High-class Spring Joy

"Madam, isn't Her Majesty showing too much favoritism towards that little girl, Qingyuan?"

Granny Tang helped Old Madam Dou back to the courtyard, waving a round fan in her hand as they walked.

"Just now, when Her Majesty the Empress Dowager said those words in front of everyone, wasn't she reminding Madam? Reminding Madam of the connection between Madam and the Fifth Young Master? I never expected that Qingyuan, that girl, used to seem quiet and unassuming in the Marquis's mansion, like a sensible and trouble-free person. A few days ago, when she was targeted by Miss Jiang, she didn't even cry and beg the Fifth Young Master for mercy. At that time, Madam even said that if she really was a sensible and trouble-free person, it wouldn't be bad for the Fifth Young Master to marry a principal wife and then be a concubine. Now, I think this little girl is not easy to deal with; she has a lot on her mind."

Granny Tang, though outwardly fierce, said, "Originally, during this prayer ceremony at Xiangguo Temple for the nation, which lady or young lady didn't want to show off before the Empress Dowager? Many got up early every day to offer her tea and snacks. I heard that Miss Jiang massages the Empress Dowager every morning, and Miss Chen from the Chen family also prepares snacks and sends them over daily. Now, all these ladies and young ladies are overshadowed by a little maid. She embroiders Buddha images for the Empress Dowager, earning her praise, and gets up early to prepare lotus leaf and dew tea for her. I don't know where this little girl came from, but she knows how to please the Empress Dowager. A group of ladies and young ladies being overshadowed by a little maid—anyone would feel resentful. I wonder how many people dislike that little maid, Qingyuan. But thankfully, that little girl is no longer a member of my Marquis's household. Even if she causes trouble in the future, it won't have anything to do with my Zhenguo Marquis's household. Madam, you can rest assured."

"Oh."

Madam Gu showed no displeasure whatsoever; instead, a smile appeared on her face, accompanied by a touch of感慨 (gan3kai3, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and regret). She said, "I don't think so. You all only see that girl Qingyuan, so diligently attending to the Empress Dowager every day, getting up early to collect dew from the lotus pond and brewing lotus leaf dew tea. You think this tea is just made with dew, something special, but how could it possibly surpass the precious and valuable things those ladies and young ladies use? But you've forgotten that the Empress Dowager is the most esteemed woman in the entire Song Kingdom. What precious and valuable things hasn't she seen? No matter how precious or valuable the gifts from those ladies and young ladies are, can they possibly surpass what's in the palace? Can they possibly compare to what the Empress Dowager uses herself? Rather than saying that girl Qingyuan is cunning, it's more accurate to say that those ladies and young ladies are trying to curry favor..." "A good person, wanting to gain favor with the Empress Dowager, yet unwilling to put in the effort or hard work. It's only a matter of time before such a person surpasses them. She endured the targeting and bullying from the Jiang sisters in my Marquis's mansion, refusing to complain to the master like some ignorant, lowly people. This shows she understands the situation and is good at assessing circumstances. Now that she's left my mansion and freed from the constraints of her status, she knows she's still a thorn in Jiang Qingge's side. Rather than continuing to endure and yield, she'd rather use this opportunity at Xiangguo Temple to fight for herself. Compared to those who only know how to gossip behind people's backs, being jealous and envious, I admire her somewhat; she dares to fight for what she wants."

As Madam Dou spoke, a hint of regret appeared on her face: "Do you think the Empress Dowager didn't see through their petty squabbles? The Empress Dowager saw it very clearly. The reason she spoke those words in front of everyone today was firstly because she genuinely likes Qingyuan, and secondly, it wasn't a reminder to me, but a warning to some of them. However, the Empress Dowager wasn't wrong. If I had seen earlier that this girl had such ambition and daring, she would have been quite capable. If we had kept her, considering Wulang's feelings for her, I would have been willing to keep her. It's a pity, it's a bit too late."

"Once we return to Bianjing tomorrow, Qingyuan will no longer be a maidservant of my Zhenguo Marquis's mansion. I'm afraid there will be trouble with the Fifth Young Master then?"

As she spoke, Granny Tang looked at the old lady beside her.

The old lady smiled:

"It's hard to say. Coming here was easy, but going back might not be so easy. There's still a long way to go, so let's wait and see."

-

"Young master, I heard that something happened again at the Buddhist hall today."

The servant Mo Lin immediately reported the information he had gathered to Chu Jingyu: "It seems that Miss Qingyuan is very much favored by the Empress Dowager."

"It's only natural that the Empress Dowager likes Qingyuan. Ayuan has always been understanding and sincere. Otherwise, how could she have served by my side for so many years? Besides, don't you know why Ayuan wants to show her face in front of the Empress Dowager?"

Chu Jingyu calmly drank a cup of tea, his expression serene, and he was quite certain of Qing Yuan's motives for showing her face to the Empress Dowager.

"Young master, what do you mean?"

The servant, Mo Lin, was a little taken aback.

Chu Jingyu sighed, somewhat exasperated, and reminded him, "Do I really need to remind you before you understand this? When was the last time A-Yuan left?"

"It seems that the last time was when Miss Jiang had a conflict with that Mr. Xie. I heard from the people around that Miss Qingyuan only listened for a few words before turning around and leaving. Perhaps she was angry because she saw the princess protecting Miss Jiang. Moreover, I heard that Miss Qingyuan and Miss Jiang had some unpleasant things happen in the Buddhist hall these days."

The servant Mo Lin looked at Chu Jingyu before realizing what was happening: "Young Master, you mean... Miss Qingyuan went to the Empress Dowager to ask for a reward so she could marry you?"

"Otherwise, what could a mere maidservant possibly ask for? Wealth and status? If she were to marry me, wouldn't she be satisfied with the riches and status of the Marquis of Zhenguo's mansion?"

Chu Jingyu wore a confident smile.

The servant, Mo Lin, suddenly realized, "Young Master is indeed insightful. Would you like to go and see Miss Qing Yuan, since you're setting off back to the capital tomorrow?"

Chu Jingyu paused in his tea-drinking motion. "We're setting off tomorrow. You're going..."

-

The next day, early in the morning.

The grand procession of carriages resumed its journey from Xiangguo Temple to Bianjing City.

Now that Qingyuan is no longer a maid in the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion, she naturally doesn't need to follow in the ranks of maids and servants in the mansion.

Just as Qingyuan was about to enter the convoy, she was suddenly stopped by Molin in front of her.

"Miss, the young master said that the journey from Xiangguo Temple back to Bianjing City is long, and since you are in poor health, you may not be able to walk that far. He specially sent his subordinate to fetch you to the carriage."

Qingyuan frowned subconsciously, wondering what Chu Jingyu was up to and what he suddenly wanted to do. She was just about to think of a reason to refuse.

Suddenly, another figure appeared beside them—Chen Sha.

Chen Sha approached Qing Yuan and bowed respectfully: "Miss, our young master invites you to the carriage for a chat."

Before Qingyuan could even speak, Mo Lin, who was standing next to her, immediately bristled: "Who are you?!"

Upon seeing Chen Sha's face, Mo Lin realized what was happening: "Your young master? The third young master? Why would the third young master invite Miss Qing Yuan to speak with him? Doesn't he know the principle of propriety between men and women? Besides, Miss Qing Yuan is a maid in our fifth young master's courtyard, she's one of our fifth young master's people. Although our fifth young master has to address your third young master as an elder brother, and I have to bow to him, no matter what, if Miss Qing Yuan wants to speak with the third young master, shouldn't she at least inform our fifth young master first?"

Chen Sha was a burly, rough-around-the-edges warrior, and he was most susceptible to provocation and couldn't stand such words. He immediately flew into a rage upon hearing them.

"Why should we tell your fifth young master? No matter what, Miss Qingyuan belongs to the entire Zhenguo Marquis's Mansion, not just your fifth young master's person. Aren't you afraid of ruining her reputation by saying such things? Don't always try to use Miss Qingyuan's opinion to make a fuss. Even if I'm a rough old man, I know that you should definitely ask Miss Qingyuan's opinion first in this kind of matter."

"What do you mean? Are you determined to steal her from me today? If the Fifth Young Master doesn't see Miss Qingyuan today, he'll be furious. Once he gets angry, my subordinates will suffer, and many people will be in trouble! Besides, I arrived first. Don't you understand the principle of first come, first served? If you want to invite Miss Qingyuan, you'll have to wait for another opportunity! I arrived first today, and my Fifth Young Master invited me first!"

Molin couldn't stand the guard in front of him who was all brawn and no brains, and he couldn't say anything nice to Chen Sha for his completely unreasonable behavior.

"What do you mean by 'first come, first served'? Does that mean that just because you arrived first, Miss Qingyuan has to follow you? There's no such logic in that!"

Chen Sha refused to budge an inch, and even took a large step back, blocking Mo Lin in front of him:

"Regardless of who comes first or who comes later, we must first ask Miss Qingyuan's own wishes. If Miss Qingyuan is unwilling, let alone a lowly servant like you, even if the Fifth Young Master were standing in front of me today, I would never let him take Miss Qingyuan away."

After saying that, he looked at Qingyuan beside him and said very seriously, "Miss, the young master has prepared a carriage for you. Please come with me."

Upon hearing this, Mo Lin immediately looked at Qing Yuan beside him and said eagerly, "Please come with me, Miss. Our young master instructed me yesterday to come and invite you today. The carriage is ready, so you won't have to travel too far."

Qingyuan was sandwiched between the two people, like a sandwich filling.

She naturally didn't want to go to the Fifth Young Master's carriage, nor would she go with Mo Lin, and she didn't want to have anything to do with the Fifth Young Master anymore.

However, if she were to follow Chen Sha to the carriage arranged by the Third Young Master in front of Mo Lin, it might affect the reputation of both the Third Young Master and herself.

Naturally, neither of them could agree to this, but neither was willing to back down, and it looked like they were about to start arguing when suddenly a man's voice came from the side:

"I only asked you to invite someone, to bring A-Yuan here, why haven't you done it yet? Do I really have to come myself? Morin, you're getting better and better at this job!"

Upon hearing Chu Jingyu's voice, Mo Lin immediately recognized it as his savior and quickly moved to Chu Jingyu's side, saying, "Young Master, it's not that I made a mistake, but I simply can't reason with this person."

Chu Jingyu stepped forward, his gaze calmly landing on Chen Sha in front of him. He raised an eyebrow: "Who do we have here? It's someone from my brother's side. I wonder what business my brother has with my A Yuan? But even if there is something, we can talk about it another day. A Yuan is busy today."

After saying that, Chu Jingyu grabbed Qingyuan's wrist: "Ayuan, come back with me."

"Fifth Young Master, Fifth Young Master, please let go." Qingyuan tried to struggle, but couldn't break free from his grasp.

Sensing Qingyuan's struggle, Chu Jingyu gripped her even tighter. In front of Chen Sha, Qingyuan was essentially defying him in public.

How could Chu Jingyu possibly allow such a thing to happen?

"Ah Yuan, I know you might be sulking, but whatever it is, let's get back to my carriage first."

Chu Jingyu's face had darkened, but he still tried his best to keep his tone gentle.

As he spoke, Chu Jingyu tried to pull Qingyuan away.

Qingyuan was really unwilling: "Fifth Young Master, please let go of my hand. It's improper for us to be pulling and tugging in public like this!"

Chu Jingyu immediately flew into a rage upon hearing this: "So you're lecturing me now?!"

At that moment, her right wrist was grabbed by someone else.

Qingyuan looked up and realized that Chu Jingxian had appeared beside her at some point. He grabbed her other wrist, helping Qingyuan regain her balance, and said in a cold, sharp voice, "She said she doesn't want to be with you."

It would have been better if Chu Jingxian hadn't come out. The moment Chu Jingyu saw him, the nameless fire burning in his chest intensified. "Brother, what happens between A-Yuan and me is none of your business. A-Yuan is my person, and what we have is none of your concern!"

Chu Jingxian chuckled, his voice cold and light: "What if I were to interfere today? Fifth Brother, what can you do to me?"

"Chu Jingxian!"

Chu Jingyu originally thought that Chu Jingxian would be as sensible as he was in the cave before, and would keep quiet after he finished speaking. But to his surprise, Chu Jingyu changed his attitude directly, making him lose face on the spot.

A surge of anger rose within Chu Jingyu, his eyes blazing with fury as he stared at Chu Jingxian before him. At this moment, he could no longer control the strength with which he gripped Qingyuan's wrist.

"hiss…"

Qingyuan felt as if Chu Jingyu was about to crush her wrist, and instinctively cried out in pain, shrinking back the hand that Chu Jingyu was holding.

This cry of pain went unnoticed by the enraged Chu Jingyu, but it was noticed by Chu Jingxian.

"You're hurting her!" Chu Jingxian frowned and released Qing Yuan's wrist, no longer pulling Qing Yuan, letting Chu Jingyu pull Qing Yuan over, so that Chu Jingyu's grip on Qing Yuan's wrist would be much less.

"Fifth brother, the flowers originally belonged to you, but if you do not cherish them, then other people who cherish flowers will appear."

After Chu Jingxian said that, Chu Jingyu finally realized what was happening. He immediately let go of Qingyuan's hand and looked at her in a panic: "A-Yuan...A-Yuan, I didn't mean to. I was just a little angry and didn't pay attention."

After saying that, Chu Jingyu took Qingyuan's wrist and asked softly, "Did I hurt you, Ayuan?"

Qingyuan withdrew her hand, and the two men in front of her took two steps back and bowed: "I appreciate the kindness of the two gentlemen, but the princess has already arranged my carriage. Men and women should not touch each other, and for the sake of your reputations, it is not appropriate for me to ride in your carriage. So please go back, we have already fallen far behind."

After saying that, Qingyuan turned around and went to the inconspicuous little carriage that Princess Jing'an had already prepared.

After Qingyuan left, Chu Jingxian and Chu Jingyu remained standing there.

Chu Jingyu watched Qing Yuan's departing figure, feeling both angry and resentful: "Brother, did you see that? She will always be mine, and there's no way she'll agree to your invitation."

Upon hearing this, Chu Jingxian scoffed as if he had heard a rare joke, "Fifth Brother, is she really one of yours?"

A single sentence is like a knife, stabbing sharply into the softest part of one's heart.

Chu Jingyu was speechless for a moment after being stabbed in the back, then he retorted sarcastically, "Does Brother think that A-Yuan is one of Brother's people?"

Chu Jingxian parted her lips: "No, she's just her own person."

After saying that, Chen Sha left with Chu Jingxian.

-

Princess Jing'an was originally supposed to ride in the carriage with Qingyuan, but she was summoned by the Empress Dowager at the last minute. Considering Qingyuan's situation, the Empress Dowager arranged a rather inconspicuous and ordinary-looking carriage for Qingyuan.

The carriage looked small, but it was fully equipped; though small, it had everything you needed.

Cuiwei even laid out plush cushions and several soft pillows in the carriage, just in case Qingyuan's back would ache or get tired from sitting, so that Qingyuan could lean on them and rest.

After getting into the carriage and shaking off the two men, Qingyuan finally joined the carriage convoy and embarked on the journey back to Bianjing City.

But Chu Jingyu's strength was indeed a bit too much. Qingyuan rubbed her wrist and cursed, "Violent, brute, unreasonable, and emotionally unstable dog of a man. He pinches and hits at the drop of a hat..."

Fortunately, though.

She was no longer a maid in Chu Jingyu's courtyard, no longer a maid in the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion, and no longer Qingyuan, who was obligated to serve Chu Jingyu personally.

Thinking of this, Qingyuan felt a glimmer of hope.

She had already decided that the first thing she would do after returning to Bianjing City and leaving the Zhenguo Marquis's residence was to go to the Household Registration Office and change her name back.

She would never again be the bird trapped beside Chu Jingyu.

She wanted to tell everyone, she wanted to firmly tell everyone, that her name was Qinghe.

The journey from Xiangguo Temple to Bianjing City should have taken only half a day, but halfway there, a torrential downpour began, making the already rugged mountain road even muddier, dirtier, and more difficult to traverse.

The carriages' progress was repeatedly hampered, forcing the entire convoy to slow down repeatedly.

Large raindrops fell on the roof of the carriage, making a loud sound that seemed to strike the hearts of everyone.

Cuiwei was sitting in a carriage with Qingyuan. Cuiwei lifted the curtain on the side of the carriage and glanced out. "Why did the rain start so suddenly and so hard today? It's making me feel really scared."

Qingyuan didn't speak. She was already panicking, feeling like something bad was about to happen, and she felt very depressed.

Not only Cuiwei and Qingyuan felt this way, but most of the people in the carriage team at this moment did not feel relaxed.

The rain grew heavier and heavier. It was still daytime, but the dark clouds piled up, making the sky appear dark and gloomy, as if it were pressing down on everyone's hearts.

As darkness fell and the mountain path became increasingly difficult to traverse, a sudden jolt occurred, and someone shouted:

"Oh no! Oh no! Don't go any further! The road ahead is blocked!! This road is impassable!"

Immediately, a chorus of exclamations and anxious voices erupted.

Qingyuan lifted the curtain beside her and looked out, discovering that a caravan of carriages was passing through a mountain. The mountain road snaked around the mountainside, and a tree on the mountain had collapsed slightly due to the heavy rain, causing the soil to loosen. The thick tree had fallen down, lying diagonally across the cliff and the road, blocking the path!

Furthermore, His Highness the Crown Prince and the other mounted officials, who were traveling at a faster pace, were separated from the Empress Dowager's carriage procession by the mudslide!

It was violently washed in two by the mudslide.

His Highness the Crown Prince reacted quickly, leading his royal guards to begin clearing the road.

The Empress Dowager, Princess Jian'an, and all the ladies and young women could only sit in their carriages and wait anxiously, as they couldn't offer any help at this time.

On such a rainy day, with the rain getting heavier and heavier, stones and mud continued to roll down the cliff. The royal guards who were carrying stones to clear the mud had to be extra careful, otherwise, if they were hit by a stone rolling down from the sky, it would be no small matter if they were injured.

Some people still couldn't wait and kept urging him on.

For some reason, or perhaps because the voices of those young masters and ladies were too noisy, Qingyuan felt her heart beating faster and faster, and she became more and more panicked.

Cuiwei noticed that Qingyuan's complexion was not good and asked with concern, "Miss, are you feeling unwell? Why do you look so pale?"

Qingyuan shook her head: "No, it's just that something seems off."

Just then, the sound of swords clashing rang out, and people outside were shouting incessantly:

"Protect the Empress Dowager! Protect the Princess! Protect the Empress Dowager!!"

Immediately afterwards, the screams of terror from the ladies and young women filled the air!

Qingyuan and Cuiwei disregarded everything else and rushed out of the carriage to see what was happening. Sure enough, they found dozens of bandits appearing out of nowhere, wielding large knives and relentlessly hacking, burning, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities among their caravan!

His Highness the Crown Prince and his guards were temporarily unable to cross the river due to the mudslide.

Qingyuan and Cuiwei's first reaction was to rush towards the Empress Dowager's carriage.

At that moment, the bandit wielding the broadsword rushed up to the Empress Dowager.

In a panic, Qingyuan clenched her hands, and after only two breaths, she made a decision.

She rushed straight to the Empress Dowager, grabbed Princess Jing'an with one hand and the Empress Dowager with the other, and ran away.

On the other side...

Chu Jingxian had already sensed that something was wrong.

His Highness the Crown Prince is leading his guards, desperately clearing away the mudslide and trees, trying to get through.

Just then, His Highness the Crown Prince suddenly noticed a figure rushing out from the side, as if he were about to plunge into the mudslide without hesitation.

Chu Jingxian!

The Crown Prince grabbed him, roaring, "Third Brother, can't you see? Are you going to your death?! Third Brother, calm down! You're always so calm, why are you so flustered today?!"

Chu Jingxian could not play any other instruments.

That was his daughter, his own flesh and blood!

How could he not be anxious?!