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

Chapter 234 Custody Rights

Not long after returning to Mucangzhai, Consort Zhang arrived with Fu Yunni.

Although Ye Wanshu showed no unusual expression, Consort Zhang still sensed that the girl was angry.

She took out the pregnancy-supporting soup she had personally prepared from the food box, and while comforting Ye Wanshu to drink the soup, she said, "That little rascal really went too far this time. Why did he have to make things difficult for a bookworm? Isn't he just deliberately trying to arouse suspicion?"

Fu Yunni also said, "Sister Wan, my eldest brother is just a blockhead and doesn't understand your thoughts. Don't take it to heart."

"Our A-Ni is so clever." Consort Zhang patted Fu Yun Ni's head with satisfaction, and then added, "Your eldest brother is almost a father, yet he's always getting jealous and petty with others. He doesn't have the demeanor of a crown prince at all."

The mother and daughter talked back and forth, belittling Fu Mingchi to nothing in front of Ye Wanshu, who listened silently and felt a little sorry for him.

“Your Highness, A’ni, this is not the Crown Prince’s fault.” Ye Wanshu said truthfully, “It was my oversight. When Brother Tao went to the border, I should have personally written a letter to him to inform him of the situation in the capital.”

"He harbored resentment towards you over such a small matter."

Seeing that the girl was starting to defend her son, Consort Zhang was pleased, but she still grumbled, "He really is petty. Doesn't he know how difficult your situation is in the capital? Ignore him and let him reflect on his actions. When he returns victorious, I will definitely give him a good scolding."

After saying that, she added, feigning anger, "No, I'll send someone to deliver a message right now and give him a good dressing down."

Seeing that the Dowager Consort was indeed about to leave, Ye Wanshu hurriedly stopped her: "Dowager Consort, I am not angry."

Knowing that she was trying to save face, Ye Wanshu was not ungrateful and explained earnestly, "Your Highness has it tough at the border. Only Lord Ji is capable of handling the matter of settling prisoners of war. His Majesty is aware of this as well."

She paused, then continued, "But at this critical juncture, handing this hot potato over to Lord Ji is indeed putting him in a difficult position."

Consort Zhang was well aware of this, and smiled as she held her hand in her palm: "I know that the court will not forget the contributions he made to the Great Ye Kingdom."

As her gaze shifted, it inadvertently fell on her swollen belly. Consort Zhang said with heartache, "Wan'er, you've been busy enough these past few days. Now just focus on your pregnancy. Your aunt and uncle won't ignore what happened to Ji Yunze. Let them do what they want."

She already knew that her brother-in-law was planning the marriage between Yingying and that bookworm. Yu'e was unaware of the situation, but Zhao Yun had a very sharp eye. He knew that Ji Yunze was favored by His Majesty and would achieve great things sooner or later.

If the whole family wants to return to Lin'an as soon as possible, they will probably have no choice but to do everything they can to help Ji Yunze succeed in his eastward expedition.

After listening to Consort Zhang's words, Ye Wanshu gradually felt at ease.

She had done all she could, and if anything went wrong again, she truly felt powerless to do anything more.

Touching her lower abdomen, Ye Wanshu smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will give birth to the child safely."

"This is so true."

Consort Zhang personally helped her finish her pregnancy-preserving medicine, then helped her to bed. She also gave instructions to the nannies who stayed at the residence to take care of her before leaving with A'ni.

Perhaps because of her pregnancy, Ye Wanshu felt extremely sleepy as soon as the room quieted down. However, thinking of the box full of letters, she forced herself to open the box and carefully read the letters.

Each letter was short, but as she read them slowly, she could feel Fu Mingchi's longing for her.

She didn't finish reading the letter until late at night. She was still a little angry with him, but thinking about everything they had been through together, Ye Wanshu felt nothing but warmth in her heart.

Thinking it over carefully, although many things are still unsatisfactory in this second life, she has gained a warmth that she never had in her previous life.

All she wants now is to cherish and protect all of this.

While he was staring absently at the letters on the bed, Chunhong suddenly walked in.

Seeing Ye Wanshu lying on the bed covered with papers, wide awake, Chunhong couldn't help but cover her mouth and say, "Miss, should I prepare pen and ink to reply to His Highness?" Ye Wanshu hesitated for a long time, but ultimately gave up the idea.

Perhaps she hadn't figured out how to express her longing for him, or perhaps she was dissatisfied with Fu Mingchi's actions this time. She didn't want that bastard to get what he wanted so easily, so she ultimately didn't pick up a pen.

However, in the days that followed, she would often find herself taking out the letters and reading them repeatedly in her spare time.

Spring has passed and winter has come; three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Frequent reports of victories from the border reached Lin'an. Upon learning that Fu Mingchi had led a large army to recapture Beidu, Emperor Zhaolie was overjoyed and held a grand banquet in the palace to reward the three armies.

Early in the morning, Ye Wanshu had carriages and horses prepared so that she could personally welcome the returning army outside the city gate.

"Mother, will we be able to see Father today?"

Mu Qingqing and Chu Yin led two little ones out from in front of the mansion gate.

Ye Wanshu glanced at the two mischievous little devils who hopped and skipped up to her, bent down, and smiled at the brother and sister: "Of course."

She had been looking forward to this day for a long time.

Fu Mingchi hadn't written to her in the past few years, but she guessed that the scoundrel had still secretly written quite a few letters and hidden them in the small box as usual.

“But my great-uncle said that my sister and I must return to the palace immediately after seeing our father,” said the eldest grandson of the emperor, Fu Ling’an, pouting. “My great-uncle said that from now on, my sister and I will have to stay by his side every day.”

"Mother, could you please talk to my great-uncle? I don't want to stay with him today. I want to be with you and Father," Fu Lingyue pleaded with a pained expression.

Seeing how reluctant the two little ones were to return to the palace, Ye Wanshu and everyone else were both amused and exasperated.

Not long after she gave birth to Ling'an and Lingyue, the emperor brought the two siblings into the palace.

Emperor Zhaolie and Consort Zhang nearly came to blows over the custody of their two young children. It was Tao Anran who came up with the idea of ​​having the emperor and consort Zhang play a game of pitch-pot.

Consort Zhang thought she had the victory in the bag, but unexpectedly she lost to the Emperor and could only watch helplessly as he brought the child into the palace.

Knowing that the two old rascals had been longing for children for a long time, Ye Wanshu didn't want to compete with them. Seeing that they were taking good care of the two little ones, she was happy to have some peace and quiet.

A few days ago, she received an imperial edict to abdicate on the day Fu Mingchi returned from his campaign, retiring to the position of Empress Dowager and devoting herself to taking care of her two little ones.

Having weathered so many storms, it's time for the old emperor to enjoy his golden years with his family.

Thinking that today was the day she would reunite with Fu Mingchi after a long separation, Ye Wanshu hardened her heart.

With her hands on the shoulders of the two little ones, Ye Wanshu chuckled and said, "An'an, Yueyue, your great-uncle is getting old and wants to see you every day. You can't say hurtful things to him in front of him. As for spending time with your mother and father, there will be plenty of time in the future."

"Mother, do you not like me and my sister?" Fu Ling'an looked at her with some grievance.

"How could that be?" Ye Wanshu quickly stroked the two little ones' buns: "Mommy loves An'an and Yueyue the most. You are both Mommy's good babies."

"Then we should stay with Mother and Father today," Fu Lingyue said, almost crying with grievance.

Mu Qingqing overheard her aunt whispering that in addition to preparing for His Majesty's abdication ceremony, the palace was also holding a wedding ceremony to make up for the wedding of her cousin and her sister Wan. At this critical juncture, she couldn't let the two little ones disturb the couple.

Mu Qingqing whispered something to the two little ones, and the siblings' expressions immediately changed.