Only after being reborn did I realize that I was the white moonlight of a powerful minister.

Chapter 178 Encounter with Zhao Chuan at the Palace Banquet

When Yu Qingsheng arrived next door, he didn't see Chunxi, but only Zhezhu. He learned that Madam Xie had taken Chunxi and the others on business, so he put down Le Ge'er and said, "Take this little troublemaker away quickly. Where is his father?"

"The master has gone out," Zhe Zhu said.

"He's never home all day long. I really don't understand what Xie Bohuai is up to. It's not like it's his throne. Why is he so concerned about it? Be careful he doesn't get betrayed after he's been used!" Yu Qingsheng wasn't afraid of being overheard. This was Xie Bohuai's territory. If Xie Bohuai didn't have this much ability, he would have been killed long ago.

Zhezhu took Le Ge'er, his eyebrows twitching, but since the other party was a schoolteacher, he could only smile and see him off.

Le Ge'er said he wanted to find his mother, so Zhe Zhu coaxed him to eat something.

By the time Ye Wanning finished taking inventory of the storeroom, it was already dark. Le Ge'er had long since gone to sleep, while Ye Wanning waited for Xie Bohuai to return before they ate a meal together.

Xie Bohuai said he would leave first thing tomorrow morning. "When Minister Zhou heard that I asked him to go, he was very excited. His whole family tried to persuade him, but to no avail."

Ye Wanning knew what kind of scene it would be without even thinking. "I can imagine it, after all, Minister Zhou is indeed getting old."

After exchanging a few words and blowing out the candles, Xie Bohuai suddenly asked, "Wanning, why do you trust me so much?"

"Because what I see is you right in front of me, and I have my own ability to discern. Whether you are good or bad, I can tell clearly." Ye Wanning lay on her side, able to feel the presence of the person beside her.

At this moment, Xie Bohuai was smiling. In Ye Wanning's heart, he was a good person, and she was no longer afraid of him.

This is good news.

Xie Bohuai slept very soundly that night. The next day, he left a letter for Ye Wanning, saying, "Open the letter only if something comes up, otherwise don't open it." He was very serious, and Ye Wanning nodded in agreement.

After Xie Bohuai left, Ye Wanning wanted to close the door to visitors. People outside were saying all sorts of things about Xie Bohuai, and many believed that Xie Bohuai had really embezzled and accepted bribes.

She didn't want to hear those unpleasant words, so she didn't want to pay them any attention.

However, after the national mourning period ended, just before the Dragon Boat Festival, an imperial decree arrived, ordering officials of the second rank and above to bring their wives to the palace for a banquet.

Xie Bohuai was not at home; only Ye Wanning was there. She had originally intended to feign illness to avoid going, but the Empress had specifically sent someone to inquire, so she had no choice but to go.

On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, Ye Wanning got off the carriage at the perfect time, neither too early nor too late. As soon as she stepped off the carriage, she attracted everyone's attention.

Everyone had to walk into the palace, and most people were unwilling to come over and make friends, except for Princess Chun, who came over to talk to them.

Prince Chun was the emperor's eldest son, but he was born out of wedlock, as his mother was a maidservant. Therefore, Prince Chun's status was not very high. He was only granted the title of prince because he was the eldest son.

Princess Consort Yu was of average appearance, but her smile was very approachable. "I had long heard that Madam Xie was the most beautiful woman in the capital. Seeing her up close today, I really can't take my eyes off her."

"Your Highness is too kind. You are the one with a divine appearance," Ye Wanning replied with a light smile.

"I'm not exaggerating, but looking across the entire capital, there's no one more beautiful than you. Lord Xie is so lucky to have such a virtuous wife, unlike me, who comes from a humble background and hasn't seen many grand occasions. To be honest, I was trembling before I left the house today." Princess Chun seemed completely unguarded, speaking intimately to Ye Wanning on their first meeting.

Ye Wanning felt a little uncomfortable, but given the other person's status, she could only cooperate and chat.

When the two arrived at the inner palace, someone was already waiting at the door, saying that he was someone from Princess Xihe's side.

Ye Wanning met Princess Xihe with the palace servants. When Princess Xihe learned that Ye Wanning had entered the palace with Princess Chun, she pulled her aside and started talking, "Why did you come with her? Did she tell you that she's inexperienced, not used to big occasions, and very scared?"

"It really is."

"Hmph, I knew she couldn't change her ways. Let me tell you, she's no good. Her husband is eyeing my brother's position as crown prince. Spreading nonsense about the eldest son being superior, does she really think everyone else is a fool?" Princess Xihe said disdainfully.

Hearing Princess Xihe's cursing tone, Ye Wanning laughed and said, "Your Highness can curse, so you must have recovered."

"What do you mean by 'well up'? You mean the He family's business? I went there a long time ago," Princess Xihe said. "If it weren't for my mother insisting on keeping me in check, saying I shouldn't show too much joy, I would have come to play with you long ago. But my mother pressured me, making me embroider and read books in the palace every day. Look at me, my delicate fingers are almost turned into sieves from being pricked by needles!"

She held out her hand for Ye Wanning to see.

Ye Wanning glanced at it. "Where's the sieve? Your Highness is exaggerating. You look so beautiful today. Is this Hetian jade offered as tribute from the Southern Frontier?"

"Yes, do you like it? I have more. I'll tell you a secret, actually today, the Empress Dowager wants to help me find a suitable husband. She's afraid the ministers will send me to a foreign land for a political marriage, so she's taking advantage of the palace banquet to see if there are any suitable families." Xihe herself wasn't in a hurry, but she was afraid of being sent to a foreign land for a political marriage, which is why she was willing to cooperate.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the main hall. Princess Xihe glanced at the people in the hall and said, "Oh, all the top scholars of this year have come. Mother is too impatient."

Ye Wanning looked in the direction Princess Xihe pointed, and coincidentally, her eyes met Zhao Chuan's.