As Pei Zhan was leaving the palace, he happened to run into Fu Zhen carrying a vase out.
"Did you see the Empress?" he asked.
Fu Zhen nodded: "We’ll talk when we get back."
The couple finally breathed a sigh of relief as they left the palace and returned ho, sitting down in their room.
"How is the situation on the Emperor’s side?" Fu Zhen asked first.
"The Emperor asked to confirm the situation in Dongzi first. If it’s true, we’ll make a decision together with the Ministry of War." Pei Zhan answered, eagerly asking her, "What about Kunning Palace?"
Fu Zhen set the vase down, took a deep breath and said, "As we expected, the problem stems from the Emperor."
Then she detailed the events that took place at Kunning Palace earlier, "We don’t know what the Emperor did that night in Huzhou."
"The truth of the matter is probably known only to those three people. It’s a pity the Empress refuses to reveal the facts, and I don’t dare to ask further."
Pei Zhan also found the situation tricky: "I can’t figure out the Emperor’s attitude towards the Crown Prince, without that, we can’t proceed."
"Isn’t that the truth?" Fu Zhen shrugged, "But I think there’s no way the Emperor will tell us the truth. Our only hope is with the Empress."
Yang Yi is also unlikely to tell them the truth. Once soone hardens their heart to sever ties with their biological parents, they certainly wouldn’t leave any chance for others.
"But we can’t rush things. We still have to consider the Crown Prince’s feelings." Pei Zhan reminded.
Having said that, he glanced outside, "I still need to go to the Dali Temple to quickly get Lian Rong’s case reviewed, leaving the Crown Prince and the palace to you for now."
"Don’t worry." Fu Zhen waved her hand, "I also plan to make a trip to Wanbin Building."
The couple settled their tasks and began to handle their duties accordingly.
Fu Zhen sent soone to prepare the carriage, then picked up the vase of osmanthus, gave it a careful look, and left.
The front hall of Wanbin Building was filled with guests, separated from the few small courtyards in the back by an interdiate courtyard with accounting rooms, ensuring no disturbance between them.
Manager Feng stayed in the west, and had been having a wonderful ti exploring the capital city with Manager Su and others. Originally in the city to visit Mrs. Ning and her three children, now that he had seen them well and had no more worries about Mr. Ning’s passing, he was prepared to return to Huzhou.
Mrs. Ning ticulously prepared the gifts and arrangents for Manager Feng’s journey ho. Whenever sothing suitable appeared on the list, she also made sure to send a share to Yang Yi living in the east.
The courtyard where Yang Yi resided had three rooms. He occupied the main room, while the side rooms to the east and west were for He Zhao and Chen Song, who was yet to return from his assignnt.
Mrs. Ning granted them great freedom, with a separate gate leading to the back alley, allowing them complete independence from Wanbin Building if they wished.
The servants assigned there would never enter the courtyard without permission.
The guards stationed nearby by Pei Zhan’s orders, led by Guo Song, maintained a presence that wouldn’t disturb their routines, while also being ready to respond to any summons imdiately.
When Manager Su delivered the tea leaves instructed by Mrs. Ning, Yang Yi was reading a book.
Glancing at the tea leaves packaged in a delicate nanmu box, Yang Yi didn’t even cast a look at the pile of items gathered in the corner, and said, "Please tell Elder Sister through Manager Su that the things she’s sent are already enough. Thank her. I’m a simple person, and I don’t care much about everyday necessities, so she needn’t trouble herself overly."
Manager Su laughed, "Sir, there’s no need to decline. These are all daily essentials, and we weren’t sure of your preferences, so our owner, who is amiable, sent a variety. Please use as you please."
Having said that, he gave a deep bow and exited the courtyard.
Yang Yi watched his retreating figure and let out a resigned sigh.
He Zhao entered: "If you find it unnecessary, I can inform Mrs. Ning."
"No need." Yang Yi replied, "Since I’ve already revealed my identity, how could the Ning Family truly treat like an ordinary person?
"Elder Sister’s kindness should not be declined, lest it cause her unease. Better to accept graciously."
He Zhao agreed.
Yang Yi added, "When is Chen Song returning?"
"The last letter ntioned he would be back around Mid-Autumn Festival, which is three days away. So, it won’t be long now."
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