Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 78: Don't Stop Me

Yun Chu nodded and agreed to go to Qing'an Temple.

Xie Ping's mood instantly improved, her mind filled with thoughts about what to wear tomorrow.

However, matters that needed handling still had to be addressed. She brought the account sheet to Old Madam's Anshou Hall to request funds: "...The price of ice this summer is too high, with monthly expenses increasing by at least four to five hundred taels. The funds on the books are completely insufficient. Mother's suggestion is whether we could ask Grandfather for additional funds..."

Old Madam glanced at the accounts, the spent silver making her heart ache.

Yet every item seemed essential, all necessary expenses.

When Chen Defu had managed the Xie family's businesses, they could still earn five to six thousand taels annually. Later, when He Xu took over the shops, that scoundrel embezzled all the shop funds, affecting business operations. It was said He Xu frequented gambling dens daily, accumulated massive debts, had his manhood chopped off, and was driven out of the capital.

Daring to owe money to gambling dens - he must have thought his life too long.

Old Madam inwardly scorned He Xu before speaking: "Concubine Yu has committed offenses, so her ice ration is canceled. Concubine He has brought shame upon the Xie family, so no ice should be delivered to her courtyard either. Since these two are canceled, Concubine Jiang's ration is also canceled. Concubine Tao is still with child, so provide half a catty of ice daily."

Xie Ping fully agreed - this would save nearly twenty taels daily.

Although some expenses were reduced, Old Madam knew certain costs were unavoidable and still dispatched someone to the suburban estate to collect proceeds from Xie Zhongcheng.

"Old Madam, perhaps this humble concubine could go," He Shi unexpectedly entered from outside. "Yun Ge'er has been feeling down lately, and I could take him to the estate for a change of scenery."

Old Madam glanced at her - this wasn't about estate relaxation but clearly about visiting Wei Ge'er.

Wei Ge'er had committed grave errors, destroying the Xie family's foundation built over many years. Jingyu had lost Lord Yu's favor, and who knew how difficult things would become.

Just thinking about Wei Ge'er filled Old Madam with rage. She said coldly, "The round trip to the suburbs takes most of the day. Yun Ge'er is too young for such strain. Since Jingyu and Chu'er have entrusted Yun Ge'er to your care, focus on your responsibilities instead of dwelling on matters you shouldn't."

He Shi's smile turned bitter.

He was her own son - how could she not think of him?

Wei Ge'er had been at the estate for many days now. She didn't know if he was eating well, sleeping properly, or if his leg injury had improved...

She just wanted to see him once, just one look. Why couldn't Old Madam grant such a simple request?

As she prepared to speak further, Xie Ping glared at her, forcing her to swallow her words.

After leaving Anshou Hall, Xie Ping said coldly, "Wei Ge'er nearly destroyed our entire Xie family. Mentioning him before Old Madam only stabs at her heart. If you want to remain in the Xie household, never speak of Wei Ge'er again. Don't worry - when Old Madam sends people to the estate this time, I'll slip them some silver to check on Wei Ge'er's condition."

He Shi knew this was their only option and nodded reluctantly.

"Also—" Xie Ping lowered her voice, "I... I'm going to Qing'an Temple with Mother tomorrow."

He Shi responded, "Remember to request peace charms for An Ge'er and Wei Ge'er. All I want now is for you three to remain safe and well.""The Fourth Prince, Anjing Prince, is staying at Qing'an Temple for a short while." A strange light gleamed in Xie Ping's eyes. "Concubine, do you think—"

He Shi took one look at her expression and immediately knew what she was scheming. She clamped a hand over Xie Ping's mouth and dragged her into a small grove. "Ping Jie'er, don't you dare act recklessly! That's the Fourth Prince we're talking about!"

"Precisely because he's the Fourth Prince that I must do this," Xie Ping gritted her teeth. "Concubine, I need your help. Do you have that kind of medicine? Get it for me."

He Shi's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. "Have you gone mad? You've truly lost your mind! You haven't even had your coming-of-age ceremony yet. Do you understand the consequences of such actions?"

"The Fourth Prince has shown interest in me too," Xie Ping bit her lower lip. "That day at the Grand Princess's residence, he picked up my handkerchief and even placed a flower in my hair... If we become intimate, he'll surely take responsibility. If he's a man of honor, he'll definitely make me his Side Princess Consort."

"Unless you were the legitimate daughter of the Madam, you might have a chance to become the Fourth Prince's Side Princess Consort," He Shi ruthlessly shattered her fantasy. "Moreover, have you even inquired about why the Fourth Prince is staying at Qing'an Temple?"

Xie Ping shook her head.

It was enough that the Fourth Prince was at Qing'an Temple—she didn't need to know the reason.

It was a place anyone could visit. This was her only chance to encounter the Fourth Prince.

No matter what, she had to make this happen.

Even if the Fourth Prince turned out to be dishonorable, she could at least enter Anjing Prince's residence. If she couldn't become a Side Princess Consort, she could still become a low-ranking imperial concubine.

"Concubine, don't try to dissuade me. My mind is made up," Xie Ping's eyes shone with determination. "Besides, didn't you use the same method to become a concubine yourself? What right do you have to stop me? If you won't help me, I'll go alone."

He Shi grabbed her hand. "Ping Jie'er, I'm begging you as your mother. Let's not do this, alright? Wouldn't it be better to marry someone of suitable status and become the mistress of your own household?"

"Concubine, do you know why An Ge'er studies so diligently?" Xie Ping turned her gaze. "He wants to elevate himself, to gain the capability to clear our maternal grandfather's family name. If I can enter Anjing Prince's residence, I'll become a great asset to An Ge'er. Soon, very soon, we can restore our maternal grandfather's family's honor..."

He Shi's grip on her hand gradually loosened.

She closed her eyes, recalling the prosperous days of her childhood home...

How she longed to restore the entire family to that former glory...

"Concubine, please help me," Xie Ping said slowly, word by word. "If I can clear our maternal grandfather's name, then I'll be qualified to become Princess Anjing. It's only a matter of time."

"Alright!"

He Shi nodded heavily.

Having no reliable connections at her disposal, she could only seek out a young nun she had some acquaintance with, asking the nun to find a way to handle the matter.

The nun went directly to Sheng Residence and reported the situation to Yun Chu.

Yun Chu smiled. "Proceed as she requested."

She was somewhat surprised that He Shi would actively assist Xie Ping in such a scheme.

After the young nun withdrew, Yun Chu wrote a letter and handed it to Ting Shuang. "Deliver this immediately to the Ji residence and give it to Madam Ji."

Madam Ji was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Minister of Justice. Her maiden name was Du Ling, and she was born in the same year as Yun Chu. The two had attended various banquets with their mothers since childhood and thus became acquainted.

However, after they married—Du Ling to a prominent family, while Yun Chu married beneath her station—the social circles they moved in became completely different, and they gradually lost contact.But she knew that in her past life, after the Yun family was imprisoned, Du Ling's father, Minister Du of the Ministry of Justice, had not subjected any member of the Yun family to torture.

She remembered everyone who had helped the Yun family, engraving every ounce of kindness deep in her heart.

Having been reborn, aside from protecting the Yun family, she also wanted to do what she could within her power.

She hoped to protect Du Ling's only younger sister, who in her previous life was the designated Princess Anjing...