NCCnovel Chapter 36 Polo Club
Chapter 36 Polo Club
"Don't tell anyone else about this," Ye Mingyue said.
"You're giving your second sister-in-law a present, which is to give her face. Why can't we talk about this good thing?" Ye Wanning didn't quite understand.
Ye Mingyue carefully put away the silver notes. “Outsiders care about saving face, but I don’t care about that. Grandmother is right, there’s no going back in life. If you agree to a marriage, you have to take it seriously. The Jiang family must be worried about this marriage. I’m doing this to put their minds at ease. Now that things have come to this, we still have to live our lives well.”
To be honest, Ye Mingyue wouldn't say he likes them yet, but he's found that people need to spend more time together and get to know each other better.
As he spoke, Ye Mingyue suddenly sighed, "You have no idea, these days, whenever the Jiang brothers see me, they interrogate me about my studies. I'm really at my wit's end. They all want to watch me study themselves, which has made me go to the shop less often."
He genuinely disliked studying, and fame held no appeal for him. His elder brother had to work hard in the officialdom for the sake of the Ye family, but he disliked the ways of official life and preferred to do what he was good at.
“If you don’t plan to take the imperial examination to enter officialdom, it doesn’t matter to others, but you still need to make it clear to your second sister-in-law. The Jiang family values education more than our family. Both of your second sister-in-law’s brothers are officials in the court, not to mention there’s also Censor Jiang who loves to speak frankly and remonstrate,” Ye Wanning said.
"I know, my matter is nothing. I see that you, my sister, don't care much about your own affairs." Ye Mingyue had long noticed that when the family arranged for his younger sister to go on dates, she would agree, but each time she would be indifferent.
Ye Wanning sighed softly, "To be honest, I've really lost interest in marriage."
"It's all that bastard Zhou Yu's fault. He's the one who broke your heart. Don't think all men are the same. There are good men out there too. Your grandmother is most worried about your marriage. If it keeps dragging on, she'll get really anxious." Ye Mingyue said a few more words before leaving, seeing that it was getting late.
Shall we get married?
Ye Wanning raised her long eyebrows slightly, then decided against it. In one's lifetime, one should never force oneself.
After Ye Mingyue's jewelry was delivered to the Jiang family, Jiang Si's dowry was carried to the Ye family like a flowing river, which amazed the Lin family members.
Lin privately discussed with Ye Wanning whether they should add more betrothal gifts, but Ye Wanning said it wasn't necessary. "When our parents were alive, the betrothal gifts we gave you, sister-in-law, were about the same. My second brother is younger, so it's not appropriate for him to go beyond the eldest son's family. The Jiang family is giving a large dowry, which shows that they value this marriage. Sister-in-law, you don't need to feel pressured. Our family has already shown enough sincerity."
Madam Lin was surprised that her sister-in-law had considered her feelings. "Wan Ning, you are so insightful. Once your second sister-in-law is married, there will be people to help me find a good husband for you."
Speaking of this, Madam Lin suddenly remembered something. "My mother invited me to Princess Longyu's polo match. I've already asked Wanyu, and she's very willing to go. You should come too. I remember you play polo. If you don't go, my second sister and the others will definitely feel embarrassed to go."
Only after Lin's repeated requests did Ye Wanning finally agree.
After Princess Longyu returned to the capital, she held banquets every few days. No one in the court dared to say anything about it, after all, it was Princess Longyu's marriage to Wusu that brought more than ten years of peace to the border. Princess Longyu seemed to want to make up for the hardships she had suffered in the past, and she lived a very extravagant life, often having new and exciting things to do. For a time, Princess Longyu's banquets became the most popular in the entire capital.
Ye Wanyu and Ye Wanhua were younger, so it was normal for them to want to go and see what was going on. Ye Wanning simply considered it as accompanying her younger sisters.
On the day of departure, Madam Lin gave careful instructions, "There are many people at the polo field, and there will inevitably be strangers. Remember not to run around or bump into things. Stay in crowded places." She always had social engagements and couldn't always take care of her sisters-in-law.
"I've remembered what you said, sister-in-law. Apart from me being playful, my eldest sister and third sister are both quiet people. I definitely won't cause you any trouble." Ye Wanyu looked expectant. She had long heard that Princess Longyu's banquet was interesting, and she was glad to be able to see it for herself today. It was worth the long wait.
Almost half of the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital came. As soon as Ye Wanning got off the carriage, she saw Xie Lingyi.
Ye Wanyu pulled her sister's hand, "Let's ignore her."
"Ye Wanning, you're really something." Xie Lingyi wasn't going to let the Ye Wanning sisters off the hook, and walked straight over. "You actually managed to get my third uncle to help you lose the election. I thought my third uncle had his eye on some kind of stunning beauty, but it turns out she's nothing special."
Ye Wanning's heart skipped a beat. How did Xie Lingyi know about this?
But she couldn't show it. "Miss Xie, you're from a prominent family too. How can you speak so carelessly? There are reasons why we weren't selected. Who doesn't want to rise to prominence? Don't you?"
Xie Lingyi certainly wanted to; she dreamed of marrying into the royal family so that the eldest son's family and her third uncle could look up to her with envy. But her third uncle ruined her marriage, making her a laughingstock. She overheard this story when she visited her grandfather that day, and today she was deliberately trying to embarrass Ye Wanning.
"Ye Wanning, you are a lady from a respectable family, yet you have been associating with my third uncle in private. What right do you have to question me?" Xie Lingyi raised her voice, trying to attract attention. "Or is it not you, but your two younger sisters?"
"Miss Xie!" Madam Lin was furious. "If you continue to slander my sisters like this, I'll go and ask your elders how they raised their daughters!"
At this moment, Madam Jiang and Madam Qian saw the commotion and came over to ask what was going on. Madam Lin still didn't want to make a scene, so she said, "I just exchanged a few words with Miss Xie. Miss Xie, don't you think so?"
Xie Lingyi pursed her lips. She didn't want to miss this hard-won opportunity, but her aunt came over and blocked her way. "So it's Mrs. Qian. I haven't seen you in a long time. You look even better."
When facing Madam Xie, Madam Qian also smiled and replied. They chatted and laughed, thus dispelling the previous tension.
After a while, Madam Xie took Xie Lingyi away. Once they were in a secluded place, she said with a dark face, "I don't care what you just said to the Ye family, but you are a daughter of the Xie family. Your mother isn't here today, so you'll stay with me. Don't tarnish the reputation of a Xie family daughter, understand?"
Xie Lingyi reluctantly agreed, but she lost her arrogance in front of her aunt and had to make other plans.
On the other side, out of concern, Madam Jiang asked Lin what had just happened. Lin was very flustered, but could only say that nothing was wrong.
Ye Wanning shares the same concerns.
How could Xie Lingyi know about Xie Bohuai's work?
Meanwhile, a maid in a carriage, after watching the Ye family walk away, quickly ran to find her master.
"Did you hear me right?" Princess Zhaoyun was imprisoned for several days, and it was only after her mother vouched for her that her father allowed her to be released.
Caique nodded vigorously, "It's absolutely true. When I went back to get you the handkerchief, I heard Miss Xie say it with my own ears. You can ask Miss Xie to confirm it. She's a member of the Xie family, so the information she heard shouldn't be wrong."
“From the very beginning, I had my eye on the wrong people. What a bunch of vixens the Ye sisters are! Go find Xie Lingyi and tell her to come see me right now!” Princess Zhaoyun had just finished speaking when the old nanny beside her whispered a reminder, “Princess, the Princess Consort has given instructions that you must not cause any more trouble.”
Princess Zhaoyun said irritably, "What did I do? I just wanted to confirm something with Xie Lingyi. Granny is getting old, she should drink more tea and talk less!"
Knowing the princess's temper well, the old woman dared not try to persuade her any further and silently left the tent. She needed to go and give the princess a heads-up.