The banquet hall in the front courtyard.

With tea from the palace accompanying the meal, plus Madam Yun Lin Shi smoothing things over, and with Marquis Xuanwu presiding, the guests present were actually conversing quite pleasantly.

Xie Jingyu was chatting with several colleagues about the current political situation at court when the young servant by his side hurried over and said in a low voice, “My lord, Nanny He says there is an important matter to report.”

Xie Jingyu’s brows furrowed slightly. “Tell her to speak about it later.”

The young servant nodded and went out, but returned shortly after, saying quietly, “My lord, Nanny He says it must be now. If you cannot conveniently leave your seat, then she can come in to report.”

Xie Jingyu looked up.

He saw He Shi standing at the entrance to the banquet hall, looking ready to enter at any moment.

His expression darkened. He stood up and walked over, saying coldly, “What matter is so urgent?”

He Shi lowered her head and said, “My lord, everyone knows the birthday banquet was organized by the Xie household’s eldest young lady, but such a major mishap has occurred. If word spreads that the Xie family’s eldest young lady is not skilled at household management, which family would still be willing to seek Ping’er as their legitimate wife in the future? You must think of a solution.”

Xie Jingyu’s expression was very unpleasant.

Right now, the Xie family had lost all face and dignity. He first had to consider the Xie family before he could consider his children’s marriage prospects.

Furthermore, Ping’er was only thirteen years old. Marriage discussions were a matter for two years hence. Bringing this up now was far too hasty.

Seeing Xie Jingyu remain silent, He Shi said anxiously, “While the birthday banquet has not yet ended, why not have Ping’er brew tea for everyone, or display some talents to reverse some of the negative impressions…”

Xie Jingyu didn’t even know what to say.

If this were a palace banquet, it would be appropriate for young ladies from aristocratic families to dance or perform music for the Empress and imperial consorts.

But most of those present were officials of lower rank than the Xie family. If Ping’er were to perform on the spot, that would truly bring shame to the Xie family.

“Enough. I will handle this matter myself,” Xie Jingyu said coldly. “Go do what you should be doing and stop wandering around the front courtyard.”

He Shi had followed him for over ten years. How could she not perceive his thoughts? Her fingers tightened as she said, “My lord, Ping’er is our first child. She will also be the first child of the Xie household to discuss marriage prospects. If anything goes wrong with her match, the younger brothers and sisters will all face difficulties.”

Xie Jingyu’s voice grew colder. “What, are you threatening me?”

He Shi hastily said, “That’s not what I mean. I…”

As the two were speaking, someone suddenly passed by through the flowers and trees beside them.

Xie Jingyu pulled He Shi aside to hide.

Before long, servants returned with the prepared dishes from the restaurant, presenting them one by one before everyone.

These were exquisite delicacies prepared by the head chef of the capital’s finest restaurant. Normally, one would have to wait in line for at least half a month to dine there. Being able to feast on such food now filled many with delighted surprise.

Old Madam Xie finally breathed a sigh of relief. She raised her wine cup to thank Madam Yun Lin Shi. In her heart, she knew clearly that if not for the Yun family mediating on their behalf, the Zuixian Restaurant would not have prepared meals for the Xie family on such short notice.

“Where has Jingyu gone?” Old Madam Xie looked toward the empty seat below and asked, “Chu’er, do you know where Jingyu went?”

Yun Chu smiled and said, “Just now Nanny He said there was an important matter to report, so my husband went out. I imagine he will return shortly.”

A sudden surge of extremely bad premonition arose in Old Madam Xie’s heart.

She looked toward Nanny Zhou at her side. “Go find Jingyu and tell him to hurry back to attend to the guests.”

Nanny Zhou took her orders and left.

About a quarter of an hour later, Nanny Zhou returned and said in a suppressed voice, “This servant searched everywhere but could not find the master. I do not know where he has gone.”

Old Madam Xie took a deep breath.

That He Shi was nothing but a disaster. On such an important occasion, she had actually called Jingyu away. What matter could be more important than the birthday banquet?

If she had known, she should not have agreed to Yun Chu’s pardoning of some servants who had made mistakes… But it was too late for regrets now. The old lady spoke up, “Continue searching.”

Yun Chu lowered her head and took a sip of tea, concealing the coldness in her eyes.

“Madam Xie.”

A low voice sounded beside her.

Yun Chu set down her teacup, looked up, and displayed a standard hospitable smile. “My lord Marquis, do you have any instructions?”

Though her smile did not quite reach her eyes, she was as radiant as spring flowers, causing Qin Mingheng to lose focus for a brief moment.

He took a drink of wine before saying with composure, “I heard that Madam Xie has re-interred two children who died young. I once lived in a temple for a while, and heard a great master say that the deceased who are re-interred require a Buddhist master to perform rites for forty-nine days so they may find peace in their next life. I know several great masters. Does Madam Xie need me to make arrangements?”

The smile on Yun Chu’s face became more genuine.

Apart from the Yun family, this was the first person to show concern for her deceased children.

She smiled and said, “My elder brother has already arranged all these matters. Many thanks for the Marquis’s thoughtfulness.”

“Those two children also carried the Xie family bloodline, yet as the children’s biological father, Lord Xie has not given the children any consideration at all. If a man does not care even about his own bloodline, would he care about the person beside his pillow?” Qin Mingheng’s voice lowered several degrees. “Has Madam Xie never thought of a path forward for herself?”

Yun Chu raised her eyes, falling into Qin Mingheng’s pitch-black gaze.

She actually saw a genuine concern in those eyes.

Marquis Xuanwu was truly considering her future?

But this was the first time she and Marquis Xuanwu had conversed face to face. There was no relationship between them. They were practically strangers.

How could this person…

“Madam Xie treats these children of the Xie household with all her heart and soul. Will these children truly be filial to Madam Xie?” Qin Mingheng took a drink of wine. “With some matters, one should sever ties when necessary.”

Yun Chu pressed her lips tightly together.

Even an outsider could see clearly what it had taken her a lifetime of bitter lessons to understand about the people around her.

She understood the implication behind Marquis Xuanwu’s words. He wanted her to divorce.

She would absolutely never divorce in this lifetime, because women who divorced and returned to their natal families would affect the fortunes of their natal family’s sisters.

It did not matter what happened to her, but she would never again let the entire Yun family suffer because of her.

She could clearly be widowed, so why must she divorce instead?

Yun Chu spoke up, “Many thanks for the Marquis’s concern, but this subject’s wife and husband share deep affection and righteousness. As for severing ties when necessary, this subject’s wife does not understand.”

Qin Mingheng’s expression instantly darkened.

What fine words about sharing deep affection and righteousness.

After all that Xie Jingyu had done, she was still so devoted to him.

She was the brilliant eldest young lady of the Yun family, the celebrated first beauty of the capital. She was just wasting herself away in the Xie family…

“Old Madam, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first.”

Without waiting for Old Madam Xie to respond, Qin Mingheng stood and left directly.

That he had attended the banquet was already the Xie family’s good fortune. Leaving early was also within reason, and no one found it unusual.

However, Yun Chu vaguely sensed that Marquis Xuanwu seemed to have become angry because of what she had just said, which was why he had left so abruptly.

The banquet continued until its end, but Xie Jingyu never appeared. The Old Madam’s expression grew increasingly grim.

But the old lady still forced herself to maintain a smile as she greeted the guests. “The Xie family has invited a theater troupe. Ladies and young ladies, please proceed to the rear courtyard. Let us first select some plays.”

Most of the male guests had departed after the banquet ended, while the female family members followed to the rear courtyard to watch the opera.

Yun Chu led everyone forward. The courtyard had been arranged with tea and refreshments, everything complete. The ladies all settled down quietly to listen to the opera.

After several acts had passed, things became somewhat tedious, and some ladies suggested strolling through the garden.