Second Marriage

Ye Shen took a step up the stairs and heard the footsteps in the distance. He looked back, and heard a few words of the daily bickering between the two servants.

He raised his eyebrows slightly. As soon as he turned around, he saw Xiao Youning standing at the door with a smile.

“You’re back.” She put her hand out to him. Ye Shen smiled and quickly stepped forward to take it. “I’m back. The door is drafty.”

She followed him into the inner room. The young maids all retreated. She helped him change his clothes and gave him the towel to wash his face. She was very busy.

When Ye Shen saw that she was so busy, his heart was filled with her thoughtfulness and care. “Are you tired today? How many old ladies are staying over in the residence?”

“There is Old Madam Xu and Old Madam Liu from Baoding, the others went home.” The final step was helping him straighten his belt and tightening it. However, she was embraced by him.

He looked down and sniffed her hair. “Have you bathed?”

The breath was full of the faint scent of her hair, which was his favorite smell.

She blushed and pushed his chest. “Yes, but you mustn’t do anything right now.”

Ye Shen chuckled and eyed her mischievously. “Who is it that wants it?”

Xiao Youning turned redder from his teasing. She pushed him away, and glared at him. She turned to go out and give the orders to start making dinner.

There was no one in Ye Shen’s arms anymore. The only thing left was her scent and a silly grin.

At dinner, Xiao Youning told Ye Shen about her plans for the next day. Ye Shen pondered, “Pick 20 servants or so. When the palace gives the reward for more servants after I take back my name, there might be too many servants.”

“I was thinking the same. Are you still going to the palace tomorrow?”

“Mhm, I need to discuss a few more things with His Majesty. When I’m done, I’ll take you on a trip.”

Xiao Youning did not believe what he said. “His Highness considers you to be very important, so don’t talk so unrealistically.”

Ye Shen gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “When have I ever deceived you?”

However, in the evening, Xiao Youning was lying on the pillow with a completely red face. She said with bitterness to the wild man before her that caused her to lose control, “You deceived me. Didn’t you say it would only be for a little while?”

Ye Shen smirked. He kissed her gently on the corner of her lips, and sighed. “You can’t count on what men say when ‘that’ happens.”

The next day, when Xiao Youning saw the servant dealer, she had to discreetly use her handkerchief to cover her yawns. Yuan Guo who was next to her had to purse her lips to stop smiling.

Perhaps, they would have a little master soon.

**

After Eldest Madam Ye ran into a roadblock, she realized that Xiao Youning was deliberately keeping her distance. She stopped trying for over half a month, and began to look for excuses to stop by the residence when December came.

Xiao Youning politely regarded her as a guest, which made it impossible for her to get close. Slowly, she stopped coming. When she stopped completely, the sisters-in-law from the other branches did not dare to visit and be an inconvenience. For a period of time, the residence became very peaceful, while Xiao Youning was even busier.

Xian Youning’s father and brother were in the capital, but no one in the Marquis Residence knew how to manage the household. Thus, she had to prepare for the New Year for both residences. She ordered the steward of the Marquis Residence to visit every two days to report to her, and she went back to the Marquis Residence every three days to take a look at the preparations.

Although her father and brother were two big men, the New Year was around the corner. If she did not do the preparations, it would be rough.

When she was traveling, she heard a lot of gossip and some of it was about the Li Family.

When there was three days before the New Year, Huijing was spreading the good news that her child was close to being saved. She had been pregnant for two months. The gossip about it spread throughout the capital because the Eldest Princess made a scene when she asked for a doctor.

Xiao Youning ran into Li Qingzhi on the street at one of the stores.

A once energetic person now looked gloomy and tired. His personality was also different.

It was a jewelry store. Xiao Youning wanted to personally pick out something for her mother-in-law. But when she went out, she came across Li Qingzhi.

When she saw him, she looked away and was ready to leave.

Fifth Master usually looked cold and indifferent, but there was a big jar of vinegar1 inside of him. Xiao Youning didn’t know why she mentioned Li Qingzhi, or if he mentioned it himself. She said something, and he, the jar of vinegar, did not react. However, at night he became clingy and overbearing. She was devoted to him, but the jar of vinegar was getting risky and really unbearable.

When Li Qingzhi saw her, he was surprised at first. Then, he wanted to chase her.

But that was a reflex.

When his mind came back, he stood in front of her to block her and saw her cold expression. Remorse drowned him, and he was filled with pain and guilt. “I’m not here to buy anything for her,” he said swiftly.

Xiao Youning was even more fed up and stated with an icy face, “You have studied morals and ethics in vain. You are blocking an elder’s way and saying some muddle-headed words, which is no laughing matter!”

Li Qingzhi turned pale. He took a few steps back and lowered his head. He had a difficult time saying, “Younger aunt, please do not make accusations. It was me who was shameful.”

Xiao Youning saw him get out of the way and her expression became less tense, then she hurried past him to leave.

The steward of the residence came to her in a panic. “Madam, I have finally found you. There is a decree from the palace. Please go home soon.”

Decree?

Xiao Youning froze. The decree this time must be because of that. 

The Emperor had the intention to get things done years ago.

As she rushed out, a tall figure came forward and gently took her hand. “I’m here to pick you up.”

Li Qingzhi lowered his head even more. He glanced stealthily to see the two holding hands  and smiled sullenly. This was the consequence he had brought to himself.

Xiao Youning was lifted onto the horse by Ye Shen. She was placed in front of him, and carried away by the galloping horse.

The servants of the Imperial Court posted the imperial notice across the capital before galloping away on their horses. It attracted a lot of attention, and people went to have a look. It was almost the New Year, so what was the Emperor doing?

They didn’t know until they were shocked by the big news.

By the time Li Qingzhi left the jewelry store, the news had spread all over the streets.

“The Fifth Master of the Ye Family is actually the son of the late Prince Rui! He has been recognized by the Emperor as a member of his family!”

Li Qingzhi was shocked and nearly fell down in his daze.

In the Eldest Princess Residence, the Eldest Princess couldn’t believe it either. She slumped over her chair for a long time, unable to think anymore.

How can Ye Shen be Third Brother’s child?!

Footnotes

Vinegar means jealousy