I have suffered enough in my previous life, my cousin will never marry me

Chapter 149 Forced
Hearing her words, Fu Mingchi immediately understood that Wan'er was not sick at all, but was clearly angry. She was angry that he had neglected her in the morning, and even more angry that he shouldn't have gotten too close to his cousin from the Zhao family.

Gently brushing a strand of hair from Ye Wanshu's temple, Fu Mingchi smiled tenderly and said, "Since it was I who caused Wan'er to fall so seriously ill, then I will punish myself by staying by Wan'er's side the whole way. Will that help Wan'er recover more quickly?"

Ye Wanshu smiled, her eyes crinkling, and happily agreed. She then rested her head on his lap, quietly watching him.

His dark eyes flickered, which moved her quite a bit.

"Fu Mingchi, I want to be with you day and night, forever like this." Holding his slender fingers, Ye Wanshu casually asked, "Would you?"

It was rare to see her so anxious and uncertain. Although she didn't say it, Fu Mingchi knew in his heart that she was afraid that Empress Dowager Gu would not be able to accept this marriage.

"Wan'er, whatever you want, I will fight to the death for you," Fu Mingchi said softly.

Looking into his unwavering gaze, Ye Wanshu felt more at ease than ever before.

She might have questioned others' words, but Fu Mingchi's behavior had already convinced her.

Throughout the journey, she rested comfortably on Fu Mingchi's lap, sometimes drifting off to sleep. When she woke up, she could still see him beside her, as if he never got tired or sleepy, just as he had said, always by her side.

Having lived two lives, this was the first time she had felt the warmth and comfort of having a place to rest her heart. It felt so good, and she loved it.

Seeing that her cousin spent all his time with that little bitch from the Ye family, Zhao Yingying was furious.

She had left in a hurry and hadn't even brought a personal maid or nanny with her. No one was there to give her advice, and that fool from the Mu family wouldn't side with her. She could only watch helplessly as that slut seduced her cousin.

Having endured countless hardships along the way, she only felt a glimmer of hope as she approached the territory of Yuzhou.

She firmly believed that her parents would never just watch that little bitch from the Ye family marry into the Yongning Prince's Mansion.

Upon learning that her son was still alive and about to return to Yuzhou, Consort Zhang was overjoyed, and the lifeless city of Yuzhou was suddenly in an uproar.

After arranging all the wedding arrangements, and planning the day her son would return to the city, Consort Zhang led Fu Yunni and officials from Yuzhou early in the morning to personally go out of the city to welcome him.

Princess Qi Ning was naturally extremely displeased that her elder sister-in-law was so humble and obsequious in trying to please Ji Yuan and his daughter.

Before her sister-in-law and niece had left, Princess Qi Ning led her entourage straight to the gate of Consort Zhang's courtyard.

"Sister-in-law Wang, that girl from the Ye family almost killed Mingchi this time. How can you still be so stubborn and insist on going through with this marriage?" Princess Qi Ning said irritably, "Do you really want to kill Mingchi before you'll be satisfied?"

"Princess, you misunderstand. This time it was all thanks to Miss Ye, otherwise His Highness would have truly been helpless."

Just as Zhu Wencai was about to explain in detail, Princess Qi Ning glared at him fiercely: "Who gave you the right to speak here? Get out of here!"

"Yu'e, how come you've become as unreasonable as that maid in your household?"

Consort Zhang said with dissatisfaction, "Yingying is still young, so I can let it go for now. But you are an elder of the Prince's Mansion, yet you have no sense of propriety at all?"

Ever since Ji Yuan entered Yuezhou, she had noticed that her sister-in-law had been secretly instigating the old officials of the royal court to try to stop the marriage.

I'm afraid she came prepared today.

Sure enough, just as Consort Zhang had this thought, many retainers from the Yongning Prince's residence rushed over, led by her brother-in-law, Zhao Yun.

Fu Yu'e gave a subtle wink, and the officials quickly knelt down, pleading, "Please, Your Highness, reconsider. This marriage with the Ji family must not be arranged."

Looking at the rising sun, Consort Zhang frowned speechlessly, her voice sharp, "Even if the Heavenly King himself came today, I would still go to the outskirts of Yuzhou City to personally welcome the Ji family father and daughter." Fu Yu'e's expression turned angry: "Sister-in-law, don't forget, I am the Fu family member. My brother entrusted the royal residence to you, only for you to ruin it like this?"

“Yu’e, you must not be disrespectful to the Empress Dowager,” Zhao Yun hurriedly advised.

Zhao Yun glanced at Consort Zhang, whose expression was uncertain, and respectfully clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Consort Zhang, it is not that we are forcing you, but this Ye family woman is a bewitching enchantress who is unfit to enter the Yongning Prince's Mansion. She almost instigated a mutiny as soon as she arrived in Yuezhou. If we force a marriage, it will only strengthen the court's determination to weaken the princes."

"Who is reducing the power of the regional military governors? Is it the emperor or Empress Dowager Gu?"

Consort Zhang angrily said, "My Yongning Prince's Mansion has been loyal to the foundation of the Daye Dynasty and to the Fu family's rule. Is it possible that because of Empress Dowager Gu's personal power, even my son's marriage must be subject to the Gu family's whims?"

With a sharp gaze sweeping over the assembled officials, Consort Zhang continued, "I ask you all again: Empress Dowager Gu has long regarded my Yongning Prince's Mansion as a thorn in her side. Do you think she will let my Yongning Prince's Mansion go if we don't arrange this marriage?"

Zhao Yun was speechless, and the assembled officials all lowered their heads.

Seeing everyone speechless, Consort Zhang finally said, "My daughter has never overstepped her bounds. It's not like everyone in the world would distance themselves from the Ji family just because Empress Dowager Gu dislikes the Grand Secretary appointed by the Emperor. Where is the Emperor's authority then? Where is the face of the imperial clan?"

After saying this, he resolutely picked up Fu Yunni and prepared to board the carriage.

"Wait a minute."

Fu Yu'e called her over again and approached her step by step: "Sister-in-law, I have nothing more to say after you put it so grandly, but there are some things I have to say first. That country girl doesn't even know the etiquette and rules of the Prince's Mansion. I'm afraid she can't bear such a heavy responsibility."

Fu Yunni looked annoyed and pouted, "Aunt's words are really ridiculous. Cousin Yingying has been raised by you for many years, but I haven't seen her know much about etiquette and manners."

“You,” Fu Yu’e said, her face turning ashen with anger.

"Aunt, please put your mind at ease. Even if my sister Ye is not as good as my cousin, she is not worse."

Fu Yunni bit her lip indignantly, not giving her a chance to argue: "If my older brother were to take a liking to Cousin Yingying, he would be truly blind."

After saying that, he anxiously tugged at Consort Zhang's chest and urged, "Mother, let's hurry up, or we won't be able to pick up Sister Ye and my elder brother."

Seeing the little girl scolding her sister-in-law until her face turned red, Consort Zhang could not allow her daughter and her aunt to quarrel so fiercely.

She sighed deeply and earnestly advised, "Yu'e, I watched Yingying grow up. I also know that your brother cherishes her. You and your brother have always been very close. You should know your brother's thoughts. If he had such intentions, why wait for me to make the decision?"

After saying that, she looked at Zhao Yun again, her voice suddenly turning colder: "Try to persuade your wife properly. If she causes such a futile incident again, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Watching the mother and daughter board the carriage and lead the officials of Yuzhou Prefecture away, Zhao Yun looked sullen and had no choice but to dismiss everyone.

Fu Yu'e was even more dissatisfied with this and flew into a rage, saying, "Is this all you've got? You're the Chief Secretary of the Prince's Mansion, and you've followed my brother in battles across the country for many years. Now you even dare to reprimand this heartless little bastard. Don't you know how to manage this?"

“What little bastard, Madam, watch your words.” Zhao Yun sighed helplessly, “Ani is, after all, your deceased brother’s flesh and blood. How can you treat her like this, Madam? No wonder the mother and daughter are dissatisfied with you.”

Thinking of what the Dowager Consort had just said, Zhao Yun frowned and patiently advised, "What the Queen Consort said is not wrong. Now is the perfect opportunity for Mingchi to take over Lin'an. We must always consider the big picture. If Madam insists on having Yingying marry into the Prince's Mansion, after Mingchi's marriage, I will swallow my pride and ask the Dowager Consort to make Yingying a concubine. That would also fulfill Yingying's wish."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Fu Yu'e said angrily, "My own daughter has been reduced to being a concubine for my nephew. You may not care about your shame, but I do."

Zhao Yun shook his head helplessly, too lazy to pay any more attention to her, and turned to leave.

Watching Zhao Yun walk away, Fu Yu'e's gaze darkened: "Yingying, you can't count on your good-for-nothing father. Your mother will definitely grant your wish."