Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

As night fell, after dinner and cleaning up, another family meeting was held in the dining room.

"Miss, are you really going to the Northern Region?"

"It's really far away."

"And I've heard that the Northern Regions are poor and cold, Miss?"

Everyone tried to stop them.

Nan Rao raised a key issue: "Even if we purchase those items, how to transport them is crucial."

"Don't worry, I've thought it all through," Yun Chu said confidently, outlining her plan. "The merchants from the Northern Region are going to buy tea, silk fabrics, and porcelain handicrafts this time. Delivering to individual merchants isn't cost-effective, but if we group them together, it'll be a different story. I've calculated the quantity they need—enough for about three large horse-drawn carts. Then I'll hire a team of bodyguards to escort them. Perhaps because no one else is doing this business, they're very generous with the travel expenses. And if this deal goes well, we can negotiate a long-term partnership with them. Also, we can bring back some items from the Northern Region and sell them in Shili Pu; business will be booming." Yun Chu's eyes gleamed as she spoke.

“But Miss…” Zhu Ling said anxiously.

"No buts. We're going to be the first to try something new. I've already made arrangements with them. Tomorrow we'll go to the county government to sign the contract and get the documents in place. The goods will be ready in half a month, and we'll set off after that. That way, we can bring back the furs and cashmere from the Northern Region before winter to sell!" Yun Chu became more and more excited as she spoke, her eyes full of anticipation and hope for the future.

The other four looked confused, fearful, and uneasy about the unknown.

The next day, Yun Chu was looking at the documents she had just signed, as well as the deposit and delivery fee sent by the Northern Merchant. She was thinking about how to arrange the time to purchase and load the goods, and when to go to the escort agency to hire bodyguards. She was making detailed plans in her mind.

"Are you going to the Northern Region?" Luo Yan, who had just finished his official duties and hadn't even had time to change out of his official robes, stepped into Qingfeng Courtyard, covered in sweat.

Today, an official from below sent him the merchant's contract for review, and he rushed over as soon as he saw Yun Chu's name.

Yun Chu nodded innocently.

"Do you know how far the Northern Region is? It takes more than three months to travel there and back."

Yun Chu continued to nod.

"The Northern Region is so far away. What if there's danger or something happens along the way?" Yun Chu's calm expression made Luo Yan anxious.

"It's alright, it's not that serious." Yun Chu waved her hand, poured a glass of water and handed it to her. "I've already made plans."

"Can we not go?" he asked. "Or should we send someone else?"

“No,” Yun Chu said decisively. “This is the first time, and I must lead the team myself.”

Luo Yan thought for a moment, "Wait for me a few more days. After I finish working on these merchant regulations, I will ask the Emperor for leave and go with you."

Yun Chu looked at Luo Yan and said sternly, "No, you can't abandon your job because of me. I can't bear that kind of guilt." Then, realizing her tone, she softened, "I really have everything planned out. Don't believe me? I'll show you later."

Luo Yan sighed helplessly, "Alright, tell me if you need anything."

And so, Yun Chu's Northern Region plan was put on the agenda. These days, everyone in Qingfeng Courtyard was busy purchasing goods, counting quantities, and packing boxes. Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner, and the once spacious courtyard was now crammed with goods.

Luo Yan would often come to check on the preparations and add things as needed. Each time he looked at Yun Chu as if he wanted to say something but hesitated, Yun Chu would always change the subject.

For this trip to the Northern Region, Yun Chu only planned to bring Xu Li and six other hired bodyguards. Nan Rao, Zhu Ling, and Ping An all refused and wanted to go along.

“There are still shops at home, and someone needs to look after Shili Pu. Business still needs to be done. Only when you are here can I come back.”

Perhaps Nanrao understood her mistress's unspoken meaning, for she stopped making a fuss and turned to go into the inner room. She wanted to help her mistress prepare more things, just in case.

It's early summer now, and after dinner, everyone is enjoying the cool air in the courtyard.

A gentle breeze, carrying the lingering warmth of the day and the coolness of the early night, softly rustled the leaves of the trees in the yard. The chirping of crickets grew louder, announcing the arrival of summer.

"Miss, tomorrow is your birthday. Do you have any wishes?" Zhu Ling asked.

"My birthday wish when I was little was for my mom to make me poached egg noodles and for my brother to buy me the biggest malt candy at the entrance of the village," Ping An said, eliciting a burst of laughter.

"My wish is that we can all be safe and sound," Yun Chu said. "Tomorrow we'll celebrate our birthdays together and eat noodles with poached eggs."

"Great!" Ping An clapped happily.

Birthday? Yun Chu thought, no one remembered her fifteenth birthday, her coming-of-age ceremony, and she had forgotten it too.

On her sixteenth birthday, her father, Minister Ye, sent her a new set of clothes, but they were in a color she didn't like.

On my seventeenth birthday, I confessed my feelings and was rejected, which is quite funny in retrospect.

Let's just have a simple birthday this year.

The next morning, Yun Chu opened the door and found everyone standing at the study door. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Nan Rao pointed to the desk in the study. There was now a wooden box there.

Yun Chu approached, opened it with a puzzled look, and inside was an exquisite handmade item. She picked it up and looked at it.

"What is this?" Yun Chu asked.

"I think it might be a birthday gift sent by the prince. I just went to the kitchen to get some steamed buns and found that one basket is missing again," Ping An muttered to himself.

"Let's return it," Yun Chu said, putting the item down.

No one dared to speak.

“Miss, that looks like a hidden blade. Why don’t you keep it? You can take it with you on your trip to the Northern Region for self-defense,” Xu Li explained.

"Miss, please stay," the others echoed.

Yun Chu looked at the hidden dart in the box. It was small and, as a concealed weapon, usually hidden in her sleeve, making it difficult to detect. When used suddenly, it was even more unpredictable. Her existing dagger was suitable for close combat, but it was a disadvantage in ranged attacks. This hidden dart truly made up for this deficiency. Never mind, survival was paramount. At worst, she could return it to him when she got back.

That night, Nan Rao prepared a lavish feast. Just as everyone was about to dig in, there was a knock at the door.

Xu Li hurriedly got up to go and see.

Yun Chu suddenly felt uneasy. Could it be? She nervously clutched the hem of her clothes.

Luo Yan stepped in from outside the door. A hint of disappointment flashed in Yun Chu's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

"Luckily I made it in time," Luo Yan said. "Happy birthday!"

"How did you know?" Yun Chu asked, puzzled.

"I didn't prepare a gift for your birthday last year. If I don't give one this year either, then I'll really be being inconsiderate." Luo Yan smiled and handed over a square box.

Yun Chu opened it and saw a pair of lucky cats. "Happy birthday, Boss Yun Chu, may your wealth flow in!" Luo Yan said in his congratulatory message.

"I like this gift." Yun Chu nodded in satisfaction.

"Here's another one for you, I just finished it." Luo Yan handed over a stack of booklets. "These are the travel permits for each official post station you'll pass through on your way to the Northern Region. I've already stamped them. If you need anything, just go to them, and they'll definitely help you."

"Thank you." Yun Chu nodded gratefully.