The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 520 - 487: Little Uncle, Yun Huai (Second Update)
Xue Yinhuan stayed in the Imperial Palace for three days.
On the day she returned to the mansion, as soon as she stepped through the door, she heard a cheerful call, "Sister."
Xue Yinhuan paused at her steps. The young man walking toward her was as tall as she was, dressed in a narrow-cut robe with a branch pattern in lake blue. His eyebrows and eyes bore a slight resemblance to hers, his features handsome, his lips curved upward, and his smile was full of purity and delight.
Seeing him, Xue Yinhuan’s eyes softened, "Ah Yin, when did you come back?"
Xue Yan’s maternal family was in Jiangnan, and his grandfather was a martial arts instructor.
Since birth, Xue Yan’s health was weak, so his grandfather came to the Capital specifically to take him for physical training. Xue Yan returned at most twice a year, and each time he looked better, evidently more accustomed to the Jiangnan climate than the Capital.
"I arrived last night." Xue Yan said, "I didn’t write to tell you in advance, Sister, because I wanted to surprise you. It was only when I got home that I learned you had entered the palace. Did you go to see Aunt again?"
"Aunt missed me and asked me to accompany her." Xue Yinhuan examined the young man closely and asked softly, "Ah Yin, who brought you here? Was it grandfather again?"
Xue Yan shook his head, "This year it was young uncle."
After he finished speaking, as if suddenly recalling something, Xue Yan reached out and took Xue Yinhuan’s arm, "Sister, on my way here, I caught two rabbits for you. They’re in the Observation Pavilion. I’ll take you to see them."
The young man’s voice was slightly hoarse due to the voice change period, but Xue Yinhuan didn’t find it unpleasant. She was always exceptionally happy during the few days her brother was back each year.
The Observation Pavilion was in the garden of the Minister’s Mansion.
The two siblings climbed the cedarwood stairs. Inside, a man was already sitting, holding rabbits in his arms. The snow-white fur seemed to merge with his cloud-patterned white robe. His forehead bore a vermillion mark, clean and striking. From Xue Yinhuan’s angle, his face appeared extraordinarily elegant, seemingly gentle but distant emotionally.
Upon seeing him, Xue Yan immediately stood properly and called out softly, "Young Uncle."
The man was indeed Xue Yinhuan’s and Xue Yan’s uncle, the youngest of the Yun Family, Yun Huai. Though only four years older than Xue Yinhuan, his elder’s demeanor was unmistakable.
Even someone like Xue Yan, who usually loved to play around, wouldn’t dare say much in front of him.
Hearing the sound, Yun Huai gently bent down, carefully placed the rabbits on the floor, then raised his head, and his clear gaze fell on Xue Yinhuan.
Xue Yinhuan stepped forward two paces, asked respectfully, "Why did Young Uncle come by?"
Yun Huai pointed to the bench beside, signaling the siblings to sit down, then spoke slowly, "I heard Huanhuan has a marriage proposal, so I came specially to see you."
Xue Yinhuan’s cheeks warmed, "I really troubled you to come all this way personally, Uncle. Yinhuan truly feels apologetic."
As she spoke, she poured tea for Yun Huai.
On New Year’s Day, Mr. Xue died suddenly, and the Yun Family didn’t make it in time for the funeral.
Before that, it was always their grandfather who sent Xue Yan back to the mansion.
Therefore, this was Yun Huai’s first visit to the Xue Family.
Looking at his niece, Yun Huai spoke with a hint of cold disapproval, "Why did your grandfather agree to let you become a concubine to the Eldest Prince?"
Xue Yinhuan’s heart skipped a beat.
In fact, when Zhao Xi proposed her to enter the palace, Minister Xue had tried to prevent it, obviously reluctant for her to get involved with the Royal Family. However, ultimately, it was her insistence to agree.
Not for any other reason, just to find a safer haven.
She knew the Eldest Prince was not like the sons of ordinary families. She didn’t yearn for romantic love; she just wanted him to keep her safe, and that would be enough.
Faced with Yun Huai’s questioning, Xue Yinhuan suddenly felt the urge to explain, "Uncle, actually the concubine of the Imperial Family is quite different from those in town."
"It’s nothing more than the concubine of the Imperial Family being of higher birth. What’s the difference? Furthermore, considering your father sacrificed his life to save the Eldest Prince, and with the Imperial Family making you a concubine, are you sure it’s a reward, not a punishment?"
Xue Yinhuan bit her lip, "Uncle..."
Yun Huai came to the Capital specifically for Xue Yinhuan’s marriage issue, "Even if your father didn’t step up to block the arrow for the Eldest Prince on New Year’s Day, just based on your background, you could well be his main wife. Why did you end up as a concubine instead? Your grandfather is the current Chief of Staff; he could casually match you with a respectable family, and they wouldn’t dare look down on you. Now, as the legitimate daughter of the Minister’s Mansion, you lower yourself to be someone’s concubine. Do you realize the difference a single word makes between wife and concubine?"
Xue Yinhuan lowered her head even further, unable to rebut a single word.
Seeing this, Xue Yan said quietly, "Uncle, we rarely meet, can’t you say something else? Sister is already quite aggrieved; if you continue criticizing her, she might cry."
Xue Yinhuan shook her head at Xue Yan, "Ah Yin, I’m fine."
Yun Huai had no intention of letting it go, "Since you can enter the palace, you must be able to reach the Eldest Prince. Can you arrange a meeting for me?"
Xue Yinhuan was in a difficult position, "Uncle, the matter between him and me is already settled and cannot be changed."
Yun Huai asked, "Are you afraid of what I might do to him, or are you hiding something?"
Her uncle’s penetrating gaze was intimidating, and Xue Yinhuan felt lacking in confidence, "No."
Yun Huai picked up the teacup, took a sip, "I won’t be staying in the Capital for long. I hope you can make arrangements soon."
...
As they left the Observation Pavilion, Xue Yan noticed Xue Yinhuan was absent-minded and spoke, "Sister, although I don’t agree with you becoming a concubine, as long as you’re happy, I’ll support whatever you do."
Xue Yinhuan felt conflicted; if she could become a main wife, who would willingly degrade themselves to a concubine?
But she was different from others; her own parents had passed away, and her grandfather was always busy with court affairs, barely caring for her. As the titled daughter of the Minister’s Mansion, the title might sound nice, but without her parents’ support, her status was significantly lower, and life was not easy.
She didn’t dare to gamble her entire future for a place as a main wife.
She would rather be a concubine; at least, Zhao Xi had promised to take care of her in her father’s stead, and she believed he would keep his word.
——
Yun Huai was determined, and Xue Yinhuan, left with no choice, had to seek out Zhao Xi, though she didn’t enter the palace. Having just visited two days prior, even with a waist card, the Imperial City was not her home, where she could come and go at will.
She went to the Divine Soldier Bureau, but unfortunately, Zhao Xi was not there.
When Song Wei heard that Miss Xue was visiting, he came out personally to see her and asked whom she was looking for.
Xue Yinhuan was about to leave when she heard someone speaking, turned around, and bowed to Song Wei, "I came to see His Highness. I heard from the guards that His Highness didn’t come today, so I won’t disturb you and will take my leave."
The Divine Soldier Bureau did not allow outsiders in. Song Wei couldn’t invite her for tea, so he nodded and told her to take care on her way out.
The next day, Xue Yinhuan came again, but still didn’t meet Zhao Xi.
Song Wei thought the young lady probably had something important to discuss with the Eldest Prince, so he sent a message to the palace.
Zhao Xi heard that Xue Yinhuan had been waiting outside the Divine Soldier Bureau for him for two consecutive days, and looked puzzled, "Why is she going to the Divine Soldier Bureau?"
The messenger shook his head, "Minister Song said, if Your Highness has time, you could make a visit tomorrow, as Miss Xue is likely to return."
Zhao Xi nodded, "Understood."
Before 5 a.m. the next day, Zhao Xi had breakfast and went to the Divine Soldier Bureau, this time leaving Song Yuanbao in the palace to study.
Xue Yinhuan arrived at noon, holding an oil-paper parasol to shield herself from the sun. Upon confirming that the Eldest Prince had come to the Divine Soldier Bureau, her tense expression eased somewhat.
When Zhao Xi came out, he saw a thin layer of sweat on her forehead from the heat and handed her a handkerchief, "What is it you need from me?"
Xue Yinhuan raised her hand, intending to take the handkerchief, but upon reconsideration, withdrew her hand and pretended to switch the parasol to the other hand to cover her awkwardness.
"My uncle is here." She slightly turned her head to avoid his gaze, "He said he’d like to meet Your Highness. Would you be willing to grant him the opportunity?"
Zhao Xi withdrew the handkerchief expressionlessly, pondering that he didn’t know Xue Yinhuan’s uncle and didn’t want to waste time on trivial matters, "Just tell me directly, why is he looking for me?"
Xue Yinhuan was not foolish. She could already hear the impatience in the young prince’s voice; he seemed quite busy and had no time for irrelevant entanglements.
Xue Yinhuan had to speak honestly, "It’s regarding our marriage arrangement."
Zhao Xi understood and nodded, "There’s a teahouse across the street. I’ll have someone book a private room later. Let him go there directly. I’ll come after I’ve finished my business."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Xue Yinhuan bowed and took her leave.
Watching Xue Yinhuan’s carriage drive away, Zhao Xi turned back to the government office, organized a few documents in the office, gave Song Wei some instructions, then headed straight to the teahouse.
