Because Consort Yun had quieted down, Su Li was permitted to leave the estate.
She took Si Qin and Zhi Shu to the Wei State Duke's Estate, found Wei Yuanyao, and together they went to the Qu Family.
Finally, the three of them—Su Li, Wei Yuanyao, and Qu Zhirou—departed together.
Inside the carriage, Wei Yuanyao groaned.
"It's a good thing you came for me, Li'er, otherwise my mother would still have me cooped up at home studying those maddening rules. You know, after marrying, I'll still have to pay morning and evening respects to my in-laws.
Don't they say you should treat your in-laws like your own parents? I don't even pay morning and evening respects to my parents at home, and I've never seen my mother pay morning and evening respects to Maternal Grandmother either."
Su Li chuckled, "That's because your Maternal Grandmother is considerate of your Maternal Aunt. However, I think Madam Ji is also amiable; it won't be as dreadful as you imagine."
Qu Zhirou also said, "That's right, one must learn the rules, but whether you'll need to use them later is another matter."
Su Li recalled bumping into Wei Yuanling, who was about to leave the Wei State Duke's Estate, and asked, "Cousin, why was Cousin Yuanling leaving in such a hurry today? Where was he going?"
His attire didn't suggest he was going to the palace.
Wei Yuanyao giggled, "The Spring Imperial Examinations results were announced the day before yesterday, weren't they? My brother was so confident he'd be on the first rank, but he ended up on the third. He came back looking like a deflated balloon.
My mother frankly told him he'd bragged too much, and my father makes him go to the Martial Training Ground every day, saying he should practice his martial arts well because in the future, he'll only be able to rely on brute strength to earn military merits and titles. So, he's off to the Martial Training Ground."
Qu Zhirou let out a 'pfft' of laughter and said, "He's a fine young master, yet you two make him sound like a brute who only relies on his muscles."
"To make it into the top three ranks is already quite good," Su Li said.
The Wei State Duke's Estate typically followed the path of military generals, so Su Li wondered why her cousin had decided to take the civil examination.
Qu Zhirou nodded in agreement. There were twenty people on each rank list; being on the third rank was indeed quite good.
Wei Yuanyao laughed, "It's all because my brother was too confident. The teacher praised him as a 'teachable talent' only out of respect for Grandfather and Father, and he got carried away, declaring he'd excel in both scholarly and martial arts. Now he's suffering a blow."
Wei Yuanyao teased her own brother without a shred of pressure. The group chatted and laughed, enjoying themselves greatly.
Qu Zhirou said happily, "Oh, that reminds me, I can stay in the Capital City for a while longer! Mother said I should stay until after I've seen you all off to your weddings."
Wei Yuanyao was also delighted. "I'm getting married in just over a month. I was worried you wouldn't be able to wait, but now it's fine."
Su Li looked puzzled, "Has Eldest Young Master Ji not sought you out?"
Qu Zhirou's smile faltered. "No."
Su Li frowned. That didn't seem right.
Wei Yuanyao took Qu Zhirou's hand and said, "He's working for the Crown Prince, so he must be very busy. The fact that he accepted your sachet shows he has feelings for you."
Qu Zhirou shook her head and said, "It's fine. I don't have that much on my mind."
If he didn't come to see her, she would return to Fu'an with her grandfather and find someone else to marry.
Su Li smiled. She was annoyed.
At this moment, the coachman's voice came from outside the carriage.
"Young Miss, we've arrived at East Street."
Su Li and the others alighted from the carriage, leading their maids as they walked past the street vendors.
They circled the street, finding at least four or five Su's Businesses on that single street.
Wei Yuanyao exclaimed, "Li'er, you earn so much silver, you couldn't spend it all in several lifetimes!"
Su Li chuckled, "If you know how to earn money, you should know how to spend it. Come on, I'll take you to spend money. Let's go eat something delicious first."
"Aren't the best foods in the Capital City all at Drunken Immortal Restaurant? That's Aunt's restaurant, so we don't even need to spend money," Wei Yuanyao said.
Su Li paused, realizing she was right. Nearly all their current food, clothing, and other expenses came from Su's Businesses or her mother's establishments. It seemed they had money but nowhere to spend it.
Qu Zhirou laughed, "What's wrong with being able to eat well without spending money? Just looking at all that silver makes one happy every day."
"I didn't realize Sister Qu was such a money-lover."
The group chatted and laughed as they arrived at Drunken Immortal Restaurant, went up to a private room on the second floor, and ordered some tea and pastries.
As Su Li entered the private room, she coincidentally saw someone dressed in official robes enter the private room next door.
When the waiter brought the pastries, Su Li casually asked, "Who is in the room next door?"
"Replying to the Proprietress, it's His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Su Li nodded and said, "You may leave."
"Yes."
Su Li looked at the several maids standing by and said, "You all sit down and have some refreshments too. You must be tired from walking."
Si Qin and Zhi Shu were fine with it, but Wei Yuanyao and Qu Zhirou's maids politely declined.
"How can we do that? How dare a servant share a table with her masters?"
"Precisely, precisely, County Princess and the two Young Misses need not bother with us."
Su Li didn't insist, seeing that these maids were uncomfortable in front of their mistresses. She said, "Si Qin, you and the others can go to the main hall. Order whatever you wish from the waiter."
Only then did the maids happily leave.
The three young women in the room enjoyed their pastries, chatting about their girly secrets, feeling quite at ease.
After resting sufficiently, they spoke of going to a Su's Business to look at jewelry, then rose and exited the private room.
Just as they came out, they saw the Crown Prince and his party also heading downstairs.
At the entrance, they each boarded their carriages and departed, leaving Eldest Young Master Ji behind, seemingly waiting for someone.
Su Li, Wei Yuanyao, and Qu Zhirou emerged, gave him a slight nod, and were about to leave.
Ji Huaiyan's voice came from behind them: "Miss Qu, please wait."
Su Li and Wei Yuanyao exchanged glances. Su Li said, "Cousin, weren't you going to my residence? Let's go, Mother must be getting anxious."
Wei Yuanyao was also quick on the uptake. "Right, right, let's hurry up and go."
The two, with their maids, quickly boarded their carriage.
Qu Zhirou called out to the carriage, "Hey! You two..."
Su Li poked her head out and said, "Sister Qu, let's meet again next time!"
Qu Zhirou glared at her, exasperated, and watched helplessly as the carriage sped away.
She had come out in Su Li's carriage, and these two heartless people had just abandoned her on the street.
Qu Zhirou didn't turn around. Behind her, Ji Huaiyan's voice grew closer.
"Miss Qu, I'll escort you back to your residence."
"No need, I can hire a carriage myself. Young Master Ji is incredibly busy; you don't need to trouble yourself with me," Qu Zhirou refused.
Watching the woman walk ahead with her maid, Ji Huaiyan let out a soft chuckle.
Qu Zhirou, walking in front, heard the laughter and quickened her pace.
After they had left the bustling market, her waist was suddenly gripped tightly. Amidst her maid's cries of surprise, she came to her senses to find herself seated firmly on a horse.
"Giddy up!"
"Young Miss!"
Qu Zhirou quickly turned her head and shouted, "You! Hire a carriage and go back to the residence yourself!"
Qu Zhirou hadn't expected Ji Huaiyan to be so brazen; her eyes reddened with anger.
"Ji Huaiyan, you scoundrel! Let me down!"
Ji Huaiyan said nothing and didn't let her go.
Qu Zhirou stopped struggling.
"This isn't the way back to the Qu Residence! Where are you taking me?" Qu Zhirou loudly demanded, looking at the unfamiliar surroundings.
"You'll know when we arrive."
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