novelraw Chapter 664 - 653: The Cuckolded Prince
Chapter 664 - 653: The Cuckolded Prince
Beautiful ladies always evoke fondness, and upon laying eyes on Lin Jingxian, Shen Xiu and Xia Yixiao greeted her with smiles even before speaking.
"Fifth Sister-in-law really becomes more radiant by the day, standing next to you, I’m too embarrassed to even step outside," Shen Xiu said with a laugh as she took Lin Jingxian’s hand, excusing her from customary bows.
Xia Yixiao followed up by saying, "Isn’t that the truth? I used to think I was quite good-looking, but next to Fifth Sister-in-law, I just seem so ordinary."
Lin Jingxian insisted on observing propriety by performing a bow to Shen Xiu despite her protests, then said modestly, "Second Sister-in-law and Seventh Sister-in-law are both too self-effacing. I’m not as impressive as you say. Let’s not stand at the door, come in and we can talk."
As they walked, Xia Yixiao laughed and said, "Fifth Sister-in-law, you are too polite. If Second Sister-in-law excused me from bowing, I certainly wouldn’t insist on it."
Crown Princess Consort Shen Xiu teased her, "If it were you, I wouldn’t have excused the bow either."
Upon hearing this, Xia Yixiao pretended to be angry, "Second Sister-in-law always picks on me, I won’t stand for it."
Lin Jingxian walked alongside them, watching their playful banter with growing dissatisfaction in her heart. Crown Princess Consort Shen Xiu was reputed to be virtuous, intelligent, and well-mannered, but to Lin Jingxian, she felt Shen Xiu was not fulfilling her duties properly. As someone’s wife, how could she so casually joke and laugh with others? And especially with Xia Yixiao, who is the Seventh Prince Consort and the legitimate daughter of the Great General. Does she not fear the Seventh Prince posing a threat to the Crown Prince?
If it were her sitting in the position of Crown Princess Consort today, she certainly would not debase herself by joking with the likes of the Seventh Prince Consort. Just wait—someday, she would replace Shen Xiu!
However, no matter what she thought, she dared not show even a hint of these feelings in front of the Crown Princess Consort, and moreover, had no choice but to lead them around to enjoy the scenery of the mansion.
"Everyone says my Fifth Brother knows how to live well, even rebuilding the Prince Wang Mansion extensively just for marrying you, hiring gardening masters from Jiangnan. I didn’t get to appreciate it properly due to the crowd during last time’s full-moon feast, but seeing it today truly lives up to its reputation. Fifth Sister-in-law, Fifth Brother really treats you well," Xia Yixiao said enviously as she admired the garden views. Although Fifth Brother has a not-so-good reputation, looking at this mansion, it is evident he adores Fifth Sister-in-law very much. If only Seventh learned even half of this, she would be laughing secretly to herself.
"Indeed, it is quite impressive," Crown Princess Consort nodded with a smile. "Not to mention anything else, the architectural placement of that pavilion in the lake is extremely clever. It really showcases the skills of the artisans from Jiangnan."
To tell the truth, because the man she married wasn’t the one she loved, Lin Jingxian didn’t quite accept Ye Qiu’s kind intentions. In her view, what significance is there in splendid views without someone she cherished to appreciate them with? Therefore, Lin Jingxian had never genuinely admired the scenery of the mansion, and even now found it unimpressive.
Her smile was just right, but her eyes lacked any real joy as she said, "How can it be as good as you say? It’s just a pavilion after all; if you see it too much, it’s nothing special."
For some reason, Xia Yixiao was reminded of the conversation she had had with Ye Kai that day, and she couldn’t help thinking that Lin Jingxian did not love Ye Qiu very much. Fifth Brother spent a fortune to rebuild the mansion for her; doesn’t she feel the slightest bit grateful?
Xia Yixiao didn’t know what to say, but the Crown Princess Consort, quick-witted as always, smiled as though she’d had an epiphany, "I actually forgot, you grew up in Jiangnan as a child, so you must have seen plenty of exquisite gardens. It’s normal for you to find this unremarkable. It’s just that Seventh Sister-in-law and I have not been so worldly and think this garden couldn’t be lovelier."
"Second Sister-in-law is absolutely right; it’s just us who haven’t seen much of the world that find it remarkable," Xia Yixiao said in agreement, her inner doubts, however, grew deeper.
She had never been to Jiangnan, but a moment’s thought told her that what the Fifth Brother had spent a fortune on couldn’t possibly be just like the majority of the gardens there. Besides, she wasn’t blind; even without having visited Jiangnan, couldn’t she discern the merits of this garden? Moreover, when Lin Jingxian was in Jiangnan, her father was only the head of an academy. How often could she have seen the top gardens?
Therefore, since that was the case, why was Lin Jingxian looking so indifferent when faced with such an exquisite garden? Why can’t one spot even a trace of gratitude or admiration for the Fifth Brother in her eyes? This was indeed cause for suspicion.
However, even though the gossip within her blazed ever brighter, Xia Yixiao still didn’t dare to probe further. Feelings were a matter between a couple; as an outsider what right had she to intervene? She might even bring trouble upon herself by doing so. Therefore, she buried these thoughts deep down, and simply quietly enjoyed the scenery.
The more she looked, the more she sighed. If only the Seventh Brother was half as attentive as the Fifth Brother, she would be lighting incense and praying in gratitude. But thinking back, after the Fifth Brother gave a mere suggestion, Ye Kai knew to bring her gifts. Perhaps, if the Fifth Brother gave more advice, he might also get the idea?
Walking through the garden on the way to Luoxia Courtyard, the scenery changed with every step; no two places were the same. Xia Yixiao was left in awe.
Once she arrived at Luoxia Courtyard, she found even the ornaments inside were rare and superior, especially the gemstone-encrusted money tree set on a coral base which dazzled brilliantly. Just that one tree alone could buy a grand five-section residence in the capital, not to mention the other fine porcelains from official kilns – none of them were of little value. Ye Kai often said his Fifth Brother was wealthy, and now Xia Yixiao truly understood what wealth meant.
"Fifth Sister-in-law, the Fifth Brother treats you so well, displaying so casually all these fine things. He must have given you quite a few!" Xia Yixiao said enviously.
Even Crown Princess Consort Shen Xiu admired them a bit, because the Crown Prince was deeply favored by the Holy Emperor, their Eastern Palace also had its share of gifts each year, which were no less than those at Fifth Prince Mansion. But one set was bestowed by the Holy Emperor and the other was earned, how could they be compared?
Lin Jingxian once again humbly smiled: "They’re just common trinkets."
In fact, she had not expected Xia Yixiao to come today. She deliberately arranged these items and dressed herself up dazzlingly, all to not be outdone by Shen Xiu. She didn’t anticipate Xia Yixiao would keep attributing all the credit to Ye Qiu. How could she genuinely smile under such circumstances?
And did Ye Qiu really treat her well? They were just ornaments, which were plentiful in Ye Qiu’s hands. Giving her a few counted as treating her well? His family had wealth aplenty, why hadn’t he thought to give it all to her?
Every time Lin Jingxian contemplated her outwardly bright but inwardly tight circumstances, she felt aggrieved. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to lower her dignity and ask Ye Qiu, and even if she did, on what grounds would she do so?
He professed deep love, but did he ever earnestly think for her? Lately, all he did was show off by parading with Ye Heng through the streets. Did he ever think about whether his own Ming’er would suffer injustice because of it?
Taking a deep breath, Lin Jingxian felt she had had enough. When would she be able to leave this life behind? When could she stand openly beside that person?