Farm Tough Girl-Chapter 197 - 198 Rumors_1

Chapter 197: Chapter 198 Rumors_1

Chapter 197 -198 Rumors_1

Yu Ze stood in front of the window, gazing into the distant sky, as if waiting for something. When he heard the news, he showed little emotion and simply said, “How is His Majesty’s health?”

“He was already on the brink of collapsing. This time, upon hearing about Consort Yuan and Prime Minister Kong colluding with foreign states, his rage has aggravated his condition. I fear that, within these few days…”

As the guard spoke, he could not help but steal a glance at Yu Ze. Prince San’s accession to the throne had seemed all but certain, yet who could have imagined that, within just three days of Yu Ze’s return, he would expose Consort Yuan and Prime Minister Kong’s true nature, completely turning the situation on its head? Anyone facing such a mythical figure couldn’t help but feel awe.

“You may leave now.”

Yu Ze waved his hand, and as he did, a homing pigeon with fluttering wings landed on the window sill. Yu Ze removed a piece of paper from its tube and read it closely. Muniang was not accustomed to writing with a brush and had used charcoal instead. Her delicate and fine handwriting carried a hint of sharpness. This handwriting was all too familiar to him; a gentle smile played on Yu Ze’s lips, his eyes brimming with a spring-like mirth.

“Ze’er, what’s making you smile so happily?”

Yu Ze looked up, his eyes concealing seven parts of their amusement. “Mother,” he said, having already slipped the letter into his sleeve.

Jian Yue approached Yu Ze and said, “Ze’er, you have changed quite a bit since coming back this time.”

Having served in the military for ten years, Yu Ze did return once three years ago. At that time, Jian Yue felt only that her son had become even more aloof than before he had enlisted ten years ago, so much so that she, his own mother, did not dare to approach him lightly.

But this time, Jian Yue saw a rare smile on her son’s face for the first time — a smile that held hints of happiness and even contentment. Although she did not know what he had been through, as a mother, she naturally felt joyful at this sight.

Yu Ze avoided Jian Yue’s gaze and spoke softly, “Is that so?”

Jian Yue, feeling somewhat disheartened, lowered her eyes. “After all these years, are you still blaming us? Why can’t you forgive us after all this time—”

Yu Ze’s tone grew colder. “You should not be asking me for forgiveness, but rather Jin. He is still in Qilian Kingdom, depending on others for help. Do you even know that?”

Seeing the atmosphere turning cold again, Jian Yue did not dare to linger on the topic. She had already lost one son; she could not afford to lose another. She hurriedly said, “Ze’er, the court has finally settled down now, and I’ve heard that there are no significant battles at the border. Why should you always insist on suffering in that barren place?”

If it had been before, Yu Ze would have rejected the idea outright. Jian Yue had mentioned his coming home countless times over the years, and he had never agreed. This place chilled his heart, making him unwilling to stay for long.

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But now, he had Muniang. Naturally, he would not consider going back to the border. He could not bear for her to suffer that hardship; moreover, she had her own aspirations, and he couldn’t clip her wings for his sake. That would not be the true Muniang.

“I have already informed His Majesty that since the border is temporarily at peace, I will not go back.”

Jian Yue’s heart leaped with joy, and she quickly responded, “That’s wonderful. You’re not young anymore; it’s time for you to settle down and get married.”

Yu Ze smiled lightly. “Indeed, it’s time to settle down.”

Jian Yue saw her son being so obedient for the first time, excited beyond measure, “Suxue is a good girl. You have been at the border for these years, and she has waited for you for so long, almost becoming an old maid. Now you have finally thought about marriage. How about Mother arranges a betrothal visit to the He Family in a few days?”

Yu Ze frowned, “Didn’t our engagement end three years ago?”

He Suxue and Yu Ze were betrothed while still in their mothers’ wombs. Yu Ze never had any special feelings for He Suxue, only feeling that a marriage didn’t necessarily need romance. Since their parents had already decided, what difference would marrying make? If Yu Ze hadn’t chosen to join the military ten years ago, he probably would have already taken her as his wife.

However, the subsequent turmoil at the border made Yu Ze completely forget this betrothal. Being at the front lines, he also lost interest in taking a wife. Three years ago, during his return, Jian Yue mentioned the idea of settling down in the Capital City and marrying He Suxue—who at that time was fifteen, the age for marrying. But he adamantly refused to stay in the Capital City and even took it upon himself to break off the engagement, not wanting to hold her back because of himself.

Jian Yue said, “That child is stubborn. When you decided that the border was more important and didn’t want to delay her, you broke off the engagement and left, but do you know the girl cried for days, insisting on waiting for your return? Now she’s eighteen; which girl in the Capital City isn’t married by eighteen? Suxue is truly devoted to you. There are plenty in Capital City who would marry her, but she stubbornly waits only for you. Now that you are finally considering settling down, you must not betray her.”

Yu Ze, with furrowed brows, said, “I already have a wife, and I won’t marry another.”

“What?!” Jian Yue exclaimed.

Immediately, a “bang” sounded as something fell to the floor outside. A flustered He Suxue gazed at the Yu Ze inside the room, while her maid hurriedly stooped down to pick up the food box that had dropped to the ground.

Jian Yue could hardly believe it, “Since when do you have a wife? Why didn’t you tell me? That’s just too reckless!”

Yu Ze said in a deep voice, “Last year. She’s not currently in the Capital City. Due to the uneasy situation, I didn’t bring her back. Next time, I will bring her to meet you. I never act foolishly. The wife that I have chosen will be the only one for my entire life.”

Having said that, he spoke no more and walked straight out without giving a second glance to He Suxue, who stood there dumbfounded.

——

“Why did it take you so long to deliver something to Grandpa Xue’s home?” Muniang had made a few extra potato cakes last time, specifically having Qingya deliver some to Old Man Xue’s, Mrs. Du’s, and Madam Liu’s families, as their children were many and would certainly enjoy them.

Qingya came in with a basket, her face looking rather poor, “This servant heard some rumors on the way, got angry, and had a few words with some people.”

Muniang raised an eyebrow, “What did you hear?”

Qingya said indignantly, “They say our master’s visit home has been taking far too long, a full month without a sign of him. They claim he has come to his senses and no longer fancies the Lady, has run off, and it’s the Lady, out of pride, who claims he’s gone to visit relatives. It’s exasperating!”

Muniang snorted lightly, “You can’t control the mouths of others, which naturally aren’t on your body. Let them say what they will. When he comes back, they’ll know they’ve slapped their own faces.”

Qingya said, “I just can’t stand to see Mrs. Ji behaving like that. I’ve heard that the rumors started with her, that spiteful gossip loves to blacken your name! With how good things are between you and the master, how could he ever leave the Lady?!”

Yet soon after, as if losing confidence herself, she looked at Muniang with unease, “Lady, the master won’t really fail to return, will he? It’s been a month without a single piece of news.”