Chapter 60 Madam Ye's Reconciliation
When we left Cining Palace and returned to Prince Jin's residence, the lanterns were already lit.
Ye Xunyang sat alone in his study, the moonlight outside the window like water, his longing and gratitude for Lou Jin surging like a tide.
He picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and spread out the letter paper under the lamp. As the pen fell, it was no longer filled with hesitation and complaints, but with a firm and resolute strength.
"To Your Highness:"
Seeing this letter is like seeing you in person.
He first briefly reported that the capital was safe and that his father's condition was stable, telling him not to worry. Then, he changed the subject and wrote about the Empress Dowager's summons.
"I was filled with fear and unease when the Empress Dowager summoned me today. However, she was merciful and did not reprimand me harshly. Instead, she told me about the letter written by the Prince."
He paused for a moment at this point.
"After reading the letter, I realized that the prince had shouldered so much for me all by himself."
“In the past, I always felt that it was the prince who protected me and sheltered me from the wind and rain. Only now do I realize that the prince was willing to give up his country for me. What virtue or ability do I have to deserve such a heartfelt treatment from the prince?”
"Husband and wife are one, sharing both fortune and misfortune. Since Your Highness regards me as your only one, I should stand shoulder to shoulder with you and weather the storms together!"
"Please rest assured, Your Highness, that you are fighting on the front lines. I, Ye Xunyang, will do my utmost to maintain order in the capital. When Your Highness returns in triumph, I will prove to the world that I, Ye Xunyang, am capable of standing by Your Highness's side."
"This letter is short but my feelings are deep. I wish you good health and look forward to your early return."
"Wife: Yours sincerely, Xunyang."
With the final stroke, he gently blew the ink dry, carefully sealed the letter, and handed it to Mushan to be sent to the Northwest via the fastest possible route.
Late at night, another bodyguard quietly sneaked into the study and placed a small package wrapped tightly in oilcloth on the desk.
“Your Highness, these are some samples taken from a secret compartment in the South City Goods Store. As you instructed, only a very small amount of each item was taken, without alerting the other party.”
Ye Xunyang opened the oilcloth, and the contents inside faintly emitted an indescribable fishy-sweet smell.
We've got the item, but how do we give it to Anar for identification?
His mother's fierce reaction yesterday was still fresh in his mind. He simply did not have the courage to step into the General's Mansion again and face the likely still cold eyes and oppressive atmosphere.
The next day, Ye Xunyang lingered outside the General's Mansion for a long time, looking at the familiar vermilion gate, but his steps felt as heavy as lead.
To go in, or not to go in?
Just as he was hesitating, a clear voice came from behind him: "Third brother? What are you doing standing here?"
Ye Xunyang turned around and saw Anar carrying a small basket full of fresh herbs, returning from outside.
When she saw Ye Xunyang, a bright smile appeared on her face, but then, as if she remembered something, her smile faded slightly, and her eyes showed a hint of sympathy.
She had already heard about what happened from Ye Xunqin yesterday. Although she didn't have a deep understanding of the complex etiquette and social customs of the Central Plains, she could sense Ye Xunyang's current predicament.
"Are you worried about Madam and Second Brother?"
Anar stepped forward and naturally took Ye Xunyang's arm. She was quite strong, and her gesture carried an undeniable warmth. "Let's go inside and talk. The general looks much better today; he even woke up for a while this morning!"
Without a word, she pulled Ye Xunyang into the general's mansion, comforting him in a low voice as they walked, her tone carrying her unique frankness: "Madam is just having trouble thinking things through for a moment. Once she sees the general getting better and her mood improves, she'll naturally be fine."
"You are her son, connected by blood. What mother would truly abandon her own child?"
Ye Xunyang was half-pulled, half-draggled by her to Ye Qing's bedroom. Sure enough, her father's complexion was much rosier than the previous two days, and his breathing was steady and long.
The maidservant by the bedside whispered that the master had indeed woken up for a quarter of an hour this morning and had drunk some water. Although he quickly fell asleep again, he was conscious.
Seeing his father's condition improve, Ye Xunyang finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart.
Anar checked Ye Qing's pulse and said confidently to Ye Xunyang, "Don't worry, the toxins are being cleared very smoothly. At this rate, the general will be fully awake in two days at most."
Just then, Ye Xunqin walked in from outside.
When he saw Ye Xunyang, he paused, his expression somewhat complicated.
Unlike yesterday, there was no shock or subtle rejection, but it wasn't exactly warm either. It was more like an awkward and helpless feeling of not knowing how to get along.
He opened his mouth, but in the end only managed a dry, curt "You're here?"
Ye Xunyang understood; his second brother's attitude was already quite remarkable.
Not wanting to put his second brother in a difficult position, he took out the small oilcloth bag from his pocket and handed it to Anar: "Miss Anar, this is something the guards found. Please take a look."
Anar took it, carefully opened it, and examined it closely.
Having finished explaining the matter, Ye Xunyang didn't want to linger any longer to avoid creating further embarrassment, so he prepared to leave quietly.
However, he had just turned around and hadn't even reached the door when he bumped right into Madam Ye, who was carrying in a bowl of ginseng soup!
The air seemed to freeze completely at that moment.
She opened her mouth, but in the end, she spoke first, though not with a question of blame.
"...The Empress Dowager in the palace hasn't made things difficult for you, has she?"
Ye Xunyang was taken aback when his mother spoke that first thing. He quickly lowered his head and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. The Empress Dowager did not make things difficult for me."
Madam Ye seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, her tense shoulders slumping slightly.
She was silent for a moment, her gaze sweeping over her husband, whose complexion had improved, before settling back on her son. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions, and her tone carried a resigned sigh as she whispered:
“Last night, Gui, the nanny who serves the Empress Dowager, came in person.”
Ye Xunyang suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with astonishment. The Empress Dowager had actually sent someone to the General's Mansion?
Madam Ye did not look at him, as if she was recalling something. Her voice was very soft, but every word clearly reached Ye Xunyang's ears.
"Granny Gui said... The Empress Dowager knows that our family has been going through a lot lately, the general is seriously ill, and the children are having a hard time. She also said... She also said that before Prince Jin left, he knelt down and begged the Empress Dowager, saying that everything was his fault and had nothing to do with you."
Her voice choked as she spoke, and she took a deep breath before continuing.
"The Empress Dowager said that it is rare to find such devoted and persistent members of the imperial family. Since... since you two have made up your minds, she does not wish to be the villain who breaks up the marriage. She only hopes that we, as elders, can... can be understanding."
The Empress Dowager's meaning was crystal clear: it was a blatant act of protection and pressure, but in a way that gave the Ye family ample face.
Yes, even the Empress Dowager tacitly approved it. King Jin was willing to go to such lengths for her son, so what could she, as his mother, do?
Just then, Ye Xunqin, who was standing to the side, also spoke up, his tone somewhat helpless, but he also helped to explain.
“Third brother, don’t blame your mother for being agitated yesterday. After you went to the palace yesterday, your mother was restless at home, fearing that the Empress Dowager would make things difficult for you. Only when the news came from the Prince’s Mansion that you had returned safely did she sit down and eat half a bowl of rice.”
Ye Xunyang's eyes instantly reddened. He looked up at his mother, his voice choked with emotion:
"Mother, it is your unfilial son who has caused you worry..."
Madam Ye turned her face away and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. Her voice was still somewhat harsh, but it no longer had the sharpness of yesterday. Instead, it carried a sense of weariness and heartache after compromise.
"Alright, since... since the Empress Dowager has spoken, and the Prince has shown his good intentions. Your father is in such a state now, the family can't afford any more trouble..."
She paused, but couldn't help herself, and said in a low voice with a hint of resentment and concern.
"From now on, you must be more careful in everything you do in that Prince's mansion. Don't be so honest and let others bully you. If... if that day ever comes and he betrays you, come home. The Ye family... will always have food to eat."
These words, which were almost tacit approval and compromise, finally brought tears to Ye Xunyang's eyes.
"Thank you, Mother..." He choked up and nodded heavily.
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