If being a concubine wasn’t aggrieved, then what was?
Yu Wan was angered by these words. However, after she calmed down and thought about it, it seemed normal for Yan Huaijing to be such a “scumbag”. She could not use modern monogamy to measure an ancient man, especially a man who was at the peak of his power.
From Yan Huaijing’s point of view, a small village girl was not even worthy of being a maidservant, let alone a secondary consort. Without asking, she knew that he had endured a lot of pressure to allow a lowly woman like her to be a secondary consort.
However, just because she understood his intentions did not mean that she agreed with his actions.
In his opinion, he had already made a great sacrifice and concession, but in Yu Wan’s opinion, he did not even give her the most basic respect.
Yu Wan asked seriously, “Your Highness, in the eyes of you nobles, as long as it’s something you give away, others have to accept it gratefully, regardless of whether they need it or not?”
Yu Wan’s tone was very calm, but Yan Huaijing was hit in the heart by the hidden power under her calmness. No one had ever asked him such a question. Did they need it? Did they need his grace?
Yu Wan smiled faintly, her expression as quiet as a lily under the twilight. “Your Highness, you thought that I needed it very much. Your Highness, you think that being able to give me the position of a secondary consort is already the result of your efforts, that I should be grateful to you. However, Your Highness, from the beginning to the end, you never asked me if I liked you or if I was willing to marry you. You only thought that you would give me the position that you could fight for. Did you move me? No, it’s yourself.
“You think that you’ve spent a lot of effort. You’ve disobeyed your mother, you’ve angered your father, and you, who’s been obedient since you were young, have done such a rebellious act for the first time… You’re almost touched by your own actions. You think that you’re extremely noble, but Your Highness, these are not for me. The only person you’ll please in the end is yourself.”
Yan Huaijing was a prince, and no one had ever dared to speak to him like this. It was not that tone. In fact, Yu Wan’s tone was as calm as a calm lake, but every word she said was hurtful! Even his biological father had never criticized him like this! He blushed and subconsciously wanted to refute, but he didn’t know where to start.
Jun Chang’an, who was watching the commotion from the carriage, was also stunned by Yu Wan’s words. He straightened his body slightly. For the first time in his life, he looked straight at a woman.
She was wearing a white linen shirt and a blue cotton dress. Her waist was slender, and her sleeves were slightly rolled up, revealing her fair wrist. Her black hair was draped over her shoulders, and she only picked out a small bunch and tied them into a loose bun with a wooden hairpin. There was nothing eye-catching about her outfit, but if it appeared on her, it immediately had a quiet and graceful beauty.
Jun Chang’an had followed his master into the martial world when he was three years old. Although he was young, he was already an experienced person. After seeing so much, his horizons had become higher. He rarely admired a person, but at this moment, he had to admit that this girl’s words were really too satisfying.
Yan Huaijing’s sorry state for the first half of his life seemed to have all condensed at this moment. He could not find his voice for a long time. When he could finally speak, Yu Wan had already left with her shoulder pole.
He chased after her in three steps. “Can Yan Jiuchao fight for the position of Princess Consort for you?”
Yu Wan grabbed the rope on the wooden bucket with both hands. The two buckets of water were heavy, but her slender body was straight. “I don’t know if he will or not. I only know that Your Highness won’t.”
Yan Huaijing clenched his fists.
… .
Yan Huaijing had originally come to attend the banquet. It was the greatest honor for the entire village if a prince of a country was invited. However, at this moment, he could not take a step forward.
“Your Highness?” Jun Chang’an could not help but call out to him when he saw him remain silent by the ancient well for a long time.
Yan Huaijing loosened his tightly clenched fists.
Jun Chang’an glanced at him and asked, “Do you still want to send the gift in the carriage to Miss Yu?”
Unknowingly, Jun Chang’an even changed the way he addressed him. However, Yan Huaijing’s mind was not on this. For a moment, he did not notice the change in his address.
“Back to the palace,” Yan Huaijing said.
As a filial son, Yan Huaijing would go and greet Worthy Consort Xu every day. This had almost become a habit of his for many years. Jun Chang’an did not say anything. After he got into the carriage, he silently drove it back to the palace.
In the bedchamber of the Xianfu Palace, Worthy Consort Xu was admiring the portrait presented by the painter. When she saw her son, a smile appeared on her face. “You’re a little later than yesterday? Are you busy with work?”
Ever since he took over the case of the Dali Temple, Yan Huaijing had been busier than usual.
Yan Huaijing bowed quietly. “Greetings, Mother.”
Worthy Consort Xu waved at him. “Come here.”
Yan Huaijing walked to his mother’s side and sat down with a small table between them.
Worthy Consort Xu spread out the portraits one by one on the small table. “I asked you to choose for yourself, but you didn’t. So I can only choose them personally. These are all candidates that I’ve carefully considered. They have a strong family background and are both talented and good-looking. Son, take a look. Is it good for the daughter of the Prime Minister to be the Princess Consort? The daughters of the Grand Tutor and the Imperial Censor will be the Secondary Consort…”
Worthy Consort Xu was halfway through her sentence when she noticed that Yan Huaijing’s expression was not right. She gently put down the portrait and said, “What’s wrong? You don’t want it?”
Yan Huaijing was silent.
Worthy Consort Xu handed the portrait to the in charge nanny. The in charge nanny understood and left with the female eunuchs.
Only the mother and son were left in the room. Worthy Consort Xu peeled a tangerine for her son. “Do you have someone you like?”
Yan Huaijing’s eyes moved slightly.
Worthy Consort Xu did not look at him. She only focused on peeling the tangerine. “You haven’t gotten married in a few years and don’t get close to women. Do you really think I, your mother, don’t know what you’re thinking? You went to see her? What did you tell her?”
If she was the daughter of a famous family and was suitable to marry into the family, her son would have already laid his cards on the table with her. But he had kept quiet all this while. She could guess that her identity was not worthy of the Imperial Family, so Worthy Consort Xu did not interrogate her about her background.
Yan Huaijing still did not say anything.
However, a mother knows her son best. If he didn’t say it, wouldn’t Worthy Consort Xu guess it herself?
Worthy Consort Xu continued, “Since you like her so much, I won’t make things difficult for you. As long as she’s not from a brothel and is a sinner’s daughter, I might let you take her in. If she can give you children, it’s fine to give her the position of a concubine.”
The status of a concubine was below that of a secondary consort. If a secondary consort was a secondary wife, then a concubine was a concubine. The concubine of the Prince Manor was also something many people could not reach.
Yan Huaijing finally reacted, but he shook his head.
Worthy Consort Xu’s eyes turned cold. “Why? She doesn’t like it? Could it be that she still wants to be a secondary consort?”
Yan Huaijing shook his head again.
“The Princess Consort?” Worthy Consort Xu gasped!
Yan Huaijing stood up dejectedly. “Mother, stop talking. I’m tired. I’ll take my leave first.”
“Hey!”
Worthy Consort Xu tried to stop him, but he left without looking back. How many years had it been since someone dared to pull a long face at her? But who asked him to be her biological children? Worthy Consort Xu still doted on him.
The nanny in charge came in through the curtain. “Your Highness.”
Worthy Consort Xu said angrily, “You heard what he said just now. I don’t know which girl this kid has taken a fancy to. Her status is low and her eyes are set high. The Princess Consort of the Prince Manor? Does she think she’s the descendant of a famous family?”
“Your Highness, don’t be angry,” the nanny in charge said. “His Highness is at a hot-blooded age. It’s normal for him to be obsessed with a girl.”
Worthy Consort Xu placed the peeled orange back on the plate. “He’s half as heartless as his father. I’m relieved.”
“Your Highness, you’re spouting nonsense again,” the nanny in charge said.
Worthy Consort Xu sneered. “Doesn’t Nanny know better than me whether it’s nonsense or not? Since ancient times, emperors have been heartless… Of all the children from the royal family, only Prince Yan was a devoted husband.”
The nanny in charge lowered her eyes. “It’s late. Your Highness should rest.”
… .
The Yu Family’s old residence was busy for the entire day. It was not until nine o’clock in the evening that they sent all the guests away. They tidied up the house for a full two hours with Aunt Zhang and the others.
There were a lot of dishes today.
“Auntie, take it.” Yu Wan stuffed a bowl of braised pork belly into Aunt Zhang’s hand.
“Aiyo! What are you doing!” Aunt Zhang refused.
Yu Wan smiled. “Take it!”
“How can that do? I’ve already received your salary. If I still take things, what would I become!” Aunt Zhang was not being polite. She thought that from the bottom of her heart.
The people in the countryside were poor. There were very few people who would get paid no matter who they went to help. Most of them would get some brown rice or leftover wontons. If they were lucky, they would get a little candy. How could they be like the Yu family where they give meat and money?
Yu Wan said, “The weather is hot. We can’t leave the dishes for too long. We won’t be able to finish them.”
Aunt Zhang glared at her. “Why can’t you finish it? I think your family can eat!”
This, this was true.
Yu Wan blushed when she thought of the good-for-nothings at home.
“Brother Erniu!” Yu Wan stopped Erniu, who had come from the field.
“Eh? Ah Wan!” Erniu walked over.
“Take it and bring it home to eat.” Yu Wan placed the full bowl of braised meat in his hand.
Erniu accepted it readily. “Thank you, Ah Wan!”
“You child!” Aunt Zhang was so angry that she wanted to beat him up.
Aunt Bai and the others also received a large bowl of braised meat. The peanuts and candy were given to those with children.
Little Bruiser and Little Zhenzhen were already asleep on the bed. Yu Shaoqing picked up his son and returned to his house with his wife and daughter.
Today’s banquet was extremely lively. Everyone returned satisfied. Although the Yu family was tired, they were still quite happy when they thought about how their family had organized such a big banquet. The only flaw was that none of Aunt’s family came.
It was expected that the Guo family would be absent, but why didn’t the Luo family come? They didn’t even let anyone give them congratulatory money.
Money was a small matter. The Yu family did not lack those copper coins, but the attitude of the Luo family—
“You can’t sleep?” Uncle’s gaze passed over his sleeping daughter and landed on his wife, who was tossing and turning.
“Did I disturb you?” Aunt asked.
Uncle said, “Are you thinking about your brother-in-law’s family?”
Aunt nodded and turned her back to her daughter and husband, facing the window frame that was white from the moonlight.
Uncle said, “Maybe something delayed it. The Luo family is busy.”
“Isn’t our family’s business busy?” Aunt said angrily. “When have I not been to his family’s banquet? No matter how poor I am, I’ve always given them congratulatory money! Doesn’t the Luo family know our family’s situation? When have we ever gotten anything good from them?”
“So, isn’t it a good thing that they didn’t come? It saves you from being annoyed when you see them,” Uncle comforted softly.
That being said, it would be extremely embarrassing in the eyes of the villagers if her family didn’t come. The Guo family was indeed too much. She could not be bothered to interact with them anymore.
Aunt didn’t think she had let the Luo family down. Her sister was a daughter, and she was also a daughter, but she seemed to have been picked up from the streets and her sister was the biological one. In that family, she grew up like a livestock. Even so, she had never blamed or been jealous of anyone.
Wasn’t the reason why she married into Lotus Flower Village back then because the Yu family gave her a lot of betrothal gifts? They sold her in exchange for the money, and those money were used as betrothal gifts for her brother to marry his wife, and used as dowry for her sister’s marriage. When she got married back then, her sister couldn’t even bear to give her a copper hairpin.
Fortunately, although the Yu family was a little poor, her in-laws were reasonable. Her husband treated her with affection and loyalty, and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law respected her very much.
Only after coming to this house did she feel like a human.
“I know that she doesn’t have me as her sister in her heart. She looks down on me! I just want her to see that I’m having a good life now! I’m not poor anymore! I don’t want anything from her! She doesn’t have to avoid me like a beggar!” Aunt couldn’t help but cry from anger.
Uncle turned her around and wiped her tears with his rough fingers. “It’s her business to hide from you. Let’s live our lives. We don’t have to show it to anyone. Since we’ve cleared our name, we don’t have to care about the Luo Family when they come again in the future.”