Chapter 120: Nightmares Every Night
It was already early August, with the scorching sun blazing like fire.
The Pillar of the Nation Great General had returned to court, and with the constant stream of visitors, the Yun family traditionally held a banquet every five years during this time to entertain guests.
By the time Yun Chu arrived, the courtyard was already filled with many people. Male and female guests were not seated separately but arranged by official rank, with each family occupying one table.
Shortly after her arrival, the Xie family appeared.
Xie Jingyu came accompanied by Xie Shi'an and Xie Ping.
"Mother."
Xie Shi'an and Xie Ping called out in unison.
Yun Chu nodded. "There are many distinguished guests today. Be careful with your words and actions."
"An Ge'er will stay with me, and Ping Jie'er will stick close to your mother," Xie Jingyu instructed. "Don't say anything inappropriate, and don't embarrass your maternal grandfather."
The four of them entered the Yun residence together.
Inside, Xie Jingyu spotted many high-ranking officials he normally wouldn't have the chance to associate with—Grand Preceptors, Grand Tutors, the Six Ministers, Grand Academicians of the Inner Cabinet... Essentially all the most important court officials had gathered. They stood in small groups chatting casually, appearing relaxed without the Emperor present.
Since the General hadn't yet returned to the Yun residence, only Yun Ze and Yun family collateral relatives were receiving male guests. Although the younger generation of the Yun family didn't hold high official positions, which first or second-rank official would dare show disrespect to Yun Ze?
"Minister Xie." His colleague Yuan Daren approached to greet him. "With General Yun's return to court, he'll likely stay for some time. As his son-in-law, you'll have the opportunity to share drinks with a first-rank general—truly enviable."
Xie Jingyu clearly detected the sarcasm in these words, mocking his reliance on the Yun family and his father-in-law.
He replied indifferently, "Then Minister Yuan may continue envying."
Yuan Daren was momentarily speechless.
Indeed, with powerful backing comes confidence.
Taking a deep breath, Yuan Daren said, "You seem rather pale, Minister Xie, with dark circles under your eyes. I wonder if you're ill or have encountered something unfortunate. You should find time to see someone about it."
He was merely making random remarks to salvage some dignity.
Unexpectedly, these words struck a chord with Xie Jingyu. Ever since He Shi's death, he had been plagued by nightmares every night, without a single proper rest.
He felt his health deteriorating, often experiencing fatigue. He knew this resulted from poor sleep... It seemed he indeed needed to consult a physician for some sleeping medicine. With proper rest, perhaps He Shi would cease haunting his dreams.
"Father, with so many guests, Uncle seems somewhat overwhelmed," Xie Shi'an interjected. "Perhaps you could assist him."
Ignoring Yuan Daren's gaze, Xie Jingyu walked toward Yun Ze.
However, everyone knew that the Yun family's eldest daughter had recently stayed at her parental home for half a month, indicating some marital discord.
Moreover, after Xie Jingyu entered, the Yun family members didn't actively greet him—particularly Yun Ze, who didn't even glance his way.
The implication was obvious.
These court officials, all shrewd individuals, showed no real intention of engaging in deep conversation with Xie Jingyu.
While the Xie father and son received cold treatment, Yun Chu's area buzzed with activity.
Many court ministers were still accompanying the Emperor in the palace, so most current guests were ladies and young misses, filling the courtyard with women everywhere.
"I heard that on General Yun's return journey to the capital, he incidentally eliminated three bandit strongholds without deploying a single soldier. General Yun truly possesses divine military strategy.""Indeed, with General Yun guarding the western frontier, my heart feels completely at ease."
"By the looks of it, the young mistress of the Yun family is with child. What a double blessing."
"Soon it will be the Yun family's second young lady's grand wedding. We'll have to shamelessly come again to beg for a cup of celebratory wine then."
"..."
Lin Shi said with a smile, "We're currently arranging to send wedding invitations to every household. Those with free time should come drink a cup of wedding wine and share in the joyous atmosphere."
As they were speaking, Madam Du arrived, accompanied by her legitimate eldest daughter Du Ling.
After the incident at Qing'an Temple that day, Yun Chu had specifically gone to the Du residence to inquire and felt relieved upon learning that Du Ying hadn't done anything like taking her own life.
While Lin Shi welcomed Madam Du, Yun Chu approached Du Ling: "Madam Ji."
Du Ling pressed her lips together.
Her former friend had schemed against her at Qing'an Temple and made Du Ying cry for a full month. She actually held some resentment toward Yun Chu.
However, she also knew that at that time, Yun Chu's illegitimate daughter had schemed against the Fourth Prince. Under those circumstances, Yun Chu had no choice but to use her as a witness to force the Fourth Prince to take responsibility.
Come to think of it, she really had to thank Yun Chu's illegitimate eldest daughter. Because she had secretly investigated the Fourth Prince, she discovered that there were at least ten concubines in the rear court of Anjing Prince's residence.
When she presented the facts before Du Ying, this younger sister finally stopped grieving over the Fourth Prince.
Yesterday, she heard that Consort De had found a Side Princess Consort for the Fourth Prince, who would enter the household on the same day as the main Princess Consort. This was trampling the main consort's dignity underfoot.
"Congratulations, Miss Xie." Du Ling curved her lips as she looked at Xie Ping behind Yun Chu. "Soon you'll get your wish to marry into Anjing Prince's residence. With so many sisters to keep you company, how do you feel, Miss Xie?"
Xie Ping's face turned pale.
She forced a smile: "It is my honor to marry Anjing Prince, become Princess Consort, and join the other sisters in the prince's residence to continue the royal lineage."
Du Ling snorted disdainfully.
Xie Ping's face grew even paler. Unable to bear Du Ling's gaze, she found an excuse to move aside.
"Madam Xie, your daughter certainly is remarkable to have schemed her way to the Fourth Prince," Du Ling said. "Be careful she doesn't scheme against you in the future."
Yun Chu knew Du Ling was concerned about her. The Qing'an Temple incident was completely in the past now.
She changed her form of address: "Ling Ling, come to the Xie residence for tea when you have time. Let's have a proper gathering."
Du Ling humphed: "Then you'll have to send me an invitation. I'll need to carefully consider whether to go or not."
The two looked at each other and smiled, as if time had returned to when they were both unmarried maidens.
Just then, lively sounds came from the main gate of the Yun residence. Yun Chu looked over and saw that her father had returned, accompanied by many people. 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 arrived.
Third Prince Pingxi had come because he had initially followed General Yun to the battlefield to establish military merits - the two could be considered friends despite their age difference.
Fourth Prince Anjing had come because he was engaged to the Xie family, who were related by marriage to the Yun family, so naturally he had to attend.
As for the Eighth Prince, he was born from Consort Yun in the palace. Since his maternal uncle had returned to the capital, of course he wanted to join the excitement.
And the Second Prince... Yun Chu knew exactly why he had come to the Yun residence. Probably from this time, he already intended to win over the Yun family.
Everyone in the courtyard paid their respects to the princes. After the formal greetings, they all took their seats.Xie Ping sat beside Yun Chu, her gaze fixed on the Fourth Prince, Anjing Prince, who was not too far away. In truth, she had only met him a handful of times.
The first time was at the Eldest Princess’s residence, where the Fourth Prince picked up her handkerchief and adorned her hair with a flower. She believed they shared mutual affection.
The second time was at Qing’an Temple…
The third time was in Consort De’s Changqing Palace, where he watched her being punished yet remained unmoved.
Now, during their fourth meeting, her future husband did not even grant her a single glance…
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