At this time, the gentle sunlight poured onto that beautiful face, suffusing it with a faint glow, making her complexion look somewhat better.

The lady’s illness came quickly and went quickly.

“My lady, the meal is ready,” Qiu Yi came from the kitchen, seeing the still somewhat tired face, unconsciously softening her steps and speaking quietly.

“Mm.” Lu Yuner slowly opened her eyes, and as she got up, she didn’t forget to stroke Orange’s soft fur. “Orange seems to have recovered well. These days, remember to change Orange’s medicine regularly, and be careful with its food as well.”

Qiu Yi: “Yes, my lady. Don’t worry, we will take good care of Orange.”

“Qiu Yi, you’ve prepared so much food, I can’t possibly finish it all. Quickly remove a few dishes, don’t let it go to waste.” Lu Yuner came to the dining table, looking at the array of dishes – chicken, duck, fish, meat, and even thousand-year-old ginseng.

“Someone come and remove these dishes.”

Lu Yuner pointed with her finger: “And this one too.”

“This one can’t be removed,” Qiu Yi hurriedly stopped her. This dish contained tribute items, very precious.

Lu Yuner asked curiously, a flash of confusion in her gaze: “Why can’t this one be removed?”

Qiu Yi unconsciously rubbed the back of her head, feeling a bit embarrassed, but had to pretend to look aggrieved, “I went to the market especially early this morning to buy this for you. Please don’t waste Qiu Yi’s heartfelt efforts!”

Saying this, she felt somewhat flustered, but still looked at her lady with a sincere expression to prevent further questioning.

“Alright! Keep this one, remove the others. I know you want to nourish me, Qiu Yi, but I don’t like these fish and meat dishes. In the future, there’s no need to prepare these. For food, clothing, housing, and transportation, we should focus on frugality, not extravagance and waste.”

Although the Lu manor couldn’t be called wealthy now, it wasn’t too poor either, considered a comfortable life. But for common people’s daily life, they still needed to be careful with expenses.

“Yes, yes.” Qiu Yi nodded repeatedly, but these hadn’t cost any money. Suddenly remembering something, she reminded, “Oh right, my lady, Young Master Mu will arrive tomorrow afternoon. He’s traveling by boat this time, taking the water route. I’ve calculated the time, he’ll arrive a day early. Tomorrow is also your last day off, we can go to the dock early to meet him.”

“Good.” Lu Yuner sipped her soup while sinking into thought.

Compared to land transportation, this water transport route was indeed much more convenient.

Moreover, it was an extremely important mode of transportation for the economic and trade development of the Great Yuan Dynasty, after all, the economic base determines the superstructure.

Land transport was not only slow and risky, but also quite costly, with considerable expenses for lodging and travel along the way.

There was a saying: “Don’t sell firewood within a hundred li, don’t transport grain within a thousand li[1],” which revealed the essence of this trade.

In recent years, to improve north-south transportation, the Emperor had greatly developed water conservancy. The improved transportation greatly promoted trade development, driving steady economic growth, changing from the previous “don’t transport grain within a thousand li” to unimpeded trade.

A good policy is definitely one that benefits the people.

She had felt this deeply when she was serving as Minister of Revenue.

After finishing her meal, Lu Yuner returned to the courtyard to continue basking in the sun.

The entire day passed in rest.

The last day of the Qingming holiday.

As the setting sun gradually descended, on the east bank of the Liusu River, golden ripples danced on the water’s surface. Gusts of river wind brushed against their cheeks, bringing a damp coolness, refreshing and pleasant, gentle and soft.

Tourists and merchants came and went continuously. Large and small boats were docked along the shore, some passenger ships furling their sails to dock, and some cargo ships returning fully loaded.

Qiu Yi stood on tiptoe, looking around at the bustling crowd: “My lady, have you seen Young Master Mu? There are so many people coming and going here, my eyes are getting dizzy.”

“Over there.” Lu Yuner raised her chin slightly to indicate a spot not far ahead. She looked at the crowd disembarking, and although partially obscured by people, she could vaguely identify the figure.

At this moment, a cheerful young voice with a bubbly tone rang out.

“Elder Sister Yuner, I’m here! I’m here!” A lively and adorable young man waved at them, fair-skinned with clear features, a likable and blessed appearance.

Lu Yuner also waved back in response: “Yang Yang, here.”

Qiu Yi also saw the newcomer’s position and hurriedly went forward to take Mu Yang’s luggage. “Young Master Mu.”

“Hello, Steward Qiu!” After politely greeting Qiu Yi, Mu Yang strode quickly forward and threw himself into Lu Yuner’s arms. “Elder Sister Yuner, Yang Yang missed you so much! So much! After crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, I’ve finally seen you.”

The young man’s slightly exaggerated words carried an unstoppable wheedling tone.

The surrounding strangers all turned to look at them. Lu Yuner pulled Mu Yang away, looking around and seeing no one accompanying him. “How come you’re alone? Didn’t anyone come with you?”

“There were, but I sent them back after they escorted me here. I don’t like having people follow me. Anyway, Elder Sister Yuner will protect me here, I’m not afraid at all,” Mu Yang said, holding onto Lu Yuner’s arm.

Mu Yang had a bright and lively personality, generous and enthusiastic. This temperament took after Aunt Mu, he was like a shining little sun.

Lu Yuner allowed him to hold her arm and smiled, “Alright, you must be tired from the long journey. Let’s talk more when we get back to the manor.”

“Mm.” Mu Yang smiled sweetly.

After getting into the carriage, Mu Yang sat by the window, excitedly admiring the scenery of the capital through the carriage window. “Elder Sister Yuner, I rarely come to the capital, you must take me around to see the sights properly.”

Lu Yuner smiled with her eyes: “Alright, alright, I’ll accompany you when I have time. By the way, how has Aunt Mu’s health been recently?”

“Mother is doing well!” Mu Yang gazed out the window intently, occasionally sticking his head out. Then he sat up straight and asked seriously, “Elder Sister Yuner, are you busy tomorrow?”

“Mm, I have to return to the Imperial Academy tomorrow. But don’t worry, Steward Qiu will accompany you then,” Lu Yuner replied gently.

“I see!” Mu Yang felt a bit disappointed, but immediately pleaded, “Then can you take me around now?”

Lu Yuner thought for a second, seeming to have some reservations: “Aren’t you tired from the long journey?”

Although water transport was much more convenient, it still took at least two days and two nights from Jiangnan to here.

Hearing this, Mu Yang thought there might be a chance and quickly shook his head like a rattle drum. “I’m not tired. It’s about to get dark, and I’ve heard the night scenery in the capital is excellent. Won’t you take me around now?”

As he spoke, he came forward to hold Lu Yuner’s hand, swinging it back and forth, and began to wheedle.

Lu Yuner: “Alright!”

After giving Qiu Yi some instructions, Lu Yuner also asked for some silver.

Lu Yuner rarely went out and didn’t particularly like shopping. When going out with Qiu Yi, Qiu Yi always paid. When going out alone, it was usually at the invitation of friends for gatherings, and the venues were all businesses under Elder Sister Lan’s control, so there was no need to pay for food and drink.

So she never carried money when going out.

At this time, dusk was falling, and shops on both sides of the street began to hang lanterns and decorations. The two walked towards the bustling market street, with constant calls from vendors.

Mu Yang had been to the capital before, but he was still a child then, so the night scene of the capital was unfamiliar to him.

“Elder Sister Yuner, I want to buy this!” Mu Yang ran happily to a preserved fruit stall, joyfully pointing at some preserved plums for Lu Yuner to buy for him.

“Alright.” Lu Yuner looked at him indulgently, then paid and continued to follow behind Mu Yang, becoming his mobile payment machine.

Half an hour later, Mu Yang was still enjoying himself tirelessly, while Lu Yuner patiently continued to accompany him.

Suddenly.

“Elder Sister Yuner, why are you here?” A flash of surprise crossed Su Qingwan’s tender eyes.

Hearing this familiar voice, Lu Yuner’s long black eyelashes trembled slightly. She turned to look and saw that beside Su Qingwan, apart from the servant called Xiao Yuan, there was also a cold-looking woman following behind. She had seen this woman in the suburbs that day, apparently specially assigned to protect Young Master Su’s safety.

Lu Yuner smiled and said: “I’m accompanying…”

“Elder Sister Yuner, who is this?” Mu Yang asked, tugging on Lu Yuner’s sleeve with one hand while holding food in the other.

Mu Yang carefully examined the young man before him, who looked about his age but was even more handsome, like a celestial being from a painting. His gaze gradually shifted to the man and woman behind, suddenly coming to a halt.