Transmigrated Female Official

After the grand summer festival, the palace rested for three days.

Chu Qingluo finally welcomed her first 'long vacation'.

After sleeping until I naturally woke up, both Kurama and Kirito's faces looked much more pleasing to the eye, and even lunch became exceptionally delicious.

Taking advantage of her rare day off, aside from the two fixed hours each day spent learning to read with Gongsun Yu, she planned to spend the rest of her time eating, drinking, and having fun. Right now, Chu Qingluo was sitting alone, leisurely basking in the sun on the stone steps of her small courtyard. She squinted, staring at a large tree directly in front of her, and playfully called out, "Nine-Tailed Fox—"

Nine-Tailed Fox hurriedly came out from the inner room: "Miss?"

"Help me put a swing on this tree!" she said, pointing to the tree in front of her.

Ancient women had very few pleasures in their boudoirs. She couldn't stand the daily routine of embroidery and calligraphy, so she decided to explore a new world.

“Okay, I’ll have someone take care of it right away.” Nine-Tails agreed immediately and turned to leave Ningxiang Courtyard, where Chu Qingluo was staying.

It will take some time for the swing to be finished, so it's more practical to go for a stroll in the city. Chu Qingluo stood up, dusted off her dress, and went to find a guide.

"Gongsun, come with me for a walk." She slipped into Gongsun Yu's room and invited him, her tone carrying a hint of coquetry.

In the days since he came to the Chu family, he has done nothing but teach her.

It's like marrying a beautiful wife but not touching her. It's like occupying a toilet without using it—and that toilet is at least a three-star one. Even Chu Qingluo herself felt a little embarrassed.

"Happy to accompany you."

Gongsun Yu's dictionary seemed to contain the word 'no,' and she greatly admired his highly cooperative personality.

Just as the two were about to step out of Ningxiang Courtyard, Tongmu caught up with them.

Chu Qingluo suddenly turned her head: "Tongmu, you and Jiuwei stay in the manor and make sure you help me get the swing set up!" She didn't want to be surrounded by so many people today, so having a guide was enough. Besides, Gongsun Yu was so skilled in martial arts that he could also act as a bodyguard and a laborer.

The young lady is going out to play, but she's not taking them with her... Male servants are much better... Kirito replied helplessly, watching the two leave, guessing that Kurama would definitely scream in agony if she found out...

After leaving Ningxiang Courtyard, they bumped into Ji Qiran, who was on his way to Chu Yilin Zhuqing Courtyard.

"The Seventh Prince?" Chu Qingluo was taken aback, not expecting him to appear in her home. Gongsun Yu also bowed in greeting.

Since his last drunken outburst, Ji Qiran hadn't visited the Chu family for a long time. But even after yesterday's gift-giving ceremony, Chu Qingluo's red figure kept appearing before his eyes, haunting him and causing him inexplicable irritation.

"I've come to see Yilin..." His gaze swept across her beautiful face and settled on Gongsun Yu beside her. Cold, displeased, he himself didn't even realize it.

"Is this the person who received the gift from Chu Qingluo?" Ji Qiran sized up Gongsun Yu, suddenly remembering that he was the man who had struck up a conversation with Chu Qingluo at Yibin Pavilion last time. Could these two have hit it off immediately? Ji Qiran frowned slightly, his expression appearing somewhat unnatural.

"Oh, Seventh Prince, please go ahead. We'll head out now." Chu Qingluo didn't say much, nor could she understand his inner grumbling, and led Gongsun Yu directly around them.

Ji Qiran gasped, realizing that his hands had become clenched into fists without him noticing.

……

It happened to be market day in Yancheng, and many goods from other places flooded into the city.

They had only taken a few steps when they noticed merchants pushing wooden carts, hawking their wares on the street. Amidst a large display of ornate textiles, Chu Qingluo was surprised to find several potted plants quietly placed in the most inconspicuous corner of one of the carts.

Its rhizome is only a few tens of centimeters tall, with a few milky white flowers and a few plump fruits. One of the fruits has already split open, revealing white fuzz inside.

"This is cotton?!" Chu Qingluo's eyes lit up, unable to hide her excitement, and she exclaimed.

"Oh, young lady—you have a good eye!" A hint of appreciation flashed in the merchant's eyes as he continued, "These things of mine have passed through many hands before arriving here, coming from a very far away place. It's a pity the fruit is almost ripe; if we miss the best time to admire the blossoms, they won't sell well." He shook his head, his tone full of regret.

Treating cotton like a potted plant? You've got some serious skills! In an era before cotton was widespread, that was the height of luxury. Chu Qingluo's lips curled into a smile, and she generously said, "How many pots do you have? I'll take them all."

"Is what you say true, young lady?" The merchant asked incredulously, his eyes widening.

"Of course! Is this thing incredibly expensive?" Chu Qingluo's heart suddenly skipped a beat. What if it really was incredibly expensive...?

Upon hearing this, the merchant was overjoyed: "Not expensive at all! One pot costs one tael of gold. Where do you live, young lady? I have a few more pots; I'll deliver them all to your residence later."

This is considered inexpensive?! Chu Qingluo was really afraid that if her mother knew, she would definitely scold her for being wasteful... But good things should not be missed, so let her spend! "It's not far ahead, just turn left, and you'll reach the Chu residence."

“When you get there, just tell the butler that it’s something the Third Miss wanted, and he will settle the bill for you.” Gongsun Yu added from the side. Although he couldn’t see what was so special about the flowers, he had no objection since Chu Qingluo liked them.

"Good, good, good!" The merchant thought these rare bonsai would never sell, but he was overjoyed to have met someone who appreciated their value.

Having bought some good things, the two continued their stroll.

"Gongsun, do you think that thing is a bit expensive?" Chu Qingluo asked.

"Yes." As a potted plant, it undoubtedly is.

"But that tuft of white fuzz inside its fruit is indeed a good thing, and it will definitely become widespread one day." Moreover, it will become an indispensable thing. Chu Qingluo silently added in her heart.

He thought she wanted to admire the flowers, but it turned out she was interested in the fluffy texture of the fruit. But why would she recognize this thing from so far away? After losing her memory, she couldn't even read... Gongsun Yu couldn't help but ask, "How does Qingluo recognize it?" Even he, who considered himself knowledgeable, didn't recognize this thing.

"Um... it's just that... suddenly... I vaguely remember it, I don't know if I heard it somewhere before, hehe..." She was so engrossed that she forgot that her 'knowledgeable' would arouse Gongsun Yu's suspicion.

Gongsun Yu smiled wryly; this reason was too far-fetched. Oh well, whatever.

The two continued walking and browsing, and before they knew it, they arrived at Cuipinxuan, the largest jewelry store in Yancheng.

The jade and jewels inside shimmered with an extraordinary light, making Chu Qingluo blink repeatedly. "Wow..." A large mutton-fat jade ruyi, about the size of an arm, was prominently displayed in the center of the shop, extremely eye-catching.

"How much gold will this cost?" Chu Qingluo whispered in Gongsun Yu's ear, as she had no idea about these things.

"It will cost at least a hundred gold pieces," Gongsun Yu replied in a low voice, mimicking her manner.

It turns out that her hard-earned first pot of gold was not as valuable as a jade ruyi... not to mention her monthly salary of only ten gold coins.

She sighed and turned to browse the smaller items on the other side. She couldn't afford the big stuff, but she could still afford things like jade bracelets and hairpins.

Just as I was thinking this, a smooth, emerald-green jade crown came into view...

"How about this?" she tugged at Gongsun Yu's sleeve.

“This thing is simple and elegant, but it’s something for men, so it’s not suitable for you.” Gongsun Yu smiled and said, “You should take a look at these jade hairpins; they have all kinds of styles.”

"I know, I'm asking if you like it or not?" She blinked at him.

"Me?" Gongsun Yu was taken aback and asked in surprise, "You're going to buy it and give it to me as a gift?"

"Okay." Chu Qingluo felt somewhat guilty towards him and wanted to give him a gift to make up for it.

“No need! I already have this.” Gongsun Yu immediately refused, taking out the red string around his neck from which hung a small jade stone that Chu’s mother had placed in a sachet during his coming-of-age ceremony.

Gongsun Yu, the second young master of the prestigious Gongsun family, must have seen plenty of fine things. Yet he actually drilled a hole in this small jade stone and wore it around his neck like a treasure. Chu Qingluo felt even more embarrassed: "That's a different matter. Anyway, I'm going to pick out a gift for you today."

Seeing that Gongsun Yu did not respond, she said again, "Consider it a thank you gift for teaching me to read."

“…Okay.” Gongsun Yu agreed.

He must have accumulated good karma in his past life to have met such a kind and generous woman. He had prevented her from marrying the man she loved, yet she not only didn't blame him but was also so good to him... He felt an indescribable surge of emotion and only wanted to repay her a hundredfold!

Chu Qingluo happily paid the bill from the shopkeeper, who then helped them put the jade crown into a brocade box.

"Thank you." After accepting her gift, Gongsun Yu said, "Qingluo, I'll take you somewhere." Before Chu Qingluo could react, he took her hand and walked out.

"Where are we going?" she asked, a strange sense of anticipation creeping in.

His fingers were clenched tightly, and he didn't turn around. His voice drifted from his shoulder: "Miaoyinfang".