Because her own cooking was truly not worth mentioning, she paid particular attention to women who could cook.
Steamed buns...
It felt inexplicably close.
Yun Shu put away her momentary distraction and continued to listen.
Yi Zixing sighed again, "From childhood to adulthood, that was the first time I felt that ordinary steamed buns could be so delicious. It’s funny, ever since my mother passed away, my father gave me the best of everything to make me happy, but the table full of abundant dishes didn't have the same appetite."
"And it lacked a hint of home."
He suddenly remembered when his mother was alive, they were together as a family. Although his mother was the madam of the household, she would often cook delicious food for him and his father.
At that time, their family of three was very simple and happy.
This kind of happiness, he experienced it with Le'er.
These words, he had never said to anyone. Even to his father, he only said that Le'er was doing well, fearing that mentioning his mother would make his father sad.
Yun Shu hadn't been clear why Yi Zixing had fallen so deeply in love with a woman in such a short time. After hearing his words, she felt that perhaps the Marquis of Zhongyong had misunderstood Yi Zixing's concubine.
"It seems you've fallen in love," Yun Shu said with a smile.
When Yi Zixing heard the word "true feelings," his expression was somewhat dazed and confused, but he still said firmly, "My father has many misunderstandings about this. Could you do me a favor and ask the Yun General's mansion to persuade my father?"
"The one who ties the knot must untie it. No matter what others say, the Marquis of Zhongyong will likely not listen. This cannot be rushed. Since the person you like is so kind and has many virtues, I believe she will melt the Marquis of Zhongyong's heart one day. If you are too hasty, you might hurt him," Yun Shu replied gently.
Listening to Yun Shu's answer, Yi Zixing was not surprised.
He let out a long sigh, "I apologize, I've put you in a difficult position. You've awakened me from my dream. Reflecting on the past few days, I was too eager to get my father's agreement, but I never thought that such haste would be counterproductive."
"It's late. I'll take my leave. If there's anything, you can send someone to the General's mansion to find me. You are my sworn brother, so don't hesitate to ask for anything," Yun Shu said.
Yi Zixing looked at Yun Shu, who was decisive yet full of warmth, and a certain emotion buried deep in his heart began to leak out.
He immediately lowered his head and said gently, "Alright, I'll escort you back to the General's mansion."
Yun Shu refused, "No need, I can go back by myself. Don't worry."
Yi Zixing suddenly thought of her having hidden guards.
So there was no need to worry about her safety.
He glanced at the not-too-distant lantern by the door, still lit.
As long as the lantern by the door was lit, it meant Le'er was waiting for him. She had gotten used to his company during this time.
"Alright, then I'll be going. She's still waiting for me," Yi Zixing replied gently.
Looking at the light by the door, Yi Zixing suddenly felt that there was indeed no need to rush.
Le'er was understanding, she would agree.
After Yun Shu had walked a certain distance, she looked back at Yi Zixing.
She couldn't quite pinpoint what felt amiss.
Oh well.
After today's conversation, she believed Yi Zixing would come up with a good solution. Moreover, time was a good thing; it allowed people to slowly understand someone as time passed and could also help things calm down.
...
A few days later.
The Marquis of Zhongyong came to the General's mansion and spoke mysteriously with Yun Changfeng.
He appeared much better than he had two days prior.
After the Marquis of Zhongyong left, Yun Changfeng approached Yun Shu and said, "The Marquis of Zhongyong just told me that Young Master Yi no longer mentions letting that woman into the mansion. The Marquis of Zhongyong knows that Young Master Yi might not want to rush things. The Marquis of Zhongyong said that as long as he doesn't rush, he will naturally be able to see a person's true heart over time. It will also give him time to properly investigate that woman."
Yun Shu put down the medicine she was developing and looked up at Yun Changfeng, "Investigating her identity is also a good idea."
"Yes, as long as we find out some of her past, we can be more at ease. What are you working on?" Yun Changfeng asked curiously, seeing Yun Shu busy with these various herbs for the past two days.
"The antidote for Prince Ye, it's still in the compounding stage."
Yun Changfeng blinked, not understanding. But it didn't matter if he didn't understand; what mattered was that Shu'er was capable and formidable. He said proudly with a beaming smile, "Shu'er is truly amazing! You don't know, the number of people who have secretly approached your father these past two days wanting you to save them is countless. Before, they all said you weren't smart, but now they're begging me!"
"They also said they'd pay any amount of silver, as long as someone could take a look, or they would bring people to the General's mansion."
The more he spoke, the more proud he became.
The tables have turned in thirty years!
In the past, when he returned to the capital, some people would openly or secretly criticize Shu'er for this or that, and he hated hearing it.
Yun Shu looked at Yun Changfeng's proud expression and couldn't help but laugh, "If Father thinks some people are worth saving, he can agree."
"There are indeed a few people worth saving, they are all old friends of mine. Some are old, some of their junior family members have strange illnesses. As for the others, they're not worth saving. However, you've been too tired lately, and there's still a lot to do. There's no rush for now, we'll talk about it after some time," Yun Changfeng said, his heart aching for Yun Shu.
Yun Shu hummed, "Alright."
The three little ones outside the door peeked into the room.
Yun Changfeng saw them and smiled, beckoning them, "What are you looking at over there?"
"We're seeing if Mother is finished with her work," Zhan Xiaofeng replied obediently.
Zhan Xiaoli blinked his big eyes.
Yun Xiaojing giggled, "Mother promised us before that she would take us to eat roast duck. My mouth has been watering since this morning; I'm starving."
Looking at the three little ones' ravenous expressions, Yun Changfeng's heart softened, "Oh dear, Grandfather has things to do today and can't take you out. How about Grandfather takes you tomorrow, tomorrow?"
"No need, Father. I'll take them now," Yun Shu put down the herbs in her hand and said to the three of them, "Go get changed, we'll leave shortly."
"Mother, you are the best mother in the world!"
"Mother is too good!"
"Mother is the most beautiful!"
The three little ones happily praised Yun Shu, each saying a sentence.
Yun Shu felt pleased by the praise, "Hurry and get changed."
Yun Changfeng, who was watching from the side, smiled so widely his mouth couldn't close, "Look at them, they're so clever!"
As father and daughter walked out together, Yun Changfeng paused at the door, straightened his expression, and said, "Shu'er, Prince Ning has already purchased a mansion in the capital. He probably won't be leaving the capital anytime soon. His return this time is not for a simple reason."