The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 681 - 643: Awakening (Second Update)

Ye Rong yawned and said lazily, "Stayed up the whole night yesterday for the vigil, I’m exhausted. Let’s return to the city, I need a good rest, or else I’ll have no energy."

No matter how unruly these few present were outside, they dared not defy ancestral customs at home. The vigil was something everyone had to observe.

When Ye Rong didn’t speak, no one felt sleepy. Once he mentioned it, they all started yawning one after another, all claiming to be tired.

"Then let’s go back." Song Yuanbao, holding a birdcage, looked utterly reluctant to part with it.

"Let’s go, let’s go, we’ll come to play again another day." Ye Rong urged everyone, also telling them to watch their steps, not to tread on the petals, saying his elder brother cherished those flowers and would soon have the servants pick them up to use.

Zhao Xi, after mounting his horse, glanced towards Song Yuanbao, "When will you come tomorrow?"

Song Yuanbao said, "Not sure what plans my parents have, so here’s the deal. Let’s go back first, and I’ll decide tomorrow morning. Before coming, I’ll have Haidongqing send you a message."

Zhao Xi was about to nod when he heard the sound of wheels rolling over the ground not far away.

Soon, a delicate and luxurious carriage appeared in view. A young maid stepped down first, followed by the opening of the curtain, and the carriage owner stepped down, lifting her skirt, who was none other than Ye Rong’s sister, Ye Ling.

Ye Ling also came to the manor today. However, earlier, she was elsewhere with the manor head’s wife, holding a basket for her cousin Ye Zheng to pick plum blossoms and hadn’t come to the garden.

Seeing her, Song Yuanbao involuntarily straightened his back, his lips curling into a slight smile.

Ye Ling, dressed in a silver-red floral jacket-skirt, approached and first saluted Zhao Xi. Only then did she notice Song Yuanbao holding something. She exclaimed, "Oh, what a beautiful hawk. Is it yours, Young Master Yuanbao?"

"This is called Haidongqing." Song Yuanbao noticed she seemed interested, and he was pleased, "I just won it in a gamble."

"It’s my first time seeing a Haidongqing, it’s really beautiful." Ye Ling tilted her head, her eyes fixating on the beautiful creature inside the cage.

That look almost melted Song Yuanbao’s heart. He coughed twice, "If you like it, I’ll give it to you."

"This... won’t be inappropriate?"

Ye Ling was indeed captivated by the beautiful appearance of the Haidongqing, but she already received two rabbits from Song Yuanbao before, and taking his things again made her somewhat uneasy.

"As long as you like it, it’s all good." Song Yuanbao urged his horse forward a few steps, leaned in, and handed the cage to her, "It’s said to be the god of a thousand eagles, very impressive, you can give it a try."

Ye Ling blushed as she took the cage, "Thank you, Young Master Yuanbao."

Ye Rong, watching from a distance, said nothing, just curled his lips.

He knew for sure Song Yuanbao wouldn’t resist a beauty, so he had the servant invite Ye Ling earlier.

And now, Haidongqing was back.

Fearing Song Yuanbao might regret, Ye Rong laughed, "Ah Yao, let’s go back. It’s getting late, and our parents are waiting to have dinner."

"Oh, okay." Ye Ling hurriedly bid farewell to Zhao Xi and Song Yuanbao, boarded the carriage, and left with Ye Rong.

Once Ye Rong and those young masters left, outside the garden, only Song Yuanbao, Zhao Xi, Eunuch Sanbao, and a dozen Royal Hidden Guards in the shadows remained.

When Song Yuanbao turned to look at Zhao Xi, he found his face extremely dark and unattractive.

Song Yuanbao then realized that the Haidongqing was won by Zhao Xi.

He slapped his forehead in frustration, "Your Highness, please let me explain..."

"Don’t want to hear it." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Zhao Xi directly raised his horsewhip, and the horse galloped away, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"I’m done for, I’ve really messed up this time." Song Yuanbao looked as if hit by frost, wilting and unsure of what to do.

As Eunuch Sanbao passed by, he snorted, "Young Master Yuanbao has quite the extravagance, giving away a Haidongqing just like that, without considering whose hands it passed through. Do you think you’re being fair to His Highness?"

Song Yuanbao, face wretched, said, "Eunuch Sanbao, do you believe me if I say I didn’t mean to?"

Seeing the other’s stern face, he pleaded, "Can you put in a good word for me in front of His Highness, saying that another day I’ll find a way to get another one for him to make up, how about that?"

Eunuch Sanbao coldly replied, "Won’t help!"

"You won’t help, you’re willing to watch my relationship with His Highness turn sour?"

"That’s what you deserve!" Eunuch Sanbao threw down these words, whipped his horse twice, and left.

The cold wind stung Song Yuanbao’s handsome face, he dejectedly lay on his horse’s back, letting the horse walk aimlessly, sighing all the while.

——

Zhao Xi returned directly to the Eastern Palace and had just reached Chengming Hall when he saw Wan Qiu anxiously waiting in the corridor, gazing towards the main gate now and then.

After applying the medicine, the mark on her face disappeared in an afternoon. She originally planned to feign illness to avoid seeing the Crown Prince for now, but half an hour ago, Mr. Mu had informed her that His Highness had gone out at noon and hadn’t returned yet.

Wan Qiu’s heart tightened suddenly. She couldn’t care less about pretending to be sick, but as a weak woman, she couldn’t leave the palace to find him, so she could only wait outside the main hall, watching as the sky turned from dusk to night.

Finally seeing him return, Wan Qiu clutched her skirt and rushed forward. Her small face was still slightly panicked, and her voice carried a sobbing tone, "Your Highness, where have you been all afternoon? Why are you so late in coming back?"

Zhao Xi halted upon hearing the words, turning to look at her sideways.

Wan Qiu shivered with fright and hurriedly knelt on the ground, "This servant had no intention of prying into Your Highness’s whereabouts, truly it is..."

It was his first time returning so late from outside the palace, even with a Shadow Guard by his side, it inevitably caused concern.

Zhao Xi suddenly bent down, reached out, and grasped her wrist, gently pulling her up.

Wan Qiu’s back stiffened, "Your Highness..."

"Follow me."

Zhao Xi pulled her into the main hall.

Eunuch Sanbao intended to follow, but was stopped by a glance from Zhao Xi at the doorstep.

Wan Qiu didn’t know what he intended to do, her wrist held by his hand, creating an indescribable feeling.

Upon reaching the inner hall, Zhao Xi released her hand, asking, "Have you had dinner?"

"Yes, yes." Wan Qiu thought His Highness had discovered what Gu Yu did to her and was planning to hold her accountable.

Her heart was in turmoil, not daring to look up at Zhao Xi.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, she was lifted onto the bed.

The dizziness of a spinning world hadn’t faded when she heard the rustling sound of Zhao Xi removing his robe.

Wan Qiu’s eyes widened instantly, "Your Highness?"

"Tonight, you will accompany me to sleep."

Before she could speak, he coldly stated, "Do not say no!"

His tone was one she had never heard before, domineering and forceful.

Wan Qiu felt her heart was about to leap out of her chest.

Is this a dream?

It must be a dream!

His Highness is not like this.

Last night after she explained the reason, he didn’t force her; how could he change his temperament in just one day?

"Your Highness..." Wan Qiu softly called out once more.

"What is it?" Zhao Xi looked over, his gaze carrying some displeasure, as though if she dared utter a denial, he would immediately erupt in anger.

Wan Qiu pressed her lips together, "This servant... this servant will help you disrobe."

As she spoke, she sat up, deftly removing his middle garments, her small face growing increasingly red.

...

Eunuch Sanbao pressed his ear against the door for some time, unable to hear any sound from within the inner hall.

Initially, he thought His Highness was displeased and would vent his anger on Wan Qiu, but now seeing Wan Qiu hadn’t come out at all, he guessed something, and tears of joy welled up in his eyes.

Thank heavens, after all this time, His Highness finally understood!

Gu Yu hurriedly came upon hearing the Crown Prince had returned to the palace, only to see Eunuch Sanbao tearful outside the hall, with the doors tightly closed, not knowing if anyone was inside.

"Why is the eunuch crying during the New Year?" Gu Yu looked at him suspiciously.

Eunuch Sanbao hastily wiped his tears, asking grumpily, "What are you here for?"

Eunuch Sanbao was the favored eunuch beside Zhao Xi, destined to become the Chief Steward in the future, his status was leagues above Mr. Mu. Before Gu Yu, he had no need to bow and scrape for favor.

Gu Yu said, "I heard His Highness has returned, so I came to see him."

Eunuch Sanbao secretly curled his lips, "His Highness was out all day, his body is weary and has already rested, he just ordered that no one is to disturb."

Gu Yu couldn’t help but ask, "His Highness left the palace today?"

"That’s His Highness’s business, why is mistress asking about it?"

"Did he have dinner?" Gu Yu didn’t want to miss any opportunity to interact closely with the Crown Prince.

Eunuch Sanbao, still overjoyed at Zhao Xi’s willingness to favor Wan Qiu, had little patience for Gu Yu, "If there’s anything mistress needs, speak straight away, and I’ll inform His Highness in the morning."

Gu Yu discerned Sanbao’s displeasure, sneering inwardly, thinking how once she became the mistress, the first thing she’d do would be to eliminate Sanbao, the base, rootless cur!