novelraw Chapter 670 - 659: The Cuckolded Prince
Chapter 670 - 659: The Cuckolded Prince
"The Second Prince has arrived." Upon hearing this, Ten, Ye Qi, took a few steps forward.
Almost everyone turned their gaze towards the direction of the carriage, including Ye Qiu and Lin Jingxian. Lin Jingxian seemed particularly nervous, trying to pull her hand from Ye Qiu’s grasp, but Ye Qiu wouldn’t relent and kept holding on tightly.
"Prince, please let go of my hand, it’s not proper in such a public setting," Lin Jingxian urged anxiously as the person in the carriage was about to come out.
Ye Qiu, unyielding to her wishes, retorted helplessly: "What does propriety matter here? We are husband and wife; what’s wrong with holding hands? How does it bother anyone?"
"Prince..." Lin Jingxian was flustered, her tone pleading.
Ye Qiu, as if he hadn’t heard her, followed everyone’s gaze and said, "Look, the Second Prince is also holding hands with the Second Sister-in-law!"
At these words, Lin Jingxian stiffened incredulously, looking over to see Ye Zheng disembarking first from the carriage, extending his hand, and indeed, the Crown Princess Consort stepped down with his aid, dignified and graceful, quite unlike Lin Jingxian’s awkwardness.
Lin Jingxian watched the scene blankly, watching the esteemed man smilingly assist his wife down, then greeting the crowd generously.
The Crown Princess Consort stood beside him, amiably socializing with those around her as his wife. Jealousy wildly sprouted and grew within Lin Jingxian’s heart.
"The Fifth Brother and Fifth Sister-in-law are here so early?" The Crown Princess Consort greeted them with a smile, "The Fifth Brother and Sister-in-law really do seem affectionate. Still holding hands at Elder Ten’s residence. Why, afraid we might steal the Fifth Sister-in-law away?"
"Isn’t that so? Second Sister-in-law, you tell me. The Second Brother is just as caring towards you, isn’t he?" Ye Qiu responded cheerfully.
The Crown Princess Consort teased him, "Always the smooth talker you are."
At that moment, Crown Prince Ye Zheng also finally dared to blatantly focus his attention on Ye Qiu and Lin Jingxian, his pupils shrinking suddenly at the sight of their clasped hands.
Lin Jingxian, constantly watching Ye Zheng’s expressions, knew upon seeing this that he was displeased with her hand being held by Ye Qiu. Anxiously, she tried to withdraw her hand, fearing it might lead to further misunderstandings.
Her movements were a bit exaggerated, causing Ye Qiu to look at her suspiciously: "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? I told you this morning, even if it gets warm at noon, you can’t indulge in the cold. Are you feeling unwell now?"
"What’s the matter?" The Crown Princess Consort asked.
With a look of helpless concern for Lin Jingxian, Ye Qiu said, "Jingxian is feeling unwell again. Despite what the Imperial Physician and I advised, she won’t listen. Second Sister-in-law, what should we do?"
"You do look a bit pale," Shen Xiu observed Lin Jingxian, then advised her, "A woman can’t afford to joke about her health. The Fifth Brother cares about you. It wouldn’t hurt to listen more."
Ye Qiu agreed, "Exactly, since getting married, she hasn’t had many good days, and it’s been the same for our two children, always sick. It’s gotten to the point where I’m even afraid to host the hundred days celebration."
"Twins do tend to require more energy than usual, it’s tough for both of you. No worries, just consult the Imperial Physician and the old nannies in the palace more often. You can’t neglect an illness," the Crown Princess Consort, Shen Xiu, truly lived up to her role as a Head of Family in the Imperial Family, always working to garner goodwill for the Crown Prince.
All Ye Qiu could do was sigh for her; dealing with so many women in the Eastern Palace was one thing, let alone unknown to her, her own husband had long fancied someone else.
The two of them are in the same boat, it seems! Yet in comparison, he is even worse off; in his past life, he didn’t have any offspring at all!
"Thanks for your concern, Second Sister-in-Law. We will pay more attention. Although Ming’er and Lingling are not in the best of health, fortunately, Little Ye Heng is doing fine." Ye Qiu finally let go of Lin Jingxian’s hand and picked up Little Ye Heng, "Say hello to your Second Uncle and Second Aunt."
Little Ye Heng obediently looked at Ye Zheng and Shen Xiu with his bright eyes: "Hello, Second Uncle, Second Aunt."
Shen Xiu, seeing how beautiful and adorable he was, felt delighted: "What a good child."
Ye Zheng also complimented him and took a sachet from the little eunuch’s hand to put in Ye Heng’s arms: "He’s even more delicate than Fifth Brother. Here’s a little gift, take it."
Little Ye Heng, having received many gifts recently, grinned widely without being prompted: "Thank you, Second Uncle."
"The Eldest Prince and Seventh Prince have arrived!"
The servant’s voice had just announced when Seventh, Ye Kai, and his Princess Consort, Xia Yixiao, walked up to Ye Heng, and affectionately pinched the child’s tender cheeks: "You’re becoming even more adorable. Do you still remember me?"
"Hello, Seventh Uncle, Seventh Aunt. Ye Heng greets you." Because he was still in Ye Qiu’s arms, he politely curled his little hands and shyly looked at them with rosy cheeks.
Ye Kai and Xia Yixiao felt their hearts melting. Xia Yixiao couldn’t help but think of the words Ye Kai said the other day about if she had a child, would it be as cute as Little Ye Heng?
Xia Yixiao took the child from Ye Qiu’s arms. Her stomach had been uneventful, hoping to absorb some good fortune from the child, she affectionately touched foreheads with him.
Not knowing what tickled him, he giggled, and even alleviated the tense atmosphere between the Eldest Prince Ye Ke and Crown Prince Ye Zheng.
"Big brother." Ye Zheng clasped his fist in greeting.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince!" Ye Ke returned the gesture with deeper reverence.
Seeing more people gathering at the entrance, the protagonist of the day, Prince Ye Qi, quickly said, "Let’s go inside to talk. If Father Emperor and Empress Mother find out I kept my brothers waiting at the door, I’ll get scolded later."
"Princess Consort, let me help you," Ye Qiu said considerately, as Shen Xiu and Xia Yixiao gave them a kindly look.
Lin Jingxian could only look gratefully at Ye Qiu with a stiff body under the Crown Prince’s intense gaze.
Prince Ye Qi, fifteen this year, has his own residence but has not married yet; so today, the female guests were being looked after by the Crown Princess Consort and female officials from Prince Ye Qi’s residence. As for Little Ye Heng, even though he was young and originally should have been with Lin Jingxian, Ye Qiu held him due to her supposed unwell condition.
Lin Jingxian was contemplating finding an opportunity to see Ye Zheng, and she was glad not to have the child as a hindrance, hence she did not insist on keeping him.
However, this scene presented a different view to others. Lin Jingxian looked radiant today, not like someone seriously unwell, and besides, children in their kind of families do not need constant tending—why wouldn’t she manage?
Could it be that the Fifth Princess Consort doesn’t favor this bastard at all?
Then again, it also makes sense, given that the Eldest Young Master and the Fifth Prince look so alike, both appearing smart and well-behaved, and especially favored by the Fifth Prince. Maybe she fears her own child being threatened, especially since her own child is reportedly not very healthy. Note that it’s almost been a hundred days, and the Fifth Prince hasn’t shown any intention of asking for the induction of the Princely Heir and Commandery Princess.