Ye Heng imdiately raised his voice in denial. "You are my niece! How could you beco so man’s concubine?!"
He softened his voice, adopting a coaxing tone. "The Han Family’s intention is to first welco you as a concubine. Later, once you have a son or daughter, they will naturally promote you to the position of primary wife."
A helpless look appeared on his face. "Originally, I shouldn’t be the one to discuss these things with you, but your Second Aunt has been unwell lately. It wouldn’t be right to trouble her with too many worries, so I, your Second Uncle, had to step in."
Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on her lips. "Then I must thank Second Uncle for going to such trouble for ."
"Chutang, I know you are unwilling to be a concubine, but matters of marriage have always depended on matches of equal social standing." Ye Heng sighed. "You’ve always been proud. In the past, I would never have agreed to such a proposal from the Han Family. But... but... your father has been gone for three years. Things are different now."
If Ye Zheng were still alive, given Ye Chutang’s background and beauty, she certainly could have married into a prominent family.
But now she was alone and without support. Worse, she had spent three years wandering as a refugee with her three younger siblings in tow. What great family would be willing to take such a woman as their primary wife?
"Han Tong and I have been friends for many years. We know each other inside and out. And Han Yao is quite dashing, a fine figure of a man. He spoke to earnestly today, saying he sincerely wishes to marry you. As long as you agree, he will listen to you in all things, and he will definitely save the position of primary wife for you! Such sincerity is truly rare. Chutang, if you miss this opportunity, you will regret it later when it’s too late!"
The implication was that Ye Chutang could only marry Han Yao as a concubine because he, her Second Uncle, was there to save face for her.
Ye Chutang said coolly, "I recall telling you before that I have no intention of marrying."
Ye Heng was gradually losing his patience, his brows furrowing. "You child, why won’t you listen? Matters of marriage have always been decided by one’s parents and matchmakers! Now that your father and mother are gone, it falls to , your Second Uncle, to manage it!"
Ye Chutang stared at him fixedly. "It seems Second Uncle didn’t call here to discuss this, but to inform ."
Ye Heng’s heart skipped a beat. He half-turned, avoiding her gaze. "You’re still young. It’s normal that you don’t understand many things clearly. In the future, you’ll realize that everything I’m doing is for your own good!"
He waved his sleeve. "I’ve already asked soone to find a master to compare your birth charts. Then we’ll pick an auspicious day and settle this marriage. During this ti, don’t go out so much. Stay ho, practice your needlework, and wait peacefully for the wedding!"
His tone was firm and decisive, showing he had already made up his mind.
After saying all this, Ye Heng had expected Ye Chutang to protest vehently. To his surprise, she didn’t say a word, remaining silent for a good while.
Ye Heng felt a flicker of strangeness and couldn’t help but turn his head to glance at her. He saw that her gentle and beautiful face showed not a hint of anger.
Outside, the wind howled and the rain poured, and the sky was dark and gloomy.
Her eyes were calm. "I understand. If Second Uncle has nothing else to instruct, then I will take my leave."
Ye Heng was astonished, feeling utterly baffled.
’She... had no reaction?’
’I thought this would take a lot more arguing...’
But since she wasn’t putting up a fight, Ye Heng was happy to have it easy. His expression softened considerably, and he waved his hand for her to leave.
Ye Chutang turned and left. Just as she stepped outside, she happened to run into Ye Shixian.
"Cousin," Ye Shixian greeted her. Ye Chutang gave a slight nod and walked past her.
The wind billowed her skirt, and a few drops of muddy water splashed up, dampening the hem.
Seemingly unaware, she walked away at a slow pace.
Ye Shixian entered the room and saw Ye Heng sitting there drinking tea with a relaxed expression. Only then did she ask, "Father, did she agree?"
Ye Heng scoffed dismissively. "What choice does she have? When I decide sothing, she has to obey!"
Ye Shixian felt a little surprised.
For so reason, the image of those dark, clear, yet utterly calm eyes suddenly surfaced in her mind.
’Han Yao ca to ask for her hand. It’s obvious Ye Chutang wouldn’t be happy about it, but...’
But her father was right. No matter how capable Ye Chutang was, in a matter as important as marriage, she still had to listen to her elders.
’Once she marries Han Yao, she’ll have a tough ti ahead of her!’
After days of one bad thing after another, there was finally so news to be happy about. Ye Shixian sat down beside him, her face a mixture of curiosity and excitent. "By the way, Father, I heard this year’s polo match is going to be more lively than ever?"
At the ntion of this, the smile on Ye Heng’s face deepened.
"This year happens to coincide with His Majesty’s fifty-fifth birthday, so naturally, it will be grander."
A faint thrill of excitent stirred in Ye Shixian’s heart.
The current emperor valued martial prowess and particularly enjoyed watching such spectacles. The sons of various families competed fiercely every year, hoping to shine at the polo match and win His Majesty’s favor.
In previous years, although they could attend, their seats were always in remote locations. This year was different. Her father had been promoted, and they were benefiting from his good fortune.
’Perhaps I’ll even get to see His Majesty, the Empress, and the many Royal Nobles up close...’
The image of a handso and upright figure appeared in Ye Shixian’s mind, and her cheeks grew slightly warm.
’The Heir of Duke Dingbei is in the capital this year. He should be going too, right?’
’I wonder...’
"Oh, right. Later, tell your mother to stay ho and rest. She shouldn’t go to the polo match," Ye Heng said suddenly.
Ye Shixian faltered for a mont. Recalling the red, swollen, and festering sores on Mrs. Gao’s face and body, she nodded lightly.
"I understand."
...
When Ye Chutang walked out of the courtyard, she saw Ye Jingyan waiting for her, holding an umbrella.
"A Feng has already taken Xiao Wu back," Ye Jingyan said, stepping forward. He tilted most of the umbrella over Ye Chutang, shielding her from the rapidly falling rain.
He was now quite a bit taller than Ye Chutang and could easily hold the umbrella for her. One of his shoulders was getting soaked, but he didn’t seem to mind.
Ye Chutang nodded. "Boil so more hot water later. You and A Feng were both caught in the rain. Don’t catch a cold."
Ye Jingyan acknowledged her, studying her expression. After they had walked a short distance, he asked in a low voice, "Sister, what did he want with you?"
Ye Chutang casually tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Nothing much. He just wants to get rid of ."
"What?" Ye Jingyan was startled.
As they spoke, the two of them arrived back at their house.
Ye Jingyan closed the umbrella, shaking off the water droplets, his brow still furrowed. "What does he an? This is our ho. What right does he have to drive you away, Sister?"
Ye Chutang smiled and glanced back toward the courtyard.
"This rain will probably last a long ti. When it stops, we’ll give the place a good cleaning. Since it’s our own family’s ho, it should naturally be a comfortable place to live."
...
Just as Ye Chutang had predicted, the rain fell for three straight days.
On the morning of the fourth day, the downpour finally ceased, leaving behind a clear, crisp sky.
Ye Chutang, having slept well, pushed open her window and took a deep breath. She could still feel the faint coolness in the post-rain air.
Xiao Wu opened his eyes in a daze, looked around, and was surprised to find that his sister, for once, was up early.
Hearing the movent, Ye Chutang turned to look, her eyes crinkling into a smile.
"There’s a polo match today. It should be quite lively. Want to go see it?"
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