Yu Ning no longer had the heart for matchmaking, but since her mother had made arrangements, she had to go through with it.

They passed through several courtyards and reached the corridor outside Feiyan Hall.

Huo didn’t notice her daughter’s unusual demeanor, looking for Grand Tutor Zhou’s wife and the third-ranked scholar, Ning Yunzhang.

“Ning’er, there, look.”

Yu Ning followed Huo’s gaze.

Under the eaves of a nearby hall stood a man and a woman, presumably Ning Yunzhang and Mrs. Zhou. Ning Yunzhang appeared to be in his early twenties, and as Huo had said, he was handsome and elegant, with a gentle demeanor.

He was a good match, but unfortunately, she was not worthy, Yu Ning sighed, intending to tell Huo that she wasn’t interested in marriage right now.

“Mother, actually, I…”

Huo spoke first, “While Ning Yunzhang is a suitable candidate, with good character, I just learned that he’s being transferred to Yunzhou in two months. If you really like him, you’d have to go with him.”

Huo hadn’t known this before. She had met with Mrs. Zhou before the meeting and learned about the transfer, a recent and unexpected development.

“Yunzhou…” Yu Ning swallowed her refusal, immediately perking up. She smiled, “Mother, I think this third-ranked scholar is quite good, and I like him very much.

Besides, Yunzhou isn’t too far from the capital.”

“That’s right, that’s right. Good men are rare. Ning’er’s happiness is most important. Since you like him, let’s go greet him.”

“Mm.”

Yu Ning breathed a sigh of relief and followed Huo forward.

Going to Yunzhou was good. She had been wondering how to leave the capital.  If she used an ordinary excuse, Huo wouldn’t let her go and would worry.

But if she got married and followed her husband to his new post, it would be perfectly reasonable.

It was as if the heavens were helping her.  Since she couldn’t find another way, she would go with the flow.

Ning Yunzhang was twenty-three years old.  He came from a humble background, supporting himself while studying, and had a difficult life.  Because of his past experiences, he was humble, polite, and well-mannered.

He was the same with Yu Ning.  He had only recently begun to meet with young ladies and was a little nervous, but not timid.

After a few words, Huo was even more satisfied with this young man, believing that Ning Yunzhang was an excellent choice for marriage.  Furthermore, his gentle and polite nature meant that even if he didn’t particularly like Xiaobao, he would still be kind to her.

Character was paramount.

With Mrs. Zhou mediating, the meeting went smoothly. Yu Ning was pleased with Ning Yunzhang, and he, in turn, was polite and gentle towards her.  The two elders agreed to arrange more meetings for them to get to know each other better.

As they were about to leave, the imperial procession approached, unexpectedly encountering them.

Unless it was a very formal occasion, encountering the Emperor only required a bow instead of a full prostration.

Huo pulled Yu Ning into a bow, not noticing her pale face.

Everyone bowed to clear the way for the Emperor.

However, the imperial palanquin stopped right in front of them.

“Everyone, you needn’t be so formal.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Everyone stood up, except for Yu Ning, who remained in her bowing position.

Huo thought her daughter was nervous about seeing the Emperor so closely for the first time, and seeing Yu Ning stiffly bowing, she pulled her up, whispering, “The Emperor won’t eat you, Ning’er. Get up quickly.”

Yu Ning stood up but kept her head down, not daring to look up.

Her hands were clasped tightly together, already despairing.

From a distance of only twenty paces, Shen Tuo would have seen her face clearly.

Feeling a chill at his gaze, Yu Ning resigned herself, took a deep breath, and slowly looked up.

But…the Emperor’s gaze did not fall on her, only briefly glancing over her without pausing.

A cold, low voice came from the palanquin, “Since the third-ranked scholar hasn’t left the palace yet, come to Zichen Hall and play a few games of chess with me.”

“Your servant obeys.” Ning Yunzhang responded calmly.  He had been personally promoted by the Emperor and was quite familiar with him, having played chess with him before.

Ning Yunzhang followed the Emperor.

Yu Ning stared blankly at the Emperor until the procession disappeared down the long path, her tense heart finally relaxing.

Was she overreacting, making things worse than they were?

Time had passed, and perhaps the Emperor had forgotten her.  Furthermore, she had changed significantly, her demeanor completely different from the mountain bandit of five years ago.

There were many people who looked alike in the world. The people sent by the Yongning Marquis Manor to investigate her background hadn’t discovered her past as a bandit.

Only she knew about the events of five years ago. No one in the capital knew she had been a bandit…

On the way to Xiangyun Palace, Yu Ning was lost in thought until Huo reminded her, “Ning’er, this is Xiangyun Palace, where the Empress Dowager resides.

Don’t be too nervous when you meet her. You are family. Being too formal would be inappropriate.”

Yu Ning collected her thoughts, nodded seriously, and entered Xiangyun Palace with Huo.

When they entered the main hall, Empress Dowager Xie was sitting on a low couch.

At the banquet, Empress Dowager Xie had worn magnificent imperial robes and a nine-tailed phoenix crown, exuding an imposing aura.  Now, she wore a soft blue robe and a few jade hairpins, smiling gently and warmly.

Empress Dowager Xie’s given name was Yue Lan. She was the late Emperor’s empress consort.  She had no children of her own, and the current Emperor and Princess Huayang were her adopted children.

“This must be Shenyue. Come, come to your aunt.”

The Empress Dowager had often brought her niece to the palace when she was five, so she was as kind and gentle as the elders of the Yongning Marquis Manor.