Yan Nangui heard around noon that Shu Chengfeng had gone to Su Liangdi's place.
"It's time to go. They've been staying with me all this time," Yan Nangui said nonchalantly.
“Yes, Consort Su hasn’t been alone with His Highness since meeting her family,” Chanyi said.
"Let's just focus on our own business. Since Your Highness has somewhere to go, I'll take a nap after lunch and then go out for a stroll in the afternoon. Go wherever you can, but don't deliberately go to crowded places." Last time it was intentional, but this time we need to avoid suspicion.
In such a large palace, it wouldn't be difficult for her to hide.
Cicada Robe agreed.
Su Liangdi's father was merely a registrar in a county under Ningcheng, hardly a significant figure.
Naturally, he couldn't see the Crown Prince.
There's a story behind how Su Liangdi was brought back back then, but it doesn't need to be told now.
Speaking of the present moment, Su Liangdi was naturally familiar with serving Shu Chengfeng.
No matter what the two ladies-in-waiting thought, they never got to serve anyone.
Xia Fengyi is alright; she's a very sensible person and knows that she'll see him sooner or later.
But it's not necessarily the same for Consort Xiang. Since she entered the manor, she has only served him once.
Now we are filled with trepidation, but none of these people who have come out are easy to deal with.
She had witnessed Yan Liangyuan's prowess, and Su Liangdi was no ordinary person either.
Xia Fengyi was so favored, she didn't want to go out and return empty-handed, but she didn't dare to do anything, which made her extremely uncomfortable.
There was silence in the palace for a moment.
The Seventh Prince was simply recuperating from his injuries.
The news that the Eighth Prince had been imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court upon his return to the capital due to his escorting of the Eighth Prince arrived shortly after the letter sent back to the Yan family by Yan Lingyun's men.
Not to mention how many people in the capital had their dreams shattered because of the Seventh and Eighth Princes.
Speaking of the Yan family, after the old servant paid his respects to the old lady of the Yan family, he handed her the letter.
After reading it, the old lady asked, "Does your husband have any other instructions?"
"The general does have something to say. Please ask the old lady to invite the eldest princess and the second young master."
The old lady agreed and then sent someone to invite them.
Before long, Princess Rongning arrived, followed by the second young master Yan Jincheng and the fourth young lady Yan Jinfei.
After the old servant greeted them again, he said, "The general is unable to return at this time, and neither is the eldest son. Therefore, the second son's marriage will have to be arranged by the old lady and the eldest princess."
“This is my duty. Just say it. Does the general have anything else to say?” the princess said.
"Yes, the general has ordered that the second young master restore his original name. If he refuses, he should be adopted out in the future." The old servant's words were quite blunt.
Yan Jincheng's expression immediately changed: "What does this mean? You changed the name because it suits me, so why are you going to kick me out because of the name?"
"The general also said that the bride's family background should not be too high for the second young master's marriage. It should be preferably below the fifth rank. If she is a good person, no matter how low the family's status is, it is acceptable."
"What kind of talk is this? Jin Cheng, the dignified young master of the General's Mansion, wants to marry someone of lower status? What does the General mean by this?" the Princess said angrily.
“Princess, the general said you are intelligent, and you understand what he means,” the old servant said.
The eldest princess was really angry. She had already chosen a suitable candidate for Yan Jincheng: the niece of Consort Zhen.
The girl is sixteen this year, which is just the right age.
Yan Jincheng is nineteen years old this year.
With this connection, she would be more confident in marrying Consort Zhen's son in the future.
Even if the marriage doesn't work out, binding the Yan family to Consort Zhen's side at least provides some protection.
But now, the general is trying to undermine our resolve.
"Now that you've gone to Chengzhou, I suppose you've met Consort Yan?" the Princess suddenly asked.
"The Emperor's grace is boundless; the General and the Young General were able to meet the young lady and exchange a few words," the old servant said, bowing respectfully to the imperial city.
"What does Father mean by this?" Yan Jincheng said angrily. "What does this mean? Did Yan Nangui say something? Because she caused Third Sister's death at the Meng family, what else does she want to say?"
The old servant thought to himself, "What a fool you are!" But on the surface, he still said, "That's what the general means. I didn't know any of that. It's up to the second young master to choose for himself."
After saying that, he left first.
The old lady then said, "Your father is only doing this for your own good."
"What do you mean by 'for my own good'? Does 'for my own good' mean marrying a girl from a lowly family?" Yan Jincheng really couldn't understand it.
“Your elder brother’s wife is only the daughter of a fourth-rank general. Your father holds considerable military power, and now that the princes are all grown up, our Yan family is under His Majesty’s watchful eye. Your marriages really can’t be too high. Nan Gui is already a virtuous lady in the Crown Prince’s household. If you were to marry a daughter from a high-ranking family, it would only make people more wary.”
"Who does Yan Nangui think she is? Why should I marry someone of lower status just because she became the Crown Prince's woman?" Yan Jincheng was furious.
"Alright, don't you know your father's temperament? If things really get out of hand, he might just give you away as an adopted child. Your father is thinking..." Princess Rongning sighed.
“Mother, then I… I’m not reconciled,” Yan Jincheng said.
“What’s the use of being unwilling? Forget it, in the end it’s your father who blames me for not raising you well.” Princess Rongning stood up: “This matter, I’ll leave it to my mother-in-law. I’ll just worry about it; I dare not choose any more suitable people.” After saying that, she left directly.
The old lady sighed as she watched the mother and daughter leave.
Princess Rongning returned to her room and smashed a set of furniture.
Yan Jinfei gently comforted her, "After all, he wasn't born of you, so why be angry?"
“Your father really doesn’t respect me at all,” Princess Rongning said, sitting down and taking a deep breath.
“Over the years, I’ve only seen him twice. I know your suffering. But it’s no use. Life still goes on. No matter what, my second brother is still on your side,” Yan Jinfei said.
"My child, you are all I have left." The princess sighed and hugged Yan Jinfei.
Inside the old lady's room, Yan Jincheng was still angry.
The old lady sighed, "Your child, your father is doing this for your own good. You're all grown up now, you should understand his thoughts. After you get married, at least find a way out. The Yan family has always followed the path of martial arts, and you should follow that path too."
"Grandmother is right, but... so what if it's my name? Father is so heartless, why is he angry just because of my name?"
"Your father loved your mother deeply. She gave you your name and Nan Gui's name. I suppose your father couldn't bear to part with her," the old lady said.
"How many years has Mother been gone? Father is indifferent to Mother's condition, yet he still misses someone who has passed away?" Yan Jincheng asked.
“That’s your mother, the one who gave birth to you. What would your father think if he heard you say that?” the old lady said.
“Yes… then let’s change it. Hmph…” Yan Jincheng was unhappy.
His real name was Yan Nanji, a name whose meaning is difficult to convey...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
