Chapter 8: Each has its own calculation

As Su Fei stepped out of the inn's door, she saw Lin Yuesheng, who looked worried and weary. She quickly went up to him and greeted him, "Brother Lin."

"Fei'er, are you okay?" Lin Yuesheng anxiously looked her over, relieved when he confirmed that she was unharmed. However, as he gazed into her bright eyes, his face suddenly flushed.

"I'm fine, thanks to the Fourth Prince on this journey," Su Fei smiled lightly, then turned to look at Xiao Pei, who was already mounting his horse, and added, "We are about to set off again. Brother Lin, you should rest for a while before entering the capital."

"I'll go with you," Lin Yuesheng hurriedly replied.

Seeing his determined gaze, Su Fei gestured for him to go and pay his respects to the Fourth Prince.

Lin Yuesheng nodded and went to greet the prince.

Xiao Pei had keen hearing and was getting tired of hearing "Brother Lin" repeatedly. When Lin Yuesheng approached, Xiao Pei only responded with a cold "Hmm" before briskly instructing, "Let's depart once everyone is ready." With that, he rode off.

Lin Yuesheng stood somewhat awkwardly in place, then turned to see Su Fei already on the carriage. He then mounted his horse and escorted them on the way to the capital.

Sitting in the carriage, Su Fei breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiaochun, who was by her side, reassured her, "Miss, Suqiu and Xiaorao have probably made all the necessary arrangements. You can rest assured."

Thinking of Xiaochun and Xiaorao, her capable assistants, Su Fei felt reassured. "After we enter the capital, we should refrain from contacting them for now. It's our first time in the capital, and we need to be cautious about everything."

"Yes," Xiaochun nodded.

Seeing Xiaochun hesitating to speak, Su Fei smiled and said, "Go ahead and ask whatever you want to say."

Xiaochun bit her lip and looked at Su Fei. "Miss, the people from the Duke's Manor even took your dowry silver. If they were to find out your true identity..."

"We must not let them find out," Su Fei said solemnly. "This is our last resort. If they were to discover it, losing the money would be the least of our worries; it could endanger our lives."

Xiaochun nodded vigorously, then after a moment, she spoke again, "If only you could marry Master Lin now, you wouldn't have to endure this suffering. You have money, intelligence, and friends, yet you are being bossed around by a few servants."

Su Fei closed her eyes and leaned against the carriage, about to take a short rest, when the carriage curtain was suddenly lifted, revealing the face of Xiao Pei's close attendant.

Su Fei's heart tightened. He couldn't have heard their conversation earlier, could he?

"What does the Fourth Prince command?" Su Fei asked quickly.

The attendant, seeing her nervous demeanor, glanced ahead and said, "The Fourth Prince wants me to ask you about the tea you sent, what it's called, and where it can be purchased."

Upon hearing this, Su Fei's mind lit up with an idea that could make the people from the Duke's Manor think twice before easily messing with her.

The carriage stopped, and Su Fei, holding Xiaochun's hand, got off the carriage. She saw several people standing at the imposing entrance of the Duke's Manor, all smiling but not at her, rather at the heavy dowry silver she brought.

The leading woman at the door quickly went up to greet her, "The servant has seen the Second Madam."

Su Fei looked at this Second Madam, who appeared to be around forty years old, slender and elegant, with a charming demeanor. She was dressed in a luxurious embroidered long dress and a white fur-trimmed cloak, exuding an air of nobility. Despite her slightly raised eyebrows and smiling eyes, she couldn't hide her shrewdness.

"So, this is the Ninth Miss. You look exactly like your mother, very charming," the Second Madam approached with a smile, pulling Su Fei's hand affectionately, seemingly ignoring the presence of Lin Yuesheng and his entourage.

Su Fei smiled politely and greeted her, "Greetings, Second Aunt."

The Second Madam took off a gold bracelet from her hand and handed it to Su Fei as a token of greeting. They exchanged warm pleasantries at the door for a while before inquiring about Lin Yuesheng.

"Who is this..."

"This is Master Lin. Before his father passed away, he had arranged a marriage with me. He happened to be coming to the capital to pay respects to his teacher and prepare for next year's imperial examination, so he came along," Su Fei explained with a shy look, then lowered her eyes.

The Second Madam looked at her, seeing a young girl's appearance but clear logic and articulate speech. She could tell that she was intelligent. However, no matter how intelligent she was, it was a pity. Sooner or later, she would be a plaything in someone else's hands...