Chapter 118

As the two were talking in the room, Yu came over with a bowl of nourishing soup. Ye Jia's body was weak at the moment, and if she took advantage of this time to nourish her body, her physical condition would improve.

"Why are you eating here?" Yu had just come in from outside and frowned at the sight of the shiny, fragrant food on the low table. "Jia Niang hasn't eaten yet, and you're eating first?"

Zhou Jingchen was caught off guard by Yu's insults and was in a state of confusion, neither laughing nor crying. "Mom, I'm just talking to Jia Niang over here."

"What's the rush? You wouldn't normally have time to talk about it, but now?" Yu was feeling happy and full of energy. "Jia Niang, you haven't held the child yet, have you? He weighs over six pounds, a big fat boy! He eats well, sleeps well, and is very easy to take care of!"

The child was very well behaved in the womb, and Ye Jia was not surprised at all. Thinking that the child was already born, other things should be settled. The first one was naming. Ye Jia was not good at naming. The few names she had thought of before, now thinking back, all seemed unpleasant. Her eyes fell on Zhou Jingchen, thinking that Zhou Jingchen had a deep literary background, so she let him choose the name: "Husband, have you thought of a name for the child?"

During the two days Ye Jia had been comatose, Zhou Jingchen had already circled several names: "I've decided on three. One is Yunli, one is Jinghe, one is Chuyao, and one is Shubai. I think Jinghe or Shubai are good. They are like high mountains and beautiful deeds, with favorable locations and people. They will carry on the will and tell the story, and will be loyal until old age. What do you think, Jia Niang?"

"Hmm..." Names are something that affects a person's entire life. Ye Jia always felt that a person's name might affect their personality as they grow older. So she concentrated and read out the names carefully: "Zhou Yunli, Zhou Jinghe, Zhou Chuyao, Zhou Shubai... Does Zhou Shubai sound better? But, my husband, why do all these names you chose seem so gentle?"

Each name sounded polite, and Ye Jia thought Zhou Jingchen would choose a name that sang of ambition.

"Of course, we hope our children can have a peaceful and smooth life."

Zhou Jingchen smiled. If it weren't for Zhou Ye's misbehavior, he would have considered himself a gentle and polite person. He couldn't live a peaceful life, so he could build a kingdom for his children in the future and live a peaceful and smooth life.

"It's okay to just speak out." Since Ye Jia had chosen to speak out, then it would be to speak out.

After deciding on the name, Yu was thinking about giving the child a nickname: "The child's fate is weak, so giving him a nickname can help to suppress it."

This is not a big deal. Ye Jia's unreliable mother thought for a moment, but couldn't think of a nice one, so she simply said, "Nicknames are just for fun. Otherwise, you can each give them a nickname, and it's fine to call them your own."

Yu/Zhou Jingchen: "..."

I have to say that sometimes Ye Jia's ideas are really unconventional.

Now that the child was born healthy, the rest of the year could be planned slowly. With the Lunar New Year less than ten days away, there was much to prepare for at home. Last year, the Zhou family had spent New Year's Eve with Zhou Jingchen and his lonely colleagues, celebrating two festive holidays. This year, with a new addition to the family, it was natural to celebrate properly.

"My little grandson really knows how to choose a good day," Mrs. Yu said, smiling from ear to ear as she held little Shubai in her arms. "He'll be born on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month."

It must be said that the birth of little Shubai brought great comfort to Mrs. Yu, even redemption. Her tense nerves relaxed, and she felt completely at ease. If conditions allowed, Mrs. Yu would have wanted to hold a grand third-day bathing banquet and invite all the blessed people in the town to attend.

"Yun'an, where are your maternal uncle and the others now?"

Because she had a little grandson, Yu had the courage to meet the Yu family members who were implicated by her.

Zhou Jingchen had guessed she would ask, and said with a smile, "They're already on their way."

"When did you go to pick him up?!" Yu was startled. Thinking of her loving parents coming over, she felt a little embarrassed but couldn't hide her excitement. She raised her hand and hit Zhou Jingchen a few times: "You, why didn't you discuss this with me?"

Zhou Jingchen let her hit him a few times and said with a smile, "It's time to meet him. It's been half a year, and your grandparents are worried about you too."

Upon hearing this, Yu was silent for a moment, and for some reason her eyes turned red.

The mother and son remained silent for a long time. Yu finally let out a deep sigh, "Yes, hiding isn't a good idea. Your grandfather is already old, and I don't know how many more years he'll be strong. It's a blessing from heaven that I can show my filial respect to him now. I was wrong."

During this time, waiting for the Yu family to arrive, Yu Shi had been restless. She had already prepared the New Year's goods, but now it felt like it wasn't enough. She would go to the storehouse every morning and evening to take inventory, always worried that something was missing and that the hospitality was not good enough. She was panicking, but she couldn't tell anyone, so she would take Rui Jie'er to burn incense for King Jing's eldest and second sons every morning and evening.

Speaking of which, ever since the Zhou family settled in the Shen Mansion, Yu Shi had set aside a separate room to serve as an ancestral hall for the memorial tablets. All of the dozen or so members of the Jing Palace, both legitimate and illegitimate, except for those who were still alive and those who couldn't be enshrined in the ancestral hall, were placed here.

After burning several sticks of incense, Yu couldn't help chanting to Prince Jing's tablet: "The stubborn Yun'an has finally come to his senses. He has finally started a family and a career, giving our family an explanation. Our little Shubai is so beautiful. His parents are both very smart. In the future, this child will definitely surpass his father. You can rest in peace in your nine springs..."

The days passed slowly, long because of the waiting. Yu Shi really didn't expect that the first people to come to Zhou's house were not the Yu family, but the Ye family who finally found out the whereabouts of Ye Wumei.

Ye Su suddenly knocked on the door one morning, catching people off guard.

Yu was stunned by the sudden encounter. She was completely baffled. What was Ye Su doing at the Zhou household so close to the New Year? It was snowing heavily outside. How could a delicate woman like Ye Su endure such hardship and come here?

Ye Su was actually a little afraid of Yu. She didn't dare to say anything in front of Yu, so she just timidly said that she wanted to see her daughters.

Although Yu Shi couldn't figure out her motives, she couldn't refuse them since they were looking for her daughter. She turned around and asked Yingtao to call Ye Simei and Ye Wumei over. As soon as Ye Su Shi saw her daughter, her eyes turned red. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she was sobbing until she was a little dazed.

Fourth and Fifth Sister Ye were also stunned. Their mother had come running back from Luntai in the heavy snow? What had happened?

The question was so obvious that Ye Wumei's face paled when asked. After all, Ye Sushi had come all this way to arrange Ye Wumei's marriage to the youngest son of the Yan family. This marriage had been going on from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, and it still hadn't been resolved. Ye Tongsheng was so short-sighted that he had Ye Sushi personally come to arrest someone for the sake of the Yan family's wealth. He said that if Ye Wumei still cared about her parents, she would never give them any trouble, even if it meant she would be in trouble.

"Diniang, if you can bear to watch your mother die, then go." Ye Sushi always had a way with her daughters. All of her daughters loved her, and they hated to see her cry. Ye Sushi timidly sat down on a chair, her head turned away, and she looked like she was dying.

Ye Wumei's face turned pale.

"Mother, don't you know what kind of person the Yan family's youngest son is?" Fourth Sister Ye said in disbelief. "With his condition, are you going to let Fifth Sister be a widow for the rest of her life?"

Ye Sushi just cried when she heard her say that. Ye Wumei had said these words so many times in the past, over and over again, that Ye Sushi had long been numb to them. Not only was she not moved, but she felt that she was being noisy: "This is your sister's marriage, why are you meddling in it!"

Ye Simei was so choked by her disrespectful response that she was speechless for a long time.

Some things had been said in the past, and there was no point in repeating them now. Ye Su used her usual trickery: "We've already received the three hundred taels of betrothal money from the Yan family. Your father spent it long ago arranging marriages for your brother and your nephew. Now the Yan family is asking us for it, and we can't even give it to them! Di Niang, can you really watch your parents, at their age, being driven to death?"

Yu Shi initially knew that Ye Wumei had run away because of her marriage, but she wasn't entirely clear on the true circumstances. Now, bewildered, she decided to offer some advice: "My dear, what are you doing? If the marriage doesn't work out, we can discuss it later. Don't keep talking about death on New Year's Day..."

"My dear relatives, this is my Ye family's family affair."

After hearing what Ye Su said, Yu Shi was at a loss for words.

She glanced at Ye Simei, who seemed hesitant to speak. She wanted to say something, but seemed concerned about saving face for her family, so she didn't speak out. Ye Wumei had cried, made a scene, and even escaped, knowing her father didn't treat her like a human being. She no longer expected her mother to help her, and stood aside with a blank expression, not saying a word.

Ye Su was furious when she saw her like this: "Mother Di, I've never had good food or good things in my life because of the Ye family. I've suffered all my life. Now that I finally have a peaceful life, can you please pity me?"

"Mom, I pity you, but who will take care of me?" Ye Wumei felt hopeless. She only asked her, "I'm only sixteen years old. Don't I deserve a better life?"

Ye Su choked, paused, and scolded: "What are you talking about? What's wrong with his Yan family?"

Ye Su had recently been dazzled by the Yan family's wealth. With the help of the official's wife, the Yan family frequently invited the Ye family to their residence, offering them food and gifts. They even promised to give the Ye Fifth Sister two shops as a betrothal gift if she married. As a result, everyone in Luntai knew that the Yan and Ye families were becoming in-laws.

In other words, if Ye Wumei didn't marry into the Yan family, no other family would be willing to marry her. Ye Su felt that she wasn't treating her daughter as a nobody. Although they might not have a married life in the future, the Yan family was wealthy!

"As long as you have good food and good clothes, your life will never be difficult!"

Ye Su didn't have big dreams. Even if her son rose to the rank of captain, she wouldn't have been able to live a life of luxury. Thanks to the Yan family's support, they were able to live a life of luxury. Not only was a second wife arranged for their eldest son, but marriages for their eldest grandson, second grandson, and even the next few grandsons were also arranged, all to daughters of wealthy families. Thanks to the Yan family's introductions, their Ye family was poised for a complete rise.

"Don't be so young and unfocused, thinking about random things all the time." Ye Sushi taught her with the tone of someone who had experienced it. "I'm telling you, it's all the same once you're married. It doesn't matter if the man is handsome or ugly. As long as your family has financial resources, you won't have a hard life."

Even after she said so much, Ye Wumei still didn't listen.

"You are such a cruel girl! You don't care about your family's life or death, you only care about your own happiness!"

Ye Su changed her delicate, tearful demeanor and stared with her cloudy eyes as if the person before her wasn't her own child but an enemy who had come to ruin her life. "I've said all sorts of good and bad things to you. Your own mother has begged you, but you won't agree. What sin did I commit in my life to give birth to such a cruel and vicious daughter like you! I'm telling you this, Di Niang, if you don't marry him today, you'll be waiting to collect your mother's body someday!"

Before Yu could say a word to defend herself, Ye Su ruthlessly rammed her head against the pillar.

This crying, fussing, and threatening-to-hang-out scene stunned everyone in the room. Fourth Sister Ye quickly grabbed her mother, preventing her from crashing into the house. But Fifth Sister Ye had no choice but to go.

Fourth Sister Ye cried until her eyes were swollen, but there was nothing she could do. This was the mother of the three sisters, and no one knew Ye Su's character better than she did. She was truly delicate, yet also truly stubborn. There was no persuading her. Fifth Sister Ye collapsed on the ground, unable to even cry. Ye Su didn't stay at the Zhou family for long, as if she was anxious to get married. She dragged her into the car and took her away that very day.

This incident happened suddenly, and it was already evening when Ye Jia found out.

Yu wanted to make Ye Jia less worried, so after hesitating for a moment, she told him about Ye Su coming to take Ye Wumei away.

Ye Jia's face darkened in an instant: "When did she come?"

"He arrived this morning. He started looking for someone as soon as he arrived, and left after picking him up." Yu sighed. It was the first time she had seen her mother act so foolishly.

In fact, she had found the situation this morning somewhat odd and had considered intervening. Although Ye Su had brought some guards, the Zhou family was determined to intervene, and Ye Su wasn't so easily disturbed. But Yu, an outsider, didn't know the inside story and felt uncomfortable interfering in other people's affairs. After all, it was a marriage decided by one's biological parents; as an outsider, she had no right to interfere.

"Jia Niang..."

Seeing Ye Jia's unhappy face, Yu Shi also felt a little uneasy: "What kind of marriage is this that has caused such a mess? I saw the mother-in-law crying, making a fuss, and even threatening to hang herself when she arrived. She was determined not to give up until she achieved her goal. Yesterday, Di Niang just said a few words, and the mother-in-law directly slammed into the pillar. I didn't dare to stop her when I watched her from the side..."

"It's a long story, and it's hard to unravel the matter." The old couple of the Ye family weren't exactly easy to get along with. When Ye Jia had concocted a plan to send the people away, he hadn't anticipated the events that would unfold. Ultimately, Ye Wumei's suffering was somehow due to her. He didn't know what had happened in Luntai that had driven Ye Su-shi to flee in the snow. Ye Jia's face darkened as he pondered the matter.

Seeing her expression, Mrs. Yu put the child back into the cradle and asked, "Do you want to take care of this?"

"Of course I have to take care of it. It affects Fifth Sister's lifelong happiness."

Fifth Sister Ye was concerned about saving face for her parents, so she didn't want to say too much in public. But Ye Jia didn't care about the life and death of that family. After a moment's thought, she simply revealed the truth: "The husband that couple chose for Fifth Sister is a homosexual. I heard he has a strange personality and is a bit misogynistic. The Yan family has spent a lot of money on the Ye family for this son. This time my mother came here, either the Yan family offered more benefits to make my father tempted, or someone has some leverage over the Ye family."

Of course, these are Ye Jia's guesses. Otherwise, how could Ye Su be so resolute? Then Ye Su's bones are not so tough.

Yu was stunned for a long time without reacting.

When he looked up at Ye Jia, he saw the absurd look on her face: "If he is a homosexual, how can you marry your daughter to him? Aren't you pushing her into the fire pit! If Di Niang really marries into the Yan family, her life will be ruined. Are these still her biological parents!"

They were her biological parents, yes, but they were also the same parents who sold all three of their daughters for the bride price. Hadn't the original owner been highly regarded by the Ye family elders, and had married into the Zhou family for thirty taels of silver? But there was no need to bring up these past events. Filial piety was still highly valued in ancient times. Even if Ye Jia despised the couple in his heart, he still had to keep his mouth shut.

Yu pursed her lips and murmured, "Oh my God, oh my God..."

Turning around, he remembered that he had been selfish for a moment, and became a little anxious: "Well, that person has been taken away, what should I do?"

"The people left, so they probably haven't left Kashgar County yet."

Ye Jia actually guessed this later from fragments of Ye Wumei's remarks. While AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases weren't prevalent in this dynasty, wives of homosexual men were still one of the most miserable groups, both in ancient and modern times. Especially in this era of male superiority, even if everyone knew the man was gay, the stigma of infertility would still be hurled at the woman.

Marrying a gay man is basically ruining your life.

"Where's my husband?" Ye Jia's current health was not suitable for walking. She had only given birth a few days ago. When she was still weak, Yu Shi would not ask her to leave the house, and she couldn't help Ye Wumei herself even if she wanted to.

"Wasn't Yun'an here yesterday?" Yu was stunned for a moment when she mentioned it. "Huh? Where did this kid go again?"

As they were talking, Zhou Jingchen came back from the corridor, carrying a pile of books. He was naturally aware of what was going on at home, and he was also very clear about the situation of the Yan family. Zhou Jingchen never allowed any mistakes to happen around him, and he habitually controlled everything related to him.

To Ye Wumei, this was a catastrophe, but to Zhou Jingchen, it was nothing. The Yan family, a small merchant family, could only fool the unsophisticated Ye family. Their small holdings could be easily investigated for any reason and their wealth could be completely destroyed. Furthermore, the Yan family hadn't done anything good over the years, otherwise why would they be so persistent in coaxing the old couple from the Ye family?

He walked over slowly and piled the books on the desk. As he carefully arranged them, he said, "Don't worry about this. Leave it to Liu Yuan."

"Liu Yuan?"

"Yeah." Zhou Jingchen smoothed the hair that fell in front of him and turned around. "It just so happens that I can find something for him to do."

If it was left to Liu Yuan, Ye Jia wouldn't have anything to worry about. Liu Yuan seemed lazy, but he was actually quite efficient. However, Ye Jia hadn't heard of this name in a long time, and it seemed like Liu Yuan hadn't appeared in the Zhou family for a long time. After a pause, she asked, "Husband, isn't Liu Yuan in the Anxi Protectorate? Why did he go to Luntai?"

"There are some things to take care of in Luntai." Zhou Jingchen didn't elaborate. "He came here, so of course he made preparations in advance."

Ye Jia blinked, guessing it was probably related to the war with the imperial court at the beginning of next spring. Zhou Jingchen liked to plan things in advance, so although Ye Jia asked, he would not ask too many questions. Nodding, Ye Jia finally felt relieved. Yu looked from Ye Jia to Zhou Jingchen and suddenly asked a strange question: "Yun'an, I remember Liu Yuan is also twenty-four or twenty-five this year, right?"

"Hmm?" She asked this question suddenly, and Zhou Jingchen was a little unprepared.

"Are you married?"

Zhou Jingchen: “…”

Ye Jia: “…”

Yu said this casually. Seeing that Zhou Jingchen and Ye Jia were both very confused, she smiled and said, "Just asking, just asking."

"Don't worry, this matter will be resolved satisfactorily, and the Yan family will not cause any major trouble."

Ye Jia had no idea what Zhou Jingchen meant by a satisfactory solution, but the year had passed very quickly.

First, on the third day of the third month of the lunar year, the entire Yu family visited the Zhou household. The entire Yu family was clear in their attitude, expressing their deepest regard for little Shubai. The Yu family knew all too well how much the child meant to the Yu family, and naturally, they loved him as much as they loved the whole family. Old Master Yu held the child tightly in his arms, insisting on lying, even with his eyes open, that the red little monkey was incredibly handsome.

Anyway, Ye Jia couldn't see any handsomeness from that rosy face, but he couldn't deny that he was happy to be praised like that.

Since the Yu family had arrived, they didn't go back this New Year. Whether they were in Anxi Protectorate or now in Beiting, they were all considered guests. Since they were guests, it was the same wherever they were. It just so happened that the Zhou family's mansion was large enough, and Yu Shi also wanted to keep them, so they simply didn't leave for the New Year. Ye Jia was actually a little uncomfortable. There were too many elders in the family, and they didn't get to do anything. But since it was a rare New Year, it was nice to have some fun.

This year was even more lively than the previous one, and Yu's face was always smiling. The Yu family's aunts were all very shrewd people, and they wouldn't easily cause trouble. Coincidentally, the second aunt was as knowledgeable about rouge and powder as Yu, and the two of them really got along well.

The Yu family was a family of talented individuals, each with their own unique talents. Some excelled in poetry and literature, while others were knowledgeable in medicine. Originally, it was Yu who tended to Ye Jia's health, using tonics, various exercises, and a multi-pronged approach. Now, with the addition of a young aunt-in-law who knew medicine, she addressed Ye Jia's underlying health. Ye Jia's confinement lasted a full forty-five days.

By the time she was able to move around, not only was her body much stronger than before, but her appearance had also become much more beautiful. Like a budding flower suddenly opening, a dazzling display of color. Her blossoming beauty was praised by several of the Yu family's aunts, who said it was no less impressive than Yu's youth.

Ye Jia felt somewhat helpless, as it would be February of the following year before she recovered.

The spring breeze in February is like a pair of scissors. When the spring breeze blows, the snow melts.

After an entire winter of security, work could finally begin on the Libei Town Walled City. These matters couldn't be delayed. Zhou Jingchen, waiting for the snow to melt, immediately wrote to Sun Yushan, resuming the repair work, which had been suspended for two months. Ye Jia didn't delay either, finding time to rush to the walled city. While it's true that food shortages in late winter can lead to increased risk of banditry, early spring is actually the peak period for looting.

By this time of year, the snow had melted, and the crops had yet to be planted. After a long winter, the family's food reserves had been depleted. The nomadic tribes to the north had no food left to survive, and were more likely to raid the south. In other words, repairing the fortress was urgent.

Things have their priorities. If you can help, do your best to help.

Ye Jia also sent a letter to Sun Yushan, and then told Yu Shi about something and hurriedly took a car to the city.