Back to the marriage proposal, helping the incompetent husband to rise to the top

Chapter 3 Ahead of Time

Ye Wanqing stared at Chu Yanrong without blinking: "Mom! Daddy must have been a gentle and elegant man when he was young, right? What if, I mean what if, Daddy only liked your noble status and hoped to climb up the ladder by relying on your power, and never really loved you in this life, and then, he treated you as a reproductive tool and was indifferent to you. Can such a marriage be called sweet? If your daughter ends up like this after marrying Lu Jilian, do you still think it's suitable?"

Chu Yanrong's mouth twitched slightly when she heard this.

Qing'er has been sensible and knows right from wrong since he was young. He respects his family and has never talked back, let alone rejected anyone.

Now, why does it seem like he has suddenly become a different person?
Chu Yanrong was really puzzled, so she asked her carefully, "Did Qing'er encounter any evil spirits recently?"

Ye Wanqing's eyes rolled around and she blurted out a lie: "To be honest with you, mother, I've been having nightmares at night recently. Moreover, they are all about the same thing: I was married to Lu Jilian according to your wishes, and I lived a very miserable life after marriage. In the end, I died young and ended my life hastily. When I woke up, my tears soaked the pillow..."

As soon as he finished speaking, he burst into tears.

how so!
Chu Yanrong was shocked. She gently stroked her daughter's shoulders and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, my daughter. Dreams are illusions, not real. Why scare yourself?"

Ye Wanqing wiped the tears from her face: "Mom, who can be sure that what you dreamed about will never happen?"

Chu Yanrong was speechless and had no answer.

Suddenly, the maid outside reported: "Eunuch Xi from Chengqian Palace brought back the Queen Mother's message and asked me to pass it on to you."

"Speak." Chu Yanrong's expression changed slightly.

"Has the final candidate for the young lady's husband been decided?"

Chu Yanrong had guessed it a long time ago. She sighed and turned to Ye Wanqing, saying, "Qing'er, take good care of it. Later, you will go with me to Chengqian Palace to meet the Queen Mother."

"it is good."

There is no way to avoid the Queen Mother, so it is better to face it sooner rather than later.

Ye Wanqing washed her hair and dressed neatly. While Chu Yanrong was away, she quietly told her trusted maid Qianxi: "Remember to tell big brother to do as I said before. If I don't return home, come to the Empress Dowager's Chengqian Palace to look for me."

On the way, Chu Yanrong wanted to persuade Ye Wanqing again, but she swallowed the words back when they came to her lips.

She didn't know how to persuade him.

When they were almost at Xuanwu Gate, Chu Yanrong looked at Ye Wanqing lovingly and said softly, "Eunuch Yuan said that Concubine Qiao is bored staying in Yikun Palace these days. Why don't you go and chat with Concubine Qiao to relieve her boredom?"

It was obvious that she had to take a step first and reveal Ye Wanqing's idea of ​​marrying Chu Anlan to the Queen Mother before she could let the Queen Mother see Ye Wanqing again.

Otherwise, given the Queen Mother's temper, she would probably fly into a rage on the spot.

Ye Wanqing knew what he meant, but she didn't expose him. She just agreed obediently: "Yes. Then I will come to Chengqian Palace to find mother and the queen mother later."

After saying that, she led her maid and walked straight to Yiku Palace.

In July, the branches and leaves of the locust trees are in full bloom. The scorching sun shines through the gaps between the dense leaves, making it feel a little hot even under the cool shade of the trees.

When she arrived at Yiku Palace, Ye Wanqing found the two maids who were specially serving Madam Lu in Dingyuan Marquis' Mansion.

Ying Xiang, who was standing next to him, looked at Ye Wanqing secretly: "Miss, do you want to take a detour?"

Madam Lu is Concubine Qiao's aunt.

She suddenly went to see Concubine Qiao Shufei, probably because she had heard some news about the Ye family in recent days, and tried to get Concubine Qiao Shufei to give her some face and add fuel to the fire.

Ye Wanqing thought for a moment: "Madam Lu finally came here, and we saw it, so how can we pretend we didn't see it and ignore it."

Just as they took two steps forward, Eunuch Yuan happened to come over from Yikun Palace and called her, "Miss Ye."

Ye Wanqing stopped immediately.

Eunuch Yuan ran straight to Ye Wanqing and said, "Knowing that Miss Ye is coming, Concubine Shu asked us to prepare a bowl of mung bean soup in advance. We are waiting for you to come and taste it."

After he finished speaking, he deliberately winked at Ye Wanqing.

It goes without saying that what Concubine Qiao Shufei meant was for her to come in quickly and save the situation for her!

Ye Wanqing understood and nodded, saying, "It is hard to refuse such a kind offer, so I will obey your order."

As soon as Ye Wanqing entered the palace, Concubine Qiao Shu was immediately delighted and said, "Wanqing, your aunt finally came here to discuss your marriage. Speak of the devil! Eunuch Yuan, why don't you quickly find a seat for Miss Ye!"

Ye Wanqing stood gracefully, bowed to Concubine Qiao Shu and Old Madam Lu, then sat down and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, "Thank you, Old Madam, for your concern."

Madam Lu also smiled so much that her eyes narrowed into slits: "I have been staying at the Marquis' Mansion recently and haven't been out much. Who would have thought that time flies by and Miss Ye has already started talking about marriage."

Ye Wanqing smiled and said gently, "Jindu is under the feet of the emperor, and it is extremely wealthy. The old lady has nothing to do, so why not go out for a stroll? It's better than staying at home."

Madam Lu nodded slightly: "Miss Ye's words are very good." Then she turned to look at Concubine Qiao Shu: "If my Ji Lian can be even 50% as sensible as Miss Ye, I will be thankful!"

After hearing this, Concubine Qiao Shu praised him awkwardly, "Ji Lian is a handsome man, and he is also a close friend of your Highness. He will surely have a bright future, and it is a blessing for the people of Western Wei. In the future, when Ji Lian gets married and fulfills his wishes, your aunt will be able to enjoy her old age."

"Shufei is really good at saying nice things." Old Madam Lu glanced at Ye Wanqing intentionally or unintentionally and sighed: "If I can really help Ji Lian complete his family, it will be a relief. But fate is hard to find, so it depends on God's will."

Ye Wanqing noticed her gaze and lowered his eyes at the right moment, staring at his trouser legs.

In her previous life, Ye Wanqing and Old Madam Lu had rarely spent time together, but she had never suffered any injustice in front of her.

Since getting married, Ye Wanqing has to take tonic medicine almost every day, exhausting all her energy in trying to have a child.

Lu Jilian was responsible for handling all the big and small matters in the mansion, and there was no need for her to interfere at all.

Concubine Qiao Shu also looked at Ye Wanqing at this time and couldn't help but sigh secretly. Both Dingyuan Marquis Mansion and Ye Family were related to her, and she couldn't offend either of them.

It's really a difficult situation.

Concubine Qiao Shu tried to keep her posture straight and said softly, "Well, my aunt and I were only talking about Ji Lian, and we ignored Qing'er."

Ye Wanqing smiled and said calmly, "It doesn't matter."

Seeing her so well-educated and well-mannered, like a model of a lady from a noble family, Old Madam Lu liked her very much: "Time flies. Miss Ye is already fifteen years old. Your father and mother must have already chosen the best husband for you, right?"

Ye Wanqing narrowed her eyes.

It was obvious that she was testing herself, trying to get some information out of her.

Ye Wanqing drank the tea in the cup and said silently in her heart: "Thank you for asking, old lady. My husband will be decided by my parents. My child is still young and does not understand reason. Just wait for the final result. As for the rest, my child is also in the dark. I am afraid it is difficult to tell you."

After saying this, Ye Wanqing secretly glanced at Old Madam Lu. Her expression had begun to stiffen, and she looked very embarrassed.

"Aunt, have some tea." Concubine Qiao also noticed that something was wrong with Madam Lu and hurriedly covered it up.

How could Madam Lu have the heart to drink that damn tea?

If it weren't for the reputation of Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion and her status as the Marquis's wife, she would have almost jumped up and grabbed Ye Wanqing by the collar to force her to tell her who she was going to marry! How dare you to compete for my Ji Lian's wife!
"Aunt?"

Seeing that she seemed a little angry, Concubine Qiao Shu asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Old Madam Lu turned to look at Concubine Qiao Shufei, and suddenly she understood.

Yes.

Concubine Qiao Shufei has two sons. The eldest son, the current prince - Chu Gongxiao, has already married. The second son, Chu Gongxuan, is about the same age as Ye Wanqing.

No matter how outstanding Lu Jilian is, he can never compete with Chu Gongxuan!

When Mrs. Lu thought of this, she became like a deflated ball, half wilted and slumped in her chair.

She staggered and bowed to Concubine Qiao Shufei: "After all, I am old and easily fall asleep. I have disturbed Concubine Shufei for a long time. It is time for me to go back home and rest."

Concubine Qiao was surprised when she heard this: "Aunt, it's still early, why are you in such a hurry to go back?"

"It's not early, it's not early." Mrs. Lu shook her head and left her seat.

Ye Wanqing immediately got up from her seat, half bowed to her and said nothing.

Madam Lu looked at her with pity on her face, and shook her head unwillingly and helplessly.

After Madam Lu left, the entire Yikun Palace fell silent.

After a while, Concubine Qiao Shu said something shocking, breaking the deadlock: "Wanqing, did you know that Chunjiao's illness recurred a few days ago?"

Chunjiao, whose surname is Liu, is Chu Gongxiao's wife.

Beautiful as a flower, gentle and virtuous.

However, ever since the unfortunate death of her last child, her mind has become a little abnormal and she has become manic and insane.

Now, why did she suddenly fall ill?

Upon hearing this, Ye Wanqing was stunned on the spot.

If I remember correctly, in my previous life, Liu Chunjiao's illness broke out at the end of August.

In this life, it is actually more than twenty days earlier?

what happened!

Then, did other things also happen more than 20 days in advance?
Chu Anlan's accident...

Thinking of this, Ye Wanqing suddenly became anxious. She couldn't wait to find an excuse to say goodbye to Concubine Qiao Shufei, left Yiku Palace, and took Yingxiang to Chengqian Palace.

The sunlight shines straight down, like a fire.

The atmosphere in Chengqian Palace was a little chilly.

Chu Yanrong was chatting with the empress dowager. Ye Wanqing bowed to her grandmother and mother respectively. She saw the cooling brine and felt her throat become extremely dry.

The embarrassing thing was that the grandmother did not ask her men to find a seat for her, let alone invite her to drink plum juice together. She just stared coldly at her own granddaughter.

Seeing this, Chu Yanrong couldn't help but touch the corner of the empress dowager's sleeve.

The Queen Mother woke up as if from a dream: "Suqin, serve two bowls of soup."

Soon, two palace maids in lilac bodices came to Ye Wanqing's side, each holding a bowl of soup.

A jade-colored covered bowl inlaid with mother-of-pearl and cloud dragon pattern, with a cool breeze blowing in its direction, is the bittern plum water used to relieve the summer heat. The other white porcelain bowl, with the Eight Immortals Lotus pattern, is just a simple clear soup.

Ye Wanqing looked at the two bowls of different soups in front of her and frowned slightly.

It went without saying that her grandmother asked her to choose one bowl of pickled plum water to drink from the two bowls.

(End of this chapter)