Chapter 82: Chapter 82: You Have to Be Good to Me

When news arrived that Xue Yunshu had been captured by enemies, Duke Xue went into a frenzy.

He paid no mind to his other daughter’s wedding, intent on using his connections to rescue Xue Yunshu.

His usual favoritism was one thing, but to just up and leave on such an important day was outrageous.

Mrs. Xue was about to lose her mind as well.

Suppressing the flames of fury rising within her, she grabbed Duke Xue’s hand and tried to reason with him in a placating tone.

"Ah Yao will be here any moment to bid us farewell. Just wait a little longer. After we’ve sent Ah Yao off, you can do whatever you want. I won’t stop you!"

Ah Yao was the family’s legitimate daughter and was going to the Chen Family to become its matriarch.

If the Duke were to leave now, it wouldn’t just be the Xue family’s face that was lost, but Ah Yao’s dignity as well.

If her own father didn’t value her, wouldn’t her in-laws take the cue and look down on Ah Yao in their hearts?

The mere thought of it made Mrs. Xue’s heart twist in agony.

’She cursed herself for marrying such a fool, not only ruining her own life but also causing her children to suffer!’

Duke Xue insisted, "I really have urgent business!"

Mrs. Xue retorted, "You can’t leave, not even if the sky were falling!"

Duke Xue’s expression was frantic. "Ah Yao will only lose face, but Yunshu could lose her life! Can’t you see which is more important?"

Compared to a life, what did losing face matter?

The Duke Mansion had deep roots, anyway. As long as the Xue family didn’t fall, no one would dare mock Ah Yao openly.

Life was full of frustrations; she would just have to endure it, and it would pass.

But Yunshu was different. She could die at any moment.

The two situations couldn’t be compared!

He forcefully pried Mrs. Xue’s hand off him. "Everyone outside praises you as a capable and virtuous wife. That being the case, you should be able to handle things perfectly well without me."

Blood rushed to Mrs. Xue’s head. "If you dare to leave, I will divorce you!"

Duke Xue’s brows furrowed in disapproval. "Threatening divorce at your age? Have you no shame?"

Mrs. Xue cried, "I’ve had enough of you!"

Duke Xue grew angry as well and spoke without thinking. "Even if you have no sense of shame, you should think of your daughter and your son! Don’t be the reason Ah Yao can’t hold her head high in her husband’s family, and don’t be the reason our son can’t find a good wife!"

Her children were Mrs. Xue’s entire world. A look of despair crossed her face.

’Divorce would certainly be satisfying, but what would happen to my children?’

’Once you have children, you have a weakness. To think you can just act on your own desires is a fool’s dream...’

Seeing Mrs. Xue suddenly fall silent, Duke Xue lifted his chin arrogantly.

"When I returned to the capital to marry you back then, Yunshu’s mother didn’t stop me. She even gave birth to our child alone and raised her. She suffered so much and never came to be an eyesore to you. Now that her child is suffering, you should be more magnanimous."

"After all, you’re the one who stole her man. You owe her!"

With that, Duke Xue hurried away.

’She stole the Medical Woman’s man?’

’What an absolute joke!’

’It was clearly him who couldn’t handle a hard life, who missed the glory and wealth of the Duke Mansion and came scurrying back on his own.’

’And in the end, he pinned all the blame on me!’

Mrs. Xue was so upset she nearly fainted. "My poor Ah Yao... humiliated on her wedding day. How will she ever establish herself with her in-laws?"

Mr. Xue supported Mrs. Xue’s arm. "Mother, I won’t fool around anymore. I’ll study hard so I can support my sister in the future!"

The mother and son both shed tears.

"Today is Yao’s big day, My Lady. You must pull yourself together!"

Mrs. Xue’s tears fell even faster.

’On such an important day, that damn man actually dared to bail on his responsibilities.’

’Why doesn’t he just drop dead!’

’And that Xue Yunshu! From the day she returned to the Xue family, she’s been nothing but trouble.’

’Now she won’t even let Ah Yao have a peaceful wedding day.’

Mrs. Xue thought viciously, ’She’d better die out there and never come back!’

’Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless!’

Mrs. Xue forcefully wiped the tears from her face and ordered someone to reapply her makeup.

Even if the sky fell, she would hold it up for Ah Yao!

The front courtyard of the Duke Mansion was filled with guests. They were all puzzled to see Duke Xue leaving in such a hurry.

"The auspicious hour is almost here. Where is the Duke going?"

"I heard that daughter he brought back has caused some cataclysmic trouble. He’s probably going to figure out a way to save her."

A guest curled their lip. "He’s an old man now, but he’s still as muddle-headed as he was in his youth. Poor Mrs. Xue. What a frustrating life she must lead as the mistress of this Duke Mansion."

"Miss Xue Er is pitiful too. She’s the legitimate daughter, yet she’s overshadowed by a bastard who was acknowledged halfway through."

"Only the Duke would be shameless enough to bring a bastard into the public eye!"

"Well, well. For Mrs. Xue’s sake, let’s show our support for Miss Xue Er. We can’t let others look down on her."

The lady who spoke took a Jade Bracelet from her wrist. "Go, add this to Miss Xue Er’s dowry."

"How about this golden hairpin of mine? It’s not too shabby to add to Miss Xue Er’s dowry, is it?"

"..."

The guests whispered amongst themselves, exchanging gossip.

The noble ladies who disapproved of Duke Xue began adding to Xue Xingyao’s dowry one after another.

With these additions to her dowry, these noble ladies would become part of Xue Xingyao’s network in the future.

Anyone who wanted to give Xue Xingyao trouble would have to think twice.

Amidst the whispering, the steward of Prince Chen Mansion arrived personally to deliver a gift.

"His Highness is away at war and cannot return for the wedding banquet. He has ordered us to add to Miss Xue Er’s dowry!"

Behind the steward was a line of maids, each holding a tray with a gift box on it.

The procession was grand, and he explicitly stated the gifts were for Miss Xue Er, not the Duke Mansion.

This meant that Prince Chen himself was also Miss Xue Er’s backer!

Everyone looked at each other.

Miss Xue Er’s luck had suddenly become outrageously good!

So what if her own father didn’t dote on her? The name of Prince Chen was more powerful than anything.

The Chen Family wouldn’t dare to openly make things difficult for Miss Xue Er, not even if they had ten times the nerve!

"What is the connection between His Highness and Miss Xue Er?"

"Could it be because of the Mei family’s girl? Miss Xue Er is close friends with her."

There were many young ladies present. Some were mere acquaintances with Mei Wanying, while others disliked her.

Right now, all of them felt a tinge of regret.

’If they had known that befriending Mei Wanying could lead to a connection with Prince Chen, they should have followed Xue Xingyao’s example!’

「In the rear courtyard.」

Xue Xingyao also received the news: her own father was absent on her important day.

Once again, he had chosen Xue Yunshu.

Though she was clearly used to her father’s favoritism, Xue Xingyao’s eyes still turned red.

’Just choose me, just once... Is that so hard?’

As the bridal veil was lowered, a single, glistening teardrop traced a quick path down her cheek before disappearing.

A clamor of voices came from outside the courtyard; the groom had arrived to escort his bride.

Xue Xingyao heard the playful clamor of friends and family "teasing" the groom, heard him compose a poem and pass one trial after another.

Finally, he was before her.

Xue Xingyao lowered her gaze and saw a pair of men’s boots, embroidered with auspicious patterns in golden thread.

Chen Shujing had arrived.

A hand took her wrist, and a Mutton Fat Jade Bracelet was slipped onto it.

"Ah Yao, I’ve come to take you home."

Xue Xingyao gathered her courage and squeezed the man’s hand back.

She said softly, "Then you have to be good to me."

’Don’t neglect me.’

’Don’t abandon me.’

’Be devoted to me, with all your heart... will you?’