When Ye Guixue returned to the Duke Residence, the sky was not yet fully dark.
He coincidentally ran into Lu Weiran at the entrance, who asked in surprise, "Cousin, didn’t you send word that you had an appointment tonight? Why did you come back so early? Did you miss it? Do you intend to get ready at home and go again?"
"I went earlier." Ye Guixue shook his head.
Upon hearing this, Lu Weiran said, "At this time, Cousin, have you had dinner yet?"
Ye Guixue nodded.
Lu Weiran immediately replied, "That’s just perfect, Mother was planning a farewell banquet for you tonight. She was regretting not having it yesterday when she heard you wouldn’t return for dinner. But now that you’ve returned early, it couldn’t be better. I will send someone to notify her."
Ye Guixue nodded, "Very well."
Lu Weiran promptly dispatched someone to inform the Duchess.
Meanwhile, Ye Guixue returned to his own courtyard. He used to be greeted by Ya Qiuying when he returned, but she was now at the Eastern Palace and he found the change a little unsettling.
He rubbed his temples, sat down, and softly called out, "Yin Yue."
"Young Master."
Ye Guixue asked, "The item I asked you to fetch, did you get it?"
Yin Yue nodded, "Young Master, I have returned with it."
He took out the item and handed it to Ye Guixue, "Would you like to keep it yourself, Young Master, or shall I keep it safe for you?"
Ye Guixue glanced at it, was silent for a moment, and then said, "You keep it safe."
Yin Yue nodded and put the item away.
The Duchess, knowing that Ye Guixue had an appointment tonight, had regretted not holding a farewell banquet for him yesterday. However, she had still ordered for a feast to be prepared, so they could gather together when he returned. It would serve as his send-off. But unexpectedly, Ye Guixue came back early, she thought it was rather fortunate.
The Duke appreciated his wife’s thoughtfulness, "Well done, you are always thorough."
The Duchess sighed, "What has this Residence come to? Didn’t you see that Guixue doesn’t trust the Residence to take proper care of Qiuying, so he sent her to live in the Eastern Palace? If I didn’t put in some effort, should we let the mockery continue?"
She looked at the Duke with resentment, "You have so many children, each with their own thoughts and strategies, causing the Residence to be in chaos. A long time ago, I advised you to discipline them strictly, but what did you do? You said the one with the ability will stand firm and told me not to have a woman’s perspective. And now? They’ve all grown up and are very capable, only adept at internal squabbles. Even those who should have turned to us, are afraid to stay here for long."
The Duke, feeling cornered yet knowing he was in the wrong, awkwardly replied, "You’re right, my wife. From now on, I’ll heed your words."
The Duchess wasn’t placated by his sweet words and said, "You don’t have to listen to me. I’m just a woman, you should pay more attention to Weiran’s opinions in the future, don’t make things difficult for him."
"He’s been handling the affairs just fine as the heir. This vast family business, I know I will have to hand over most of it to him in the future. And he indeed gives me peace of mind." The Duke assured her, "You can relax!"
The Duchess was satisfied with his words and nodded.
So that night, there was a farewell feast for Ye Guixue at the Duke’s Residence.
After the banquet, Lu Weiran escorted Ye Guixue back to his quarters. Ye Guixue, noticing his hesitation to speak, gently prompted, "Cousin, feel free to speak."
Lu Weiran looked around to see there was no one nearby, "Let’s go inside."
Ye Guixue nodded.
At Ye Guixue’s courtyard, inside his room, Lu Weiran began, "Cousin, you’re leaving tomorrow. As for Lady Su Qi... " He expressed his worry, "On the day of posting the list at the Tea House, I noticed something different about the way Zhou Gu treats her. It was very... " struggling to find the right words, he added, "I heard whispers today saying Zhou Gu is heading towards Nanping, but it’s uncertain..."
Ye Guixue understood, looking at Lu Weiran, he said, "Cousin, don’t worry. Su Qi and I... " he paused, "She’s the Nanchu princess, that will never change."
Lu Weiran appeared startled, unable to understand Ye Guixue’s stance.
Ye Guixue didn’t plan on discussing his affairs with Su Rong further. Instead, he said, "I used the princess’ name to place Qiuying in the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace for two reasons. One, to ease my mind and the princess’; two, having Qiuying in the Eastern Palace helps to close the gap between the Duke’s Residence and the Eastern Palace. That gap has become too wide over the years which is not a good thing. After my departure, I would suggest, Cousin, that you frequently visit Qiuying at the Eastern Palace. It will be beneficial for you. The Duke’s Residence is far too powerful to topple. Cousin, you’re too soft-hearted, you need to toughen up. Otherwise, this situation will bring you only misery. I would hate to see the Duke’s Residence ruin after the Crown Prince ascends the throne."
Lu Weiran nodded solemnly, "Don’t worry, Cousin, I’ll keep that in mind."
The two cousins had a cup of tea and chatted about trivial matters. After a while, Lu Weiran advised Ye Guixue to get some rest and left his courtyard.
He stepped outside the courtyard gate, paused as if recalling something, and turned back only to see Yin Yue entering Ye Guixue’s room with a letter. He decided it was not appropriate to go back now. Turning away, he headed back to his own courtyard.
Since Su Rong had decided to accompany Ya Qiuying at the Eastern Palace, they naturally shared a bed. Ya Qiuying’s small body was warm and soft, making Su Rong very comfortable when hugging her. Like embracing a pillow, she forwent her own blanket and lay down with Ya Qiuying under one blanket, holding her tightly with satisfaction and falling asleep.
She fell asleep so quickly that Ya Qiuying, with wide-open eyes, was left wondering how she could have drifted off so fast.
She had never shared a bed with anyone before and found it hard to adjust. She held back for a moment, but the discomfort only seemed to grow, keeping her from falling asleep. Unable to bear it any longer, she squirms trying to free herself from Su Rong’s embrace, but Su Rong’s grip was too tight. Unable to get free, she was forced to lie sullenly in Su Rong’s arms.
After who knows how long, Ya Qiuying finally sighed in resignation and drift into sleep.
The next day, Su Rong woke promptly at the usual time to find Ya Qiuying still asleep. She nudged her awake, "Wake up."
Groggy, Ya Qiuying let out an indistinct "mmm" before complaining, "Sister Su Qi, you’re so annoying."
Su Rong: "..."
The she chuckled and pinched Ya Qiuying’s cheek, "You’re calling me annoying this early in the morning? Aren’t you getting up to bid farewell to your uncle? If you’re not getting up, I’m going by myself."
In an instant, Ya Qiuying woke up, crawled out of bed sleepily, and while rubbing her eyes, said, "I’m not sleeping with you again."
"What’s wrong with me?" Su Rong looked at her, seeing a reflection of her younger self who used to complain about the First Wife, "I move around in my sleep? Kick the blankets? Hit and kick you?"
"No, none of that." Ya Qiuying shook her head, accusing her, "You’re a heavy sleeper."
Su Rong: "..."
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