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  Chapter 12: The Cost

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  The man who came out of the fake mountain cave was a spy sent by Zhu Yingtai to Chu's mansion. For the past few days, he had been trying to figure out what those three were up to and finally heard something big today, so he rushed to report to Zhu Yingtai in a flurry.

  Zhu Yingtai listened to his report and was surprised. Did you hear that? Didn't he call him "Fifth Brother" several times?

  "That's right, the little one definitely didn't hear! Fifth Master calls Third Miss 'sister', and Third Miss calls Fifth Master 'brother'! Second Young Master is on the side, not feeling anything strange at all, the expressions of the three people... The little one will absolutely not listen!"

  Zhu Yifei stared at him in shock, really a bit stunned.

  "That's what the person muttered to himself, 'Brother...' I absolutely didn't hear it, it was clearly called that!"

  "Could it be... that they've sworn an oath? Zhu Yuxuan thought of a possibility, but hesitated and shook his head to deny it. Not to mention that Zhu Yuhuan was going to go through the ritual, even if Chu Keqi were in her boudoir, she absolutely wouldn't do something so... unorthodox! Besides, there's no need for that!"

  "They all said it, give me a word-for-word repeat."

  The people below hurriedly repeated what they had heard, word for word, without missing a single one.

  "The maid didn't wait for Third Young Miss's instructions and directly waited under the corridor?"

  "Yes, it's obvious that the third daughter and the two gentlemen have some private conversation to discuss. The two maidservants are already used to this and stand at a distance where they can't hear anything."

  "The situation of the three people is very natural?"

  "It's very natural for San Guniang to call him like that, and Wu Ye is also very natural, it doesn't seem like they just started calling each other like that, they must have been doing it for some time."

  Zhu Yingtuo didn't ask, but pondered for a moment before asking the servant again, "Last time you said that San Gu Niang and Wu Ye were alone together, what were their expressions?"

  At that time, the way he looked at me was strange, as if we were very close, but it wasn't like a romantic relationship between men and women... Now that I think about it, I finally understand, it's the kind of expression only siblings have!

  "Brother and sister!" Zhu Yifei walked back and forth in the room, muttering to himself. Could they be brother and sister? Fifth Brother was clearly born to Qin Niang... or was it Ke Gui?! No... no way, if they were really siblings, then there must be a problem with Yifei's side...

  He walked to the window, grasped his somewhat excited hands, looked out of the window, blew some refreshing cool breeze, and tried to calm down as soon as possible.

  Is it really sworn brothers or...?

  He recalled the strange behavior of Zhu Yuhuan before, who had gone to his mother's place with such sincerity and said how much he liked San, even spreading the news to the Crown Prince! However, just a few days later, after being pestered by Chu Yunqing, he stopped mentioning it altogether!

  The other day, I went to the Qingyun Mountain's An Tang, he thought it was going to be with San, but instead, Zhu Yuheng and Lan Cixian were also there! The four of them were fooling around and I never figured out what was going on, but now that I think about it, wasn't San's mother, Liu Niangniang, always over there?

  It's already impossible for him to marry San again, and by rights, this should be his good opportunity. However, when Lan Zixun came to their home to propose, his mother went to sound him out, but he immediately said that he had given up!

  At that time, Zhu Yuye was suspicious because he gave up too easily! At that time, I thought it was because of the friendship with Zhu Yuchen, but now it seems... there is really a lot to it!

  Zhu Yifei made up his mind and was determined to get to the bottom of it!

  He quickly thought of it, turned around and ordered the servant to check if there were any relatives of Qin Niang in the mansion, and not to disturb them after finding out. Also, investigate how many children Liu Niang had given birth to, when they were born, and get a detailed account of the situation!

  The man hastily agreed and left.

  Zhu Yingtai could no longer wait and immediately changed into another set of clothes to go out, still heading to the same courtyard where he had seen the guard last time.

  As soon as they entered, two guards had already quietly followed them in. Once inside the house, Zhu Yuxu immediately ordered one of them to investigate what happened in the mansion when Madame Qin gave birth to the Fifth Master, and to find out all the major and minor events that occurred at that time. The other was told to investigate the midwife who delivered Madame Qin, the maidservants who attended to her, and the wet nurse of the Fifth Master... Ah yes, it seemed that the wet nurse had already passed away, but he wanted them to thoroughly investigate the wet nurse's relatives!

  "Yes!" The two guards responded and left as well.

  Zhu Yifei had a very sensitive feeling that this matter was not ordinary! Behind it seemed to be hiding a great secret! He had a premonition, this secret... could bring the dead back to life, and let Chu Ke fall into his hands!

  He was somewhat agitated and wandered back and forth in the courtyard for a long time...

  In the Chu Mansion, Zhu Yi Chen and Zhu Yi Huan were still drinking wine. Zhu Yi Huan finally waited for Zhu Yi Chen to respectfully knock his head three times and personally heard him call out "Big Brother-in-law!" At this moment, Zhu Yi Huan felt a sense of belonging, as if he had finally become a part of the Chu family's joyful occasion. He was so happy that he started dancing with joy...

  ……

  Chu Mansion.

  After seeing off the happy Liu Maoxi, Master Chu called Chu Nanchen to go and take a look at what the children were doing. The only thing he was worried about was Zhu Yuetuo, afraid that Zhu Yuetuo would get hurt again, and still living in the mansion, feeling the joyful atmosphere of the mansion, how much more painful it would be for him.

  But Chu Nan had just turned around, and Dao Yuchen and Yuchen Huan were already drinking together. Yuchen Zuo had gone out, and the servants in his courtyard said that he was going to visit Ping'an Houfu, and if it was too late, he would not return tonight.

  Chu Lao Yezi finally let out a sigh of relief, nodding his head and saying "It's good this way, it's also good. Yī Zhōu isn't around to see Yī Chén being happy, he'd be embarrassed."

  Chu Nancai smiled and said, "It's really urgent! There are only three months left."

  "Old Master Chu nodded, yes, right. For San Niang's dowry, try to... don't let Mother interfere, and you also shouldn't interfere... otherwise go tell San Niang to prepare the jewelry, clothes, silk fabrics, and bedding. As for what needs to be bought, just make a list and take the silver out from the house. As for other decorations, bamboo furniture, come and get them ready."

  Chu Nan had already understood the old master's meaning, and the old master was probably still afraid that Old Lady Chu would not be willing to let go, and would stir up trouble in this matter. As for Chu Gao, she naturally didn't put her mind at ease either. He nodded slightly with a heavy heart, thinking to himself, if only Madam Liu were still around...

  The old man seemed to be thinking of this too, and sighed, "In the past, we all knew that there were things going on in the backyard that we didn't want to hear about..."

  ……

  Zhu Yichan and Zhu Yihan were drinking in the guest house, Chu Keji finally also heard the news that the maids had inquired about, the day was set, October 29th! The engagement date is October 18th.

  She actually breathed a sigh of relief, those few days were said to be auspicious, but she felt that something must have happened, looking at the old man and her father's expression, she knew something was wrong. However, as a daughter and it being a matter of her lifetime, how could she ask?! At that time, she was really frustrated, not knowing what to do.

  Everything is finally settled now.

  The next day, Zhu Yichen was preparing for the engagement and wanted to see Chu Keqi before leaving. This was a bit difficult as after the engagement, they had to avoid suspicion and their identities as cousins were no longer the same. In the end, he didn't get to see her, but Zhu Yichen left with a peaceful mind anyway.

  Zhu Yuhuan stayed for two more days and then left. The matters here had been settled, and staying any longer would be pointless. On the surface, the Chu family was still a barrier between them, and he didn't want to overstay his welcome either.

  Zhu Yingtai lived in the Ping'an Marquis's mansion. It was said that there would be a birthday celebration at the mansion in a few days.

  The three people who lived in the Chu family have all left.

  Chu Nancai then came over to Chu Keqi's side and stammered as he spoke, saying that regarding the dowry, she needed to prepare some things.

  Chu Xue nodded immediately, she also didn't want the old lady to stir up trouble inside.

  Chu Nancai had just left, and Chu Keqin went up to the embroidery building. Actually, her dowry was almost ready because she had prepared it early. The screen, chair covers, table runners, etc., were all embroidered by the maids, while she only made her wedding dress herself, embroidering a few small items like handbags, sword holders, and fan holders.

  Chu Ke smiled with pursed lips, putting everything away one by one. The next day, he reported to Old Man Chu and Chu Nancai, going to Qingyun Mountain to visit his mother Liu Luo Su, and Chu Nancai naturally agreed.

  Chu Xue arrived at the Qingyun Mountain hermitage and reported to her mother the day of her wedding. Liu Luo Su was overjoyed when she finally confirmed it.

  Because Zhu Yuhuan had instructed the abbot of the temple not to give her a tonsure, she still counts as a layperson in cultivation, although she has asked many times, the abbot just won't give her a tonsure, and there's nothing she can do about it.

  Liu Luo Su heard that their marriage was settled, so she hurriedly taught Chu Xue Qi to make Zhu Yi Zhen's gifts, mainly because they needed to give the groom official a congratulatory handkerchief (long pants) and sweat towel during the return gift. These men's personal items are not convenient to make before the engagement is settled, now that things are settled, it's natural to hurry up and do them.

  Fortunately, there are still more than two months before the winter solstice, and it's just in time. Chu Ke'er accompanied her mother in the temple for a few days and made these things.

  She is a particularly strong and good person. These unwilling young ladies, in the embroidery building, are busy doing these things all day, and they are done very quickly.

  She had just left Qingyun Mountain for a short while, and several people who looked like they were doing small business came to the foot of Qingyun Mountain. They set up stalls at the foot of the mountain, on the halfway slope, and even near the nunnery, selling vegetables, incense burners, candles, and other items. There was also a stall near the temple gate on the halfway slope, which had almost no business every day, but these people seemed to be completely indifferent.

  It is by.

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