The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 701 - 663: Recovery, Returning to the Capital (Update 2)
When Madam Cheng came to visit, she subtly mentioned it twice. Yun Huai knew the Cheng Family was urging, and privately, he had talked to Xue Yinhuan about it many times, but she always found excuses to refuse.
Yun Huai could see that his niece still hadn’t let go of that person, so he didn’t press her, hoping that one day she would see things for herself. He didn’t expect that day to arrive so unexpectedly.
The person who was still trying to find out about the Crown Prince’s condition from him just yesterday had agreed to the marriage the very next day. It seemed off, no matter how one thought about it.
"Have you really thought it through?" Yun Huai was worried she was acting impulsively, "If you truly agree, the Cheng Family will soon come to exchange the marriage proposal and finalize the betrothal. Once you nod in agreement, you must see that person only as a brother, and not as..."
"I know." Xue Yinhuan interrupted him, "I know it all, Uncle. I’m no longer a child; I understand what this choice means. Rest assured, from now on, I will settle down and prepare for marriage.
"That’s good." Yun Huai nodded, "If your parents can see this from heaven, they would surely hope you find a respectable family to marry into as a first wife, rather than become someone’s concubine. You’re too straightforward and not good at scheming. If you enter the deep palace, you can’t compete with the women there. If anything happens, how could we in Jiangnan help you?"
——
The Crown Prince’s identity cannot be exposed for the moment, so the matter of recognizing her as a sworn sister must be postponed.
That night, Zhao Xi lit some sleep-inducing incense in his room, and indeed, he didn’t have nightmares.
Since leaving the Capital, it was the first time His Highness had slept so well. Eunuch Sanbao was moved to tears.
The next morning, Yun Huai brought Xue Yinhuan to Jingchun Pavilion.
Seeing her, Zhao Xi apologized, "Recognizing you as my sworn sister will have to wait until I leave the villa for a few days. As for the dowry I promised to add for you, I’ll have someone prepare it right away; you won’t be shortchanged."
Xue Yinhuan knelt to thank him, then looked up at Zhao Xi, "Your Highness, I have an unreasonable request."
"Go ahead."
Xue Yinhuan said, "Counting the days, my aunt, Consort Qing, will soon give birth. She has been in the palace for many years and only has this one child. That child is her life. When Your Highness returns to the Capital, please help me ensure her safety. Whether it’s a prince or a princess, please make sure the child is born safely."
Zhao Xi nodded, "Alright, I promise you."
After Xue Yinhuan left, Yun Huai invited Song Yuanbao to sit with him in the lakeside pavilion. Yun Huai asked, "I asked the servants at Jiangyun Pavilion and they said you went to see Huanhuan yesterday. I want to know what you talked to her about."
Song Yuanbao didn’t hide it, "I asked her for a favor."
"What favor?"
"I asked her to save His Highness."
Yun Huai looked over thoughtfully.
Song Yuanbao sighed, "You don’t know, His Highness’s illness originated from the death of a bedroom maid, and my careless words aggravated it, weighing heavily on his psyche and breaking him down completely. To help him recover now, he needs to believe that there are many people in this world waiting for his protection. If he can pull himself together, those people will live better because of his protection. Miss Xue is the first person His Highness agreed to protect fully. If he sees that because of him, Miss Xue is well and happy, he may regain his confidence. Otherwise, I really can’t think of another way."
Yun Huai smiled, "It sounds somewhat far-fetched, but it might be an effective treatment. Yun Shiliu just mentioned that His Highness’s condition can’t be cured by medicine alone; emotional ailments require emotional remedies. If your suggestion works, it will kill two birds with one stone, fulfilling both Huanhuan’s marriage to Cheng Family’s fourth son, and His Highness’s recovery. You’ll have done a great deed."
"I dare not claim credit." Song Yuanbao tugged at the corners of his mouth, "I’m making amends."
——
Back at Jingchun Pavilion, Song Yuanbao said to Zhao Xi, "Miss Xue asked His Highness to protect Consort Qing and her unborn child. Your Highness must pull yourself together. Why don’t we go out for a walk? Since you need to buy an estate for Miss Xue as a dowry, why not choose it yourself to show your sincerity?"
Perhaps he truly found some spiritual solace, Zhao Xi looked much better than usual. After lunch, led by Yun Shisan and Yun Shiliu, they left Yunxiu Mountain Villa and toured the city. They not only listened to Kunqu Opera and Pingtan, but also bought some paintings from the Wu Men Painting School.
The paintings were purchased by Song Yuanbao for Song Wei, and he also bought a few bolts of Su embroidery silk for Wen Wan, along with some toys for Jinbao and Qi Bao.
Throughout the trip, it was Song Yuanbao who did the buying, while Zhao Xi simply had Eunuch Sanbao accompany him for payment.
Eunuch Sanbao snorted every time he saw Song Yuanbao pick something up.
Though His Highness wasn’t short of money, Eunuch Sanbao was annoyed. It was obvious that Song Yuanbao, that little scoundrel, was the one who caused His Highness to end up like this, yet now he was spending His Highness’s money. How could he bully his uncle like this? Did he not feel any guilt?
Zhao Xi heard Eunuch Sanbao whispering his grievances behind and said, "Let him be."
Eunuch Sanbao choked on his words and then lowered his head.
Having nothing better to do, Yun Shisan and Yun Shiliu acted as Song Yuanbao’s little assistants, their hands full of things he bought along the way.
Watching Song Yuanbao’s back, Yun Shisan sighed, "This Young Master Song is truly something."
Yun Shiliu nodded in agreement, "If not for him, I wouldn’t be confident in curing His Highness’s illness. Judging by the current situation, it shouldn’t take more than a month; at most half a month, and His Highness will completely rid himself of his troubles and worries."
The group wandered for half a day, and after asking around about a few estates for sale, they went inside to look around.
Most of these estates were privately built by scholars and artists in their lifetimes, combining poetry, painting, architecture, and gardening; they were suitable for admiring, touring, and living, possessing distinct Gusu characteristics, full of poetic charm.
But Zhao Xi felt they weren’t suitable.
Since it’s for a bride’s dowry, everything should be new. How could they give a lived-in estate as part of a dowry?
So, after a full day of looking, none of those estates caught his eye. It wasn’t until they returned to Yunxiu Mountain Villa that he shared his thoughts; he planned to spend money to have one built.
"Anyway, Miss Xue is still in mourning. By the time she’s ready to marry, the estate should be complete, and everything will be new." Zhao Xi said.
Hearing this, Song Yuanbao chuckled.
Zhao Xi looked at him, "You think it’s inappropriate?"
"Appropriate, how could it not be?" Song Yuanbao said, "If His Highness can think this way, it shows you’re starting to gradually recover. I’m delighted. Even if you wanted to tear down and rebuild Yunxiu Mountain Villa, I wouldn’t have any objections."
Eunuch Sanbao spat, "Do you really think His Highness treats this place as a Money Shop? Rebuilding Yunxiu Mountain Villa, do you know how much that would cost?"
Considering Zhao Xi’s improvement, Song Yuanbao didn’t argue and just pursed his lips.
Yun Huai took some time to visit Jingchun Pavilion. Seeing Zhao Xi eating normally and looking healthier than before, he breathed a long sigh of relief and smiled, "Finally, His Highness’s self-control is strong. Otherwise, without improvement, if the Holy Emperor gave an order, this villa wouldn’t be safe anymore."
——
With Song Yuanbao’s guidance and Yun Shiliu’s medicinal aid, Zhao Xi recovered quickly; just as predicted, within half a month, the Crown Prince with soul and vigor returned.
For the remaining half-month, he indeed planned to travel incognito, thus revealing his identity before leaving Yunxiu Mountain Villa. He formally drank tea with Xue Yinhuan, accepting her as a sworn sister, and left the deeds for her dowry’s fields and property at the Yun Family, along with a large sum of money for the estate’s construction, asking Yun Huai to supervise.
When it became known that the esteemed guest at the villa was the current Crown Prince, many knelt outside the villa to see Zhao Xi off as he left.
Mounting his horse, Zhao Xi turned back and met Xue Yinhuan’s gaze. He smiled faintly and whispered, "Take care."
Xue Yinhuan returned the smile and then mouthed four words.
Though she didn’t speak, Zhao Xi could read from her lips that she said: Brother, take care.
Song Yuanbao pursed his lips, glanced at Xue Yinhuan, and only sighed inwardly, quickly mounting his horse to follow Zhao Xi away.
Yun Shiliu noticed Song Yuanbao’s meaningful look and turned to glance at Xue Yinhuan.
Outside the city.
Song Yuanbao, Zhao Xi, and Eunuch Sanbao stood at the crossroads, mounted on their horses.
Song Yuanbao asked, "Your Highness, where are we heading next?"
"Hangzhou."
...
A month later, on the day of their return to the Capital, Song Yuanbao brought back several large boxes of gifts for his parents and younger siblings. Zhao Xi’s only gain was a parrot, named Sibao, bought by Song Yuanbao. Even when caged, it wouldn’t settle, uttering "His Highness is mighty" when hungry and "His Highness is omnipotent" when full.
