Yan Bo fell into contemplation.
“We servants were afraid of being caught off guard, so we concealed the young master’s improving condition and continued to act as if he was ill. His daily meals were personally prepared by us and Miyin from the kitchen.”
Yan Bo asked in a deep voice, “Does the Duchess know about this?”
Yu Yi shook her head.
Yan Bo angrily said, “How dare you? Why did you hide this even from the Duchess?”
Yu Yi lowered her head, “Reporting to the Duke, the horse that suddenly jumped that day was pricked with a needle by the Duchess’s maid, Tinghe.”
Yan Bo looked at Yan Mingxu on the bed and coldly said, “Wash his face clean. Since I’ve returned to the mansion, there’s no need to pretend anymore.” Then he strode out of the bedroom.
Yu Yi turned to look at Yan Mingxu, seeing him gazing at Yan Bo’s departing back with disappointment and melancholy in his eyes. She knelt down and said to Yan Mingxu, “Young master, the Duke just returned and must be very busy. Let me wash your face and change your clothes. We’ll pay respects to the Duke later.”
Edited content:
“
Yan Mingxu nodded and sat up, pulling back the covers.
Yu Yi found him a deep blue bamboo leaf patterned brocade robe with silver thread and an asymmetrical collar, covered with a semi-transparent light green ruyi cloud pattern gauze outer garment. He wore a deep blue silk belt with silver feather patterns, a small white jade hair crown, and navy blue thin-soled boots. The deep blue color made his skin appear even more fair and delicate, his jade-like handsome face with large, bright black eyes looking spirited.
After changing Yan Mingxu’s clothes, Miyin looked him up and down and clapped, laughing, “What a delicate and adorable young master. The Duke will surely be pleased when he sees him.”
Chapter 71: The Little Duke (5)
After leaving Yan Mingxu’s quarters, Yan Bo first ordered someone to investigate the medical officer, then went to the study to handle affairs. By dusk, after dealing with most of the accumulated work, he was preparing to return to the main courtyard when he saw Yan Mingxu, dressed in deep blue brocade, entering.
This was the first time Yan Mingxu had taken the initiative to find him. Yan Bo was surprised to see his shy, introverted eldest son approaching him, timidly bowing and greeting, “Mingxu pays respects to Father.”
Yan Bo, who rarely spoke to him, nodded briefly, “Good.”
Yan Mingxu stood straight but said nothing. Yan Bo also remained silent but waited patiently.
As Yan Mingxu continued to be silent, Yan Bo’s sword-like eyebrows gradually furrowed, and his resolute face became increasingly stern. Yan Mingxu became more nervous, wanting to flee.
Yu Yi and Miyin stood behind Yan Mingxu. Seeing Yan Bo’s frown deepen, they softly said, “Reporting to the Duke, the young master wants to recite a text for you.”
Yan Mingxu mustered his courage, blushing, and said, “Father, Mingxu has learned the Three Character Classic these days and requests your guidance.” He then began to recite softly but fluently.
Yan Bo’s furrowed brow gradually relaxed. After hearing Yan Mingxu recite the entire text of over a thousand characters without a single mistake, he praised, “Not bad.”
He then asked, “What is the meaning of ‘People at first, nature is good, natures are similar, habits are different’?”
Yan Mingxu, still speaking softly, replied, “When people are born, they are all good, and their original nature is similar. But as they grow up and are influenced by people and events around them, their original natures become increasingly different.”
Yan Bo tested Yan Mingxu with a few more questions. Seeing that he not only could recite the text but also roughly understand its meaning, he looked at him with new respect. “Mingxu, when did you start learning the Three Character Classic?”
Yan Mingxu said, “Since Father went away.”
“Just these ten-plus days?” Yan Bo was surprised.
Yan Mingxu nodded.
“Very good.”
In a few days, I’ll find a tutor to teach you reading. You may go now.” Yan Bo remained cold, then stopped paying attention to Yan Mingxu.
Despite this, Yan Mingxu was extremely excited to have received his father’s praise. As he left the study, his little face was full of joy, and he looked at Yu Yi, saying, “Xunqin, I recited everything you taught me without making a mistake.
Yu Yi smiled and nodded slightly, “Young Master is doing very well, and the Marquis is quite delighted.”
“Really?”
“Yes, isn’t the Marquis going to invite a tutor to teach Young Master?”
Yan Mingxu nodded firmly, believing Yu Yi’s words. His personality was reserved, and although he was very happy inside, he didn’t show too much emotion, only wearing a bright smile and walking with slightly more vigor than usual. Yu Yi turned to look at the study, her smile fading. From the earlier interaction, Yan Bo seemed only surprised, not pleased. Yan Mingxu would need to make more effort to regain his father’s favor.
—
Yan Bo returned to the main courtyard, and Tong hurried to meet him. However, she still wore a smile and curtsied, “Has the Marquis returned?
Not seeing you for so many days has made this servant miss you terribly.”
Yan Bo removed his outer robe and handed it to Chun Rou, asking, “What happened with Mingxu falling from the horse the other day?”
“It was all my fault,” Tong showed a self-reproachful expression. “I did not strictly manage the servants, giving Wen Concubine an opportunity. She actually bribed Ting He, attempting to harm Mingxu and frame me with this two-pronged scheme.”
“How did you handle it?”
“Both received fifty strokes of the cane. Wen Concubine couldn’t survive.”
“Are you without fault?” Yan Bo didn’t care about Ting He’s fate. “Mingxu is only six years old. Why take him horseback riding?”
Meng Qing took another step forward, extremely close to her, and asked in a low voice: “Why?”
Yu Yi’s heart started racing. She tried to step back but unexpectedly bumped into the wall behind her. Unable to avoid him, his chin was just inches from her face. She pressed herself against the wall and said softly: “There are many reasons that can’t be explained quickly. This is not a place to talk. Let’s wait until we go back.” She then tried to leave from his side.
Meng Qing stretched his arm against the wall, blocking her path. “Let’s talk here. I’ve been waiting for many days and don’t want to wait anymore.”
“
Yu Yi’s face turned stern. “Don’t force me to take action.”
Meng Qing laughed softly: “Neither of us is in our own body. Zheng Xin is a military general, and Xun Qin has never practiced martial arts. Do you think who would win if we fought?”
Yu Yi was somewhat annoyed and embarrassed. She was very aware of their strength difference. She didn’t know why she was being stubborn with him, perhaps because he had always indulged her before, but this time he wouldn’t give in.
She helplessly leaned back against the wall, lowering her head: “I won’t continue doing tasks forever. Once I repay the borrowed money from Boss, save enough silver to help my sisters marry well, I’ll return to Xiye Villa to take care of my mother until I’m old.”
Meng Qing asked in confusion: “What does this have to do with whether you’re willing to be my girlfriend? I like you, and that’s all that matters.”
“You and I are ultimately impossible. I don’t know if I can interact with someone as freely as you, breaking up if we don’t match. So…”
“Do you like me or not?” Meng Qing interrupted her explanation, asking directly.
“Not disliking…”
Meng Qing lowered his head close to her. “Not disliking is good enough.”
Yu Yi looked up and saw Zheng Xin’s face, couldn’t help but chuckle, ducked down, and slipped under his arm, laughing: “You’re still a royal guard.”
