Only after being reborn did I realize that I was the white moonlight of a powerful minister.

Seeing Ye Wanning stunned and speechless, Princess Xihe simply sat down. "We are both married women, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. Tell me what's wrong."

"What else can we say? Feelings develop over time, that's all." Ye Wanning couldn't bring herself to say it, and there was nothing more to say.

“What do you mean it’s just like that? Something must have happened, or Xie Bohuai did something, or you did something.” Princess Xihe was getting anxious.

Ye Wanning said she didn't do anything.

"You two are all sticky and affectionate without doing anything?" Princess Xihe involuntarily raised her voice.

At this moment, Yunzhi came in from outside and saw Xie Bohuai at the door. She called out "My lord!" Princess Xihe inside the room jumped up instantly, and Ye Wanning's heart also tightened.

Xie Bohuai then entered the room and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"No need for formalities." Princess Xihe could speak freely and easily with Ye Wanning, but she was now intimidated by Xie Bohuai. She cast a pleading look at Ye Wanning. She had finally managed to leave the palace and didn't want to go back so soon, but with Xie Bohuai around, she felt very uncomfortable.

"Since Your Highness is here, why don't you have a meal before you leave? It'll be a good opportunity for you two to chat." Xie Bohuai's lips unconsciously curved upwards as he thought of the phrase "mutual affection." Even if Ye Wanning was just saying it to please Princess Xihe, he was still happy.

Ye Wanning was usually bored at home, so it was good to have the lively Princess Xihe come to play and bring some fun to the household.

Princess Xihe forced herself to say, "No need for a meal. I'd like to take Wanning out. Lord Xie, is that alright?"

"Sure, I happen to be free today, I'll go with you." Xie Bohuai seemed oblivious to Princess Xihe's implied meaning, wanting only to accompany Ye Wanning. He finally had a day off; was he really going to handle official business if he didn't spend it with his wife?

Xie Bohuai used to love working, but that was because he didn't have anyone close to him. Now that he has a loving wife, who would still love official duties?

Ye Wanning also said no, "I sent a matchmaker to the door today. Some of the servants in the house are getting old, and I want to find them some suitable partners."

When the topic of matchmaking came up, Princess Xihe became interested again, "That sounds good, then I'll stay for dinner."

Even with Xie Bohuai around, she wanted to stay and watch the show. Anyway, with Ye Wanning around, she could follow wherever Ye Wanning went and try her best not to look at Xie Bohuai.

At lunchtime, Ye Wanning instructed Chunxi to deliver lunch to her son. "It's getting hot, and cucumber salad is refreshing and slightly sour. Take a plate for Mr. Yu as well. Come back after you deliver it. You can bring the bowls and chopsticks back when you pick up Le Ge'er."

Chunxi also made braised beef for Lege'er and took it with her. The madam was good to her, and she wanted to repay her, so she learned many dishes from the cook and cooked for the madam and Lege'er whenever she had free time. Otherwise, after Lege'er went to school, she would have nothing to do and her days would be boring.

After Chunxi left, Ye Wanning invited Princess Xihe to have her meal.

This was the first time Princess Xihe had dined at the same table as Xie Bohuai. She looked around and saw that Ye Wanning was the one serving her food, which made her feel a little more relaxed.

"Chunxi's cooking skills are quite good. Today's braised beef and three-cup chicken were both made by Chunxi. Your Highness, do you like them?" Ye Wanning smiled slightly. She could see that Princess Xihe was nervous, but since Princess Xihe wanted to stay, they could only eat together. She couldn't let Xie Bohuai sit on the side by himself.

After the three finished lunch, the matchmaker arrived. Ye Wanning had hired an official matchmaker. As soon as the matchmaker came in, Yunzhi handed her a money bag, saying, "Our mistress said that if we're going to hire one, we should hire the best matchmaker in the capital. This little bit of money is for you to use for your trip and for tea."

Yunzhi spoke eloquently, and Matchmaker Yao took the money pouch, weighed it in her hand, and was quite satisfied with its weight. Her smile became much more genuine. Originally, she was reluctant to come. Everyone knew Lord Xie's reputation. If she came to do business for the Xie family and failed, she was truly afraid that Lord Xie would kill her with a single blow.

Seeing Madam Xie's gentle demeanor and the polite manner of her maidservants, Yao, the matchmaker, breathed a sigh of relief. "I dare not say it's hard work. This is my profession, so I should do more running around. Thank you for your kindness, Madam. May I ask which people you are arranging marriages for today?"

Ye Wanning asked Yunzhi to call for help. She had instructed the matchmaker yesterday to dress smartly when she came, especially to Qingshan's place, because she was afraid that Qingshan was a bit of a blockhead and didn't know the proper etiquette.

Not long after, Si Yan entered. He had changed into new clothes and was somewhat shy as it was his first time meeting a matchmaker, but he remained calm overall.

Zhe Zhu followed closely behind, his fists clenched tightly. His cheeks were flushed, and he looked stiff, barely daring to breathe.

Qingshan was quite at ease. He casually stepped over the threshold, glanced around, bowed to his master, and didn't even look at Matchmaker Yao.

Ye Wanning observed the three men's demeanor. After they greeted each other and left, she went to see Matchmaker Yao. "Si Yan, who came in first, holds an official position, though not high, but still a sixth-rank. He's the most eloquent and intelligent, and also eager to learn. Zhe Zhu is diligent, quiet, and reliable. Qing Shan is honest and simple; once he's chosen his master, it's for life. None of the three are slaves. Si Yan might have a bright future, while Qing Shan will simply live an ordinary life. I'm making this clear to you now because I want to properly arrange a marriage for them and don't want any deception."

Back when they left the Xie family's old residence, Xie Bohuai had already helped Qingshan and the others to be freed from their slave status. The reason they were still willing to stay by Xie Bohuai's side to do things was because of Xie Bohuai's kindness.

Ye Wanning's words were both a show of sincerity and a warning to Matchmaker Yao not to be easily fooled.

Having worked as a matchmaker for so many years and met so many people, Yao immediately understood Ye Wanning's meaning. She thought to herself that although Madam Xie appeared gentle, she was very organized and proper in her speech and actions, which was different from what people outside said.

"Don't worry, Madam. I've been doing this for so many years, you can ask around and see what my reputation is like. From what you just said, these three young men are all highly regarded by Master Xie, and I'm sure many people would be willing to marry them off to them. I understand now, and once I find a suitable match, I'll come to your door to discuss it." Matchmaker Yao wanted to get things done quickly; if everything went smoothly, the reward from the Xie family would be substantial.

Ye Wanning asked Yunzhi to see Matchmaker Yao off. Matchmaker Yao then asked, "I think this young lady is also very nice. If she is not yet married, she can ask me for help."

Yunzhi smiled and said no, and Matchmaker Yao didn't say anything more, leaving with a strong sense of boundaries.

Princess Xihe sighed, "I thought we could meet today, why do we still have to wait for news?"

"Marriage requires the consent of both families before they can meet. It's not like we can say it's a good match and the other party has to agree. You seem even more anxious than I am. Speaking of which, you're divorced now, has Her Majesty the Empress found you a good husband yet?" Ye Wanning changed the subject.

"Not yet. My mother is afraid I'll fall into another trap, so this time she'll be more selective and will have to find out everything about the person's ancestors. I'm not in a hurry. I'll realize how happy I am at my parents' home after I get married, and I'm not that eager to get married." Princess Xihe said, resting her chin on her hand. "If I could, I'd rather keep a few male concubines and live the same life as my aunt."

Speaking of her aunt, Princess Xihe noticed that Ye Wanning's eyes darkened. "I'm sorry, Wanning, I didn't..."

"It's alright. It's a good thing that you remember your godmother. It would be truly terrible to be forgotten. I imagine your godmother would be happy that you think of her." Ye Wanning smiled at Princess Xihe.

“Ning’an once told me that few people can be as carefree as my aunt, and now that I think about it, it’s true. If you had a choice, you would definitely want to live that kind of life, right?” Princess Xihe had just finished asking when she saw Xie Bohuai’s cold gaze sweep over her. Her heart trembled, and she quickly emphasized, “I’m just saying that, hypothetically.”

Ye Wanning glanced at Xie Bohuai, "There are no 'what ifs' in life."

At this moment, Xie Bohuai got up to see the guest off, saying, "It's getting late, Your Highness should return to the palace, otherwise it will get dark."