I was a queen in ancient times, no, a maid!

After noon, Cheng Yu returned home with a bunch of things given by the lady.

She even forgot to visit her own home. She thought that she would write to her brother in a few days, then go to see him privately and ask him to bring some things to her grandmother.

She was really scared, and she thought to herself that she would never come to Prince Jing's Mansion again.

After returning home, Cheng Yu was unable to recover for several days.

Zhao Rulan was also worried, and she had an argument with her brother that day.

She told her brother that Cheng Yu would not be with him, but her brother did not believe her and insisted that she looked down on Cheng Yu because she was just a maid.

No matter how she explained, her brother didn't believe it.

Zhao Rulan also knew why her brother came to ask her first, because Cheng Yu was her dowry maid.

If he had been leaving before, it would have been extremely inappropriate without informing his sister in advance. Moreover, if Cheng Yu lived in the palace in the future, he would naturally have to meet his sister.

If he doesn't tell me in advance, it will be awkward when they meet in the future.

But unexpectedly, Zhao Shiyan told his sister Zhao Rulan.

Zhao Rulan immediately said that she would not agree.

Zhao Shiyan thought that Zhao Rulan looked down on Cheng Yu's lowly status as a maid.

In fact, Zhao Rulan knew Cheng Yu too well.

This time she took the initiative to speak frankly to Cheng Yu.

If Cheng Yu was really willing to marry her brother, Zhao Rulan would not have thought of objecting, except that it would be a bit awkward. She did not care about being a girl from aristocratic family.

She did care at first, and she even thought about finding a lady from a noble family who was a good match for her brother.

But her brother said that he wanted to find someone he loved and cared about in this life. Now that he has military merits, he wants the freedom to marry.

She suddenly understood.

What is the purpose of life?

Money and power are important, but wanting a satisfactory person is equally important.

She no longer objected to her brother finding a woman he liked.

However, he liked Cheng Yu, but Cheng Yu didn't want to agree.

Thinking of the day when she called Cheng Yu home, she started talking. As soon as she said a word, Cheng Yu immediately knelt down and kowtowed, begging her not to arrange this marriage.

Zhao Rulan stopped thinking about it.

After Zhao Shiyan finished taking care of his sister's divorce and returning home, he has been busy outside. He has indeed been very busy these days. As soon as he returned to the palace, he heard the servants in the yard say that the eldest lady had sent someone to invite Miss Cheng Yu to come a few days ago.

Zhao Shiyan didn't have time to catch his breath and headed straight for his sister's Yinlan Garden.

Zhu'er and Zhijin, who were working at the second gate, were busy greeting each other.

"My Lord, the eldest lady is resting in the house."

"Go tell the eldest girl that I have something to discuss with her."

Zhao Shiyan slowed down his pace.

Zhijin ran over quickly and told Dingxiang the message.

Ding Xiang lifted the beaded curtain and said, "It is said that the prince is anxious to see you and is waiting in the outer hall."

"Know what?"

Ding Xiang shook her head, "I don't know."

"Forget it, I'll go ask. If he doesn't want to talk about it, he won't tell you no matter who asks."

Zhao Rulan went over and saw that her brother's face looked bad indeed. The maid brought him some tea and left, leaving Dingxiang in the room and Zhuer waiting outside the door.

"Brother, what's wrong with you? Who made you angry?"

Zhao Shiyan softened his tone and asked, "Why did you send someone to call Cheng Yu here?"

Zhao Rulan understood immediately.

She chuckled and then said, "She doesn't want to marry you."

Zhao Shiyan looked up at Zhao Rulan.

Zhao Rulan explained immediately, "Don't blame me for asking too many questions. I told you that if she was willing, I wouldn't object to you marrying her. But she didn't want to. As soon as I mentioned it, she knelt down and begged me."

"And still..."

"What?" Zhao Shiyan clenched his fists in his sleeves.

"She said, she doesn't like someone like you."

"Why?"

He was angry, and his questions were fierce.

Zhao Rulan said hurriedly, "How would I know that? Don't take it out on me. If you have the guts, go ask yourself..."

Zhao Rulan naturally said this in a low voice.

In fact, she loved and respected her brother, and she didn't dare to lecture him at all. As a younger sister, she could only listen to him.

Zhao Shiyan left.

He left with an angry face.

At this moment, Zhao Shiyan felt deep self-doubt in his heart.

What's wrong with him?

In terms of status, he is at least the prince of Prince Jing’s Mansion.

In terms of merit, he was known as the undefeated general on the battlefield.

In terms of appearance, he is not missing a nose or eyes, or any arms or legs, and he is also strong and healthy.

Why does she look down on him?

He couldn't swallow this insult.

***

Cheng Yu’s braised meat business suddenly became popular around the end of the year. Because it was the New Year, more people came to buy braised meat.

She started making fruit again.

This time, she made fruit gift boxes to be given to relatives during the Chinese New Year. She specially asked someone to customize some gift boxes that could hold the fruits.

This time, without waiting for Mr. Cai Kun to come, Cheng Yu took the initiative to find Cai Kun and asked him if he needed any fruit. She would sell it to him at a cheap price.

Cai Kun knew that it was the young lady who made the braised meat, so he personally asked her to discuss business in the teahouse in Fenglou.

Cheng Yu was not stage-frightened. She tidied herself up a little, opened the jewelry box, looked at the hairpin in the box, and gestured with it in her hand.

Taozi looked confused.

"Miss Yu, look at the way you hold the hairpin. Why does it look like you're holding a knife?"

"I think this jade hairpin is quite pretty. It will look beautiful on you."

Cheng Yu chuckled, "I still like this silver hairpin, it's low-key and sharp."

Taozi didn't understand why a good person would use the word "sharp" to describe a hairpin.

However, as long as the girl likes it, she thinks all of them are good-looking.

"I'll put it on for you."

Taozi picked up the silver hairpin and put it on Cheng Yu. "Miss Yu, can you go by yourself? If not, go and ask Brother Zhang to go with you."

"What are you afraid of? Fenglou is a famous teahouse in Kyoto. If something happens to me, I won't be able to do business there anymore."

Taozi nodded.

Cheng Yu explained, "I'll go directly to the braised meat shop after I'm done with my work."

Lotus is doing things at home.

The fruit-making business is still done at home, and is left to Hehua, who can handle it on her own.

If she could reach an agreement with Mr. Cai, Cheng Yu wanted to hire more people. She had her own plans, and this time it would definitely be much easier than the one during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Cheng Yu arrived at the door of Fenglou and told the waiter directly that he was looking for Mr. Cai from the silk and satin shop.

The waiter led Cheng Yu to the second floor.

There are private rooms on the second floor, but they need to be reserved in advance. For Cai Kun, who is only meeting a young cook, there is no need to book a private room.

When Cheng Yu walked over, Cai Kun was sitting there drinking tea.

There are really a lot of tea drinkers in Fenglou, and in addition to drinking tea, there are also singing and dancing performances.

There were three or five dancers in the hall, dancing in a very charming manner.

Cheng Yu walked towards Cai Kun.

"Hello, sir."

Cheng Yu bowed slightly and performed a courtesy.

Cai Kun said, "Madam Cheng, please take a seat."

"How much do you want for the fruit?"

As expected, they are businessmen. They discuss prices when they meet and don’t say any unnecessary nonsense.