novelraw Chapter 666 - 655: The Cuckolded Prince
Chapter 666 - 655: The Cuckolded Prince
Seeing that Ye Qiu was really considering the idea of moving his two children to the front courtyard to be raised, Lin Jingxian hurriedly said: "Prince is joking, although I am unwell, I still have more than enough energy to take care of our children."
Ye Qiu looked at her suspiciously upon hearing this, "If you have the energy to take care of two children, why can’t you attend to me? Princess Consort, you couldn’t possibly be despising me, could you? Every time I come over, you always have an excuse to avoid me, and you don’t get jealous when I go to other concubines?"
Feeling Ye Qiu’s suspicion, Lin Jingxian’s heart trembled, fearful that he might develop some inappropriate thoughts. Although Ye Qiu was useless, she now could only rely on him. If he harbored any thoughts toward her or decided to force himself on her, what could she do?
Lin Jingxian quickly thought of the right words to say, and her smile became even more sincere: "What is Prince thinking! How could I, your servant, not be jealous if you visit other sisters? But the principles I learned from childhood tell me not to be selfish or too jealous. Have I ever wanted to push you toward other sisters? It’s just that I am unwell, and if I were to pass on my illness to you or spoil your mood, that really would be a great wrong."
Her words were truly considerate and magnanimous. If Ye Qiu continued to complain, then he would be in the wrong as a husband. However, he didn’t want to let her off that easily. Since she had put it so pitifully, perhaps it was an opportunity to further distress her.
Ye Qiu suddenly pulled Lin Jingxian into his arms, seemingly oblivious to her stiff body, and said emotionally, "I knew my Princess Consort cares deeply for me, I am so moved."
Lin Jingxian gently pushed against Ye Qiu’s body, unable to move him, then said with restraint, "Prince, please let go of me, what if I pass on my illness to you?"
"It doesn’t matter, I don’t mind."
Lin Jingxian took a deep breath: "But I mind. If something were to happen to you, Prince, even death wouldn’t be enough for me to atone for my guilt."
"You make a good point." Ye Qiu let go of her, and just as she sighed in relief, he added, "Then I will leave now. You take good care of yourself."
Seeing him about to leave, Lin Jingxian panicked inside. She had called him over because there was something she needed to discuss. After all this tugging and pulling, he was leaving without discussing the matter?
"Prince, I still have something to talk to you about!"
"What is it?" Ye Qiu paused, then said bluntly as he saw her approaching, "Don’t come any closer. Didn’t you say you are unwell and afraid of passing your illness to me? If I get sick, the one who will suffer is you, the Princess Consort. So, let’s keep our distance and talk, or have a little maid relay the message."
Lin Jingxian watched Ye Qiu’s withdrawing figure, anyone who didn’t know better might think he was shunning her! But the reason was one she had made up herself, so she couldn’t refute it.
He really is a fool, believing whatever she said. Lin Jingxian felt both scorn and frustration in her heart.
"No need, it’s not a big deal, I might as well say it myself from here."
Indeed, Ye Qiu stopped where he was, showing no intention of coming closer: "Alright, then speak, what is it?"
"It’s like this, my mother came over today and spoke about the marriage between my elder brother and the Eldest Lady of Marquis Zhengyuan’s Mansion, saying that the Eldest Lady would marry into my mother’s family. My mother fears that our dilapidated mansion would be too humble for the Eldest Lady of Marquis Zhengyuan’s Mansion."
Lin Jingxian thought about how to phrase it, while Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow, so that was the matter!
"Prince, as you know, my father has always been a man of integrity, and my mother is currently troubled about this matter. Originally, as a married daughter, I shouldn’t get involved, but I cannot bear to see my parents in such a dilemma, so I wish to ask for your help."
Ye Qiu suddenly realized, "That’s no problem at all. For my good brother-in-law’s wedding, I will definitely send a generous gift."
What can a wedding gift do? Lin Jingxian deeply detested Ye Qiu’s foolishness.
She took a deep breath, swallowed her humiliation, and said, "That’s not what I mean. I’d like to borrow some silver from you, Prince. Once my brother becomes successful, he will surely repay it."
Repay? What could her brother possibly use to repay? Her father has just become the Dean of Hanlin Academy, and his salary is barely enough for living expenses. How could he become more successful in the future?
Wanting silver without asking directly, why put on such a righteous act? Are you afraid of losing face? I will make sure the Lin Family loses face.
"Borrowing silver? Princess Consort, you should have said so earlier. There’s nothing I lack more than silver. Just tell me how much you need. It doesn’t matter whether you repay it or not; we are family after all." Ye Qiu agreed verbally but had already thought of how to take advantage of them.
However, Lin Jingxian was unaware of his ulterior motives, so she happily agreed, thinking Ye Qiu was completely under her control, and whatever she said would be done.
However, if she needs money in the future, she doesn’t want to ask for it like now. Why not take this opportunity to gain control over the household management? Relying on his affection for her, he probably wouldn’t audit her accounts, and after all, she is his Princess Consort. What does it matter if she uses a bit of his silver?
But as soon as she brought it up, Ye Qiu refused, with a very valid reason, "Princess Consort, your health isn’t good, and you need to take care of both children. You need not worry about the household affairs. Just speak to the steward about what you need. You are the Princess Consort. I’ve already instructed them, they won’t refuse you. Here, I will send someone with the silver notes. I must leave now if there’s nothing else."
"There’s one more thing. When can my maid Mu Jin return?" Compared to Furong, Lin Jingxian preferred Mu Jin, the maid who understood her best. But ever since Nanny Zhang took her away, there has been no news. What if she reveals something she shouldn’t?
"I remember now, that ill-disciplined maid. When Nanny Zhang has trained her well, she will send her back. Don’t worry, Princess Consort."
At that moment, in a separate courtyard of Ye Qiu, Nanny Zhang looked at Mu Jin with a sinister gaze and revealed a mean smile, "Miss Mu Jin, you made a mistake again in the ceremony. What if you offend the nobility when you go out? Let’s try again."
Mu Jin shivered, as the ceramic plates on her head clattered to the ground, her face turning even paler.
Taking the opportunity, Nanny Zhang said, "Miss Mu Jin, it’s not that I want to make things hard for you, but if you act like this in front of the nobility, wouldn’t it harm both the Prince and Princess Consort? Stretch out your hands. Since three plates have broken, we’ll give you three lashes."
Upon hearing this, Mu Jin immediately knelt down, hitting her forehead hard on the floor, "Nanny, I know my mistakes, please spare me, I dare not do it again."
Nanny Zhang revealed a cruel smile, "How can that be possible? The Prince has ordered me to teach you manners, and I can’t show favoritism. Miss Mu Jin, please stretch out your hands!"
Knowing that today was inescapable, Mu Jin tremblingly stretched out her hands, her previously well-cared-for hands were now bloody and tattered, with scabs formed around the wounds, evidently hurt and yet to heal before being injured again.
The whip fiercely struck the palms of her hands, Mu Jin almost cried out, but she could only endure, because she knew the louder she cried, the harsher Nanny Zhang would lash. Desperately, she looked out the window. Why won’t the Princess Consort come to save her?