The Prince's Luck
Changqing straightened his spine and did not dare to move as Qiqian slowly walked around him.
He simply watched as the two maids kicked and threw the older maids out of the door.
If a mere one thousand taels could be enough to ruin Miss Yu's face, Changqing didn't want her to think that the three thousand taels given by the prince were also an insult.
He didn't know how he would explain himself to the prince if the misunderstanding grew, and the thought made him anxious.
"Don't worry, my girl is the most reasonable," Qiqian said, reaching out to pat the boy's tense shoulder. His eyes narrowed cunningly as he smiled. "Come in with me."
Changqing's entire body stiffened, and he nearly tripped as he followed Qiqian into the garden.
Since the eldest daughter, Yu Qiuping, had married, the entire Yulan Garden belonged to Yu Linlang.
The maids no longer had to squeeze into the crowded quarters with the other household servants.
Although four people still had to share the west wing, it was far better than sleeping in the servants' hall.
Changqing believed that after spending so much time with the prince, he had met plenty of maids from wealthy families who were well-mannered and educated.
But few were as confident and unrestrained as the maids around Miss Yu. They carried themselves with a kind of lofty ambition that was quite unlike ordinary servants.
Only a family with a thousand years of heritage could cultivate such capable maids.
Changqing followed Qiqian inside and respectfully bowed without making any rash movements.
"I have seen Miss Yu," he greeted. "I have come on the prince's orders to deliver these three thousand taels of silver notes. His Highness said he cannot allow you to bear all the costs alone."
"These funds were originally allocated for disaster relief by the court. The supplies from Jiangnan Road have been a great help to the prince. Therefore, I ask Miss Yu to accept this as part of the relief funds. In the future, His Highness will also write to the capital and request that the Ministry of Revenue continue to allocate funds. I hope Miss Yu will not find the amount too meager."
Qiqian handed the money box to Yu Linlang. She opened it, glanced inside, and then closed it with an unreadable expression.
"The prince is thoughtful," she said lightly.
"No, it is Miss Yu who is thoughtful," Changqing replied sincerely. "His Highness regrets that you had to personally source food and medicine from Jiangnan Road. He believes your foresight was crucial in controlling the spread of this epidemic. This is something only you could have accomplished."
Yu Linlang raised a hand, interrupting him, and passed the money box to Liufen, who stood beside her.
"Go back and sort out the disaster relief accounts from this period," she instructed. "We will present them to the prince for review."
"Miss, there's no need…" Changqing said anxiously. "His Highness trusts you."
Yu Linlang waved her hand dismissively. "Since I have accepted the court's relief funds, I must ensure that the accounts are clear and transparent. Do not worry—I will not cause trouble for your master. If I do, I will have nothing to say in my own defense."
Changqing was so moved that he was at a loss for words.
When he returned home, he relayed everything to the prince, finishing with admiration.
"Your Highness, Miss Yu is the most open-minded woman I have ever met. She is truly remarkable."
A glimmer of amusement flashed in Mu Zhao's eyes as he nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Such a beautiful and kind-hearted girl—there was no one else like her in the world.
---
Meanwhile, in Yulan Garden, several maids cheerfully carried tables and stools out into the corridor.
"The sun is finally out! We can take a proper rest today."
"Sister Huang has prepared sixteen kinds of snacks, and there are plenty of pine nuts. This afternoon, we can sit here, read, eat, and drink without any work to do."
Yu Linlang found their suggestion reasonable and nodded decisively.
She had been busy from before the New Year until now, and even on the second day of the Lunar New Year, she still hadn't had a proper break.
Qiqian sat beside Yu Linlang in the corridor and handed her a small can of sour plums. When Yu Linlang ate one, her eyebrows furrowed, her nose wrinkled, and her whole face twisted from the tartness.
Qiqian covered her mouth, laughing.
Liufen took out a stack of account books and settled at the stone table in the courtyard to check them.
Yu Linlang asked Qiqian to bring over a few plates of fruit so they could snack while reviewing the numbers.
Since these records would be submitted to Prince Mu, Liufen worked meticulously, ensuring accuracy.
Jiujin and Baliang also brought financial ledgers that had been compiled over the past half-month, so they could be appended to the report.
"Miss, are you having Liufen go through everything so carefully because you're worried someone might use these relief funds against the prince in the future?"
"The prince bought grain at high prices and acquired large quantities of medicinal supplies," Yu Linlang replied. "How could there be only three thousand taels? At least two thousand taels must have come from his own pocket."
"Keep the accounts clean and detailed," she continued. "We can't allow good deeds to be twisted into accusations. If anyone tries to slander him, we'll have proof to fight back."
Qiqian nodded in agreement but couldn't help but complain.
"The prince is still recovering from illness, yet he personally handled everything. He's done so much—it's frustrating to see him burdened like this."
"What else can be expected from the court?" Yu Linlang said, lowering her gaze.
If the so-called 'Dog Emperor' truly cared for him, he wouldn't have sent this frail young prince far from the capital in the dead of winter, forcing him to struggle in such dire circumstances.
Fortunately, Mu Zhao was lucky to have met her, Yu Linlang!
And since she was lucky enough to like him, she would make sure to turn the tides in his favor.
---
After the Spring Festival, Governor Yu met with several colleagues early in the morning to drink at Fanlou.
When he returned home at sunset, he was shocked to hear that his wife had once again been angered by Yu Linlang.
Before he could even change out of his official robes, he rushed to Yuchunyuan to see his wife.
How could something as simple as receiving money turn into a source of anger?
When he entered the room, he found his wife and daughter sitting together, both visibly distressed.
Yu Pianpian wiped her tears and spoke timidly.
"It's my fault. Sister Linlang still holds resentment toward me, so she's taking it out on Mother. She even sent her servants to humiliate her."
Biting her lip, she stood abruptly. "I will leave the Yu family and return to Xiajia Village. If I go, Linlang will get what she wants. Once she calms down, she will surely treat Mother better."
"Pianpian!" Madam Huo gasped, gripping her daughter's arm, nearly fainting from anger.
Governor Yu's brows furrowed. He looked between his frail wife and his tearful, 'sensible' eldest daughter and sighed deeply.
"Pianpian, don't say such foolish things. Your mother raised you, and though there's no blood relation, you are as close as any mother and daughter. How can that bond be erased? Do you mean to break your mother's heart with such words?"
"You will remain in the Yu family," he continued firmly. "As long as your mother and I are here, no one will drive you away."
"Father…" Yu Pianpian looked at Governor Yu with tear-filled eyes before throwing herself into her mother's arms, sobbing.
Huo wept alongside her, the two crying as if burdened with endless grievances.
They continued for a long time before their sobs finally began to fade.
Governor Yu sighed again, gently comforting them, before quietly excusing himself