Free Web NovelChapter 1274: Chapter 1263: Illegitimate Son
"Failing to inform you beforehand and making decisions on your behalf without consultation, you’d not blame this old man, would you?" The following day, Old General Lin personally visited Ye Qiu to explain yesterday’s imperial marriage decree, "I know you’re certainly reluctant to marry Princess, but Yiniang is a very good lady, you will know once you spend time with her."
"Old General Lin personally proposing a marriage for me, I’m thrilled beyond measure. I’ve long heard of Mr. Zhong’s prestigious reputation, marrying his beloved daughter is a blessing for me." Ye Qiu said sincerely.
He trusted Old General Lin’s character, knowing he absolutely wouldn’t harm him, so the lady Zhong Yi shouldn’t be lacking either. Without entanglements of interests and power, Zhong Yi is indeed a rather good choice for him.
Seeing that Ye Qiu genuinely harbored no reluctance, Old General Lin was very pleased: "It’s truly wonderful you have no prejudice against Yiniang. That girl has a harsh life; losing her parents early makes me sincerely treat her as my own granddaughter. I’ll bestow a very generous dowry upon her marriage."
Ye Qiu immediately promised, "Rest assured, Old General, I certainly won’t deceive her with a meager betrothal gift just because Yiniang is an orphan."
"Good, good, good! Then I shall await your wedding banquet."
"Did Old General come to discuss your marriage?" Aunt Lan asked very concernedly, "Did he mention when you should meet Miss Zhong?"
"Indeed, Mr. Lin came to discuss the marriage of Zhong Yi and me, but he probably forgot to arrange a meeting for us!" Ye Qiu said with amusement, "Mother, don’t worry, I’ll buy some small gifts and send them to Lin Mansion another day, then Old General will surely understand."
"It’s so wonderful you have such considerate thoughts." Aunt Lan said with comfort, "Miss Zhong is an orphan and has lived under another’s roof since childhood. Though Old General Lin treats her well, men mostly lack meticulousness and cannot understand a woman’s feelings. You should treat Miss Zhong with care and affection in the future."
Ye Qiu saw her anxiousness and jestingly said, "Aunt, aren’t you afraid that after marrying a wife, I’ll forget my mother?"
"What kind of nonsense are you speaking? You’re a person of noble title now, yet still so improper." Aunt Lan glared at him.
Suddenly, Ye Qiu turned serious: "Aunt, after being titled, Your Majesty also bestowed a residence upon me; let’s move there."
"We’ll move there?"
"Yes, you, me, and my future wife Zhong Yi."
Under Ye Qiu’s expectant gaze, Aunt Lan shook her head: "Impossible, your father wouldn’t agree, even if you persuaded him, I wouldn’t go."
"Why?" Ye Qiu asked puzzled, "Aunt, are you worried about my reputation? You know I don’t care about that."
"You may not care, but I do. As a concubine, originally born in this household and later marrying your father as a concubine, my life now compared to before is vastly improved. Anyone who mentions this sees it as your father’s and your mother’s graciousness towards me. Now that you’ve made some achievements, if I move away, how will others view me? What will they think of you? How about your sister? Would others presume if one day she bore the Imperial Grandson, she might also entertain fanciful notions?"
"Aunt, I’ll handle it all, they wouldn’t dare speak presumptuously in our presence. Isn’t it better to live pleasantly and comfortably? Why be so stubborn?" Ye Qiu pleaded bitterly.
Aunt Lan laughed out of exasperation, "Who’s being stubborn now? It’s you!"
Huh? Ye Qiu looked at her puzzled.
"You keep saying you want to give me and Jing’er freedom, wishing us to live comfortably, but how do you know what state is truly free and comfortable for us? How do you know that moving in with you would mean a carefree life? Qiu’er, you aren’t us; you’ve never understood our thoughts." Aunt Lan reasoned earnestly.
Ye Qiu still disagreed: "You don’t want to move in with me mainly because you care about me and don’t want me criticized because of you, right? I don’t value others’ opinions; as long as I’m capable, who could challenge me? Aunt, one shouldn’t care excessively about others’ perceptions in this world."
"Your thinking is what’s mistaken. If a person doesn’t care about others’ opinions at all, wouldn’t he lose many joys in life? Sometimes, happiness is found in how others perceive us. I understand your point; you believe life is short and should be enjoyed, but everyone thinks differently. What I desire isn’t opposition with everyone but gaining everyone’s recognition—that’s when I find comfort, understand?"
"Aunt, are you truly not kidding me?"
Aunt Lan watched him with a smile: "You’re always perceptive; can’t you see whether I’m lying?"
"I understand." Ye Qiu nodded, "Aunt doesn’t wish me to act contrary to conventional practices for you and my sister. You hope I achieve respect through my own excellence, rather than you two being distinct and inducing gossip, right?"
"Interpreting it that way isn’t wrong, Qiu’er. What Aunt values most in this lifetime is only you and Jing’er; as long as you both live well, my days will be tranquil."
"Rest assured, Aunt, I’ll strive harder to achieve great accolades, ensuring no one dares to bully us."
"Also your future wife and children."
"Indeed, I won’t let anyone bully them either."
"But remember, above all, your safety is essential. Otherwise, Aunt wouldn’t have peace all her life."
"This son never forgets."
While Ye Qiu and Aunt Lan talked under candlelight, over in Prince Kang Mansion, today marked the third consecutive day Ye Jing received favor. After freshening up, she lay on a soft divan without sorrow or joy, waiting for Prince Kang’s arrival.
These days, the people’s attitudes in the Mansion towards her were drastically transformed. Even though she was mentally prepared, she was still unaccustomed.
However, she knew that situations would only escalate unless her elder brother Ye Qiu met downfall. Considering she highly trusted him, she knew she must adapt.
Not only had more people sought favor with her, but calculations she faced wouldn’t be any fewer. For instance, today when one concubine of similar standing sent cloth, she found traces of anti-fertility medicine, although that concubine was most suspected, someone might have killed using another person’s hand?
Fortunately, she possessed the Medical Poison Holy Scripture gifted by her brother, and she hadn’t wasted these years, making her keenly aware of these schemes. Though she currently didn’t wish for children, it didn’t mean she wanted to lose the ability to bear them. Did they truly think an illegitimate daughter like her was easy to bully?
"What are you pondering?" Prince Kang suddenly arrived, clearing his throat softly.
"Why didn’t Prince signal your entrance?" Ye Jing reproved coyly.
"This is my mansion; naturally, I go wherever I please." Prince Kang replied entirely devoid of social grace.
Ye Jing was at a loss for words for a moment; she knew dealing with Prince Kang meant all pretentiousness was in vain, this man indeed lacked subtlety.
