Free Web NovelChapter 1285: Chapter 1274: Illegitimate Son
The next day, when Zhong Yi awoke, she found Ye Qiu’s presence had long vanished. Just as she anxiously prepared to get up, two maids entered from outside, very respectfully saying, "Lady, you don’t need to hurry to get up; the master said to let you rest well."
"Where is your master?" Zhong Yi was somewhat annoyed; how come she didn’t feel anything?
"The master is practicing martial arts in the courtyard; it’s his habit."
"At this hour, isn’t it too late to pay respects to Father and Mother?" she asked, apprehensively.
"It won’t be, the master already sent someone to convey his regards, Lady, you don’t have to worry."
Although the maid said this, Zhong Yi still quickly washed up, not daring to delay for even a moment. When she finished washing, Ye Qiu just happened to return from his exercise, smiling as he watched her: "Why get up so early, why not sleep a bit longer?"
"I’ve slept enough, I’ll serve my husband in washing up."
Ye Qiu did not refuse, but after washing up he said: "Leave these things to the maids in the future; you should rest more and needn’t do it yourself."
Seeing no hint of disdain in his gaze, Zhong Yi faintly smiled: "Alright, then in the future, husband, you mustn’t think I’m lazy."
"That’s the way it should be, we are husband and wife; henceforth we shall be the closest people in this world, between us there’s no need for such formalities." Ye Qiu said warmly and joyfully.
Zhong Yi then recalled the words he spoke last night, he said, as long as she doesn’t betray him, he wouldn’t take a concubine for life.
She asked, what if she doesn’t bear a son?
He answered, daughters or sons are all the same.
She further asked, what if she couldn’t even have a daughter?
He then said no children are no problem; if we wish, we can adopt one.
From that moment, Zhong Yi set aside her worries, thinking perhaps her parents in the afterlife blessed her with such a good match.
"Is there anything I need to pay attention to when paying respects later?"
"No need to worry, Aunt Lan is most kind, and Father holds me in high regard; ever since I returned to the capital from the border, Mother has been very caring towards me."
Just these three simple sentences explained the household dynamics clearly; Zhong Yi indicated her understanding.
Her husband’s biological mother, Aunt Lan, would not make things difficult for her; her father-in-law, out of regard for her husband, wouldn’t either. As for her legitimate mother-in-law, being wary of her husband’s achievements, probably wouldn’t stir up any trouble.
The tea serving process was extraordinarily harmonious, only that she felt her little sister-in-law, Ye Sihui, who came specially from her maternal home, looked at her somewhat strangely.
Ye Sihui completely couldn’t recall having such a person in her previous life, and unexpectedly, in this life, she not only became a County Lord, but also married her elder brother.
She abruptly recalled that seemingly many things had quietly changed, and many people’s life trajectories were different.
However, she firmly believed, Prince An would definitely achieve ultimate victory as in her previous life, for at such stature, small matters couldn’t possibly affect him.
"In the future, associate less with her." On the way back to the courtyard, Ye Qiu softly advised.
Zhong Yi did not question the reason, only solemnly agreed.
Three days after the wedding, Ye Qiu and Zhong Yi hurriedly packed their luggage to head to the border, because there were disturbances at the border again. The old Emperor was very unsettled about the garrison officers at the border; only with Ye Qiu going could he be at peace.
When Ye Qiu and Zhong Yi hastily arrived at the border, Prince Kang and Ye Jing had also reached Nanyue.
Nanyue’s climate differed greatly from the capital, the most notable aspect being the intensifying heat. Even though they had changed into the thinnest summer clothes, they were still sweating profusely.
"Fortunately we have the heatstroke relief pills your elder brother gave us, otherwise we would have suffered heat strokes." Prince Kang remarked with some relief.
Ye Jing smiled lightly, serving him by removing his outer garment and offering a bowl of cold jelly: "Your Highness, try this, it’s been chilled with water from the Cold Pond; it’s refreshing."
Prince Kang consumed it in a few mouthfuls and sighed softly: "I still have to get used to it soon."
"It’s because Your Highness was accustomed to using ice; in reality, the weather here is not very different from the summer in the capital, sometimes even less oppressive. When we reach coastal cities, it will be much cooler." Ye Jing reassured.
"I will adapt; everything is just beginning. I must not be defeated by this weather, yet the farther we go, the more I realize your elder brother is right. The capital should be feeling the autumn winds by now, soon the leaves on the trees will fall off, but here it stays lush and verdant. I’ve asked the farmers along the way, winter here is very brief, there are crops planted all year round, even rice can be planted three seasons a year!" As Prince Kang spoke, his excitement escalated, his eyes gleaming.
He continued, holding Ye Jing’s hand: "What does this imply? It implies that as long as there’s no natural disaster, people here basically won’t go hungry, and there is an abundance of wild plants, many of which are edible."
Ye Jing responded positively: "Congratulations to Your Highness then!"
"Not only that, your elder brother mentioned there are many resources in the sea waiting to be developed. At the very least, we won’t lack for salt; once the ports are established, and trade begins with coastal countries, we won’t be short of money and iron. By then..."
Prince Kang’s eyes brimmed with ambition, and Ye Jing shared a knowing smile.
Everyone thought they were giving up; however, to retreat as a strategy isn’t a gamble everyone dares to make. Prince Kang had not only this courage but also the efforts made by her elder brother.
Now whether her elder brother and sister-in-law have set out for the border is unknown. As winter approaches, for the sake of food, the barbarians will surely invade again. Could her elder brother withstand it? Would there be danger?
Moreover, Aunt Lan, with her elder brother heading south and she going north, both facing perilous terrains, one wonders how much she worries, whether she can eat and sleep well?
One can only hope this all passes quickly and settles down!
At the beginning of November, when the cold wave struck once more, the barbarians launched a large-scale attack, as this year the weather was exceptionally cold; all for a bite to eat, the barbarians fought viciously.
Ye Qiu hadn’t returned home for half a month; Zhong Yi, who was two months pregnant, anxiously stared at the sky. Though the place she dwelled was very safe, and not a sound of war could be heard, yet she couldn’t fall asleep night after night, fearing to awake finding bad news like her childhood.
Especially since Ye Qiu was in the military, although he didn’t need to personally slay foes on the battlefield, her husband’s name had become widespread among the Barbarian Tribe; assassins came daily. The saying goes, open attacks are easy to guard against but stealthy ones are hard to prevent. How could she be at ease?
Yet for the child in her belly, she endeavored to eat well and enforced rest, only praying for this war to end swiftly.
Faraway in the capital, Ye Sihui’s thoughts were complex, as according to past events, this battle was a dire defeat for the Daru Dynasty. Could Ye Qiu return safely? Should he manage to return, would he face charges?
