novelraw Chapter 682 - 671: The Cuckolded Prince
Chapter 682 - 671: The Cuckolded Prince
"What are you still doing here?" Ye Qiu seemed to have finally finished admiring the Brass Buddha Statue, raising his eyebrows as he looked at Lin Jingxian.
Seeing his indifferent demeanor, Lin Jingxian clenched her handkerchief, seemingly unable to believe the sight of her taking the initiative while Ye Qiu was utterly indifferent.
"Prince... you..." The words that followed seemed too hard to utter, and Lin Jingxian bit her lips tighter.
"What ’you’?" Ye Qiu frowned at her.
In fact, what Lin Jingxian wanted to say was "Will you go to rest in Luoxia Courtyard tonight," but wouldn’t that be debasing herself if she really said that? And what if Ye Qiu actually went? Would she really have to serve him?
It’s just some money; was he really worth such effort? Even the Crown Prince would surely disapprove if he knew, so Lin Jingxian held her tongue again.
"I meant to say that I will let Lingling and Ming’er come to pay their respects to you tomorrow." Lin Jingxian had a quick thought and smiled properly and generously.
"Aren’t they unwell? Better they stay in Luoxia Courtyard and not wander out often."
Lin Jingxian finally realized what she had lost during the three years she had stayed away; since she set foot in the residence this morning, she felt every step was fraught with difficulty.
However, even though Lingling and Ming’er were not Ye Qiu’s children, she did not want them to call him Father, but now with the Crown Prince not yet on the throne, she and the children could only swallow their pride for the time being.
She waited, waiting for the day she and her children could stand proudly alongside the Crown Prince, and she was determined to return today’s humiliation twofold.
"Prince, Lingling and Ming’er’s health has greatly improved, and it is only right for them to pay their respects to you as their Father." Lin Jingxian took a deep breath and said.
"Oh, then tell them to come earlier, Ye Heng comes every day at 5:45 AM, after paying their respects, Ye Heng still has to study!" Ye Qiu responded thusly.
Lin Jingxian was furious; how could her legitimate son and daughter be compared to Ye Heng, a bastard? And her children should accommodate a bastard?
But speaking of education, Ming’er was already three, and it was time to find him a teacher.
Lin Jingxian had to set aside the matter of paying respects for now, and asked Ye Qiu softly, "Prince, Ming’er is also three years old now, should we find a teacher for him?"
"Hasn’t he been taught by you all along?"
"After all, I am but a woman; how can I keep teaching him?"
"No matter, I’m aware of your scholarly reputation, you must teach him well. Moreover, Ming’er will inherit my title in the future, knowing how to read is enough, there’s no need for him to struggle with other studies, nor to worry about his future prospects. It’s best for him to be happy," Ye Qiu said in the manner of a good father.
At this moment, Lin Jingxian truly didn’t know if Ye Qiu was genuinely foolish or just pretending to be; how could her Ming’er not study? If in the future she and the children took their place by that person’s side, wouldn’t they be estranged from the most exalted seat?
Lin Jingxian would never allow that to happen, so she added, "Prince, even Ye Heng has a teacher. If our Ming’er knows nothing, wouldn’t that be laughable if word got out? It would also unfairly tarnish your reputation with the unwarranted charge of favoring a bastard over legitimate children."
"What charge is there? My own children, my own affection, what’s it to outsiders? Ye Heng needs to study because he has no title to inherit and must make his own efforts. Ming’er has everything, so what’s the point in exhausting his spirit? His health is already poor, studying would just be a burden for him. I’m sure the Father Emperor would agree with my decision," Ye Qiu confidently stated.
Seeing his decidedly firm expression, Lin Jingxian knew his words were probably true, but how could this be allowed?
Her Ming’er is certainly not a Princely Heir who can be ignorant of everything! Her Ming’er is someone destined for great fortune!
"Prince, that’s not the way to put it. Even if Ming’er inherits your title in the future, wouldn’t it be laughable if he doesn’t understand anything?" Lin Jingxian attempted to reason with Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu pondered for a moment and nodded: "You make sense. Then let’s have Ming’er study with Heng’er at Du Ling’s place in the future!"
"But what about the Chief Officer Du in the mansion?" Lin Jingxian asked after thinking for a moment.
"Yes, him."
The smile on Lin Jingxian’s face became stiff again: "But hasn’t Chief Officer Du only passed the Scholar examination? Can he truly teach Ming’er well?"
"What? Do you look down on Du Ling?" Ye Qiu glanced at her sideways, snorting with a defensive tone, "Although Du Ling has only obtained the title of Scholar, his learning is not lacking. Moreover, he is reliable in handling affairs. Ming’er is just three years old; Du Ling can more than suffice in teaching him."
"No, I did not mean any disrespect to Chief Officer Du. It’s just that he has to manage your affairs and teach two children of different ages. I’m afraid he won’t be able to handle it all. Perhaps we could do this—I can send Ming’er to my elder brother’s place and let my brother instruct him." Lin Jingxian thought for a moment, this being the only foolproof idea she could come up with on the spot.
She thought Ye Qiu would object, but to her surprise, he agreed without hesitation: "That’s also fine. After all, my brother-in-law is an Advanced Scholar. Since you trust him, go ahead and send Ming’er over."
Relieved by his response, Lin Jingxian exhaled.
Then she took the opportunity to bring up her main purpose for coming back: "Prince, although my elder brother is Ming’er’s biological uncle, we still need to formally engage his teaching services. Shouldn’t we prepare some gifts?"
"That is proper," Ye Qiu nodded.
Lin Jingxian was delighted internally, "Then I’ll take care of this matter. After all, I know best my brother and sister-in-law’s preferences. You should give me the keys to the account room and the storage room now, and I will make sure everything is handled perfectly."
Hearing her reveal her true intentions, the corners of Ye Qiu’s mouth slowly curved up in an expression that was more smile than not, as he watched her.
Noticing his expression, Lin Jingxian panicked internally and said unnaturally, "Prince, why do you look at me with that expression?"
Ye Qiu kindly reminded her, "The Princess Consort seems to have forgotten quickly. Don’t you remember what my father-in-law once said? He forbade us from sending overly expensive gifts in the future."
"But this is a gift for my elder brother," Lin Jingxian said, her voice weakening.
"My brother-in-law is the son of my father-in-law, raised under my father-in-law’s education, and will surely share the same view. You don’t need to worry about this matter. I’ve already got an idea; coincidentally, I acquired a couple of paintings by famous artists from the previous dynasty the other day, which I believe my brother-in-law will surely like."
Lin Jingxian felt like vomiting blood upon hearing this. With Ye Qiu’s taste, how could he possibly obtain genuine pieces?
Moreover, it was not really about what gifts to give at the moment. If she was not allowed to get involved in this matter, how could she find another reason to take charge of the household management?
"Prince, you are busy with many matters, let me help you by taking care of this. I won’t go overboard with the gift-giving," Lin Jingxian requested again.
"No need, I’m not that busy, and most of those matters aren’t under my control anyway. You don’t need to take the trouble to help. It’s enough for you to teach Lingling well and not to overexert yourself again," Ye Qiu said with an appearance of caring for her.
Lin Jingxian deeply resented his obtuseness and cursed herself for why she had ever mentioned the excuse of having poor health.