Traveling through time and space

"Yes, it looks really grand. Aunt Gao, there are so many people in Lord Zhu's mansion. Do they need so much food?" Su Yuanyuan asked.

"That's right. Lord Zhu has eight legitimate and illegitimate sons. Fortunately, he holds a high position. Ordinary families really can't afford to support them. He has three legitimate sons, which is also outstanding among people."

"Sister, is this okay?" The girl was holding the cloth, and Feng'er was holding water behind her.

"You prodigal son, this is a good piece of material. It's for making your sister's wedding dress." Aunt Gao went over and pulled the cloth into her hand.

"Mom, I like it, so I'll just use a little. I don't need much." The little girl pouted dissatisfiedly.

"Okay, okay, girl, just a little bit,"

"Yes, Aunt Gao, just a thin strip will do." Su Yuanyuan replied. Before Su Yuanyuan finished speaking, Aunt Gao asked her daughter to hold the other side, and she had already taken out the scissors to cut the strips of cloth.

"Girl, here you go."

Su Yuanyuan was really thirsty. She drank some water and sat on a stool, chatting with her hands and mouth busy. She knew that many wealthy families would rush to light the first incense stick and pray for peace. She also knew that several legitimate sons of the Zhu family were serving as officials. Aunt Gao said mysteriously that the Zhu family actually had a more powerful backstage. The eldest son of the Zhu family had a very close relationship with the two princes in the palace. Sometimes, the two princes could be seen here. She didn't know if they would come this time. The sixth prince of the palace was so handsome and talented that no girl would not be moved by him. Su Yuanyuan deliberately slowed down the speed of her hands and listened to her, thinking about her own things in her heart.

"Sister, it looks good," the little girl showed off the bracelet on her wrist with great satisfaction.

"Little sister, I'm glad you like it," Su Yuanyuan stood up and stretched her waist. "Auntie, let's go. It's almost time to rest."

"Sister Gao, who is this sister-in-law from the Zhu family? She looks really strong." Zheng Hong's words aroused Su Yuanyuan's interest.

"Her surname is Chu. Although she looks like this, she is a very good person. She is a nice person. Sister Chu, you have been very busy these days." Aunt Gao shouted and greeted her from afar.

"Sister Gao, the master will be here tonight, so we have to get ready. I'll talk to you when we have time. I have to go get busy." Mrs. Chu looked over here, and Su Yuanyuan's heart skipped a beat. This woman was the same woman who gave her water that day. It seemed that this was definitely the place where the incident happened.

"Let's go, let's go for a good stroll." Su Yuanyuan pulled Feng'er and Li'er.

"Mrs. Liu, you are still here. Your brother is looking for you everywhere." Someone called Zheng Hong from afar.

"My brother, what's wrong? Feng'er, Li'er, take Aunt and Sister out for a walk. Mom will go back and take a look."

"Okay, Mom, sister, aunt, let's go." They split up, and Zheng Hong went back while they continued playing. It really was like a market. It was quite large, and there were a lot of things for sale, but they weren't separated. The cloth sellers were next to the fried fruit sellers, the fortune tellers were next to the cooked meat sellers, and the clothing sellers were next to the ready-made clothes sellers. Mother Yan bought a lot of things: meat, dried fruit, buns, cakes. Everyone had a lot in their hands. As they were strolling around, they saw Zheng Hong rushing in, looking very anxious. "Mom, why are you here?" Feng'er saw her mother and went to greet her.

"I'm so sorry, sister and girl. We have to go back to the city. Something happened at my mother's house. My father suddenly fell ill, and my mother fell down out of anxiety. It was quite serious. My mother insisted that my brother take me away. My brother had no choice but to come here. Sister and girl, I have to trouble you to find another place to live." Zheng Hong was very apologetic.

"It's so serious, auntie. Let's go back first. Feng'er, take your things and hurry home." This was a big deal. Su Yuanyuan felt that she couldn't delay any longer. When she went back, she took a shortcut and arrived home quickly.

"Miss, I'll return the money to you. I may not have time to come here tomorrow."

"Mother Zheng, why don't we go back to the capital together and come back to burn incense after a few days." Su Yuanyuan nodded at Mother Yan. Her goal had been achieved, so it didn't matter whether she stayed for one night or not.

"Well, there are so many people here today, and who knows how many people there will be tomorrow. Miss, this matter cannot be completed in one day. Let's go back first."

"Okay, Uncle Zheng, take us back to where we got on the bus this morning, Jingyin Temple. It'll be the same if we come back after a few days. We won't accept this money. It's our round-trip fare." Su Yuanyuan pushed back his outstretched hand, forcing him to take it back. "Auntie, pack your things and we can leave."

"Miss, I'm sorry to have cost you so much money and bought so many things," Zheng Hong looked at the many things she was holding.

"Mom, my aunt also bought some meat. Let's take it to grandma and grandpa to nourish them. This way, their illness will be cured quickly." Feng'er put the thing in her hand into her mother's hand.

"Auntie, you have educated your two children so well,"

"Thank you, old sister. Girls, you know where home is. If you can't find it and have nowhere else to go, just come here. As long as you don't mind, you can treat this place as your home."

"Okay, okay, hurry up and pack your things, it's getting dark." In the car, Zheng Hong talked about a lot of things she had heard, and told Su Yuanyuan and the others the location of her mother's home. When they got off the car, they found that it was already completely dark. The two Zheng siblings kept saying sorry.

"Miss, did you get things done today?" asked Mother Yan.

"Mother Yan, don't ask. This princess doesn't want others to know about this, and I don't need others to interfere. Remember, don't let anyone know where we're going. But if anyone is interested, please tell me."

"I understand, Princess, don't worry."

"Tomorrow, when you're free, follow their instructions and see if you can find their home. Give them five taels of silver and bring some herbs."

"I understand. Princess, how do we get back home?" The two of them walked towards the mansion.

"Go in quietly through the side door." Su Yuanyuan replied. The two walked to the back door. The small door was half-open and no one was guarding it. They entered the yard and heard footsteps in the dark. They hid behind the pillars.

"Jin Yue, thank you for coming to tell us about him. From now on, they have nothing to do with us," it was Xu Kun's voice. "But I don't know who spread the news that He Hua was here?"

"I was just being kind. I was worried they would come after you. I don't know anything else."

"Don't worry, the Princess' Mansion won't let him do whatever he wants. If they come, we'll just beat them out. But thank you for coming to tell us this news."

"Okay, take care of yourselves, I'm leaving." A man went out, and Xu Kun closed the back door. He naturally didn't see the two people behind him. The two waited for him to leave, came out, hid from others, and returned to Shanhe Hall.

"Princess, you are back." Zhilin stopped as Su Yuanyuan entered the room.

"But what happened?" Su Yuanyuan asked while washing her hands.

"Princess, there's a message from the palace. It's from Madam Wu and I that Eunuch Shen was received. I excused myself, saying that the princess is ill and can't get out of bed."

"what did he say?"

"The Emperor wishes to see the Princess tomorrow. A car will be arriving to pick him up at 11:00 PM tomorrow."

Su Yuanyuan nodded. "Prepare some food. I'm hungry." Su Yuanyuan changed her clothes. "You two, sit down and talk to me." While eating, Su Yuanyuan asked them to sit down.

"Princess, what do you want to ask? Just ask." The two sat down.

"Mother Yan, why is it that my eldest brother is the head of the Cai Mansion? Why isn't my eldest uncle the head of the family?"

"In the past, the eldest and second sons were together. The eldest son had also passed the imperial examination and become a scholar. When the old master was alive, he also supported the two brothers to study literature together, so that they could become the top scholar in the future and bring honor to the Cai family. At that time, it was the second and third masters who managed the business of the mansion. But later it was discovered that the second master was embezzling money and keeping two mistresses outside, causing unrest in the second house. The third master was addicted to gambling, and those ruffians from the gambling house came to collect debts. The old master was very concerned about his reputation, so he had no choice but to let the eldest master give up literature and go into business to protect the foundation of the Cai family."

"So the connections that big brother made were made at that time, and they were all children of wealthy families." Su Yuanyuan asked.

"Yes, those people are all classmates who studied with the eldest master."

"No wonder those young men that Big Brother knows are all from prominent backgrounds. Mother Yan specifically asked someone to remember that the incense in front of Grandmother's spirit must not be extinguished."

"Princess, I know."

"It's getting late. Zhilin, take care of the bath. Mother Yan, you should go and rest as well. By the way, go see Dongmei and the others." After the bath, Su Yuanyuan asked Zhilin and the others to leave as well. She turned off the lights in the house and entered the space. "Xiaoyue'er, are you sure the room we were in last time is in the yard we are going to today?"

"Sure, sister, this is the one."

"Then I should know who wants to harm me." Su Yuanyuan really understood. From their words, it must be related to the emperor. Sixth brother and seventh brother, that is, the sixth and seventh princes. But why would they hurt me? I have nothing in common with them. No matter who they are, I must take revenge. "Xiao Yue'er, how big is your belly? How much can you eat?"

"Sister, Xiaoyue hasn't had a good meal for a long time. Now that there's food to eat, of course she has to eat more."

"Okay, just don't make yourself feel uncomfortable. I'll go back and rest. I'm a little tired today." He went back to his bed and had a good night's sleep. Maybe he knew that he had agreed to something, and he felt a little relieved.

"Princess, Dongmei and Rumei are here." Su Yuanyuan was reading a travelogue in the courtyard when Zhilin interrupted her. Su Yuanyuan waved her hand, signaling them to come in. "Zhilin, go to the kitchen and see if there's any glutinous rice flour and brown sugar left. I'll need them later. If not, go buy some immediately and prepare the lunch boxes."

"Understood, Princess. I'll do it."

"The servants have met the princess."

"Dongmei, have you thought it through? If you can be loyal, then stay. If not, then please find another job. As for where to go, I'll make it clear when I see him tonight. In short, I won't keep anyone else by my side, not even his. I'll only keep those who regard me as their only master. If you disobey, I'll punish you without mercy."

"Princess, I am willing to be loyal to you for life. If I disobey you, I will be struck by lightning."

"The two of you should stand up. Dongmei and Rumei, remember what you said. This princess does not keep treacherous people or idle people around her. For those who stay, this princess will have new ways to check and control them."

"Yes, Princess, I have made a mistake and I am willing to accept your punishment."

"Dongmei, you'll accompany me this afternoon." Su Yuanyuan gave them her orders and sent them out. She'd been thinking about sending someone to find out about these two people. It was impossible for her to do everything herself. Never mind. Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you doubt. She'd still trust Dongmei and Rumei and the others. She'd make a decision tomorrow. Su Yuanyuan made two servings of brown sugar cakes, one to place in front of her grandmother's spirit and one in the food box.

"Yuanyuan, your father was not by your side when you were in the most pain." The father and daughter had just met, and he comforted her.

"It doesn't matter. Father is not only Yuanyuan's father, but also the father of others, and he's the emperor of this world. Yuanyuan understands, so I don't blame you." Su Yuanyuan never thought of relying on him. "Father, have you found the person who burned down the Marquis of Xiaoyong's mansion and kidnapped Yuanyuan that day?"

"Have you ever seen those people? Do you remember where they tied you up?" he asked back.

"No, I just remember that when Yuanyuan woke up, someone was strangling her neck and trying to kill her."

"This matter is not easy to investigate."

"Father, even if you're the Emperor, can't you find those people? Yuanyuan swore before my grandmother's spirit that she would find the perpetrators and avenge her and herself." Su Yuanyuan took out the brown sugar cakes she had prepared and placed them before him. "Yuanyuan begs Father, please intervene for me, avenge me, and avenge my grandmother who died with her eyes wide open." Su Yuanyuan knelt down and kowtowed earnestly, "To comfort the spirits of my grandmother and mother in heaven." Su Yuanyuan wanted to talk more about this, to observe him carefully, to see if he knew about it. "Father, this is the first time in all these years that Yuanyuan has asked you for this. I have no one to turn to, no one to rely on, and no one I can use." Su Yuanyuan's words were clear.

"Didn't father send people to the Marquis of Xiaoyong's mansion? Don't you have enough people?"

"Yuanyuan doesn't trust them. I'll deal with them another day. They were disloyal and unjust. They allowed the thieves to set fire and kidnap people right under their noses, which led to my grandmother's death. I dare not use these people anymore, nor do I dare keep them by my side. They must have other loyalties in their hearts. I don't want such fickle people around me." Su Yuanyuan kept herself calm, so he wouldn't see anything. "Father is the only person Yuanyuan can trust in this world. Please, father, help me."

"Since you don't like those people, just deal with them. Father will send you a new group."