Chu Wang Fei

弟弟 didi – younger brother

儿子 erzi – son

The Minister of the Left (or Chancellor) is the head of all civil service officials. The Minister of the Left has a more senior position than the Minister of the Right.

Although the old madam had been away from the capital for a long time, she still had a thorough understanding of the great clans and families in the capital. After hearing Captain Liu’s report, the identity, status and background of the other person immediately floated into her mind, as she told Captain Liu, “Help me thank Chu Xiang!”

The old madam’s words caused Yun Qian Meng to secretly pull a sarcastic smile. Her grandmother was really too impatient, already planning to establish a foothold in the upper class society of the capital!

What kind of person was Chu Fei Yang? He merely let them pass today as a sign of respect for the elderly. If they really considered their official ranks, Yun Xuan Zhi’s Minister of the Right was still lower than Chu Fei Yang’s Minister of the Left!

But the old madam’s heart was only hurriedly set on helping her grandsons pave their career paths, how would she care about these things?

Besides, even if Yun Xuan Zhi was of no help, she still had Fu Guo gongfu as relatives by marriage; that family had produced an Empress Dowager!

With these thoughts, the old madam momentarily showed a gleeful expression. However, Chu Fei Yang was too much a legendary figure, causing her to be somewhat curious. Just what kind of man could have gained so much favor from Yu Qian Di at such a young age; to govern over the rest of the officials and citizens!

As the curiosity in her heart grew, the old madam lightly lifted the curtains on the carriage, sending her gaze outwards……

She only saw that not far away from the carriage, a young man with a navy blue cloak was riding on a black horse. He had dashing eyebrows and sharp eyes; his nose straight and his lips thin. At the moment, the corners of his eyes were slightly raised as he looked towards the carriage; his lips were slightly pursed, like a smile yet not a smile; the black eyes under his eyebrows were like dense ink that could not be rubbed away. His refined appearance seemed to carry a devilish charm, his handsome features carrying an air of mystery; causing all the young ladies who passed by on the street to blush, some of the bolder ones even directly stared at his outstanding dashing appearance, momentarily unable to retrieve their gazes!

Even the old madam who had always thought that her own grandsons were the greatest, couldn’t help but nod with smiling eyes, as if extremely pleased with Chu Fei Yang’s appearance!

Yet right now, what was reflected in Yun Qian Meng’s eyes was the grandeur of Chu Fei Yang’s figure on horseback, carrying the formidable air of the ruling class. Momentarily recalling her own entanglement with the Imperial family, Yun Qian Meng’s eyebrows couldn’t stop from slightly furrowing as she thought to herself to keep away from this person in the future!

However, that pair of inky black eyes just seemed like were penetrating her thoughts, his graceful features unexpectedly perked up with a slight smile. Everyone who was watching momentarily blanked out, even causing Yun Qian Meng to widen her eyes!

“I didn’t expect Chu Xiang to have such charm, truly surprising! Don’t know if Chu Xiang has any wives and concubines at home?” The old madam propped herself up to have an honorable reputation and had only taken a quick look before lowering the curtains. Posing the question towards Yun Qian Meng in seemingly idle gossip, her eyes showed a scheming expression that was difficult to ignore!

Yun Qian Meng had withdrawn her gaze when the old madam turned towards her. Hearing the old madam’s question, she slightly smiled before answering, “Meng’er usually rarely leaves home, also can’t really ask about other the marriage affairs of men from other families! If zumu is interested, perhaps you should ask father!”

The old madam heard this and felt inwardly annoyed. However, after considering Yun Qian Meng’s answer and feeling that it was rational, she indifferently nodded her head. Only, inside her heart, she was already trying to pair up Chu Fei Yang and Yun Yi Yi as a couple; the more she thought about it, the more she felt that the two of them were well-matched!

Yun Qian Meng had also guessed the old madam’s intentions. The court was currently more or less split into two factions; one headed by Yu Qian Di, and the other by Chen Wang!

Yet Chu Fei Yang was a special existence. He wasn’t too close to Yu Qian Di, but also didn’t stick around Chen Wang. He was unconventionally independent, but had extraordinary ability, yet was cleverly remaining neutral. Consequently being given an important position by Yu Qian Di, he also didn’t let Chen Wang cause any trouble!

She feared that the old madam had taken a fancy to this point!

After all, although there were many respectable men in the nobility, Chu Fei Yang and Chen Wang were nevertheless the most outstanding talents. Now, the xiangfu was already tightly bound to Yu Qian Di, and since Chen Wang had even rejected the eldest di daughter of the xiangfu, it was decidedly impossible for him to take a fancy to Yun Yi Yi!

Instead, Chu Fei Yang’s position was far more secure; no matter who wins and who loses in the conflict between Yu Qian Di and Chen Wang, depending on Chu Fei Yang would give the xiangfu an extra layer of insurance!

The carriage quieted down for a moment, as the old madam and Yun Qian Meng both had their own thoughts until Captain Liu’s voice was heard once again, “lao furen, daxiaojie, we’ve reached the xiangfu!”

The two people in the carriage only looked each other in the eyes. The old madam’s eyes suddenly showed a solemn expression, while Yun Qian Meng only had a shallow smile, respectfully saying, “sun’nü will help zumu get off the carriage!”

When the old madam saw that Yun Qian Meng was as gentle and polite as before, the discontent she had felt towards her a moment ago gradually dispersed. She nodded her head and took Yun Qian Meng’s hand, letting her support her while she got off the carriage!

At this moment, Yun Xuan Zhi was personally leading the servants from the xiangfu to wait at the main entrance. After the old madam had alighted, he immediately walked forward to bow, saying with a sorrowful voice, “er’zi pays respects to mother! Has mother’s health been good?”

The old madam raised her eyes, and saw that she son she had raised had now become one of the highest ranked officials, a prime minister, couldn’t help but become somewhat proud of herself. Seeing that her son had personally come to receive her today, she only felt like she was in the spotlight, and appreciatively put her hand on his. Gently patting his hand, she said happily, “Good! Everything is good!”

Right away, the servants behind Yun Xuan Zhi orderly kneeled on the ground, exclaiming in unison, “Wishing lao furen to be safe and sound! Wishing lao furen great happiness!”

As the old madam saw this, her expression became even better. Nodding her head again and again, she stepped into the xiangfu with Yun Xuan Zhi and Yun Qian Meng’s support……

Yun Xuan Zhi had earlier asked butler Zhao to tidy up the southernmost Bai Shun Tang. When the old madam stepped into the main room in Bai Shun Tang, a strong fragrance was rising in spirals from the red sandalwood incense burner. The entire room was clean and tidy, the tables had been arranged with valuable and precious antiques, and the wall was even decorated with famous works by renowned masters, in which each word was worth a thousand gold. Every piece, every roll was written by hand, causing the old madam to feel extremely pleased, further widening the smile on her face!

After everyone was seated, the old madam pointed towards Yun Yi Heng and his brother in front of Yun Xuan Zhi, saying, “Son, these are your brother’s two sons, Yi Heng and Yi Jie! This time bringing them here, was first in order to consider their future, and secondly, also to give you some help! Your didi’s body has been getting worse year after year. You are his only dage, you mustn’t turn a blind eye to him!”

The old madam didn’t beat around the bush, immediately blocking all of Yun Xuan Zhi’s routes of retreat as soon as she spoke, causing him to become speechless!

He was truly in the wrong all those years ago, but when he thought about the news that Captain Liu had sent back in the morning, Yun Xuan Zhi was extremely upset in his heart. He could only look at the two brothers bow towards him, embarrassed smiles on their faces, but their etiquette was still passable. He only questioned them about their usual studies, then called butler Zhao over and asked him to get people to prepare Qing Hui Yuan before he finally smiled towards the old madam and said, “These few days, mother should first rest properly. After that, er’zi will send a few yiniang come to pay respects!”

But after hearing these words, the old madam’s expression sank. A trace of disgust couldn’t help but leak through her eyes as she said unhappily, “Those yiniang of yours sure are arrogant, even mom has to wait a few days before I can see them!”

Yun Xuan Zhi heard the dissatisfaction in the old madam’s tone, then immediately laughed in reply, “Mother doesn’t need to be angry, it’s er’zi who was inconsiderate! At dinnertime, I’ll have them come over to your room well-behaved! Mother should first rest for a while, er’zi will go and arrange it!”

Finishing, Yun Xuan Zhi’s gaze swept across Yun Qian Meng, and the both of them simultaneously got up to leave Bai Shun Tang!

However, as soon as he stepped out of the courtyard in Bai Shun Tang, the smile on Yun Xuan Zhi’s face disappeared in a flash. His body enveloped with a hot fury, he walked briskly towards Feng He Yuan with an ashen face……