Within the imperial palace, quite a few people maintained close ties with the aristocratic clans outside the palace.
The news that Chen Ye had been ennobled as Duke of Zhenyuan quickly spread throughout the aristocratic circles of the Capital City.
Most people were unfamiliar with Chen Ye. They only knew that he had made a brilliant showing in last year's Martial Examination in the Capital City. Beyond that, they had no particularly strong impression of him.
His sudden rise had taken them all by surprise.
As a result, many quick-witted scions of aristocratic clans secretly began investigating Chen Ye's background, hoping to befriend him.
At that moment, in a teahouse in the eastern part of the Capital City,
three wealthy young women were gathered in a private room on the second floor.
Had Chen Ye been there, he would certainly have recognized the three of them.
They were the very women Third Miss Cui had personally introduced to him at Unmoored Garden that day.
Wen Huaping, Tang Wanqing, and Tan Yuer.
Several plates of exquisite pastries were arranged before them, yet none of them had any appetite to touch them.
Wen Huaping, the daughter of Wen Huaping's father, a supervisor in the Ministry of Works, was the first to break the gloomy silence. "Have you heard? That Chen Ye... was made a duke by His Majesty."
"I heard. My father heard the news from the yamen this morning. He said His Majesty personally ennobled him." Tang Wanqing took up the conversation and sighed. "Who would have thought that a commoner without even a family pedigree could... could... reach this level?"
There was a faint, indescribable bitterness in her tone.
Tan Yuer, sitting to the side, gave a soft "hmph" and said quietly, "Why should we lose heart, sisters?
"Ladies from