If she was lucky, perhaps she could do something.
“Yes, Miss.”
At that moment, Cui Huan, the chief maid serving Rong Huazhi, lifted the curtain and entered.
“Da Xiao Jie, Madam sent me to ask if you are finished dressing. The carriage is ready. We will depart as soon as the Master returns to the residence.”
“Go and tell Mother that I will be ready shortly. Has Elder Brother arrived at the Main Courtyard?” Huo Ningyu asked.
“Young Master has been waiting in the Main Courtyard for some time,” Cui Huan replied with a smile.
Huo Ningyu’s hair was already styled; she only needed to put on her outer garments to depart.
Arriving at the Main Courtyard.
“Father, you’ve returned already. I thought you would be busy until the beginning of Shen Shi before coming home.”
Huo Ningyu saw Huo Pengcheng sitting in the Main Hall, his expression somewhat displeased.
“Father, what has upset you?”
“This noon, the Loyal Earl invited me to a meal and brought up the matter of the Xie Family’s Second Young Master. His face is truly thick—he actually had the nerve to ask me to continue mentoring his second son.” Huo Pengcheng grew angry just thinking about the Loyal Earl’s words.
Children’s matters shouldn’t affect the relationship between adults.
The two madams had been close friends since childhood; even if the marriage alliance fell through, they could still remain friends.
Hmph. The Zhongyi Bo Fu has produced no significant achievements for two generations and now wants to pursue the path of civil officials.
Having his second son follow the literary path and study under my guidance.
An Earl Residence without a scholarly foundation trying to join the ranks of civil officials is exceedingly difficult.
If not for the fact that our families were once betrothed, I wouldn’t have reluctantly agreed to mentor him for a period.
“Master, pay no mind to the Xie Family. Although Xia Yixuan and I are good friends, her son has humiliated our daughter so greatly—how can we remain friends? From now on, I will have nothing to do with her until death. As for her second son, let them hire whomever they please as his tutor.
You, a former Zhuangyuan and now the Hubu Shangshu—are you afraid of lacking students?” Rong Huazhi was clear in her likes and dislikes.
Xie Zhengqi wasn’t cut out for studying in the first place; he wasn’t even as capable as our Mingchang.
“Madam is right. I have already refused.”
“Father did the right thing. From now on, our Huo Family will have no further relations with the Xie Family,” Huo Ningyu agreed.
Xie Zhengqi—in her previous life, though he hadn’t harmed her directly, when the Huo Family was condemned, he never once pleaded for mercy.
He remained detached, as if it were none of his concern. He showed not the slightest defense for his mentor.
Such a person was cold and unfeeling, little different from an ungrateful wolf.
“Let’s go. Once we enter the palace, Ningyu, it’s best you do not leave your mother’s side.” Huo Pengcheng did not forget to remind her.
He feared that due to the previous rumors, his daughter might be mocked or bullied by some young ladies.
“Father, rest assured. Your daughter knows what to do.” She had long been mentally prepared.
A straight foot is not afraid of a crooked shoe.
“Father, don’t worry. Your son will also protect Younger Sister.”
The family of five entered the palace together.
The Mid-Autumn Banquet was set for the middle of Shen Shi, but they entered the palace during Wei Shi.
The palace had prepared many games and amusements for entertainment before the banquet began.
The Emperor would also participate, sharing joy between ruler and subjects.
Huo Ningyu followed Rong Huazhi to the Empress’s palace first to pay their respects.
“Your subject’s wife (Your subject’s daughter) pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy Wanfu Jin’an.” Mother and daughter bowed respectfully.
They arrived neither early nor late; the hall already held many noblewomen and palace consorts.
“Madam Huo, you may rise. Little Ningyu, I haven’t seen you since the Dragon Boat Festival Palace Banquet. Your complexion has grown even more radiant,” the Empress said with a slight smile.
Hearing these words, Huo Ningyu’s heart tightened.
Was the Empress implying that she showed not a trace of sorrow?
“Thank you for your praise, Empress. She’s rather carefree, nothing ever troubles her heart. All she knows is eating and playing all day.” Rong Huazhi understood the Empress’s implication.
“This is precisely how young maidens should be—untroubled by external matters, living joyfully each day. Such a temperament leads to long life. Great fortune surely awaits her in the future.”
The Empress meant no particular implication, merely expressing curiosity.
Had it been any other young woman, she might have hanged herself by now.
“Your Majesty is absolutely right. Since I’ve done nothing wrong nor offended anyone, of course I live happily.” Huo Ningyu beamed brightly.
Her smile drew additional glances from the other noblewomen in the hall.
Before she and her mother arrived, they had been discussing the matter between the Huo and Xie families.
The rumors had naturally reached the palace and the Empress’s ears, but Her Majesty had reprimanded them for believing biased accounts.
Now seeing Huo Ningyu appearing before everyone as if nothing had happened, they began to doubt whether those rumors were true or false.
However, they believed about eighty to ninety percent of the “catching adultery” story.
It had reached the Emperor himself, who had ordered Xie Zhengyang to be caned.
“You are quite right. We have prepared various entertainments—let the young people go out and play. Just remember to return to Chonghua Hall by the end of Shen Shi.”
Huo Ningyu glanced at her mother.
Rong Huazhi had no choice but to nod. Since the Empress had spoken, it would be inappropriate for her daughter to remain.
Huo Ningyu left the Empress’s Fenghuang Palace and headed toward the Imperial Garden.
Her good friend Wan Qingdai was surely waiting for her there.
Wan Qingdai was the granddaughter of Wan Hengzhi, Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.
The Chancellor had also been her father’s teacher, so the two families were quite close.
Maids weren’t permitted in the palace, so only a palace maid from the Empress’s retinue accompanied her.
“Sister, there’s no need to trouble yourself escorting me. Please attend to your duties—I know the way.” Huo Ningyu spoke politely.
With many guests today, the Empress’s palace would be short-handed.
“You’re too kind, Miss Huo. This servant will take her leave then.”
Huo Ningyu walked alone along the palace path, choosing a slightly remote but shorter route.
She was quite familiar with the palace grounds, having wandered them many times as a spirit.
As she passed a rockery, she suddenly heard faint voices coming from behind it.
And they sounded somewhat familiar.
Huo Ningyu softened her footsteps and approached.
“Eldest cousin, why won’t you speak to me? If I hadn’t used Huo Ningyu’s name, you wouldn’t have agreed to meet me here.” A young man’s voice.
“Gao Jichen, why are you ruining my reputation? Did Second Sister put you up to this?”
Huo Ningyu recognized the voice—it was her good friend Wan Qingdai.
She was actually meeting a man in private, here in the palace!
How could she be so careless?
What man would be so shameless as to use her name to lure someone here?
She peered through a narrow crevice.
“Eldest cousin, this has nothing to do with Second cousin. My feelings for you come from the heart—why won’t you believe me?” The man spoke with apparent sincerity.
“I am not your cousin. Second Sister is your cousin—your aunt is merely my stepmother.” Wan Qingdai emphasized.
“Regardless of relations, I admire you and wish to marry you.” The man grabbed Wan Qingdai’s hand.
“Let go of me!” Wan Qingdai struggled.
“I won’t! You’re always avoiding me. Now that I’ve finally managed to meet you alone, I must know how you feel.”
“You’re shameless! I have no romantic feelings for you whatsoever!” Wan Qingdai was furious but couldn’t break free from the man’s strength.
Suddenly, the man grabbed Wan Qingdai and tried to kiss her lips.
Without hesitation, Huo Ningyu swiftly rounded the rockery and kicked the man squarely in the buttocks.
The kick sent him stumbling forward, inadvertently pinning Wan Qingdai against the jagged rockery wall.
The sharp stones dug painfully into Wan Qingdai’s back, drawing a soft cry of pain from her.
Huo Ningyu delivered another kick from the side, sending the man sprawling to the ground.
Still seething, she went over and added two more kicks for good measure.
“Ouch, ouch! Stop kicking!” the man yelled.
In her past life, it was this scoundrel who, in cahoots with Second Miss Wan, had brought utter ruin upon Qingdai.