Qiao is flustered and afraid “But what if the Third Young Mistress doesn’t have that intention?”

Fang Mama looks at her calmly, saying with eyes cold and solemn “First Young Mistress, do you want to bet on it? First Young Mistress, can you afford to bet on it?”

Qiao is stumped by the question but deep down inside, she knows the answer clearly. She cannot afford to bet on it. This child of hers is hard to come by. If she loses it because of this incident, her status in the Marquis’s mansion would be in danger. You’s attitude towards her has always been lukewarm. If this happens, she would not like her even more and Chunli has always been lusting over that servant, Cui Yan, he might even use this chance to make her his concubine. All these consequences are those that she cannot bear and does not wish to see happen.

Fang Mama’s expression softens “First Young Mistress, there is no need to worry so much. We just need to secretly expose the fact that Third Young Mistress has been using wormwood incense. Once Madam has gotten wind of it, how can she still remain indifferent? Madam is way shrewder than we are, she understands the various things that are at stake here.”

“Besides, First Young Mistress, you have yet to been to Third Young Mistress’s place and we have been staying home for most of the time, who would suspect us? If Third Young Mistress were to suspect, it would be Second Young Mistress who would be suspected.

As though suddenly enlightened, Qiao regains her clear and bright look. Fang Mama is right, as long as they deal with it carefully, Liu Li would never suspect her. Even if she suspects her, she can also say that she heard it from Second sister-in-law. That was the case anyway.

Ye Jiayao walks out of the older family’s courtyard and whispers her instructions to Qiao Xi “Take note of who the servants here interact with.”

She believes that Qiao would definitely take action after she reveals this news to her. Although Qiao doesn’t really have a brain for business, she isn’t totally innocent when it comes to scheming on other aspects. She isn’t open and honest today by making use of Qiao because she has no choice but she still has to guard against Qiao. It would be best if Qiao can do things without any loopholes so that everyone would be alright.

Qiao Xi answers softly and the two walks towards the main house.

You is not around and they were told that she went out. The servants said that Madam has sent word out that there is no need to eat at the main house today, everyone is to have their meals in their respective courtyards. Ye Jiayao did not receive the news because she went to Qiao’s place.

Ye Jiayao would rather that to be the case. You seems to have strong opinions against her and doesn’t seem to favour her. However, she cannot really complain about it because firstly, You has always had a lot on her mind and secondly, she did do some things that don’t satisfy You due to certain reasons. Aye… she shall make up for it after the dust has settled!

When she returned to her courtyard, Zhou Xing’s wife has already sent dinner over.

“Where is the Heir-Son lord?” Ye Jiayao asks while walking in.

Xiang Tao replies “In the study.”

Ye Jiayao goes to the study and sees Xia Chunyu leaning on the chair with a cup of tea in his hand, in a daze.

“Chunyu, what are you thinking about? It’s time to eat, I’ll go wash my hands.” Ye Jiayao greets.

Xia Chunyu regains his senses as he smiles lightly “Where have you been?”

“I went to visit Older sister-in-law, her complexion is not bad.” Ye Jiayao turns to walk away.

After she is done washing up, Xia Chunyu is already sitting at the round table but he is still in a daze.

Qiao Xi lifts up the lid of the dishes and helps the Heir-Son Lord scoop some rice in his bowl. She puts the rice bowl before him and says “Heir-Son lord, please have your meal.”

Ye Jiayao says “Qiao Xi, you don’t have to serve us, go and have your meals too!”

There is no one else in the house anymore, Ye Jiayao smiles “Stop spacing out, eat!”

Xia Chunyu picks up his rice bowl and puts it back down, sighing “Yaoyao, Little Jing and Ah Ruan might be unable to be together.”

Ye Jiayao is stocked “Why did you say that?”

Xia Chunyu sighs heavily again “I made the situation out to be too simple, after spending the few days in the farmlands, I didn’t even know something so big happened.”

Ye Jiayao’s heart sinks “What happened?”

“This thing is still kept a secret in the palace but Elder Princess Yu De knows about it. Little Jing might still be in the dark. Actually, it was His Majesty’s intention for Ah Ruan to marry the Third Prince.”

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“How could this be? Wasn’t it the Third Prince’s request?” Ye Jiayao is extremely shocked. Wouldn’t that subvert their initial deductions?

“If that is His Majesty’s intention, why did he let Little Jing escort Ah Ruan? Everyone would think that His Majesty had that intention.” Ye Jiayao cannot understand at all.

Xia Chunyu’s heart feels heavy “His Majesty had that intention at first but now, an unforeseen event happened…”

Xia Chunyu looks grave “There was news from West Mongolia just now that Helian Xuan has requested to marry the West Mongolia’s King Han’s sister. This Princess has a high prestige in West Mongolia and is a brave general that doesn’t pale in comparison to men.”

Ye Jiayao digests this news silently and very quickly, she understands the complications of the situation. Helian Xuan has helped West Mongolia to settle their internal conflict this time and it is a big contribution to both West Mongolia and Huai Song. As the general with the most outstanding military services in the current dynasty, and now that he wants to marry the West Mongolia Princess, on top of his contributions, marrying the Princess of West Mongolia would put him in a higher status than the Emperor in the eyes of the West Mongolians. Can His Majesty not be wary? If His Majesty still allows Little Jing to marry Ah Ruan, the northwestern and southwestern side would be under the control of the Helian family. How can His Majesty be at ease? Besides, the Crown Prince’s prestige has been on the rise and his largest military support is the Helian Prince’s mansion.

From the past till present, whether to a wise king or a foolish king, the most important thing is the imperial power they have at hand. They want absolute control and governance. If there is anyone or anything that threatens the power, the king would become wary even if that threat comes from the heir that was personally appointed by the king, even if it is his son. Therefore, the Third Prince’s standing out and Consort Shu’s favour might be His Majesty’s intention to keep the Crown Prince in check.

After figuring this out, then, why did the Empress Dowager and Empress not raise any objections with regards to Ah Ruan’s marriage? Instead, they support the decision. She cannot understand this part. Is it because the Emperor has started to become wary of the Crown Prince and Helian Prince’s mansion?

However, what should Ah Ruan do? She suddenly feels upset. Such a bubbly and lively Ah Ruan, can she still laugh without a hint of care and worry like this in future?

Xia Chunyu observes her expression and knows that she has thought of the things at stake. Actually, it is easy to tell that Little Jing has some feelings for Ah Ruan just that he has yet to confirm his feelings at the moment. No matter whether it is from the point of the two families being long-time friends or his relationship with Helian Xuan, he wishes that Little Jing would be happy. Also, the cute and innocent Ah Ruan who is far from home, although it may be a political marriage, he also wishes for Ah Ruan to marry someone she likes.

However, this matter is not one that can be changed easily.

In order to avoid arousing suspicion, the Helian Prince’s Mansion cannot even say anything about it, not to mention fight for it.

“Yaoyao, you… should go and console Ah Ruan about it tomorrow! This is the time where she needs a friend to talk to.” Xia Chunyu says with a hint of bitterness and regret.

Ye Jiayao is so upset she feels like crying. Tears already welled up in her eyes. How is she going to console her? she just told Ah Ruan today that there is no need to worry, that Little Jing would not leave her alone.

“Don’t be too upset too, actually, the Third Prince is not bad…”

“Does not bad means she can marry him? There are so many young ladies from wealthy families in the capital, all of them are not bad, why must you choose me? Why must you go through so much to marry me? It is ultimately to be with someone that we like! it is always easy when we talk about others but when it happens to us, who can be relaxed about it? If Ah Ruan didn’t like Little Jing, if he isn’t in her heart, then marrying the Third Prince might not be a bad choice and she wouldn’t be upset. However, if you already have someone in your heart but you still have to marry someone else, it is a pain that you will never know.” Ye Jiayao is agitated. After hearing him say that, she cannot control the anger within her and lashes out at him.

Xia Chunyu is unable to refute her. He knows what it feels like. When he actively tries to reject the marriage, he also had the worst plan in mind. If His Majesty doesn’t change his mind, he would rather become a monk than to spend his life with someone he doesn’t like. It is too scary.

However, his rejection of the marriage does not affect His Majesty’s imperial power and doesn’t affect the political situation, therefore, there is a way out, unlike Little Jing and Ah Ruan. Even if both of them kill themselves for love in front of His Majesty, His Majesty would not bat a single eyelid.

Seeing his guilt, Ye Jiayao’s face darkens and remains silent. Slowly, she calms down and says softly “Sorry, I know this is not something a person is in control of, I am just feeling upset.”

“You don’t have to apologise, I know you don’t feel good about it. Now that things have turned out like this, we cannot help them and can only console them and help them through the hardest period.” Xia Chunyu puts a hand on top of hers, holding it gently in his hand, saying.

Ye Jiayao sniffs and wipes away her tears, saying in a low tone “I will go and visit Ah Ruan after dinner.”

“Don’t go tonight, Father and Mother are at the Helian Prince’s Mansion now, I will take a trip there too after dinner, if you want to go, you can tag along. Ah Ruan still doesn’t know about the truth, let her have a good night’s sleep!” Xia Chunyu says.

So You’s sudden departure was to go to the Helian Prince’s Mansion. Ye Jiayao nods her head silently and can only feel a certain sorrow. She feels more strongly about the pain of the lack of freedom of choice as a modern spirit compared to the women of this era.

Perhaps Ah Ruan can have a good night’s sleep tonight, what about Little Jing? He would have known about the situation by now. What is he feeling now?

Helpless, helpless and still helpless.

The two of them eat silently, unable to enjoy the taste of the food. They just had a few mouthfuls before changing and proceeding to the Helian Prince’s Mansion.

Seeing their arrival, the housekeeper brings them to Young Royal Highness Jing without a word.

Helian Jing is sitting alone in the study, in a daze at this moment. His heart feels as though there are hundreds of wild horses galloping and neighing, loud and in a mess.

You only realise certain things are not what you think it is when it happens.

When he left the rest stop, he was still hesitating, whether or not he should marry Ah Ruan, is this the best choice? Even if there is no choice, can he accept it gladly? Will he feel unwilling?

However, only when he returned to the mansion did he learn that he already has no choice. Not that he has no choice but to marry her, but no choice because he cannot marry her.