The sound of wheels could be heard as the carriage heading to the Yong'an Marquis' Mansion was running smoothly.
Shen Yuan sat in the spacious carriage, feeling quite sympathetic to Brother Liao who was still young.
Her experience was similar to Liao Ge'er's. Her biological parents were not around since she was born.
Uncle Tang Wenbin was still a gentle and upright gentleman, and his attitude towards her niece was very kind. However, even so, Shen Yuan would feel a little afraid of her father in the family.
Not to mention that Liao Ge'er's fifth uncle is an exceptionally strict man.
If she had a strong uncle like Lu Zhiyun, she would probably be even more timid and crybaby than Liao Ge'er.
Biwu is four years younger than Shen Yuan, and she became her maid when Shen Yuan was ten years old.
On the way back to the Marquis' Mansion, Biwu couldn't help but think of the past in Yangzhou.
When Shen Yuan was young, he seemed to be well-behaved and docile, but inside he was a deviant.
When she was as old as Liao Ge'er, she also ran away from home.
Thinking of this, Bi Wu couldn't help but tease her, "Miss, what a coincidence, when you ran away from home at the age of ten, it was Lord Lu who sent you back to the Tang Mansion."
After Biwu said this, Shen Yuan suddenly remembered the past nine years ago.
Thinking of her mischievousness and ignorance in childhood, the beauty looked a little embarrassed.
Although Shen Yuan's tone was still gentle, there was a hint of complaint: "It happened so many years ago, how come you still remember it?"
Biwu covered her mouth and smiled.
In fact, Shen Yuan also came into contact with Lu Zhiyun when he was very young.
Lu Zhiyun won the top spot in the imperial examination just after he reached the age of coming of age, but his father Lu Hongang died in the same year. Therefore, he had to mourn at home for three years and was not allowed to serve as an official in the court.
As soon as the mourning period was over, the late emperor sent him to Yangzhou to serve as the local salt inspector.
He only stayed in Yangzhou for one year, but he achieved remarkable political achievements and was highly respected by the local people.
Shen Yuan carefully recalled Lu Zhiyun's appearance when he was 23 years old, but there was only a tall and somewhat blurry figure in his mind.
He was extremely handsome when he was young, and many ladies in Yangzhou had fallen in love with him at first sight. However, Lu Zhiyun had no plans to get married at that time, and there were no reports of any romantic affairs in a romantic place like Yangzhou.
In Shen Yuan's impression, although he is still young, his temperament is much deeper and more mature than other men of the same age, giving people a feeling of maturity at a young age.
But Lu Zhiyun at that time was far less frightening than he is now.
——
Rongyan Hall.
The back of the Huanghuali armchair was carved with patterns of mountains, rocks and Ganoderma lucidum, while on the smooth wood-grain seat was a soft woman's handkerchief.
When Liao Ge'er saw this, he said in a baby voice, "That's Sister Shen's handkerchief!"
As soon as the boy finished speaking in a clear voice, the handkerchief was picked up by Lu Zhiyun.
A royal blue butterfly is embroidered on the snow-white handkerchief.
It is flapping its wings nimbly, looking graceful and elegant, but in fact it is slender and fragile.
The delicate fragrance of magnolia also lingered on the man's big hands with distinct finger bones.
Lu Zhiyun looked at the handkerchief in his hand in silence, but Liao Ge'er said at this time: "Sister Shen said that this handkerchief is very important to her."
Lu Zhiyun cast a meaningful gaze on Liao Ge'er and asked in a low voice, "Did she really say that?"
Brother Liao pouted and nodded ignorantly.
Then he saw that his serious uncle actually laughed in a hoarse voice.
Although the smile on his thin lips was very faint, it was very different from his usual cold and solemn appearance.
When Brother Liao saw Lu Zhiyun's look, his little face was a little stunned.
Although the man quickly put away the faint smile on his face, the boy still guessed that his fifth uncle should be in a good mood.
So Liao Ge'er asked him softly, "Fifth Uncle, can I help Sister Shen hold this handkerchief?"
Lu Zhiyun's eyes returned to their usual coldness. He looked at his nephew's chubby face and replied with three simple and clear words: "No."
Just as Liao Ge'er was about to fight for it again, Lu Zhiyun's cold and majestic eyes glanced at him indifferently.
The boy puffed up his cheeks, then finally swallowed his words back in grievance.
——
It was dusk and twilight was all around.
Inside the Duke's Mansion, the wind is gentle and the sun is dim, and the scenery is truly beautiful and spacious.
Jiang Zhuo was walking with Lu Zhiyun towards Qisong Pavilion.
Just now in Rongyan Hall, he clearly saw his master still holding the handkerchief of the girl from the Shen family, but how come the handkerchief disappeared in the blink of an eye?
Seeing that Lu Zhiyun was not looking away, Jiang Zhuo secretly glanced at his wide sleeves embroidered with river cliffs and sea water patterns.
He blinked.
Could it be that the master hid it in his sleeve?
Under the bright evening light, the man stood tall and majestic.
Lu Zhiyun's profile is clear, distinct, three-dimensional and exquisite.
He didn't look at Jiang Zhuo, but asked calmly: "What are you looking at with those eyes?"
The man's tone was calm, without any impatience.
But his voice is much deeper and richer than that of an ordinary man. It can be said to be very magnetic, but it also makes people feel solemn and cold.
Jiang Zhuo quickly tried to cover up his mistake and changed the subject, saying, "Master, the eldest daughter of the Shen family should have returned home by now."
As soon as he mentioned Shen Yuan, Lu Zhiyun's figure on the bluestone floor suddenly stopped.
Then, Jiang Zhuo heard Lu Zhiyun's deep voice: "Shouldn't she call off her marriage with Lu Chen?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Zhuo's eyes widened.
When he looked at Lu Zhiyun in disbelief, he saw that his face was calm and he could not tell any emotion.
Jiang Zhuo opened his lips slightly, and after being stunned for a while, he replied respectfully: "I understand."
Although Lu Zhiyun's question was a question, Jiang Zhuo guessed his master's intention.
He wanted him to ask Earl Kangping as soon as possible to cancel his marriage with Shen Yuan.
Jiang Zhuo originally thought that the eldest girl from the Shen family had only aroused Lu Zhiyun's interest.
But now it seems that he thought too simply.
This is a really big deal.
——
Earl's Palace.
Mrs. Lu sat in the main seat in the main hall and angrily threw the teacup next to her to the ground.
She angrily scolded Lu Chen, "Not to mention the capital, where in all the missionary offices and prefectures of Daqi does your fifth uncle not have spies? It must be because you were hesitant between the two sisters of the Shen family that you angered your fifth uncle! There is no room for negotiation on this matter. You must break off the engagement with the eldest daughter of the Shen family!"
Lu Chen lowered his cold eyes and whispered to persuade Lu to calm down.
He did not express any attitude towards this matter, but at this moment he suddenly remembered that at the Shaoyuan Banquet that day, Shen Yuan stood outside the lattice window of Haitangchunwu and looked at him with sad eyes.
——
Three days have passed since I last saw Lu Zhiyun.
In just three days, Lu Chen's mother, Lady Lu, personally visited the Marquis's residence and discussed with Yong'an Marquis Shen Hongliang the cancellation of her son Lu Chen's marriage with the eldest daughter of the Shen family.
The matter was resolved too neatly and quickly, which made Shen Yuan wonder whether the words she asked Bi Wu to say in the Duke's Mansion had worked.
After hearing this, Lu Zhiyun added fuel to the fire.
It was a clear day with a sunny sky.
As Shen Yuan's stepmother, although Liu had no good feelings towards her stepdaughter, she wanted to pretend to comfort her after her engagement was broken off by the Kangping Marquis's Mansion.
When Shen Yuan arrived at Liu's courtyard, she was sitting on the Luohan bed, and there were freshly picked loquats on the small sandalwood table beside her.
Liu had been suffering from a headache recently, and had a longevity headband tied under her hair, and a string of Buddhist beads in her hand.
After Shen Yuan sat down, Liu hypocritically comforted her, "Sister Yuan, don't be too sad. Even if you cancel this marriage with Kang Pingbo, your father will find a better marriage for you."
After hearing this, Shen Yuan nodded submissively.
But in a flash, she shed a few tears in front of her stepmother.
Her appearance was originally delicate, and she was sobbing with tears in her eyes with reserve, like a pear blossom in the rain, which made me feel pity for her.
Fairies shed tears, that's all.
When Liu saw Shen Yuan's appearance, she actually felt a little sympathetic.
Bi Wu stood behind Shen Yuan, her round almond-shaped eyes widened.
While she was surprised at how quickly Shen Yuan burst into tears, she also suddenly understood why her master had been staring at her without blinking on the way here.
——"Hey, Sister Yuan. Go out for a walk these few days and buy whatever you like. You will feel better."
The sadness and tenderness in Shen Yuanshui's eyes did not reach her eyes.
Seeing that Liu finally brought up this topic, she immediately choked up and said, "Thank you for your concern, mother. But I have to tell you that... my monthly salary is not enough."
Liu twisted the Buddhist beads in her hand and finally understood.
It turned out that he was waiting for her here.
"We have a bakery in Qianmen Street. Business is pretty good. You can go take a look at it tomorrow and help run it. You can spend 30% of the profit from the shop."
Shen Yuan wiped her tears with a soft handkerchief and said gratefully, "Thank you, mother."
——
After coming out of the hanging flower hall, there were still traces of tears on Shen Yuan's porcelain-like face, but her eyes had returned to their usual calmness.
The master and servant walked for a while, and when they reached a rockery with steep and wild scenery, Bi Wu saw that there was no one around, and then she started to complain: "What's going on? The dowry that the master prepared for the young lady is enough to buy 20 shops. Young lady, you have already broken off the engagement with Kang Pingbo, but why is the mistress still holding on to your dowry?"
Shen Yuan sighed softly.
Although her uncle Tang Wenbin prepared a considerable dowry for her, her greedy stepmother Liu obviously wanted to take all of it.
That's why she tested Liu's attitude.
But looking at Liu's expression, it would not be easy for her to get back what belonged to her.
——
Qianmen Street.
As soon as Shen Yuan and Bi Wu came out of the Shen family's bakery, she did some calculations.
Although stepmother Liu said that the bakery business was good, in reality, it did not make much profit.
Moreover, Liu knew that the Tang family had been in business for generations, and the maternal family of Shen Yuan's aunt Luo was also a powerful salt merchant in Yangzhou.
Shen Yuan was raised by the Luo family since he was a child, and he learned accounting and shop management through observation and imitation.
Liu learned from her servants that Shen Yuan was better at doing accounts than the accountant, so she simply fired him and let Shen Yuan take full charge of the shop.
The only profit Shen Yuan could get every month was five taels of silver.
When Bi Wu thought of this, she was furious: "The mistress has a really good plan. She doesn't want to spend money on the young lady. She obviously wants the young lady to be her accountant!"
Shen Yuan's soft, watery eyes looked forward.
Bi Wu also followed her master's gaze and saw that Liao Ge'er from the Lu family was like a chick that had just been out of a cage. He stepped on his two short legs and ran to Shen Yuan.
"Sister Shen!"
Shen Yuan smiled gently, and just as he was about to bend over to touch the boy's head, Jiang Feng rushed over, grabbed Liao Ge'er in time, and called out with uneven breathing: "Little ancestor, please run slower."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Feng raised his head and saw the stunning beauty in front of him, who was as beautiful as an orchid and had snow-white skin and a beautiful face.
He was thinking about how to keep Shen Yuan.
But Shen Yuan actually lowered his eyelashes slightly at this moment, and suddenly supported his forehead with his slender hand.
He looked as if he had suffered from the heatstroke.
But when she frowned, she looked listless and delicate, like a willow swaying in the wind.
Bi Wu supported Shen Yuan in time and asked with concern: "Miss, are you suffering from the heatstroke?"
When Shen Yuan frowned and shook her head, Liao Ge'er also opened his mouth slightly and looked at her worriedly.
Seeing Shen Yuan's weak and fragile appearance, Jiang Feng suddenly felt pity for him.
But it's hard not to feel a little secretly happy.
Miss Shen's summer heat has come at the wrong time!
This time, he doesn't have to bother trying to keep her.
Jiang Feng hid his joy in time, and pretended to be worried, and said: "Hey Miss Shen, I happened to book a private room in the restaurant in front. Since you are suffering from the heat, why don't you come in with us to rest."
——
Of course Shen Yuan was not really affected by the heat. After she followed Jiang Feng and Liao Ge'er into the restaurant, she found that the owner of the restaurant was particularly respectful to Jiang Feng.
Respectful to the point of fawning.
After everyone entered the private room, Shen Yuan had some guesses in his mind.
This restaurant should be Lu Zhiyun's private property.
She has always known that Lu Zhiyun is not an honest official, but a powerful prime minister of the cabinet. His influence is spread all over the Qi Dynasty, and the wealth he possesses is probably beyond her imagination.
Thinking of this, Shen Yuan drank a few sips of summer-cooling tea with a calm expression.
Seeing that Liao Ge'er seemed to want to whisper a few words to her, Shen Yuan turned her head slightly and moved her right ear, which was adorned with pearl earrings, closer to him.
Just as Liao Ge'er was about to speak, the double door of the private room was pushed open.
When Shen Yuan saw the person's face clearly, he felt a little nervous for no reason and immediately stood up from the armchair.
Lu Zhiyun should have a day off today, so he wore a dark-colored robe and did not wear a black gauze hat or a Liang crown on his head.
But his aura is still deep and proud, and cannot be looked at directly.
This was the first time Shen Yuan saw him wearing casual clothes since he came to the capital.
The man had a dignified appearance, and the long shirt highlighted his slim waist and long legs. He looked less solemn and dignified than when he wore official uniform, but more handsome and approachable.
After seeing Shen Yuan, Lu Zhiyun's sharp eyebrows slightly frowned, and he only asked in a low voice: "Miss Shen?"
Shen Yuan was a little embarrassed, and replied timidly: "Lord Lu..."
After Lu Zhiyun entered the private room, there was an inexplicable sense of oppression in the room.
His deep eyes looked at the delicate beauty standing timidly, and after signaling Shen Yuan to sit down again, he asked, "Why do I always see you recently?"