Yan Wanqing had no idea that she had beco the object of interest to the people of the second wife’s family as she slept in late that morning.
When she woke up, she found herself feeling both exhausted and nauseous, unable to vomit, just dry heaving.
Cong Ge, seeing her discomfort, wanted to go out and call for a doctor, was grabbed by Yan Wanqing, "Go fetch Xiaoliu, and tell her I want to eat the apricot fruit preserves she makes by hand."
Yan Lingzhen ca from Sun’s compound to Lotus Garden. As soon as she entered, she saw Yan Wanqing sitting on the Imperial Consort’s couch, her head bowed as she fiddled with the chessboard. Her thoughts stirred, and she let Cong Ge send the maids away.
Once all the doors were closed, Yan Lingzhen approached and sat down across from Yan Wanqing, calling out softly, "Sister."
"I want to stay," Yan Wanqing said, her head still lowered, speaking outright.
Yan Lingzhen frowned, not in approval, "Sister, do you know the price?"
Yan Wanqing herself knew, of course, but she still chose to take the risk.
Her constitution was weak, and she might not be able to bear children in the future. This was the only chance she had to have a child of her own.
Yan Wanqing saw this as a hope gifted by heaven, the only substantial variable in her two lifetis as a person.
So she didn’t want to give it up.
"It’s still a secret now, but have you thought of a plan for when you can’t hide it anymore?" Yan Lingzhen began to think of strategies once she understood Yan Wanqing’s intention.
"Sister has her own Princess Residence, so you can indeed live there for a while, but how will you explain it to Mother? It is so close by, I am afraid the secret cannot be kept under wraps indefinitely."
Yan Wanqing squinted her bright, fox-like eyes; these were all things she had considered. If she was going to keep the child, she must be fully prepared.
"I want him to co into this world in all legitimacy," she declared.
Yan Lingzhen covered her mouth in shock, "Sister, have you really thought it through? To make that scumbag take responsibility?"
"Not him," Yan Wanqing imdiately shook her head. She did not want to have any entanglent with the Xiao Family; she concealed the emotions in her eyes, "This is my child, alone, nothing to do with him."
"Then does Sister an to find an honest man to marry?" Yan Lingzhen was taken aback.
Yan Wanqing did not understand why Yan Lingzhen spoke with such unfamiliar expressions, such as "scumbag" and "honest man," which sounded oddly peculiar.
"There is a very suitable candidate now," Yan Wanqing placed a black and a white stone on the chessboard, "It just so happens, he needs my help too."
Yan Lingzhen was not foolish; seeing Yan Wanqing interchange the positions of the black and white pieces, she could not help but lick her dry lips, "The Young Marquis from the Northern Border."
"Yes." Huai Yu, the Young Marquis from the Northern Border, was nobly born and his marriage aligned perfectly with the status of the Township Manor. More importantly, he was a woman in disguise, which ant she would not need to fulfill marital duties if she were to marry him. There was also the most crucial reason: Yan Wanqing knew that Huai Yu was looking for a marriage alliance in Capital City to consolidate his status at the Northern Border.
Such an alliance would bring mutual benefits for both parties, making it exceedingly appropriate.
Yan Lingzhen couldn’t help but admire her older sister from the bottom of her heart.
Such progressive thinking, such strategic maneuvers, truly befitting the lead character.
"When does Sister plan to ntion it?"
Just as Yan Lingzhen asked, footsteps could be heard from outside. Yan Wanqing put the chess pieces back into the basket and calmly said, "There’s no ti like the present."
No sooner had she spoken than there ca a knock at the door.
"Miss, the Young Marquis is here."
Yan Lingzhen raised her thumb up to Yan Wanqing in admiration.
Impressive, such decisiveness.
Yan Wanqing reached out to press down her thumb and said to the door, "I know, I will be right there."
Of course, it was inappropriate to et with a man in a woman’s boudoir. Yan Wanqing took Yan Lingzhen to an outer room, where Huai Yu was drinking tea.
After their arrival, all the maids withdrew.
Yan Wanqing made a gesture, and the Hidden Guard of the Stormy Building imdiately surrounded the entire chamber.
Huai Yu paused in the middle of drinking tea, clearly noticing the increase in the number of people outside, as the expression on her face also beca inscrutable.
"What does this an, Commandery Princess?"
Yan Wanqing sat down beside her with a gentle expression, "I wish to discuss a deal with the Young Marquis."
Huai Yu looked at her and raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
Yan Wanqing lifted the teapot beside her to refill the teacup, while speaking, "I know the Young Marquis intends to seek a marriage alliance with a lady of noble birth from the Capital City. I wonder if you have found a suitable candidate."
"It seems there are no secrets that can be kept from you, Commandery Princess. That’s right, but the daughters of the Capital City seem not to prefer this Marquis; hence, I’ve acquired nothing thus far."
Yan Wanqing’s red lips curled slightly, as she propped her chin with one hand, leaning forward, her usual cold eyes now shimring with a charming light, "What do you think of , Marquis?"
Huai Yu was so taken aback that she spilled half of the tea in her cup onto herself.
"...Didn’t you reject last ti?" Huai Yu was quite puzzled.
Yan Wanqing chuckled lightly, "Tis have changed. I used to treat the Young Marquis as a man, which is why I refused."
"...Treating as a man... refused..." Huai Yu chewed on these words, the original warmth in her eyes now veiled by a cold light; her face cooled, "What have you discovered?"
Yan Wanqing seed nonchalant, "As the Young Marquis has said, there are no secrets in the Capital City that can be kept from ." As she spoke, she took hold of Huai Yu’s hand that was holding the teacup and splashed the remaining half-cup of tea onto her as well.
"You!" Huai Yu suddenly realized it was that day, on the carriage.
Seeing her recollection, Yan Wanqing continued, "Apart from the Princess, there’s no lady in the Capital City of higher status than . There are many benefits to marrying , Young Marquis."
"I want to know why you suddenly changed your mind." Huai Yu’s voice no longer maintained its artificial emphasis, now filled with a lady’s soft charm.
Yan Wanqing seized her hand and gently placed it on her own abdon, her eyes bright and glistening as she looked at Huai Yu, "Because of this."
Huai Yu was dumbstruck, "You, how are you... ?"
Yan Lingzhen, who had been watching the drama unfold, yawned, "What’s there to make such a fuss over?"
Huai Yu found it inconceivable—the Commandery Princess of Anping was pregnant before marriage; was this not sothing to be shocked about?
"Who is the father of the child?" she couldn’t help but ask.
Yan Wanqing brushed her hand away, "Don’t ask about things you shouldn’t."
Huai Yu’s face turned green, "Do you want to play the joyful father?"
Yan Wanqing was silent, but Yan Lingzhen couldn’t help but roll her eyes, "You speak as if you were a real man."
Huai Yu: "..."
"Xiaoliu, speak less," Yan Wanqing interrupted the exchange between the two, looking seriously at Huai Yu, "In fairness, now you also know my secret. We are both won and each carry our own burdens. My mother also hopes that I can marry to the Northern Border. If you have any concerns, you can state them now."
Huai Yu’s expression was complex. Marrying her would be all advantageous without any harm. Yet as she said, they were both won, and Huai Yu had always harbored a compassionate heart towards her.
"I only fear that you will regret it later."
Yan Wanqing shook her head and reached out to hold Huai Yu’s hand, "You needn’t worry about that. I will not regret it."
Huai Yu heaved a sigh, "Marriage is no trifling matter. You must think carefully before you act, Commandery Princess. Soone like might just stay this way for the rest of my life, but it’s different for you. You have a wonderful life ahead, and I really don’t want to drag you down because of this."
If it weren’t for not wanting to burden others, with her ans, she would have already been warmly involved with the noble daughters of the Capital City.
It was at this mont that she heard Yan Wanqing say solemnly.
"I have my purposes for marrying you, too."
Reviews
All reviews (0)