The official road south of the capital's suburbs was not narrow; it could accommodate four carriages abreast.
Zhang Feng drove the carriage into an open space, and they stood in the grass by the side of the road to talk.
They did not obstruct the passage of carriages.
Therefore, Su Xiaoqi was very displeased when the carriage suddenly stopped beside them, thinking that this person was looking for trouble.
But when she saw that face, which was so pale it seemed to have its own filter, she involuntarily swallowed all her displeasure.
Moreover, he did not keep everyone waiting for long, stating his purpose directly: "Sir Shen, it is time to depart."
Shen Yun looked at Wang Enze, the second son of the Wang family, who had delicate features and a sickly pale complexion. His eyes flickered, and a look of understanding appeared on his face.
"So, Lord Wang will be accompanying me. Greetings," Shen Yun said. He and Wang Enze had only met a few times and were not well acquainted.
Therefore, their meeting was very distant and polite.
Both adhered to the etiquette of strangers.
Seeing that the two were being overly polite, Su Xiaoqi's scalp tingled, and she whispered, "Husband, is this the Censor who will travel south with you?"
The couple had previously discussed that someone would accompany Shen Yun south to Jiangning Prefecture.
Shen Yun had also analyzed that an official from the Censorate would be dispatched.
He had not expected it to be him.
"We are all serving His Majesty," Wang Enze said in a low voice, then assumed a posture as if preparing to depart.
Su Xiaoqi knew she could not delay any longer and tugged at Shen Yun's sleeve, admonishing him, "Then be careful on your journey, and about Aunt's matter..."
"My dear wife, rest assured, I will do my best."
"Yes, doing your best is enough. Safety first." For some reason, Su Xiaoqi felt a vague sense of unease.
Shen Yun understood that she wanted him to prioritize his own safety and was very touched.
In front of Wang Enze, he couldn't help but hug her.
His hand once again stroked her lower abdomen, and he couldn't help but pray once more, hoping for success.
He hoped to have good news upon his return.
Wang Enze frowned upon seeing the couple's lack of discretion in front of him.
He didn't understand what was so good about women, that even a phoenix like Shen Yun could be tied down by affection.
But it was fine this way.
He had always heard people around him talk about Shen Yun's talent and how he could win the favor of Emperor Xingzhao.
He almost regarded him as his greatest rival.
But seeing him like this now, he felt relieved.
A gentle haven is a hero's tomb.
No matter how intelligent he was or how favored he was by the emperor, this was his greatest weakness. With this in hand, there was no fear of him becoming too powerful.
Wang Enze lowered the carriage curtain, his dark eyes shifted slightly, and disdain flowed onto his face. He closed his eyes and drew the purple sandalwood prayer beads from his sleeve.
No matter how reluctant, Su Xiaoqi could only watch Shen Yun's carriage depart.
Before Zhang Feng could rest, he turned and followed Shen Yun south.
With Feng and Lei accompanying him, Su Xiaoqi felt a little more at ease.
She could not dwell on parting sentiments for too long and led Zhao Shi and the others back.
The rooms had already been assigned.
There were three main rooms; she and Shen Yun occupied two, Zhao Shi occupied two, Shen Xiaomei lived in the east wing, and Shen Erdan lived in the west wing.
They had not brought the people they bought in Mianzhou City with them due to various considerations.
She temporarily assigned the most steady Zi Cao to Zhao Shi, the most cheerful Zi Yan to Shen Xiaomei, and Zi Yi to Shen Erdan.
She had Guo'er and Zhang Yu, which was enough.
However, they still needed to buy people.
After all, they were now in the capital, and Shen Yun held a minor official position of the sixth rank.
If his family members went out to banquets or tea parties without even a personal maid or servant, it would be too shabby.
Su Xiaoqi settled the three of them, ate some noodles to stave off her hunger, and then took a bath and rested. Afterward, she asked Zi Ling and her daughter to prepare food and drink in the kitchen and to prepare a good dinner.
When she was free, she asked Zhang Yu to call the intermediary.
She had already stated her requirements in advance.
Meng Yaren was reliable and naturally acted according to her instructions.
He brought her many old women, maids, and young servants.
Su Xiaoqi called Zhao Shi and Shen Xiaomei, and the three of them selected three old women, four young maids, and two young servants in the courtyard.
Since they were all servants whose property had been confiscated by various official families, their names were changed one by one.
The two older maids, both sixteen years old, were renamed Bai Zhi and Bai Lan. They caught Zhao Shi's eye, so they followed her.
The other two thirteen-year-old young maids followed Shen Xiaomei, and were named Lan Xin and Lan Ying.
The three old women were surnamed Li, Jin, and Yang, respectively.
All six began learning etiquette under the guidance of Granny Zhao, who was by Su Xiaoqi's side.
After they learned, Zi Cao would teach them for a period before they were assigned to serve the three ladies.
Su Xiaoqi mentioned that tomorrow was the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth month. The Grand Princess had invited her to watch the dragon boat races, and she asked Zhao Shi and Xiaomei if they wanted to go together.
Zhao Shi frantically shook her head, "No, no!"
That was a royal princess, how could people like them, commoners, meet her.
Moreover, she didn't understand any etiquette, and what if she embarrassed her son and daughter-in-law in front of the princess?
However, Shen Xiaomei was somewhat interested. Although she was a little timid, she was young and liked lively events, so she really wanted to go and see the dragon boat races.
In the end, Zhao Shi declined, and Su Xiaoqi took Shen Xiaomei.
At night, Su Xiaoqi personally instructed Shen Xiaomei on etiquette.
Shen Xiaomei was quick-witted, a trait she inherited from Shen Yun.
She quickly learned.
Su Xiaoqi tested her on a few more things, and she responded with ease.
However, she was not very talkative, so Su Xiaoqi told her to listen more and speak less.
If asked a question she couldn't answer, she should just smile bashfully.
"By the way, your elder brother discussed with me that your name, Xiaomei, was originally a commoner's name chosen in the village to ensure a healthy upbringing.
Now that you've grown up, that's no longer necessary.
He chose a courtesy name for you: Mingzhu. What do you think?"
"Mingzhu? Like the Mingzhu in 'returning you the Mingzhu'?" Shen Xiaomei tilted her head and asked.
Su Xiaoqi blinked her eyes and silently recited in her heart the half-sentence Shen Xiaomei had spoken: "Returning you the Mingzhu, with tears falling, I regret not meeting you before I was married."
"Did Chen Jia'an tell you this?"
Shen Xiaomei realized with a start that she had accidentally let slip what Jia'an ge had privately told her.
What should she do now?
Her face turned crimson with embarrassment, and she clutched her handkerchief tightly with both hands, lowering her head, unsure how to answer.
Su Xiaoqi knew that although she had been managing her pastry shop independently these days, she was still the shy and timid Shen Xiaomei at heart. She didn't tease her but explained with a smile:
"Your brother's original intention was for 'Mingzhu,' meaning that Mingzhu should not be tarnished, and also the Mingzhu in 'pearl in the palm.'"
"Sister-in-law... this name is wonderful, I like it very much." Shen Xiaomei officially accepted the name Shen Mingzhu.
From now on, she was Shen Mingzhu.
"Speaking of which, you and Chen Jia'an..." Su Xiaoqi hadn't intended to ask so soon, but considering Shen Mingzhu's personality, she was so timid that she must not have discussed it with her mother.
She had no close sisters her age, so her sister-in-law was her only confidante.
If she didn't worry about her a bit more, wouldn't that delay her happy marriage?
Even if Shen Mingzhu was shy, she couldn't care less.
"We, we haven't informed Mother yet." Shen Mingzhu trusted Su Xiaoqi a great deal.
Moreover, they had discussed this in their letters previously, so after a moment of shyness, Shen Mingzhu took it calmly.
"But if Chen Jia'an stays in Mianzhou City, your mother and brother might not agree," Su Xiaoqi had already sounded out Shen Yun's thoughts.
She was his only sister, and he didn't want her to marry far away.
"Jia'an ge said he will come to the capital." Shen Mingzhu lowered her head, her face blushing again.