chapter 147

The setting sun hung in the air and like a burning flame, it slowly moved down the mountain. The edge of the sunlight was also dyed with a golden light, as it covered the surrounding yards and trees like they were wrapped around with a layer of golden gauze.

In the seventh lunar month, even when the sun had already gone down, it was still too hot. After a long walk, Yuxi took out her handkerchief and wiped away her sweat. She had some regrets. If she had known about this earlier, she would not have said that she would go over when the sun went down, but rather went there tomorrow morning.

When Yuxi finally arrived at Songxiang Courtyard, Ye Shi noticed Yuxi’s reddened face and immediately instructed, “Bring a bowl of chilled suanmeitang[+]sweet-sour plum juice for Fourth Miss.”

Yuxi smiled and shook her head as she said, “It’s okay. Just bring me a glass of water.” After learning pharmacology, Yuxi knew very well that women shouldn’t take anything icy-cold, and eat freezed things; so she only ate water rich fruits. She would place the fruits inside the well, and if she wanted to eat them, she just needed to get them out directly from inside the well. This was also because Taoran House already had a well. Such as Rose Courtyard which didn’t have any well, they could only be placed in a cool and shady place.

Zisu lowered her head, not letting anyone see her rolled her eyes. If Ye Shi truly considerate, how could she not know that her Miss didn’t eat anything cold. No matter how one put it, it was just that Ye Shi had not been meticulously enough.

Yuxi looked at Ye Shi. Her complexion was pretty good, with her face looking very smooth and round. She could tell that Ye Shi had been taking care of herself quite well, “Dasao[+]eldest sister-in-law, did you call me over for something?”

Ye Shi didn’t expect Yuxi would be asking her directly, and she immediately answered her with a smile, “It’s nothing. I haven’t seen you for quite a few days, thus I was just thinking of having a talk with you.”

Yuxi didn’t point it bluntly. She just said, “I recently scoured some books from my Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege. Those books were very interesting, therefore I didn’t go out very much.”

Ye Shi was just rambling to Yuxi about anything, without bringing out about this morning’s matter. Contrariwise, Yuxi seemed to talk about it unintentionally, and her excuse was that Han Jianming had scolded her after he knew about her reading too much. Then she took advantage of the situation to ask him a lot of questions, so she had stayed in his study a bit longer.

Ye Shi smilingly rebuked her, “You, this girl, reading books too much is not good for your eyes. During your free days, you should go out more.”

After chatting for a little over half an hour, Yuxi took her leave.

Ye Shi personally escorted Yuxi out of the courtyard, then said, “It’s becoming more and more difficult to see through this Fourth Miss.” It had been three years since she had married to Master Shizi[+]a heir of a noble family, so she had a rough idea of what kind of temperament he had. For him to let Yuxi stay in his study for the whole morning, it definitely wasn’t as simple as just asking questions.

Old woman Hua regretted it a bit, “Da Nainai[+]da=eldest, nainai=young mistress of the house, if I hadn’t asked Zijin to go get the anti-abortion medicine from Songxiang Courtyard that day, Fourth Miss wouldn’t have been so cold now.” Fourth Miss used to come here every couple of days to talk with Da Nainai[+]da=eldest, nainai=young mistress of the house, but now, she wouldn’t come even for ten days till half a month. Old woman Hua knew that because of that night event, Fourth Miss had become estranged with Da Nainai[+]da=eldest, nainai=young mistress of the house.

Ye Shi didn’t blame old woman Hua, as she said, “It has nothing to do with you, since you also had gone out of proportion for me and my child’s sake.” The two of them were inside the room at the time, so they didn’t know the situation outside at all. That was why they also didn’t realise that it wasn’t Zijin alone that managed to fend off the bandits. If they had been made aware of it, they wouldn’t make such a demand and offend all those involved for nothing.

Old woman Hua asked, “Da Nainai[+]da=eldest, nainai=young mistress of the house, what should we do now? Master Shizi[+]a heir of a noble family acts too unusual this time. Even if the Imperial Physician diagnosed Nainai’s child to be a girl, Master Shizi[+]a heir of a noble family won’t have been this cold.” Before, she would just suggest to let the matter blossom first and bear fruit later[+]yield positive result for example, but Han Jianming’s attitude made old woman Hua worry that he had already known their real situation.

Ye Shi touched her belly and softly said, “Master Shizi[+]a heir of a noble family will know about this matter sooner or later.” It was impossible to hide such a big matter for much too long. It was already a God’s blessing for them to be able to hide the truth from him until now.

Old woman Hua felt really sorry for Ye Shi, “Da Nainai[+]da=eldest, nainai=young mistress of the house, if Master Shizi[+]a heir of a noble family knew the truth, I can’t say for certain, he might have to marry a secondary wife. Da Nainai[+]da=eldest, nainai=young mistress of the house, don’t we have to plan early?”

Ye Shi was a bit annoyed, “We’ll talk about this later.” Regarding her husband’s future marriage to a secondary wife, no matter what, she would give birth to the child before she could say anything. Right now she just wanted to nurse the child well and give birth to it safely.

Old woman Hua was hesitant, but in the end, she gritted her teeth and said, “Da Nainai[+]da=eldest, nainai=young mistress of the house, Madam’s proposal…”

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Ye Shi’s stern voice, “Mother is already muddled. Can you not be muddled as well?” Madam Ye had become really worried ever since she knew that the Imperial Physician said that it was highly possible that Ye Shi’s child would be a girl. The other day, she even thought about changing Ye Shi’s child to a son, that was, by preparing a boy in advance, and if Ye Shi really had a daughter, she would be exchanged with the boy.

This proposal was flatly rejected by Ye Shi, and she harshly but clearly explained to Madam Ye. Not to mention that her mother-in-law would be beside her, watching her giving birth, even those midwives, maids and old women servants were not just some decorations. Even if she gave birth to a daughter, there were still plenty of first wives who were without sons in the capital, and she hadn’t seen anyone being forced to return to her maiden home. No one could shake her position as long as her maiden family didn’t fall. However, if the matters of exchanging between the children as they had mixed up blood was discovered, then she would be forced to leave right away.

When old woman Hua saw Ye Shi reacted this way, she didn’t dare to say anymore regarding this matter.

After calming herself down, Ye Shi touched her belly and said, “This child, whether it is going to be a boy or a girl, is still my flesh and blood. I will still raise her well.” Once she had done saying those, she warned old woman Hua, “Never mentioned this matter again. Otherwise, don’t blame me for throwing you out despite years of affection between us.” Ever since Ke Minjie incident, her mother had been acting more and more abnormal that she could even come up with such a stupid idea as a child swap. Her mother was already in a mess, but she couldn’t follow suit, or else, she would not be the only ruined, as the child in her belly would also be implicated.

Old woman Hua’s complexion turned white. How would she dare to say another word after hearing this threat?

Ye Shi skipped this subject and asked about the situation in Yunnan, “How is Ke Shi now?” Master Ye and Eldest Young Master Ye had thrown Second Young Master Ye to Yunnan, and they both truly washed their hands of his business[+]Chinese idiom : neglect one’s responsibility, but Madam Ye couldn’t help being worried. Thus, she had sent some men to deliver things to Yunnan before the Dragon Boat Festival. Those men had just returned to the capital two days ago, hence Ye Shi asked about this.

Old woman Hua reported, “Those people who just came back said that Ke Shi lost her child halfway down the road. It was said that since they were constantly on the move for a long distance, it has caused her miscarriage, and she is currently recovering from it.” Ke Shi had lost her child in the middle of their journey, but Second Young Master Ye had to report at the appointed time, so Ke Shi had to stay halfway down the road to be confined for a month. She didn’t dare to let anyone get close to her because she suspected that her miscarriage was the work of the Ye family servants who had followed them in their journey.

While Ke Minjie was in confinement, she couldn’t sit well, as she believed that there were snakes in the grass[+]hidden dangers. When she finally arrived in Yunnan, she wanted to request a physician to nurse her health, but in such a remote place like Yunnan, to find a physician who was very good at nursing one’s health was easier said than done[+]Chinese idiom : not so easy as you thought it to be. Therefore, Ke Minjie still had to take a rest and nourishment to regain her health up till now.

A smile appeared on Ye Shi’s face, “Without beauty and a child beside her, I like to see what will happen to her.”

Old woman Hua hesitated, but she still told Ye Shi the news she had heard from the Ye Residence, “Madam knew that Ke Shi had a miscarriage and she has been chanting scripture for several days now.”

Ye Shi had this ‘never mind about it’ expression on her face, “I knew Mother hates to part with that child (Ke Minjie), otherwise wouldn’t it have been my turn to be struck by her (Ke Minjie)?” If it wasn’t for her mother’s soft heart that day, she would never have let her fall into such a difficult situation. When she thought of Lu Xiu, who was going to marry into the State Residence at the end of the year, her whole body felt quite uncomfortable.

Once Han Jianye returned to the State Residence after his errand, he immediately went to Han Jianming’s study.

Han Jianming waited for him in the study, and brought out Heshou Xianzhu’s matter. At the same time, he also told Han Jianye about Yuxi’s idea, which made Han Jianye felt extremely ashamed.

The two brothers talked from sunset until late at night. Han Jianye didn’t go back to his yard that night and stayed directly in Han Jianming’s study.

After Yuxi heard the news, she instructed Zisu, “Let me know when Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege comes back.” She didn’t regret what she said, and she would say it again, but she didn’t wish to have enmity with Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege because of those words.

However, Yuxi didn’t meet with Han Jianye for several days. Han Jianye was very busy these days, and he wouldn’t be home until late at night. Yuxi wasn’t anxious. If it was what she expected, it should be that Han Jianye was also involved with the plan. She felt that this was a good thing for Han Jianye. Only by improving himself through practice could he mature more quickly.

On this day, Yuxi got the news that Han Jianye was back and immediately went over. But when she reached his gate, she didn’t dare to go in. What she said then was really outrageous, and she didn’t know if Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege had calmed down. [+]This noob translation was translated by a noob translator きつね. Please read this chapter at xin-shou.blogspot.com.

Zisu looked at Yuxi standing still and asked, “What’s wrong, Miss? Why don’t you go in?”

Yuxi straightened her back and crossed over the threshold. The one who stretched his head first would be cut by knife, the one who shrunk his head would also be cut by knife. At most, she would be scolded by Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege, and it was not really a big deal.

Zisu was unable to make head or tail[+]Chinese idiom : baffled to why her Miss gave her the feeling that she was going to a battlefield, with the appearance like she would go to her death like a hero.

Han Jianye was very uncomfortable when he learned that Yuxi had come over.

The maid looked at Han Jianye’s appearance and carefully asked, “Second Master, why don’t I tell Fourth Miss that you’re busy, then I’ll ask her to go back.”

Han Jianye responded, “No need, just let her come in!”

Yuxi entered the study, bowed her head, and sincerely said, “Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege, I’m sorry.”

A few days ago, he was scolded by Yuxi, with her not leaving even a bit of his face at all. Now that Yuxi had apologised, Han Jianye was actually thinking of a way to show off his awe-inspiring authority as an older brother. Just as he was wondering what to say, he saw Yuxi’s tears falling.

Yuxi said as she cried, “Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege, I know I was wrong that day, I shouldn’t have said that to Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege. If Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege is still angry with me, just beat me up, but don’t ignore me. Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege, I really know that I was wrong, so don’t be angry with me, okay?”

Han Jianye feared neither Heaven nor Earth[+]Chinese well-known phrase : fearless, but he really feared a woman’s tears. When he saw Yuxi like this, whatever awe-inspiring authority as an older brother plans that he had been thinking, all had been thrown away. “Don’t cry, I’m not angry.” He really wasn’t angry. He wasn’t someone who was unable to tell good from bad[+]Chinese idiom : mistake good for bad. For Yuxi to speak like that to him, was also for his own good, but he was just a little uncomfortable. As he grew up, this was the first time a person would openly look down on him, and this person was the one whom he always doted on, Yuxi.

With tears still on her face, Yuxi asked, “Are you really not angry?”

Han Jianye quickly shook his head and said, “Not angry. I’m really not angry. All right, don’t cry. Whatever you want to say, I’m good. So don’t cry ah!” He was not very good at coaxing girls, okay!

Yuxi choked as she said, “I thought Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege would ignore me much more?” To her, Han Jianye was the best person in the whole State Residence, and she didn’t want them to gradually get further apart because of this.

Han Jianye smiled and said, “How come? You, this girl, who are good at everything, but think too much. I’ve been busy these past few days, and I was planning to visit you again in a couple of days.”

Yuxi broke into a smile, “It’s good that Er Ge[+]er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege is not angry. In fact, that day, I was….”

Han Jianye hastily interrupted Yuxi, “I know you’re doing this for my own good. Dage[+]eldest brother has already told me. In comparison, I can’t even be compared to you.” At least he couldn’t come up with an idea like Yuxi’s.