Chapter 35 It turns out he was overthinking things; what he thought...

Now that Yu'an knew why Li Yueru had come, she didn't want to argue with her. She simply gave a positive response, and Li Yueru, being a sensible person, left after sitting for a short while.

Ji Shu exclaimed in surprise, "Sister-in-law, you're not just going to agree to this... Be careful my brother gets angry when he finds out."

Yu-an: "He promised it himself, what's there to be angry about?"

“My brother would never agree to take a concubine. Even if he did, it would be because my mother forced him. If you ask me, you shouldn’t have interfered.”

Ji Shu couldn't help but sigh, "You really don't care. If it were anyone else, they would have been extremely wary by now."

"This Li family is a menace. They've got their eyes on my brother's official position and can't wait to put her in his bed tomorrow..."

As Ji Shu spoke, she recalled how her mother had been completely fooled, and she truly felt that her mother was becoming more and more senile as she got older.

After the New Year's Eve dinner, Yu'an accompanied Ji Suyi to take Ji's mother back to Rongshou Hall. On the way back to Banmu Courtyard, Baozhu told them that the old man had set up a stove in the pavilion in the backyard to keep watch over the New Year.

"Go and tell her to go to the backyard to find the old man."

Baozhu choked back tears, "Girl, you've gone mad..."

Yu An did not answer. She pushed Bao Zhu toward the courtyard where Li Yue Ru lived. In less than half a quarter of an hour, Li Yue Ru, who had received the news, dressed up and went toward the backyard.

Chu Zhuo'an was unaware that Li Yueru would come, so he left half of the game and went back.

Already in a bad mood, Ji Jinghe's expression turned cold and even uglier when he finally got a clearer look at her attire under the lamplight.

Li Yueru brought over a bowl of hot soup, saying, "It's cold outside, cousin, have some to warm yourself up." Ji Jinghe replied, "Eating late at night is bad for your health, so hot soup isn't necessary."

Li Yueru paused, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face. "That's right, I didn't think it through."

Ji Jinghe saw her standing to the side and felt that she was an eyesore, but since she was a relative of his aunt's family, he didn't dare to speak up.

"Have you been settling in well at your residence lately?"

"Everything is fine, thank you for your concern, cousin."

Li Yueru looked at him with smiling eyes, her gaze seemingly glued to him.

The fact that he stayed up late in the pavilion today should only be known to the Half Acre Courtyard; how could it be allowed to be known by outsiders?

Ji Jinghe had doubts but had no way to ask, so he summoned Qingque and had someone clean the pavilion before leaving.

Li Yueru was confused by Ji Jinghe's actions and cried out "Cousin!" but all she saw was a resolute back.

Yu'an, who was busy on the couch, was surprised to see the figure entering amidst the wind and snow. "Why has Master come?"

"Can't you come?"

He countered with a question, but the deeper meaning was unclear.

Yu An smiled apologetically, "Sir, you're joking. I thought it would take Miss Li a long time to come to see you."

Ji Jinghe picked up the hot tea on the table and the small embroidery shed she had just put down, saying, "Did you tell her I was in the pavilion?"

Yu An nodded: "Miss Li has come to me begging to see you."

Ji Jinghe frowned slightly, looked up at her, and his eyes held a hint of dissatisfaction.

He's no one, so it's not like others can just see him whenever they want.

Yu An took the embroidery frame from his hands, but before she could do anything else, a voice, neither loud nor soft, rang in her ears.

"There are no superfluous people in my eyes."

He seemed both serious and casual, and Yu'an couldn't quite figure out what he meant.

Is this because she took it upon herself to send someone to see him?

As if by prior agreement, the two tacitly agreed that neither of them would stay up for the New Year. When Yu An did not see Ji Jinghe leave for a long time, she knew that he was going to stay here today. While he was washing up in the clean room, she asked Baozhu to make the bed.

Yu An lay down early, leaving only a bedside lamp on. Ji Jinghe came out and saw that the two of them each had a quilt, but he didn't say much, turned off the light, and lay down.

"The clothes that were just made for you, sir, have just been delivered. Please try them on tomorrow to see if they fit."

"good."

Yu An turned her back and hid far inside, even moving her pillow to the innermost part, so that there wouldn't be a problem for another person to sleep in the middle of them.

Ji Jinghe wanted to call out to her, but he felt it was difficult to say it, so he could only let things continue as they were.

He harbored doubts and clearly sensed the awkwardness emanating from her. It wasn't until the next morning that he understood how wrong they had become.

Looking at the bright red robe, he couldn't help but say, "You actually made me a wedding robe?"

"When welcoming the newlyweds home, aren't they wearing wedding robes on their wedding day?" Yu'an said to herself. "I had someone choose a color that isn't pure red. If the master doesn't like it, I'll have someone..."

Whom should we welcome in?

A cold voice came from above.

Yu An looked up, her face blank, her deep black eyes showing no emotion.

What's there to not understand?

No wonder he was so calm when he asked Li Yueru to come to him last night; it turns out he wanted him to take a concubine.

Ji Jinghe asked in a cold voice, "Did your mother force you?"

Yu An shook her head, "I..."

Ji Jinghe remained indifferent for a moment, then said, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

There seemed to be resentment in his eyes, and perhaps a hint of pity, but what was more noticeable was his anger at their disappointment.

Yu An opened her mouth, "We thought that Master agreed. When Miss Li came to our mansion a few days ago, didn't Master also say that he would treat her well?"

Ji Jinghe sneered, his voice sounding as if it came from his chest, devoid of any warmth.

"You thought? When did you ever ask me that?"

"Sending others to find me was for the purpose of taking a concubine; measuring my clothes was also just for the purpose of taking a concubine... What a quiet and discreet way to do that, truly admirable."

Ji Jinghe took a step back, keeping himself far away from the clothes, as if he had seen something dirty and wanted to avoid it at all costs.

That gaze lingered on her for only a moment. Before Yu'an could explain further, Ji Jinghe rushed towards the door, not even having time to close it. Baozhu, who had just brought the water in, was stunned by this sight.

"Why is my son-in-law in such a hurry all of a sudden? Is something urgent?"

Yu An placed the robe in her hand on the table, her whole body as if all her strength had been drained, and she had to support herself on the table to sit down steadily.

Baozhu looked around suspiciously as she reached out to fold the robe. "Has the young master finished trying it on?"

"You don't need to take this out anymore; it's probably no longer necessary."

*

When Ji Jinghe arrived at Wanfang Courtyard, Shen Qiulan and Li Yueru were having a pleasant conversation.

Just as Shen Qiulan was about to speak, Ji Jinghe bowed first: "My mother and I have something to discuss, so please go ahead, Miss Li."

The tone wasn't pleasant, so much so that Li Yueru was slightly taken aback after hearing it. Only after Shen Qiulan nodded to her did she leave.

Seeing his imposing manner, Shen Qiulan realized it wasn't a normal situation and couldn't help but ask what was wrong.

Ji Jinghe stood in front of the hall: "My son believes that we made things very clear last time at Rongshou Hall."

Just as her fingertips touched the teacup, upon hearing Ji Jinghe's question, Shen Qiulan suddenly realized why he had come.

She softened her tone and advised, "Although Yue Ru comes from a humble background, she is quite good-looking and well-mannered. There's nothing wrong with you taking her as a concubine; it's good for the Ji family to have more offspring as soon as possible."

"I don't need it."

Ji Jinghe's sudden harsh voice surprised Shen Qiulan, who felt a surge of anger rising within her. However, not wanting to argue, she suppressed her anger and patiently asked, "More than a month ago, didn't I ask her to ask you? She said you agreed."

It was precisely because he knew all too well who this "she" referred to that Ji Jinghe couldn't help but clench his fists at his side.

It turns out he was overthinking things; what he perceived as coercion was actually voluntary...

He pursed his lips and spoke after a long while: "The matter of taking a concubine was not her own choice. It's good to have it all out today. I don't need to take another concubine. As for offspring, we are still young and not in a hurry. Please make proper arrangements for Lady Li. This matter should not be mentioned again."

"Not going to mention it?" Shen Qiulan sneered. "So you two were just playing with me, saying you'd take it or not and then saying you didn't."

Shen Qiulan: "Did she gossip about you? You're an adult now, you've become a high-ranking official, I can't control you anymore, but I'm not going to be played like this!"

"What face do you, Ji Jinghe, have to be so defiant in front of me now? I haven't even settled accounts with you for the foolish things you did before. How did you manage to recruit the Chu family? And why were you demoted? Ji Yinchu, Ji Yinchu, I've truly wasted my time raising you, letting you do such brainless things, and now you're constantly defying me..."

That day at Rongshou Hall, she suppressed most of her anger out of respect for the old lady, but finding no outlet for it, she could only hold it in. Today, his inexplicable outburst of anger ignited her fury.

In contrast, Ji Jinghe remained almost unmoved.

He bowed and said, "I know I have been disloyal and unfilial, and I was too eager for quick results. This is my fault. But why does Mother keep blaming my wife for this? She knew nothing about it from beginning to end. Why does Mother tolerate her so much?"

"I have said that I have never admired anyone in my life. Whether it is Xu Jingshu or anyone else, I will only have one wife in my life. The customs of the Ji family will not be changed from now on. I hope that my mother understands this and please do not make things difficult for my wife."

Every word he uttered was humble and unassuming, yet Shen Qiulan understood it to be nothing but a warning.

The person I've raised for over twenty years has now learned to reverse the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches.

"Ji Yinchu, are you really out of your mind? Do you think that if you speak up for her, she will actually treat you well? Tell me yourself, since the Chu family's incident, how many times has she taken the initiative to come to your study to see you?"

“If she hadn’t coveted the Ji family’s status, she would have left long ago,” Shen Qiulan shouted.

Every word struck Ji Jinghe's heart, and no matter how many questions were asked, he couldn't answer a single one. The emptiness in his chest made him feel unbearable.

It's not that he doesn't know or understand; it's precisely because he understands all too well that he doesn't want to admit it or dare to think about it.

But when someone bluntly told him the truth, he realized how difficult it was for him to accept it.

He couldn't even listen to it anymore...

Seeing that he remained silent, Shen Qiulan asked again, "So, you're speaking to me like this because of her?"

Ji Jinghe's hand remained unmoved as he said in a low voice, "Mother is understanding and naturally understands why her son is like this."

A breath caught in her throat, making it impossible for Shen Qiulan to speak. After a long while, she managed to say "good" several times.

"Fine, I don't care about you, but what about your sister? If it weren't for you two causing trouble, would her marriage have been annulled for no reason?"

Ji Jinghe: "The Duan family was never a good match. The marriage that was originally agreed upon was avoided because of the trouble that happened to the other family. Even if they get married in the future, how can they share hardships? They are not worthy of the children of the Ji family. What's wrong with finding someone else in the future?"

“Well said.” Shen Qiulan smiled bitterly, pointing with a trembling finger, “You are the head of the family, and your sister’s marriage should be decided by you, her elder brother. From now on, if I ever meddle in any of your family’s affairs, I will write my name Shen backwards.”

Ji Jinghe remained unmoved and calmly said, "Mother, you've worked hard."

He left after saying that.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Ji family did not have a good holiday.

From that day on, Ji Jinghe was rarely seen in the mansion.

Whether it was due to turmoil in the palace or something at the Censorate, I couldn't get a meeting with them.

Yu An knew that Ji Jinghe was angry, so she didn't want to provoke him and let him be.

When Li Yueru heard that her happy event had been cut short, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. Ji Suyi immediately understood her nephew's intentions and sent someone to take her back.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Yu'an brought the rice dumplings she had made herself to Rongshou Hall, where they would gather together for dinner that evening.

Everyone was enjoying their freshly cooked rice dumplings, chatting about what fillings were in their bowls and which fillings were the best. When Ji Jinghe's mother saw him return, she immediately asked Granny Li to scoop some out for him.

"Your wife made this, have a taste."

Ji Suyi agreed, "You know what, Yu'an's cooking is really good. This filling smells so good."

Mother Ji nodded: "That's right."

Just as Granny Li was about to take a small bowl to scoop some out, Yu An, who was standing nearby, silently took it and scooped out a few for Ji Jinghe, placing them in front of him.

Ji Jinghe glanced at the items on the table, showing no intention of making a move, and instead began asking about other matters.

"Is Aunt's carriage ready for her return home tomorrow? I wonder what time she will depart tomorrow? Jinghe, I'd like to see her off."

Ji Suyi waved her hand: "No need, Yu'an and Shu'er will take me. You just focus on your court affairs and don't worry about it. I'll be back in less than two months."

Ji's mother showed no signs of illness; her face was rosy from eating the rice dumplings, and she also told Ji Jinghe not to worry about these things.

Yu An sat to the side, watching Ji Jinghe remain motionless for a long time. She let out a long sigh and instructed her servants to serve the dishes as soon as possible so that they could finish up and go back to rest.

She didn't know where Ji Jinghe's anger came from. Something that clearly had nothing to do with her had dragged her into it, making her seem like a heartless person.

It's also her own fault for misjudging the situation; she didn't ask clearly at the beginning, which led to such a big misunderstanding.

Everyone in the family was present except for Shen Qiulan. They were all close relatives, and they chatted about various things at the dinner table from time to time. Everyone would chime in when someone had something to say. Only Ji Jinghe and Yu An seemed to be invisible to each other. If one of them spoke, the other would definitely remain silent.

Ji Shu teased, "Sister-in-law, are you and my brother playing riddles?"

Mother Ji tapped the rim of the bowl, signaling her not to interrupt and to eat obediently, thus letting the matter drop.

After dinner, they chatted for a while before Ji's mother told the two of them to go home first.

Snow was falling outside. As the two of them lifted the curtain to step outside, they were suddenly covered in snowflakes.

Ji Jinghe stood in front of her, covered in snow. She reached out to brush the snow off her fur coat, but he dodged her.