Free Web NovelChapter 1306: Chapter 1295: Illegitimate Son
After returning to the capital, Ye Qiu only went to see Ye Sheng and the Li Family; he did not take him to enjoy wealth and glory as Ye Sheng had imagined. The only one he took with him was Aunt Lan. By rights, this was against the rules, but who could say anything about it?
Ye Siqi looked at his illegitimate elder brother with reverence and timidity in his eyes. Clearly, he was the legitimate son, but when people mentioned the Ye Family, it was all about the elder brother, as if he had become a side branch.
Among the four siblings, the elder brother was Duke Rong, the second sister was the current Empress, and even the third sister, although Prince An was convicted, had not been stripped of her title as a Second-rank Concubine. Only he had achieved nothing, holding a leisurely position and idly wasting his days.
Both his mother and wife told him to go find his elder brother and second sister to secure an official and proper position, but he knew his own capabilities and didn’t want the burden. He felt it was quite fine as it was; although he had no face when going out, who dared to humiliate him?
He knew this thought was very cowardly, but he did not want to change.
"This unfilial son! He makes himself Duke Rong and lives in a big house, leaving his own father here," Ye Sheng cursed to the sky in the courtyard. "Is he not afraid of people laughing at him?"
"Father, give it a rest," Ye Siqi said exhaustedly, "Elder brother is an illegitimate son, and the family has split. You should live with me. What use is there in scolding?"
"It’s all because you’re useless!" Ye Sheng turned to scold him. "If you had any ability, would I feel so stifled? Look at your two sisters, then look at your elder brother. How can you be so worthless?"
"It’s because you’ve spoiled him," he scolded his son and then turned to his wife. "If you hadn’t always indulged him, would he be so unambitious?"
"You blame me?" Li Family sneered at him. "Your children are successful but not close to you, their father, and now you’re out of balance? Blame me for not teaching your son well? And not ask yourself why none of your kids listen to you. Back then, when you treated the two daughters as tools for exchange, when Ye Qiu joined the Li Family army, why didn’t you act like a good father then?"
"If not for me, could they have their achievements now? One by one, they’re all ungrateful."
"Showing off at home, why don’t you say these words in front of them if you’re so capable!" Li Family gave him a cold look. Having lived to this age, she saw through it: her husband was useless. The things she did back then weren’t in hopes that the bastard sons and daughters would show her respect. She just hoped her son and daughter would be well.
But she indeed did not educate her son well. That was truly a regret. Why couldn’t he just show a little ambition? But looking at her son’s face, free of desires, she couldn’t bring herself to say harsh words.
"Elder Brother!" After Ye Qiu entered the palace to see the Emperor today, he was granted special permission to enter Fengyang Palace. Upon seeing him, Ye Jing’s eyes reddened with excitement.
"Alright, I’m back now, so why cry?" After all, it’s not like before. Ye Qiu wanted to reach out and comfort her, but seeing her head adorned with jewels, he withdrew his hand.
Ye Jing, however, ignored all these rules and etiquettes, kindly inviting him to sit and pouring him tea personally: "These years have been hard on you at the border, Elder Brother."
"Seeing you steady in your position makes all the hardships worthwhile."
"But I feel guilty that you gave up so much for me." Ye Jing said with shame.
"You shouldn’t feel guilty. Elder Brother also got tired at the border, and it’s good to come back and retire now. Besides, Aunt is getting older, and I want to spend more years with her to avoid future regrets."
"How is Aunt?" Thinking back, after returning to the capital, Ye Jing had only visited once. Realizing this, her heart ached more. Previously in Nanyue, she couldn’t see her, and now that she returned, she still hadn’t had time to meet her.
"Now that you’re the Empress, you can visit Aunt whenever you wish."
"But I can’t leave the palace easily, and I can’t bear for Aunt to come all the way to the deep palace at her age." Although she was now the Empress, she wasn’t in charge of the harem single-handedly. The Empress Dowager had been good to her initially, but since her title was elevated to Empress, the Empress Dowager’s attitude had hardened.
Moreover, she was recently plotting to provide concubines for the Emperor, leading to endless disputes in the future. She did not want Aunt to worry for her.
"In the future, I’ll arrange for Ruirui to visit Aunt."
"That’s good." Ye Qiu nodded, "Aunt loves children more as she ages. Have you considered a match for Ruirui? He’s the Crown Prince now, and I’ve heard that some have already started discussing it in court."
"His Majesty discussed this matter with me yesterday. The realm is stable now, so there’s no need to use marriage to stabilize politics. We are to select candidates through the formal procedures, and as long as the girl’s family character isn’t poor, ultimately, it’ll depend on Ruirui’s preference. However, the Empress Dowager seems to favor someone from the Dong Family." Upon mentioning this, Ye Jing lightly frowned.
It’s not just because she and the Empress Dowager aren’t on good terms. Even if a girl from the Dong Family entered the palace, she would still be the mother-in-law and couldn’t possibly be overshadowed by the Empress Dowager, with Ruirui being her own child.
What she wasn’t pleased with was the Dong Family’s background. Back in the late Emperor’s days, there was harsh suppression against the Empress Dowager’s maternal Dong Family due to dissatisfaction. Though the new Emperor raised the status of the Dong Family, they still couldn’t produce capable sons to hold the family together. Thus, Ye Jing felt that the Dong Family’s daughters weren’t a match for her son.
"That won’t happen, and the Emperor isn’t foolish. If the Dong family’s daughter is made Crown Princess Consort, how would the concubines be arranged? Ultimately, isn’t the selection your responsibility, and don’t you control the family background of those selected?"
Ye Jing immediately grasped Ye Qiu’s meaning and smiled, "Indeed. If the concubine’s family background is higher than the Dong Family’s daughter, the Empress Dowager might feel embarrassed, and the girl from the Dong family might have difficulty navigating."
"So you know what to do, right?"
"Elder Brother, you are wise as always." Ye Jing laughed, "Ruirui’s matters will proceed according to the rules. By the way, have you and your sister-in-law considered Sian’s marriage?"
Speaking of this nephew, Ye Jing truly adored him. Perhaps all aunts are fond of their brother’s sons, and she genuinely felt that no girl in the entire capital would measure up to him.
"That child has grown to make his own decisions. I’ve promised that he will choose his own marriage."
"How could you agree to such a thing?" Ye Jing disapproved, "Letting a child choose for himself, what if he makes a poor choice? How many respectable girls can an unmarried young man meet?"
"Of course, it’s not entirely up to him. My wife and I will still take care of the final approval. But we want him to choose someone he truly likes."
"That’s more like it. I really thought you weren’t going to interfere at all." Ye Jing breathed a slight sigh of relief, then rolled her eyes and said, "Why don’t we have Sian accompany Ruirui during the selection? Maybe he’ll find someone he likes."
"That doesn’t seem appropriate. We’ll see."
"What’s inappropriate about it? I’ll arrange it properly and ensure it doesn’t harm the girl’s reputation. Moreover, Sian is currently the popular choice for a son-in-law in the capital, and those girls would probably be more than happy!" Ye Jing made the decision, "Let’s settle it like this."
