The sky was gloomy, the red palace walls were cold and foreboding, and the usually vibrant glazed tiles of the Yangxin Hall’s eaves appeared dull.
Yu Tingwan pushed Wei Zhao into the hall under Mr. Tu’s guidance, lowering her gaze, and never glanced around.
Emperor Ying, dressed in the Dragon Robe, sat beside his throne in the Jinluan Hall, reviewing morials. Upon hearing the noise, he raised his eyes to look.
The aura was intimidating, embodying the golden splendor and purity of royal authority.
Wei Zhao pressed his hand on the armrest, trying to stand up with difficulty. But after two attempts, he was out of breath and to no avail.
"Madam."
He sought help from Yu Tingwan.
"Quickly help up to pay respects to His Majesty."
Yu Tingwan first perford a courtesy, as taught by Tan Jiang, to Emperor Ying before reaching out to assist him.
Emperor Ying stopped her.
"Your health is not well, don’t strain yourself."
Mr. Tu’s eyes darted, and he quickly said, "General Wei, His Majesty has always cared for you, surely he won’t mind these formalities. Once you recover, His Majesty will be pleased."
Wei Zhao was not moved.
He let out a faint sigh.
Yu Tingwan heard this man speak in a very low and despondent voice.
"This minister truly feels useless now."
Emperor Ying’s face darkened, reprimanding him like an elder: "What are you saying!"
"You being alive is a blessing."
"Gui Zhi, I am very grateful that you have returned safely."
He spoke in a tone as if addressing a family junior: "In public, you are a ritorious subject of Da Jin. In private, you are like a son to , having grown up before my eyes."
This remark, if heard by others, would leave them confused.
But there was a coldness hidden in Wei Zhao’s eyes.
Emperor Ying did not forget the main matter and turned to Yu Tingwan, his tone less gentle than with Wei Zhao, adding a heavy air of authority and scrutiny.
"Are you from the Yu Family?"
Yu Tingwan modestly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Emperor Ying fiddled with the thumb ring on his finger, leaving his thoughts unreadable.
Mr. Tu was about to remind Yu Tingwan to respond on her knees.
Wei Zhao held Yu Tingwan’s hand: "Your Majesty."
Emperor Ying was surprised.
"I haven’t even said anything yet, and you’re already defending her?"
"No matter the situation, since you have safely returned, the Yu Family has a rit. Would I harm her?"
He looked down at Yu Tingwan with superiority: "Since Gui Zhi has chosen you, I have nothing more to say. You must learn the etiquette of the Capital, do not embarrass him, take good care of him, and serve your mother-in-law well. Otherwise, I will hold you accountable!"
The girl showed no emotion on her face.
She dryly said, "I will obey the Holy Order."
If these words were said by her father-in-law, Wei Fengxing, it would be rightful. But when said by Emperor Ying, Yu Tingwan felt sowhat disgusted.
Let alone Wei Zhao.
He interjected: "My wife is timid and still young, willing to accompany . It should be my duty to protect her. Please do not frighten her."
Emperor Ying said nothing more, bestowed a Jade Ruyi, and continued talking with Wei Zhao.
Yu Tingwan listened quietly from the side, avoiding speaking whenever possible.
As for Wei Zhao.
His responses were sowhat perfunctory but did not let Emperor Ying notice.
Emperor Ying did not keep them for long and soon let them proceed to the banquet hall.
After the young couple left, Mr. Tu added tea for Emperor Ying and jokingly said, "The Yu girl is dull and seems incapable in handling matters. Seeing Your Majesty, she was so frightened she forgot the rules of hierarchy."
That was indeed amusing.
"After all, she ca from a remote region, unaware of the dragon’s might and without fear."
If it were so other young lady, she would have been scared stiff before the emperor.
Emperor Ying’s eyes darkened.
"He truly cares about the Yu girl."
What a pity.
The more one cares, the more weaknesses they have, just like Wei Fengxing.
————
There was no division of seats by gender in the banquet hall; officials sat with their female family mbers, seating according to rank.
Since neither the emperor nor the palace ladies were present, the familiar ones gathered in groups, chatting and laughing.
However...
Not everyone was conversing happily.
For example, the Gu Family at the front.
The Grand Tutor Mansion had arrived early.
Though Jiasan had been self-cultivating over the years, today she seed unlike herself, shooting disdainful glances at won who ca to pay respects.
She usually attended in grand attire, rarely repeating jewelry.
Every ti, court ladies would unanimously praise her.
But today, Jiasan seed a bit weary. She wasn’t attentive to her makeup or the accessories she wore.
Court ladies, with eyes wide open, generously poured praises as usual, but it was like throwing pearls into the mud.
For example.
Mrs. Wang, smiling amiably, said.
"Madam, you look radiant today, is there good news?"
Jiasan coldly looked over.
"Your son recently visited a brothel. The Capital Mansion’s officers were rounding up suspects, searching house by house, and arrested all those suspicious."
"They found your son trying to cover up and tied him up, hearing he was stark naked, even bare-bottod?"
Mrs. Wang: ???
"Mrs. Wang, your daughter-in-law married far away, right? It would be usual for you to mistreat her. She just had a miscarriage less than half a month ago, yet your son plays around outside. Rather than fawning on , perhaps you should consider treating your daughter-in-law better. Her family background isn’t inferior to yours, in her maiden days she was cherished, don’t think just because her family is far, you can mistreat another family’s daughter at will."
Jiasan: "She married into the Wang Family, not to be your Wang Family’s slave or servant."
Gu Fuju did not speak.
Jiasan felt unsatisfied, having held it in for too long; venting a little was good for her.
Mrs. Zhou also brought Zhou Yurou to pay respects.
"Madam, this is my daughter, whom you’ve t."
"Where might your esteed daughter be?"
"The two children are of similar age, let Yurou also..."
Before she could finish.
Jiasan, already annoyed, unleashed her undiscriminating attack.
"Is having a daughter so remarkable? Bringing her before to show off?"
"I’ve just heard you took advantage of Wei Family’s Young Madam?"
Mrs. Zhou’s expression changed, she quickly said, "Madam, you might have misheard, it was that Wei Family’s Young Madam she..."
She hesitated to speak.
Finally, she quietly said, "After all, she wasn’t raised in the Capital with proper teachings in etiquette and manners."
"Not taught manners, her natal family also lacks status."
Jiasan wouldn’t listen to this: "Don’t think I don’t know your intentions. That girl caught the eye of the Wei family’s son, and in my opinion, that’s good enough. What right do you have to bully her?"
anwhile, Xiao Huaian, dressed in fine clothes, sat down next to He Xuran, sarcastically.
"What to do now, Wei Zhao has returned, you, an eternal second, will be overshadowed again."
"Back then, you couldn’t surpass him academically; your rank rose slower than his. Suddenly even he’s married now, and you’re still alone."
He Xuran couldn’t be bothered with him.
Wei Zhao’s return made him happy, after all, standing high up has its loneliness, yet he still felt burdened inside.
Seeing no response, Xiao Huaian felt awkward. Pointing his chin towards the Gu Family seats: "What’s going on with your sister? So volatile?"
He Xuran also ignored him.
Xiao Huaian, annoyed, stood up to leave.
Suddenly, a wave of commotion arose in the group.
He didn’t need to look, knowing it was Wei Zhao arriving.
Xiao Huaian quickly craned his neck to look over there.
Princess Jiasan, who had been confronting the Zhou mother and daughter, happened to look that way too,
The palace was illuminated with ceremonial lanterns at all four corners, with a solemn and majesty-filled palace banquet shimring with glory.
The girl, with her hair styled in a married woman’s bun, skin as white as fresh lychee, eyes like autumn water, lips attractive and radiant. The teardrop mole at the corner of her eye added to her allure.
She wore a dress embroidered with golden patterns, the hem layered like flowing water. Her waist adorned with beautiful, exquisite golden beads.
She seed to co alive from a painting, walking step by step towards her.
Jiasan’s eyes reddened suddenly, her voice choked.
The always composed Grand Tutor Gu heard the crisp clink of a shattering sound.
He lost his composure, breaking the teacup in his hand, his robe stained, and in an instant, he couldn’t care about anything else, only knowing to hasten towards that side.
Before he could get close, he heard Wei Zhao’s surprised, slightly teasing voice.
"What’s the matter, Teacher?"
Wei Zhao warmly smiled: "Oh, I haven’t introduced her to you yet, this is my wife."
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