Having a Baby Before Marrying a Wicked Husband - Chapter 85

Xia Jue’s palace was cold and empty, with simple furnishings and few attendants. It was said that he himself had removed the surplus personnel, leaving only a few attendants.

When the Fourth Prince entered, the palace maids quietly withdrew.

When the Fourth Prince entered, the palace maids quietly withdrew. Despite hearing the sound, Xia Jue paid no attention to him, sitting at his desk and diligently transcribing. Since he had been confined, this was the first time he had seen someone other than the attendants. Neither from the side of the Empress nor from acquaintances had anyone stepped foot inside his palace.

Even those who came to visit were turned away. The gates were tightly shut, completely isolating from the outside world.

Xia Jing was the first person to enter from outside in many days. This was because he had barged in despite the attendants’ attempts to stop him.

Those attendants dared not forcefully stop the Fourth Prince, whom they could not offend, so Xia Jing forcibly entered.

The attendants were worried that the Third Prince might punish them for this. Previously, the Third Prince had strictly ordered that no one should enter, and apart from necessary matters such as meals and clothing, they were not allowed to leave the palace.

Xia Jue was dressed in ordinary attire, his black hair falling behind his shoulders with a dampness as if he had just bathed and changed clothes. Despite Xia Jing’s presence, he continued writing without even a flicker of movement, completely ignoring him, which infuriated Xia Jing.

Given the circumstances, pretending to be calm was futile.

Xia Jing, with malicious intent, rushed to the desk and snatched what Xia Jue was writing, casting a puzzled look after glancing at it.

Apart from showing off to Xia Jue, he also intended to find out what Xia Jue was up to. In his mind, this guy must be hiding in the shadows doing something sneaky.

However, Xia Jing never expected that he was actually just copying—sutras. Written in golden ink on golden wax-dyed paper were sutras in different fonts.

“What are you doing?” Xia Jing tossed aside the paper, feeling very bored.

“Don’t you understand?” Xia Jue switched to another piece of paper and continued writing, finally answering Xia Jing’s question. “I am in seclusion, cultivating my character.”

“Why are you pretending to be indifferent? You obviously hold a grudge.” Xia Jing deliberately provoked him. “Having to stay in your room, watching me shine, must be difficult and hurtful for you. I’m much more valued now compared to you. No, I’ve always been more favored by Father Emperor.”

Xia Jing lifted his chin arrogantly. “Father Emperor has always favored me more since childhood; he doesn’t care about you at all. Even if you’ve become the son of the Empress, you still can’t compare to me in terms of status.”

Xia Jing’s tone was asking for a beating. Normally, hearing such words would make someone flush with anger, and if they had a hot temper, they might even jump up and hit someone.

But Xia Jue managed to endure, focusing on writing and not giving him a single glance. This left Xia Jing feeling bored.

Arguments usually require both sides to engage; it’s no fun when it’s a solo performance. Could this guy really be secluding himself for self-improvement?

It shouldn’t be. Or is he really scared?

After pondering for a while, Xia Jing couldn’t figure it out and could only dryly threaten, “I hope you’re really as calm as you appear on the surface. Don’t secretly feel aggrieved watching me being favored by Father Emperor behind the scenes.”

He stormed off. It was like threatening a silent block of wood; he gained nothing. When he left, Xia Jue finally put down his pen, revealing a slightly mischievous smile on his seemingly innocent face.

It vanished in an instant. A gust of wind swept through, blowing the papers on the table, swaying and fluttering before falling to the ground. The ink, still wet, left a glistening golden mark on the wooden floor.

Although the Fourth Prince had threatened the Third Prince, he was actually facing some trouble himself. Taking over the cotton matter midway, Xia Jue didn’t provide him with the information he needed, and when people below encountered problems, they came to him for answers.

But he couldn’t provide any. Although no one said a word, their eyes seemed to convey the meaning, ‘Oh, so the Fourth Prince is not as good as the Third Prince; the Third Prince is better than him.’

Unwilling to be outdone, he wanted to do well.

If he succeeded in this matter, it would greatly enhance his standing in front of Father Emperor. He didn’t want to mess it up.

If he did well, Father Emperor might even reward him. A few days ago, during the court assembly, Jiang Manyue brought a basket of potatoes and presented it to Father Emperor, receiving great praise in return.

Father Emperor was so pleased that he even promoted Jiang Manyue.

How long has he been in office to get a promotion?

The newly crowned top scholar continued to hold the idle position of sixth-rank compiler, spending his days secluded in the Hanlin Academy with books as his only companions. However, Jiang Manyue had already ascended to the rank of sixth-grade minister due to his meritorious deeds.

Now, he had taken on the task of organizing agricultural records. For this assignment, Yan Cai was quite satisfied.

With the scorching summer outside, even though Jiang Manyue wasn’t prone to getting sunburnt easily, it was still better to stay indoors organizing books.

Moreover, there was no need to venture out early or return late, as the time to return home was earlier.

The Fourth Prince felt unable to fulfill his task satisfactorily and didn’t want to lose face in front of the Emperor, so he sought help from his mother, the Noble Consort.

He believed that Jiang Manyue, originally a gentleman not accustomed to physical labor, had managed this task so brilliantly not solely due to his own efforts.

He speculated that someone in Jiang Manyue’s family must have assisted him, and it was most likely that person. Although he had once coveted the young man, he ended up being outwitted instead. But his desire to bring him to his side had not diminished.

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he was that this person had lent Jiang Manyue a helping hand. Hence, he sought his mother’s help.

“Ask for help from the Jiang Family?” The Nobel Consort furrowed her brows slightly, hesitating. “It’s not impossible. However… I vaguely recall my sister mentioning that they had completely broken ties with Jiang Manyue. They intend to find someone else through their connections…”

“Mother, I’m sure this person can help,” the Fourth Prince affirmed confidently. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became that Jiang Manyue couldn’t possibly have done it alone; it must have been someone else.

But since his son had made the request, she had to give it a try. That day, when Madam Fu came to have tea, the Noble Consort brought up the matter with her.

Madam Fu’s expression didn’t look good, but she suppressed her true feelings for the Noble Consort’s sake. She couldn’t bring herself to ask Jiang Manyue and Yan Cai, the two little scoundrels, for help.

Seeing Madam Fu’s reluctance, the Noble Consort’s face became impatient. She slammed her teacup on the table and made a sarcastic remark.

“Sister, now is not the time to dwell on past grievances. That woman has been dead for so many years. Why can’t you let it go?” the Noble Consort said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “If my son did good; our whole family will prosper. Otherwise, if my ship sinks, sister, you won’t be able to escape either.”

Madam Fu forced a stiff smile, feeling a bit resentful towards her sister who had become the Noble Consort. However, given the difference in their statuses now, she couldn’t assert her authority as she used to when they were young girls.

“You’re right, Your Highness.”

So, Yan Cai received a strange letter, inviting him for a meeting, signed by the Jiang family.

Yan Cai spent a good amount of time reading the letter, making sure he had read it correctly. Indeed, it was sent by the Jiang family.

Inviting him for a meeting at the residence?

This seemed excessive. They had never been friends; in fact, they had some unresolved animosity between them. Was the Jiang Family planning to settle old scores with him?

It was utterly nonsensical!

Yan Cai couldn’t be bothered with such a bizarre letter, so he casually tossed it into the wastebasket. In the evening, he intended to discuss the matter with Jiang Manyue, but when Jiang Manyue returned, he looked obviously tired.

His eyes were rimmed with redness, and Yan Cai decided to drop the trivial issue. He boiled some eggs, applied them to Jiang Manyue’s eyes, and used his abilities to soothe his muscles and blood vessels.

Jiang Manyue lay with his head on Yan Cai’s lap. He must have found it too comfortable because he soon drifted off to sleep. Their child, being exceptionally well-behaved, stopped playing with his ball when he saw his father sleeping and squeezed between the two of them, his chubby face pressing against Jiang Manyue’s.

With chubby little fingers, he gently poked Jiang Manyue’s cheek and whispered, “Father, go to sleep.”

“Yeah. Go to sleep, Ke ke should go to sleep too. If you don’t sleep, you won’t grow tall. Be good, don’t disturb your father,” Yan Cai gently grabbed the chubby and round fingers of their child, pretending to bite them.

“Ah ah.” The child whimpered twice, wriggling his body to face Jiang Manyue, showing his backside to Yan Cai, acting like his father is a bad guy and Ke ke doesn’t talk to bad people.

Patting Qingke’s butt, Yan Cai was also ready to sleep.

After the nap, Yan Cai completely forgot about the letter.

Madam Fu, who sent the letter, thought she was already being generous. She was even willing to pay Yan Cai some money. Little did she know, Yan Cai didn’t even bother acknowledging her attempt.

Madam Fu never held Yan Cai in high regard, so she found it odd that the Noble Consort would ask him for help. What help could Yan Cai provide? Did he know anything about planting cotton?

It’s strange how the Fourth Prince thought he could help. That kid, Yan Cai, looks like he doesn’t do anything and doesn’t know anything.

As for the shop that Yan Cai and others run, she had inquired about it. Business is good, but apart from investing, Yan Cai doesn’t handle any affairs. The success of the business is all thanks to another owner; it has nothing to do with Yan Cai at all.

The capital probably isn’t even Yan Cai’s. Back then, Jiang Manyue had quite a bit of money in his hands.

Jiang Manyue, this kid, is really cunning, and he guards his resources fiercely. Even with a broken leg, and sent back to the village, you can’t get a penny out of him.

He hides money deeply, no matter what.

“Could it be that it wasn’t received?” Madam Fu murmured, deciding not to send another letter this time. The Noble Consort was pressing her hard, so she decided to send someone over to personally invite him.

This is giving him quite a bit of face. Yan Cai, this kid, if he doesn’t appreciate this, it’s a bit too much.

As a result, the person who went to invite was given the cold shoulder, and was directly driven out by the gatekeeper.

Madam Fu stood up, pacing back and forth several times, so angry that she almost wanted to eat Yan Cai alive. Unfortunately, the Imperial Noble Consort exerted pressure again. Giving a stick, yet offering a few sweet dates.

“Oh dear, sister, you’re not afraid of losing face, are you? Don’t act rashly. Only when my son is well, will we all be well. Sister, you must always remember that,” The Noble Consort paused, then started talking about the benefits again.

“I heard that Mantian will soon leave the capital. Being a small county magistrate is one thing, but what’s notable is where Mantian is going… Tsk tsk, it’s both bitter and poor. Mantian has been pampered since childhood; how could he endure such hardships? Moreover, it’s not easy to achieve success there; the place is impoverished, and every year’s assessment is at the bottom.”

The Noble Consort wiped a few non-existent tears with her handkerchief, sighing how she, as an aunt, felt so sorry for him.

“However…”

The Noble Consort took a deep breath, and Madam Fu knew that this deep breath was what she wanted to hear. Jiang Manyue had been promoted because of his achievements, but her own son would suffer in a poor county.

Originally, he was supposed to take over last month, but it was delayed for a while. They wanted to negotiate and establish some relationships, at least go to some wealthier places.

If the Noble Consort is willing to help, she wouldn’t mind pulling down this old face for the sake of her son.

The Noble Consort deliberately prolonged her tone and said slowly, “I know there’s a county relatively close to the capital that’s not bad. The county official there has fallen seriously ill and is bedridden, requiring urgent replacement…”

No need for anything else; her son’s future was enough to move her. That same day, Madam Fu personally went to visit.

Yan Cai: “…” Am I hearing this right? What is that woman here for? Do they have any other relationship besides enmity between them?

Is she here for revenge?