Did Miss become a nun today?

The next day, Lan Yue brought in some new snacks.

"Miss, please try these pastries. The manor just bought them today. I heard they're a new product from Xingfangzhai."

She picked up a piece; it was sweet but not cloying, with a faint fragrance—just the taste she liked. She ate a little more than three pieces, though that was unusual.

Wiping his hands, he asked Lan Yue, "Did you go to the Chen family last time I asked you to?"

"I went there, but I didn't see Young Master Chen. I only saw Old Man Chen and Sui'er."

"I heard that Mr. Chen recently quit his job at the incense shop and took a different job. He's been very busy lately, leaving early and returning late every day."

"Then you should ask if they've received any of my letters?"

Lan Yue shook her head. "No, the Chen family has never received a letter since Miss left."

She had originally intended to ask Chen Yan about Lu Zhaoran, but the letter was never sent; it was probably intercepted by Pei Changyu.

Since the letter was in his hands, he naturally knew what she was investigating.

He remembered the question he had asked her in the carriage that day, and he was very unhappy. So he knew everything and insisted on forcing her to beg him in person.

It really is no good.

"By the way, I heard that Miss Mingyue has also returned. The Zhao family has been quite lively these past few days."

Zhao Mingyue is a restless person who likes to tease the Zhao family when she has nothing to do, but the Zhao family can't do anything about it, and every few days there will be a chaotic scene.

When she returned to Beijing, Zhao Mingyue was still in Changning, and they haven't seen each other for a long time now.

"Since you're just idling around in the manor anyway, you could go and visit the Zhao family."

The Zhao family's rules are too strict; Zhao Mingyue doesn't like them, and neither does she.

However, her not going doesn't mean Zhao Mingyue won't come.

Xie Yun Chu had just turned a page of her book when there was a commotion outside; sure enough, someone had arrived.

Zhao Mingyue burst in, carrying a food box. Even before she got close, the aroma of osmanthus and jujube paste filled the air.

He placed the food box on the table, looked her up and down, and frowned slightly. "You've lost weight, your chin is so sharp. Is that bastard Pei Changyu not feeding you?"

Before Xie Yun Chu could speak, she instructed Lan Yue, "Steam the pastries I brought; they're all your young lady's favorites."

As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed the pastries on the table. "Have you eaten?"

Xie Yun Chu nodded, "It's alright, I'll have to eat a few more bites even though I'm already full, since you brought them."

Zhao Mingyue, however, focused her attention on the pastries. "Who delivered these pastries?"

"Replying to Miss Mingyue, these are new products from Xingfangzhai, purchased by the household," Lanyue replied.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mingyue spat inwardly. She was also at Xingfangzhai today, but she didn't see anyone from the Marquis's residence. Instead, Guanyun, who was next to Pei Changyu, was standing at the front of the line.

Pei Changyu, the eldest son of the Marquis's mansion, has quite a reach; he even has people working in the main courtyard.

She didn't point it out. The two sat for a while, and she didn't ask her what happened after Pei Changyu took her away. She only told her about the interesting things happening outside.

"I still have a few days off after I get back. Shall I take you out for a relaxing trip?"

"Although the kite-flying season has passed, the weather is perfect now. The flowers outside the city are in bloom, and the weather is neither too hot nor too cold, making it a great time to go out for a spring outing."

"You know those people from the Zhao family, they're so boring, and they're always complaining that I'm going out too much. I can't get along with them."

Xie Yunchu didn't agree immediately. Having learned from her previous experience, she was afraid of running into people she shouldn't have met.

Zhao Mingyue continued her enticement, "If you agree to accompany me on a spring outing, I'll take you to Qingyun Nunnery for a few days, how about that?"

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course, when have I ever lied to you? Don't worry, with me here, you could become a nun at Qingyun Nunnery without anyone stopping you."

Xie Yun Chu immediately nodded, "Okay, I'll go."

After leaving the main courtyard, Zhao Mingyue went to pay her respects to Madam Hou before preparing to leave.

But she was stopped halfway. Guan Yun gestured for her to enter, "Miss Zhao, my young master has been waiting for a long time."

In the pavilion not far away, Pei Changyu held a teacup, enjoying the gentle breeze and bright moonlight, standing aloof from the world—truly a handsome young master.

Who could have known that he was actually a heartless person?

"Young Master Pei, what refined taste you have." She didn't stand on ceremony and sat down opposite him.

"Speak, what do you want with me?"

Pei Changyu didn't keep him in suspense, "I've called you here today to ask when the lady of the Shen family will be returning?"

Zhao Mingyue's smile froze, and the tea in her hand instantly became scalding hot. "What did the young master say?"

"You should understand what I'm talking about. Since you've asked, you already know. Miss Zhao, there's no need to hide it from me anymore."

Zhao Mingyue re-examined Pei Changyu and realized that he was indeed the future head of the Marquis's mansion. She had even found out about this. It seemed that she was not careful enough and had given herself away.

Why are you asking this?

Pei Changyu chuckled, "Of course it's useful."

She frowned slightly, but didn't try to hide anything. "Asking me won't help; I don't know where she is either."

"You even found out about my relationship with her? You're so capable, go ahead and investigate! Why bother asking me?"

If we could really find the person, why would we need to ask Zhao Mingyue?

Pei Changyu felt utterly helpless when he thought about this matter.

He's been away for so long, yet he can't find a single woman.

Every time there was news, it would be cut off again. This happened repeatedly, and this was the first time in his life that he had failed.

He had heard of this young lady from the Shen family when he was young; she was a prominent figure in the capital back then.

His Highness the Crown Prince even proposed to her, but Miss Shen at the time didn't take a liking to him.

But this person suddenly disappeared, and there has been no trace of him for so many years.

It's unclear whether she was clever or if someone was helping her.

Zhao Mingyue downed her tea in one gulp. "I've already told you what I know. I really don't know where she is."

She wasn't exactly lying; she genuinely didn't know where her mother was, but she didn't say she couldn't contact her either.

Glancing at his face, one could call it alluring, yet he possessed an aloof and indifferent air about him.

It makes people less guarded.

But the more someone is like that, the more ruthless they become when they scheme against others.

Yun Chu was so innocent and kind, but in this person's hands, not even a bone fragment would remain.

I can't marry him, no matter who I marry.

My mother said that it's okay for men to have fun, but they shouldn't take it seriously.

When she likes you, she'll dote on you and be considerate in every way. But when she doesn't like you anymore, things will get really bad. She's seen plenty of women who have been heartbroken by men.

Yun Chu is young and easily deceived; we can't just watch her jump into a fire pit.

After leaving the Marquis's residence and returning to the Zhao family home, she whispered something in the maid's ear. The maid was taken aback, "Are you really going?"

"Just pass on the message; whether he agrees or not is another matter."

The maid responded and immediately left.