Chapter 39: Chapter 39: The Young Master Is a Woman 39

Ye Ji’s body stiffened, and he stubbornly said, “How could I bear to lock you out? It’s really where I live.”

“That’s good.” Ah Chen happily closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around his waist, “Sleep.”

Ye Ji stared at the bed drapery, unable to fall asleep.

Afraid that the person beside him would turn over and wake up, asking if he wanted to lock her out, and then he might confess the truth in a half-asleep daze.

“Sleep.” Ah Chen’s warm, delicate fingers covered his eyes.

Not long after, Ye Ji finally fell asleep.

In the morning, upon waking, he carefully observed Ah Chen’s complexion, seeing her as usual, he finally felt relieved.

But thinking of her going out for some time, his mood wasn’t that great.

“I’ll bring you back a gift.” Ah Chen said when she was leaving, and even kissed his cheek, making him happy beyond measure.

Ah Chen was fond of him, she was just going for business, he would just wait, Ye Ji comforted himself.

Ah Chen planned to meet the commissioner’s sixth sister, Ning Yuxin, over those days she had arranged people to inquire, and both sides communicated frequently.

Ning Yuxin’s husband’s family wasn’t in the Capital City, but in Guanquan City, which was the He Family’s stronghold.

It takes a day and a half to travel from the Capital City to Guanquan City by carriage, much faster on horseback.

But Ah Chen was not in a hurry, she planned to check out the assets of Prince Ning Mansion along the way, arriving after three days.

“I’ve been looking forward to your arrival.” Ning Yuxin was delighted by Ah Chen’s visit, because of their correspondence, she was aware of what had happened during these days.

She had never thought that Ah Zhen, who only knew how to follow behind her father, usually silent, could become a reliance for her sisters.

“My husband’s parents went out for business, estimated to return a bit later.” Ning Yuxin explained, “Your brother-in-law is the same.”

“Long’er, this is your little uncle, I’ve mentioned him before, come quickly to greet him.” Ning Yuxin held onto a little girl, four years old, delicately cute.

“Long’er greets little uncle.” The little girl happily ran over to salute, completely unafraid of strangers.

It was Ah Chen’s first time meeting the commissioner’s niece, cute in appearance, with lively eyes, clearly a clever child.

Indeed, He Yunlong had great talent in arithmetic, displaying extraordinary traits from a young age.

If He Zheng’an hadn’t been set up, she might have had the potential to manage the He Family in the future.

As Ah Chen understood, the He Family’s elders were exceedingly delighted upon discovering He Yunlong’s talent, intending to groom her as a successor. As for their son lacking in business acumen, being particularly arrogant, they were just hoping he wouldn’t make mistakes, waiting for He Yunlong to grow up.

It’s unfortunate He Zheng’an was schemed against, leading the He Family to lose everything. With Prince Ning Mansion already fallen, the He Family had no support, naturally succumbing to pressure from all sides and quickly being divided.

The He Family’s elderly passed away, Ning Yuxin and her daughter, along with He Zheng’an were driven out of the He Mansion. Fortunately, Ning Yuxin desperately hid some silver taels, eventually finding a place to settle. He Zheng’an couldn’t handle the fall, ran madly after being mocked, disappearing without a trace.

In these times, the hardships of Ning Yuxin raising her daughter alone are imaginable, growing older daily, her health affected by the strain. Her appearance was still attractive, appealing to some, but she did not agree. Those interested either aimed for her looks or her ability to care for their family’s young and old.

She could make and sell some items, enough for mother and daughter to live, no need for further turmoil. But enduring scorn and gossip, even suffering grievances was inevitable.

Yet, would remarrying eliminate grievances?

Fifteen years later, He Zheng’an returned, pale-faced, with grey hair, tearfully said sorry to the mother and daughter, handed them a package, then fell to the ground, never to wake again.

The package contained silver and a letter, somewhat thick, detailing He Zheng’an’s regrets and experiences over the years.

Turns out, when he ran out madly, he was captured by people running a black mine to do hard labor. Suffering immensely, reflecting on his past deeply regretful.

He never gave up escaping, constantly yearning to reunite with his only relatives, planning for over a decade.

Days before fleeing, someone noticed something off, another person working there, recently caught inside. He couldn’t wait, thus fled with this person who came from a somewhat affluent family, asking what he wanted, he requested silver and help to find Ning Yuxin and her daughter upon returning home.

Years of hard labor left him exhausted, seeing Ning Yuxin and her daughter was his inner drive.

Maybe He Zheng’an wasn’t a good person, dabbling in various vices, not well-defined, even having many obvious faults, but he wasn’t a bad person either.

“Got you a gift.” Ah Chen pinched He Yunlong’s tender little face, instructing Ying Fang to place a wrapped box on the table, “Open it and see what it is.”

“Thank you, little uncle.” After thanking, He Yunlong tugged Ning Yuxin, “Mother, can you help Long’er open it?”

Ning Yuxin smiled, nodded, opened the box, got surprised by its contents, then lifted her little girl onto the stool.

He Yunlong finally saw, exclaimed, her eyes shining with greed, “It’s a golden abacus! So beautiful.”

She immediately pounced, making Ning Yuxin laugh with exasperation.

Before seeing gold and silver, her daughter was still normal, upon seeing it became incapable of moving, insisting to touch and count before letting go.

Ah Zhen gifted a golden abacus, she could already foresee the girl holding the abacus to sleep in the future.

The golden abacus wasn’t particularly large, but had substantial weight. He Yunlong only held it in her arms, expending full strength, sweating profusely, yet she refused maidservants’ help, wanting to carry it herself.

“This girl loves gold and silver.” Ning Yuxin laughed, “Ah Zhen went all out.”

“It’s nothing extravagant, giving to my niece, as long as she likes it.” Ah Chen gifted it, naturally having done her homework.

Additionally, she prepared a gift for Ning Yuxin too.

Ning Yuxin’s eyes turned red, she was luckier than many sisters, although He Zheng’an was unreliable, he wasn’t a bad person, with the elders holding him in check, wouldn’t mess up at home. The in-laws were reasonable people, treating her well. Especially after Long’er was born, the in-laws gradually leaned toward her.

“Your brother-in-law is careless usually, but it doesn’t matter to me, he doesn’t dare mistreat me, as long as he doesn’t cause major trouble outside, he can make a fuss. He’s somewhat sensible, moreover, the in-laws favor me now.” Ning Yuxin whispered, “There aren’t many perfect things in the world, this is enough for me, changing is uncertain, no need to divorce.”

“For your brother-in-law, I can at least handle him, in this family, I have a say.” Ning Yuxin added, “I have Long’er, Long’er leans towards me, the in-laws adore Long’er, not even urging me to have another child with my husband.”

Ah Chen smiled, “No need to worry, Sixth Sister, I didn’t intend to divorce Sixth Brother-in-law, just came to see you.” Moreover, He Zheng’an was about to be engulfed, though this time might be different, still keeping an eye was reassuring.

She also felt He Zheng’an was not very important, but the He Family and commissioner’s sister and niece were indeed important.

Ning Yuxin smiled awkwardly, thinking that Ah Zhen divorced several times, she wanted to clarify the situation beforehand.

Afterward, she asked about other sisters’ conditions, Ah Chen answered each in turn.

In the evening, meeting with He Family members, amid He Zheng’an’s anxiety, Ah Chen did nothing. Stayed at He Family for a day, then excused herself for business.

Actually, she remained in Guanquan City.

On that day, He Zheng’an was approached with a big deal offer.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep