Chapter 19 The Affection of Those Years, She Never Forgot…

Chapter 19: The Bond of Yesteryear, Never Forgotten…

Bi He mentioned Yao Er’s budding affection for Ming Lan. Suppressing her surprise, she patiently observed for days, confirming that this maid, linked to a past acquaintance, was indeed restless.

What truly alarmed her was Ming Lan’s unusual attentiveness toward Yao Er. Though Ming Lan was inherently reserved and composed, his gaze would linger on Yao Er for extended periods. Others might not notice, but it couldn’t escape his mother’s discerning eye.

This matter gave Yan Xuerui a severe headache. Despite her humble origins, the Yan family was prosperous. As the eldest daughter, Yan Xuerui had always been attended by maids and servants. After marrying into the Gu family, and with Gu Yan’s increasing favor with the emperor, the Marquis’s estate became immensely wealthy, naturally fostering a certain pride and self-importance in her.

The eldest legitimate son, groomed with the full might of the Marquis’s household, surely deserved a wife of equal standing. Even though Ming Lan had claimed indifference to family background, every candidate presented to her and the elder madam boasted distinguished lineage and impeccable character, making selection a dazzling challenge.

In stark contrast, she couldn’t help but feel the two were ill-suited. Moreover, Yao Er’s unique identity made her reluctant for them to become too entangled.

Was she destined to become the wicked mother-in-law from the plays, tearing lovers apart?

Yan Xuerui’s heart was heavy with worry. Ming Lan’s situation differed from Ming Wei’s; she couldn’t confide in Gu Yan. Coupled with Gu Yan’s recent peculiar behavior, Yan Xuerui deliberated for days, leading to today’s conversation.

If… if Ming Lan truly harbored feelings, she would then devise a solution.

Fortunately, Ming Lan showed no interest in Yao Er. With her decision firm, Yan Xuerui dismissed everyone and spoke plainly to Yao Er: "Here are your indenture papers. You may leave. From this day forward, you have no further connection to our Marquis’s residence."

"You’re casting me out?"

Yao Er detested Gu Yan and scorned Yan Xuerui, yet ever since Ming Lan saved her life that day, an inexplicable, uncontrollable affection had stirred within her for their eldest son. Her heart was a tangled mess of conflicting thoughts, and upon hearing this sudden, dreadful news, she naturally refused.

"I cannot leave!"

Her face paled dramatically as she urgently exclaimed, "I… you… have you forgotten? I was commanded to protect—"

"I do not require your protection."

Yan Xuerui spoke with a cool detachment. Today, she wore a crabapple-red, gold-embroidered jacket over a matching cloud-patterned gossamer skirt. Her raven hair, like a cloud, was loosely secured with a jade hairpin, and a cluster of budding white peonies, still glistening with morning dew, adorned her temple.

This attire, far from the opulent splendor and dignified elegance expected of a noblewoman, instead lent her a youthful, fresh appearance. Her piled tresses, skin like creamy snow, and a waist so slender it seemed it might snap in the wind, made her appear both beautiful and delicate.

Just as Yao Er had first perceived her.

Back then, she had scorned and belittled this woman, seeing only a beautiful face, resenting her for betraying her rightful father’s profound devotion. Even as a maid in the Marquis’s residence, she hadn’t exerted herself, assuming Yan Xuerui’s gentle nature meant she wouldn’t be bothered.

Now, in the same attire, the same person, Yan Xuerui lowered her gaze, observing her calmly. Her voice remained soft as water, yet Yao Er felt an intense, crushing pressure.

That sensation was strikingly similar to facing the master of the Marquis’s residence, Gu Yan, the Grand Tutor.

Having been married for nearly twenty years, through constant exposure and subtle influence, perhaps even Yan Xuerui herself hadn’t realized that her condescending demeanor toward Yao Er mirrored Gu Yan’s at times.

She stated, "Cousin Zhixu is a true gentleman. It was I who lacked the good fortune. Since he has found a worthy partner, I wish him a splendid future, a virtuous wife, and filial children. As for meeting again… there is no need."

Yao Er hadn’t anticipated that words spoken in a fit of pique would be so profoundly misunderstood by Yan Xuerui. She hadn’t yet reconciled her own feelings, but she knew, at this moment, she did not wish to depart.

Yao Er bit her lip, struggling to speak, "That’s not it…"

Her rightful father was crippled, blind, disfigured, and had waited for her his entire life. His life had been ruined by this woman! He was not doing well at all.

But her rightful father had forbidden her to speak of it. What to do? As Yao Er wrestled with this internal conflict, the sound of a baby crying grew from distant to near, intensifying until it seemed capable of shaking the roof.

"Madam, the young master won’t stop crying. The wet nurses can’t soothe him. What do you suggest?"

Bi He’s flustered voice came from outside. Yan Xuerui’s attention was immediately diverted. She rose, walking toward the door, saying, "What’s the matter? Let me see him quickly."

"There, there, little one, don’t cry. Mother will hold you."

Yan Xuerui took her youngest son from the wet nurse, one hand supporting his neck, the other cradling his tiny bottom, while tucking in the edges of his swaddling. She gently rocked him in her arms.

"He was perfectly fine yesterday. What’s wrong today?"

"Not full? Or struggling to sleep?"

Yan Xuerui gently wiped the tears from his tender face with her fingertip, then unfastened her collar and sat with him on the pearwood couch by the window.

She had recovered well from childbirth, and her milk supply was abundant. With Gu Yan practicing abstinence these past few days, the copious milk in her breasts had no release, causing some discomfort and fullness.

"Heaven is our witness, we have cared for the young master with utmost devotion, never daring to neglect him!"

"Exactly, exactly. The young master eats well and sleeps soundly. He clearly missed you, Madam. See, as soon as you hold him, he stops crying."

"After all, it’s his birth mother. The bond of blood is unmatched. No one else compares…"

"…"

The Marquis’s young master had six wet nurses in total, rotating in shifts of three. A child’s mood was as unpredictable as June weather; no one could pinpoint why he cried. But if the young master cried incessantly during their shift and it reached the Madam’s ears, it was their fault.

The three stout wet nurses chattered incessantly, their voices buzzing, completely encircling Yan Xuerui’s slender form. Other maids scurried about, fetching diapers, serving tea, bringing new clothes… The room was a flurry of activity, so much so that when Yao Er was gagged and led away, not a sound was heard.

***

The Virtuous Prince’s Residence.

In a secluded courtyard, Yao Er changed out of her light green vest and let down the bud-style bun her maid had fashioned, no longer appearing as demure as she had in the Marquis’s residence. With an oval face and willow-leaf eyebrows, she possessed a subtle charm upon closer inspection.

With a creak—, she pushed open the door. The room was simply furnished, with a plain silk Taiji Eight Trigrams diagram hanging centrally. Below it, a low nanmu table held a bronze incense burner, from which wisps of white smoke ascended, filling the room with a faint sandalwood scent.

"I failed to fulfill my rightful father’s command. Please punish me."

Yao Er knelt on both knees, her demeanor dejected.

After a moment of silence, a young servant in blue pushed a man in a wheelchair out from behind the Yin-Yang Eight Trigrams diagram. The man was slender, clad in a loose Daoist robe. His hair, a mix of black and white, was tied up with a crown. Most striking was his face: from jawline to brow, the left side was completely obscured by a silver mask, revealing only half a face with soft contours and refined features.

His eyes, like autumn water, had thick, long lashes that drooped slightly, lending him an air of profound compassion.

"The floor is cold. Rise first and explain slowly."

Fang Zhixu’s voice was calm, devoid of any reproach.

The more composed he was, the guiltier Yao Er felt. She had failed her rightful father’s teachings. His command was for her to observe the Marchioness of Jingyuan on his behalf. If she was faring well, Yao Er was to remain in the Marquis’s residence and secretly protect her. If she was not…

"Rightful Father, she… she…"

"The Marchioness was forced! She weeps daily and yearns to escape the Marquis’s residence at every moment!"

In an instant, many thoughts flashed through Yao Er’s mind: her first sight of Yan Xuerui, surrounded by admirers; the Marquis’s maids gossiping about the Marquis and Madam’s deep affection; the moans echoing from the main residence every night; Gu Yan instinctively draping his outer robe over Yan Xuerui when the wind picked up… Finally, all that remained was the woman’s beautiful, cold profile as she was led away.

She was doing very well, deeply cherished by the powerful Grand Tutor Gu. Her mother-in-law was kind, and there were no conflicts with sisters-in-law. She had three children—the youngest healthy and strong, the eldest… he was nothing like his father.

But why should it be so!

How could such a faithless, social-climbing woman deserve her rightful father’s sincere devotion? She had everything; why did she have to drive her away and separate her from… Young Master Ming Lan?

How dare she look at her that way—so condescending, as if looking at ants on the ground.

Yao Er’s fingertips turned red from clenching them. She knew she shouldn’t lie to her rightful father, but she was blinded by anger now. Besides, it was for his own good. If he still cared deep down, wouldn’t reclaiming her be better?

Perhaps her rightful father was struggling with this very issue and merely awaiting her gentle nudge.

If her rightful father took action, he would inevitably interact with the Jingyuan Marquis’s residence again. If he sent her out, perhaps… she could see him once more.

Yao Er closed her eyes, her heart in turmoil, but she said, "The Marchioness asked me to convey a message to you. She said the bond from back then, she had never forgotten…"