It was already early August, the sun blazing like fire.

With the Grand General of the Pillar State’s return to court, people came and went. Every five years at this time, the Yun family would take the opportunity to hold a banquet to receive guests.

When Yun Chu arrived, quite a few people had already come to the courtyard. Male and female guests were not seated separately, but according to official rank and status, one family per table.

She had just arrived when the Xie family also arrived.

Xie Jingyu brought Xie Shi’an and Xie Ping together.

“Mother.”

Xie Shi’an and Xie Ping called out in unison.

Yun Chu nodded. “There are many distinguished guests today. You must all be careful.”

“Brother An will follow me, Sister Ping will stay close to your mother,” Xie Jingyu spoke. “Don’t say things you shouldn’t. Don’t embarrass your maternal grandfather.”

The four entered the Yun family gate together.

After entering, Xie Jingyu saw many high officials he normally couldn’t befriend—such as the Grand Preceptor and Grand Tutor, the Ministers of the Six Ministries, Cabinet Grand Secretaries… The court’s most important officials had basically all come. Everyone gathered in groups of three to five conversing. Without the Emperor present, it seemed quite casual and relaxed.

Because the Grand General had not yet returned to the Yun family home, only Yun Ze and the Yun family branch members were there receiving male guests. Although the Yun family’s younger generation didn’t hold high official ranks, which of those first- and second-rank high officials would dare give Yun Ze an unpleasant look?

“Minister Xie.” His colleague Minister Yuan came over to greet him. “With Grand General Yun returning to court, he’ll probably stay for some time. As a son-in-law, Minister Xie has the opportunity to clink cups and drink with a current first-rank Grand General. How enviable.”

How could Xie Jingyu not hear that these words were sarcastic, mocking him for relying on the Yun family, relying on his father-in-law?

His expression remained bland. “Then Minister Yuan can just keep envying.”

Minister Yuan couldn’t help but choke.

Indeed, once a person had backing, they had confidence.

He took a deep breath and said, “I keep feeling Minister Xie’s complexion isn’t very good, with dark circles under your eyes. I don’t know if you’re ill or if you’ve been contaminated by something inauspicious. Minister Xie should find time to have someone examine you.”

He was just making things up randomly, trying to regain some ground.

Who would have thought these words struck right at Xie Jingyu’s heart? Ever since He Shi died, he had been plagued by nightmares every night and hadn’t slept well once.

He felt his body seemed to be getting weaker and weaker. He often felt fatigued. He knew this was caused by poor sleep… It seemed he really needed to find a physician to look at him and prescribe some sleeping medicine. Once he slept soundly, He Shi probably wouldn’t enter his dreams anymore.

“Father, there are so many guests, Uncle is having trouble managing them all,” Xie Shi’an spoke. “Father should go help.”

Xie Jingyu ignored Minister Yuan’s gaze and walked toward Yun Ze’s direction.

However, everyone knew that the Yun family’s eldest daughter had stayed at her maiden home for half a month recently, so the marital relationship must be somewhat discordant.

Moreover, after Xie Jingyu entered, the Yun family members didn’t go up to actively greet him. Especially Yun Ze, who didn’t even glance at Xie Jingyu.

What this represented was self-evident.

Those court ministers were all shrewd individuals—none of them truly intended to engage in deep conversation with Xie Jingyu.

While the Xie family father and son sat in cold reception here, Yun Chu’s area was quite lively.

Many court officials were still in the palace accompanying the Emperor, so among the current guests, there were more women and young ladies. The courtyard was full of women everywhere.

“I heard that on General Yun’s journey back to the capital, he casually wiped out three bandit nests without losing a single soldier. General Yun truly commands troops like a god.”

“Isn’t that right? With General Yun guarding the western frontier, my heart is so much more at peace.”

“By the looks of it, Young Madam Yun is with child. Truly double happiness.”

“Soon Second Miss Yun will have her grand wedding. We’ll have to shamelessly come ask for a cup of celebratory wine again.”

“…”

Lin Shi smiled. “We’re just arranging to send wedding invitations to each household. Those who are free should all come drink a cup of celebratory wine and share in the joy.”

Just as they were talking, Madam Du arrived, with her legitimate eldest daughter Duling at her side.

After the incident at Qing’an Temple that day, Yun Chu had specifically gone to the Du family to inquire about the news. Learning that Du Ying hadn’t done anything drastic, she felt relieved.

Lin Shi welcomed Madam Du, while Yun Chu walked toward Duling. “Madam Ji.”

Duling pressed her lips together.

Her former good friend had schemed against her at Qing’an Temple and made Du Ying cry for a whole month. She actually had some resentment toward Yun Chu.

However, she also knew that at that time, Yun Chu’s concubine-born daughter had schemed against the Fourth Prince. In that situation, Yun Chu could only use her as a witness to force the Fourth Prince to take responsibility.

Speaking of which, she really should thank Yun Chu’s concubine-born eldest daughter. Because she secretly investigated the Fourth Prince, she learned that in Prince An’jing’s manor’s rear courtyard, there were at least ten servant concubines.

She threw the facts in Du Ying’s face, and only then did her sister finally stop being heartbroken over the Fourth Prince.

Yesterday she heard that Imperial Concubine De had found a side consort for the Fourth Prince to enter the household on the same day as the primary consort. This was throwing the primary consort’s face on the ground and trampling on it.

“Congratulations to Miss Xie,” Duling smiled at Xie Ping behind Yun Chu. “You’ll soon be able to marry into Prince An’jing’s manor as you wished. With so many sisters for company then, how do you feel, Miss Xie?”

Xie Ping’s complexion turned white.

She forced a smile. “To marry Prince An’jing and become the princess consort, together with the manor’s sisters bearing children for the imperial family—this is my honor.”

Duling snorted with derision.

Xie Ping’s face turned even paler. Unable to bear Duling’s gaze, she found an excuse to go elsewhere.

“Madam Xie, this daughter of yours who schemed her way to the Fourth Prince is truly no simple matter,” Duling spoke. “Be careful she schemes against you in the future.”

Yun Chu knew Duling was concerned for her. The matter at Qing’an Temple last time was completely put behind them.

She changed her form of address. “Lingling, come to the Xie manor for tea when you have time. Let’s have a proper gathering.”

Duling huffed. “Then you’ll have to send me an invitation. I need to consider carefully before deciding whether to go or not.”

The two smiled at each other. Time seemed to return to when they were both still unmarried.

At this moment, lively sounds came from the Yun manor’s main gate. Yun Chu looked over—it turned out Father had returned, and many people came together. There were several princes alone. The Crown Prince was still ill and hadn’t come, but the Second Prince, Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and Eighth Prince had all come.

The Third Prince, Prince Pingxi, came because he had initially gone to the battlefield with General Yun to establish military merits. The two could be considered friends despite the age difference.

The Fourth Prince, Prince An’jing, came because he had arranged a marriage alliance with the Xie manor, relatives of the Yun family by marriage. Naturally he had to come.

As for the Eighth Prince, he was born of Imperial Concubine Yun in the palace. With his maternal uncle returning to the capital, of course he had to come join the excitement.

As for the Second Prince… what his purpose was in coming to the Yun family, Yun Chu understood very clearly. Probably from this time, he had intended to win over the Yun family.

Everyone in the courtyard greeted the princes together. After performing the courtesies, each took their seats.

Xie Ping sat beside Yun Chu, her gaze falling on the Fourth Prince, Prince An’jing, who wasn’t too far from her. In truth, she and Prince An’jing had met only a few times in total.

The first time at the Eldest Princess’s manor, the Fourth Prince picked up her handkerchief for her and placed flowers in her hair. She felt they had mutual affection.

The second time was at Qing’an Temple…

The third time was in Imperial Concubine De’s Changqing Palace. He watched her being punished but remained unmoved.

Now was the fourth meeting. Her future husband wouldn’t even give her a single glance…