Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 89: Ting Shuang's Marriage

Because the ice shop's business was too booming, and there were still several months of heat ahead, after discussing with Chen Bo, she set a daily sales limit.

Basically, by noon, the ice shop's stock would be completely sold out.

Therefore, those wealthy families had to send people early to queue up.

Many people on the streets were discussing the Summer Retreat Courtyard.

"I always wondered before - isn't ice just made from water? Why is it so expensive? It wasn't until I visited the Summer Retreat Courtyard opened by Madam Yun that I understood why ice is as valuable as gold in this scorching summer."

"To be honest, after living so many years, this is the first time I've experienced the pleasure of using ice in summer. We really should thank Madam Yun."

"Eh, what is this Summer Retreat Courtyard you're talking about?"

"How come you don't know about such a big event? It's in West City's Osmanthus Alley, at the very end. That courtyard opens for one or two hours every afternoon, and anyone can go in to escape the heat. Who knows how much ice they put in that courtyard - the moment you step inside, it's like entering winter, so refreshing!"

"Heavens, filling an entire courtyard with ice blocks - how much silver would that cost? Is the Yun family that wealthy?"

"The Yun family has produced three great generals - they're a true aristocratic family. How could they not afford the silver for ice blocks? Speaking of which, among all the aristocratic families in the capital, there are countless wealthy ones, but only the Yun family uses silver to do good deeds for common people. Madam Yun is truly a living Bodhisattva."

"General Yun defends our country at the front lines, while Madam Yun spends silver to help common people escape the heat. The Yun family's care for the people should serve as an example for all officials."

"I heard General Yun will soon be returning triumphantly to the capital - our people's great general is coming back!"

"Wonderful, wonderful!"

"..."

The common people celebrated with raised hands.

Yun Chu felt somewhat emotional.

She had merely placed some crushed ice in the courtyard for people to rest freely - the cost wasn't actually that much, yet she received such high praise from the common people.

This was how simple and honest common people were - if you gave just a little, they would remember it deeply.

They would risk everything for you in your most dangerous moments.

However, the power of common people was too insignificant. In her previous life, even when tens of thousands of common people petitioned, they couldn't sway the Emperor's decision regarding the Yun family.

The carriage soon stopped at the entrance of the Yun residence.

The moment she stepped out of the carriage, Ting Shuang became nervous.

Walking inside, she immediately spotted a young man standing in Lin Shi's courtyard.

Seeing her enter, the young man slightly turned his head, only daring to steal a glance before quickly averting his gaze.

"The matter I just instructed you about - handle it that way. You may withdraw now." Lin Shi dismissed the young man, then turned to Yun Chu. "That was Mother Yu's youngest son, currently training under one of your father's deputy generals. What do you think?"

Yun Chu looked at Ting Shuang.

Ting Shuang lowered her head, thinking about how to refuse.

Then she heard Lin Shi say: "Ting Shuang, you've grown up with Chu'er since childhood. I value your marriage as much as hers. If you're not satisfied, just shake your head - no need to force yourself due to any pressure. If this one isn't suitable, I'll find you another. There are many fine young men in the Yun Family Army - we can take our time looking."

Ting Shuang: "..."

Which meant that if she refused this one, there would be countless others waiting.I can't just reject every one that comes along, that would surely chill Madam Yun's heart...

"This servant..." Ting Shuang's mouth felt bitter, "This servant doesn't know either."

"Indeed, it's too hasty to ask you to decide after just one meeting," Lin Shi said with a smile. "Chu'er, when you return to the Xie family later, bring Yu Ke with you. Let him and Ting Shuang get to know each other better, then make the decision."

Yun Chu nodded: "I am indeed short-handed, so it's perfect to have Yu Ke help me handle some outer courtyard matters. This will also ease Chen Bo's workload."

Thus the matter was settled.

During the meal, Yun Chu brought up the matter of the Summer Retreat Courtyard: "...The Yun family's Summer Retreat Courtyard has benefited many impoverished commoners. Now the common people hold the Yun family in excessively high regard - I don't know whether this is a blessing or a curse. We need to find a way to avoid this situation."

She truly hadn't expected that such a small Summer Retreat Courtyard would provoke such a strong reaction among the common people. Anything taken to extremes will produce the opposite effect.

Liu Qianqian put down her chopsticks: "Although the Yun family intends to benefit the people, those with ulterior motives might interpret it as currying favor with the masses. Now that the Yun family has reached the pinnacle, one misstep could..."

Lin Shi shook her head: "You two are overthinking this. Our Yun family has been loyal for generations. The Emperor's trust in the Yun family is as vast as flowing rivers - he would never act against us."

She knew the Emperor harbored some suspicion toward the Yun family, which was why in matters of marriage, the Yun family had arranged lower-status matches and avoided alliances with any powerful families. The Yun family's eldest son had abandoned military service and intentionally performed poorly in imperial examinations. The Emperor's suspicions should gradually fade.

Yun Chu smiled bitterly.

She had once thought the same.

But facts had proven that military families that threatened imperial authority were destined for only one outcome.

"This summer is too hot. Without the Summer Retreat Courtyard, who knows how many would die from heatstroke," Lin Shi said. "The Emperor's suspicions are unfounded, but the commoners dying from heat are real. Should we stand by and watch so many people die because of something that hasn't happened yet?"

Yun Chu knew that even if she hadn't proposed establishing the Summer Retreat Courtyard, her mother would have unconditionally helped those suffering from heatstroke.

"I have an idea," she said. "We just need to make the Emperor understand that the Yun family's actions aren't meant to win over the people."

Liu Qianqian pressed: "How? By having your elder brother submit a memorial? Wouldn't that be trying to cover up and only making it more obvious?"

Yun Chu shook her head: "We could open a shop within the Summer Retreat Courtyard. With people coming and going every afternoon, the shop would generate some business. Let the Emperor think the Yun family is just using the Summer Retreat Courtyard to earn some silver. Sister-in-law, Mother, what do you think?"

Lin Shi's eyes lit up: "That's indeed a good idea."

Liu Qianqian nodded in agreement: "Then leave this matter to me."

Having a woman handle such financial matters would raise even fewer suspicions from the Emperor.

Yun Chu had complete confidence in her sister-in-law.

Her sister-in-law was the eldest daughter of the fourth-rank Liu family - a genuine scholarly family. Her sister-in-law possessed the integrity of a literary lineage. After the Yun family encountered trouble, she had torn up the divorce letter her husband gave her, vowing to live or die with the Yun family...

After lunch at the Yun residence, Yun Chu prepared to return home.

When she came, there were three in her party - mistress and two servants. When leaving, they were joined by a young man named Yu Ke.

Yun Chu, Ting Shuang, and Ting Feng sat inside the carriage. Outside sat the coachman with Yu Ke beside him, their conversation occasionally drifting into the carriage.Ting Shuang's expression was calm, but inwardly she was contemplating that in about ten days to half a month, she would ask the mistress to decline this matter. Her unwillingness to marry was her own affair; she could not delay others from starting families.

As the carriage moved along, Ting Feng suddenly spoke up: "Mistress, this servant seems to have spotted the Young Son of Prince of Pacifying the West Manor."

Yun Chu immediately lifted her gaze to look.

Sure enough, she saw a small child walking on the street, surrounded by several servants.