Chapter 56: Seeking Your First Subscription

Lan Yin’s cheeks flushed as she held the honey tangerine in her hand, awkwardly bowing to the two mistresses before hurriedly catching up with Wei Bao Hua. Watching their departing figures, Wei Bao Zhen couldn’t help but laugh.

“As a mistress, she’s not even as reserved as a servant. Even the servants know to feel embarrassed, yet she seems utterly unfazed. I wonder why she’s so shallow.”

Wei Bao Zhen truly didn’t understand her elder sister’s conduct, but Wei Bao Fu had less to say about it. She smiled and replied, “Neither of us are her. We don’t know her true circumstances. Honestly, we’re all at the mercy of fate; we don’t really have the right to judge her. It’s fine to dislike it, but let’s not fuss over trivial matters.”

Wei Bao Zhen nodded. “It’s all because Mother has spoiled her thoroughly. Why did you agree to go to the Marquis of Yongyi’s residence? Eldest Sister must have some hidden motive. Maybe a scandal will arise, so why get involved in such murky waters?”

“I’d rather ignore it and follow my own heart, but that’s not always possible. Grandmother’s situation can’t be neglected. As for the Princess accompanying us, it doesn’t matter. With her mind, she’s unlikely to succeed easily.”

Wei Bao Zhen burst into laughter. “You really are sharp-tongued. Don’t worry, since I’ve agreed to accompany you, I’ll keep an eye on her. Letting her hit a wall and give up might be for the best.”

Wei Bao Fu, however, didn’t share this optimism. Once a woman’s heart is moved, it’s hard to dispel her intentions. Zhao Jing Shen had nothing to do with her, but given Grandmother's proposal, a thorn was inevitably left in the Marquis of Zhenbei’s heart.

She didn’t care what the Marquis thought, but she didn’t want to be remembered by him. If the Princess had the ability to win Zhao Jing Shen, that would be her own achievement; if not, it would mean they were simply not destined. She herself had done nothing in between, just as Grandmother had openly proposed to the Empress Dowager despite knowing she was about to be betrothed—a mere attempt to seize an opportunity.

Wei Bao Fu bore grudges in certain matters. She didn’t want to be caught up in a scandal of rivalry, for in these times, reputation was everything, and such things only made one the subject of idle gossip.

After leaving the palace, the old lady of Yongyi Marquis’s residence fell ill from anger. She was fiercely proud—a cold reception from the Empress Dowager in the palace was one thing, but even her legitimate granddaughter ignored her, which left her furious.

At this moment, only grandmother and grandson were in the room. Zhao Jing Shen quietly fed her medicine. Upon returning, he immediately asked his grandmother for her answer, and as expected, the outcome matched his anticipation. Zhao Jing Shen couldn’t tell if he was disappointed or heartbroken; more than anything, he felt regret. He had met the Princess of Kangping first, had so many chances, yet lost them all in his own hesitation.

There is nothing more painful than realizing your heart has been moved just as you lose hope. The old lady, seeing her grandson’s weary face, spoke with compassion, “Things have come to this, don’t be saddened. There are many fine girls in the world. Without the Princess, there will always be another.”

Zhao Jing Shen nodded, forcing a bitter smile. “It’s all my fault—blind arrogance and indecision. Grandmother, please don’t blame the Princess.” It was impossible not to resent Wei Bao Fu, but the old lady was reasonable—after all, she herself was at fault first.

“How could I dare blame her? I only regret that, if I had insisted on bringing her back to the residence for care years ago, there might have been a chance. My resentment back then made me unwilling to yield, not knowing it would end like this. No matter what, that girl did nothing wrong.”

Though angry and disappointed, the old lady wouldn’t speak against her conscience. What is good is good, what is not is not—her own fault was indisputable. “Grandmother, we shouldn’t disturb the Princess in the future.”

The old lady immediately shook her head. “If there’s a rift, we must mend it. That child is extraordinary; I feel we shouldn’t just drift apart.” Zhao Jing Shen smiled bitterly, a touch of sadness in his voice. “Grandmother, the Princess is unlikely to give us any chance to get close.”

She patted his shoulder, speaking earnestly, “Don’t say that. Anything is possible. Still, I hope you won’t linger too long on this matter. Let the past be past. You are the future master of our Marquisate; your every word and deed concerns our family’s prosperity.”

After this incident, Zhao Jing Shen realized his own shortcomings and nodded in agreement. “Rest assured, Grandmother. I understand.” The old lady nodded with satisfaction. “Earlier, I heard from Xing’er that the Princess has been pestering you—is that true?”

An expression of distaste appeared on Zhao Jing Shen’s face. “I have never met her alone. I refuse her every invitation, but the Princess seems oblivious to the meaning of shame.”

The old lady scoffed, “Her intentions are her own affair. As long as you make no mistakes, it has nothing to do with you. No matter what outsiders say, as a man, you won’t suffer unless the Emperor intervenes. With your aunt in the palace, there’s no need to worry about imperial interference.”

Zhao Jing Shen nodded in agreement, about to say more when Madam Zhu hurried in. “Old Lady, the Princess of Kangping is here, along with the Princess and Second Princess. They’ve come to visit you.”

The old lady immediately sat up, surprised. “Are you sure? Is it really the Princess?” Zhao Jing Shen grew nervous, his breath quickening. Madam Zhu nodded firmly. “They’re waiting outside right now.”

“Quickly invite them in. Shen’er, you should withdraw; it’s inconvenient to have you here with unmarried ladies.” The old lady made her decision instantly. Since there was no hope, she wouldn’t encourage any further. Her grandson’s heart was already entangled; if given more opportunity to interact, he might fall deeper and be unable to extricate himself.

Though Zhao Jing Shen regretted not seeing Wei Bao Fu again, he didn’t refuse. He rose and left through the side door. No sooner had he departed than Wei Bao Fu and her companions entered. The old lady struggled to sit up, and Wei Bao Fu hurried forward to help her.

“Grandmother, there’s no need for ceremony. Upon hearing you were unwell, I came to see you specially. My two sisters are also here to visit. I brought some nourishing supplements for you; please don’t disdain them.”

The old lady’s eyes grew moist with emotion as she grasped Wei Bao Fu’s hand. “How could I mind? If only you come to see me, I’d never mind anything.” This was the first time Wei Bao Fu addressed her as grandmother, and though the old lady didn’t know why she suddenly became close, she knew to seize the opportunity.

“Old Lady, I’ve heard your garden is quite unique. May my sister and I take a look?” Wei Bao Hua asked eagerly. Wei Bao Zhen instinctively frowned but said nothing.

The old lady was shrewd. Though she didn’t think much of the girl, she wouldn’t offend her directly. Smiling, she said, “Of course you may. Madam Zhu, entertain the two princesses for me, and send a maid to inform the First Madam and First Miss so they can accompany the princesses.”

This arrangement was perfectly proper. Wei Bao Hua wished to refuse but knew she couldn’t be too obvious. Watching their backs as the princesses departed, the old lady felt uneasy but didn’t want to miss the chance to spend time with her granddaughter.

Looking at Wei Bao Fu, she smiled warmly. “The Princess has grown up, and there’s a resemblance to your mother in your features. If only things hadn’t happened as they did, things wouldn’t be like this now.” The old lady had seen her daughter’s family torn apart.

Wei Bao Fu couldn’t help but feel pity for her. Even twins have their differences, yet she couldn’t recognize her own daughter, which showed she hadn’t cared enough.

“Grandmother worries too much. All is fate, and not for us to decide. Though I can’t claim that everything goes my way, I’m not living poorly. Grandmother treats me well.”

Though Wei Bao Fu couldn’t grow close to the old lady, she didn’t wish to be hostile either.

“I know, you still blame me. No matter what I say now, it’s useless. I only hope you won’t drift apart from us in the future. The Marquisate of Yongyi is willing to be your support. You’re still young and can’t yet understand a woman’s helplessness after marriage. Having someone to rely on gives you more confidence. Your uncle may not have much authority, but he has a title and can protect you.”

The old lady spoke sincerely. Perhaps age had softened her; since Wei Bao Fu’s return to the capital, she had often dreamed of her eldest daughter, and her heart felt hollow, as if she had lost her though she was still in the palace. The old lady had dearly loved both her daughters, but in her youth, she was too eager for power, battling with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, inevitably neglecting her daughters.

Her eldest was excellent, and she favored her more. The second daughter was frail and sickly, mostly raised by her nursemaid. At first, she cared tenderly for her, but over time, impatience crept in.

Looking back now, the old lady felt guilt. Wei Bao Fu smiled. “Thank you for your kindness, Grandmother. Living in the palace makes visits difficult, but once I leave, I’ll come often to pay my respects.”

For many reasons, Wei Bao Fu couldn’t be too distant from the Marquisate of Yongyi. The old lady felt gratified. “You’re a sensible child. The Empress Dowager, too, is a woman of misfortune. Having you by her side is her blessing. Though I’ve quarreled with her, it has nothing to do with you. You will always be the Marquis’s niece.”

Wei Bao Fu felt the old lady’s goodwill. She understood that the world is not black or white, and nothing is absolute. Smiling, she said, “You’re right, Grandmother. And you shouldn’t be angry with my other grandmother. She sometimes has a childish temper, but she’s not a bad person.”

She still sided with her own grandmother, and the old lady understood. Affection grows over time, and things would improve gradually. She didn’t know why she cared so much about Wei Bao Fu’s opinion—perhaps because in some ways, she resembled her own daughter.