Shang Yunruo never dreamed that on the day of her return to her natal home, she would be accompanied by her husband's younger brother.
The grand carriage drawn by five horses paraded through the streets, attracting everyone's attention. Without even looking, she knew that there must be a crowd gathered at the entrance of the Prime Minister's Mansion, eager to catch a glimpse of the grandeur of the prime minister's daughter and the Marquis of Ningyuan.
The carriage gradually came to a stop. Chu Yan helped her out of the carriage, and even through several layers of clothes, she could feel the warmth of his palm.
Chu Yao whispered in her ear, "Just looking at the back, the second young master does resemble the first young master a bit."
Shang Yunruo nodded and quickened her steps, eager to enter the mansion. However, she didn't expect that her mother's tearful cry would throw her off balance.
"A Ruo, my A Ruo, you've finally come back."
Not only did her mother come out to greet her, but her father's cough also reached her ears. Shang Yunruo suddenly tensed up. Disregarding the etiquette, she grabbed Chu Yan's arm and quickened their pace.
But she was still a step too late. Her mother embraced her at the threshold.
Her father's stern voice came, "What a sight in public! Let go of A Ruo quickly."
Her mother complained about her father's strictness but still let go of her.
Her father's voice came again, "A Ruo, where's your husband? Who is this?"
Shang Yunruo's nerves tightened. She hurriedly replied in a low voice, "This is Chu Yan, Jin Li's younger brother."
The prime minister raised his thick black eyebrows and said thoughtfully, "This is the one you mentioned before..."
The useless illegitimate son?
Shang Yunruo remembered the stupid things she had said and hurriedly shouted to stop her father from continuing.
"Dad!"
Her sudden shout made the courtyard fall silent for a moment. Even a few birds on the tree branches were scared away.
The prime minister frowned, holding his chest, "What are you shouting for, child? You've only been married for a few days and already lost your manners."
Shang Yunruo quickly supported her mother and helped her father walk inside. She said coquettishly, "Oh, Mom and Dad, I'm hungry!"
Chu Yao quickly asked someone to close the mansion gate, blocking the curious gazes of the people on the street.
Chu Yan followed half a step behind Shang Yunruo. Seeing the dignified and elegant young mistress in the Marquis's Mansion usually, now she was as carefree and happy as a young girl who hadn't gotten married yet. He couldn't help but curl the corner of his mouth.
The prime minister's wife asked all the way if she was doing well in the Marquis's Mansion and if she was used to the food and accommodation. Chu Yan had never experienced such delicate motherly love, but unexpectedly, he liked listening to it.
However, Shang Yunruo, who was used to hearing such things since childhood, was a bit impatient. After they were seated, she interrupted her mother's nagging and formally introduced Chu Yan to her parents again, so that the future big shot could receive the respect he deserved.
"Mom and Dad, this is Chu Yan, the second young master of the Marquis of Ningyuan's Mansion."
Chu Yan's eyes, which had been slightly lowered, moved. This was the first time someone had introduced him so formally, as if he were a distinguished guest.
Seeing his daughter introduce him so solemnly, the prime minister couldn't help but take a second look at him. He asked angrily, "Second young master of the Marquis's Mansion, may I ask where your elder brother is? Doesn't he know it's the day for his wife to return to her natal home? Does he not take my daughter or my Prime Minister's Mansion seriously at all?"
Chu Yan's long eyelashes trembled slightly. He suddenly stood up, bowed to everyone, and said seriously, "I apologize to the prime minister, the madam, and my sister-in-law on behalf of my elder brother. No matter what the reason is, it's his fault that he couldn't come today. I will definitely persuade him to come to the mansion to plead guilty!"
Shang Yunruo, who was about to defend her husband, slowly closed her mouth. After he said this, it was as if the guilt of Chu Jinli had been determined. Any defense would be useless.
However, it was true that no matter what the reason was, her father would be angry if he didn't come. It was better to admit the mistake directly like this.
Sure enough, the prime minister's expression softened a bit. He asked coldly, "Can you represent the Marquis of Ningyuan?"
Chu Yan replied, "I can't represent my elder brother, but I can represent the attitude of the Marquis of Ningyuan's Mansion."
The prime minister's face finally cleared up. He picked up his wine cup and took a small sip. He nodded and said, "I also believe that the Marquis of Ningyuan's Mansion won't be so muddle-headed and let him act recklessly."
Shang Yunruo, who had been sweating for Chu Yan, quietly let out a sigh of relief. She thought Chu Yan was quite smart. She took the opportunity to say, "Jin Li must be too busy with the affairs in the patrol camp to get away. Dad, don't be angry."
The prime minister drank a cup of wine and put the empty cup down heavily. He snorted, "The patrol camp is also under my jurisdiction. Don't I know how busy it is?"
Shang Yunruo was speechless. She acted coquettishly like a young girl and said, "Why is Dad so fierce?"
Chu Yan timely spoke up to ease the atmosphere, "The prime minister is busy with state affairs every day. Recently, the disaster relief must have given him a headache."
Seeing the opportunity to step down, Shang Yunruo picked up her wine cup and said, "Yes, Dad has worked hard. Let me fill your cup with wine."
The prime minister gave her a sidelong glance and lovingly handed his cup under her wine jug. He drank the wine poured by his precious daughter contentedly.
He took a second look at this second young master Chu, who was very observant and good at speaking. He casually asked, "Does the second young master Chu also care about the affairs of the court?"
Chu Yan's words seemed casual but were actually very cautious. He replied, "This is not only a matter of the court but also a major event among the common people."
The prime minister nodded and asked, "Then what's your opinion?"
Chu Yan replied, "I don't dare to say I have any opinions. However, I do have some humble opinions on the prime minister's plan of providing relief through employment."
The prime minister's chopsticks paused. He finally looked up at the young man in front of him. Although he was extremely good-looking, he was pale and weak, looking a bit sickly. He didn't seem to have reached the age of adulthood yet.
The prime minister squinted his eyes slightly and asked, "You even know about providing relief through employment?"
Chu Yan said sincerely, "I heard my elder brother mention it. I think the prime minister's measure of providing relief through employment is very worthy of implementation."
The prime minister put down his chopsticks and became interested. He asked, "Then you should also know that I've encountered obstacles in implementing this policy, right?"
Chu Yan replied, "The key to providing relief through employment is to have the gentry recruit workers. Although it seems to be a labor exchange, in fact, it's no different from donating food and supplies. So there will definitely be problems of perfunctory and non - cooperation."
The prime minister asked, "Then what do you think should be done?"
Chu Yan replied, "Shoot the horse before shooting the rider."
The prime minister said, "Capture the ringleader first!"
The two of them smiled at each other. The prime minister took the initiative to pick up his wine cup. Chu Yan respectfully picked up his cup, with the rim slightly lower, and clinked it with the prime minister's.
The prime minister drank it in one gulp, and his admiration was evident.
The return to the natal home should not exceed noon. After the meal, it was almost time. Shang Yunruo didn't wait for Chu Jinli to come in the end.
At the mansion gate, while Chu Yan walked ahead to the carriage first, the prime minister pulled his daughter aside and whispered, "If you want to get divorced, your mom and I will support you. Don't suffer any grievances from him."
Shang Yunruo was stunned for a moment and then smiled brightly. She said, "Dad, it will get better. You have to believe in your daughter's charm."
The prime minister sighed and said in an even lower voice, "If you want to live a good life with him, then let him beware of this younger brother. Chu Yan is not an ordinary person, nor is he a kind one!"
Dad really has good eyesight. Shang Yunruo pursed her lips and sighed.
Could he be an ordinary person? This person will replace you in the future. He will be a powerful official who dominates the court and plays with people in the palm of his hand.
Shang Yunruo didn't say anything. She nodded and stepped out of the mansion gate. Just as she walked to the carriage, thinking that she had finally managed to get through the day of returning to her natal home, she heard a series of rapid hoofbeats.
The horse reined in suddenly, and its neighing was right in her ear. Chu Jinli's loud voice echoed through half of the street.
"Father - in - law, I'm late!"
But the only response he got was a loud "bang" as the grand gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion was closed tightly.