Xu Ziyun knew nothing of Xu Zifan's anger towards the Empress Dowager. When she saw Yu Lan, who bore a resemblance to the Empress Dowager, she assumed Xu Zifan was simply reminiscing about her, and her good mood from the trip vanished. She glanced at Yu Lan a few more times, but didn't say anything in front of them. She simply said, "Brother, we haven't seen each other for several years. I have something I want to tell you. Is this a convenient time?"
Xu Zifan stood up. "Of course it's convenient. Come with me to the flower hall. Shiqin, prepare some of Ziyun's favorite foods."
Seeing this, Xu Shiyue stepped forward and took Yu Lan's hand, smiling as she said, "Father, let me have a word with Miss Yu Lan. We haven't seen each other in a long time. Shall we have dinner together tonight?"
Xu Zifan nodded. "You can arrange it as you see fit. You've been learning from your aunt for so long, let your father see how well you've learned."
"Yes, Father."
Xu Shiyue pulled Yu Lan away first, while Xu Zifan led Xu Ziyun slowly towards the flower hall. As Xu Ziyun looked at the beautiful scenery in the courtyard along the way, she sighed, "I've never been to this Regent's Mansion before. Perhaps many people have forgotten that I am your sister."
Xu Zifan laughed and said, "I've never seen you so angry. Are you calm now?"
Xu Ziyun pursed her lips, glanced at him, and said, "That's not necessarily true. If you still treat fish eyes as pearls like before, I will never come again."
Xu Zifan shook his head with amusement, entered the flower hall, waved everyone away, and said, "Alright, you can come whenever you want from now on. I've long since cut ties with that person. I've let go of what I needed to let go of. Six years is a long time. Even if I were stupid, I would have seen through whether she was sincere or not."
Xu Ziyun stared at him in surprise. "Really? Brother, you can really let go?" She frowned again, thinking of Yu Lan. "No, I don't believe it. If you've let go, what was that girl all about? Brother, you really are... What am I supposed to say to you? You actually went so far as to find a substitute. Just how obsessed are you with her?"
Xu Zifan took a leisurely sip of tea and explained to her, "I saved Yu Lan by accident. Because they looked alike, I had her pretend to be that person for a while. I was confused at the time, but I've thought it through and told Yu Lan to go back to her own appearance. She's just living here now, and I have no intention of using her as a substitute."
Xu Ziyun carefully observed his expression and tentatively asked, "Yu Lan isn't one of yours? Then how do you plan to settle her down?"
Xu Zifan was taken aback by the question. He had been too busy lately, managing the court and expanding his power under the watchful eyes of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, while also trying to sow discord among them and keep them in a state of turmoil. He hadn't really thought much about things at home. It was only today, when he noticed that Yu Lan was bored, that he suggested managing the shop to pass the time. As for what would happen to Yu Lan in the future, he hadn't really thought about it seriously. In any case, he would protect her and ensure her peace and happiness for the rest of her life.
Seeing him lost in thought, Xu Ziyun asked again, "Brother, you haven't fallen for her and are planning to spend the rest of your life with her, have you? This is not something I should interfere with, but your judgment before was really worrying. May I ask what this Miss Yulan's background is?"
Upon hearing the words "spend the rest of your life together," Xu Zifan was immediately struck by the image of Mo Yun. He paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Yu Lan is a good girl, but I have no feelings for her. And Yu Lan doesn't feel the way you think she does; she's just grateful to me. In the future, I will find her a good home."
Xu Ziyun chuckled, "You men think so simply. She's lived in your mansion for so long, how could she marry someone else? Besides, she's already twenty. Where can you find a decent young man in his twenties who isn't married? Do you expect her to be someone else's second wife? Even if she marries you, she'll still be a second wife."
Xu Zifan smiled and took a sip of tea, very confident. "You don't need to worry about that. The person I protect is worthy of any good man, and will definitely live a comfortable and carefree life. Ziyun, did you come here just to tell me this? I have my own plans, and you don't know the inside story, so don't worry about it."
"Do you think I'm a busybody? Wasn't it because I was frightened by Yu Lan's appearance just now? If you really let go of that person, that's all. Don't be foolish and help her anymore. I heard she and her son have been causing quite a stir lately, and she even got sick from it. I think that's good, a sick person shouldn't see outsiders, so you should go to her place less often. As for whether you want to be with Yu Lan or not, I have no objection, and I believe Shi Yue has no objection either. She's mentioned Yu Lan to me several times, and the two of them get along very well, with fewer conflicts in the future."
After confirming that Xu Zifan was no longer infatuated with the Empress Dowager, Xu Ziyun actually hoped that Xu Zifan and Yu Lan could get together. After all, Yu Lan was the only woman who had appeared by Xu Zifan's side in all these years. As his younger sister, she naturally hoped that her brother would have a gentle and understanding woman by his side. Regardless of their backgrounds, harmonious family relationships were the most important thing.
Xu Zifan waved his hand, "Don't talk nonsense, I only treat Yu Lan as a younger sister."
He had thought about this when he first traveled through time. Marrying the person he was meant to protect was the best way to do so, but deception without feelings could not move people's hearts. So he decided that he would never develop feelings for the person he was meant to protect if he was not moved at all. If he was moved, then feelings could be cultivated.
He had never had any special feelings for Yu Lan, because he had been very busy since he transmigrated and rarely even saw her. Nothing special had ever happened between them, so naturally, he had no particular feelings for her. But just now, he realized that Mo Yun had already left a mark on his heart, though not deeply, it was definitely there.
Compared to Mo Yun, he preferred Mo Yun's personality and abilities. Therefore, there was no need for him to deliberately approach Yu Lan anymore. Unlike in modern times, there were many legitimate ways for him to protect Yu Lan. He had almost figured it out in the short time it took to speak, but there was no need to say it aloud now.
Xu Ziyun couldn't interfere in her brother's affairs, and seeing his insistence, she stopped talking about it. Her main purpose in coming this time was to see what Xu Zifan's attitude was towards the Empress Dowager. Now that she understood, she was overjoyed and found it much easier to get along with Xu Zifan. The two siblings hadn't seen each other for six years, and they had both changed a lot. However, they both had good personalities, and there was no distance between them when they chatted. It was as if all the past arguments and conflicts had vanished, and neither of them held a grudge anymore.
Xu Zifan inquired about Xu Shiyue's situation. Xu Ziyun praised Xu Shiyue highly and adored her, but she was worried about the high standards Xu Zifan had set for choosing a husband. Those high standards had scared people away, and now hardly anyone inquired about Xu Shiyue's marriage prospects anymore.
Xu Zifan just smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about these things. Just focus on teaching Shiyue well. The most important thing for a person to benefit the world is to establish themselves. As for the rest, let fate decide. Better to have none than a bad one. There's no need to marry just anyone for the sake of marriage. It's not like I can't afford to support her."
Xu Ziyun was already considered to be doing well in her husband's family, but marriage and running a family naturally bring many worries. No matter who you marry, there will be troubles. She also hoped that her niece could marry a good man and have fewer worries. Originally, she wanted to advise Xu Zifan to consider the character and family of her future son-in-law more carefully and be more lenient in other aspects, since women will eventually have to marry and have children.
But now, hearing Xu Zifan's words—that he'd be happy to support Xu Shiyue for life as long as she was happy—she figured her father didn't mind, so she was even less likely to. With her father's backing, being a pampered young lady was so carefree! Given Xu Zifan's status, there was really nothing to worry about. Life is full of disappointments; rather than gambling on whether her future son-in-law would be reliable, it was better to start with high standards and expectations, just as Xu Zifan said: better to have none than a bad one.
After allaying Xu Ziyun's concerns, Xu Zifan inquired about her life. Given that she was Xu Zifan's sister, her husband's family wouldn't mistreat her, nor would they neglect her social interactions. Furthermore, she was quite capable and had lived a good life all these years. Now that she and Xu Zifan had reconnected, their lives would only get better; there was nothing to worry about.
Xu Zifan had important matters to attend to, so after dinner he instructed Xu Shiyue to continue staying at Xu Ziyun's house. This time, he sent two bodyguards to each of them, telling them to be careful. Although the two didn't know what Xu Zifan was planning, they could tell from his attitude that something big was about to happen, and they solemnly agreed, saying they would protect themselves.
Xu Zifan also gave Yu Lan two bodyguards and had De'an select an experienced manager to teach Yu Lan business acumen. Yu Lan was really busy now.
The head maidservant who followed Yu Lan was puzzled and asked Yu Lan privately, "Miss, what does the Prince mean by this? How can a woman go out and show her face in public to manage a business? Isn't this something that the stewards usually do by bringing the account books to the manor at the end of each year?"
Yu Lan laughed and said, "Why do I have to be like everyone else? I've never had a chance to repay the Prince. Now that I can help him manage his business, it's a great thing. I can't just sit in the manor and eat and drink for free without feeling guilty, can I?"
The head maid couldn't understand, "But...but young lady, you're not the prince's..."
"Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting!"
Granny Qian, who always served Yu Lan, was stern. Upon hearing the head maid's words, she scolded her, frowning and saying, "You can leave now. You don't need to serve us here anymore."
Yu Lan frowned slightly, and after the maid left, she whispered, "Granny, even the people around me think this way. Have other people in the mansion been talking about it?"
"No one dares to discuss such matters. As for what you think, Miss, you don't need to worry about it. It's just that this maid is unsuitable. It's not that she has done anything wrong, but she's not very bright. If she stays with you for a long time, she'll cause trouble sooner or later. If she slips up even a little bit, the opinions of those around you will often be more damaging. Outsiders will definitely think that you have something on your mind if they hear what she says." Granny Qian had always been teaching Yulan and would analyze things for her in detail whenever they happened.
Yu Lan nodded. "Then let her go somewhere else and don't make things difficult for her. It's not wrong for her to think that way. After all, I used to spend a lot of time with the Prince, and I'm afraid even Miss Shiyue thinks the same way. But I've always known that the Prince doesn't have those feelings for me. The Prince is my benefactor, and I only hope to have the opportunity to repay him properly, rather than causing him trouble."
"The young lady has thought things through. There isn't a single servant in the prince's courtyard, which means the prince is very decisive and cannot be swayed by anyone. If the prince has no interest in you, any young lady who cares about him will only end up heartbroken. It's better to hold on to what you have and cherish it. No matter what the future holds, what you hold on to will always be yours."