Chapter 71: Conclusion

Chapter 71

Conclusion

The Hou had no choice but to reluctantly follow Kang Wang back to the palace. His mind was still on his chubby, adorable grandson. Bao Bao, my grandson—I’d make sure you take the Song family name. Song Wuqin...didn’t that sound much better? With these pleasant thoughts, the Hou didn’t even realize they had already arrived at Kang Wang’s palace.

“Your Highness...”

As they entered the palace, the Hou couldn’t hold back his curiosity and wanted to ask. Kang Wang was a close friend of his son, having studied together, so it was natural for him to still showed respect for the Hou’s seniority.

“How many children does that girl...have with Song Qilin?”

“The Hou, there’s no need to worry. Didn’t she say herself that they’re not your grandchildren? As for how many children she has, wouldn’t it be better for you to ask her directly? From what I gathered earlier, it seemed like she didn’t want you involved.”

The Hou sighed heavily, falling silent for a moment before speaking again.

“Wuqian...You know how it was with the marriage between her and Qilin. He wasn’t willing at all. Her family background wasn’t suitable for him in the slightest. You can blame me if you like, but wasn’t it the same with your mother? Didn’t she want to choose the best match for you, just as I did for my son?”

“What defines the best match? Isn’t it the wife your son loves? The one who has given him healthy, wonderful children? I’m not in any position to judge, but if Nie Shuang opened her heart to me, I wouldn’t hesitate. As for my mother, let her be angry with me if she wants. I’m far away here, so what can she do?”

Kang Wang responded in a soft, composed tone. By then, they had reached the main hall. Kang Wang gestured for the Hou to take a seat while he settled into his own. A servant brought tea and poured it for them. The Hou took a sip to quench his thirst, his legs aching from the long walk. As soon as he tasted the tea, he raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“What tea is this? It’s so rich and fragrant. Your Highness, you truly know how to enjoy life.”

Kang Wang smiled and said,

“This is Hong Bao tea, an exceptional tea exclusively sold by the Xiangyun Tea House. It’s priced thirty percent higher than Lü Cui tea. If you like it, I’ll have three jin set aside for you, as a gift for the Elder Furen of Hou Manor as well. It’s been years since I’ve visited her—I hope Auntie is doing well.”

The Hou placed his teacup down and lowered his head. This tea also came from his former daughter-in-law’s tea house. Despite his reluctance, he had to admit to himself that the tea was truly excellent. Even from a small sip, the rich, bitter taste and aroma filled his nose, leaving a calm and soothing sensation after drinking. It made him feel like he could close his eyes and recite poetry on the spot. This was clearly Nie Shuang’s achievement, something his son had no hand in. Song Qilin was the type to live simply—he probably couldn’t even tell the difference between water and tea!

“Wuqian, she’s the wife of your friend,”

The Hou said in a gruff tone, speaking to the younger man across from him. Now that they were alone, they set aside their formal titles for the time being.

"Uncle, you yourself said you don’t want her involved with Qilin. He’s going to be fighting wars for years to come, and while she’s here in Huangjing, under my protection, I can ensure her safety."

The Hou frowned. He understood the situation well. Even if Song Qilin was the father of the children, how could he win over a wife who refused to acknowledge his family when he was thousands of li away? The more the Hou thought about it, the heavier his heart grew.

Kang Wang seemed to know exactly what was on the Hou’s mind and offered some reassurance.

"Don’t worry. Song Qilin’s children won’t be mine. Once I have children of my own with her, Nie Shuang will gladly return your grandchildren to you."

The more the Hou listened, the more uneasy he became. It suddenly dawned on him that Kang Wang had everything planned out. If Nie Shuang’s heart softened even a little, she’d fall right into his trap. At that moment, the Hou felt the urge to kneel and beg Kang Wang to spare his daughter-in-law. Song Qilin could never bear to see his wife with another man, and he himself didn’t want to see his newly discovered grandson, Bao Bao, calling Kang Wang father.

"Nonsense! She’s still married to Qilin. How could she marry you? Wuqian, you’re a Wang, yet you’d stoop to stealing your friend’s wife!?"

Kang Wang laughed.

"Uncle, all you care about is your grandson, isn’t that right? Let’s not pretend otherwise. Everyone knows how much you despise her. Isn’t it true that our desires align? You’d get your grandson and rid yourself of a daughter-in-law you never wanted. I thought you’d be pleased."

The Hou’s emotions were all over the place. On one hand, his lifelong prejudice against her low birth made it difficult for him to accept her as his daughter-in-law. But on the other hand, the thought of her falling into Kang Wang’s hands didn’t sit right with him either.

"She’s my daughter-in-law! If you continue to speak inappropriately like this, don’t blame me for not showing you respect. Whether now or in the future, Song Qilin’s wife is her,"

The Hou declared firmly. But Kang Wang didn’t seem convinced.

"Didn’t you try to force Young Miss Chen on Qilin before? He fled to the border to avoid returning to the capital because of that. Now you’re claiming Nie Shuang is your daughter-in-law, but in the future, you’ll likely push another woman on him as his principal wife. I’m sure that...Nie Shuang feels the same way. Why else would she struggle to come here? Being the Young Furen of Hou Shizi wasn’t exactly a small temptation, and yet she gave it up. If I offer her the title of Wang Fei[1], wouldn’t that be an even brighter future for her?"

The Hou had to admit, Kang Wang had a point. Nie Shuang had never cared for the prestigious status of Hou Manor’s Young Furen. Instead, she took pride in her title as a royal merchant, a position she had built with her own hands. He still remembered how, when she left, she had asked for a significant sum of money and protection from him, even though it had been her decision to leave. She was a beautiful and intelligent daughter-in-law, proud and dignified. Did he really need to be concerned about the opinions of those who looked down on her birth?

The Hou seemed to have reached a conclusion with himself, but he didn’t say a word. He stood up, grabbed his cane, and said,

"Apologies, Your Highness, but I won’t be able to join you for drinks this evening."

"Where are you going?"

Kang Wang asked, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.The Hou didn’t respond. He walked out of the palace with firm resolve.

[1] The first wife of Wang; honoring as a princess.