Chapter 883 - 884: So What If I Take a Wife_1
However, the salutatorian in the middle, they say he’s only nineteen, with rather delicate features upon closer look, of course, you have to overlook the unevenness on his face.
"This Ye Zi’an looks quite good, it’s just that his nose is covered in freckles," a young lady said regretfully.
"Isn’t that the truth? I don’t find the mole by his eye unattractive, but those freckles really are unsightly, there are just too many of them all clumped together." Another young lady spoke similarly, and after a while added, "Do you think I could give him my freckle-removing cream? And my skin-whitening cream, the one I bought from Divine Doctor Mu for six hundred silver taels, which works really well, look, the spots under my eyes are all gone."
All those sitting were young ladies from various households, and upon hearing this, they were thunderstruck— gifting a man with skin-whitening cream? It would be one thing to give freckle cream, but this too?
However, this young lady was quite pleased with herself, thinking her idea excellent, and she commanded her maid, "Go back and bring the unopened freckle-removing cream and skin-whitening cream from my makeup case. Oh, and also fetch two unused fine brushes from my father’s study."
The little maid was somewhat troubled but still went on her errand.
"Yunhong, are you serious?"
"Of course I am! Once the parade is over, I’ll personally deliver them to him, and then I’ll tell him I want to marry him. Although he’s only the salutatorian, he’s young and has the backing of General Luo and the Third Prince; his future prospects are boundless." Her father had also mentioned to her that Ye Zi’an seemed to have an extraordinary relationship with the Emperor, but this, she would not divulge.
The young miss named Yunhong was the daughter of a first-grade official, but she was a concubine-born daughter. Although the official had only this one daughter and raised her like his legitimate child, her status as a concubine-born daughter was undeniable—neither high nor low.
"But Yunhong, I heard he’s already married."
Yunhong showed not the slightest concern, waving her hand dismissively, "I know, but so what if he’s married? He just has a countrywoman for a wife, who might be both old and ugly. How can she compare with us? We have status, beauty, and wealth, and most importantly, the power and influence that men desire. Any sensible person would know how to choose! As for his wife at home, I shall magnanimously let her become a concubine. Otherwise, people might say he abandoned his plain wife, which wouldn’t be a good reputation to have."
Another young lady agreed, saying, "Yunhong, that’s very reasonable, but I hear that young man is also General Luo’s nephew, and wouldn’t the Luo Family have something to say about it? I’ve heard there’s a miss in the Luo Family too."
"What’s there to fear? Rumors suggest that General Luo and the Luo Family are at odds. Ye Zi’an is the son of General Luo’s own sister, so who is close and who is distant is still unclear. Besides, that woman from the Luo Family is simply a fool," retorted Yunhong, giving no thought to the Miss Luo in question.
But it must be said, this group is quite enough—gossiping about others’ private affairs and entertaining grand illusions.
At this moment, Ye Zi’an, riding on horseback, is still unaware that he has already become the object of someone’s interest, the idea of hiding one’s ugliness a complete self-deception.
What they see in him are power, prospects, and the support he can offer their families in the future, not his appearance.
Ye Zi’an is now utterly disgruntled, the parade moving too slowly for his liking; he needs to get it over with and return home. Although he heard a message had been sent, whether it’s genuine is anyone’s guess.
Calculating the time, his wife must be almost seven months along by now; by the time he returns to Funan, she is likely close to giving birth, and he must get back to be assured of her well-being.