Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

When Chengfeng heard the news, he was sitting on the steps of Qingfeng Courtyard eating edamame. "The edamame is a bit too salty today," he thought.

The news spread so quickly because Gu Ruoxiao had brought Feng Xing with her today, and Feng Xing and Nan Rao, who were on guard outside the door, probably overheard everything. However, Feng Xing only understood half of what he heard; he only caught the main point: his master and Miss Yun Chu had broken up. As for how they broke up, he knew nothing. He chattered on and on among the guards, and then came to report the shocking news to his brother Chengfeng.

Chengfeng kicked a pebble at Mo Han, who was leaning against the door, and asked, "So, what do you say? Are you going to go with Miss Yun Chu, or go back?"

Mo Han rolled her eyes at him and climbed up the banyan tree in the yard.

When Yun Chu returned to the courtyard, it was already dark. The six of them had dinner, and perhaps sensing that the atmosphere was not right, Ping An did not say much.

Afterwards, Yun Chu called Mo Han to the bedroom. She forced a smile and pushed some silver coins in front of Mo Han.

"Here's your wages for the past few days. Go back home, go back to where you got it from," Yun Chu said.

"Is Miss trying to send me away?" Mo Han asked.

"Mo Han, you don't belong to me, nor do you belong here. Go back, go back to the Dark Guard Camp, that's your home."

“But I already consider this place my home!” Mo Han replied.

Yun Chu turned her back and said coldly, "Go back, I'm tired and need to rest."

Mo Han stood outside all night. Although Yun Chu felt sorry for her, she didn't say anything. During the day, Mo Han followed behind Yun Chu, but Yun Chu hardened her heart and ignored her. Later, Mo Han disappeared.

It's better that she's gone, Yun Chu thought. If she were by her side, the same mistake might happen again, and she couldn't bear the guilt. It might be better to have less to do with her.

In the days that followed, Qingfeng Courtyard became quiet, and the guards seemed to have agreed not to appear again. However, strange things often happened in the kitchen. In the morning, a basket of steamed buns would go missing, in the afternoon a basket of boiled peanuts would disappear, and in the evening half a pot of red bean paste would be gone.

At first, everyone was surprised, but later they got used to it, and Nanrao even deliberately made more. Ping An said that the fact that the secret guards were able to come meant that their courtyard was still safe, otherwise the courtyard wouldn't even have anyone who could fight.

However, they dared not tell Yun Chu about these things.

On the morning Gu Ruoxiao was leaving the capital, she passed by the kitchen and heard someone muttering to themselves inside.

"Suibo, next time you should steal more of this red bean filling. Oh, no, I mean take more. I only ate half of it."

"Yes, yes, take more of those savory mugwort dumplings, they taste better savory."

"Next time, you can go by yourselves."

Cough cough, Chiwu coughed outside the door, and the room immediately fell silent, everyone pretending to be very busy.

As Gu Ruoxiao passed by the door, she stopped. "Next time you go, bring more money. If you don't have enough, you can get more from the accounting office."

After that, whenever something went missing from Qingfeng Courtyard, Nanrao would always receive some silver coins, and after counting them, he found he had made quite a bit of money.

Just as Gu Ruoxiao boarded the carriage to depart, Chiwu arrived in a hurry.

"Master, Miss Yun Chu has returned the medicine."

He frowned. "Medicine once every ten days?"

"Yes."

Gu Ruoxiao sighed. "Yun Chu, even if you don't appreciate it, you can't joke around with yourself. Do you really have to cut ties so cleanly?"

Seeing that his master remained silent, Chengfeng quickly offered a suggestion, "Master, why don't we let Old Wei go? Miss Yun Chu respects the elderly and cares for the young, she certainly won't kick Old Wei out."

After thinking for a moment, Gu Ruoxiao hurriedly ran towards her uncle's courtyard.

After explaining his purpose and request, Old Wei looked at him with suspicion, "Why don't you go yourself?"

"My nephew is going on a long trip, so I'll have to trouble you to make a trip every ten days."

Seeing his nephew suddenly so respectful, Old Wei stroked his beard, scrutinized him with his weathered eyes, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips, and asked with a hint of mockery, "Did you two have a fight?"

"Uncle, I have to go now, please take care of me." Gu Ruoxiao avoided answering and stood up.

Watching his departing figure, Old Wei frowned slightly, and began to make plans in his mind. He needed to find out more from his apprentice, Feng Xing.

The next day, Old Wei carried the medicine and went to the gate of Qingfeng Courtyard.

Xu Li saw that Elder Wei did not dare to stop him, after all, he was Yun Chu's savior, and hurriedly asked Ping An to inform the young lady.

Old Wei strode into the small courtyard, appearing relaxed and at ease. He looked around; the courtyard, though small, was quite tidy, with some flowers and plants growing along the walls, oh, and some common medicinal herbs. "Indeed, we are kindred spirits," Old Wei stroked his beard and smiled slightly.

When Yun Chu heard that Old Master Wei had come to visit, she hurriedly came out to greet him.

"I was unaware of Dr. Wei's presence; I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly." Yun Chu hurriedly apologized. She could prevent Gu Ruoxiao's people from entering, but she couldn't stop Old Master Wei.

"Stop with the nonsense, where's the tea?" Old Wei said, then sat down on the bamboo chair under the banyan tree.

Nanrao quickly brewed tea and brought it over, along with some pastries.

"I heard that even the Prince's guards don't dare to come to your courtyard?" Old Wei joked.

"Mr. Wei is too kind," Yun Chu said with an awkward but polite smile.

"Extend your hand, I need a follow-up appointment," Dr. Wei said, putting on airs.

In front of the divine doctor, Yun Chu naturally dared not be presumptuous and quickly extended her hand.

Old Wei took the pulse, concentrated for a moment, and then withdrew his hand.

He said slowly and deliberately, "Do you still want to live?"

"Huh?" Yun Chu's eyes widened in astonishment.

"If you want to live, keep taking your medicine," Old Wei said sternly, tossing the medicine packet to Yun Chu.

Yun Chu awkwardly accepted.

"From now on, have your servant Nanrao from your courtyard come and collect the medicine every ten days, and bring me some pastries along with him," Old Wei said calmly, rolling up his sleeves.

"Huh?" Yun Chu was stunned.

"What, do you want this old man to come here every day?"

"Junior dare not."

"Alright, got it. I'm off." Old Wei stood up and leisurely stepped out of Qingfeng Courtyard.

Yun Chu looked at the medicine in her hand, smiled bitterly, and sighed. Life was still the most important thing.

And so the days passed quietly, and before they knew it, it was time to open for business.

This is a big day. Everyone in Qingfeng Courtyard is all ready to go. Although they are nervous, their eyes are full of determination and anticipation.

The shop has a spacious storefront, with an exquisitely carved plaque hanging above the doorway. The three large characters "Shili Pu" are written in flowing calligraphy, gleaming in gold and attracting attention. In front of the shop, a pair of red silk flower balls sway gently in the breeze, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Luo Yan also came today, dressed in an elegant scholar's robe with a warm jade pendant at his waist. Although he wasn't wearing official robes, his status was evident; he was there to support Yun Chu. He presented a "Hundred Treasures" ornament, its exquisite craftsmanship and emerald green vegetable leaves symbolizing layers upon layers of wealth, while the gourd on the solid wood base signified abundant blessings and good fortune, wishing Shili Pu a prosperous future.

The neighborhood chief immediately paid him a visit. Things will probably be much easier in terms of social interactions from now on. At that moment, he was standing outside the shop with Yun Chu.