After a bout of autumn rain, the weather warmed up a little, marking the most comfortable season of the year.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival just two days away, the streets were bustling. Yu Mingyue decided to go out for a stroll.
Disguised as a man for convenience, she fanned herself and reminded Zhu Yu, who was also in male attire, "Zhu Yu, don't forget to call me 'young master' later."
"Yes!"
"Indeed, the scenery of Jiangnan is beautiful. Calculating the time, Brother Jiayan should have arrived in Jiangzhou by now. I wonder if his journey has been smooth."
Qinghe was not far from Jiangzhou. The Cui family outwardly supported the initiative, donating books and sending great scholars from their clan school to assist.
However, judging by her maternal grandfather's attitude, it was impossible for the official school's scale to surpass the influence of the Cui clan school.
Those great scholars all listened to the Cui family, and it was likely that the official school would become another Cui clan school.
Zhu Yu, following Yu Mingyue, naturally understood some of her thoughts.
"Miss... Young Master, do you want to go to Jiangzhou?"
Yu Mingyue was silent for a moment. "It's not the right time yet."
Without persuading her maternal grandfather, any effort would be in vain.
As they walked, they saw bailiffs pushing out two young boys, sternly warning them, "We're letting you off because of your age. If you cause trouble again, we'll lock you up in jail too."
"You owe me my family's seedlings, and you owe me my father!" the younger one roared.
"You brat, don't be ungrateful. Someone, throw him back in," the bailiff waved, and people behind him stepped forward.
The elder brother quickly pulled his younger sibling and apologized, "Officer, please calm down. I'll take him home now!"
The younger brother wanted to say more but was held back by his elder brother. "Don't say anything more. Let's go home first. Mother is waiting for us."
"Then what about Father and Uncle Yougen? They're still in prison?"
"They said they'd release them in a few days. Let's go back first. Mother is still sick." The rain had worsened their mother's illness. They had been released yesterday, and after delaying for a night, they needed to hurry back.
Yu Mingyue heard the brothers' words clearly. Their seedlings were destroyed, their father was arrested, and their mother was ill. It was too tragic.
It was already the Mid-Autumn Festival, yet the brothers were still wearing short tunics, exposing half their legs, and straw sandals on their feet.
Qinghe was known to be prosperous throughout the land. How could anyone be so poorly clothed?
"Little brothers!" Yu Mingyue called out to them. "May I ask what grievances you two have that the official drove you out?"
The elder brother looked at Yu Mingyue warily. Dressed so expensively, he must be from a wealthy family. Rich people were not good.
The man gave Yu Mingyue a cold glance and pulled his brother away.
"Little brother, why aren't you responding? If you have any grievances, perhaps I can help you!"
"Really?" The younger brother was overjoyed and looked at Yu Mingyue with anticipation.
The elder brother pulled his brother away. "Don't believe him!"
Their accent sounded like they were from out of town. He might be a swindler.
"Let's talk properly. If you don't tell me, how will you know I can't help you? You just said your family's seedlings were destroyed, so it's not your fault. There's a noodle stall ahead. Why don't we sit there and talk while we eat?" Yu Mingyue noticed that both brothers looked pale and unwell.
The younger brother wanted to nod but glanced at his elder brother's expression and lowered his head, remaining silent.
"I truly want to help you. Tell me the cause and effect. If I can help, it will be a happy outcome. If not, I'll treat you brothers to a bowl of noodles. It will only take you the time for a cup of tea, so you won't lose anything, right?"
The younger brother nodded frantically. "Brother, I'm hungry..."
After he spoke, his stomach rumbled. Yu Mingyue suppressed a smile and said to Zhu Yu, "Zhu Yu, order four bowls of noodles from the boss."
"Yes!"
The elder brother bit his lip and finally followed Yu Mingyue silently.