Leaving that aside for the moment, Emperor Jinghe was well aware that his earlier remark could be seen as meddling. After speaking, he hurriedly led his retinue away, only slowing his pace once they had exited the Apricot Grove. He did so only because he heard the sound of labored breathing behind him.
Turning around, he saw that the Grand Steward, Li Fuhai, was drenched in sweat, as were the three young Neishi, though they did not dare to pant as loudly as the Grand Steward.
As the Grand Steward who had grown up alongside the Emperor, Li Fuhai possessed his own measure of dignity. Facing the Emperor’s sideways glance, Li Fuhai bowed unhurriedly and said, “Your Majesty’s dragon body is robust, and you walk as if on wings. This old servant found it somewhat difficult to keep up.”
Hearing the term “old servant,” Wei Jingheng let out a soft snort. “You have not yet reached forty; how can you call yourself an old servant?”
Nevertheless, his forward steps slowed. A gentle breeze blew as the group strolled leisurely. The atmosphere was pleasant, and after a moment’s thought, Li Fuhai ventured to ask, “Your Majesty, why did you not bring the Second Miss back just now?”
Wei Jingheng glanced at him again, this time with a bit more emotion in his eyes. “Since she has already rejected Us and is meeting another for matchmaking, why should We force her?”
Li Fuhai fell silent for a moment, thinking to himself: Didn’t he just reach an understanding? Why is he being temperamental again?
He did not dare bring up the ambiguous encounter from that night again. However, in his view, even if there was only a spark of something between her and the Emperor, one should always be careful not to let others lay a finger on her.
Moreover, his master might not be as indifferent or detached as he appeared on the surface. It was up to a servant like him to provide a graceful way out so that this potential fate would not go awry.
With this in mind, the Grand Steward spoke of the suspicious point he had observed. “With the Second Miss’s appearance, why would she be willing to meet with that Zheng Langzhong? Even if she were to remarry, it would not be difficult to find a young, handsome official in the capital. Furthermore…”
Finally, he peeked at the Emperor, his meaning clear: With a gem like you preceding him, how could she choose such a man?
This hit the Emperor exactly where it mattered.
Wei Jingheng was actually somewhat annoyed. It was one thing for her to reject him, but to meet with such a person after doing so made it impossible for him not to overthink.
Now, reminded by Li Fuhai, Wei Jingheng recalled what the steward had said before—that she did not seem to be favored by the Yu family. After returning from her former husband’s house, she had mostly lived on the mountain. During their first meeting, her attire had led both him and Li Fuhai to mistake her for a tenant farmer’s wife from Qiqing Garden.
Later, he had seen the Yu family’s intentions clearly. When he made no move, they had gone so far as to drug their own daughter with wine at a banquet. Such methods showed no trace of parental affection. Connecting this to what had just happened…
The Emperor’s thin lips pressed together, and his heart began to waver. After walking a bit further, he finally couldn’t help but command, “You… keep an eye on things.”
He couldn’t bring himself to say anything more. An Emperor’s pity was always scarce, and strictly speaking, Yu Yihe was someone unrelated to him. Wei Jingheng naturally wouldn’t do too much; as for how to “keep an eye on things,” he left that entirely to the Grand Steward’s discretion.
However, these words sounded very different to Li Fuhai. He answered with a quick “Understood,” taking the matter very seriously. There were too many people in the world, yet those whom the Emperor remembered were few and far between—let alone those he cared about.
Many of the Imperial Consorts in the harem never received a single shred of concern from the Emperor. For Second Miss Yu to receive such a remark in her situation was quite extraordinary.
Coincidentally, that day, a peach tree in Qiqing Garden—planted personally by the previous Emperor—bore ripe fruit. The servants picked a basket and presented them to the Emperor. Wei Jingheng kept one plate for himself and ordered the rest to be distributed among the consorts and nobles. Li Fuhai personally delivered the portions for Consort Rong and Consort Zhaoyuan.
With the Grand Steward delivering them personally, even a mere six peaches were a rare treasure. Consort Zhaoyuan did not dare to be arrogant. After expressing her gratitude, she personally escorted Li Fuhai out of the main hall, only to see him stop as if he had something to say.
“Steward Li, is there something else?”
Li Fuhai feigned hesitation before saying, “Imperial Consort, consider this a bit of meddling on this old servant’s part; please do not take offense.”
At these words, Consort Zhaoyuan’s heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly said, “The Steward must be joking. How could I dare blame you? I simply do not know what has happened to make you say such a thing.”
Only then did Li Fuhai briefly recount the day’s events, and Consort Zhaoyuan learned that her sister had run into the Emperor while meeting someone for matchmaking.
“…This is not to sound alarmist, but His Majesty did mention it. Moreover, His Majesty has run into the Second Miss at your place a few times. It would be fine if he didn’t remember, but if he does and asks about it, Your Highness might find it difficult to explain.”
The Grand Steward’s words were quite sincere. Consort Zhaoyuan nodded repeatedly, shocked that Yu Yihe had been remembered by the Emperor, yet she prioritized exonerating herself and the Yu family.
“I was unaware of this matter. Had I known, how could I have allowed my sister to meet such a person? I expect my mother was also kept in the dark. This was our oversight. We will certainly investigate thoroughly before arranging another match for my sister.”
Hearing this, Li Fuhai’s expression softened. He continued, “Your Highness need not overthink it. His Majesty just happened to be passing by. It is simply that the Second Miss and that Zheng Langzhong standing together was truly…”
He tilted his head with an indescribable look on his face. Consort Zhaoyuan felt even more ashamed, secretly blaming her mother for finding such an ugly creature and letting the Emperor see him. After seeing the Grand Steward off, she immediately sent for Madam Yu.
It was unknown what was said inside, but Madam Yu returned with a sheepish expression, bringing four peaches with her. She gave two to Yu Yihe and said nothing more.
Yu Yihe did not think too highly of these Imperial Peaches planted by the late Emperor. She had Qingshuang wash and slice them to share. It was only the next day, when her elder sister Yu Yiwei arrived, that she realized the value of the fruit.
“Even my husband, the Count, only received two of last night’s Imperial Peaches. Mother actually had three?”
Madam Yu’s expression was unnatural. She glanced over and said, “The Yu family only received two. The extra ones were given by Consort Zhaoyuan. Your father ate one last night.”
Sitting to the side without a word, Yu Yihe’s mind stirred. Given her mother’s level of favoritism, why would she share two peaches when they were so scarce? Recalling the time Madam Yu had gone to Cuihan Hall the previous night, Yu Yihe looked at the peaches and seemed to understand something.
As the hottest days passed, the date for the Emperor’s return to the palace drew closer. Madam Yu spent two days in a state of anxiety before she resumed looking for matchmaking candidates for her daughter. This time, she did not dare act on her own and called Yu Yihe to discuss it.
“This time, I have inquired for you. There won’t be a repeat of last time…”
Yu Yihe feigned focus while listening indifferently to Madam Yu’s introduction of the new candidate, her mind calculating. Once Madam Yu had said enough, she nodded gently and agreed.
“Since you have agreed, let us settle on a date for you two to meet as soon as possible. How about three days from now?”
Madam Yu was in a hurry to settle her second daughter’s marriage. Since she had already brought her back from the mountain, she didn’t have the face to send her back. It was best to finalize a betrothal and marry her off quickly.
However, she saw her daughter look up with a hesitant expression. “Mother, since His Majesty gave his ‘opinion’ during the last matchmaking session, should we ask for instructions this time?”
Hearing this, Madam Yu instinctively argued, “What status do you have that your marriage requires the Emperor’s consultation? How can such a small matter disturb His Majesty?”
But as she spoke, her voice slowed down, clearly showing some concern. Her hand tapped on the table a few times, and after a few breaths, she sighed.
“While it is not good to disturb His Majesty, just in case, this matter must be reported to Consort Zhaoyuan. Let her mention it to His Majesty as a formal account.”
“That is exactly what I was thinking,” Yu Yihe replied.
Hearing the answer she wanted, Yu Yihe lowered her eyes and smiled. She only needed the news to reach that person’s ears. This was a test, and the result of the test would determine her next move.
Based on their several encounters and the intimacy of that night, that man was clearly interested in her. She wondered what his reaction would be upon hearing that she was going on another matchmaking meeting.
The Emperor had not come to Cuihan Hall for several days. Even if Consort Zhaoyuan wanted to tell him, she had no opportunity. However, Steward Li’s specific reminder that night had kept her on edge. After a moment’s thought, she sent her head maid to inform the Grand Steward of the matter. As for what the Grand Steward would do, that was none of her business.
Glancing at the maid who hoped for some information, Li Fuhai simply nodded to indicate he understood. “I am aware. If His Majesty asks, I shall answer truthfully. You may return.”
After dismissing the maid, Li Fuhai entered the hall and waited for a moment when the Emperor was drinking tea to casually bring it up. “Last time Your Majesty asked me to keep an eye on the Second Miss. There is some news now. Would Your Majesty care to hear it?”
The Emperor’s hand, which was about to lift the tea lid, paused. He then gave a slight nod. “Speak.”
“It seems Madam Yu has found a good family for the Second Miss this time out of motherly kindness. The one for the matchmaking is a Master Yang Qing, who entered the Hanlin Academy last year. He is just over thirty, his wife passed away early, he has no children, and no living parents… they plan to meet in three days…”
Wei Jingheng didn’t pay much attention to the rest. He vaguely recalled the scholars who had entered the Hanlin Academy the previous year, searching his memory for Yang Qing’s face. Coincidentally, Li Fuhai mentioned Yang Qing’s appearance.
“Although all those selected as Jinshi are of decent appearance, it is said that Master Yang’s looks among his peers were second only to the Tanhua Lang.” It was common knowledge that a Tanhua Lang was always chosen for his exceptional handsomeness.
At the same time, the Emperor recalled Yang Qing’s face. The tea lid in his hand clicked back onto the cup with a sharp “ding.”
“He is indeed much more handsome than that Zheng Langzhong.”
Wei Jingheng’s voice was flat, seemingly without much emotion. Li Fuhai’s jaw twitched, but he ultimately refrained from saying how Master Yang’s looks could not possibly be compared to Zheng Langzhong’s—one was an orchid, the other was moss.
He didn’t say it, but the Emperor looked at him sideways as if he had heard it anyway, and snapped, “Why bring such a trifle to waste Our time?”
With that, he put down his tea cup without drinking a drop and picked up the brush he had just set aside to continue reviewing memorials.
Li Fuhai looked at the tea cup and then at the memorials, muttering in his heart: Wasn’t it you who wanted to drink tea? And those memorials look exactly like the ones you just finished reviewing.
Just when Li Fuhai thought the Emperor had truly lost interest, two days later, while reviewing memorials, the Emperor suddenly stopped his brush. Casting aside a pile of state affairs, he insisted on going for a stroll in the garden.
“Your Majesty, it is raining outside.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the Grand Steward received a sharp glare from the Emperor. If he said another word, the Emperor would surely turn his embarrassment into rage.