The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 523 - 490: May I Know the Reason Behind This? (Part 1)
Xue Yan, after admitting his mistake, remained silent, ignoring his grandfather’s reprimands.
He returned only once or twice a year, and his grandfather, upon seeing him, never showed joy. Whenever he did something unsatisfactory, he was immediately subjected to a relentless scolding.
Zhao Xi, seeing Minister Xue’s face flushed with anger, intervened by saying, "The Third Young Master is still a child; it’s not surprising for him to be a bit mischievous. Besides, children at this age are prone to rebellion; too much reprimanding could backfire. As his grandfather, why not show him more patience?"
"What His Highness says is true." Minister Xue responded to Zhao Xi’s words, subtly glancing at Xue Yan, implying he should leave promptly and stop embarrassing himself here.
Xue Yan picked up his ball and slowly departed along the corridor.
Zhao Xi glanced at the youth’s thin back before quickly drawing his gaze back.
Minister Xue asked, "What brings His Highness here today?"
"Regarding the matter of dissolving the betrothal, I discussed it privately with Yun Liu that day at the teahouse. Minister Xue must be aware of this, so today let’s gather everyone together to clarify things." Zhao Xi said.
Upon hearing about the dissolution of the engagement, Minister Xue’s expression turned grim. "When my Erlang passed away, His Highness actively proposed to have Huanhuan enter the palace. It’s been less than half a year, and now His Highness intends to renege?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xi suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to scrutinize Minister Xue, "Did Xue and Yun Families not discuss this in advance?"
Minister Xue was silent for a moment, shaking his head, "This old official only learned of Yun Family’s unilateral decision to withdraw the betrothal after leaving Lower Court that day. Huanhuan is a member of the Xue Family; how can a matter of marriage be interfered with by her maternal relatives? If word gets out, wouldn’t it be the laughingstock of others?"
Just then, a mocking laugh came from the other end of the corridor, "A dignified Second-rank Minister and Wenyuan Pavilion Scholar, a Cabinet Elder, yet for years ignored his legitimate grandchildren, now butting into marriage matters out of the blue, moreover actively sending his legitimate granddaughter to be a concubine. There’s no need to spread it, the masses on the street have laughed their teeth off over this. Isn’t Minister Xue afraid that his dead sister and brother-in-law would be restless if they knew in the afterlife?"
The one speaking was Yun Huai, whose white attire adorned with cloud motifs stood out against the garden’s floral, rocky, and wooded backdrop.
Minister Xue’s mouth twitched, brow furrowed, "Yun Huai, mind your words in front of His Highness!"
Whenever these two met, the atmosphere seemed to crackle with invisible tension; even Zhao Xi, an outsider, could clearly sense their intense hostility. He remarked, "Yun Liu’s words aren’t incorrect; even if entering the palace as a concubine is ultimately being a concubine, it was my oversight back then, causing distress for Miss Xue. Now, what matters most is figuring out how to dissolve the engagement, so she can marry elsewhere as a legitimate wife, which I would gladly see happen."
Since Zhao Xi had spoken, Minister Xue could hardly refute further, glaring at Yun Huai discreetly as they headed toward the hall.
Yun Huai instructed the maid at the door, "Go invite the Fourth Young Lady."
Soon after they sat down, Xue Yinhuan arrived, accompanied by Xue Yan.
Having just been reprimanded by his grandfather, Xue Yan dared not show himself, constantly trying to hide behind Xue Yinhuan.
Seeing this, Yun Huai lightly scolded, "Why are you hiding? A man should stand tall, act upright; there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Come over here."
Only then did Xue Yan move towards the seat beside his uncle.
Yun Huai further instructed, "Lift your head, straighten your chest!"
Xue Yan didn’t dare disobey.
Seeing his legitimate grandson obey Yun Huai’s orders in front of the Eldest Prince, Minister Xue felt embarrassed, glaring at Xue Yinhuan with displeasure. "You too, come sit down."
Seeing Xue Yinhuan comply and take her seat, Minister Xue felt slightly comforted, then dismissed all the servants, "Now that everyone is here, Your Highness, speak your mind."
Zhao Xi turned to Xue Yinhuan, "Miss Xue, on the day your father had an accident, I impulsively made the decision for you to enter the palace, thus causing negative repercussions for you. It was my lack of consideration; I offer my apologies to you."
Actually, he intended back then to promise the position of main wife, but later his father and mother concubine disagreed, leaving him unable to defy them, resulting in the current situation.
Xue Yinhuan met Zhao Xi’s gaze and momentarily felt dazed.
She was no longer a naive young girl and soon understood the reason behind her emotional turmoil over these past days.
At what point did she develop inappropriate feelings for him?
Xue Yinhuan thought, it was likely the seed was sown on the night of the Lantern Festival.
At that time, the entire Capital was adorned with various lanterns, every street bustling, while only the Minister’s Mansion remained cold and silent, having recently observed mourning.
He came then, under the moonlight, his gentle eyes warmed by lanterns, promising to always take care of her.
Such a promise during one’s most vulnerable moment inevitably touches even the coldest heart.
"It’s alright." She moved her lips, slowly redirecting her gaze.
Zhao Xi said, "If you have no objections, I will publicly say that our compatibility according to astrology prevents us from marrying."
Xue Yinhuan lowered her gaze and nodded slightly, "You can decide; I don’t mind."
"When you marry, I will add to your bridal gifts."
Zhao Xi’s voice continued, and Xue Yinhuan could do nothing but nod, not uttering a single word.
Opposite her, sitting next to Yun Huai, Xue Yan called her softly while the adults were talking, "Sister, Sister..."
Xue Yinhuan heard him, first glanced at her grandfather and uncle, and seeing that their attention wasn’t on her, turned to Xue Yan and mouthed, "What?"
Xue Yan said, "You clearly aren’t happy, why did you agree to break off the engagement?"
Before Xue Yinhuan could say anything, Yun Huai turned his head, asking Xue Yan, "What are you whispering about?"
Xue Yan immediately grinned sheepishly, "Nothing, nothing."
Yun Huai glanced at his posture, frowning slightly, "Straighten your back, tuck your stomach in!"
Xue Yan promptly sat up straight, not daring to whisper to his sister anymore.
The uncle’s reprimands to him weren’t any less frequent than the grandfather’s, but he knew that his uncle’s harsh words came from deep affection, while the grandfather harbored some dislike and displeasure towards the siblings.
This displeasure stemmed from his mother, Yun Mi.
...
Even if Minister Xue was very angry, the engagement was ultimately dissolved.
Everyone gradually walked out of the main hall.
Mrs. Xie had been waiting outside all along, not daring to interrupt. Finally getting a chance to meet her father-in-law, she hurried forward, bowed to him and the others, then turned to Minister Xue, "Father, about Huanhuan’s marriage..."
Minister Xue snorted coldly, "The Yun Family is already bold enough to blatantly interfere, why ask me? Go find Yun Liulang!"
Mrs. Xie had no choice but to turn her gaze to Yun Huai on the side.
Yun Huai ignored her, said something to Zhao Xi, and the two of them walked ahead.
Mrs. Xie opened her mouth, still unwilling to give up, wanting to ask Xue Yinhuan.
Xue Yinhuan said expressionlessly, "My marriage will be arranged by my maternal family, you needn’t worry, Mother."
Mrs. Xie was momentarily at a loss for words.
After Xue Yinhuan and her brother walked away, she resentfully said, "Father, the Yun Family is too arrogant, will you just leave it be?"
Minister Xue’s dissatisfaction with the Yun Family wasn’t new, but he wouldn’t allow a newly married woman to interfere, so upon hearing Mrs. Xie’s words, he looked displeased, "Do your part, and don’t meddle in things that aren’t your concern. The head of the second branch is not around, the legitimate son and daughter have both sided with the maternal family, you, an outsider, would best worry about yourself first."
Mrs. Xie was stunned into silence, standing there long after Minister Xue had left, her heavily made-up face pale.
——
Yun Huai and Zhao Xi were led to the Observation Pavilion by Xue Yinhuan.
The Observation Pavilion at the Minister’s Mansion was large, offering four different views from the four directions when one opened the windows on the second floor.
Yun Huai stood by the window, enjoying the cool breeze; for sixteen years, he had never felt as liberated as today.
Turning his head, he instructed Xue Yinhuan to bring two jars of wine, "Let me see if your skills have improved over the years."
Xue Yinhuan was somewhat troubled; she had wine to offer, but it wasn’t that she was unwilling, rather that on that palace day, Zhao Xi had clearly not enjoyed it, and she feared he might not like it again.
Seeing her hesitate, Yun Huai asked, "No wine?"
"Yes, there’s wine," Xue Yinhuan stammered, taking a deep breath, "I’m afraid the Prince might not be accustomed to it."
Zhao Xi quickly understood; Xue Yinhuan was bothered by his reaction when she sent wine and pastries that day. He thought for a moment and explained, "I have taken over the responsibilities at the government office, and unless necessary, I hardly drink to avoid mishaps. I did try the wine you sent that day; it was mellow and well-made."
Whether or not it was just flattery, Xue Yinhuan at least felt relieved. She nodded, "Then wait a moment, I’ll go get the wine."
Xue Yan, reluctant to stay behind awkwardly, quickly followed Xue Yinhuan, "Sister, wait for me, I’ll come too."
After the siblings walked away, Zhao Xi stood and joined Yun Huai by the window, asking, "How do you plan to settle her?"
Yun Huai smiled, "Jiangnan is a place of talent; surely there will be a gentleman who catches her eye."
Zhao Xi nodded, "I can sense that your insistence on dissolving the engagement—refusing to let her become a concubine—is just one reason. More importantly, you don’t want me to accept her out of guilt. May I know the reason behind this?"
