novelraw Chapter 742 - 731: Stand-In Younger Sister
Chapter 742 - 731: Stand-In Younger Sister
Ye Wangshi gazed at her daughter with reluctance, and finally, the head of the Ye Family, Ye Borong, spoke up: "Xiaxia, Father hopes you remember one thing: If you encounter any difficulties, you can always ask for help from me and your mother, but if you cause any trouble, you must not implicate the household, do you understand?"
Upon hearing these words, Ye Xia’s face fell, and she said indignantly, "Am I not sensible enough for you to worry so? I always knew that I am the least valued in this family. It’s okay that my brother, being a male, will inherit the family business, and I have nothing to say about that. But why can’t you and mother be a little more affectionate towards me? I am the one who will strive for wealth and status for our family."
"Your father and mother do love you. Your father didn’t mean that. He simply wants you to be more careful and not fall victim to the cunning ones," Ye Wangshi hurriedly comforted her, seeing the sad look on Ye Xia’s face.
"I understand, it’s just that I’m a bit jealous of my younger sister. I don’t know what the palace is like, but I hope I can catch the Holy Emperor’s eye and win honor for you and father," Ye Xia said righteously on the verge of departure, setting a trap for Ye Qiu.
Being twins, Ye Qiu didn’t understand why Ye Xia had disliked her since childhood. Could it truly be due to jealousy? But wasn’t she the one who actually benefitted? With Ye Xia’s intelligence, how could she not realize that?
Perhaps she did realize it but pretended not to know, guessing that she wanted to become the only legitimate daughter of the Ye Family.
Ye Qiu didn’t speak, knowing that whatever she said in this household, no one would care. On the contrary, she might even be scolded by Ye Fu and Ye Mu for having received so much already, asking why she couldn’t yield to her sister.
A household full of self-deceiving people, was it just because she had a frail body and an unpleasing personality?
If they disliked her so much, why did they raise her until now? Was it to boast about their benevolence, or was it because they couldn’t get over something in their conscience?
If they couldn’t get over it after all these years, why would Ye Xia take the risk against the huge taboo and ask her to take her place when needed?
It should be about time. The strife among the four princes had already begun. Now attacks on Prince Zhao, Prince Liang, and Prince An had started, and as for childless Prince Li, rumors about his cruelty and wife-repelling nature were spreading.
Although by right, someone born from Imperial Merchants like Ye Xia wouldn’t qualify for the position of Princess Consort, but considering that this year’s selected concubines were of low status, plus the rumors about Prince Li repelling his wives and the Emperor’s disfavor towards him, it’s unlikely that Ye Xia would be granted the title of official wife.
Perhaps due to the Emperor’s ulterior motives, not many concubines were sent out of the palace; most of them remained in Chuxiu Palace, and now Ye Xia finally realized that things were not as simple as she imagined.
She definitely did not want to be assigned to a Vassal King, not just because the Emperor would never let a Vassal King ascend the throne, but also because all three Vassal Kings already had official wives. The only one without an official wife was a man reputed to repel his wives, disliked by the Emperor. She would not want to go to the cold and barren Northwest.
But becoming a consort of the Holy Emperor is no easy feat, right? Your Majesty hasn’t favored the harem in several months, and it’s said that his health is not what it used to be. Even if she were favored, could she become pregnant with a royal successor at once? If she fails to bear a son smoothly, wouldn’t she end up living in the Cold Palace?
Her youth has just begun, and she has a whole life ahead. She does not want to end up isolated in a small palace chamber, overlooked by everyone. If she had known the situation in the palace was like this, she wouldn’t have tried so hard. It would have been better to be eliminated and leave the palace, just as mother said, to find a simple scholar; then she would eventually have her day dressed in phoenix robes and coronet.
But what’s the use of realizing this now? It’s all too late.
"It’s so cold, why did you arrange to meet me out here?" Wang Yanran said softly, "Didn’t you say that it’s chaotic in the capital recently and we shouldn’t wander around?"
Holding her teacup, Ye Qiu smiled lightly: "We are just two ladies; as long as we don’t stir up trouble, we should be fine. And after staying at home for so long, aren’t you bored?"
"Bored, how can I not be bored? Where do you want to go and have a look?" Wang Yanran asked, brimming with excitement.
Ye Qiu’s eyes flickered as she suggested, "Why don’t we take a stroll by the lake? It’s less crowded there, quiet and peaceful."
"But the lakeside is windy, and your health..." Wang Yanran hesitated greatly.
Ye Qiu shook her head: "It’s okay, I dressed warmly today on purpose, and I’ve also brought a hand warmer."
"All right then, but you must tell me immediately if you feel anything amiss."
"Mhm."
What Wang Yanran didn’t notice was that a Little Red Bird occasionally flew over their heads, each time lingering for a bit before flying away.
"Qiuqiu, why do you want to meet that Prince Li?" Little Golden Crow asked puzzledly.
"It’s nothing much, just to create some upset for my dear sister Ye Xia in advance."
The scenery at Wangyue Lake was beautiful, but because the wind was strong during the winter, there were not many people around, just a few fishermen on the lake.
Ye Qiu and Wang Yanran walked along the lakeside until they saw a patch of reeds and Ye Qiu said, "The wind is lighter there, why don’t we sit down? I’ve also asked the servants to bring two fishing rods, so if we could catch a couple of fish, we could have a picnic here."
Wang Yanran looked at her helplessly: "But can your body withstand it?"
Ye Qiu, arm in arm with her, coaxed: "Oh please, Cousin, I’ve hardly ever gone out for fun since I grew up. Doctor Liu said I might have only a couple of years left, won’t you let me enjoy myself just this once?"
Seeing Ye Qiu say that, Wang Yanran naturally couldn’t refuse anymore, but still frowned and said, "You mustn’t speak of such things in the future. Perhaps we might come across a doctor with even greater medical skills? One must never give up hope."
"Mhm, I’ll listen to you, Cousin." With one fishing rod each, the maids shielded the sisters with a cloth behind them, and even lit a fire in the middle, so although the cold wind blew, it wasn’t really cold.
At this moment, Little Golden Crow flew to the reed bed again and transmitted to Ye Qiu: "Qiuqiu, the person you’re waiting for is heading this way."
Ye Qiu’s eyes drooped upon hearing this, indeed, she had come here on purpose, knowing that Prince Li, Duan Huaijin would come here, because there was a batch of treasure hidden under the reeds, given privately by the late Emperor, which was also the reason he had the money to maintain an army.
"I really wonder how my sister is doing in the palace right now?" As she estimated the time, Ye Qiu suddenly spoke, her powerful Divine Sense also detected someone stopping not far away.
"Ye Xia? Why are you suddenly asking about her?" Wang Yanran’s disdainful voice rang out, "She knew you’ve been in poor health since childhood and yet she competed with you for everything, treating you like an enemy. Why worry about her?"
Ye Qiu’s voice carried a hint of weariness: "No matter what, she is still my twin sister. Entering the palace was also for the family’s welfare."
"Pfft!" Wang Yanran scoffed, "Please, her? She would never take risks for anyone else. Entering the palace was nothing more than to seek great wealth and status for herself, don’t talk about her, it’s depressing."