Upon Zhou Shi's return, she heard that Fan Yun Xiu had run away. Zhou Shi did not send anyone to chase after her, assuming she had returned to her mother.
She had spoken extensively with the Empress today, learning many things about Shen Yun Xuan, which further deepened her understanding of him.
After Zhou Shi left, Xue Zi Ning lay on the couch. Feng Ling Er, standing beside her, asked, "Since Your Majesty is tired, why did you talk with Madam Shen for so long?"
Xue Zi Ning smiled and replied, "By talking with her, she will understand Yun Xuan better. Isn't this killing two birds with one stone?"
"Let Lord Shen speak with her himself. If she comes to Your Majesty every day like this, Your Majesty's health cannot endure it."
"What is there to endure? It's just talking. Don't overthink it."
"In two days, Your Majesty will need to prepare for the Heaven Worship Ceremony. Your Majesty cannot be negligent," Feng Ling Er said worriedly.
She had heard from Xue Yan about how the Empress was schemed against during the previous Heaven Worship Ceremony, and was determined that this time, she would not let Your Majesty repeat the same mistakes, no matter what.
"What is there to fear? I am not afraid, why are you?" Xue Zi Ning smiled.
Feng Ling Er gritted her teeth upon hearing this and said, "I am afraid Xue Yan will come back to fight me."
"She won't," Xue Zi Ning replied with a smile.
Before the Heaven Worship Ceremony began, Xue Zi Ning was to go to the temporary palace two days in advance for preparations.
The ministers of the court, along with their families, also traveled together.
Inside the Zhou family's carriage, besides Fan Shi and Sun Shi, only Fan Yun Xiu remained.
The men of the Zhou family were in the carriages ahead.
Fan Shi took advantage of the journey to instruct Fan Yun Xiu.
"Aunt, please rest assured. Yun Xiu understands. Yun Xiu will keep in her heart all those who have been kind to her."
"Yun Xiu, it's best if you truly keep it in your heart. Your mother and I are helping you in this way, going against your sister's displeasure."
"Cousin-in-law, please be assured, I understand," Fan Yun Xiu said.
Fan Shi and Sun Shi exchanged glances. They had said enough words of advice. From here on, it depended on Fan Yun Xiu's fortune.
The carriage traveled for about half a day before finally reaching the temporary palace.
The Empress had already entered the temporary palace to rest. Afterward, rooms in the temporary palace were allocated according to official rank.
Zhou Shi's father was a minor official and could only be assigned the worst rooms. Zhou Shi felt that although the conditions for her father and brother were not ideal, as men, they could make do. However, her mother and sister-in-law, Sun Shi, might not be accustomed to it. Therefore, she sent Hong Yan to invite her mother and sister-in-law over.
After Fan Shi and Sun Shi arrived, Zhou Shi invited them into the main hall.
Zhou Shi looked at Fan Shi and Sun Shi, who were not accompanied by Fan Yun Xiu, and for some reason, her tension did not subside.
She didn't know why.
"Mother, Sister-in-law, please sit!" Zhou Shi said.
Fan Shi and Sun Shi looked around the room where Zhou Shi was staying and couldn't help but sigh. They hadn't expected that the distance wouldn't be that far, yet the rooms would be worlds apart.
"This is simply a world of difference compared to the place we were assigned," Fan Shi couldn't help but say.
Sun Shi smiled and replied, "Mother, what you say is true. Sister is the wife of a third-rank official in court, so it's not surprising that she has good accommodations."
Fan Shi nodded, "You are right."
"Mother and Sister-in-law can stay here tonight!" Zhou Shi said.
"Sister, won't Lord Shen be returning?" Sun Shi suddenly asked.
Zhou Shi was slightly taken aback and looked at Sun Shi, saying, "Lord will not be returning tonight. Sister-in-law can rest assured and stay."
Zhou Shi thought Sun Shi might feel inconvenient, which was why she asked.
Sun Shi nodded. Fan Shi then couldn't help but ask, "My child, Lord Shen isn't returning so late, is he in the Empress's sleeping quarters?"
Zhou Shi shook her head, "I don't know. I imagine it's to prepare for the Heaven Worship Ceremony in two days."
Fan Shi nodded, not daring to ask further, fearing that too many questions might arouse Zhou Shi's suspicion.
Late at night, Fan Shi and Sun Shi arrived in the room Zhou Shi had prepared for them. Fan Shi said to the young maid beside them, "Yun Xiu, you've seen it. Shen Yun Xuan is not here today."
Sun Shi was startled. She had thought her mother had hidden Fan Yun Xiu somewhere, but she hadn't expected Fan Shi to be so bold as to hide Fan Yun Xiu by her side. Fortunately, Zhou Shi hadn't discovered it; otherwise, she wouldn't have known how to resolve the situation this time.
"Aunt, Cousin-in-law, Yun Xiu is not in a hurry." At this point, she couldn't afford to be anxious.
"Alright, Yun Xiu, wait a little longer," Fan Shi said.
Just as Zhou Shi had fallen asleep, she heard Hong Yan's voice. She sat up and saw Hong Yan rushing in.
"What is it? Is there something?" Zhou Shi asked Hong Yan as she sat up.
Hong Yan looked around, appearing somewhat cautious. Zhou Shi smiled and said, "What's wrong? It's just you and me here."
Hong Yan said, "Madam, just now, as I was preparing to get hot water for the Old Madam and Young Madam, I overheard a shocking secret."
"What secret?" Zhou Shi asked.
Hong Yan whispered, "This servant overheard the Old Madam calling the maid beside her Yun Xiu."
Zhou Shi trembled all over. Yun Xiu? "Really?"
"This servant also felt it strange that the two words were exactly the same as the Young Miss's name, so this servant listened further and heard the Old Madam tell Yun Xiu to wait."
Zhou Shi trembled all over. She didn't need to guess anymore; she knew Fan Shi had brought Fan Yun Xiu in. It was self-evident that she wanted Fan Yun Xiu to become Shen Yun Xuan's concubine.
Thinking of this, tears streamed down Zhou Shi's face. Hong Yan looked at her with great distress, "Madam, don't cry. You still have Lord. You must not let the Old Madam and the others have their way!"
Zhou Shi wiped away her tears and said, "I won't. I said before that I would never let family matters trouble Lord again."
"It's good that Madam has come to her senses," Hong Yan said.
"This servant will keep a close eye on the Old Madam and the Young Madam. Madam, please rest assured."
Zhou Shi nodded and said, "You may withdraw."
Hong Yan retreated, and Zhou Shi lay back down, but she couldn't sleep. Every time she thought about what her mother had done, she felt heartbroken, so heartbroken.
Has there ever been a moment when her mother could have gone all out for her?
When Zhou Shi woke up in the morning, her complexion was not good. Fan Shi and Sun Shi also noticed. Fan Shi asked with concern, "My child, what's wrong?"
"I'm not sleeping well in a new place," Zhou Shi said.
"Will Lord Shen be returning today?" Fan Shi asked.
Zhou Shi suddenly raised her head and looked at Fan Shi. Fan Shi was startled. She had never seen Zhou Shi look at her with such a gaze; it was exceptionally cold.
"My child, what's wrong?" Fan Shi felt a bit guilty and looked away.
"It's nothing, I just didn't rest well. Mother and Sister-in-law, please continue with your meal. I'm going to rest for a while," Zhou Shi said.
Fan Shi didn't dare to ask more and nodded, "Go quickly!"
After Zhou Shi left, Fan Shi looked at Sun Shi. Sun Shi said in a low voice, "Mother, isn't Sister behaving a little strangely?"