The Qinghe Cui family’s entry into society in the Nanchu capital has caused quite a stir.
Someone quietly said to Lord Ye Xiang, "Lord, the Cui family is connected to the royal family through marriage - their daughter is married to the princess’s husband. We must be on guard. Once the Cui family becomes established it could potentially be a threat to our household."
Ye Xiang looked at him, "Bo Yuan, Qiling needs someone to take over. I think I’ll recommend you to the princess!"
Qiling is a poor and barren land in Nanchu, and being sent there as an official is akin to being exiled.
The man’s face changed, "Lord... Sir..."
Lord Ye Xiang waved him off, "Go and clear your head. Without the help of the Cui family back in the day, the princess wouldn’t even exist and our kingdom would’ve perished. There would be no Lord Ye Xiang or Ye Xiang residence. Do you think the Cui family only saved the princess? They also helped save our residence."
The man kneeled on the ground with a thud, "It was my error of judgement, please forgive me, sir."
"You’re being sent there precisely because you’re foolish and need to clear your head, but rest assured if you achieve anything during your three years there, I will promote you twice." Ye Xiang looked at him, "You should know, if you stay in the capital, you won’t get promoted twice in three years." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
The man hesitated only briefly then gritted his teeth, "Thank you, sir, I will go."
Ye Xiang showed a smile, "Off you go!"
After that man had left, Ye Guixue entered, "Father."
Ye Xiang looked at his son with concern, "You’re coming back so late again. When last did you rest? Please take a day off tomorrow."
Just as Ye Guixue was about to shake his head, Ye Xiang added, "Tomorrow is your mother’s birthday."
Ye Guixue hesitated, then swallowed the words he was about to say and said shamefully, "I’ve been so neglectful, I forgot my mother’s birthday."
"It’s not your fault, I nearly forgot too. It was the housekeeper who reminded me. Ah, I hope next year we can celebrate your mother’s birthday properly. This year, your mother insisted on having a simple meal without guests, just our immediate family. I wanted to tell you to take the day off."
Ye Guixue nodded, "Okay, I’ll take leave tomorrow."
Then he asked Ye Xiang, "That person just now..."
Ye Xiang recounted what had happened, and then sighed, "If he wasn’t punished severely, I’m afraid others would attempt to manipulate me. Ever since the princess returned to the capital, she hasn’t taken any drastic measures to clean up the court. This has led to the situation we’re in now, where some individuals are starting to stir up trouble."
Ye Guixue nodded, "Father dealt with it right."
Ye Xiang looked at him, "Us, the Ye Xiang household, are destined to play the role of loyal officials. Years ago, I and His Majesty were study mates growing up; our bond doesn’t compare to anything ordinary. Therefore, no matter how difficult it gets, I always support His Majesty. It’s startling, how many years have flown by. Even disregarding the favors bestowed upon our family from the princess and her husband. It is such that, we two generations need to bide our time, and remain intertwined with the royal power. As for the generations to follow, just how far they can take the Ye Xiang household is not in my control."
Ye Guixue nodded, "What father said is absolutely true."
Ye Xiang continued, "Mister Cui is a firm and intelligent man who came to Nanchu with his family. It is certainly good for Nanchu. Whether it’s for public or private reasons, the Ye Xiang residence making good relations with the Cui family is not bad. The princess is considering swallowing Dawei in ten years. Weren’t you also moved by the princess’s ambition in the past? Therefore, all the officials in Nanchu must unite. Our Ye Xiang residence needs to set a good example. With this, your path to becoming a renowned auxiliary minister will also be smoother."
Ye Guixue showed a smile, "The princess’s ambition is also my ambition. The peace agreement stipulates ten years, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will truly be ten years. It depends on the development of Nanchu."
Ye Xiang, stroking his beard, also laughed at this remark. For a moment, his expression relaxed, "I hope I can live to see the day when our deeds are recorded in history and our names remembered for a thousand autumns."
The next day, Ye Guixue took a leave and spent the day with Lady Ye Xiang for her birthday.
The Ye Xiang residence did not host any guests that day, but Su Rong and Zhou Gu arrived by noon. The Nanchu King wanted to visit too, but Su Rong dumped a pile of work on him. After he withdrew with a sullen face, she went to the Ministry of Housing to find Zhou Gu, and the two of them came to the Ye Xiang residence together.
The arrival of the princess and her husband startled everyone at the Ye Xiang residence.
Ye Xiang and his wife, Ye Guiyan, and Ye Guixue hurriedly greeted the surprised guests.
Su Rong brought a gift herself and handed it to Lady Ye Xiang, laughing, "It’s your birthday, we came to share the joy. Are you pleased with our visit?"
"We’re definitely glad." Lady Ye Xiang quickly accepted the gift, surprised and delighted, "I know you’re busy, I didn’t want to make a big fuss for just a birthday, I didn’t expect you both to come. This really is a pleasant surprise."
Su Rong hooked arms with Lady Ye Xiang and walked in, laughing, "I’ve been busy for days, I also wanted to rest a while. How could we secretly celebrate your birthday? If I didn’t know Lord Ye Guixue was taking leave today, I wouldn’t have known it was your birthday..."
Lady Ye Xiang laughed and said, "Ah, I just thought that Guixue has been so tired lately that I wanted him to rest on my birthday. I didn’t expect it to surprise you and the princess’s husband..."
"Madam, we also wanted a rest." Su Rong turned to ask Ye Xiang, "When is your birthday, sir? Please do inform me in advance."
Ye Xiang laughed, "My birthday has already passed. You’ll have to wait till next year, princess. However, I seem to recall that the princess’s birthday is in a month’s time?"
Su Rong cried, "That’s right, it seems my birthday is coming up again."
The last birthday she celebrated was the coming-of-age ceremony Zhou Gu attended with her in Jiangning County last year.
She glanced at Zhou Gu, recalling his birthday this year. In the midst of their busy schedules, they hardly had time to celebrate. He was yet to be officially acknowledged as the princess’s husband at the time. Those were some of their busiest days. After returning from the Council Hall and the Ministry of Housing late in the night, wet nurse Zhao brought them two bowls of longevity noodles. It was then that she realized it was Zhou Gu’s birthday, and she became upset. Nanny Zhao could only say that she remembered it suddenly, claiming that she had forgotten because of all the work.
The next day, when her father the king heard about it, he insisted on celebrating Zhou Gu’s birthday properly. However, they were too busy, and with a heap of work piled up, they could only call Zhou Gu for a meal at noon and forced him to rest for half a day to have a belated birthday celebration.
Even so, Zhou Gu’s eyes were red by the time they finished, and he hugged her tightly without letting go at night, saying how kind her father had been to him and that he had never experienced the feeling of a father caring so much for his birthday. It hurt her to hear this and made her determined that she would surely give him a grand birthday celebration the following year.
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