Xie Zhang had other concerns. Although after talking to Mrs. Ning last time, he had pondered over her words and felt mostly relieved, knowing Mrs. Ning didn’t have those feelings for Yang Yi. However, every time he saw Yang Yi’s outstanding appearance, which inspired admiration from the bottom of his heart, he still felt a bit unsettled.
While Mrs. Ning had no such feelings for Yang Yi, it didn’t mean Yang Yi wouldn’t have them for her. After all, it was said he hadn’t married yet...
While drinking with Pei Yu absentmindedly, Pei Yu noticed it and expressed displeasure with a "tsk": "Lao Xie, this is not interesting. This is the first time we’re drinking together, why are you so absent-minded? I recall there haven’t been any tough cases at the Dali Temple recently!"
Xie Zhang coughed to cover up his faux pas: "The Great General is joking, I was just thinking about something else."
"What other matter?" Pei Yu pressed on.
Xie Zhang found it difficult to speak out, and he involuntarily cast a glance towards the ladies.
Pei Yu was astute; he looked at the few people over there and then, after some consideration, came to a sudden realization. He chuckled, stroking his beard: "Mr. Xie, I didn’t expect you to be so sly!"
Xie Zhang’s face turned red with embarrassment. However, he didn’t avoid the question and said: "This is just my foolish infatuation. The Great General can mock me all he wants, but please don’t involve others."
Pei Yu replied seriously upon hearing this: "An unmarried man and an unmarried woman having mutual affection is perfectly reasonable, isn’t it? What are you afraid of?"
Xie Zhang drank a cup of wine with bashfulness, gathering enough courage to say: "I’m not afraid, what do I have to fear? I just don’t know what she thinks. You know she went through so much hardship before... I just fear being too abrupt."
He entered the officialdom rising smoothly through the imperial exams, with genuine ability. It was just in a moment of emotional distress that he got confused; he wasn’t actually foolish. These days, he had clearly analyzed his feelings inside and out; he indeed had affections for Mrs. Ning, and this sentiment emerged long ago. He couldn’t be more certain!
But thinking about the hardships Mrs. Ning suffered at the Fu Family’s hands, he wasn’t sure if Mrs. Ning had any intention of remarrying.
"Just this matter?" Pei Yu shook his head with a tongue-clicking sound after hearing it. "My Vice Imperial Censor, I thought it was some big issue! Fine, my wife and I will arrange this match for you!"
Xie Zhang didn’t refuse at all upon hearing this. He immediately raised his cup, openly offering a toast: "Then I, Xie, first thank the Great General and his wife here. Whether the matter succeeds or not, I will surely express my gratitude in the future!"
"Succeeding or not? With me, Lao Pei, taking action, it must succeed!"
Pei Yu leaned back and drank the wine, making a bold assurance.
That day, everyone was quite cheerful, or perhaps it was the first time in a while that they had gathered like this with the doors closed. They only parted when the sun was setting.
Yang Yi had a few more drinks, not to the point of being drunk, but after bidding everyone goodbye, he also returned to his room to lie down.
Fu Zhen and Pei Zhan took a carriage back to the mansion, but just as they reached the gate, they saw the eunuch Xu Hong from Kunning Palace waiting for her.
It turned out that the Empress, knowing Yang Yi was settled, wanted to come out for a look at night. Of course, her first stop should be the Pei family, and she needed someone from the Pei family to accompany her for propriety’s sake.
After night fell, the Empress changed into a less conspicuous outfit and left the palace in an inconspicuous carriage.
Pei Yu had been waiting quietly half a mile outside the palace gate, and after a silent reception, they proceeded together to the Yang Family.
Just after the Empress left Kunning Palace, the Emperor at Qianqing Palace also set aside his memorials and asked the eunuch: "Light the lamp and go to Kunning Palace for a visit."
The eunuchs promptly acted, some going to report, others helping the Emperor with his shoes, and others accompanying him to light the way.
The two palaces were not far apart. Just as the Emperor stepped out of the palace gate, the eunuch sent earlier returned: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress has extinguished the lights and retired."
"So early?" The Emperor paused and said, then, after thinking for a moment, continued walking forward, "She’s been in low spirits recently; I wonder if she’s not feeling well?"
The eunuchs silently accompanied him to Kunning Palace.
Under the palace gate, the eunuch left by the Empress to guard the entrance saw this and was alarmed. They exchanged a glance and quickly went up to greet him: "We humbly welcome Your Majesty."
The Emperor dismissed them and walked straight to the palace door: "How long has the Empress been sleeping?"
The eunuch quickly replied: "Replying to Your Majesty, it’s been a while; by now, she’s probably in a deep sleep."
The Emperor heard this and pressed his hand against the door, hesitating to push further.
He turned around: "Has she taken her medicine the past two days?"
"Yes, the Empress has taken her medicine."
The Emperor glanced at him, and in the next moment, suddenly raised his hand again, finally pushing the door open.