Chapter 360 - 211: Seeing_1
Ye Lin curled his lip disdainfully and, with a sidelong glance at Qian Manjiang, said, "No matter how good your wife is, no matter how much she is adored by your parents, she is still a country bumpkin—what understanding could she possibly have? When you become an official in the future, she will have neither the ability to manage your household nor the capacity to mingle with the noblewomen of the Capital City. Just look at Di Shu’s mother, and then at his country wife—it’s truly a joke. Not to mention the Ministers making fun of him to his face, even the Emperor sometimes jokes about his uncouth wife. Do you want to end up like Di Shu, ridiculed and laughed at by others? Or perhaps..." He lowered his head in thought before continuing, "You could sneak back to the countryside and divorce your country wife. After returning to the Capital, you could then take my cousin in a proper and official marriage."
Qian Manjiang jumped, raising his voice, "If I dared do such a thing, I would certainly kill my parents with grief. If my parents were gone, what use would I have for honors and riches? I might as well leave it all behind and become a Monk."
Ye Lin was furious. He had always found Qian Manjiang to be compliant, desperately seeking fame and fortune. Thus, he promised him "high-ranking positions and generous rewards," had him take beatings and go to prison on his behalf, and found him extremely easy to use. But why was he being so stubborn now, when it came to his family?
But he really didn’t want his own father to "silence" him; after all, Qian was talented and self-made.
Thinking he shouldn’t push Qian too hard, Ye Lin decided to take a slower approach. Suppressing his anger, he said, "Tsk tsk, look at your ambition. How about this? You marry my cousin as a secondary wife. Let your country wife manage the old house back home, while my cousin takes care of affairs in your Capital residence. Won’t it be wonderful to enjoy the blessings of both worlds?"
Qian Manjiang replied uneasily, "Why don’t I report back to my elders first when I return home before deciding?"
Ye Lin’s temper flared up again, and he said coldly, "Qian Manjiang, don’t be ungrateful. Offering my cousin to you is a sign of my high regard. When you return from Tong County, make sure the marriage is settled, and you can marry next year. Even if you don’t divorce your country wife, you must not let it be known in the Capital City that you have a wife back home." Seeing Qian Manjiang’s face flush red, he softened his tone, "My cousin is the granddaughter of my fifth great-uncle; she’s not too distantly related to us. Though her father is deceased, her brothers are all men of prospects. By marrying her, you become related to the Ye family. Once the Third Prince ascends the throne, you would be among the Imperial relatives. Others would leap at such an opportunity, but you’re hesitating."
Qian Manjiang said, "I’m well aware that by affiliating with the Ye Mansion, I could enjoy endless wealth and honor for life. But I fear that I would be doing a disservice to Miss Ye; my social standing is hardly worthy of her, and I could not offer her a proper status..."
Ye Lin finally smiled with satisfaction and patted Qian Manjiang on the shoulder, "If you’re worried about shortchanging my cousin, just treat her kindly in the future. When your country wife passes away, then..." Seeing Qian’s unsettled expression, he laughed, "Alright, alright, let’s not talk about this now. Next year, you can start calling me uncle."