Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 304 Hidden Thoughts

The warm sun hung high in the sky, its gentle rays softly bathing the courtyard of the Cui residence, casting a warm golden hue over everything.

The garden inside the mansion is full of flowers, fragrant and beautiful. A gentle breeze blows, the branches sway, and the petals flutter, as if a silent dance is being performed.

In the main hall, a lunch had just ended.

Ye Wenshu put down her chopsticks with satisfaction, her movements as graceful as willow branches slowly unfurling in spring.

Her personal maid was already waiting by her side, and at the right moment she handed her a snow-white handkerchief.

Ye Wenshu took it and gently wiped her mouth, her delicate movements as if she were afraid of disturbing the surrounding tranquility.

Another maidservant respectfully approached her, carrying a basin of warm water that had been prepared beforehand.

Ye Wenshu gently placed her fair and delicate hands into the warm water, her movements gentle, her face showing a serene and content expression.

After cleaning, she took the handkerchief from the tray and carefully dried the water. Every movement was smooth and natural, showing the elegance and composure of a noble lady.

Then, she picked up the tea, took a small sip, and the aroma of the tea spread between her lips and teeth. Her eyes narrowed slightly, full of contentment.

This series of fluid movements left Shi Wanxia, ​​who was sitting to the side, dumbfounded.

Shi Wanxia came from an ordinary background and was usually very energetic and decisive. She had never seen such a refined and meticulous manner before.

She snapped out of her daze, realizing her lapse in composure, and coughed awkwardly a few times before saying, "Miss Ye, I still have official business to attend to, so please excuse me. Brother Cui, Shuyun, please keep Miss Ye company."

After saying that, she quickly stood up, performed a slightly awkward curtsy, and hurriedly left, her steps showing a hint of panic.

Ye Wenshu watched Shi Wanxia's departing figure, her expression unchanged, a faint smile still on her lips.

She understood that as an official of the imperial court, Sister Shi was usually tied up with official duties and had no choice in the matter. "Young Master Cui, Miss Shuyun, I apologize for disturbing you today!"

Ye Wenshu bowed slightly, her voice soft and melodious, like a babbling brook in the mountains. Her every movement and stillness revealed her gentle and dignified demeanor.

Cui Zhihao sat to the side, watching Ye Wenshu's every move, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

Although he was once the son of the Cui family of Qinghe, he was used to dealing with account books and goods and was not used to being with women.

But since Miss Ye was Miss Shi's honored guest, he couldn't very well refuse. "Miss Ye, please don't stand on ceremony. It's rare for you to have time today. Shuyun, please show Miss Ye around the courtyard. I need to go back to my study to take care of some things."

Cui Zhihao said that he was thinking about today's accounts and tomorrow's purchase materials, and he needed to write them down as soon as possible and give them to Young Master Lin to purchase.

Shuyun quickly stood up, her face beaming with a warm smile.

"Miss Ye, this way please," she said, then led Ye Wenshu out of the main hall and towards the courtyard.

The courtyard was shaded by green trees, with winding paths. As Shuyun walked, she introduced the scenery of the courtyard to Ye Wenshu.

“Miss Ye, look over here. This is the lotus pond in our mansion. Every summer, the lotus flowers bloom in profusion, it’s so beautiful,” Shuyun said, pointing to the pond not far away.

Ye Wenshu looked in the direction she pointed and saw layers upon layers of lotus leaves in the pond, like large green umbrellas.

Although it's not yet the season for lotus flowers to bloom, she can already imagine the beautiful scene of a pond full of blooming lotus flowers.

"It's absolutely beautiful. I'm sure it will be a magnificent sight when it's there," Ye Wenshu said softly, her eyes full of anticipation.

The two strolled along the path and unknowingly arrived at a patch of flowers.

The flowers here are vying for attention, displaying a riot of colors, and bees and butterflies are busily flitting among them.

Ye Wenshu stopped and gently squatted down to carefully admire the flowers.

“These flowers are so beautiful, each one is like a carefully crafted work of art,” she exclaimed.

Looking at Ye Wenshu's focused expression, Shuyun couldn't help but sigh. This Miss Ye not only came from a prestigious family and had an elegant demeanor, but also loved these flowers and plants so much. She was truly a thoughtful person.

"If Miss Ye likes it, we can come and admire the flowers together when they are in full bloom," Shuyun said with a smile.

Ye Wenshu stood up, smiled, and nodded. "Thank you very much, Miss Shuyun," she said.

The two continued their stroll and conversation in the courtyard, their laughter echoing in the tranquil space, like a beautiful painting...

In the garden, a gentle breeze carried the faint fragrance of flowers as Ye Wenshu and Shuyun strolled side by side along the winding path.

The flowers all around swayed gently in the wind, as if whispering the beauty of spring.

However, Ye Wenshu's mind was not on the beautiful scenery at all. Her gaze kept drifting into the distance, her eyes filled with hesitation and expectation.

The maid followed behind, and seeing that her mistress hadn't asked anything for a long time, she cautiously reminded her in her ear.

Ye Wenshu took a deep breath, her face showing difficulty, but since it concerned her happiness for the rest of her life, she gritted her teeth and asked, "Miss Shuyun, I would like to ask you if Sister Shi and Prince Xiang, Shen Yanchu, are acquainted?"

Upon hearing this, Shu Yun abruptly stopped, clearly taken aback. She slowly turned her head, looking at Ye Wenshu with a puzzled expression.

In her mind, this Miss Ye was of noble status and usually lived a life of luxury. Why would she condescend to come to the mansion today just to inquire about Prince Xiang, Shen Yanchu? A sense of unease welled up in her heart, and a hint of vigilance flashed in her eyes.

But since it concerned Miss Shi, and for the sake of Miss Shi's reputation, she did not hesitate at all and firmly shook her head.

“Miss Ye, I’m sorry, I don’t know about that!” Shu Yun said, her tone firm and unwavering.

Ye Wenshu looked incredulous upon hearing this answer.

She thought to herself, how could Shuyun, as Sister Shi's personal maid, not know? In her opinion, was Shuyun's action because she didn't want to tell her?

Since they don't want to tell you, there must be some hidden reason. It seems that the elder sister and the prince must be old acquaintances.

These days, she has also been able to find out some clues about the prince's every move through the guards her father gave her.

Prince Xiang, Shen Yanchu, makes frequent moves in the court and acts in a high-profile manner, seemingly harboring great ambitions.

However, she also knew Shi's ambitions and aspirations. Shi was wholeheartedly dedicated to serving the court, and with His Majesty's wisdom, how could he possibly let the prince have his way so easily?

However, thanks to the prince's help, she managed to preserve her reputation in public.

That time, she accidentally fell into the water in the bustling city. Just as she was panicking, Shen Yanchu suddenly appeared and rescued her.

At that moment, his figure, like a god, entered her world.

From then on, she developed a fondness for the prince, and she was also very satisfied with the marriage arranged by her family.

As a prince of noble status, she naturally knew that he would have many women in his harem, and she was prepared for this.

However, she also had her own bottom line. As the principal wife, she had not yet entered the palace, and no woman could step into the palace before her.

She secretly resolved to become Shen Yanchu's rightful wife and secure her position in the Prince's mansion.

Ye Wenshu looked at Shuyun, a hint of stubbornness flashing in her eyes.

“Miss Shuyun, do you really not know? Your sister Shi and I are good friends. If there were anything, I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

She tried to probe again, hoping to get some useful information from Shuyun.

Shuyun remained calm and unmoved.

“Miss Ye, I really don’t know. I only handle matters within the household, and I have never heard of such things.” She emphasized again, her attitude firm.

Ye Wenshu felt somewhat disappointed, but she also understood that she couldn't press the matter any further.

She sighed softly, and a smile returned to her face.

“In that case, then so be it. Miss Shuyun, the flowers in this courtyard are truly beautiful. Tell me more about them,” she said, trying to change the subject.

Shuyun breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a smile.

"Yes, Miss Ye, look at those peonies over there, they are a treasure of our household..."

As she spoke, she led Ye Wenshu toward the peony bushes, but Ye Wenshu's thoughts kept drifting to the mysterious Prince Xiang, Shen Yanchu...