At Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion, Zhao Gang returned and reported the incident at the City God Temple and the attitude of Miss Cousin, repeating everything once over.
Upon hearing Zhao Gang’s words, Lord Zhongyong furrowed his brows, "What’s gotten into this child? She seemed to have improved a lot the last two times she was back, understanding restraint in her words and actions. Why is she fixated on this matter now?"
Yin Xiaocheng laughed twice, and said, "That Miss Han has been a bit spoiled too, daring to provoke Xinyan. Since father also mentioned that Xinyan now understands restraint, let’s just wait and see. It’d be best if we could teach Miss Han a lesson. If that doesn’t work, at worst I’ll go out and clean up the mess for her, it won’t be harder than before."
He thought that his niece had infamously deterred most from offending her, yet unexpectedly, there were still people looking to test the waters.
The Marquis rebuked, "What kind of uncle are you? Do you still think she’s a child? She’s already in her twenties; if she causes trouble again, it would be truly shameful."
With hands spread wide, Yin Xiaocheng said, "Then what do you propose we do? Xinyan is always so stubborn, and Duke An obviously indulges her. Zhao Gang made the trip but returned without success, what could others possibly do. I could go, of course, but if she insists on not listening, surely you don’t suggest we physically punish such a grown woman, do you?"
Lord Zhongyong felt his heartbeat quicken; waving his hand, he said, "Alright, alright, just keep an eye on that girl and Han Mansion’s actions. Don’t let things get out of hand, and if it comes to that, just bring her back by force."
Yin Xiaocheng verbally agreed, yet he thought of Guan He’s strength; bringing her back forcefully was absolutely impossible.
The next day, Miss Ye stayed within her own home doing nothing, and there was no incident at either Han Mansion, Ye Mansion, or Yin Mansion, bringing a day of tranquility to everyone.
Han Yanhui even breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that perhaps by sending over those two notes, Miss Ye was indicating a desire for peace.
Yet the next morning after breakfast, as Han Yanhui took a stroll in the garden and played with the parrot in the corridor, he leisurely returned to his study.
Before a servant could even bring his tea, the household manager hurried in to report that Miss Ye was at the door.
Han Yanhui calmly dusted off his robe and replied unhurriedly, "Tell Miss Han to have someone welcome her, there’s no need to report to me."
The household manager, a slightly plump middle-aged man, was almost to tears, "Prime Minister, she won’t come in."
"Let her be. If she won’t come in, she can wait outside," Han Yanhui responded with impatience, giving a brief order and gesturing for the manager to leave.
Such trivial matters were bothering him.
The manager bowed repeatedly, "Prime Minister, Miss Ye is dressed in men’s clothing, looking very much like an arrogant young lord, and she’s accompanied by three children of various sizes, making quite the spectacle, Prime Minister. They’re outside the door now, greeting passersby, claiming that they and your Miss Han ’do not fight without acquaintance’ and feel a strong connection with Miss Han, hence the special visit."
Han Yanhui first found this amusing—Duke An’s granddaughter in men’s attire, what kind of farce was this? But as the manager finished speaking, Han Yanhui was so shocked he nearly toppled from his chair.
His granddaughter was expected to become the empress; she couldn’t withstand the disturbance from Ye Xinyan.
Those in the know, understood this to be a charade from the unruly Miss Ye of the Ye Family. But to those unaware, it would appear as if his Yufang had a fortuitous encounter with a young lord. A strong connection? If Xinyan’s identity wasn’t made clear, that could cost lives.
If he allowed her to make a spectacle, there might be political enemies like Deputy to the Cabinet Minister Liu Chengzhi who would stir up the dust, spreading misleading information.
What then? What about his granddaughter? Even as the Prime Minister, could he grab every single person in the capital and explain that this young lord was not a man, but a disgraced woman in disguise?
While putting on his coat, Han Yanhui instructed the manager, "Go quickly, have the steward invite Miss Ye in. I’ll be right there."
The manager didn’t rush off; instead, he helped Han Yanhui with his clothes, saying, "Uncle Qiao has already gone out, and The Old Master is outside, but Miss Ye, she won’t come in."
Fastening his buttons as he walked outside, Han Yanhui scolded, "Fool! Why don’t you send more people to usher her through the gate?"
With a pained expression, the manager followed Han Yanhui outside, explaining, "There’s an expert with Miss Ye, ordinary people can’t get near her."
Stumbling in his steps, nearly falling, Han Yanhui remembered the rumors about Miss Ye’s companion, a Jianghu individual named Guan He with incredibly high skills. Guan He had come to the capital the year before, and despite several noble mansions sending their masters to test him, all were defeated.
Damn it! Han Yanhui couldn’t help but swear. Ye Xinyan was already protected by two military generals from noble and prestigious backgrounds, and now someone had found her this quirky bodyguard. Was she aiming for the heaven?
Han Yanhui, seated securely as the Cabinet Prime Minister, was obviously no pushover. Annoyed as he was, heading outside, he looked composed and generously forgiving by the time he stepped through the front door.
Outside the Prime Minister’s Mansion, a crowd had gathered. The front of his mansion was lined with about a dozen house servants. Further out, there were Han Mansion’s steward Uncle Qiao and Han Yanhui’s eldest son, Han Jun, both entangled with a tall man.
The man stood smiling in front of them, motionless, but giving off the impression of an unbreakable barrier that no one could pass.
Han Yanhui didn’t tangle with the man; instead, he looked toward the outermost figure—a slender young lord clad in shimmering golden attire, smiling and waving his hands to the crowd. Han Yanhui said with a smile, "Miss Ye truly does not concede to men. Dressed in this attire, you are nothing short of magnificent and dignified. I have long admired Miss Ye; please come inside."
The Prime Minister’s heart was bleeding. Was he no longer the commanding Cabinet Prime Minister? To step outside his door and welcome a young woman...