Xie Jia'an raised an eyebrow, offering no comment. He dared not let her drink, and besides, she was of marriageable age. It was inappropriate for a man and woman to be alone together. If they could not be together, then he should not ruin her reputation and her life.
Just as Xie Jia'an was about to refuse, a voice came from outside: "You girl, it's raining, why aren't you staying in your courtyard? Who are you bothering Brother Jia'an for?"
"Brother isn't at the yamen... Brother Tingyun?" Yu Mingyue turned her head and saw Gu Tingyun with Yu Mingjing.
"Yu Lang and I were entrusted by the Seventh Prince to visit Brother Jia'an," Gu Tingyun explained their purpose.
The matter of Xie Jia'an being attacked by assassins the previous day had not been widely publicized, and not many in court knew about it, as the mastermind was well understood.
The three were of similar age and generally got along well, making them the most suitable to visit.
"The Seventh Prince? Why would he send you to visit?" Yu Mingyue was unaware of Xie Jia'an's assassination attempt.
"Brother Jia'an was attacked a couple of days ago." Gu Tingyun's eyes had no one else after seeing Yu Mingyue, and he told her when she asked.
Yu Mingyue snorted, "A wolf from Zhongshan, arrogant when successful."
Without needing to investigate, she knew it was the Yao family's doing. They were so reckless, it was uncertain if they would live to see the Seventh Prince ascend the throne. Were not the tumors in court more terrifying than the noble families? Noble families at least had their uses; what use was the Yao family?
"Cough!" Yu Mingyue covered her mouth with her hand and coughed lightly, signaling her brother not to say more.
Yu Mingyue glared at her brother: "I will say it. If they do it, can I not speak of it? The Seventh Prince sending someone to visit means he doesn't intend to hide it for them, does he? Queen Wang is returning to the capital, let's see how arrogant they can be." Even after eighteen years away from the palace, the Empress was still the Empress, the Seventh Prince's legitimate mother. If Consort Yao wanted to be Empress Dowager, she should save her energy.
Yu Mingjing shook his head helplessly. His sister, her mind worked so fast, but her mouth was unforgiving and she feared nothing.
"It's raining today, perfect for hot pot. Come in, come in, quickly set up the things." Gu Tingyun smoothed things over.
The servants behind them quickly entered. Everything was ready, even the stove and charcoal were prepared, very thoughtfully.
Xie Jia'an also changed the subject: "It seems I'm in for a treat today."
"It seems I came at the right time today too," Yu Mingyue provocatively raised an eyebrow at her brother. She had thought her brother would support her after returning to the capital, but he was even stricter than their mother, like an old scholar.
"Even if my sister didn't come, we would have invited you along," Gu Tingyun said with a smile.
"Brother Tingyun is the kindest to me. Why haven't I seen Youyou lately?" A few days ago, she was confined and very poor, but thanks to support from various quarters.
"She, ah, she wishes she could come out, but my mother has her confined at home embroidering her wedding dress."
"Ah, the wedding date is set so soon?" She thought the wedding would wait another two years after the engagement a few days ago.
"It's set for next spring. Anyway, Youyou and Jingzhan will live with the Gu family, so it's better to get it done sooner." Gu Tingyun glanced at Yu Mingyue as he spoke. Actually, his mother originally wanted to hold his wedding first, but his grandmother and father disagreed. Mingyue was two years younger than Youyou, and the Yu family would surely be reluctant to let her marry. They would set the engagement first and then the wedding in a couple of years. It was not good to delay his sister because of his wedding. Moreover, the situation in the palace was becoming increasingly uncertain, so it was better for his sister to marry sooner.
"Youyou is such a bad friend, not telling me such good news. I'll go find her tomorrow," Yu Mingyue said indignantly. Gu Youyou was becoming more and more fond of her partner than her friends.
Gu Tingyun couldn't hide his joy: "Is my sister really going tomorrow?"