Chapter 598: Sweet Talk

Chapter 598: Honeyed Words

With that thought, Ji Nanchuan reached out and grabbed Xia Chuhe's hand.

He asked tenderly, "Chuhe, do you really think so?"

"But I've been a terrible father. I feel guilty toward my biological daughter..."

Before he could finish, Xia Chuhe interrupted him.

"Brother Nanchuan, don't think that way. You're busy with state affairs every day. How could you have time to deal with those minor household matters? Raising the children should be the mistress of the household's job."

"You have no guilt toward your adopted daughter, and you shouldn't feel guilty about your biological daughter either. She should be thanking you for getting to marry into Prince Ye's household, shouldn't she?"

Ji Nanchuan leaned back in the carriage and said gently, "Chuhe, you're still so sweet and understanding."

Xia Chuhe smiled shyly and pulled her hand away from his.

While pulling back the carriage curtain to instruct the servant to head toward Prince Ye's mansion, she asked Ji Nanchuan.

"Brother Nanchuan, I haven't returned to the capital for many years. How is the old lady doing?"

Ji Nanchuan shook his head and said solemnly, "Not good at all. Because of recent events, Mother was so furious she collapsed and has been bedridden ever since. She has to take medicine every day and can't even walk anymore."

"I'm really worried that if this continues, her health might not hold up much longer."

Xia Chuhe poured him a cup of tea and handed it to him, comforting him, "Brother Nanchuan, don't worry. Madam Ji is a good person, and heaven will surely protect her. She'll definitely live a long life."

After speaking, she asked, "Is the mistress taking care of Madam Ji?"

She hadn't heard Ji Nanchuan mention Meng's name at all, which made her curious.

When Ji Nanchuan heard her ask about Meng, his hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and his face immediately stiffened.

In his view, Meng couldn't hold a candle to Xia Chuhe.

The contrast between them was even more striking now.

Xia Chuhe was gentle, magnanimous, and understanding in every way, constantly addressing him as "brother."

As for Meng, besides being jealous and throwing tantrums, what else could she do?

Ji Nanchuan didn't want to bring up Meng, but he also felt it wouldn't be right to keep such things from her.

Although he didn't know Xia Chuhe's current situation, he secretly felt there was a chance between them.

If there was a chance to rekindle their old flame, he shouldn't hide such things from her.

With that thought, Ji Nanchuan quickly gathered his thoughts and said, "She made a mistake and gave Qing Qing bad advice, which led to her angering the Crown Prince. I've had her locked in her room."

"She hasn't been allowed out for a month now."

Xia Chuhe frowned. Worried she might think he was cold-hearted, Ji Nanchuan quickly explained, "Chuhe, don't misunderstand. Actually, my marriage with Meng has been dead in all but name for years."

"Because she's the mother of several children in the household, I've put up with her mistakes time and again, but I'm done tolerating them now."

"Chuhe, to be honest with you, I want to cast her off."

As Ji Nanchuan said this, his eyes were fixed on Xia Chuhe.

He wanted to see how she would react to these words and whether she still had a place for him in her heart.

Xia Chuhe was indeed shocked. Her expression flickered with panic for a moment before she regained her composure.

She looked at Ji Nanchuan and said with a frown, "Brother Nanchuan, you're a marquis. How could you possibly divorce your own wife?"

"Do you know how badly that would reflect on you if word got out?"

Ji Nanchuan looked at her sadly, "Chuhe, then do you think I should continue to put up with her?"

"I'm too busy with official duties to manage the household. And with Mother being ill, she needs a mistress of the house to take care of her at all times. Having a hired caretaker look after her is only a temporary solution."

"Also, Huai Che, Qing Feng, and Zi Hang—my sons are all of marriageable age now. There should be a mistress in the household to handle their marriages."

"Meng is no longer capable of serving as the mistress of the household. If I let her continue managing the Marquis of Yongning's household, this century-old legacy might be completely ruined under my watch."

Upon hearing this, Xia Chuhe's eyes showed a flicker of sympathy and pity.

She said, "Brother Nanchuan, what you say makes sense. I didn't think it through."

"But after all, this is your household's private matter. The decision must be yours to make. As an outsider, I shouldn't have any say."

The moment she finished speaking, Ji Nanchuan grabbed Xia Chuhe's hand and pressed it against his chest.

He gazed at the woman before him with deep affection, "Chuhe, don't you understand my feelings for you?"

"In the twenty-five years you've been away, there hasn't been a single day I haven't thought of you."

"If you're willing to marry me, I'll write a letter of divorce right away and cast Meng off when I return."

"I promise you, you'll be my only wife for the rest of my life, and I'll never take a concubine."

Xia Chuhe was startled by Ji Nanchuan's actions. She hurriedly tried to pull her hand back, but he wouldn't let go.

"Brother Nanchuan, the past is in the past. We've both become parents now, and I've had a failed marriage. I've already been cast off by a heartless man and become a woman who's been cast aside. I'm no longer worthy of you."

Xia Chuhe's voice was choked with tears, but Ji Nanchuan held her hand tightly.

"Chuhe, my feelings for you are sincere. I don't care about your past. As long as you're willing to marry me, I'll send a grand bridal sedan to carry you to my home and make you the glorious mistress of this household."

Ji Nanchuan noticed Xia Chuhe's brow twitch slightly and thought she must be softening.

He continued, "Chuhe, think about it—isn't it fate that we ran into each other on the street?"

"We've already missed out on twenty-five years. Do you want to waste even more time?"

Xia Chuhe's lips moved slightly. She looked up at him, not knowing how to respond.

After a long moment, she finally spoke, "Brother Nanchuan, let me have some time to think about it, alright?"

Ji Nanchuan agreed readily, "Of course. Although I don't know what happened in your past, now that you're back in the capital, you can come to me with anything."

"I can't guarantee much, but I can certainly take care of you."

Xia Chuhe nodded slightly and said no more.

The carriage traveled on for a while before coming to a stop. Lu Zhu's voice came from outside.

"Madam, we've arrived at Prince Ye's residence."

Ji Nanchuan glanced at Xia Chuhe and said, "Chuhe, you stay in the carriage. I'll be right back."

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