Chapter 20: Can’t Always Have It Easy

Chapter 20: Can't Always Have It Easy

Mr. Yu looked at his son with suspicion in his heart. Lan Yi had really grown up and now knew how to be considerate of others. Sure, anyone can be considerate, but Lan Yi had always been a troublemaker since childhood, always fooling around and never taking anything seriously. If you tried to get him to understand you, he’d just snap back, saying why you didn’t understand him, as he was tired from playing all day.

Before the marriage, he was sulking in his room, but now he was siding with someone else, not allowing anyone to say a word against him. It seemed like Zheng Shanci had him under a spell.

In just three days, what kind of feelings could there be?

Mr. Yu’s mind wandered.

He Ming's feelings were even more complicated. He had grown up with Lan Yi and was well aware of his temperament. He never thought Lan Yi would stand up for another man. This made He Ming feel quite unsettled. His mother had told him not to come, but he had insisted on following his grandmother. Now, hearing that Lan Yi was doing well, he wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or sad.

He really felt like his little cousin had grown up, and the person standing by his side was not him.

The Duchess patted Lan Yi’s hand affectionately. "Make sure to eat well when you get home today. Only with a full stomach can you stay healthy. Don’t push yourself to tough it out. If anything goes wrong, write to your grandmother. I will always stand by you."

Hearing this, Lan Yi’s throat tightened. He nodded and smiled, "Grandmother, Zheng Shanci wouldn’t dare treat me badly. Don’t worry about me. I will definitely live a good life."

"Hearing you say that shows you’ve grown up," Mr. Yu waved his hand. "This is what I’ve prepared for you. I don’t know what to give you for your journey to Xinfeng County. The road from the capital to that place is too long, so I thought money would be the most useful. The box has some of my savings. Take it and don’t let yourself suffer."

"Dad, you’re so good to me."

The dowry was already the envy of the entire capital, and Mr. Yu still wanted to give Lan Yi extra money privately. Not to mention the deeds and shops in the dowry, most of which were in the capital. Even if rented out, they would bring in a considerable amount of rent annually.

The legacy of a noble family was something ordinary folks could only dream of.

Lan Yi wasn’t the sentimental type. He told Jin Yun to take the box.

The three of them laughed and chatted as they walked, while He Ming trailed behind with his head down. The Duchess, being the head of the family, couldn’t ask certain questions, but Mr. Yu had no such reservations.

Seizing the moment while He Ming couldn’t hear them, he naturally asked about that aspect.

"How was your wedding night?"

This was a serious matter. In the previous dynasty, a princess had taken a fancy to a handsome-looking prince consort, only to find out on the wedding night that he was all show and no substance. This left the princess extremely resentful. With the emperor’s tacit approval, the princess took on lovers. Marriage was something that couldn’t be tested, so he could only ask Lan Yi.

Hearing this, Lan Yi blushed. He and Zheng Shanci hadn’t done a thing, not even touched each other, let alone been intimate. He mumbled, "Satisfied... I guess."

As long as his son-in-law was in good health, that was all that mattered.

Lan Yi hadn’t thought about this before, but after hearing Mr. Yu’s words, he began to wonder. What if Zheng Shanci had issues? Because on the wedding night, there had been no movement at all, which was quite strange.

The group walked to the pavilion in the garden and saw a servant standing there. Inside, two people were sitting opposite each other. It was the Marquis of Changyang and Zheng Shanci, the father-in-law and son-in-law playing chess.

The group approached. Lan Yi didn’t understand chess, but the other three did. Mr. Yu looked at the current board and his eyebrows twitched. The black and white pieces were locked in a fierce battle, and the board was almost full.

The Marquis of Changyang stroked his beard, deep in thought. Hearing the commotion, he looked up and saw Mr. Yu and the others. His fingers moved slightly, and he was even more determined not to lose to Zheng Shanci in front of them.

Zheng Shanci also saw Mr. Yu, Lan Yi, the Duchess, and He Ming.

As a junior, he stood up and bowed, "Greetings to Father, Grandmother, and Second Cousin."

The Duchess smiled, "Rise. At home, there’s no need for such formalities. I see you’re about to finish the game. Continue playing."

Though the Duchess said not to worry about formalities, seeing Zheng Shanci’s proper manners, she couldn’t help but feel more satisfied.

Hearing this, Zheng Shanci sat down confidently and continued playing chess with the Marquis of Changyang.

Zheng Shanci subtly let the Marquis of Changyang win the game.

The Marquis of Changyang looked pleased, and Zheng Shanci said, "Father-in-law, your chess skills are truly impressive."

"You’re quite skilled yourself."

Zheng Shanci looked up and happened to meet Mr. Yu’s half-smiling gaze. He smiled shyly, and Mr. Yu gave an understanding smile.

"I asked you to show Shan Ci around the manor, but instead, you pulled him into a chess game, just to indulge yourself."

The Marquis of Changyang laughed, "I just noticed how good Shan Ci is at chess and couldn’t resist a match. I got so caught up that I forgot what you told me, dear."

Zheng Shanci said, "I had a great time playing chess with Father-in-law."

Yu Lanyi, seeing Zheng Shanci’s composed demeanor, let out a soft hum and stood by Mr. Yu’s side, as delicate as the beautiful begonia flowers outside.

He’s always so smooth with his words, and now he’s even winning over Father and Dad.

Look, Father and Dad are pleased with him, and even Grandmother is being kinder.

"Lunch is ready, dear."

Mr. Yu responded, "It’s about time, let’s eat."

After the meal, Zheng Shanci thought dining at the Marquis’s manor was a real treat. There was a variety of dishes, all fresh and perfectly cooked.

After the meal, the Duchess left with He Ming.

He Ming turned back and said, "Lan Yi, if Zheng Shanci gives you any trouble, let me know."

Yu Lanyi replied, "I will, Second Cousin."

Zheng Shanci smiled, "Don’t worry, Second Cousin, I’ll take good care of Lan Yi."

He Ming saw Zheng Shanci’s smile fade, "We’ll see."

Zheng Shanci wasn’t blind; he could see that He Ming had special feelings for Yu Lanyi. If he truly had such feelings, he should have married Yu Lanyi before he was wedded to him. Now, saying these things, as the official husband, Zheng Shanci naturally couldn’t back down.

"You two aren’t in a rush, stay for dinner. Lan Yi, show Shan Ci to your room for a nap."

"If he takes my bed, where am I supposed to sleep?"

"You’ll sleep together, of course," Mr. Yu said with a chuckle, covering his mouth.

Yu Lanyi: "..."

Yu Lanyi reluctantly led Zheng Shanci to his room. The courtyard was mostly cleared, with just a bed and bedding left. Yu Lanyi needed his nap, or he’d be groggy all afternoon.

Alone, the bed felt roomy, but with two, it was a bit tight.

"That’s the son-in-law. I only saw him at the wedding, but he’s quite handsome," a servant whispered as they saw Yu Lanyi leading Zheng Shanci back to the courtyard.

"Yes, he’s as impressive as any noble in the capital. He looks almost divine."

"I still like Heir Ye better. He’s from a good family, trusted by the Emperor, and has a promising future."

...

Zheng Shanci went into Yu Lanyi’s room, and the servants left. Yu Lanyi took off his outer robe and lay on the bed, "I’ll take the inside, you take the outside."

Zheng Shanci replied, "Alright."

It was still too crowded, Zheng Shanci thought, unsure where to put one of his hands, so he had to tuck it in.

He had seen the wealth of the Marquis of Changyang and understood why Yu Lanyi had been so resistant to marrying him. Compared to others, marrying him indeed offered nothing.

After a moment of contemplation, Zheng Shanci said softly, "Today is your homecoming day. I have nothing valuable to give you to honor you, but if we are still together someday, I want to give you that dignity."

As he spoke, he truly meant it. Even the dowry was handled by Mr. Yu, and though they weren’t truly a couple, he always felt a sense of guilt.

Having traveled from modern times, he was shaped by modern, open-minded thinking and didn’t take marriage seriously. But for Yu Lanyi, it was different. Yu Lanyi still had expectations for marriage, and he couldn’t just take it for granted or ignore others' feelings just because he didn’t care.

In short, he wanted Yu Lanyi to be as happy as he could be after marrying him, which was the least he could offer.

Zheng Shanci’s face softened as he turned around. Yu Lanyi, facing the corner with his back to him, was already asleep.

Zheng Shanci sighed and adjusted the blanket for Yu Lanyi.

...

Today was Yu Lanyi’s homecoming day, and Yu Shiyan didn’t go up to stir trouble. He always preferred to stay in his courtyard and mind his own business. He knew Mr. Yu hated him, and the Marquis of Changyang and Yu Lanyi didn’t like him either, so he had long been alone in his courtyard.

"Master, I heard from Mr. Yu that the Marquis intends to marry you off."

Yu Shiyan: "At my age, it’s time to marry. Who I marry is up to Mr. Yu, no need to panic."

"But Master, what about you and Heir Ye..."

"Be careful with your words! I have no relationship with Heir Ye. Watch your mouth. If I hear this again, I’ll act like you were never my servant."

"Master, I understand."

Yu Shiyan sighed: "There’s no possibility between us. If outsiders hear this, it will cause trouble. We can’t afford any trouble now. I just want to marry quietly, be my own master, and no longer live under someone else’s shadow."

The servant’s eyes filled with tears: "I understand. Master has had a hard journey, and I shouldn’t have said that. Master just wants to be the head of the household, not to be a concubine and lower himself for no reason."

"You understand well." Yu Shiyan smiled: "Noble families look down on my status, and I’m not someone who clings to power. I disdain serving them. If I live, I live for myself."