CHAPTER 234: CHAPTER 233: PEI YUNZHI’S LITTLE TRICKS

"Nickname?"

Yu Nianzhao looked puzzled, somewhat surprised.

"Yes, this child’s given name is Liu Yu, but he doesn’t have a nickname yet. Since it was Miss Yu who saved him and extended his life, I shamelessly ask Miss Yu to give him a nickname. I’ve heard that giving a child a nice and down-to-earth nickname makes them easier to raise."

Liu Tong looked full of expectation.

Under such gazes, Yu Nianzhao felt embarrassed to refuse. She racked her brain to think of something and hesitantly said, "How about... Meteor?"

The given name Liu Yu sounds like ’Meteor Shower’ in Chinese, doesn’t it?

Haha, she really is clever.

Liu Tong was momentarily confused, "Meteor?"

"It’s like a star in the sky, occasionally passing by."

"A star in the sky?"

Liu Tong looked up, obviously it was not nighttime yet, so she couldn’t see any stars.

"This nickname is pretty nice. It means the child will be as brilliant as the stars. Miss Yu’s choice of the name is exquisite."

Ms. Liu was very happy, shaking Liu Yu’s little arm and saying, "Little Meteor, do you like this nickname?"

The child in the swaddling clothes giggled.

"See, the child likes it very much."

"Hmm, Meteor really is a nice-sounding nickname with good meaning. Thank you, Miss Yu." Liu Tong was also very pleased after hearing it.

Yu Nianzhao, "..."

Since they think so, she doesn’t need to explain anything.

——

The heat of the missing child case finally cooled down a bit.

Yu Nianzhao achieved a great accomplishment, and Emperor Anqing rewarded Prince Su Mansion with gold, silver, and jewels as a reward.

A few days later, at the spring boat banquet, Yu Nianzhao arrived fashionably late.

As soon as she appeared, the boat instantly quieted down, and everyone looked over at her.

"Zhaozhao is here, come, have a seat!"

Consort Chen saw Yu Nianzhao and warmly invited her.

"Greetings, Consort Chen."

Yu Nianzhao then looked towards the noblewoman beside Consort Chen, who was simply dressed, with a serene beauty. She held a string of Buddha Beads, exuding an aura of aloofness.

"This is Consort Jing. Since the Empress is expecting a child and cannot leave the palace, today’s spring banquet is hosted by myself and Consort Jing."

Consort Chen explained with a smile, "Of course, it’s a rare boat banquet and we’re all young people, so feel free to enjoy yourselves without being so formal."

Consort Jing took a calm sip of tea, not offering any opinion throughout, as if she was only here to make an appearance today.

Yu Nianzhao nodded in understanding and then noticed Xia Muyan waving at her.

Yu Nianzhao simply sat beside her.

"Zhaozhao, it’s very lively today. The prominent noble descendants of Shangjing are all here."

Xia Muyan whispered in her ear, "I saw Chu Wenjun is also here, but his wife didn’t come. I’ve heard after several years of marriage, she’s finally pregnant and is resting at the mansion."

Yu Nianzhao took a bite of the grapes on the table, "You know quite a lot."

Xia Muyan smiled, "Yes, I’m going to be Zhaozhao’s eyes and ears."

Yu Nianzhao couldn’t help but look at her more and give her a thumbs-up.

Such determination is commendable.

"Zhaozhao sister."

Suddenly, a resentful voice reached her ears.

Yu Nianzhao turned to see Pei Yunzhi’s beautiful face looking woeful, as if someone owed her silver.

"What’s the matter?"

Yu Nianzhao was very cold.

"Zhaozhao sister, you’re returning to the mansion soon. Let’s not hold grudges anymore. I know you don’t like me and that you resent me for taking away our parents’ love, so you harbor ill feelings towards me. But you’re soon to become Princess Consort Su, so let’s make peace, shall we?"

Pei Yunzhi raised her wine cup high, raising her voice deliberately.

Even Consort Jing couldn’t help but glance over in their direction.

Yu Nianzhao stared at Pei Yunzhi, realizing that in a short few days of absence, not only had her forehead darkened, but she also exuded a strange, otherworldly aura.

"Pei Yunzhi, has something strange happened to you recently?" Yu Nianzhao countered with a question.

Pei Yunzhi resentfully said, "I don’t understand what Zhaozhao sister is saying. Before coming out this time, father said we must mend our sisterly relationship. Zhaozhao sister, please don’t be angry with me, alright? Everything is my fault, and when you return to the mansion, I’ll avoid you when I can."

She lowered herself greatly, which increased the strange feeling in Yu Nianzhao’s heart.

"Yunzhi sister has said so much, Yu Nianzhao, won’t you accept the drink? Are you trying to pressure Yunzhi sister?"

Xie Yunzhe held a cup, sitting opposite them, his eyes seemingly covered with a black mist. He addressed Yu Nianzhao coldly but looked at Pei Yunzhi with a tinge of emotion.

"Yunzhe brother, it’s alright. This is my duty. As long as I can calm Yunzhi sister’s anger and return home, I’m willing to do anything."

Pei Yunzhi was exceptionally humble.

Xie Yunzhe gently said, "Yunzhi sister truly honors you as poised and understanding."

"Yunzhe brother overrates me!"

Yu Nianzhao, "?"

She felt like her skin was crawling—has this world gone mad beyond her comprehension?

Has Xie Yunzhe gone insane?

Not only did she find it odd, sitting next to Xie Yunzhe, Xie Jiarou was also signaling to Yu Nianzhao with her eyes, implying that there’s something wrong with Xie Yunzhe recently.

"You don’t have to apologize to me, and I have nothing to forgive you for."

Yu Nianzhao withdrew her gaze and calmly answered, with no intention of taking the offered drink.

A gleam of sharpness flashed across Pei Yunzhi’s eyes. She blinked, as if on the verge of tears, "Zhaozhao sister, if you don’t forgive me, it’ll be hard for me to explain to father when I get back. I beg you to forgive me. The entire Pei Family is yours. I’ll even give you my courtyard and all the things father and mother have given me since childhood. Please, just drink this wine."

She pushed the wine towards her. Yu Nianzhao frowned, just about to dodge, realizing Xia Muyan was right behind her, and hesitated for a moment. In that instant, Pei Yunzhi’s wine cup spilled all over her.

The cold wine splashed into her collar, freezing!

"Oh no! I didn’t mean it. Zhaozhao sister, what should I do? Your clothes are all wet. It’s all my fault, I’m so sorry."

Pei Yunzhi frantically took out a handkerchief to wipe it for her, but Yu Nianzhao brushed it away with one hand.

But Pei Yunzhi used this action to fall down in turn.

"Yunzhi sister!"

Xie Yunzhe came running over, holding her in his arms, glaring angrily at Yu Nianzhao, "What are you doing? Can’t you just not accept her apology? Do you have to push people? Yu Nianzhao, are you regressing?"

"Big brother, have you gone mad?"

Xie Jiarou was really angry; she first glanced at the expressionless faces of the two nobles sitting in the upper seat, then hurried over, dissatisfied, saying, "How can you speak to Zhaozhao like that? I saw it all just now, it was Pei Yunzhi herself who fell. You and she are already disengaged, there’s no relationship anymore. Your actions are just slapping your own face!"