Chapter 1591 - 1438: The Fake Commandery Princess 48
Speaking of meals, Qin Peijun and Zhao Wan took Ye Shuangshuang to the dining hall. In ancient times, people ate two meals a day, so the meal times differed from modern ones, with breakfast eaten late and dinner early. If they got hungry in between, they would have snacks.
As they took their seats, Ye Shuangshuang curiously asked Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun, "Father, Mother, why haven’t I seen Muxin today?"
Back when Bai Menghan and Zhao Wan gave birth, Bai Menghan delivered first, so Ye Shuangshuang was older than Qin Muchen.
When Ye Shuangshuang asked, Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun both stiffened, looking somewhat displeased. What could the reason be? It wasn’t simply because the child was sulking.
For some unknown reason, Qin Muchen had been causing a lot of trouble recently, especially when the topic of Ye Shuangshuang came up, leaving Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun thoroughly annoyed.
Having such an outstanding foster daughter like Ye Shuangshuang in the Capital City was something everyone envied about the Prince Nan Mansion. Furthermore, Ye Shuangshuang was deeply cherished by the Emperor and Empress, which provided immense support to the Prince Nan Mansion.
A person like her, even if not a foster daughter, would be worth any effort to win over if she were a stranger, let alone as their foster daughter. Not seizing the opportunity to deepen this bond, binding Ye Shuangshuang with the Prince Nan Mansion for life, would indeed be idiotic.
Still, no matter what, Qin Muchen couldn’t accept this simple reasoning and was convinced that the couple favored their foster daughter. Particularly upon hearing that Ye Shuangshuang was coming today, she argued fiercely with Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun.
Originally, Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun intended to greet Ye Shuangshuang at the door as soon as she arrived to express their longing and to strengthen their relationship.
Additionally, they had planned for Qin Muchen, someone her own age, to bond well with Ye Shuangshuang. Despite the mix-up in their identification at birth, neither went to a deprived family.
There was no gap of wealth to create grievances, so they could treat the situation as a unique fate, even calling themselves sisters by destiny, which could foster stronger bonds than with others.
Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun had good intentions, but alas, Qin Muchen was uncooperative. Upon hearing this from them, she exploded.
The last thing Qin Muchen wanted to hear was about Ye Shuangshuang, let alone the idea of actively becoming sisters with her, which led to an upheaval.
By the time Ye Shuangshuang entered, Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun had only just managed to extricate themselves from the commotion with Qin Muchen and hurried to wait for Ye Shuangshuang.
At this point, hearing Ye Shuangshuang ask about Qin Muchen, Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun were somewhat embarrassed.
Zhao Wan smiled and said, "Oh, that girl has been restless lately. A few days ago, your father and I took her to the estate for a few days of fun.
Who knew she would fall in love with the scenery at the estate? And that’s why she decided to stay out for several days and refuses to return.
It’s too late to fetch her today. We three will eat first, and tomorrow I’ll send someone to bring her back from the estate, so you sisters can catch up properly."
Ye Shuangshuang understood perfectly well what was going on. For Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun, who were known for their shrewdness and pride, only being forced would result in allowing such an absence by Qin Muchen, which was indeed a breach of etiquette.
Ye Shuangshuang didn’t expose them and continued eating, drinking, chatting and laughing with Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun. After the meal, Ye Shuangshuang cheerfully said, "Mother, is my courtyard still here? This time I plan to stay at home for several days.
Father, Mother, you have no idea how much I’ve missed our home. Although I’ve been away for so many years, I’ve dreamt of returning. The food here is exceptionally delicious."
"If it’s delicious, eat a lot. Just tell the kitchen whatever you want. Also, don’t say staying for a few days—this is your home, why leave? You should stay home in the future," Zhao Wan said, feigning anger.
Qin Peijun chimed in, "Yes, listen to your mother, you should stay home in the future."
Ye Shuangshuang smiled without a trace of reluctance, "Then I’ll listen to Father and Mother and stay home from now on."
Qin Peijun and Zhao Wan were unaware that Ye Shuangshuang was putting on an act. Moreover, the two believed they had treated this daughter well in the past, so they thought Ye Shuangshuang genuinely still regarded the Prince Nan Mansion as home.
Qin Peijun and Zhao Wan were very satisfied, feeling that Ye Shuangshuang would forever be connected to the Prince Nan Mansion. With Ye Shuangshuang’s favor from the Emperor and Empress, their son’s official career was bound to benefit greatly.
The Prince Nan Mansion didn’t lack for wealth or status, but it did lack real power. And for noble families, lacking real power was the greatest fear, as it meant eventually declining.
Their Prince Nan Mansion’s title survived to the present day primarily because the previous generations were direct brothers to the Emperor. Yet now, they had become peripheral figures in the Imperial Family.
After the meal, Ye Shuangshuang, led by the steward, returned to her original courtyard, where she used to reside in the Prince Nan Mansion, filled with green bamboo to create a scenic atmosphere.
This courtyard was originally where the Old Prince and Old Princess Consort lived. After the Old Prince passed away, the Old Princess Consort closed off the courtyard to avoid the pain of reminiscence.
Later, when Ye Shuangshuang grew up and needed a separate courtyard, the Old Princess Consort, who particularly favored Ye Shuangshuang, allocated this courtyard to her, personally arranging for it with many of her own valuables placed inside.
When Ye Shuangshuang left, she didn’t take anything from the courtyard, only sneaking out with two simple cloth dresses made specifically for casual wear.
This courtyard was filled with the Old Princess Consort’s affection for Ye Shuangshuang. Every tree and blade of grass, every table and chair, were all extremely familiar to her.
Upon entering the courtyard, Ye Shuangshuang immediately noticed significant changes, such as traces of many tables and chairs being placed and then hastily removed from the lawn.
The swing also looked altered, and there were countless small modifications inside the room. Although it appeared unchanged, it had evidently been extensively rearranged in a rush.
Ye Shuangshuang needed no imagination to know that Qin Muchen must have been living in this courtyard. It was the second most significant residence after the Prince and Princess’s area in the Prince Nan Mansion.
Given Qin Muchen’s nature of seeking to outshine everything, it was impossible for her not to have sought to occupy this courtyard. Ye Shuangshuang’s nostalgic feelings for her grandmother, the Old Princess Consort, suddenly faded.
She cherished the Old Princess Consort’s affection in her heart, untouchable and forever unblemished, while realizing that this courtyard no longer mattered as it was never truly her home.
Ye Shuangshuang sat down, feeling somewhat uneasy, as Zhao Wan and Qin Peijun’s hospitality today was overly pronounced and contrived. This couple was not naturally warm towards children.
Even when their own precious son made rare visits home, they behaved reservedly, full of excitement yet reluctant to show it, emotions carefully controlled.
That reserved demeanor was how they treated the children they truly cared about. The warmth now, however, was more about manipulation and theatrics, leaving Ye Shuangshuang somewhat disheartened.