Ye Wanning had very little contact with men outside her family. Having been betrothed since childhood, she never needed to concern herself with which families had suitable young gentlemen.
It wasn’t that she thought too highly of herself—she simply wanted to avoid any potential complications.
Having toiled her entire previous life only to meet a tragic end, in this second chance at life, aside from seeking revenge, Ye Wanning only wished to live a carefree and comfortable existence.
That night, as she lay in bed, she tossed and turned restlessly.
Besides worrying about the imperial consort selection, another matter puzzled her: how had Xie Bohuai overheard her conversation with Yunzhi?
Could the man actually fly?
Unable to figure it out, Ye Wanning only managed to fall asleep in the latter half of the night. The next day, as dawn barely broke, she rose and leaned against the railing, gazing blankly at the courtyard.
The weather was gradually growing warmer. After a simple lunch, her Second Brother visited.
“Sister, are you troubled about the consort selection?” Ye Mingyue asked as he sat down. “If you truly don’t wish to participate, you could choose one from among my friends and settle the marriage first. That would spare you one worry.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than his elder brother stormed in and scolded him harshly, “And you call yourself an elder brother? Those good-for-nothing friends of yours—not only would Wan Ning disapprove, but even Grandmother wouldn’t pass them.”
“Don’t look down on them! We may not enjoy studying, but in every other aspect, we’re far better than Zhou Yu!” Ye Mingyue retorted indignantly. His close friends had been with him for years, and he trusted them completely.
Yet Ye Mingde remained firm. His eldest sister was the most outstanding young lady in their household, and no matter what, she deserved a good marital family.
Ye Wanning smiled faintly. “What brings both of you here?”
Ye Mingyue quickly replied, “Since your broken engagement, people have been inquiring about your marital prospects from time to time. We thought there was no hurry before, but now that the imperial grandsons are selecting consorts, I discussed it with Eldest Brother. He mentioned he has a colleague who seems quite suitable and wanted to speak with you about him.”
“The He family is also a prominent household in Jingcheng. He Zhouji is the youngest son and already has a capable elder sister-in-law managing affairs. For He Zhouji, they only need a young lady with good family background and character. A while ago, his father asked me about it once or twice. If you’re willing, I can arrange a meeting for you,” Ye Mingde explained, his urgency evident—ordinarily, this matter should have been brought up by Lin Shi. “The He family upholds strict moral principles, and He Zhouji himself has decent character and appearance. They’re not too far beneath our family’s standing.”
Seeing the hopeful look in her elder brother’s eyes, and since she couldn’t think of any alternative herself, Ye Wanning listened to Second Brother’s advice that meeting him wouldn’t hurt and agreed to the arrangement.
Two days later, Ye Wanning accompanied her sister-in-law to offer incense at the temple, where they “coincidentally” encountered Madam He.
Madam He, somewhat plump and dignified, greeted Lin Shi and then discreetly assessed Ye Wanning. “The young lady truly lives up to her reputation—graceful and beautiful. Since we’ve met today by fate, shall we stroll together?”
Everyone understood the underlying purpose. Lin Shi agreed with a smile, and before long, the group encountered the waiting He Zhouji.
He Zhouji was slender and fair-skinned. When he glanced toward Ye Wanning, his face flushed crimson, and he grew so flustered he didn’t dare move.
Seeing her son in such a state, Madam He frowned inwardly, though she maintained a calm expression. “My son is rather shy. He doesn’t have many friends ordinarily—when he returns home, he just studies. His social interactions are very simple.”
Her words were meant to reassure Lin Shi and Ye Wanning that He Zhouji was uncomplicated and free of cunning intentions.
Lin Shi observed He Zhouji’s refined and gentle demeanor with satisfaction. She glanced subtly at her elder sister-in-law, but seeing no particular expression on Ye Wanning’s face, she couldn’t guess what the young woman was thinking.
In her previous life, Ye Wanning had never interacted with He Zhouji and knew little about the He family. Seeing him in person now, she had no particular impression. He Zhouji was excessively timid, with Madam He doing all the talking. Just from this brief encounter, it was evident that Madam He was domineering, which explained why her son had grown up so submissive.
The two families walked together for a stretch before parting ways near the monastery. Lin Shi was eager to ask Ye Wanning her thoughts, but Wanning reminded her that people might pass by at any moment. Lin Shi suppressed her curiosity and went to offer incense first.
Having been married into the Ye Family for over four years with only one daughter to her name, Lin Shi took the opportunity to pray to the Child-Giving Guanyin while at the temple.
After offering her own incense, Ye Wanning waited for Lin Shi in the garden.
The sunlight was splendid, filtering through layers of leaves. Wanning fanned herself with a round fan as she watched Yunzhi chase butterflies.
“Young lady, there’s a red one here! Oh, it flew away—did you see it?” Yunzhi turned around, her smile vanishing abruptly as she bowed to the approaching figure. “Lord Xie, may you be well.”
Ye Wanning glanced over and saw Xie Bohuai dressed in casual attire, a jade crown adorning his head. Without his usual sternness, he carried a scholar’s gentle refinement.
“Miss Ye, I know I’m handsome,” Xie Bohuai said, one hand behind his back.
Ye Wanning awkwardly averted her gaze. “Lord Xie, may you be well. Are you here to offer incense as well?”
“I came to add a perpetual lamp for my concubine mother,” Xie Bohuai replied succinctly. He glanced down at Ye Wanning and suddenly changed the subject. “The He family is not a good match. Why haven’t you learned to judge people better, Miss Ye?”
The He family?
Ye Wanning immediately realized Xie Bohuai had witnessed her earlier encounter with the He family.
But why had she been running into Xie Bohuai so frequently lately?
What did he mean? Was he mocking her poor judgment again?
“He Zhouji may appear refined, but he actually enjoys mistreating the maids in his household,” Xie Bohuai said, his eyes fixed on Ye Wanning.
“How does Lord Xie know this?”
“Is there anything Zhenfu Si doesn’t know?”
Indeed, Zhenfu Si was the Emperor’s eyes and ears. Nothing in Jingcheng, big or small, could escape its notice.
That was why court officials dared not openly oppose Xie Bohuai—everyone feared he might expose their secrets, as few could claim spotless integrity.
Silence fell between them. By all reasoning, Ye Wanning should thank Xie Bohuai for the warning, but his cold tone left her with an indescribable unease.
Unsure how to respond, she was relieved when Lin Shi arrived, giving her a chance to breathe.
On the way back, Lin Shi asked for Wanning’s opinion of He Zhouji. Ye Wanning relayed Xie Bohuai’s words: “One can know a person’s face but not their heart. He Gongzi merely appears virtuous.”
She believed Xie Bohuai—he had no reason to lie to her.
Lin Shi sighed. “What a pity.” Among all the suitors, the He family had the best conditions. The others were either seeking a second wife, lacking in character or appearance, or without official rank.
“There’s no need for regret, sister-in-law. Don’t worry about me—there’s still plenty of time,” Ye Wanning comforted her.
“Very well, I’ll keep looking for you,” Lin Shi said, then curiously asked why Xie Bohuai would mention the He family.
“Perhaps out of respect for Second Brother. I heard they often drink together,” Ye Wanning replied.
“Second Brother has many friends, and Lord Xie has indeed helped us this time. We must remember this favor.” Although Lin Shi was afraid of Xie Bohuai, after several encounters, she felt he wasn’t as fearsome as the rumors suggested.
After the sisters-in-law returned home, everyone was disappointed to hear the He family proposal had fallen through. However, the next day, a maid from the He family was found dead after crashing herself against the entrance of the Prefectural Office, carrying a blood-written letter detailing how she had been abused by He Zhouji.
Instantly, the He family became the talk of Jingcheng. Matchmakers who had previously been arranging marriages for He Zhouji all came to withdraw their services. No one wanted to be associated with He Zhouji at this time and risk damaging their reputation.
When the news reached the Ye Family, Ye Mingde was filled with self-reproach, blaming himself for misjudging character and nearly harming his elder sister again.
Yet Ye Wanning found it strange. Wondering if it was just a coincidence, she recalled how Xie Bohuai had told her that He Zhouji was unsuitable.