Replenishing Blood…
After Yu Pianpian left, Governor Yu held his wife's hand and sighed.
"Madam, you have been wronged."
Huo Jinxiu shook her head and forced a smile. "Master, it's nothing for me to suffer a little. What pains me most is seeing Pianpian being mistreated."
"You mean that wild girl has been crying ever since she returned over a month ago?"
Huo clenched her fists. "She can't treat me like this. Pianpian is like a piece of my heart. Why should she have to suffer because of her?"
"I was thinking," Governor Yu said hesitantly, "the New Year is approaching, and the Old Madam hasn't been in a hurry to hold her birthday banquet. Perhaps we should send Yu Linlang back to Xiaozhuang first and only bring her back when the Old Madam decides to host the gathering."
"Master!" Huo Jinxiu looked at him in disbelief. "Have you forgotten what I told you about Yu Linlang? At this critical time, she is the only one who can handle the epidemic outside the city. How could she leave now?"
Tears welled up in Huo Jinxiu's eyes as she covered her face with a silk veil and sobbed. Seeing her sorrow, Governor Yu pulled her into his arms, his heart aching for her.
"My dear wife, I promise you this—once everything settles down, I will find a way to send her away. If it makes you unhappy, I will send her far, far away, where we will never have to see her again."
"But until then," he whispered, "I must ask for your patience."
Huo Jinxiu's tears kept falling as she choked out, "How long must I endure this?"
"Not much longer," Governor Yu reassured her. "Once the epidemic is under control, she will leave. And after the New Year, she'll be attending the academy. She won't even be home for more than ten or fifteen days at a time. Out of sight, out of mind."
Huo Jinxiu's face darkened. "You still want to send her to school? I'd rather send her back to her hometown. Is there really a need for her to continue studying?"
"I've already made arrangements for her to attend Shuyun Academy with Pianpian," Governor Yu said firmly. "It's already been decided. If we go back on our word now, how would that reflect on me?"
Huo Jinxiu gritted her teeth in frustration. "It was my family who suggested sending her to Shuyun Academy in the first place!"
She clenched her silk handkerchief, her anger barely contained. "Look at how generous I have been. Everything I give to Pianpian, I try to provide for her as well. And yet, what does she do? She is petty, ungrateful, and lacks even the most basic refinement. She is nothing like Pianpian! I worry that if they attend the same academy, that wild girl will find ways to bully Pianpian again."
"That's impossible," Governor Yu assured her. "Pianpian has been studying at Shuyun for years. She has strong connections and is well-liked. How could Yu Linlang ever compare?"
Huo Jinxiu sighed in relief, her worries easing. "You're right. I just hope that girl doesn't embarrass us."
Governor Yu frowned, doubt creeping into his mind. Had he been too rash in his decision?
After all, Yu Linlang had grown up on a farm. Now, thrust into an elite academy, would she be able to adapt?
He sighed and gently helped Huo Jinxiu to her feet. "Speaking of which, what about the monthly allowance?"
"What?" Huo Jinxiu raised an eyebrow. "Fourteen hundred taels isn't enough for her? She should learn to be content! Does she expect me to repay all twelve years of lost allowance in one lump sum?"
"Madam," Governor Yu said patiently, "that's the same allowance we give to Pianpian."
"How can she possibly compare to Pianpian?" Huo Jinxiu snapped. "Pianpian is our daughter! That girl wants to compete with her in everything. Why doesn't she try competing in poetry, calligraphy, painting, or etiquette? She could never measure up!"
Governor Yu sighed. "Madam, since she has been of some use to the Yu family, is it so unreasonable to give her what she is owed?"
Huo Jinxiu was furious. She glared at him. "You say it so casually! Do you realize how much fourteen thousand taels over twelve years amounts to? Where do you expect me to find that money? Should I go rob someone?"
"Then let's use the rent collected from our shops at the end of the year," Governor Yu suggested. "That should be enough to make up for it."
Huo Jinxiu gasped in disbelief. "And what about the household expenses for next year? Do you think your meager government salary is enough to support this mansion?"
"Oh, Madam," Governor Yu chuckled. "Don't you see? If we use this money to help the hungry, it will count as a contribution from the Yu family. Once the court rewards us, my position will be more secure. Who knows? If I earn enough merit, I might even be considered for a promotion."
Huo Jinxiu gritted her teeth, clearly displeased. "As a daughter of the Yu family, she should be doing something for us. Does she really need all that money?"
Though reluctant, she finally gave in for the sake of her husband's career. She pieced together the fourteen thousand four hundred taels, but handing over the money felt like tearing flesh from her own body.
When Yu Pianpian heard about it, she was so furious that she smashed two vases in her room and collapsed onto her bed, sobbing bitterly.
---
A Citywide Sensation
During the Lantern Festival, an event shook the entire city.
Prince Pingkang sold off all the valuables from the Liang Palace, raising twenty thousand taels of silver. Then, he donated every last coin to the starving citizens.
His noble deed sent public opinion soaring in his favor.
Ye Wuchen became the talk of the town overnight.
Whenever people spoke of the Liang Palace, they no longer whispered about past scandals. Instead, they praised the young prince's generosity and righteousness. Poets composed verses in his honor, depicting him as a compassionate soul burdened by the sins of his ancestors.
When Governor Yu received the disaster relief funds, he was dumbfounded.
"The prince instructed that Miss Yu should personally oversee the distribution of the relief money," the messenger relayed. "Of course, she will not be working for free. Along with the twenty thousand taels, the prince has added an extra three thousand taels as her reward."
Yu Linlang scoffed. Without hesitation, she slapped the silver notes onto the table and muttered, "Why do I hate that man so much?"
Arrogant. Self-righteous. Overconfident…
One thing was certain—Prince Pingkang would be trouble.
---
Departure to Shuyun Academy
Three days after the Lantern Festival, Yu Linlang and Yu Pianpian set out for Shuyun Women's Academy.
They shared the same carriage.
Yu Linlang climbed in first, carrying a neatly packed bookcase.
Outside, Yu Pianpian whispered with her mother. When she finally entered the carriage, the corners of her eyes were still damp with tears.
"Sister Linlang," she said softly, opening a delicate food box, "my mother made red date cakes for me. Would you like to try some?"
Yu Linlang ignored her, acting as if a fly were buzzing nearby. She didn't spare her even a single glance.
Yu Pianpian pursed her lips. "Why do you look at me like that? I really do want to get along with you."
"Get lost."