Ch 29: A Fated Connection

Before leaving, Old Madam Nian, on the verge of tears, said, “You must, you absolutely must make a good impression!”

General Guo Liangxian nodded solemnly and bowed to the gate of the residence, a place that highlighted Prince Xian’s former dwelling.

They set off.

Concubine Lin Yan’er watched the General depart with a sullen expression, then turned and entered the residence without looking back.

Old Madam Nian rolled her eyes. “Ill-mannered, unruly wild girl!”

Mama Cui chimed in, “That’s right, our Niuer is the one with proper manners.”

Ju Niuer, standing nearby, curtsied respectfully and gestured with her hand, “Old Madam, please come in.”

“Hm.”

Outside the residence, the road was fairly smooth, but the carriage swayed slightly.

General Guo Liangxian looked at the market streets outside the curtain, lamenting that he had never had the chance to stroll around leisurely.

He said leisurely, “When I have time, I’ll take you for a walk here.”

Yuan Xueyue, however, relaxed and leaned against the corner of the carriage, lost in thought, completely ignoring General Guo Liangxian’s words.

He turned his head and said, “There’s no need to be so distant, is there?”

Yuan Xueyue said, “Does the General want more intimacy? Feel free to give it all to Miss Lin.”

General Guo Liangxian, “…”

“We are still husband and wife, after all. I have wronged you these past five years, but the war in the Northwest was urgent, and Prince Xian promoted me. If I hadn’t gone, how could I face the common people?”

Alone in the carriage, General Guo Liangxian explained sincerely.

He made it sound as if he had no choice.

But this wasn’t what Yuan Xueyue wanted to hear. She said indifferently, “General misunderstands. It has nothing to do with any of that. It’s just that my fate with the General is shallow.”

General Guo Liangxian said sternly, “What shallow fate? If our fate was shallow, how did we become husband and wife? Don’t forget, it was your father who first came to my family to propose the marriage!”

Yuan Xueyue was, after all, the illegitimate daughter of a Prefect, well-educated and refined. Although her father had lowered her status, she had never been overly ambitious in her upbringing and education.

But regarding the matter of General Guo Liangxian, it was entirely her father’s unilateral decision, with Aunt Fang’s considerable contribution behind the scenes! Yuan Xueyue knew this clearly, but the deed was done, and there was nothing she could do.

“It was our family that proposed the marriage, but at that time, it was your family that was clinging to ours, not me who took a fancy to you first,” Yuan Xueyue said coldly.

“It doesn’t matter whether you fancied me or not, your father fancied me first! You are married to me! Now that Prince Xian appreciates me, I get to live in a large residence in the Capital City and receive two stipends from the Imperial Court and Prince Xian’s Residence! You should be grateful!” General Guo scolded.

Seeing Yuan Xueyue turn her head away, not even giving him a side profile, General Guo Liangxian also looked out the curtain in a huff!

She didn’t want to dwell on these words.

She was just waiting for an opportunity to leave.

The carriage slowly approached Prince Xian’s Residence. Xiaozhao, who happened to be outside the residence, saw it and asked the manager to receive them. He first saw General Guo Liangxian get off, and he extended his hand towards the carriage, but it came back empty.

He walked away disdainfully. From the carriage, a gracefully dressed and beautiful woman emerged! Xiaozhao stepped forward and asked, “Who is this?”

General Guo Liangxian saw Xiaozhao and immediately bowed, “Brother Xiaozhao, please forgive me. This is my wife. I brought her along to meet Prince Xian. Is that alright?”

Xiaozhao’s face lit up with joy. “Good, please come in quickly.”

Xiaozhao’s attitude had become much friendlier. General Guo Liangxian didn’t pay much attention to it, but he did note that he needed to appear to have a good relationship with Yuan Xueyue here.

After all, the scandal of a husband and wife had caused a stir throughout the Capital City.

Especially since Prince Xian had also said that it was unseemly! Xiaozhao personally led them into the residence, bypassing the manager and the front courtyard, and went straight to the courtyard behind the main hall! Here, with its waterside pavilion and leisurely gray curtains, it was exceptionally fresh and relaxing! A gentle breeze blew, bringing a warm and comfortable atmosphere.

It was Yuan Xueyue’s first time entering a Prince’s Residence, and she was also taken aback by the grandeur of the residence, especially since they had walked for so long without reaching their destination.

Until they reached this courtyard, such a delicate place, the treatment given by Prince Xian was too good, wasn’t it?

Could it be that Prince Xian was really going to promote General Guo Liangxian? Yuan Xueyue had a bad feeling, and her heart was uneasy. She really didn’t want to personally witness such a moment.

But since they were already here, she raised her eyes and saw a man in flowing robes standing beside the swaying gray curtains, with a tall and slender figure and an extraordinary bearing!

Yuan Xueyue’s heart trembled.

◈◈◈

General Guo Liangxian, however, at this moment, turned back and grabbed her wrist, pulling her up the wooden steps.

Dai Yixian turned around, his appearance extremely handsome. A hurried glance made Yuan Xueyue lower her head in shame.

As a woman of virtue, she naturally couldn’t have too much eye contact or conversation with an outside man.

“Greetings, Prince Xian.”

General Guo Liangxian pulled Yuan Xueyue, and they knelt down together to pay their respects.

Yuan Xueyue also bowed respectfully. Quietly, a pair of black brocade shoes appeared before her eyes. Dai Yixian’s voice was soft,

“You’ve come, but why did you bring your wife?”

General Guo Liangxian was taken aback. He heard that Prince Xian’s tone was very gentle, and he was sure that today’s discussion would definitely be good news! “Naturally, I mentioned in the letter that I wanted Prince Xian to meet her, to avoid those troublesome matters. My wife and I are still very close, right, Xueyue?” General Guo Liangxian turned back and gave Yuan Xueyue a look.

Dai Yixian said “Oh,” and said, “Your wife’s name is very nice, the crescent moon.”

General Guo Liangxian’s heart skipped a beat.

Were there too many coincidences? He and Prince Xian had the same pronunciation of their names, and now, he couldn’t help but sigh, Prince Xian also cared about the character “Yue” in Yuan Xueyue’s name? General Guo Liangxian explained, “There is still a slight difference, it’s the ‘Yue’ for ‘king’.”

Unexpectedly, Dai Yixian followed up,

“It’s even more interesting. I didn’t expect Little General Guo and I to have the same pronunciation of our names, and your wife and I are even more fated.”

General Guo Liangxian was sweating! How had he not thought of this? Was Prince Xian so concerned about the meaning of such characters?

“Then, it’s a great honor for my wife to receive Prince Xian’s praise,” General Guo Liangxian said, not thinking too much about it, and even said to Yuan Xueyue,

“Why aren’t you thanking Prince Xian?”

Yuan Xueyue was about to kowtow again, but Dai Yixian interrupted, “No need.”

“Please be seated.”

Dai Yixian gestured to the seats beside him, which were arranged side-by-side facing Prince Xian’s position!

General Guo Liangxian was instantly shocked! It was the first time he had received such grand treatment!

“Thank you, Prince Xian!”

General Guo Liangxian immediately kowtowed, got up, and went to the prayer mat to sit down. Thinking of Yuan Xueyue, he lightly patted the prayer mat, indicating for her to sit.

Dai Yixian saw this in his eyes, but the teacup he had just raised happened to cover it. The meaning in his eyes was very deep, and he squinted slightly as he watched their actions.

Yuan Xueyue nodded slightly and sat down without a word.

Anyway, she wouldn’t give General Guo Liangxian any help!

To witness General Guo Liangxian’s rise with her own eyes, she felt a little disappointed!

The stronger the Guo family became, the lower her chances of getting a divorce! Her eyes were filled with melancholy, which was fully seen by Dai Yixian. Before General Guo Liangxian could exchange pleasantries, Prince Xian said,

“Your wife seems to be unhappy?”

“Ah?” General Guo Liangxian was stunned and turned to look at Yuan Xueyue.

Yuan Xueyue immediately put on a calm expression and smiled faintly.

General Guo Liangxian was puzzled. How come he didn’t see it?

Why was Prince Xian always paying attention to his wife?

They’ve met, and they’re very compatible! Please bookmark, follow, and comment! Give it your all, everyone!