My elder sister forced me to become a concubine; I was reborn and remarried into the emperor's

Wei Nanxun counted the silver she had recently saved in the box, her mood as bright as the weather outside.

Just yesterday, Manager Qiu from the restaurant also came to give her a bonus, a full two ingots of silver. Sure enough, big restaurants are different. Selling this crispy mountain there and getting a commission is just the best thing ever.

Just now, Manager He also brought a ready-made garment, which was made according to the pattern she drew and her measurements.

However, it wasn't an autumn outfit, but a summer jacket. She happily put it on and tried it on, and it indeed made her look slender and elegant.

I heard that these clothes were reserved by several families as soon as they were put on the shelves. If nothing unexpected happens, they will definitely make a lot of money when they are fully sold.

Like a little miser, she held the box and counted the items with increasing delight. At this rate, she might be able to save up ten gold coins next year.

Everything was progressing as she had expected. Now, her only worry was whether her father would accept her plan.

Although she is away from home now, it is only temporary. She still longs to be with her family to make up for the many regrets of her past life.

According to her past life, the last time she saw her father was before she got married.

Her father was stuffing her dowry chests as if he were emptying the family's savings.

She then asked her father, "If you give me all these house and land deeds, what will happen to my younger brother when he gets married?"

The father, however, said nonchalantly, "Silly child, you're going to the palace alone, and you'll need money for many things. They say even a seventh-rank official can't get past the prime minister's gate. You'll have to make sure the eunuchs and palace maids in front of those nobles are taken care of, lest they cause you trouble sometime."

“The money is gone, but I can earn it back. Don’t worry about your brother in this matter; you have to come first.”

“Sending you to the palace is a gamble for the wealth and status of our Wei family, but it also means risking your life. If it weren’t for the fact that the Crown Prince truly cares for you, even if the old lady had tried to persuade you, I would never have agreed to send you to the palace.”

"I don't ask you for any honors or favors. Just remember to stay safe and sound after you go in. Don't worry about anything else. Your brother and I are doing well outside."

Wei Nanxun still feels like crying whenever she thinks about it.

Especially before she died, she heard that the Wei family had not done as promised to take care of her younger brother, but instead had mistreated her father and brother.

In this life, unless she had no other choice, she would not want to be separated from her family.

Now that everything is about to settle down, she is determined to contact her family and try to find a way to bring her younger brother out as well. Since their father is rarely home anyway, they can go and stay with him.

By then, with the emperor far away, Pei Yuyan would have no chance of chasing after them.

Besides, she didn't believe his obsession could be that deep.

As someone who will one day become emperor, he may feel resentful at the moment, but as time goes by, he will soon let go of it all.

Just as Wei Nanxun was thinking this, she saw Ji Shouzhou holding something outside the window. Their eyes met, and she was slightly taken aback before revealing a faint smile.

She smiled, her eyes crinkling. She remembered that in her past life, her father had rushed back from afar because she was getting married. This year, she wasn't getting married, but following last year's pattern, he should have returned around the winter solstice.

Her father wasn't the type to marry her off to a powerful family for personal gain. She was confident that with Ji Shouzhuo's looks, character, and talent, she could persuade her father to accept the marriage proposal.

Just as I was thinking this, I saw Zhixia run in with light steps.

"Sister, look."

"what is this?"

"Didn't you ask me to find a way to contact the owner of the pastry shop so I could pass a message to Uncle Qiu? It's done!"

Wei Nanxun's eyes lit up immediately.

She had thought before that relying solely on teahouses to inquire about news in the capital would be very limited and one-sided. If she wanted to know about the Wei family and the Crown Prince, she would have to contact Uncle Qiu.

But going directly to Uncle Qiu would likely lead to being discovered, which is why they thought of starting with the owner of Xia's Pastry Shop.

Since last month, she had been subtly sending out several letters, and finally there was good news.

"Bring it here quickly."

She was eagerly awaiting news of her younger brother and father.

When the letter arrived, she quickly tore it open, only to find a thin sheet of paper slipping out. She immediately sensed something was wrong and frowned as she unfolded it.

Two large characters were written on the paper in a vigorous, flowing style.

"Wait for me."

Wei Nanxun's smile froze on her face, her mind went blank, and the paper in her hand suddenly slipped to the ground.

Pei Yuyan, it's him, he still won't let her go.

It was as if all her fantasies and expectations for the future had become a joke in that instant.

How did he discover that the pastry shop was related to her, or was it that he had been keeping an eye on Uncle Qiu and never gave up searching for her?

Her blood seemed to freeze instantly, her eyes involuntarily misted over, and she couldn't think of anything for a moment.

"Sister, what's wrong, sister? Don't scare me."

Wei Nanxun numbly crumpled the paper in his hand into a ball and muttered, "Let's go, Zhixia, let's leave now, let's pack our things and leave immediately."

Zhixia didn't see the contents of the paper clearly, but seeing her strange expression, she realized that the situation was bad.

She nodded blankly and gently comforted her, "Sister, don't panic, everything will be alright. I'll go pack my things now, there's still time, there's definitely still time."

Wei Nanxun stood there, stunned. Pei Yuyan could find her once, and he could find her a thousand times over. Where could she possibly go?

Ji Shouzhou, who was outside, seemed to have noticed that something was wrong with Wei Nanxun and her sister, and soon came to the door.

A light knock on the door: "A-Yue?"

His voice jolted her from her terror, and she realized how deep her fear of Pei Yuyan was. She was even intimidated by his words, without even seeing him in person.

This forced her to face reality: Pei Yuyan already knew she was here, and he could come after her at any time.

How should she explain this to Ji Shouzhuo?

The two had just confessed their feelings for each other not long ago. How could she tell him that the Crown Prince had taken a liking to her and wanted to force her to become his concubine? Putting aside the fact that he might be afraid in the face of the Crown Prince's power, she was worried about his safety.

Since she had previously concealed her identity and fled here, she wasn't sure how he would view her.

Will he leave with her?

He still has to participate in the autumn imperial examination. He has a clean background and may become an official in the future. Is he willing to accompany her on her escape and live a life of wandering?

What should she do.

The knocking continued: "Ah Yue, I'm coming in."

As the sound faded, the door was pushed open from the outside. Zhixia looked back and forth between the two of them, and finally, wisely, withdrew.

They were left to their own devices.

Ji Shouzhou immediately noticed that her expression was off, frowned, stepped forward, and firmly grasped her hand.

Although the weather has been getting cooler recently, it is still very hot during the day, but her hands felt icy cold to the touch.

What could have scared her like that?

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Under Ji Shouzhou's reassurance, Wei Nanxun gradually regained his senses. He remained as tall and reliable as ever, with a firm and steady gaze.

But the other party wasn't a young master like Wen Zhuxi; it was Pei Yuyan, the high and mighty Crown Prince. Even he wouldn't be enough.

But she was unwilling to separate from Ji Shouzhou like this.

"What happened? Tell me."

Looking into his eyes, Wei Nanxun, for some unknown reason, blurted out, "Ji Shouzhou, let's elope."