Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 157

He ordered people to carry Xia Ying to the guest residence and to attend to her properly. However, it would be more accurate to say she was being monitored rather than taken care of.

Whatever she came into contact with, whatever she ate or used, none of it passed through the hands of anyone from the Xia family. Everything was provided directly by the prince’s palace. Xia Ying was essentially imprisoned in disguise within the prince’s palace.

At first, Yun Ke had thought that if Xia Ying was sensible enough and went back by herself, and stirred things up on his Imperial Father’s side to request the annulment of the engagement, then he would have been spared the trouble and would have readily agreed. Even if she pushed all the blame onto him, he would have accepted it. This did not matter to him.

Yet now, it seemed that she was planning to cling on and stay here.

Even if she refused to leave, there were still ways to deal with her. Did she really think that by clinging on and refusing to go, insisting on her being the Imperial Princess An, he would just agree?

In his previous life, he had brought down all the great noble families. How could he be afraid of a mere daughter of the An Le Marquis’ household?

Besides, he disliked even more anyone who disturbed Gu Yu Qi.

What he had said, he would definitely do. Since he had said he would treat Gu Yu Qi well, then he would definitely not allow her to be caught up in any messy and chaotic matters.

His prince’s palace had always been quiet, and he would not allow anyone to disrupt that peace.

He had only sent betrothal gifts to the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence. The only princess consort he would acknowledge was Gu Yu Qi.

In his previous life, his imperial harem could be said to have been filled with beauties, but in the end, what they fought over was not him, but the imperial power in his hands, and the status and benefits that power could bring.

Yun Ke had already seen through it all.

If, in this lifetime, he still allowed himself to fall into that kind of situation, then he truly had lived his previous life in vain.

He had already sent people to monitor the Xia residence and none of their movements escaped his eyes. He knew exactly what happened to Xia Ying.

Originally, he had thought that she was still a proper, respectable young lady of a marquisate, and he had not disliked her. What had happened to her was quite pitiful. If the Xia family had known when to retreat after being coldly treated, he would have been quite content to let it be. However, now, it seemed that Xia Ying was intent on clinging on and refusing to leave.

He was never some kind and gentle man to begin with. He had already pointed out a path for Xia Ying. If she refused to take it, then whatever happened in the future, she should not blame him for being cruel.

Still, that Xia Ying was too easily frightened. It only took a few words and she had already fainted from fright.

Truly disappointing.

Yun Ke thought of Gu Yu Qi again. Speaking of which, in the previous life, no matter how he tried to intimidate her, she had never been afraid. Thinking about it now, a faint, brilliant smile bloomed at the corners of Yun Ke’s lips. Among all the women in the world, there probably was no other woman with skin as thick as Gu Yu Qi’s.

However, he had indeed gone too far back then. He had failed to scare her, but he had truly hurt her heart.

He was already doing his best to make amends, but looking at things now, the road ahead was still long.

After playing with Yun Luo for a while, Yun Ke saw that it was about time. He leaned down and whispered a few words to Yun Luo. Yun Luo looked at his father with a confused look and tilted his head to ask, “Does Father really like that Aunty?”

“I like her,” Yun Ke answered his son honestly, nodding without hesitation, “I like her very much. From now on, you should call her ‘Consort Mother.’”

“Then does Father like Luo’er more, or that Aunty, oh, no, I mean Consort Mother, more?” Yun Luo pouted, asking a little gloomily.

“Father’s love for you is different from my love for your Consort Mother,” Yun Ke said after thinking for a moment. Perhaps because in his previous life he had only had this one son, he felt much more at ease in front of Yun Luo, whereas he was always cautious in front of Gu Yu Qi. “But both of you are the dearest people to Father.”

“Even dearer than Grandfather Emperor?” Yun Luo asked again.

Was this little rascal really his son? Why was he so full of questions?

“You are all Father’s relatives,” Yun Ke said, placing a kiss on his son’s chubby cheek.

“Alright then,” Yun Luo nodded. “I promise, Father.”

“Good,” Yun Ke nodded with satisfaction. “As a righteous man, you must do what you say. Don’t let Father down.”

“I won’t!” Yun Luo immediately puffed out his small chest and looked proudly at his father.

“Alright. Go and play. Tomorrow, Father will come to test you on your studies.” Yun Ke set his son down, and Yun Luo quickly bowed, then was led back inside Weiyang Pavilion by a few palace attendants.

As for Yun Ke, he returned to his original residence within the palace, changed into casual attire, and went into the study. There were still some matters he needed to handle. Once he was finished, he would head to Tong Xin courtyard.

In the future, he will live in Tong Xin courtyard every day. Even if she did not like it, it did not matter. Who told her to be the only concubine in this entire prince’s palace?

To avoid irritating Gu Yu Qi, Yun Ke had not moved all his belongings over for the time being. Instead, whenever he needed something, he would simply have people bring it over. This was his gradual encroachment strategy. He would infiltrate her life little by little, drop by drop, until by the time she realised it, he would have already been there for a very long time.

Aunty Li was dragged back to the guest residence. Though it was only her mouth that had been struck, the pain made her feel as if she was about to die. The guards had not held back, every blow had been merciless. Her face was now swollen beyond recognition, bl00d was dripping from her lips, which were so swollen they were almost as high as her nose.

She was thrown into Xia Ying’s room, just as Xia Ying was slowly regaining consciousness.

“Nanny!” Xia Ying staggered to her feet from the bed and was supported by the equally unsteady Aunty Li. Overwhelmed with sorrow, Xia Ying could not help but burst into tears.

Aunty Li’s lips were so swollen that she could not speak clearly. The pain made her feel irritable and stifled. Now that Xia Ying was crying like this, it only made her even more agitated.

This legitimate daughter of the Xia family was so useless!

What she did not know was that it was not that Xia Ying was useless, it was just that Yun Ke never gave her a chance.

“Nanny, let’s go back. I’ll speak to Father so this marriage won’t go ahead!” Xia Ying sobbed bitterly.

What kind of words were those? After everything that had happened, she still wanted to go back? Then would her mouth have been beaten for nothing? Aunty Li immediately shook her head quickly like a rattle. The motion made her mouth hurt even more.

Enduring the pain, Aunty Li picked up a brush and paper and wrote, “Miss, don’t worry. This old servant will definitely seek justice for you from Her Ladyship the Virtuous Consort!”

“I don’t want anyone to seek justice for me!” Xia Ying cried even harder. “I just want to go home.”

Useless thing! Aunty Li cursed inwardly, but dared not write that down. She quickly scribbled instead, “It was His Majesty’s decree that bestowed this marriage. You are the rightful princess consort. How could there be any talk of returning to your maiden home? Tomorrow, you will enter the palace to express gratitude. All you need to do is complain to the Virtuous Consort.”

She still had to enter the palace to express gratitude? Xia Ying suddenly felt, had she placed her trust in the wrong person? Even after being beaten like this, could Aunty Li still not understand the situation?

Everything that had happened to her today made it clear that there was no way she could follow Yun Ke into the palace and express gratitude for the marriage. Even if she were permitted to enter the palace, Yun Ke would certainly have more tricks waiting for her.

Suddenly, she very much wanted to see just what kind of woman it was that Yun Ke protected so thoroughly. What kind of person could make the Imperial Prince An overcome all obstacles, insist on marrying her with the rites reserved for that of a princess consort, and even disregard the imperial edict?

To have made someone like Yun Ke go to such lengths to protect her, she must be exceptionally beautiful.

Even someone as slow-witted as Xia Ying could now see that everything that had happened at the Xia family’s gates today must have had something to do with Yun Ke.

“Nanny, the Imperial Prince An wants to move against the Xia family.” Xia Ying suddenly grabbed Aunty Li’s hand. A sudden flash of clarity lit up her mind, and she grew tense. “Nanny, can you find a way to send a message to my father?”

“This old servant will try,” Aunty Li nodded and wrote quickly.

Aunty Li did indeed send out the message, but it did not go to the An Le Marquis’ residence. It ended up in Yun Ke’s hands.

Looking at the letter Xia Ying had written to the An Le Marquis, Yun Ke could not help but let out a cold chuckle. So this woman was not entirely without brains, after all.

What a pity. She had been born into the wrong family, and had ended up being used by the Virtuous Consort for nothing.

He lifted his gaze and glanced at the Xia family maid kneeling on the carpet in the study, trembling all over. He tapped the desk lightly with his fingers.

Du Xia understood and took out a slave contract, handing it to the maid. Along with the contract, he also gave her a banknote worth three hundred taels of gold and a pouch of silver pieces.

“You did well,” Yun Ke said lightly. “Your slave contract has been returned to you. Leave the capital by tonight.”

Xia Ying’s maid hastily kowtowed to express her gratitude, taking the contract and the banknote with both hands. After looking at them carefully, her face was full of excitement.

“Alright, go on,” Yun Ke waved his hand.

The maid stood up, thought for a moment, and then knelt again. “Your Highness has shown such great kindness, this servant will never dare forget it. There is still one matter… this servant does not know whether it should be said or not.” Now that she was finally free, her joy made her remember something else.

“Speak,” Yun Ke nodded.

“Your Highness, this servant has always attended Miss Xia Ying closely. The time for Miss Xia Ying’s period has long passed this month, but she still has not had it yet.” The little maid bit her lip, preparing to reveal the truth. With the prince so generous and trustworthy, she believed that he would surely reward her well upon hearing this news.

Sure enough, Yun Ke’s brows moved slightly. “Are you telling the truth?”

“It’s true!” the maid nodded repeatedly. “This servant swears upon her life and family!”

“Is that so?” Yun Ke was slightly stunned.

“Does Xia Ying know?” Yun Ke asked.

“Miss seems not to have noticed,” the maid thought hard before replying. “Usually, it is this servant who reminds her. The household has been busy with the wedding these days, and this servant was careless and forgot, only remembering just now.”

“Hm. Well done,” Yun Ke praised the maid. “You may go. Leave the capital, go far, and never return.” Then Yun Ke gave Du Xia a look. Du Xia understood and took out another banknote, handing it to the maid.

Now the little maid truly was overjoyed. She accepted the banknote and thanked Yun Ke repeatedly, beaming as she left the study.

The time for her period had passed. Yun Ke stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Truly, just as one wished to sleep, someone would hand over a pillow. If the Emperor learned that the Xia family had sent a daughter who was already pregnant to the Imperial Prince An’s residence, who knew what might happen.

Speaking of which, Yun Ke was looking forward to entering the palace tomorrow to express thanks.