Chapter 70: As Desired (First Update)

 Chapter 70: As Desired (First Update)

Shen Shi interrupted Gu Nanzhao, who was about to speak, “The prince has always been considerate, so I am naturally at ease.” She didn’t give him a chance to reply and turned to remind the other young men and women from the Chu family, “All of you, be mindful not to cause any trouble for the prince!”

Everyone immediately agreed, eager to get some fresh air after being cooped up in the estate for most of the day.

The Second Prince’s rare visit to the estate also gave Liu Shi the opportunity to create chances for her daughter. Naturally, she didn’t want Chu Qianchen to follow along. Smiling, she urged everyone to leave quickly, mentioning that it would soon get dark.

Gu Nanzhao glanced at Chu Qianchen once more, remembering their conversation in the pavilion earlier that day.

There were still many things he wanted to say to her. He longed to express his feelings more clearly, even wishing he could show her his heart...

Sigh...

He told himself that Chu Qianchen was still young and probably didn’t understand the constraints he, as a prince, faced. He would talk to her about it slowly in the future. After all, they still had time.

Gu Nanzhao didn’t speak further, and together with the group, he left the Marquis estate. Once they left, the estate became much quieter.

It was already past the middle of the afternoon, with the sun slanting westward. The light cast a soft golden hue on the eaves and the flowers and leaves on the branches.

In the warm spring of April, the weather grew even warmer, and the breeze carried a hint of warmth.

After sending off the guests, Shen Shi took Chu Qianchen back to the main courtyard. However, as soon as they entered the yard, their maid, Dong Mei, hurried over to report, “Madam, the Lord has just arrived!”

Shen Shi raised an eyebrow, immediately guessing the reason for Chu Lingxiao’s visit.

Instead of asking him directly, she inquired about Chu Yunmu. “Where is Mu Ge’er?”

Dong Mei, being Shen Shi’s trusted maid, knew exactly what she meant and replied, “The Fourth Young Master went to his own room.”

Ever since Chu Yunmu had removed the splints, he had insisted on moving back to his own room, saying he was already five years old. Shen Shi saw that his right leg had almost fully healed, so she had allowed it.

Shen Shi had brought Chu Qianchen back specifically because she had sensed her daughter was in low spirits and didn’t want her to be alone. She, of course, didn’t want Chu Qianchen to go to Chu Lingxiao’s room and endure his frustration. Gently, she said, “Chen’er, go find your Fourth Brother and play for a while.”

She gave Chu Qianchen a reassuring look, silently telling her not to worry.

Chu Qianchen smiled brightly, and with her maid, Hu Po, she went to find Chu Yunmu.

Shen Shi then entered the East Wing through the main hall.

Chu Lingxiao stood with his hands behind his back, facing the window. As soon as he heard movement, he turned and sharply looked at Shen Shi.

With the sunlight behind him, his face was partly in shadow, giving his sharp gaze an even colder edge.

His first words were accusatory: “Do you know about the fire at Qinghui Courtyard?”

As Shen Shi had expected, Chu Lingxiao had come because of Concubine Jiang.

“I know,” Shen Shi answered calmly as she sat on the Rohan couch, maintaining an elegant and composed posture.

Chu Lingxiao was seething with a thousand thoughts. He wanted to say that since Shen Shi knew about it, why hadn’t she sent someone to check on Qinghui Courtyard...

But he swallowed his words. Thinking of how Concubine Jiang had burned her foot so badly, Chu Lingxiao felt both pain and reluctance. With patience, he spoke to Shen Shi: “Ah Zhi, earlier at Qinghui Courtyard, not only did Shan’er get frightened, but she also got hurt. As for her being confined… let’s forget about it.”

Previously, Shen Shi had punished Concubine Jiang by confining her to her room and making her kneel for an hour every day because of the issue with Cui mama. Chu Lingxiao had already been dissatisfied.

Now that Concubine Jiang had suffered so much, Chu Lingxiao couldn’t help but feel sympathy for his beloved concubine.

Shen Shi chuckled. She had been looking for an opportunity to argue with Chu Lingxiao.

Without hesitation, she refused, “No.”

Those two words seemed to ignite a spark in Chu Lingxiao. His pent-up anger finally erupted. “Shen Zhi, don’t get too arrogant. Do you really think our Marquis family can’t function without you?”

“You’re overestimating your Shen family!”

“…”

Chu Lingxiao’s hysterical voice was clearly heard outside, causing the servants in the courtyard to go silent.

The sound reached Chu Qianchen and Chu Yunmu’s ears.

Chu Qianchen: “…”

She stood up and quietly closed the door, shutting out the commotion.

And so, the world grew peaceful again.

Chu Yunmu looked at the closed door, then hesitated and asked, “Second Sister, are Father and Mother arguing?”

He tilted his head and looked at Chu Qianchen, his dark eyes dimming slightly.

Though only five years old, he could sense that something had been off between his parents lately.

Chu Qianchen only smiled, her gaze drifting to a picture of a colt on the table. The image depicted a spirited white horse, and the colt happily wagged its tail.

Chu Qianchen didn’t answer directly. Instead, she asked, “Mu Ge’er, what would you do if someone wanted to take your Little Yun?”

Little Yun was Chu Yunmu’s prized horse, only eight months old, a gift from his grand uncle on the Shen side. Before Chu Yunmu got injured, he had visited his colt every day.

“No way!” Chu Yunmu replied without hesitation.

Little Yun was his. He wouldn’t let anyone take it from him.

However...

"If Chu Qianchen wanted it, I could consider lending it to her occasionally!"

Chu Yunmu was just about to show his generosity, but Chu Qianchen interrupted, “What if that person comes every day, asking for Little Yun? What if he doesn’t get it and secretly bribes a servant to steal it away?”

Although Chu Qianchen’s words were hypothetical, Chu Yunmu immediately felt possessive. He puffed up, clearly upset: “Then I’ll definitely chase him out, and he’ll never dare come to my house again!”

"Exactly," Chu Qianchen smiled playfully, ruffling his hair, “So, Mother isn’t really arguing with Father.”

She gave him a mischievous wink.

Chu Yunmu, being a clever child, quickly understood.

So, Father came to ask Mother for something she liked, but since Mother didn’t want to give it, she pretended to argue with Father to make him too embarrassed to ask again?

Ah, now he understood! Chu Yunmu was reassured.

He jumped down from his chair, skillfully leaning on his cane as he walked over to Chu Qianchen, proudly patting his chest: “Chu Qianchen, when my leg is fully healed, I’ll take you to ride horses. You’ve never ridden a horse, right?”

“I can teach you to ride.”

Chu Yunmu was getting more and more excited as he spoke. He wanted to show his Second Sister his gallant riding skills. After all, she always patted his head—what if that made him stop growing?

He was going to be a great general one day!

The more he talked, the prouder he became.

Chu Qianchen had mentioned that his leg was healing well, which meant it wouldn’t be long before he could climb walls, play with the cat, and cause mischief again.

Seeing his adorable little figure, Chu Qianchen’s heart softened, “Okay, you teach me.”

At the admiring look in her eyes, Chu Yunmu felt quite pleased with himself. He suddenly felt tall and mighty.

He grinned, “You can ride my Little Yun first. Little Yun is only eight months old, so it’s not too tall or scary.”

“Uncle Shen said it’s perfect for beginners.”

“Oh, and Little Yun loves sweets! If you give it a candy next time, it’ll let you touch it.”

Chu Yunmu couldn’t stop talking about his horse.

When Shen Shi entered, she saw the siblings chatting happily. She smiled warmly, her expression softening as she asked, “What are you two talking about?”

Seeing her mother’s joyful smile, Chu Yunmu was reassured. His Second Sister was right!

He had nothing to worry about now. He grinned and proudly said, “Mother, I told Second Sister that when my leg is better, I’ll teach her to ride horses!”

The five-year-old boy raised his chin slightly, his phoenix eyes filled with pride and a hint of boasting, as if saying, “Come on, praise me! Praise me!”

Shen Shi did as he wished, ruffling his soft hair and praising, “Our Mu Ge’er is really impressive!”

“Since you promised, you’ll have to teach your Second Sister well!”

Chu Yunmu, speaking in a grown-up tone, replied, “Of course! I’m a man, and my word is my bond!”

Shen Shi exchanged a knowing glance with Chu Qianchen, both of them smiling at the adorable boy.

Their laughter filled the room, and outside, a few sparrows fluttered their wings and soared into the sky. Willow branches swayed gently in the breeze, creating a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

At this moment, Chu Qianchen had already cast aside any lingering frustration. Her smile was radiant, like a blooming spring flower.

She smiled warmly at Chu Yunmu and patted the beauty couch, saying three simple words: “Let’s begin.”

Those three words made Chu Yunmu’s face fall. He quickly tried to negotiate, “Second Sister, can we skip today?”

For the past few days, Chu Qianchen had been accompanying him for an hour of physical therapy, helping him with leg rehabilitation. These exercises were repetitive and dull, and if not for Chu Qianchen’s presence, Chu Yunmu would have skipped out many times.

Shen Shi and Chu Qianchen exchanged a knowing look, silently agreeing: “No!”

Chu Yunmu pouted, feeling for the first time that he wasn’t the most favored Mu Ge’er.

Shen Shi ruffled his hair again, coaxing, “Be a good boy and listen to your Second Sister. I’ll give you a reward.”

With this reassurance, Chu Yunmu lay obediently on the beauty couch. Under Chu Qianchen’s guidance, he started moving his toes...

The next hour seemed even longer than usual for Chu Yunmu. By the time the sand in the hourglass had run out, he almost couldn’t wait to sit up from the beauty couch.

“An hour’s up!” Chu Yunmu snuggled up to Shen Shi, “Mother, what’s my reward?”

But it wasn’t Shen Shi who responded:

“Mu Ge’er, how about the sesame almond crisp from Jin Shi Ji?”

Chu Qianhuang entered holding a box of snacks, her eyes scanning over the three people in the room who were laughing and talking. Behind her, her maid, Bao Qin, also carried a red lacquered carved wooden box.

"Yes!" Chu Yunmu nodded without hesitation, his voice loud and clear.

Chu Yunmu loved sweets the most. Usually, Shen Shi was strict with him, fearing he might spoil his teeth, so he could only occasionally get candy from his grandmother and a few older brothers and sisters.

Chu Qianhuang handed the box of crisp sweets to Chu Yunmu, then, following his gaze, looked at Chu Qianchen and smiled, “Second Sister, when I was out shopping, I bought some handkerchiefs, silk flowers, and such. Would you like to choose a few?”

She gestured, and Bao Qin promptly presented the box she was holding to Chu Qianchen. Inside were various silk flowers, handkerchiefs, purses, and other small embroidered items. Chu Qianhuang’s taste was undoubtedly exquisite, with each item she selected being as distinct and beautiful as spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums.

Chu Qianhuang sat down next to Shen Shi and casually said, “Mother, I came back early with Fourth and Fifth Sisters. Third Sister wanted to visit Jishi Hall”

“I heard that the renowned physician there not only healed Seventh Sister’s face, but also miraculously treated many others, with the ability to ‘revive the dead and restore bones.’ Mother, is this physician really that amazing?”

As she spoke, her eyes subtly shifted towards Chu Qianchen.

Chu Qianchen, who had been admiring a blue lotus-colored silk flower from the box, also glanced at Shen Shi.

It wasn’t just her—Chu Yunmu also blinked his phoenix eyes, looking over.

Shen Shi took a sip of tea and responded calmly, “I don’t know about that. Hearing is one thing, seeing is believing. If you want to know, you could ask your aunt.”

This matter was a secret to Chu Qianchen, so Shen Shi hadn’t even told her own daughter.

“You’re right, Mother. I’ll visit the Marquis’s Mansion another day and ask Seventh Sister,” Chu Qianhuang said with a slight tilt of her face. Suddenly, she turned to Chu Qianchen and asked, “Second Sister, since you know medicine, what do you think?”

“Next time I go out, I’ll visit Jishi Hall Maybe I’ll get lucky and run into him,” Chu Qianchen replied, picking up a delicate little purse from the box. She toyed with it for a moment, thinking about the set of gold needles she had ordered, which would soon be ready. This purse would be perfect to hold the needle case.

She smiled with satisfaction, placed the purse and silk flower aside, and thanked Chu Qianhuang.

Chu Yunmu, intrigued by the mention of Jishi Hall, asked curiously, “Eldest Sister, has the physician at Jishi Hall really saved many people? Is this physician more amazing than Chu... than Second Sister?”

Chu Qianhuang glanced at Chu Qianchen again, her lips slightly parting to speak, but she was interrupted by a breathless voice from outside the door: “Is the madam here?”

Soon, Chen Mama entered, bringing with her a woman in a green robe. The green-robed woman, covered in sweat, reported, “Madam, Third Miss just destroyed Jishi Hall!”

(End of Chapter)