novelraw Chapter 676 - 665: The Cuckolded Prince
Chapter 676 - 665: The Cuckolded Prince
"She’s coming, the bride is arriving!" As Lin Jingxian was lost in thought, the matchmaker’s exuberant laughter broke the silence, prompting her to immediately soften her expression. After all, it was a relief that her elder brother had successfully married the legitimate daughter from Marquis Zhengyuan’s Mansion. Considering the dowry brought by her elder sister-in-law, her parents wouldn’t have too hard a time in the future.
However, what she didn’t know was that from the moment the legitimate daughter of Marquis Zhengyuan’s Mansion married into the Lin Family, she had no intention of using her dowry for the Lin Mansion’s expenses.
The dowry had been sent over the day before, and set against the backdrop of the Lin Family’s shabby courtyard, it only highlighted the shabbiness of their dwelling more. Although the guests maintained their composure on the surface, they couldn’t help but mutter to themselves. The Lin Family had a good reputation, but they were perhaps too poor, and were only lucky to have married their daughter to the Fifth Prince and brought in the legitimate daughter from Marquis Zhengyuan’s Mansion for their son. Their own foundation was weak, yet their in-laws were exceptionally noble.
The next day, Ye Qiu sent Lin Jingxian and her two children, Ming’er and Lingling, to the hot spring manor in the suburbs, using a well-justified reason: weren’t she and the children always in poor health? They should reside there to recover properly, especially since it wouldn’t do to waste the kind intentions of both him and his Father Emperor.
The manor was personally inscribed by Emperor Xingwu, and although Lin Jingxian was reluctant, she could not show it and had to move in with her belongings.
Once she left, Ye Qiu found it much easier to handle his affairs.
"Did you find the person I asked you to look for?" he inquired of Tang Jin, one of the Chief Officers in his residence.
Tang Jin was a nephew from his mother’s family, sharing both honor and disgrace with Ye Qiu. Therefore, Ye Qiu felt most at ease entrusting him with matters. Additionally, the Tang Family were merchants, and their caravans traveled all over, making them most convenient for handling various affairs.
"Reporting to the Prince, following your instructions I have found two individuals; one of them comes from a pleasure establishment—we’ve already purchased her for training. The other indeed resembles the late Empress more closely, but being a girl from a decent family, she’s not easy to deal with."
"Send the girl from the pleasure establishment directly to the Prince Mansion, and deliver the address of the other girl from a decent family as well. Also, pick out two other beauties; say it’s a little gesture from me, the Fifth Brother." Ye Qiu spoke while tapping on the table.
"Yes."
"Where is Du Ling now? How is everything on his end?"
"Following your Highness’s orders, he has founded two Charity Halls in the suburbs of the capital, and he has reportedly found several promising individuals who should be sent to the mansion very soon."
"I understand. You may go now, and convey my regards to Old Madam and my uncles after you return."
"Yes."
After arranging everything, Ye Qiu took Little Ye Heng out for a stroll around town. He needed a pretext to give beauties to his elder brother, the Emperor.
Sure enough, his romantic escapades were swiftly spread across the capital within a day. Stories such as him saving a young woman who sold herself to bury her father, or him encountering two country girls selling vegetables in the city—he was enjoying himself while his Princess Consort was away, and people were buzzing with gossip, feeling sympathy for Lin Jingxian.
Putting his own reputation aside for the moment, Ye Ke, upon receiving the beauties and information sent by Ye Qiu, had his gaze deepen profoundly, then immediately borrowed an old lady from the Empress at the palace.
"Nanny Fang, do they look alike?" Ye Ke asked the nervous woman while paying close attention.
Nanny Fang was getting old and had to lean in close to see clearly. After circling the woman, she clicked her tongue and said, "Yes, especially the lips and the nose. It’s just that the dignity is somewhat lacking; the late Empress would never have such a flirtatious and enticing gaze."
"I have another person, can Nanny Fang help me take a look?" Ye Ke paused before speaking again.
"This old servant owes her life to Lady, and it is my fortune to be able to help Prince Wang."
Today, a family of four moved into a house in West Street Pear Blossom Lane, consisting of parents, a girl around fifteen or sixteen years old, and a little boy of merely three. It is said that they encountered a noble, made a fortune, and thus moved to the capital to see the world.
What became the talk of the town was, although the parents appeared ordinary, both children inherited their best features. The little boy looked as adorable as white jade, while the girl did not seem to come from the countryside at all, surprisingly bearing an air of nobility.
"Nanny Fang, it’s her."
Nanny Fang responded, "This old servant needs to take a closer look."
No sooner had she spoken than she walked over with her basket swaying, and right as she reached the girl, the basket clattered to the ground.
"Ma’am, are you alright?" the girl quickly asked, her voice crisp and pleasant.
Nanny Fang, steadying herself with the girl’s hand, took a closer look at her face and immediately drew a sharp breath, her lips trembling.
"Ma’am, ma’am?" Seeing Nanny Fang motionless, the girl called out again, twice.
"I’m fine, thank you, young lady." Nanny Fang watched her without blinking.
"Do take care of yourself and don’t hurry too much." After saying this, the girl picked up the scattered fruits and vegetables, repacked them, and left.
Only after she had completely disappeared from sight did Nanny Fang enter a secluded yard and gave Ye Ke a significant nod.
"Were it not for the age difference, I would almost believe it was the late Empress come back to life. She looks exactly like her, especially those eyes, just as when the late Empress first entered the court." Nanny Fang spoke excitedly.
"This Prince understands. You have worked hard, Nanny." Ye Ke nodded, his gaze even more inscrutable.
Nanny Fang, being of advanced age and poor health, was soon escorted away. Only then did two people like strategists approach Ye Ke.
"Prince, I have just investigated; the girl’s name is Liu Hui, who moved to the capital with the help of Tang Family’s favor, with no other complications. Apart from Fifth Prince and us, no one knows she resembles the late Empress," the strategist wearing blue reported.
The other, in gray, then added, "Prince, what do you reckon Fifth Prince means by this? And should we take control of this family first?"
Ye Ke, with hands behind his back, looked out the window, his voice steady and powerful: "Since Fifth Brother dared to send me this message, he has no intention of keeping secrets from me. I will personally ask him for clarity. As for Liu Hui and her family, leave them be for now. Just find a way for her to ’accidentally’ meet Father Emperor, and do not intercede in other matters. As long as she gains favor, that will be the greatest assistance to us. No need to control her family."
"Understood, Prince."
Ye Qiu was not at all surprised or intimidated by Ye Ke’s arrival, clothed in his imposing and menacing authority.
"Are you wondering why I did this, elder brother?" Before he could ask, Ye Qiu ruminated, "I despise Second Brother. In the future, anyone can take that throne, just not him. Among us brothers, you now have the best chance, that’s why I wanted to lend you a helping hand."