even her sister-in-law, Liu Qianqian, understood that members of the Yun family could not enter the Imperial College and were more than willing to pass the quota to someone else.
In her previous life, Xie Shiyun had benefited from this arrangement.
In this life, would she let Xie Shi’an have his wish?
A faint, knowing smile touched Yun Chu’s lips.
Lin Shi shifted to another topic with a smile. "Ran Jie’er’s marriage has been settled."
Yun Chu was surprised. "So soon?"
"Ran Jie’er is already seventeen. We can’t delay any longer," Lin Shi explained. "The Dai family’s son is nineteen as well. Boys his age in other families already have children. The Dai family is anxious, and so are we, so we’ve set the wedding for autumn. That gives us enough time to prepare the dowry."
Yun Chu nodded and began discussing the dowry for her half-sister with Lin Shi.
Once they had mostly settled the matter, Lin Shi lowered her voice. "Tomorrow, accompany me to the palace to visit Consort Yun."
Yun Chu sensed something unusual. "Has something happened to Aunt?"
Lin Shi shook her head. "The Crown Prince fell ill a few days ago, didn’t he?"
Yun Chu had heard about the Crown Prince’s illness. It was Yu Ge’er who told her yesterday when she visited the Yin family.
Originally, Prince Pingxi was supposed to go to Jizhou to suppress bandits, but because the Crown Prince was seriously ill, the Emperor ordered Prince Pingxi to remain in the capital.
Yun Chu hadn’t understood why the Crown Prince’s illness required Prince Pingxi to stay, but seeing Lin Shi’s grave expression, she began to grasp the situation. The Crown Prince’s illness was likely man-made…
"The Fourth Prince visited the Eastern Palace, and shortly after, the Crown Prince began vomiting and having diarrhea. The imperial physicians confirmed that the food the Fourth Prince brought to the Eastern Palace was contaminated," Lin Shi whispered. "The Emperor was furious and punished the Fourth Prince by sending him to Qing’an Temple outside the city to pray for the Crown Prince’s recovery… Now that the princes are growing older, some are harboring ambitions they shouldn’t. The palace will likely remain unstable for the next few years. Your grandfather has asked me to advise Consort Yun to keep a close watch on the Eighth Prince and ensure he doesn’t get involved in these matters."Yun Chu remembered that this had also happened in her previous life. The Fourth Prince was punished and sent to Qing'an Temple to pray for blessings. It wasn't until the Crown Prince recovered from his illness that the Fourth Prince was allowed to return. Later, when the Crown Prince reinvestigated the poisoning incident, it turned out someone else was responsible. The Fourth Prince was cleared of suspicion, and the Emperor, realizing he had wrongly accused him, bestowed many gifts as compensation. That period was probably the happiest and most comfortable time in the Fourth Prince's life.
But before half a year of carefree happiness had passed, disaster struck.
Yun Chu stayed at the Yun residence to have dinner with Old General Yun before taking a carriage back to the Xie residence.
Xie Jingyu's servant was waiting at the main gate. Seeing her return, he hurriedly said, "Madam, you're finally back. The Master has been waiting for you."
Yun Chu asked calmly, "Where is the Master?"
"In Ansheng Hall," the servant replied respectfully. "Will Madam go there now, or shall I ask the Master to come to Sheng Residence?"
Yun Chu went straight to Ansheng Hall.
The Xie family members were all gathered there waiting for news, including the concubines. The room was bustling with activity.
"Chu'er, please sit," Old Madam said with a smiling face. "What did Madam Yun and your elder brother say about An Ge'er's matter?"
Yun Chu took a sip of tea before speaking unhurriedly, "My elder brother feels that because he never studied at the Imperial College, he only managed to become a Third Rank Presented Scholar. He deeply regrets this and plans to send Jiang Ge'er to the Imperial College after he turns eight."
The smile on Old Madam's face gradually faded.
She had placed too high hopes on this granddaughter-in-law. The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment now.
Xie Jingyu slightly frowned.
Based on his understanding of Old General Yun, he would never allow the Yun family to have close contact with princes in the palace. How could he possibly agree to send Yun Zhenjiang to the Imperial College?
Unless... Consort Yun intended to use the Yun family's influence to help the Eighth Prince contend for the throne?
At this thought, Xie Jingyu broke out in a cold sweat.
Although he relied on the Yun family, he didn't want to align with the Eighth Prince along with them because the Eighth Prince was too young—it would be extremely difficult for him to compete for the throne...
"However, I advised my brother that Jiang Ge'er is only five years old. We don't yet know whether he'll excel in scholarly pursuits or martial arts. Wouldn't it be a waste to use this opportunity now?Yun Chu looked at Xie Shi'an with satisfaction. "An Ge'er is profoundly learned and exceptionally talented—a truly gifted scholar. He deserves a place in the Imperial College."
Xie Shi'an's face showed wild joy, though he tried to suppress it. His voice betrayed barely concealed excitement: "Thank you, Mother."
Having lost this opportunity once, he knew how precious it was.
He never expected that between Jiang Ge'er and himself, Mother would actually choose him.
And he would never betray Mother's kind intentions.
"Chu'er, you truly are our Xie family's lucky star," Yuan Shi said with emotion. "Without you, An Ge'er's life would have been ruined."
Old Madam spoke: "Chu'er, An Ge'er will definitely be filial to you in the future, and will also repay the Yun family..."
Yun Chu exchanged a few casual words with Old Madam before taking her leave from Ansheng Hall.
Xie Jingyu followed her out: "Wife."
Yun Chu stopped walking: "Does my husband have something else?"
"While out on the street today, I saw a hairpin that would suit you well," Xie Jingyu said, taking a butterfly jade hairpin from his sleeve. "Let me put it on for you."
Yun Chu glanced at it.This hairpin is worth ten taels at most, suitable for coaxing young girls. But she's already twenty, long past the age of being moved by such trivial favors.
Her voice was indifferent: "This hairpin is indeed quite nice. I'll give it to Ping Jie'er later—it'll suit her."
Xie Jingyu's expression stiffened.
In their five years of marriage, this was the first time he had bought her jewelry, yet after just one glance, she wanted to give it to someone else.
The heart he had offered seemed to have been thrown to the ground by her.
"If you have nothing else, husband, I'll take my leave now."
Yun Chu turned away calmly, her figure soon disappearing beyond the entrance of Anshou Hall.
Xie Jingyu clenched the hairpin tightly, his chest heaving violently.
"My lord."
A soft, delicate voice came, followed by his hand being held as the hairpin was drawn from his grasp.
He glanced sideways and saw Ting Yu standing beside him.
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