Yu Banxia, accompanied by her maid Fang Jin, had just stepped through the mansion gates when she was caught by her stern-faced Father Yu.
"Stop right there!"
Yu Banxia turned back, weakly calling out, "Father."
Father Yu's face was dark. "Look at you! It's almost dark, and you're still running around outside all day. Do you still act like a proper young lady?"
Yu Banxia lowered her head, remaining silent, thinking her father would just nag a few words as usual and let it go.
"Not speaking again! Do you think I'll let you off just because you stay silent? You're out causing trouble all day long! Butler, bring out the family discipline!"
Yu Banxia looked up in surprise. "Father! What's wrong? Your daughter just came home a little late, it's not like I committed some grave mistake!"
"Not a grave mistake? Look at what's being spread outside! Who do you think you are? What kind of important figure is your father? You actually dare to go against Princess Changning! Are you tired of your father having such a smooth career in officialdom, huh? Huh?"
Yu Banxia retorted defiantly, "Father, why can't I compare myself to Princess Changning? Besides, I haven't done anything wrong. I'm just running my own shop, earning money by my own abilities. I haven't inconvenienced anyone!"
Father Yu was so angered by her words that he actually laughed, a cold chuckle escaping him. "Ha, you still want to compare yourself to Princess Changning? She donated grain and saved the common folk of several cities. And you? You say you earn money by your own abilities? I ask you, where did you get the capital to open your shop? Is it true, as the rumors outside claim, that it's related to the Sixth Prince? You haven't inconvenienced anyone? The Imperial Capital is so vast, with so many shops. Why did you choose not to open anywhere else, but specifically open every single one of your shops directly opposite hers?"
Yu Banxia felt a little guilty, but still believed she hadn't done anything wrong. "Running a shop is about individual ability; I haven't used any illicit means. Father, why are you so angry? Has someone been bothering you? Is it Prince Jing? I'll go find him!"
Father Yu felt that saying so much was simply like talking to a brick wall.
"Stop right there! If Prince Jing had truly made a move, do you think you'd still see your father standing here?"
Yu Banxia turned back and asked, "Not Prince Jing, then Minister Su? This Princess Changning is too pathetic, too lowly, isn't she? If she can't beat me, she just runs home to her father!"
Father Yu roared, "Just shut your mouth! Your father is merely a minor official of the fourth rank. There's no need for those important figures to act personally; there are naturally plenty of people below them eager to curry favor! Butler, the family discipline!"
The Butler looked at Father Yu, looking troubled. "Master."
"And you're still standing there?! Go quickly!" Father Yu roared.
The Butler, helpless, glanced at Yu Banxia, sighed, and went to fetch the family discipline.
Seeing that he was serious, Yu Banxia yelled at the top of her lungs, "Mother! Come out quickly! Father's going to hit me!!"
"Master! You mustn't!" As soon as Yu Banxia's words fell, Mother Yu rushed out from the inner room.
Father Yu was about to strike with the whip but was blocked by Mother Yu.
"My dear wife! Our daughter has been completely spoiled by you! If this continues, our family will be ruined!" Father Yu exclaimed, heartbroken.
Mother Yu shielded her daughter. "My dear husband, it's not that serious. Our daughter is just running a shop. Our daughter is smart; if her shop affects Princess Changning's business, it only proves how capable she is."
Father Yu threw the whip aside and walked into the room.
Yu Banxia tugged on Mother Yu's sleeve and subtly gestured with her chin towards Father Yu.
Mother Yu patted her daughter's hand and led her into the room as well.
Seeing her father sitting at the head of the room, sulking, Mother Yu gave her daughter a meaningful look.
Yu Banxia stepped forward and timidly called out, "Father."
Mother Yu poured a cup of water and handed it to him, saying, "My dear husband, don't be angry anymore. The child is still young; we can teach her slowly."
Father Yu sighed heavily, looking at his wife and daughter. "My dear wife, I'm worried about our daughter. She's now entangled with the Sixth Prince. The rumors and gossip in the Imperial Capital can be deadly; it's not like our small town from before! What kind of person is the Sixth Prince? What kind of person is Consort Yun? How can a family of a mere fourth-rank official like ours hope to associate with them? In the end, won't it be our daughter who gets hurt?"
Yu Banxia felt a surge of warmth in her heart. "Father, are kings, nobles, generals, and ministers born different? A person's fate isn't set in stone. Your daughter intends to change her own destiny. I heard that half a year ago, Princess Changning was still the Imperial Capital's laughingstock. But look at her now; if she can do it, so can your daughter! Father, your daughter has a way to get you back to the Imperial Capital, and even a way to get you promoted."
Father Yu saw that his daughter wouldn't listen to reason at all, and his heart was filled with weariness. "Fine, fine. You won't turn back until you hit a wall. Child, the Imperial Capital is fraught with hidden depths, and the minds of the nobles aren't as simple as you think."
With that, he stood up and walked towards the study.
"My dear husband, you haven't eaten yet!" Mother Yu called out to him.
Father Yu waved his hand, didn't reply, and exited without looking back.
Mother Yu looked at her daughter, frowning. "My daughter, do you truly like the Sixth Prince?"
Yu Banxia lowered her head and replied, "Your daughter doesn't know either." At first, she had merely thought she needed to find someone to cooperate with, and among the princes, only the Sixth Prince seemed suitable. But as she gradually interacted with him, she found that Jun Hui was handsome, talented, gentle and courteous to others, and possessed a benevolent heart. She seemed to be slowly, truly falling for this man.
Seeing her daughter's expression, Mother Yu understood everything. "Alas, the imperial family's waters run deep. I'm afraid you'll get hurt."
Yu Banxia quickly said, "Mother, the Sixth Prince treats me very well. He said I'm the most special woman he's ever met. How could he possibly let me get hurt?"
Mother Yu murmured, "Let's hope so." With that, she also returned to her room.
Seeing her parents' reactions, Yu Banxia felt distressed herself. She didn't even eat dinner, returning to her room with her maid.
Qingling entered, carrying a tray of food. "Miss, please eat something quickly, so you don't get hungry at night."
Yu Banxia asked, "Have my father and mother eaten?"
Qingling shook her head.
Yu Banxia lay on her bed, looking up at the canopy, and asked, "Qingling, tell me, did I do something wrong?"
Qingling hesitated, "Miss, this servant feels that the Sixth Prince is using you."
Yu Banxia flipped over and sat up, looking at her. "What makes you say that?"
"Miss, just as Master said, with so many shops in the Imperial Capital, why must every single one be opened right next to Su's Shop? Letting you be the proprietor sounds good, but in reality, you only receive thirty percent of the profit."
Yu Banxia explained, "That's because I only provide the ideas; he manages everything else, from the shops to the funding."
Qingling retorted, "But Miss, if you're the proprietor, you'll have to contend with Princess Changning! She's a Princess, and behind her are Prince Jing, Minister Su, and Duke Weiguo. Has the Sixth Prince truly considered you at all?!"
Yu Banxia froze for a moment, then immediately countered, "I'm not afraid. Jun Hui said he'll bear all responsibility. If he were to be the proprietor, it would invite suspicion."
Qingling watched, realizing that no matter what she said, her young miss had a reason to retort. She knew then that her miss had truly fallen for him.
Seeing Qingling fall silent, Yu Banxia felt even more justified. "Father and Mother disagree, simply because they think our family's official rank is too low and fear Consort Yun won't approve. It seems I'll have to find a way to get Father promoted."
Qingling's eyes widened. She had always known her young miss could be whimsical at times, but these words were truly preposterous. "This concerns the imperial court! Official positions aren't something one can just get promoted to like that! How could a young lady from the inner chambers possibly influence such matters!"
"Miss! If anyone were to hear those words, it would bring disaster!"
Yu Banxia waved her hand dismissively. "Relax, relax. I'm just talking within our own home. Anyway, let's eat first. 'Man is iron, food is steel; one meal missed, one feels weak and ill.'"
With that, she quickly scrambled up to eat.
Qingling looked at her miss, who was far too carefree for her own good, and simply too optimistic.
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