Married to a Villainous Minister - Chapter 221

Naturally, Yang Jiyan was eager to accompany Yu Qizhe, though she didn’t show it too obviously.

Yesterday, when her father returned to the residence, her mother had spoken with him. Apparently, her father had a rather favorable impression of Yu Jiao’s fifth brother. Unlike her mother, who had dismissed the idea outright, her father hadn’t rejected it immediately. Instead, it seemed he wanted to further assess Yu Qizhe’s character.

“I’ll go ask my brothers when they plan to head over,” Yu Fuling said cheerfully, clearly happy at the chance to go along with Yu Qizhe and the others.

Second Madam Mu didn’t stay long. After telling Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling to enjoy themselves, she left Luofu Courtyard.

Yu Fuling then went to Yingfeng Courtyard alone. She didn’t invite Yang Jiyan along, after all, propriety between men and women had to be observed. That left Yang Jiyan to remain with Yu Jiao at Luofu Courtyard. But she wasn’t worried. They were going to Bibo Lake today, and surely there would be chances to get close to Yu Qizhe there.

Yu Jiao harbored some reservations about Yang Jiyan. So after Yu Fuling left, she didn’t bother to speak with her. Instead, she got up and headed into her room, changing into a light, travel-friendly dress and taking a pouch of acupuncture needles from her medical kit to bring along.

Soon after, Yu Fuling returned from Yingfeng Courtyard.

“Second Brother said it wouldn’t be proper for us ladies to travel with them,” she relayed. “He said we should go on ahead.”

Yu Jiao nodded in acknowledgment.

Yang Jiyan looked slightly disappointed but still smiled. “That’s quite convenient, actually. I invited a friend to join us today. She lives at the Sun residence, so we can stop by there on the way to pick her up.”

Upon hearing that Yang Jiyan had invited someone else, Yu Fuling and Yu Jiao didn’t ask further. Given Yang Jiyan’s background, whoever she had invited was surely a young lady from a well-off family.

The three of them rode Yang Jiyan’s carriage to the Sun residence. After the doorman went inside to relay their arrival, they waited for quite a while before a maid finally came out to speak with them.

“Miss Yang,” the maid said, “My lady had an unexpected matter arise and is unable to leave. She sincerely apologizes for the last-minute cancellation and said she’ll visit you another day to make amends.”

Yang Jiyan’s eyes narrowed in concern. Something must have happened at the Sun residence. “Is Sister Shen alright?” she asked gently.

The maid’s expression was troubled, and she shook her head subtly, seemingly unable to say more. Yang Jiyan added, “Please let Sister Shen know that if she needs any help, she can send someone to inform me at any time.”

This maid had come with them from the capital and knew Yang Jiyan and her lady were close. She looked genuinely grateful. “Thank you, Miss Yang. I’ll make sure to pass your message along.”

Yang Jiyan smiled. “No need to be so formal. Sister Shen is like family to me.” With that, she dropped the curtain.

The carriage pulled away from the Sun residence and headed south out of the city.

Yang Jiyan turned to Yu Fuling and said, “Sister Shen came from the capital. Her mother and mine were childhood friends. When I invited you both to my courtyard the other day, it was to introduce you to her.”

Yu Fuling nodded with interest. “Is she married into the Sun family?”

Yang Jiyan shook her head. “Sister Shen is only five months older than me. She hasn’t even gotten engaged yet. It’s her older cousin on her maternal side who married into the Sun family.”

Yu Fuling didn’t ask more. After all, they would soon be returning to Changkui. The people and matters of Qingzhou would become distant memories, unlikely to ever cross paths again.

About half an hour later, the scenery outside the carriage gradually became more tranquil and picturesque. Lush greenery lined both sides of the road, with wild yellow and white flowers blooming in the grass.

In the near distance, the sun sparkled off the lake’s surface. At the shore, several ornately decorated pleasure boats were moored.

As the carriage approached, the sounds of a lively crowd drifted over. Stalls lined the lakeside railings, offering snacks, sweets, tea, fortune telling, and trinkets. It was quite the bustling scene.

Most of the visitors were young men and women. Yu Jiao noticed that many of the ladies wore silk gauze garments and carried instruments like guqin or pipa in their arms.

Just then the carriage came to a halt.

“We’ve arrived, Miss,” the coachman called from outside.

Yang Jiyan stood and invited Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling to disembark.

Seeing the insignia on their carriage, a well-dressed woman approached with a polite, eager smile. “Miss Yang, your boat is ready.”

Yang Jiyan gave her a slight nod and followed the woman toward one of the moored boats.

She boarded first, with Yu Fuling right behind her. Yu Fuling turned to offer a hand to Yu Jiao, who stepped aboard carefully. The boat rocked gently on the water, creating a slight feeling of unsteadiness underfoot.

Yu Jiao held onto the railing as they entered the cabin. It was spacious and elegantly decorated, like a private suite. Everything one might need was readily available.

A soft rug covered the floor, with cushions and low tables arranged on top. Tea and pastries had already been laid out. Toward the back was a long writing table with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Musical instruments, guqin, xun, seven-holed flute, and dongxiao, were neatly placed on a wooden rack.

Note: Guqin – A seven-stringed zither. Xun – An ancient clay or ceramic ocarina. Seven-holed flute – Usually refers to a modern bamboo transverse flute (笛子 dízi) with six playing holes + one membrane hole (or sometimes seven finger holes depending on design), Dongxiao – A vertical bamboo flute (end-blown).

In the corners, large ceramic vats held blooming pink and white water lilies and daffodils. It was all very poetic and refined. Though the lotus flowers had already withered for the season, the green seed pods thrived on the vast expanse of lotus leaves, plump and tempting to pick.

A tanned boatman stood at the bow and began gently rowing. The pleasure boat glided slowly across the lake.

Yu Fuling walked to the window and rolled up the bamboo curtain, letting the sunlight stream in. The cabin instantly brightened, and the surrounding scenery came into full view.

Yang Jiyan picked up a teapot and poured cups for both Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling. “Sister Fuling, Sister Yu Jiao, would you like to try some lotus seeds?”

“Can anyone just pick them off the lake?” Yu Fuling asked curiously.

Yang Jiyan chuckled. “Not quite. But if you pay, you’re allowed to pick them, five taels of silver per basket.”

Yu Fuling gasped. That was quite steep, especially for something you only ate for novelty. That price nearly equaled half a year’s harvest in their rural hometown. Making money in Qingzhou seemed far too easy, rich people really had no concept of money.

The boat slowly drifted toward the center of the lake. The large clusters of lotus leaves brushed against the hull, and the green seed pods were close enough to reach out and grab.

Yang Jiyan stood and stepped out of the cabin. When she returned, she was carrying a small bamboo basket. Smiling, she said, “Since we’re here, why not pick a few to taste?”

Yu Fuling was tempted, but remembering how pricey the seeds were, she shook her head. “I’ll pass. Just looking at them is nice enough…”

Sensing her hesitation, Yang Jiyan didn’t seem put off in the slightest. In fact, she gently took Yu Fuling’s arm and pulled her toward the bow, saying understandingly, “Sister Fuling, the fee for the boat and the lotus picking is already included. If we don’t take some, it’ll just go to waste.”

Hearing that, Yu Fuling turned and beckoned to Yu Jiao. “Since Miss Yang already paid, we might as well pick a few.”

Yu Jiao hesitated for a moment but then stood and followed. She didn’t want to get too close to Yang Jiyan, but with Yu Fuling going, she had to tag along, just in case something happened.

Standing at the bow, the view was spectacular. The sunlight shimmered on the lake’s surface in rippling waves of gold. The jade-green waters stretched all the way to the horizon, where the lake met the sky.