Shen Qing didn't know how much impact her words would have on Liu Xuan and Shen Yan. For now, thanks to the interference of the Liu family, they couldn't have lunch.
Shen Qing and Mrs. Jiang went back first, leaving the space for Liu Xuan and her son Shen Yan.
In the capital city, when a family moves to a new house, the host should share some food with the neighbors to ensure good relations. After Liu Xuan tidied up the mess, she took some pastries and went door to door with Shen Yan.
Shen Qing was right. The more those people tried to make things difficult, the more determined she was to live a good life.
Fortunately, the Liu family still had some sense of propriety and didn't make a big fuss when they came. So most neighbors didn't know about the incident. They were all happy to receive the pastries. Those who lived nearby heard what had happened and didn't make things difficult for her. Instead, they told her to settle down and come to them if she needed help.
Liu Xuan felt much better. After greeting one family, she knocked on the next door.
The door opened. Liu Xuan said, "Hello. I just moved here today. I made some pastries and would like to share them with you..."
"Miss Liu?"
Before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by a surprised voice.
She looked up and was a bit confused when she saw the young man in his mid - twenties in front of her. How did he know her name?
The young man's voice was full of joy. "Don't you remember me? I'm Yan Peiyu!"
"Yan Peiyu?"
Liu Xuan then slowly recalled that there was such a person. He was a classmate of her younger brother Liu Yu. She had met him a few times at the private school, but she didn't have a deep impression of him.
"Aren't you already married? Why did you move here?" Yan Peiyu was overjoyed.
"I..."
"Mom, who is he?"
Just as Liu Xuan was about to speak, Shen Yan suddenly came out from behind. His mother had just told him there were no more pastries and asked him to get some more. How come she was already chatting with this strange brother when he had only been gone for a short while?
Yes, Shen Yan thought Yan Peiyu's look at his mother was very strange, like a person who had lost something he loved very much but suddenly found it again.
Yan Peiyu froze. "Is this... your son?"
Liu Xuan nodded. "Yes."
Yan Peiyu scratched his head awkwardly. "He's grown so big..."
Liu Xuan nodded again.
"Where's your husband? How could he let you two go around giving out things?"
Shen Yan looked at this strange brother and said curiously, "My father has been dead for many years."
"Ah?" Yan Peiyu looked at Liu Xuan uneasily. "I didn't mean to offend..."
"It's okay," Liu Xuan said. "I thought Young Master Yan had returned to his hometown. Why are you here? Are you also here for the autumn imperial examination?"
Yan Peiyu was from another place. He had stayed at her home for a while. She remembered that it was almost the time for the imperial examination when Yan Peiyu suddenly went back to his hometown because of something. She hadn't seen him since then.
Yan Peiyu shook his head. "No. There's hardly anyone left in my hometown, so I rented a house here. I'm preparing for the spring imperial examination next year."
He had passed the provincial examination three years ago, but due to his father's death, he had missed the exam for three years. Otherwise, with his talent, he would have become a Jinshi in the spring imperial examination three years ago.
In contrast, Liu Yu was still just a Xiucai.
"I wish Young Master Yan a successful result in the spring imperial examination next year and win the top prize," Liu Xuan said, not wanting to stay any longer. "Young Master Yan, I still have to visit other families. I'll take my leave first."
After saying that, she left, leaving a stunned Yan Peiyu standing in the doorframe. He could still faintly hear the conversation between the mother and son.
"Mom, who is that big brother?"
"Just someone I knew when I was young."
Just someone she knew when she was young...
Yan Peiyu thought blankly. Did she always think of him like this?
What about all these years of his waiting?
That night, in the small courtyard.
It was the Double Ninth Festival. Since they couldn't climb a high place, Shen Qing brought a small pot of chrysanthemum wine.
"This wine was given to me by Master today. He said he brewed it himself. Although Your Majesty can't drink much because of your health, just taking a small sip is for good luck," Shen Qing said as she poured a thin layer of wine into Ji Junye's cup.
Hearing that the wine was from Old Chen, Ji Junye was a bit surprised. "Old Chen is addicted to wine. For him to give you the wine he brewed himself means he really cares about you as his little apprentice."
But looking at the cup in front of him, Ji Junye fell silent again. The little bit she poured was probably just enough to wet his lips.
She really meant just a small sip.
Feeling his rather helpless look, to be fair, Shen Qing also poured a thin layer into her own cup.
She was pregnant and shouldn't drink, so a small sip would do.
Ji Junye: "..."
Well, as long as she was happy.
Seeing that she didn't know about the memorial yet, Ji Junye briefly told her about it, including the scene of Old Chen arguing with the court officials.
Shen Qing was a bit surprised and also felt warm inside. No wonder the old man gave her the wine today. He must have thought she was wronged. Thinking of how reluctant Old Chen must have been when he gave out the wine, Shen Qing felt better.
"Don't take those people's words to heart. I'll handle it," Ji Junye said.
"Okay."
Shen Qing nodded. All she could think about was what she should give the old man as a return for his great sacrifice.
Seeing that she really didn't take it to heart, Ji Junye felt relieved.
"By the way," Shen Qing suddenly remembered something. "Shen Yan already has a teacher for his literary studies, but I haven't found a suitable martial arts teacher yet. Does Your Majesty have any suggestions?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she was met with a rather jealous look from Ji Junye. His tone was even more sour than the pickled Chinese cabbage on the table.
"You seem to care more about others than me," he said.
He put down his chopsticks and seemed too jealous to eat.
Shen Qing quickly said, "How could that be?"
"You remember every little thing about others, but treat me differently," Ji Junye sighed, looking like a forsaken woman in the boudoir.
Shen Qing retorted, "I didn't!"
"Really?"
Ji Junye looked at her.
Shen Qing said, "Of course not. Your Majesty is the closest person to me. How could I not care about you?"
Ji Junye's expression immediately brightened up, but he tried hard to suppress the smile on his lips. "Really? Don't you think you care too much about that boy Shen Yan? He's the heir of the Duke Protector's Mansion, not your son."
Shen Qing couldn't help but laugh. "But he's my younger brother. Besides, I'm also thinking about the Duke Protector's Mansion. Someone has to inherit the will of my grandfather and father."
As she said this, a look of sadness flashed across her face.
Ji Junye also thought that if the old Duke Protector and the Duke Protector were still alive, she wouldn't have been bullied like this. But then he remembered that Old Shen Zhizhang had secretly arranged a marriage for Shen Qing behind his back, and he felt annoyed again.
"Then stay with me here for a few days," Ji Junye said.
"No."
His face darkened again.
Shen Qing explained, "I haven't been back to the Marquis Mansion for a long time, and something happened there. If I don't go back, people will gossip about me."
Ji Junye was dissatisfied. He wanted to say not to care what others said, but then he stopped himself.
Shen Qing smilingly picked up a piece of food for him. "But after I go back to the Marquis Mansion, I can come here to accompany Your Majesty every day."
His face brightened up again.
Shen Qing couldn't help but sigh. His mood changed even faster than the weather in June.
Anyway, she finally managed to cheer him up.