CHAPTER 520: CHAPTER 510: WITH HAPPINESS

On the day of departure, the carriages from Marquis Yangling Mansion indeed passed by the Nan Residence.

Just as the Nan Dowager was leaving the mansion, she saw a carriage stop in front of her.

Shen Hua, with her approachable demeanor, drew back the curtain. With a noble and cold glance, she made a surprising discovery.

The top of the Nan Dowager’s head, right in the center, was very bald!

The girl chuckled covertly, as if there had been no past conflicts with her at the hunting grounds years ago.

"Nan Dowager, are you heading out?"

"I am planning to stop by Yifeng Hall to check out the embroideries." The Nan Dowager was still unaware that it was owned by Cui Yun, let alone that the hard-to-obtain embroideries there were under Shen Hua’s name.

She gave Shen Hua a once-over.

A girl who relied solely on her looks, lacking talent and virtue, had become a Princess Consort, which was utterly absurd.

How could she compare to those noble ladies of great families adept in poetry and prose?

"Princess Consort may not know, but in this ancient art of a thousand years, Su Embroidery is the ultimate skill. The stitches convey affection, and Chun Family Embroidery, with its reputation that speaks for itself, has just delivered a new batch to Yifeng Hall. If you go there late, there might be none left."

With that, she implied: "What a pity the Princess Consort doesn’t appreciate it."

Otherwise, how could one possibly use! A finely made Su Embroidery handkerchief, to wipe one’s mouth!

That’s simply a cow chewing on a peony!

Shen Hua blinked repeatedly.

"Do you like Su Embroidery?"

"Of course."

The girl fiddled with the carriage window.

Shen Hua was curious: "In such sweltering heat, why hasn’t Old Madam Nan gone to the summer resort?"

Old Madam Nan took a deep breath.

"We didn’t buy one."

"It seems the Nan Family is quite frugal."

Realizing that she was being mocked, the Nan Dowager looked around and her gaze finally rested on Dowager Cui for a moment, asking with a smile.

"Older sister, it’s rare to see you out and about, what kind of wind has blown you over here?"

She always spoke differently depending on the company, being two-faced even despite constant conflicts and clashes with Dowager Cui.

Dowager Cui, recalling her earlier praise of the embroidery but disdain for Shen Hua, gave her a strange look.

"Going to stay at the villa for a few days."

"Truly, such to-and-fro is taxing. At your age, how can your body withstand it? Shuyu, you too, why didn’t you persuade her otherwise? Just letting her be so reckless?"

Cui Xuan frowned and was about to respond when she heard Shen Hua ask: "Why doesn’t the Dowager take a carriage or sedan chair when going out?"

The Nan Dowager was puzzled; she had already subtly insulted Shen Hua, but this naive woman seemed completely oblivious and still seemed to care for her.

"I find carriages too bumpy, and sedans too stuffy. Since Yifeng Hall isn’t far, I planned to walk a few steps. Consider it a post-dinner stroll."

Shen Hua, both enthusiastic and coquettishly pretentious, said: "If you’re afraid of the bumpy ride, you can lay a thick tiger skin mat in the carriage. And if you’re afraid of the heat, just prepare some ice blocks. As a person, one should not suffer. We ought to do whatever is comfortable."

Cui Rong declared loudly: "I know, I know, the Nan Family doesn’t have enough ice blocks, most are left for the grandson at the academy."

Shen Hua couldn’t help but praise: "It shows how much the Dowager cherishes the younger generation. As it happens, we’re passing by Yifeng Hall, would you like a lift on our way?"

No need for pretense!

The Nan Dowager forced a smile.

Shen Hua clapped her hands together: "How wonderful it is to be educated, with an elder like you, Young Master Nan is sure to achieve high marks."

Finally, something nice to say!

The Nan Dowager’s expression brightened slightly.

"No need to guess, he is certainly going to become the top scorer!"

Nan Dowager: ??

She also hoped for it, but it was wishful thinking.

To think that the top scorer in the imperial examinations was as common as cabbage sold on the roadside!

Seeing that many onlookers had already stopped to watch, she could only say with strained politeness.

"Not at all, the Princess Consort is joking. How could he possibly achieve that."

"You’re being too modest."

Shen Hua was dead serious.

"You are his legitimate grandmother and naturally want the best for the younger generation. Are you not letting Young Master Nan top the imperial examinations because you dislike him?"

————

As the carriage left Shengjing, the people inside were still laughing.

Qiao Si: "I’ve never seen Nan Tai Madam’s face turn so dark."

Dowager Cui, feeling refreshed and spirited, said: "Not only you, I’ve never seen it either."

Cui Rong sat next to Shen Hua, offering her strategies for the girl: "You mustn’t sell any embroidery from Yifeng Hall to her!"

"Why shouldn’t I sell?"

Shen Hua certainly wouldn’t turn away money offered.

"For the same piece of embroidery, others pay one hundred taels, but she pays three hundred taels. Isn’t that good?"

"Isn’t this fleecing them?"

Shen Hua declared confidently, "Did I put a knife to her neck and force her to buy? It was clearly a willing transaction."

As they chatted, the conversation inevitably turned to Wang Yingyu.

"Her engagement was broken off, but in the end, her reputation was damaged, and to this day, no suitors have come knocking."

Gossip is truly hateful, spewing nonsense that the girl from the Wang Family was felt up after falling into the water.

A glint flashed in Shen Hua’s eyes as she couldn’t help but think of Ji Huo.

After he met with Mr. Wang, he successfully made the Wang Family wary, and when Cheng Zheng came looking for Wang Yingyu, they didn’t let the girl meet him alone.

Mr. Wang began to inquire everywhere about Cheng Zheng’s life and past.

Latterly, Ji Huo appeared disheveled, still wearing the same scholar’s clothing, his eyes red like a rabbit’s, as if he had rushed about tirelessly for two days.

He came to visit Cui Yun.

A flustered old man in coarse clothing followed behind him.

—"Cheng Zheng is from Zhaoxi Village, and this elder is the Village Chief of Zhaoxi Village, as well as his uncle."

—"His fiancée came to seek refuge more than a decade ago. Cheng Zheng, being a scholar, was unwilling to be responsible and refrained from the ambition of shamefully relying on a woman. He kept this matter well concealed. There were very few in the whole village who knew, yet this elder was in the know. Since he holds the position of Village Chief, weighing his options, he wouldn’t dare to cover up."

Ji Huo then threw down a stack of evidence.

—"The old man had to think carefully about my words, but it would be better if you stepped forward. I know you have a good relationship with Mr. Wang, so help me out and run this errand."

When talking about this matter, Qiao Si said, "Speaking of which, it’s been a while since we’ve seen the Heir of Prince Gong."

Shen Hua shrugged her shoulders: "Ever since Lady Wang’s marriage was annulled, he has been quite subdued, causing no further trouble and has been diligently studying at the academy."

After arriving at the summer resort, Dowager Cui visibly perked up at an observable pace.

Cui Rong’s favorite pastime was now fishing for tiny fish no bigger than a finger in Qianxi. In just a few days, she turned noticeably tanner.

Everyone was doing well.

Shen Hua felt she was not.

Her appetite was poor, especially when waking up in the morning, she felt nauseous and would vomit.

The only person who came with her, Yingwu, analyzed the situation calmly.

"Madam’s loss of appetite must be due to the cook’s lack of skill. As for vomiting, it must be because you’ve eaten something too greasy these past few days."

Shen Hua thought it made sense.

"But my monthly cycle has been delayed for several days."

These past few years, it had always been very regular.

Yingwu thought of something and was suddenly filled with fright.

Shen Hua was even more frightened; she remembered a saying that Aunt Sun often mentioned.

—"Eat less ice, lest it impedes your ability to bear children."

The "Inner Canon of Huangdi" also has a saying.

—"At the age of fourteen, a girl reaches menopause... the menstrual flow occurs in its due course, hence conception... At forty-nine, the Ren channel is empty, and the Chong channel wanes, menopause ensues..."

But she has not yet conceived, still so young!

Shen Hua’s vision darkened.

What had she done wrong to... be exhausted?