Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

At night, Gu Ruoxiao came uninvited and stepped into the study on her own.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Let's settle the accounts," Yun Chu said without looking up. "We need to pay the people in Shili Pu their monthly wages."

"Did you return the jade bracelet today?"

"Yeah. What's wrong?"

Gu Ruoxiao lowered her head to look at the account book and remained silent.

“I didn’t say anything,” Mo Han suddenly blurted out.

Gu Ruoxiao looked up at Mo Han and laughed angrily, "I didn't say anything about you! Get out."

Mo Han remained motionless, looking at Yun Chu with a bewildered expression.

Yun Chu found it amusing. "It's alright, let's go out first. Nan Rao's new pastries should be ready. Why don't you invite Chi Wu Cheng Feng to go eat them together?"

Mo Han nodded and left.

"My subordinates are becoming more and more obedient to you," Gu Ruoxiao joked.

"What you gave me is mine, don't even think about taking it back," Yun Chu retorted.

Gu Ruoxiao smiled helplessly.

"You still haven't told me how you knew I went to return the jade bracelet?" Yun Chu asked, looking up.

"I can calculate it. Besides, didn't I tell you yesterday to go and pay it back today?"

"Oh right, I forgot." Yun Chu lowered her head and continued calculating.

Gu Ruoxiao, however, remembered what happened that afternoon.

In the afternoon, the Emperor summoned his senior officials to discuss important matters concerning the people's livelihood. After the meeting, Luo Yan stopped Gu Ruoxiao at the palace gate.

He asked bluntly, "Are you with Yun Chu?"

Gu Ruoxiao replied directly, "So what if it is?"

"Since it's her decision, I respect it. But I won't give up on caring for her. If I find out she's unhappy or not doing well, I will definitely take her away," Luo Yan solemnly warned.

"I will take good care of her and won't let you have that chance," Gu Ruoxiao said firmly.

Luo Yan gave him a deep look, then turned and left.

Gu Ruoxiao snapped out of his thoughts, looked at the person writing furiously at the desk, and said, "Yun Chu, let's get married."

Yun Chu suddenly looked up at the person opposite her desk. The person looked serious and solemn, with deep and affectionate eyes that held expectation.

Yun Chu was stunned.

"Let's get married," Gu Ruoxiao repeated firmly.

Yun Chu's heart pounded.

"Yun Chu, do you believe me?" Gu Ruoxiao asked.

"I believe!"

"Then let's get married." His tone was filled with unwavering sincerity and determination.

"Okay." Yun Chu decided to follow her heart.

As Yun Chu finished speaking, a warm current flowed into both of their hearts, and Gu Ruoxiao walked to Yun Chu's side and hugged her.

Two days later, Yun Chu was reading in her study when she heard a series of loud banging noises coming from the neighboring yard.

Zhu Ling muttered at the door of the study, "What are they doing next door! It's so noisy, I really want to go and yell at them."

“When Brother Chengfeng arrives later, have him go and take a look,” Ping An said.

Zhu Ling rolled her eyes at him and said nothing.

"Miss, Uncle Cheng is here," Xu Li called out from inside the courtyard.

Nan Rao hurriedly helped Yun Chu out to greet the guests.

"Uncle Cheng, what brings you here? Please come in and sit down," Yun Chu hurriedly greeted him.

"Greetings, Miss Yun Chu. This old servant is here on behalf of the Prince to present the betrothal gifts," said Uncle Cheng with a beaming smile.

Yun Chu was taken aback upon hearing this.

"A betrothal?!" Zhu Ling exclaimed from behind.

Mo Han, leaning against the door, twitched her lips. She had felt something was off next door that morning. She peeked over the wall and saw the familiar figures of the guards inside, carrying boxes of things.

"Please, young lady." Uncle Cheng hurriedly led the way.

"Come on, Miss, let's go take a look," Zhu Ling urged Yun Chu, pushing her along.

The group stepped into the neighboring courtyard and saw that it was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, with red silk hanging high, exuding a festive atmosphere. Eight mahogany chests were neatly arranged in the courtyard, with a servant standing in front of each chest.

"Open it," Chengbo commanded.

All eight mahogany chests were opened, revealing a variety of jewelry, antiques, jade artifacts, silks, fine teas, and more. Gold and silver jewels gleamed in the sunlight, along with dazzling pearl necklaces, exquisite jade pieces, and all sorts of rare antiques. Piles of silks and brocades stood in abundance, vibrant in color and exquisite in texture. There were also rare spices, precious medicinal herbs, and exotic treasures from afar, demonstrating immense wealth and the highest level of respect bestowed upon them.

Zhu Ling, Xu Li, and Ping An exclaimed in surprise and rushed forward to check.

"This is the Prince's betrothal gift list." Uncle Cheng handed over a booklet. "The Prince instructed that the young lady does not like to make a fuss, so today's batch of betrothal gifts does not include a decorated carriage or gongs and drums. Once all the gifts are gathered, there will be a great commotion."

"It's still too flamboyant."

Cheng Bo smiled but did not answer. Yun Chu thought, well, she should talk to Gu Ruoxiao again.

Yun Chu opened the betrothal gift list, which was densely covered with writing, reaching a length of ten feet. It was written on the finest Xuan paper, the ink flowing freely, the characters neat and powerful. On the list, every item of betrothal gift was meticulously listed, from gold and silver treasures to silk brocades, from rare medicinal herbs to precious spices, from exquisite porcelain to antiques and calligraphy and paintings, each item was detailed without exception.

Yun Chu was somewhat stunned.

"These are just the first batch of betrothal gifts; more will be sent later. The Prince thought that Qingfeng Courtyard wouldn't be big enough, so he bought this courtyard as well and included it in the gift list. We'll build a gate there later, so it will be convenient for you to visit each other in the future," Uncle Cheng explained, pointing to the corner of the wall where Bai was taking measurements with his men.

“These betrothal gifts are too much,” Yun Chu said.

Chengbo smiled with satisfaction. Since ancient times, how could a woman complain about having too much betrothal gifts? He had felt from the beginning that the prince's feelings for Yun Chu were special, and now the two had finally achieved their happy ending.

"The prince originally wanted to move the entire palace here! But Fengxing's words reminded him. Fengxing said, 'Since it will all be yours in the future anyway, why bother moving it around and giving you work to do?'" Uncle Cheng stroked his sparse beard and laughed.

That night, the master hurriedly summoned him, giving him only two days to prepare the betrothal gifts. Although he was in a rush, he was happy.

"But these things are so valuable, is it safe to leave them here?" Zhu Ling couldn't help but worry.

“If the Prince’s Mansion can’t protect these things, then we’re all doomed.” Sui Bo stepped in, followed by familiar guards. “We’ll be staying here for the next few days, and we’ll definitely ensure the safety of these betrothal gifts.”

"Miss Yun Chu, this old servant must go back to prepare the betrothal gifts, so I will take my leave now," Uncle Cheng said respectfully.

"Please wait a moment," Yun Chu said hurriedly, then called out to Nan Rao, "Nan Rao, get ready."

Nan Rao nodded, turned and went out the door, and came back in a moment later carrying a food box.

"These are some newly made snacks. Would you please try them and give us your feedback?" Yun Chu said with a smile.

"The mooncakes you asked the prince to bring me before were really good. I liked them, and my grandson liked them too. Then I'll respectfully accept this one." Uncle Cheng smiled kindly.

After Chengbo left, Suibo and his group surrounded him expectantly, calling out pitifully, "Miss Yun Chu..."

Seeing their intentions, Yun Chu laughed in exasperation, "Nan Rao, go ahead."

A cheer erupted from the crowd.