Chapter 15 Yi Family

The next morning, I returned to Yi's house.

Inside the carriage, the previous night's indulgence and lingering hangover left Ling Wei so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open, her head bobbing up and down with the carriage's movements.

Yi Shao was already dressed in a deep crimson wedding gown, looking neat and tidy. He sat quietly with a thin blanket draped over his knees, but his gaze kept drifting to Ling Wei, who was trying to maintain her composure across from him.

Yi Shao spoke up at the right moment: "If Your Highness is tired, why not lean over and rest for a while to recharge your energy?" He raised his hand and gently patted his legs, which were covered with a thin blanket. "It's safe here."

Ling Wei leaned over and found a comfortable spot to rest her head on his lap. She closed her eyes and mumbled, "Okay, it's perfect since you can't feel your legs. I won't worry about you getting numb if I rest my head on them."

Yi Shao: "......"

That's truly frank and ruthless.

The carriage moved forward for a while, and Yi Shao lowered his eyes to see her relaxed brows and light pink lips. Last night... the memory of that night suddenly crashed back into his mind.

My heart skipped a beat for no reason.

The carriage rolled over a slightly larger stone, causing it to jolt. Ling Wei frowned and mumbled a soft "hmm."

She opened her eyes and was met with Yi Shao's face, which was very close to hers.

He had somehow gotten extremely close, and suddenly he was thrown back, his back slamming against the car wall, one hand unconsciously pressing against his chest.

Yili's face showed shock and confusion, and even her ears turned slightly red.

Her gaze fell on his hand pressed against his chest. "What's wrong?"

She looked like Xi Shi clutching her heart.

Yi Shao quickly lowered his hand, his voice slightly unsteady: "N-nothing."

He glanced at her quickly, then turned his head away as if stung by something, looking out the car window, leaving only his taut jawline visible.

Ling Wei: ? ? ?

She watched as Yi Shao instantly sat upright, even the usual smile on his lips vanished completely.

Why is this person suddenly... not demonic anymore?

Could it be that the family has entered combat mode ahead of schedule during their homecoming visit?

......

The carriage stopped in front of the Yi Mansion.

Although the Yi family was extremely wealthy, they dared not overstep their bounds in their residence. The vermilion gate was tall and wide, but there were no stone lions guarding it.

Ling Wei got out of the car, her gaze sweeping over the scene indifferently.

Yi Nanqiao, the head of the Yi family, was already leading her family to greet them at the gate. She was a woman in her forties with a plump face. She had a smile on her face before she even spoke. Her attitude was impeccably respectful, yet not overly humble. She had a perfect sense of proportion.

He can navigate among powerful figures with impeccable skill; he's truly a remarkable person.

Yi Shao was helped down from the carriage by his attendants, and his wheelchair landed steadily on the ground.

He looked up at his mother standing at the front, and a bright smile instantly bloomed on his face: "Mother, I'm well. Thank you for waiting."

His tone was affectionate, as if he were a beloved son eager to return home.

Ling Wei's eyebrows twitched slightly, but she remained silent.

Yi Nanqiao smiled and agreed, then quickly bowed to Ling Wei, exchanging pleasantries without leaving a trace, and welcomed her into the mansion.

The banquet was held in the flower hall, with crystal goblets and glass plates displaying a variety of delicacies, filling the air with enticing aromas.

The sounds of string and wind instruments were faint, and servants moved about in an orderly fashion.

Yi Nanqiao was very shrewd and kept talking throughout the meal. He praised Ling Wei while also showing concern for Yi Shao, saying things like "Your Highness treats me well" and "Shao'er is so lucky, I can rest assured."

Yi Shao smiled and responded with composure. Occasionally, he would turn his head and whisper a few words to Ling Wei, serving her food and wine, perfectly portraying the image of a favored concubine.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Yi Nanqiao looked smug, and his words inevitably carried a hint of flattery: "...Thanks to the Emperor's favor, business is going quite smoothly. The Second Prince and the Third Prince have also been very supportive of our business lately."

"A few days ago, the chief secretary of the Third Prince's residence specifically inquired about the market price of new tea in Jiangnan this year, saying that His Highness is fond of this and asked me to keep an eye on it."

"Oh? Third Sister also loves tea?" Ling Wei held her wine cup, seemingly in the mood for casual conversation, and said in a relaxed tone, "I remember she was obsessed with Western Region spices for a while last year, searching all over the capital for rare and unusual fragrance recipes. The gentleman in her household, who is known for his ability to identify fragrances and herbs, helped her collect quite a few rare items."

Yi Nanqiao smiled and replied, "It's only natural that Your Highnesses, with their noble status, would have some talented individuals by your side. Take the Second Prince's residence, for example; I've heard they've recruited quite a few extraordinary people, and they're all very capable."

Ling Wei swirled her wine glass and, following the conversation, said in a languid tone, "Second Sister does indeed love collecting these things. The gentleman in charge of the gardens at her residence is very capable. I heard that the exquisite pavilion that suddenly appeared near the hunting grounds the year before last was his work, and it received quite a bit of praise."

Yi Shao asked curiously at the opportune moment, "There really is such a clever person? Your Highness, if there is an opportunity in the future, could you let me see it? It would be good to broaden my horizons."

Upon hearing this, Ling Wei glanced at him sideways and said with a half-smile, "Insight? I'm afraid that's out of the question."

Yi Shao looked puzzled: "Why?"

Ling Wei took a sip of wine: "Because that gentleman, it is said, suggested a method while enjoying the cool of summer, which did not suit the tastes of my second sister's new husband, and a few days later, he was politely sent away from the mansion."

Yi Shao's face showed regret, and he sighed softly, "Such a talented person, yet..."

Ling Wei: "If you want to get to know me, I can find you again?"

Yi Shao shook his head, his eyelashes drooping, and he put on a sighing expression: "I just feel that no matter how capable the people outside are, they are ultimately like duckweed without roots. Their joys and sorrows, their comings and goings, all depend on the master's will. Unlike family members, who are connected by blood, even if there are storms, they can always rely on each other."

He spoke earnestly.

Ling Wei listened, a smile flashing across her eyes; she was quite cooperative.

Under the table, she lightly pinched Yi Shao's hand with her fingertips, indicating her satisfaction.

Yi Shao was completely absorbed in his performance and observing his mother's reaction when this sudden touch made him stiffen.

He abruptly withdrew his hand, staring intently at the bowls and plates in front of him, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

He tried to continue, but his voice trembled slightly, “The home of one’s own family… is always more secure.”

Yi Nanqiao's smile froze for a moment.

These nobles are quick-witted and have high standards. Today they may treat you as an honored guest, but tomorrow they may neglect you if they find someone or something more to their liking.

Her gaze unconsciously drifted towards the table.

Yi Shao lowered his head to pour wine for Ling Wei, his expression relaxed. Ling Wei, though still looking lazy, did not reject Yi Shao's approach and small gestures, and occasionally even gave him a glance.

Yes, no matter how good a retainer is, he is ultimately a rootless duckweed; but when a son marries into the royal family, he is climbing onto the roof of the royal family.

As soon as this thought arose, the scales in Yi Nanqiao's heart, which had been swaying back and forth, seemed to tip in one direction.

A smile returned to her face, and as she raised her glass to toast Ling Wei again, her gaze swept over Yi Shao, a hint of weighing her options flashing in her eyes.