Second Marriage

“What nonsense are you sprouting!” Marquis Ningyuan slammed the table and stood up. He glared at him. “Did Laozi promise to have Ning’er marry you?!”

“Marquis, please calm down.” Ye Shen had a slight smile as he faced his father-in-law’s fury. In a rather light tone, he explained, “The suffering Ning’er has gone through in the capital is something you can never imagine. She and I were brought together by fate and not coerced by the life-saving grace. I truly have feelings for her. I am a man with no official position or title, so this matter will depend on the wishes of the Marquis. If you want me to give her honor, then I will; if you wish for her to be at your side at all times, then I agree. Whether it is richness, honor, or guarantees, then I, Ye Shen, can give it to her…”

The anger on Marquis Ningyuan’s face froze and slowly turned solemn. His eyes intensely measured him up.

“Fifth Master Ye has made big promises!”

“Yes.”

He nodded;  Marquis Ningyuan was stumped. His eyes widened to the size of gongs. He finally sat down slowly at the table. Feeling a little powerless, he said, “How can His Majesty agree to your wishes? How can an uncle marry a niece?”

“Is the Marquis a man who strictly abides by the rules? The Li Family turned their backs on Ning’er. Can His Majesty call on the Marquis, an outstanding official who serves the country, after this insult has occurred? His Majesty has promised that no one in the world will dare to speak about it again.”

The words “imperial power” were not pleasant to hear, and who would dare to challenge such authority?

Marquis Ningyuan realized that Ye Shen had prepared everything before he came to see him. His words meant that there was no one in the entire world who could resist the “imperial power”, and he was also reminding him, the Marquis, that he was the same as everyone else.

But why did Ye Shen have a crush on his daughter?!

Ye Shen seemed to have a clear insight into the human mind, and said at the right time, “Marquis, although I, as a Ye, have little talent and sometimes use cruel methods to get things done, I am self-disciplined and never tried to hide it. Before I met Ning’er, I thought I would spend the rest of my life alone. Who knew that this was fate?”

This could be regarded as him using peaceful measures before force. Marquis Ningyuan was speechless looking at him. Ye Shen still looked indifferent as he showed an old injury on his finger to Marquis Ningyuan.

There was a little crescent shaped mark on his finger. Compared to the rest of his skin under the light, the difference in color was very conspicuous.

“This…”

Ye Shen withdrew his hand from the still skeptical Marquis Ningyuan. “Ning’er bit me when she was a child, she probably does not remember too much of it. But Marquis, this is fate.”

At this point, what else could Marquis Ningyuan say? All of his dissatisfaction turned into a temporary reprimand. “We will talk about it when you come back.”

If I can’t come back, then it will be useless.

Ye Shen smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Father-in-law. Please wait for the good news from this humble son-in-law.”

Marquis Ningyuan almost choked on his own spit.

Sh-shameless! 

Why have I never heard that Ye Shen’s shamelessness was as thick as the city walls?! 

While Ye Shen was facing his father-in-law, Xiao Youning and her brother were discussing many things. Xiao Qiye was smiling the entire time while he felt complicated about his younger sister.

“Ningning, you haven’t talked about the Li Family or the Second Branch.”

Xiao Qiye tried to bring up the topic he wanted to know more about, instead of listening to his sister say how good Fifth Master Ye was and how he protected her.

Xiao Youning gave an “oh” and looked at her brother strangely. “If there is something happy, why should we talk about something unhappy?”

Although her time with Fifth Master was short, it was her happiest after what had happened with her father and brother. She only wanted to share this happiness with her brother and not worry about the messy things.

Xiao Qiye looked towards the sky in silence but also understood what his sister meant.

His sister had never spoken about Li Qingzhi to him like this and now she had found a person who filled her heart. With a long sigh, he patted the top of her head. “Have you made a decision? Did Fifth Master Ye say anything about proposing marriage? No matter how good he is, he is one generation above you. Even if you have been divorced, you must receive the respect you deserve… Does Ningning understand what Brother means?”

Xiao Youning also looked towards the sky full of stars and there was a gentle smile on her lips. “I understand my brother’s worry. Fifth Master didn’t say anything, but I know he won’t wrong me. He definitely will not.”

Oh, silly girl… Xiao Qiye sighed again. Her heart is filled with thoughts about him, and she is even making a gamble on the most important decision of her life?!

When they went back, Ye Shen and Marquis Ningyuan had finished their discussion. Seeing that her father did not look well, Xiao Youning was a little worried about Ye Shen.

But there was a smile in his eyes, and he grinned at her when she looked at him. It made her feel better.

“It’s late, let’s rest and we’ll talk about it tomorrow.” Marquis Ningyuan wanted to drive him out of his sight and mind.

They followed some soldiers to where they were to sleep. Xiao Qiye told Marquis Ningyuan his sister’s thoughts, making the latter toss and turn all night.

At the same time, Xiao Youning was also worried about the relationship between her father and Ye Shen. The next day, when she saw Ye Shen greet her and said the words “father-in-law”, she was stumped.

He… Did he ask Father for my hand in marriage?!

While she was shocked, little did she know that Old Madam Ye was making a series of preparations for their wedding in the capital. Madam Li had tried several times to dig out more information, and could only be subdued to prepare for the marriage between her son and the Eldest Princess Residence.

Previously, the marriage was only one month away, and there were now only three days left. She was so busy and in a complete mess when she was finally begging her mother to appear for the marriage of the younger generation.

Old Madam Ye watched as her daughter knelt in front of her and she carefully asked, “Are you sure you want me to come to your home to help?”

Madam Li nodded again and again. “This is for Qingzhi’s happiness and Qingzhi is your only grandson.”

“Then… as long as you don’t regret it in the future.” Old Madam Ye rarely spoke a lot, and Madam Li was overjoyed. She didn’t care about what would happen in the future.

Right now, the Li Family was considered a joke. If she could get her mother to come over, then her mother would also represent Ye Shen. Who in the capital did not know that only her Fifth Youngest Brother could invite their mother back for any particular event? Over the years, their mother was only willing to go home when Ye Shen invited her for the New Years celebrations.