Did Miss become a nun today?

Pei Changfeng remained silent for a long time. Xie Yun Chu, not wanting to say more to him, asked, "Is there anything else, Second Cousin?"

Pei Changfeng seemed still dazed from her words, and said, "I'm going to have a drink."

"Um."

"He hasn't returned home all night."

"I know."

Pei Changfeng seemed not to understand why she reacted this way. He stepped forward, grabbed her wrist, and his eyes showed a hint of urgency as he reminded her of what he had done yesterday.

Xie Yun Chu simply nodded, "You don't need to tell me what your cousin is doing."

He stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed. "Xie Yun Chu, are you still angry that I didn't save you first last time?"

"There's a reason for everything. I'll explain it to you later. Just wait a little longer."

"I didn't..."

Before she could finish speaking, Pei Changfeng interrupted her, "Didn't you always complain that I didn't take you out? Today I'll take you out. We'll have a crab feast at Jufulou and fly kites by the Qushui River."

"How about I let you release a lantern on the river tonight, and I buy you a sugar figurine?"

In the past, these words would have been quite appealing, and she would have been happy for days.

Pei Changfeng was handsome. Unlike his older cousin, his face had a more resolute look, but it wasn't stiff; it was just the right amount of handsome.

Because she had practiced martial arts since childhood, she had a tall and upright figure and a good physique. What girl wouldn't want a husband with such a good family background and good looks? She was no exception.

She pulled her hand away. "No need, I don't want to go."

Pei Changfeng frowned, completely losing his patience. He, a dignified young master of a marquis's mansion, had already apologized to her in such a humble manner. What more did she want?

"Xie Yun Chu, don't be ungrateful!"

Xie Yun Chu glanced at him indifferently, "Then consider me ungrateful."

She left those words behind and turned to go back inside.

Lan Yue quickly followed her in. "Miss, are you alright?"

"What could possibly happen to me? Is he going to eat me?" She took off her outer garment and glanced at him sideways. "But you, you're not allowed to talk nonsense in front of others in the future."

Lan Yue didn't dare to talk back. She helped her change her clothes and lit incense before leaving.

She didn't sleep well; she dreamed of her mother again.

She was still young then, and she couldn't remember many things clearly, but for some reason, the events of that day seemed to be hidden in her mind, and she could see them clearly.

Her mother, covered in blood, stood in the fire and pushed her out, shouting desperately that she had to live.

After leaving his mother, he suffered some hardships on the way to the capital, but his life in the Marquis's mansion was very good.

Although the old lady of the mansion looked down on her, she was not one to be harsh on younger generations. Her aunt, out of consideration for her mother, raised her until now.

She didn't have any major conflicts with her two cousins. Apart from disliking her, Pei Changfeng had nothing to say about her.

She's really doing very well...

After that day, Pei Changfeng never came again. She kept a close watch on him, and whenever he had free time, he would run out and do all the things she didn't want him to do. He hadn't been home for several days.

When Lan Yue reported the news to her, she was copying Buddhist scriptures. She looked up and said, "If you are really free, you can do some needlework."

Lan Yue pouted, "This servant is just trying to find out information for Miss."

"From now on, you don't need to keep track of your second cousin's news, nor do you need to report back to me. Or is it that you've also taken a liking to your second cousin and want to marry him?"

Lan Yue hurriedly waved her hands, "No, no, absolutely not."

After saying that, he looked at the smile on his young mistress's lips and knew that he was teasing her.

"Miss is scaring me again."

Xie Yun Chu put down her book. "If you really want to help me find out information, you should also find out about the other sisters in the household. We can't be biased towards one over the other."

"The second young master is different from the other young ladies and gentlemen."

"What's the difference? The brothers and sisters in the household are all family, what's the difference?"

"But the second young master is..."

"Of course, it's my elder brother."

"Remember, my second cousin and I are just siblings; don't go around saying that."

From now on, Pei Changfeng will only be her brother, and nothing more.

However, her aunt did not think that way. That day, she called her over and earnestly advised her: "I know that you and Changfeng are both stubborn and neither of you is willing to back down, but you can't live like that after you get married."

Xie Yun Chu took her aunt's arm and tried to dispel her idea. "Aunt, my second cousin is a son of a marquis. He is destined for great things. My status is not worthy of him."

"Why are you suddenly saying such things, child? Has someone been gossiping behind your back? Your aunt will teach them a lesson."

"No, it's just that I feel I'm not a good match with my second cousin."

"Why is it inappropriate? If it's because he didn't save you first last time, your aunt asked him about it, but he just wouldn't say. Why don't you go ask him yourself? It's better to have things to talk about."

Xie Yun Chu sighed, "Didn't Auntie consider that my second cousin didn't want to marry me?"

"How could that be? You're the daughter-in-law I've chosen; how could he dare refuse to marry you!"

She shook her head. "Aunt, my second cousin is a son of a marquis. His marriage is a major event for the marquis's family. Besides you, the old lady and uncle are also concerned about it. Let's just forget about it."

However, Cen Jingyan also had her own ideas. She had watched Yun Chu grow up, and she knew her son well. At least his character was fine. If Yun Chu stayed in the Marquis's mansion, he would have no worries about food and drink in the future, and with her protection, he wouldn't have a hard life.

Unable to persuade the person to stay, Xie Yun Chu left the main courtyard, her heart filled with sorrow.

"Miss, shall we go back to Qiulan Courtyard?" Lanyue asked.

She hesitated for a moment, then said, "I will leave the mansion today."

She asked Lan Yue to buy her some pastries, and went into the teahouse alone. The waiter hurriedly came up to her, "How many are in your party, young lady?"

"I want the private room on the far end of the second floor."

The waiter understood and immediately led her upstairs.

Shortly after, footsteps were heard outside, and the teahouse owner came in and handed her a letter.

She quickly took it, read the contents, and the light in her eyes gradually dimmed.

"Girl, it's been so many years without any news, are you still looking?"

She burned the letter, her eyes resolute. "Find it."

The shopkeeper hesitated, "It's been so many years. If he were still alive, we should have heard from him by now. There's still no news. I'm afraid..."

"No, she must still be alive."

Her mother was the most intelligent and quick-witted person. How could she have been murdered in a remote and impoverished place?

When she grew up, she sent someone to investigate, and they found that there were no bodies in the fire, so the people must still be alive.

As long as there is no news, there is still hope.

"But searching like this is like looking for a needle in a haystack, and the people below are quite resentful."

Xie Yun Chu looked at the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, how does the fragrance in this room smell?"

The shopkeeper noticed it as soon as he came in; it was elegant and refreshing, soothing and relaxing.

"This is a new incense I've blended. If you're willing to help, I'll supply you with goods for another year. The profits should be enough to pay the staff's bonuses, right?"

She doesn't know anything else, but she learned the art of incense making from her mother when she was a child. Her mother left her books, which were enough for her.

The shopkeeper's expression brightened, and he immediately nodded, "Good, good, Miss, the aroma you make will naturally be excellent. Don't worry, I will do my best."

Xie Yun Chu nodded her thanks. She didn't have any great ambitions now. She only had two wishes in this life: one was that her aunt could live a peaceful and smooth life, and the other was that she could find her mother. Otherwise, even if she became a nun, she would not feel at ease.

Whether they are dead or alive, at least we should find out the truth.