Second Marriage

The kneeling men got up in a fluster. Two shu born sons hurried to help their father. Someone shouted for a doctor to come, but he was interrupted with a stern voice, “What doctor?! The Old Master has recovered from his illness a long time ago. Why should a doctor be invited? From now on, no matter who asks about his health, say he is doing well and is preparing for a trip far away!”

The Ye Family, who had just returned to their senses, were shocked in place yet again. They looked at Eldest Master Ye in confusion.

What did this mean?

They weren’t going to treat the Old Master?

They all had a general idea from what the eunuch had said. But now that they were yelled at by Eldest Master Ye, they realized what it actually meant.

If the imperial family carried the blame that should not have been placed on them, then the Old Master had to live. Otherwise, the imperial family would be criticized. Therefore, he could not meet any mishaps right now, could not get sick, and could not die. Even if he died… Everyone shivered as if the cold wind from the courtyard penetrated into their skin, and the chill came from inside of them.

As soon as the decree was made, Xiao Youning became even busier. It was three days until the New Year, but now she had become a princess, and the number of things she had to take care of had more than doubled.

She was busy until the night before New Year’s Eve. She was able to catch her breath, but then heard that something had happened to Old Master Ye.

She had just had a sip of tea before she hurried to her mother-in-law’s place. Eldest Master Ye and his wife, who she had not seen for a very long time, had red eyes and were kneeling in front of her mother-in-law.

When she came in, she heard that funeral arrangements could not be made, but it was his biological father and so on…

Old Master Ye had passed away, and it was really because of his illness. The day before yesterday, he deceived her mother-in-law into going back to Ye Family with a serious illness, which was what he had intended.

She went into the room, and the kneeling couple swiftly turned around to bow to her.

She leaned away and said, “Eldest Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law, you are too formal with me. Please do not bow.”

Since Eldest Madam Ye learned that Ye Shen had taken the imperial family’s last name Zhao, he was no longer a part of the Ye Family. She did not dare to let her thoughts wander. She said respectfully, “The princess treats her subjects kindly and is willing to call this subject sister-in-law, so this subject must be polite.”

Xiao Youning said nothing more, but went to help them up and stood next to her mother-in-law.

The imperial consort admired the way her youngest son’s wife behaved so appropriately. She took her hand and led her to the arhat bed chair1. They sat and she said, “Now that you all know, it is best to keep your silence. The Emperor has been very generous in order to fulfill the last wish of the late Prince. All the Ye Family needs to do is to continue to be loyal to the Emperor with absolute devotion. Now that the Old Master Ye is gone, you should have more servants to protect yourselves.”

With red eyes, Eldest Master Ye agreed. The couple didn’t stay long and hurried back to the Ye Residence.

Old Master Ye died and the Ye Family did not have a funeral. There was no trace of white, and the residence was full of red, a festive color, to welcome the New Year.

Eldest Master Ye’s brothers put their father into the coffin that they made. After nailing it, they placed it in the main courtyard and ordered the servants to seal it.

The Emperor did not allow for a burial. He was already being kind enough for them to have a coffin to keep the body.

When Zhao Shen came back from the palace, it was already dark. When he entered the room, he was told by Xiao Youning’s servants what had happened with the Ye Family. He went to his mother first. Seeing that his mother looked the same, he relaxed and went back to the room.

When Xiao Youning saw him coming back, she called out to him with Fifth Master, and then murmured, “Why do I keep saying that?”

Zhao Shen saw her downcast look and patted her head. He smiled and said, “Today, when I was in front of the Emperor and looked at the words “Prince Rui: Zhao Shen” in the accounting books, it was strange. It felt like it was not me.”

The couple laughed at each other and said at the same time, “It will be okay slowly.”

They were surprised and laughed again. They ate together after they cleaned their hands.

Zhao Shen said that he had to go to the palace early the following morning and participate in the ancestral ceremony. Xiao Youning and the imperial consorts were female members of the family, so they only needed to kowtow to their ancestors and offer incense while he would have to work hard from morning till night.

Xiao Youning was worried and picked out several large pieces of roast meat for him. “You have to eat more. You are so busy these days that your chin is sharp and your waist is thinner. There will be a family banquet in the palace tomorrow, and I don’t know if you will be busy until then.”

Zhao Shen looked at the roast meat and said with an underlying meaning, “Does the princess feel that her husband has lost weight, or that he has no strength? Does she want to make a closer inspection this evening?”

After he got married, he was more shameless. Xiao Youning pouted. She gave him more meat. If she did not stuff his mouth to shut him up, then she had to covertly counter that he couldn’t do it.

Zhao Shen had a twinkle in his eyes.