NCCnovel Chapter 192 Zhou Family Banquet
Chapter 192 Zhou Family Banquet
Ok?
Before Ye Wanning could react, a large hand wrapped around her waist. The man's body was burning hot, making her sweat uncontrollably.
"I just want a hug." Xie Bohuai rested his chin on Ye Wanning's shoulder. "Go to sleep. I have to go to court tomorrow."
Being held like this for the first time, Ye Wanning couldn't fall asleep.
But if I let her push me away, I feel like I shouldn't.
The two of them stayed close together like that for an unknown amount of time before Ye Wanning, feeling drowsy, gradually fell asleep.
In the darkness, Xie Bohuai slowly opened his eyes. He said they were mutually in love, and she didn't push him away. She fell asleep in his arms.
His thin lips curled up uncontrollably, and Xie Bohuai felt as sweet as if he had eaten honey.
When Ye Wanning woke up the next day, Xie Bohuai had already left, but Ye Wanning could still feel the traces of Xie Bohuai left behind.
When Yunzhi came in, she noticed that her mistress's face was very red. "Do you have a fever?"
"No, it's just too hot." While Ye Wanning was washing up, Princess Xihe brought Le Ge'er in. The two were already familiar with each other, and Le Ge'er clung to Princess Xihe, asking her to do whatever she wanted.
After having breakfast, the group went out.
It was hot, so it wasn't a good time to go to crowded places. Princess Xihe had some cool tea and iced drinks prepared and went to the estate outside the city.
She and Ye Wanning sat in the pavilion enjoying the breeze, while Le Ge'er was fishing with others.
"Mother, Aunt, I caught it!" Le Ge'er ran over excitedly, his forehead covered in sweat. "Shall we grill it for lunch?"
Ye Wanning said it was fine, and Le Ge'er ran off in a flurry of activity.
Princess Xihe stayed at the manor for two days until someone from the palace arrived, at which point she reluctantly returned to the palace.
Ye Wanning also took Le Ge'er back to the city. As soon as she arrived home, she received an invitation from Madam Zhou. Knowing that it was from the wife of Minister Zhou, Ye Wanning could guess what it was about, so she accepted.
The next morning, Mrs. Zhou arrived with a thank-you gift.
As soon as Madam Zhou entered, she saw Ye Wanning, who was standing upright. She looked her over discreetly before saying, "I should have come earlier, but I heard that the princess was at the manor, so I postponed it until today. I came here on behalf of my husband to express my gratitude. If it weren't for Lord Xie, my husband would already be meeting the King of Hell."
As she spoke, Madam Zhou glanced outside the door, and only then did Minister Zhou enter.
Upon learning that Xie Bohuai was not present, Minister Zhou visibly relaxed and became much more at ease while sitting.
"Your presence is a token of our appreciation," Ye Wanning said.
Seeing Ye Wanning's composure, Madam Zhou held her in higher regard. It was clear that rumors were unreliable and that seeing was believing. "The life-saving grace will naturally come. I wonder where Lord Xie is?"
It's time for the court to end at this hour.
“He’s usually very busy and doesn’t come back that early. If you two want to see my master, you’ll have to wait a while. But it’s alright, why don’t you stay for a meal?” Ye Wanning said.
Minister Zhou wanted to say no, as he was genuinely afraid of seeing Xie Bohuai, but since Madam Zhou had already agreed, he had no choice but to stay.
After noon, Le Ge'er returned first. Seeing that there were guests in the house, Le Ge'er immediately became reserved.
Minister Zhou was bored, so when he saw Le Ge'er, he pulled Le Ge'er aside and asked him what books he had been reading. After hearing Le Ge'er's answer, he began to test Le Ge'er.
Le Ge'er frowned more and more deeply. "Old sir, are you a new employee?"
"No."
"Then why are you asking so many questions?" Brother Le was very puzzled, as he did not know the old man in front of him.
Minister Zhou was taken aback, realizing that Xie Bohuai's son was also uninteresting, just like Xie Bohuai himself.
Madam Zhou liked him very much. She pulled Le Ge'er aside and asked him how old he was and what he liked to do. "This child is so good. He is only four years old and he has read so many books. He is really amazing."
"Madam, I will be even more amazing in the future."
As soon as he finished speaking, Minister Zhou snorted "bragging," then turned around and saw Xie Bohuai had returned, his heart leaping into his throat.
Madam Zhou explained her purpose and then went to see her husband.
Minister Zhou and Xie Bohuai bowed and expressed their gratitude, saying, "Thank you for saving us on our trip to Huaizhou. This favor is something our Zhou family owes you. If you need anything in the future, please let me know."
When the person came to express their gratitude, Xie Bohuai stopped mocking them and instead said "good."
As the Zhou couple were about to leave, Mrs. Zhou extended an invitation, "My grandson is getting married in a few days. If you would do me the honor of having a drink with us, that would be wonderful."
Inviting someone to your home means you'll have to keep in touch. Who would have thought that before going to Huaizhou, Minister Zhou disliked Xie Bohuai the most?
Ye Wanning went to see Xie Bohuai, and after Xie Bohuai agreed, they saw him off together.
"Minister Zhou is not a very interesting person, but he has a good reputation. Being able to attend a banquet at his home is a new beginning for us," Xie Bohuai explained.
Ye Wanning explained, "It's not easy for you in the court. Now is not the time when the late emperor was alive. You need to have good relationships with officials. Minister Zhou is upright and incorruptible, and he is someone you can associate with."
"Wan Ning, you really understand me." Xie Bohuai smiled and leaned closer, but then Le Ge'er came over and said he was hungry, so he could only take his son to eat.
After Minister Zhou left, many people found out, and those who were on good terms with the Zhou family went to inquire about what had happened.
But the Zhou family kept their mouths shut, and no one said much, only that they had invited Xie Bohuai and his wife to the banquet.
Hearing that the Zhou family was on good terms with Xie Bohuai, some people started to have ideas about exchanging a few words with Xie Bohuai at the banquet.
On the day of the banquet, Xie Bohuai took Ye Wanning out early in the morning. After the two got into the carriage, they encountered Xie Boming's carriage.
Zhe Zhu, who was rushing to catch the carriage, said something to remind Xie Boming that he might also be going to the Zhou family's house.
Ye Wanning asked what to do.
"Let him do his thing, we'll do ours, it's not contradictory." Xie Bohuai didn't care about this.
When they arrived at the Zhou family's residence, men and women were separated. Xie Boming arrived first, and some people surrounded him and talked to him. Just then, Xie Bohuai came in, and everyone looked at the two brothers with curiosity.
Many people were whispering among themselves.
"You know, Xie Bohuai is really something. He's still my biological father, how can he just disown me like that? He's gone too far."
“Who can disagree? Since ancient times, filial piety has been the most important virtue. Without filial piety, Xie Bohuai would not be a good person. I think Minister Zhou was blinded by Xie Bohuai, which is why he invited Xie Bohuai here.”
"That's not necessarily true. Don't you all know what kind of person Minister Zhou is?"
Minister Zhou is the most impartial person in the world. Even when the late emperor was alive, if he disliked Xie Bohuai, he would say it directly to his face, let alone now.
Everyone had many questions in their minds, but none of them showed them on their faces.
On the other side, Ye Wanning was in a similar situation. Princess Chun had also come today, and she took advantage of the fact that Ye Wanning was alone to come closer.
"Don't pay attention to what those people are saying. There must be a reason why Lord Xie would sever ties with the Xie family. They are just jealous of Lord Xie's talent and can't find anything else to say, so they keep bringing up filial piety. There are plenty of bad parents in the world, and it's not easy for us children most of the time."
Hearing this, Ye Wanning found it somewhat agreeable, but Princess Chun was used to crying and complaining.
“You’re much luckier than me. You have Lord Xie to protect you. You have no idea. My prince’s position is awkward. Every time he goes to the palace, I don’t know how to conduct myself. Speaking of which, we have many similar situations, don’t you think?” Princess Chun looked at Ye Wanning, wanting to get recognition from her.