Yunxi looked puzzled. “Grandmother, weren’t we supposed to go shopping in town tomorrow?”
A flicker of impatience flashed through Madam Su’s eyes.
“Third Sister, Aunt said she’s not feeling well, so tomorrow’s trip is off,” Yunmeng cut in.
A look of surprise crossed Yunxi’s face.
“Aunt is unwell? What happened?”
Madam Su nodded. “Yes. Go on your grandmother’s behalf and check on your aunt.”
“If she’s truly ill, send for a doctor.”
Yunxi didn’t catch the hidden meaning in Madam Su’s words. She bowed politely and turned to Yunmeng.
“Seventh Sister, will you come with me?”
Yunmeng pouted. “No! I’m staying with Grandmother!”
Yunxi nodded and walked out.
Yunmeng leaned against Madam Su’s side. “Grandmother, if Aunt really won’t take us out, are we just going to stay cooped up in the mansion?”
“We’ve only just arrived in the capital—it would be such a waste not to explore!”
“I heard the servants say that to welcome the Emperor’s birthday, many shops are displaying their best goods and holding special events.”
“Grandmother, can’t we just go see for ourselves?”
Yunmeng tugged at Madam Su, coaxing her.
“Wait until your third sister returns, and we’ll see,” Madam Su replied, uncertain herself.
The capital was vast, and its noble families were even more numerous.
They were but ordinary commoners; if they offended some powerful figure, they might lose their very lives.
But with the name of the Prince of Pingyang’s household backing them, things would be different.
If Su Xian gave her consent, all would be well.
If not, she would still find a way out.
She had matters to attend to, after all.
She couldn’t let the small world of the Prince of Pingyang’s estate confine her.
Su Xian was embroidering when Bai He announced Yunxi’s arrival. She sighed.
She knew her mother wouldn’t let things rest so easily.
“Let her in,” Su Xian said, then lowered her head to continue her stitching.
“Aunt,” Yunxi said as she entered, offering a bow.
Su Xian looked up, forcing a pleasant smile.
“Yunxi, you’re here? Come, sit.”
Yunxi walked over and sat down beside Su Xian.
Su Xian continued her embroidery in silence, leaving Yunxi feeling awkward.
Yunxi looked down at the embroidery in Su Xian’s hands. “Aunt, is this a dress for Cousin?”
Su Xian nodded. “Yes. Duoduo is growing quickly; the clothes I made before are a bit short.”
Yunxi reached out. “Aunt, why don’t I help you embroider for a while?”
Su Xian lifted her head to look at Yunxi.
Yunxi looked a little embarrassed.
“Aunt, don’t worry. My mother taught me embroidery herself. I won’t spoil Cousin’s dress.”
Su Xian smiled and handed the embroidery to Yunxi.
“I just don’t want you to tire yourself out. Embroidery strains the eyes, and you’re still young—don’t do too much of it.”
Yunxi took the fabric, studied it for a moment, and then continued stitching along Su Xian’s pattern.
“Aunt, you sound just like my mother,” Yunxi said with a light laugh.
Seeing that Yunxi’s hands were steady and her skills indeed good, Su Xian relaxed.
“Yunxi, do you know why your grandmother traveled all this way with you and Yunmeng to the capital?”
Yunxi stopped sewing, her face filled with confusion.
“Aunt, why do you ask?”
Su Xian picked up a thread, splitting it carefully.
“Yunxi, think about it. If your grandmother simply wanted to marry you into a prominent family, she could have had your mother send you here directly.”
“Did you know that before we set out, Yunmeng came by to see me?”
Yunxi’s face flushed with shame.
“I know. The prince’s guards carried Yunmeng into the mansion and dropped her directly in front of Grandfather.”
Su Xian was quite surprised, but then quickly let it go.
That was Xiao Yi’s style.
“Grandmother explained to Grandfather that Yunmeng was being playful and wanted to follow you to the capital to see the world.”
“She also said that you...”
Yunxi stopped abruptly and bit her lip.
Su Xian smiled. Yunxi was a good child.
Her mother had likely ended up blaming everything on her.
“And then?” Su Xian patted the back of Yunxi’s hand.
“How did your grandmother persuade your mother to let you come with her?”
Yunxi lowered her head. “I came with Grandmother of my own free will.”
Surprise flickered across Su Xian’s face, but then she understood.
No matter how mature Yunxi was, she was still only a teenager.
The capital was a place everyone envied. Who wouldn’t want to come?
Yunxi looked up and saw the expression on Su Xian’s face.
She took Su Xian’s hand.
“Aunt, please don’t misunderstand. I didn’t come because I’m greedy for power or wealth.”
“I just didn’t want my mother to be caught in the trap of filial piety and create a rift with my father.”
“No matter what, Grandmother is still Father’s mother.”
“I understand that my mother means well for me.”
“But I don’t want her to be scolded by Grandmother and Grandfather just for being good to me.”
“Besides, by coming here, I can also keep an eye on Grandmother and Yunmeng, so they don’t do anything out of line.”
“What my mother said, I understand. You’re not in an easy position either, Aunt. We shouldn’t add to your troubles.”
“I just wanted to help my mother, and I also wanted to help Aunt...”
Yunxi’s voice grew softer.
Su Xian looked at Yunxi with eyes full of affection.
She raised her hand and stroked Yunxi’s head.
“Good child. Have you told your mother any of this?”
Yunxi kept her head down and shook it.
Because when she agreed to Grandmother’s proposal, her mother slapped her and didn’t speak to her for two full days.
It wasn’t until just before she left that her mother called her over and told her she must not cause any trouble for Aunt.
There were a lot of people around at the time, and Yunxi never had the chance to explain herself to her mother.
Su Xian gently patted the back of Yunxi’s hand again.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
Yunxi raised her head and gave Su Xian a delicate smile.
“Aunt, actually, on this trip, I got to see scenery I’d never seen before.”
“And I experienced things I’d never encountered. I think I’ve gained a lot.”
Su Xian nodded in agreement.
“As the ancients said, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. That’s exactly the truth.”
Yunxi nodded vigorously.
“After I go back, I plan to ask Father to let all my older brothers go out and travel like this.”
“Staying cooped up at home doing scholarship isn’t the right approach.”
“If you want to have a mind full of wisdom, you need to see more of the world’s scenery and experience the hardships of life.”
Admiration shone in Su Xian’s eyes.
“To speak such words, it seems you really have gained a lot.”
Yunxi shyly lowered her head and continued embroidering.
Su Xian had always been fond of her sister-in-law’s two children.
The fact that the children were both sensible and filial was something she had always envied about her sister-in-law.
“You didn’t really want to come yourself, did you?”
“Your grandmother forced you to come and act as her messenger?”
Once Su Xian figured it out, she asked directly.
Yunxi nodded.
“Grandmother heard that you weren’t feeling well and asked me to come in her place to check on you.”
She also said that if you're feeling unwell, it would be best to have the physician come to the residence for an examination.
