The small figure of Yu Mingyue was shrouded in the misty rain, casting a somberness on her that belied her age.
Xie Jia Yan, stepping down from his carriage, witnessed this scene. His fingers curled into a fist before he slowly walked over.
"Brother Jia Yan!" Yu Mingyue's voice was as damp as the autumn rain, lacking its usual vibrancy.
Xie Jia Yan hadn't seen her in a long time. She seemed to have lost weight, her once plump cheeks now revealing a more defined contour.
"It's raining heavily outside, Sixth Lady. You should go inside."
Yu Mingyue's eyes seemed veiled with mist as she looked up at Xie Jia Yan. "I don't understand why. My father has always been low-key, never forming factions or seeking power. How could he have offended the Emperor?"
"Sixth Lady," Xie Jia Yan sighed, "Be careful with your words."
"I'm only telling you, Brother Jia Yan," Yu Mingyue said softly. She lowered her head, and tears began to fall, wetting her collar.
"I'm not blaming you," Xie Jia Yan said, flustered by Yu Mingyue's tears.
Yu Mingyue shook her head. "I just don't know who else to talk to."
"Don't worry, perhaps your father's departure is not entirely a bad thing." He couldn't say more to her at the moment.
But it was certainly not as she described.
"I just can't bear it."
...
That night, the sound of a zither drifted from next door. Yu Mingyue hadn't heard it in a long time. To her surprise, she fell into a deep sleep, lulled by the music.
For the next few days, Yu Mingyue heard the zither music every night and gradually grew accustomed to it.
It was a pity that since her brother's departure for the frontier, Master Zi An had gone on his travels. Otherwise, there might have been a chance to hear them play together.
The winter of this year arrived exceptionally early. The capital was already experiencing snowfall as October began.
Cui Shi's wound was healing well, but her health had declined significantly. She was particularly sensitive to the cold and spent most of the winter indoors, rarely venturing out.
This winter came with unusual haste and an even more profound quietness. It was so quiet that the Duke of Dingguo's mansion seemed to have been forgotten by the rest of the capital.
Apart from Gu Youyou and Mo Yuxi, who visited her a few times, Yu Mingyue, once the pride of the capital's noble ladies, the center of attention, suddenly found herself ignored.
Besides managing the household, Yu Mingyue diligently studied every day. Now, with a companion, she experienced a sisterly affection she hadn't known before.
Xie Jia Yan became very busy. When Yu Mingyue occasionally sought him out, he was never there. The Emperor was increasingly relying on him, sometimes even keeping him overnight in the Taiji Hall.
Rumors circulated in the capital that the Emperor intended to betroth Xie Jia Yan as a consort.
Yu Mingyue couldn't recall any historical accounts of Xie Jia Yan marrying in the storybooks. However, if Xie Jia Yan became a consort, could he still become a renowned minister? The future prosperity of the Great Wei dynasty would be incomplete without him.
Yu Mingyue pouted. Well, well, these were not things she could decide.
Lin Shi had always been gentle and easy to get along with. Now that the elder branch was willing to foster good relations, she was naturally delighted and would visit Cui Shi's room daily to chat and alleviate her boredom.
Initially, Zhao Shi was displeased that Cui Shi had entrusted the Duke of Dingguo's mansion to a thirteen-year-old child. After all, by seniority, it should have been the eldest lady managing the household.
However, without the old madam's backing, Zhao Shi, unable to see Cui Shi and relying on Yu Mingyue's youth to cause trouble, suffered several setbacks before finally becoming more compliant.
Later, Yu Mingyue heard from Yu Miaoling that her second uncle had beaten Zhao Shi, threatening to divorce her or send her back to her hometown to keep the old madam company if she continued to cause discord and unrest in the household. Only then did Zhao Shi truly behave herself.
In fact, her second uncle's actions showed he had a clear understanding of himself. Those who are normally muddled but don't falter at critical moments are truly intelligent.
Unlike her fourth uncle, who was usually clever but became foolish at crucial times.