Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: Cuiyu Pavilion

When Qiu Jinshan saw the two unfamiliar young girls behind Liyue, he barked at Qiu Lixing, "That's enough!" Today, within the palace, Liyue had not uttered a single false word; but it was precisely because every word she spoke was the truth that it was all the more terrifying.

"Madam, Concubine Song, the medicine is ready!" Chunmei entered along with Cuidong, who was carrying the medicine.

Qiu Liyue gave Zijin, who was behind her, a meaningful look and said, "Zijin, go and help the Concubine up so that Cuidong can feed her the medicine."

Watching Zijin go to assist Concubine Song, Qiu Liyue turned to Yun Ruo and said, "Mother, I wonder if it would be possible to set up a small kitchen in Tingyu Pavilion tomorrow? Like today, the main kitchen is busy tending to the sick, and up until now, no one in Tingyu Pavilion has even had their dinner! Once or twice it doesn't matter, but if this continues, it's inevitable that..."

Qiu Liyue did not finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear: if things continued this way, it would inevitably lead to people gossiping.

Qiu Jinshan froze for a moment. "Tingyu Pavilion?"

Yun Ruo's expression darkened involuntarily. Recalling Qiu Jinshan's warning, she hurriedly forced a smile from the corners of her mouth and said, "Master, it's just that Liyue will stay in Tingyu Pavilion temporarily for a couple of days. Once the Yue Courtyard is repaired, she will move back!"

Having said this, Yun Ruo walked up to Qiu Liyue, took her hand, and said, "Liyue, I've wronged you. You won't blame Mother, will you?"

"How could I? Mother worries too much. If there is nothing else, then your daughter shall take her leave!"

As soon as she returned to Tingyu Pavilion, Qiu Liyue asked Zijin, "What was Concubine Song's pulse like?" She did not want to take the blame for someone else again in this lifetime.

"The left pulse was slippery, and the right pulse was choppy. The Shenmen point was not connected to the arterial pulse; this is a sign of long-term emotional stagnation, not due to being startled. It will be difficult to preserve this pregnancy!" Zijin said slowly, recalling Concubine Song's pulse.

So that was it! So that was it! She had said the Qiu Estate hadn't seen a birth in five or six years, so how could Concubine Song be pregnant with a male fetus without Yun Ruo making any move? It turned out she had known all along that there was something wrong with Concubine Song's pregnancy, which is why she remained composed!

Looking at it this way, perhaps the events of her previous life truly were an accident, or perhaps Concubine Song knew the truth and the two of them were accomplices. Regardless, she absolutely could not let them drag her down again in this lifetime!

"Pass down the orders: without my permission, no one is allowed to enter Tingyu Pavilion. Tell those little maids to keep a close watch on the gates of Tingyu Pavilion."

While Qiu Liyue was planning ahead in Tingyu Pavilion, the Yun Courtyard was currently in a state of total chaos. Upon returning, Yun Ruo's fury over today's events became uncontrollable, and she smashed almost everything in the room.

Especially when she thought of Qiu Jinshan's two sentences before they left—that she should not offend Liyue again? The Emperor would be enraged! Offend? Ha! If she had known things would turn out like this, she would have strangled Qiu Liyue to death long ago. She never expected that after all these years, this dead girl would have played dumb, causing her decades-long plan to crumble into nothing!

Crumble into nothing! If not for this, all the glory today should have belonged to her daughter, it should have belonged to Lixing! But based on the Emperor's meaning today, did he intend to summon her into the palace? If Mother doesn't have the life to enjoy these things, should her daughter do it instead? Don't even think about it! She would never let all of this succeed!

The next day, just as Qiu Liyue woke up, Qingqing brought her an invitation. Someone had sent her an invitation—in both her past and present lives, this was a first!

Looking at the wild, flowing calligraphy, a smile couldn't help but bloom on the corners of Qiu Liyue's lips. Just yesterday, An Xiaoman had said she would come to play in two days, and today the invitation arrived, inviting her to her coming-of-age ceremony in two days!

What gift should she give? Looking at her empty Tingyu Pavilion, Qiu Liyue couldn't help but feel troubled.

"Miss, you can go to the streets and pick something out for Miss An!" Seeing Qiu Liyue's furrowed brow, Qingqing reminded her.

That's right! She could go to the streets. In her previous life, she had almost never left the house; she didn't even know what the scenery looked like outside the main gates.

"Zijin, go tell Mother that I am going out for a trip!"

By the time Qiu Liyue had finished grooming herself, Zijin returned, but she wasn't alone; Qiu Lixing and Qiu Zhen were following behind her.

"Eldest Sister, Mother asked Second Sister and me to accompany you shopping. You won't be unwelcoming, will you?" Qiu Zhen said with a grin the moment she entered the door.

Qiu Liyue sighed inwardly but showed nothing on her face. "What are you saying? I'll be more than happy to have you both accompany me!"

"Xin'er, Zijin, you come with me too!" Qiu Liyue instructed, giving a meaningful look to Qingqing and Youyou standing to the side, telling them to watch over Tingyu Pavilion after she left.

The two of them nodded subtly, clearly understanding her meaning.

"Where are we going first?" Qiu Zhen was somewhat excited; it was also her first time going out openly.

"Cuiyu Pavilion! That is the best jewelry shop in the capital!" Qiu Lixing no longer held her dissatisfaction toward Qiu Liyue, her face full of excitement. However, as she spoke, she couldn't help but cast a cautious glance at Qiu Liyue. When they were leaving, Yun Ruo had instructed her that for this outing, she must prioritize Qiu Liyue.

"Fine, then let's go to Cuiyu Pavilion!" Qiu Liyue agreed readily. She knew nothing about the shops in the capital, so going anywhere made no difference to her.

"Sister, I was a bit startled in the palace yesterday and lost control of my emotions, so please do not blame me for the things I said yesterday!" Qiu Lixing lowered her head and whispered to Qiu Liyue. Mother was really something—why did she insist on making her apologize? She wasn't the one in the wrong yesterday; it was all Qiu Liyue stealing her spotlight, yet she had to apologize today. It was truly infuriating.

Qiu Liyue glanced at Qiu Lixing's reluctant expression and understood what was happening, but she wondered what Yun Ruo was plotting this time.

"What did you say yesterday, Sister? I don't recall," Qiu Liyue said nonchalantly.

"Really? That's great then. Sister, why don't you move to my Xing Courtyard? Tingyu Pavilion is truly too small." Qiu Lixing pressed on.

Move to Xing Courtyard? Unless she was stupid.

"No need, Sister. Tingyu Pavilion is quite fine. Besides, it's only a temporary stay." Qiu Liyue refused quite decisively.

*You're the one choosing not to go? In the future, don't say it has nothing to do with me again.* Just as Qiu Lixing was secretly rejoicing over this, she heard the coachman outside the carriage say, "Miss, we have arrived at Cuiyu Pavilion!"

In the Tian-character Room No. 1 on the second floor of Chunfeng Tower, diagonally opposite Cuiyu Pavilion, a young servant standing by the window watched Qiu Liyue elegantly step down from the carriage and spoke, "Master, it's Qiu Liyue!"

Nalan Can, who was sipping tea, set down his celadon cup and walked to the window. He just happened to see Qiu Liyue's group enter Cuiyu Pavilion. He lowered his head in thought for a long while before saying, "Let's go! Cuiyu Pavilion!"

[Author's Note]: New author, new book, hope everyone gives lots of support!