Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Hatred of the Past

Mo Yunhao and Yan Rulan had specifically returned to the manor today to share their good news, having sent word well in advance. Madam Yan had even made a point to invite them for breakfast.

Before long, they arrived. Mo Yunhao wore a blue-trimmed brocade robe, his hair tied high in a topknot; with his jade-like complexion and handsome features, he was a striking sight. Yan Rulan was dressed in a long orange gown, the cuffs and collar embroidered with delicate lotus flowers. Her exquisite makeup only served to enhance her natural beauty, making her look even more alluring. As they walked in together, one could not help but exclaim: what a perfect match!

"Your daughter greets Father and Mother."
"Your son-in-law greets Father-in-law and Mother-in-law."

The two walked into the main hall, paid their respects to General Yan and his wife, and took their seats. Mo Yunhao’s eyes scanned the room intentionally or otherwise, as if searching for someone.

"Someone, hurry and serve tea to the son-in-law and the young lady."

Madam Yan looked at her son-in-law with the satisfaction of a mother-in-law; regardless of anything else, just given Mo Yunhao’s status as the second young master of the Prime Minister’s household, it was a step up for Lan’er to marry him as his primary wife. Having such a prestigious marital family for her daughter brought her face, and she could not help but be delighted.

It was fortunate that Lan’er had the foresight to set her heart on him early on. It had been worth all the effort she and Qing’er had spent helping her snatch the second young master away. Although Mo Yunhao’s reputation outside was not sterling, men were all the same—who didn’t have a concubine or two? As long as Lan’er remained the primary wife and gave birth to a healthy son next year, her position in the Prime Minister’s household would be unshakable.

Madam Yan’s thoughts drifted further; she even considered sending a maid who had served her for years to the son-in-law’s residence while her daughter was pregnant. Not only could she assist Lan’er, but having one more person in the Mo household would provide more influence—wouldn’t that be even better?

"Father-in-law, I have heard that the Princess of Xiao is currently at the manor. Would it be possible to see her?" Mo Yunhao was not as simple as he appeared. His mind was filled with schemes, and his surface-level submissiveness was merely a disguise; otherwise, he could never have escaped his eldest brother’s suspicion.

Faced with this sudden request, General Yan was startled at first, then his eyes flashed with sharp light. He declined the request tactfully, "You were once engaged to Ziyu, but now that you both have families of your own, what is there to say? Instead of giving others cause for gossip, it is better not to meet at all."

"Father-in-law is right. Matters of the heart cannot be forced. My union with Lan’er was a case of mutual affection, and the breaking of the previous engagement was a last resort. Now that all is in the past, I merely wish to confirm a few things in person with the Princess of Xiao. There is no other intention. You may rest assured, Father-in-law; with a virtuous wife like Lan’er, I have no other desires in this life!" With these words, Mo Yunhao gazed at Yan Rulan with deep affection, their eyes meeting in a display of intense devotion.

General Yan remained silent. He had not prevented the meeting because of what Mo Yunhao said, but rather out of other considerations, though he was secretly surprised by the implications in Mo Yunhao’s words.

"Very well, that is no matter. I have already sent for her. Lan’er, you two sisters have not seen each other in a long time; you should have a good chat." General Yan glanced at Yan Rulan, his words carrying a subtle hint.

Yan Rulan smiled slightly, her beautiful face showing a look of happiness. "Father is right. My younger sister has not returned to the manor for many years. In our youth, I may have had some misunderstandings with her, but the bond between sisters is truly deep. Even though we have grown up, our sisterly affection remains exactly as it was. Father may rest assured."

Yan Rulan’s words were essentially telling General Yan that even though Yan Ziyu had become the Princess of Xiao and held a high position, she was still far beneath her, just like in their childhood—a concubine’s daughter who could not be brought into polite society and was meant to be bullied and trampled upon.

"That is good. Your sister is a Princess, and her temper may be a bit spoiled. As her elder sister, you should be more tolerant and understanding. If she does anything wrong, feel free to discipline her. Prince Xiao’s prestige is known throughout the world; we cannot have it said that a daughter of the Yan household has forgotten her manners and brought shame upon our ancestors."

As Yan Ziyu approached the hall, she heard these self-righteous words from General Yan. The corners of her mouth twitched, and her eyes were filled with contempt and disdain!

Truly, there was no limit to how shameless some people could be!

To think he could say such things, and with such a high-minded air—was he not afraid of biting his own tongue?

That was not all; what truly made Yan Ziyu’s jaw drop was what Madam Yan said next...

"Yunhao, Mother knows that you have always felt guilty about what happened back then, thinking that you let Ziyu down and caused her current suffering. But you must know, a forced melon is not sweet. If you had married her against your heart back then, without any affection between you, it would have ended in tragedy. Ziyu is a sensible child; she withdrew to fulfill your happiness. Now that you both have your own families, let the past remain in the past..."

Yan Ziyu felt an urge to cough up blood on the spot, especially seeing Madam Yan’s hypocritical, compassionate expression. She felt nauseated.

It was true that she had been betrothed to Mo Yunhao since childhood, but she had never liked him. Fulfilling the engagement was only because it was her mother’s wish. If she had known early on that Yan Rulan liked Mo Yunhao, she would have gladly stepped aside. But they should never have assumed she cared for him so much that they had to push her off a cliff just to get her to break the engagement.

Unfortunately for them, her life was not meant to end there. She had met someone else—someone who brought her warmth, but who had also pushed her back into hell.

Thinking of that person, her chest ached slightly, though she could not recall his exact face.

Perhaps it was because she loved him too much to share him with anyone else. That was what she thought; after all, she was no longer the original person. Though they shared the same body, there were some things and some people that could not be shared—like love.

"Since you are here, come in. Why are you hiding outside?" While Yan Ziyu was lost in thought, General Yan’s sharp eyes caught her figure. He frowned and spoke.

Seeing this, Yan Ziyu had no choice but to enter the hall.

"I heard that the Second Young Lady and her husband were returning today. I see the whole manor has been refurbished; even the pillars are polished enough to be used as mirrors. Truly a grand occasion!" Yan Ziyu walked to the center of the hall, scanned the room, and let her gaze rest on the slightly plump Yan Rulan. "I heard the Second Young Lady is with child. Congratulations. When the baby is born, I will personally prepare a generous gift to visit. After all, I am the only Princess of the Great Yun Empire, and my rooms are filled with tributes bestowed by the Emperor. I shall send some tonics over for the Second Young Lady to nourish herself. I hope you give birth to a healthy little young master, and may both mother and child be safe!"

From beginning to end, Yan Ziyu did not call her "Second Sister" once. She ignored everyone else, her face full of indifference and aloofness. Even though she was smiling, her presence made people’s spines turn cold.