Chapter 983: Chapter 981: All Thanks to You
Maternal Aunt Liu vaguely remembered that a few years ago, when Ye Xinyan and her husband were newly married and stood before people, they were so stiff and awkward. Although at that time Miss Ye was adorned with gold and silver, graced with today’s countenance, her demeanor was entirely at odds with that of the Imperial Top Scholar of that year.
The young man, once shamed by his wife’s infidelity and relegated to a remote small county, not only returned to the capital but also exuded such an impressive aura. This imposing demeanor, together with the elegant air of the woman beside him, was unexpectedly harmonious.
What had she plotted for all these years, for what? How could heaven be so unfair!
Maternal Aunt Liu passed through a moment of trance, her eyes filled with jealousy and resentment as she looked at Jiang Yifan.
Ye Xinyan intervened in the affairs of the Buddhist Temple, doing just one thing: meticulously reporting every piece of information related to Duke An’s Mansion to Maternal Aunt Liu.
Thus, Maternal Aunt Liu had known early on that Jiang Yifan had been promoted. A fifth-rank official in the capital, under thirty, in an important department, wielding real power, his future was promising.
Maternal Aunt Liu didn’t initially know about Jiang Yifan’s connection with Prince Yu, hence she looked down on this Imperial Top Scholar. In her eyes, Jiang Yifan was just someone from a local gentry family, and compared to the seasoned and scholarly prominent Ji Family, where did he stand?
He was merely an Imperial Scholar ranked third overall. The court’s imperial examinations were held every three years, and there had been countless Top Scholars. Yet how many Top Scholars actually rose to high positions? It’s still influential prominent families that have prospects.
But in the blink of an eye, seven or eight years passed. Ji Chengru remained only the young master of a literary prestigious family. And this young master, over these years, hadn’t succeeded, but had expelled her daughter from the house.
Yet Jiang Yifan, from a local gentry background, due to his outstanding political achievements, kept getting promoted, clearly on a bright path ahead.
Lian Gui and the two old woman servants stood separately on each side, watching Maternal Aunt Liu whose gaze kept changing, shaking their heads involuntarily.
Just by looking at Maternal Aunt Liu’s expression, one could tell that, even at this moment, Maternal Aunt Liu was still filled with jealousy towards the Duke’s legitimate eldest grandson, jealous of the Miss possessing the bloodlines of both Duke An and Marquis Zhongyong.
The resentment, malice, and unwillingness inside Maternal Aunt Liu repeatedly attacked her rationality, her eyes gradually widened, gritting her teeth, she bitterly said, “You, you all, you’re this pair of dog man…”
“Shut up!”
“Maternal Aunt Liu watch your tongue!”
Lian Gui and the two old woman servants spoke out in unison, interrupting Maternal Aunt Liu’s words.
Lian Gui frowned even more. This Maternal Aunt Liu had truly gone mad, no matter how much jealousy or unwillingness she bore, the Great Aunt had yet to say anything, and here she was spouting venomous words, imagining herself still the woman favored by the Crown Prince from past years?
Ye Xinyan said with a smile, “So it’s Maternal Aunt Liu, if it weren’t for the temple-watching grandma calling you just now, I wouldn’t have recognized such an unsightly crone to be the once enchanting Maternal Aunt Liu. My mother seems a few years older than Maternal Aunt Liu, yet somehow, Maternal Aunt Liu looks like she could be my mother’s elder. Father is so fond of Maternal Aunt Liu, I wonder if father has visited such a Maternal Aunt Liu these days.”
The throat of Maternal Aunt Liu clattered and the malice in her eyes intensifying, her mouth opened and closed, looking like she still wanted to speak.
The two old woman servants worried that Maternal Aunt Liu might just faint from anger, yet couldn’t stop Ye Xinyan from speaking, so they could only pretend not to hear, averting their eyes.
No choice, though her Great Aunt now spoke reason, a reasonable Great Aunt was even more formidable and not to be provoked.
Ye Xinyan reminded, “Maternal Aunt Liu, do you still remember your status? You’re half a servant. You should also know what kind of person I am, right? Are you really planning to, even now at the point of dying, indulge your tongue, causing your two sons to fall into an even grimmer situation due to my resentment?”
Maternal Aunt Liu’s eyes rolled and rolled again, and finally, she deflated like a punctured ball, collapsing again in dejection.
“Maternal Aunt Liu is still sensible enough, not utterly confused.” Ye Xinyan nodded in satisfaction, showing approval.
She continued, “Ye Heng and Ye Yi carry the Ye Family bloodline. Ever since the founding of Duke An’s Mansion, for so many years, blessed with wealth and nobility, yet lacking offspring, having a few more illegitimate sons wouldn’t normally be an issue. But Maternal Aunt Liu, do you know why they must now live such lives incongruent with their status, surviving merely on monthly salaries in silver?”
Maternal Aunt Liu had just closed her eyes in resignation, planning to turn a blind eye. Hearing this, she opened her eyes again, “You, you, isn’t it because of you?”
Ye Xinyan shook her head and said, “No, you’re mistaken. This matter has nothing to do with me. It’s because of you, because your heart is so big, so malicious, your methods so brilliant. Grandfather fears, he fears your children have inherited your venomous heart, he fears Brother Yuan, being so young, might be schemed against and harmed by your children.
So, grandfather only gives them a basic sustenance but absolutely can’t afford them the silver and status to stir troubles. With no money in their hands, they have no one to utilize. The Duke’s Mansion doesn’t regard them as masters, so no one would cater to them for their status, hence Brother Yuan can grow up safely and inherit the title. And your sons, even if living a bit frugally, can still survive without meeting death due to wrongdoing.”
“You, you’re speaking nonsense.” Maternal Aunt Liu was furious, struggling to get up. Her cyan-grey complexion, because of too much exertion, was stained with a hint of red. Yet eventually, she couldn’t get up, falling once again onto the bedding.
Ye Xinyan did not intend to stop there, “Their whole lives, destined to live days mismatched with their status. And all these causes and effects, are entirely because of you. You as a mother, what a fine job you’ve done. Is it that your own low status, inability to rise high, makes you unable to stand seeing your children have a good outcome either? Heaven has not treated you unfairly, fulfilling your wishes. How about it? Heaven has been so kind to you, satisfied, surprised?”
Maternal Aunt Liu was mentally unsettled, unable to calm down any longer, leave alone close her eyes pretending not to hear, that was simply impossible.
Like clutching at life force, Maternal Aunt Liu extended her arm from beneath the covers, laboriously pointing at Ye Xinyan, trembling, yet unable to speak: “You, you, you…”
“Maternal Aunt Liu, don’t be so agitated, I’ve made the causes and effects very clear. Consider, among all noble families in the world, who can ensure every family member is outstanding? Those not so outstanding children in such families still can ride horses in style, enjoy life. Only you, causing your children to fall into such a pitiful state. Though born in Duke An’s Mansion, yet thanks to your blessing, can’t even compare to ordinary wealthy offspring.”
Ye Xinyan, speaking thus, turned her head to the partitioned door. There stood Ye Xinyi and her brothers, who had come upon hearing the news. At this time, all three siblings had expressions of shock and hesitation, looking at Maternal Aunt Liu with complicated emotions.
Lian Gui had already retreated from Jiang Yifan’s side, respectfully and sternly standing in front of the three siblings.
Ye Xinyan put away her smile, and softly asked the three siblings, “How about it? Having such a mother who thinks of you everywhere, aren’t you surprised, aren’t you delighted?” Saying this, she pulled Jiang Yifan to step back a bit, allowing Maternal Aunt Liu and her three children to see each other.