Ye Yuan is now growing sturdy and solid. Upon seeing his elder sister and brother-in-law bringing his niece, he slid down from the rattan chair by himself, refusing the nurse’s hand, standing by waiting alone.
Ye Xinyan, after the three had paid their respects, Ye Yuan ca forward, and perfunctorily perford a courtesy, then stepped up to take Ah Xiu’s hand, "Ah Xiu, co, Little Uncle will take you to find Uncle’s two brothers to play."
Ye Xinyan supported her forehead: "Ye Yuan, Qi Jia might be alright, but Qi Sanshun is already an adult, how could he have ti to play with two little brats?"
Ye Yuan imdiately stiffened his neck and looked back, eyes widened, using his little chubby hand to pat his chest, saying: "Brother Yuan is also an adult, he’s an Uncle."
Ye Xinyan was speechless. Indeed, he wasn’t just an Uncle, tomorrow he might be Duke An. What kind of thing is this? A Duke whose baby teeth haven’t fallen out, not yet five. For heaven’s sake, where can one reason with this?
Watching Ye Yuan lead Ah Xiu away, escorted by maidservants and old won servants, bopping out the door, Ye Xinyan couldn’t help but feel envious, jealous, and resentful.
Duke An asked with a smile from the side: "What kind of look is that? Watching your brother and daughter go out, why do your eyes look all red, as if wanting to devour soone?"
Ye Xinyan reluctantly withdrew her gaze, "Isn’t it because I’m jealous of that kid for having such a high hereditary title at just a few years of age?"
The Duchess glanced at Ye Xinyan with so reproach, secretly blaming her for being thoughtless. Although their old man is sowhat older, he is still robust.
Moreover, the hereditary title always passes on after the previous generation passes away, then the princely heir succeeds. Now, their Duke is in good health, having just quelled a rebellion, achieving great rit for the court and His Majesty, yet is forced to prematurely hand over the title to a young grandson, which is truly unjust.
But her granddaughter doesn’t seem to sympathize with the Duke’s feeling at all, suddenly blurting out such words, isn’t this stabbing at soone’s heart?
Duke An won’t argue with his granddaughter, having made the choice that day fully prepared to bear all consequences. Even if things were to start over, he would still choose the sa result.
"Alright, there are plenty of people in the capital jealous of Brother Yuan, your turn won’t co. You two should prepare to safeguard and support your younger brother properly."
Jiang Yifan quickly agreed, "Ah Yan and Brother Yuan have a profound relationship there, Grandfather needn’t worry about this. As long as Grandfather is healthy, no matter which position you occupy, the capital holds a share of your honor. We juniors are still waiting for your shelter."
"Look at my grandson-in-law, how considerate he is." Duke An nodded delightfully, enjoying the mont.
The Duchess suggested again seeing Duke An in good spirits: "Duke has spent half his life guarding the border pass, dedicated to the court’s territory, and this ti made great contributions to the country. Why not request His Majesty to see if there’s room for change?"
Duke An had heard similar words several tis before, feeling rather helpless toward his wife’s persistence. To have married soone who respects him so highly was lucky enough. However, his wife’s overly simplistic ideas sotis were indeed quite troubling.
"Why not, Duke try again tomorrow when attending court, put the request for Brother Yuan’s inheritance aside. How about it?" The Duchess continued to persuade.
Duke An, without choice, straightened his body: "Hmm, alright, I’ll discuss this with Yuanfan and Xinyan, and ask the advisors whether the morial for Brother Yuan’s peerage can be postponed." Let’s first avoid the nagging, no rush.
The Duchess rejoiced upon hearing, standing up with, "Then you go ahead, I’ll have the kitchen send so refreshnts to the outer courtyard."
The refreshnts followed Duke An and the three’s steps arriving at the outer study room, though they had no appetite for them.
Ye Xinyan seated on a chair in Duke An’s study room imdiately frowned, complaining: "What’s up with His Majesty? Everyone working together to save him, how could he act like this?"
She held these words back for a long ti. At her ho, she hadn’t got a chance to say them. Later, in the carriage traversing the streets, she hadn’t dared to speak. Only now did she find the chance to vent.
Duke An took a sip of hot tea, sighed: "This can’t be blad on His Majesty. His Majesty didn’t manage the nature of Crown Prince and Prince Fu well, leaving only Lih Mian alone to handle the unexpected. As a result, not only did he nearly end up in a desperate situation, but so many ministers also acted against protocol without imperial decree, thus unsettling His Majesty."
Ye Xinyan discontentedly said: "But neither can it be blad on you! Had you not appeared, without those preparations, even if Commander Lih could ensure His Majesty’s peace, this capital, even the entire Great Xia might’ve been mired in endless war."
Duke An shook his head helplessly, said to Jiang Yifan: "Xinyan, this girl is so unruly, you should discipline her more in the future."
Jiang Yifan quickly bowed and agreed, respecting Duke An’s feelings. On one hand, he and Hu Jing had arrangents, yet it was Duke An who disregarded royal taboos, privately contacting old troops in support, which was crucial.
Whether he could discipline Ye Xinyan, that he wasn’t sure, but he believed Ye Xinyan, in terms of assessing situations, wasn’t inferior to anyone, would never recklessly oppose figures like the emperor.
Duke An explained to Ye Xinyan: "The whole world is under the emperor’s control, the extent of power is bound to make the emperor’s thoughts different from ordinary people across every dynasty. Grandfather, unbeknownst to the emperor, arbitrarily mobilized the court’s army of 100,000, Yuanfan even went as far as manipulating minds, including factoring Lih Mian, these are major taboos of the royal family. Fortunately, the current emperor is wise, Grandfather with decades of mutual understanding with the emperor, not falling into harm for it. However, you must heed this in future deeds."
These final words were directed at Jiang Yifan. If future circumstances unfold smoothly, with no surprises, the one to inherit the throne would surely be Jinrong.
No matter how previous relationships were, once seated in that supre position, as a minister, Jiang Yifan must cautiously gauge the boundaries between them, to avoid offending the emperor, invoking trouble upon himself.
Jiang Yifan nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Grandfather is right, the current His Majesty is wise, hence summoning us, stating those words, Yuanfan appreciates the imperial grace profoundly. In future interactions with the emperor, I will know my bounds."
Ye Xinyan’s eyes darted between the two, surveying both this one and that one.
Their exchange was so synchronized, knowing they were expressing emotions in their own ho, unknowing might think they were staging a performance, declaring loyalty to others, showing devotion to the emperor.
Duke An looked at her, laughed: "You must appreciate the emperor’s grace, understand? For if it was another emperor, praising Grandfather and Yuanfan greatly might indeed occur at first, only to quietly execute in due course. Perhaps there wouldn’t even be praise, directly plotting in the Imperial Guard Camp falsely accusing us, claiming our actions collaborated with rebel forces, ending with the extermination of our entire family."
Ye Xinyan instinctively nodded, this she understood. But she didn’t comprehend why Duke An and Jiang Yifan, two cunning foxes, could sincerely appreciate the emperor’s kindness.
Is it the foolish loyalty of the ancients? Or are they broad-minded enough to sympathize with the emperor?
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