Chapter 149: Xie Ping's Wedding Day
Chu Yi arrived on horseback.
He rode up to them, dismounted, and said to Yun Silin, "I came specifically to see the general off. Fortunately, I'm not late."
Yun Silin led Chu Yi aside. "Your Highness has now suppressed countless bandits and has earned the Emperor's trust and the people's admiration. Because of this, you have aroused the Crown Prince's wariness. I wonder if Your Highness has noticed this yourself?"
Chu Yi replied, "If I were to hide my talents and abandon military power just because the Crown Prince is wary, I would be letting down my father and the people. I will continue to do what I must do."
Yun Silin nodded.
It was precisely because he admired Prince Pingxi's character that he was willing to take him to the battlefield for training.
Among the grown princes in the palace, the Crown Prince was born of the Empress, the second prince was exceptionally talented and widely known for his virtue, and the third prince—Prince Pingxi—was skilled in martial arts and held considerable prestige among the people. In the court, three factions had already begun to form.
If the Yun family were to choose a wise ruler, they could only choose one among them.
Prince Pingxi might...
However, they would need to observe for at least another two years before making a decision.
He said, "I don’t know how long I’ll be away in Nanyue. If anything happens to the Yun family, I hope Your Highness will look after them."
Chu Yi readily agreed.
After discussing the matter, Yun Silin bid farewell to the group, mounted his horse, and headed south.
Watching him disappear down the road, Chu Yi finally withdrew his gaze. Turning his head, he caught sight of Yun Chu’s profile.
After she left the hot spring manor that day, he had someone investigate the affairs of the Xie family’s inner courtyard.
He knew it was improper to pry into a woman’s private matters without permission... but the seed that had sprouted in his heart had grown into a towering tree, with countless weeds spreading wildly. He could no longer control those hidden emotions; he needed an outlet.
He had always considered himself an upright person, unwilling to use dirty means to obtain what he desired.
But when his subordinate reported the affairs of the Xie family, he was relieved to hear that her life was so difficult. It seemed to give him a reason to do things he had never dared to imagine... Yet, more than that, he felt heartache—heartache for the five years she had spent in the Xie family... Slowly, he grew resolute, not minding using some means to help her leave the Xie family...
She and her husband had not shared a bed since their wedding night.
Her husband had taken four concubines one after another, fathering a large number of illegitimate children.
Her life in the Xie family was far from happy.
Just as Yun Ze was about to speak, he noticed Chu Yi seemed to be staring intently at Yun Chu.
He looked at Chu Yi and saw a trace of something akin to heartache in those usually cold eyes.
His heart skipped a beat, and he pretended to cough.
Chu Yi, however, seemed not to hear, his eyes fixed on Yun Chu as if they were glued to her.
"Elder Brother, have you caught a chill?" Yun Chu asked with concern.
"Just a dry throat," Yun Ze replied casually. "Let’s go, we should head back to the city."
Lin Shi and Yun Chu helped the pregnant Liu Qianqian into the carriage, while Yun Ze and Chu Yi rode their horses ahead of it.
Yun Ze let out a heavy sigh.
Chu Yi asked him, "What troubles you, Lord Yun? Are you worried about General Yun’s safety?""My father is taking three hundred personal guards with him, so there's nothing to worry about." Yun Ze thought to himself that Chu'er had even written down every possible event, person, and danger they might encounter on the journey... If his father still encountered trouble despite this, it could only mean the Yun family was fated for misfortune.
He paused briefly before saying, "This concerns Chu'er's matters. These family affairs aren't something to trouble the Prince with."
Upon hearing this, Chu Yi immediately responded, "Your father and I are friends despite our age difference, and I've practically grown up alongside you. As your friend, I'd like to hear about your troubles and share your burden."
Yun Ze's fingers tightened slightly.
It seemed he hadn't overthought this - Prince Pingxi indeed had feelings for Chu'er...
He spoke slowly: "Five years ago, when my parents were selecting a marriage match for Chu'er, they searched high and low before finally choosing Xie Jingyu, that year's Number One Scholar. We all thought it was an excellent match, but who could have imagined... Xie Jingyu already had children before the marriage. After Chu'er married into his family, she spent her days either managing household affairs or educating Xie's children. The thought of her raising another woman's children is truly distressing..."
Chu Yi's eyes suddenly darkened.
He had a son and a daughter himself. If Yun Chu were to become his wife, in the Yun family's eyes, wouldn't that also mean raising another's children?
Yun Ze glanced at him.
His meaning in saying this was quite clear.
Even if Chu'er were to divorce, she wouldn't easily remarry, and certainly not to a man who already had children.
He hoped Prince Pingxi would take the hint.
Chu Yi's eyes only darkened for a moment before regaining their light.
The fact that Yun Ze could say such things indicated that he had likely discerned Chu Yi's feelings.
Yun Ze hadn't mentioned Yun Chu's married status, but had brought up the issue of children... Did this mean the biggest obstacle between him and Yun Chu was the children, rather than her status as a married woman?
Did this mean the Yun family was also considering having Yun Chu seek a divorce?
"Parents show the greatest kindness in the world, while children demonstrate the highest filial piety. Your sister, as the legitimate mother of the Xie household, embodies pure goodness. But the Xie children—" Chu Yi shook his head, "Are they truly worthy of your sister's devotion? Minister Yun, some matters should be decisively ended when necessary."
Yun Ze pressed his lips together tightly.
It seemed Prince Pingxi hadn't taken his words seriously at all.
"I've heard Minister Yun has been working on restoring ancient texts recently and encountered some difficulties," Chu Yi continued. "Is there any way I can assist?"
Yun Ze replied indifferently, "These minor matters don't warrant troubling Your Highness."
Having said this, he nudged his horse forward and moved ahead.
Chu Yi showed no offense at his attitude, riding alongside the carriage all the way to the Yun residence.
When Yun Chu alighted from the carriage, he approached and cupped his hands: "The Xie residence will be holding celebrations in a few days. May I presume to request an invitation?"
Yun Chu thought of the two children and nodded: "Very well, I'll have someone deliver it to your residence."
Soon enough, the wedding day of Prince Anjing and the Xie family's eldest daughter arrived.
The entire Xie household was decorated with lanterns and streamers, the servants beaming with joy. The main hall buzzed with excitement, and even Xie Jingyu, who had been ill for some time, seemed to have recovered.
Dressed in new clothes, appearing refreshed and upright, he stood at the entrance greeting guests, showing no signs of having been ill for over a month.
"Minister Xie, Madam Xie, congratulations!"
"I've prepared a modest gift, please accept it, Minister Xie!"
"Minister Xie, happy events truly lift the spirits! We must share a drink later!"Several court colleagues came to the door, each bringing congratulatory gifts and offering continuous flattery. Xie Jingyu's complexion grew increasingly radiant.
Before long, a carriage stopped at the entrance of the Xie residence. Chu Yi, dressed in black brocade robes, was the first to step down from the carriage, then lifted two children out from inside.
The onlookers were all astonished.
"It's Prince Pingxi!"
"When did Minister Xie become connected with Prince Pingxi?"
"Shouldn't Prince Pingxi be attending the wedding banquet at Anjing Prince's residence? Why has he come to the Xie family? Their relationship must be quite remarkable."
"Perhaps it's out of respect for Minister Xie's wife, after all, she is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yun family."
Chu Yi, holding his daughter, walked directly up to Xie Jingyu: "Minister Xie, congratulations."
Though somewhat surprised, Xie Jingyu welcomed him in with a beaming smile.
As Prince Pingxi was naturally the guest with the highest status among all present, Xie Jingyu stopped receiving guests at the door and accompanied Chu Yi into the Xie residence.
After taking two steps inside, Chu Yi paused: "May I trouble Madam Xie to help look after these two children for a while?"
A smile appeared on Yun Chu's face as she took the children's small hands in hers.
OpenNovel