Free Web NovelChapter 1272: Chapter 1261: Illegitimate Son
The Li Family received a cold shoulder from Ye Qiu, and she felt that Ye Qiu was deliberately mocking her. Since Old General Lin had already vouched for him, why not make things clear once and for all? Why make her lose face?
She couldn’t say anything, though; her husband’s joyous demeanor made it evident that if she spoke too much, she’d face unpleasant consequences.
Watching her husband usher the bastard son inside, Li Family vented her anger on her own son: "All you do is grin foolishly. Your brother is being promoted and titled, what are you so happy about? What does it have to do with you? Aren’t you ashamed? Your brother has Old Lin General as a matchmaker, but what do you have? In the future, people will say a legitimate son like you isn’t as good as a bastard. Does that bring you pride?"
Ye Siqi was scolded out of nowhere and muttered impatiently: "Shouldn’t I be happy for my brother’s success? He’s my own brother, after all. Won’t he look after me in the future? Who would gossip in front of me? Besides, I’m only eighteen. I’m not in a rush to marry, and mother, you should relax."
"Relax my ghost!" The Li Family couldn’t help but knock on his head. "How did I give birth to such a dense son like you? People may not talk behind your back, but that doesn’t mean they won’t talk at all! Have some dignity!"
"They don’t dare say it in front of me, so why should I care what’s said behind my back? It’s just jealousy." Ye Siqi replied nonchalantly, thinking he was already doing well, even though he wasn’t in administration or military service, at least he didn’t stir up trouble.
Ye Siqi just thought his mother worried too much and tried to comfort her in his own way: "Mother, you should interfere less with my and my sister’s matters. You’re overthinking, and that’s why you have so many gray hairs, unlike Aunt Lan."
Being told by her own son that she looked old, the Li Family was taken aback like she’d been struck by lightning, unable to find words to educate him. After a while, she asked the maid beside her: "Do I really have a lot of gray hair? Mirror, bring me a mirror quickly."
"Lady, the master has been in the main hall for quite a while. Shall we head there first? The young master is just joking; there’s no way you have that much gray hair." A housekeeper remarked gently, noticing the maids lowered their heads, silent as a mouse.
"Are you really not deceiving me?" The Li Family still didn’t believe it.
"Lady looks in the mirror every day, don’t you know if you have gray hairs or not? At the very least, we can eat more black sesame and Polygonum multiflorum in the future, it’ll surely make your hair black and shiny again."
Although reassured, upon entering the main hall, the Li Family couldn’t help but cast glances at Aunt Lan. Previously, she’d thought since Aunt Lan’s daughter had married and her son would likely not return, she didn’t need to pay her any mind. Thus, she hadn’t enforced the rules in a long time.
Taking a look today, she found Aunt Lan seemed even more beautiful than in her younger years, with fair, delicate, taut skin and her lustrous black hair. How did she maintain it?
The Li Family couldn’t help but touch her own face. Even without looking, she could feel the increasingly visible wrinkles and her hair which was dry and brittle.
How could she be outdone by a concubine?
"What are you spacing out about?" Ye Sheng frowned. "Why have you been acting strangely ever since Ye Qiu returned, always staring at Qiulan?"
He spoke while glancing over at Aunt Lan, and indeed he was slightly surprised to find his concubine looking quite attractive. Was it true what they say, that a joyful spirit makes one’s appearance more radiant? He recalled Qiulan was nearing forty, so when did she start maintaining herself so well?
"Lady, is there something wrong with me?" Aunt Lan asked, puzzled. She hadn’t done anything recently, did the Lady envy that she had a good son?
With that thought, she grew nervous, worrying that the Lady might target her and her son.
"It’s nothing, I just wanted to know how you usually take care of yourself." The Li Family spoke honestly, but regretted it as soon as she did, aware of their differing standings. Wasn’t such a question elevating her?
So that’s it. Aunt Lan let out a sigh of relief and replied truthfully, "There’s no special regimen, just eat more fruits and vegetables, less meat, go to bed early, rise early, and do some fitness training daily."
"That’s it? What’s fitness training? Is it tiring?" The Li Family simultaneously scorned their unequal status and earnestly inquired.
"If Lady doesn’t mind, I can accompany you in training every morning."
"Hmm, then come every morning." The Li Family gently coughed, looking haughty after achieving her aim, and fell silent.
Ye Qiu felt somewhat sorry for his Aunt Lan, planning to say something when Aunt Lan signaled with a glance not to mind. Seeing she didn’t appear particularly aggrieved, he held his tongue.
Now, given his status, the legitimate mother dared not act against Aunt Lan. Comparatively, he thought Aunt Lan seemed to disdain his father more.
That’s intriguing—just how disappointed had she been with his father during his absence to develop such an attitude?
But then again, Aunt Lan’s most significant people in this life were likely himself and his sister, one sent heartlessly to Prince Kang’s Mansion, and the other dispatched to the border with little concern. Aunt Lan probably felt genuinely disheartened.
His father was indeed inconsiderate, and he understood Aunt Lan’s feelings. Thus, he had no intention of mediating, knowing that Aunt Lan had him, she could live well without a man.
In the evening, an eunuch from the palace came personally to Ye Residence to fetch him. Even Ye Sheng, elevated by his son’s status, was invited. As previously a third-class powerless Earl, he had never had the chance to attend such a palace banquet.
Ye Sheng was brimming with pride, smiling throughout the journey.
En route, Ye Qiu and his party "accidentally" encountered Prince An, Ye Sihui, and Prince Kang, Ye Jing.
The carriages of both princes appeared beside Ye Qiu almost simultaneously. As soon as he spotted his long-worried sister with her healthy and rosy complexion, he could finally set his mind at ease.
"This humble servant greets Prince Kang and Prince An." Ye Qiu and Ye Sheng stepped down to pay their respects.
"No need for such courtesy among family." Prince An spoke first, ahead of Prince Kang, and then looked at the two with a smile.
In contrast, Prince Kang appeared somewhat wooden and aloof, the tight line of his lips suggesting his mood wasn’t pleasant.
At first glance, Ye Qiu understood why the Holy Emperor was not fond of Prince Kang, the legitimate eldest son. Compared to Prince An, he was indeed less likable, and likely not well-received among ministers.
Contemplating supporting such a person in the future, Ye Qiu felt a little weary.
