One Should Never Take Advantage of Others

Yu Fulang looked at his son, feeling puzzled. 

Lan Yi has really grown up; now he even knows how to be considerate. It’s possible to be considerate to anyone, but Yu Lanyi has always been like a little tyrant, teasing cats and dogs, flirting around, never doing anything serious, just thinking about playing all day. 

If you want him to be considerate of you, he’d just chatter away, saying why aren’t you considerate of him, because playing all day is tiring too.

Before he got married, he would sulk in his room, but now he’s siding with outsiders, not allowing anyone to say a bad word. Has Zheng Shanci bewitched him? In just three days, what kind of feelings could have developed?

Yu Fulang’s thoughts were drifting. He Ming’s thoughts were even more complicated. He grew up with Yu Lanyi and knew his personality well. He never thought Yu Lanyi would defend another man. 

This made He Ming feel quite uncomfortable. His mother had told him not to come, but he insisted on tagging along with his grandmother. Now, hearing that Yu Lanyi is doing well, he doesn’t know whether to feel happy or sad.

He truly feels that his little cousin has grown up, but the person standing by his side isn’t him.

The Duchess of England patted Yu Lanyi’s hand, showing her affection: “Today, eat more when you get home, eat until you’re full, and you’ll be healthy. Don’t bear everything alone. If anything displeases you, write to your grandmother. Your grandmother will always stand by you.”

Hearing this, Yu Lanyi felt a bit emotional and nodded with a smile, “Grandmother, Zheng Shanci wouldn’t dare treat me badly, don’t worry about me. I’ll definitely live well.”

“To hear you say that, it seems you’ve grown up.” Yu Fulang waved his hand, “This is what I prepared for you. I didn’t know what to give you when you went to Xinfeng County. The journey from the Capital City to there is too far, so I thought money would be the most useful. There’s some of my savings in the box, take it and don’t let yourself suffer.”

“Father, you’re so good to me.”

The dowry was already something that made everyone in Shengjing envious, and Yu Fulang still wanted to give Yu Lanyi extra money privately, not to mention the land deeds and shops in the dowry. Most of these shops are in the Capital City, and even if rented out, they bring in a considerable amount of rent annually.

Generations of nobility, the foundation of a marquis family is something ordinary people can’t even dream of.

Yu Lanyi wasn’t a pretentious person, so he had Jin Yun take the box.

The three of them chatted and laughed along the way, while He Ming walked behind with his eyes downcast. The Duchess of England, being the head of the family, couldn’t ask certain questions, but Yu Fulang could.

Taking advantage of the fact that He Ming couldn’t hear them, he naturally had to ask about certain matters.

“Were you satisfied with your wedding night?”

This was a serious matter. In the previous dynasty, a princess fancied a handsome consort, only to find out on the wedding night that he was all looks and no substance, which greatly angered the princess. With the emperor’s tacit approval, the princess took a lover. Marriage can’t be tested beforehand, so Yu Fulang had to ask Yu Lanyi.

Hearing this, Yu Lanyi blushed. He and Zheng Shanci hadn’t done anything, not even touched each other, let alone been intimate. He mumbled, “Satisfied… I guess.”

As long as the son-in-law’s body is fine, that’s good.

Yu Lanyi hadn’t thought about this, but hearing Yu Fulang’s words, he started to worry. What if Zheng Shanci really had a problem? Because on their wedding night, there was no movement at all, which was quite strange, to be honest.

The group walked to the pavilion in the garden and saw a servant standing there. Inside, two people were sitting opposite each other, playing chess. It was Marquis Changyang and Zheng Shanci, the father-in-law and son-in-law.

The group walked over. Yu Lanyi didn’t understand chess, but the other three did. Yu Fulang looked at the current chessboard, his brow furrowing. The black and white pieces were in a fierce battle, and the board was almost full.

Marquis Changyang stroked his beard, deep in thought. Hearing the commotion, he looked up and saw Yu Fulang and the others. His fingers twitched slightly, not wanting to lose to Zheng Shanci in front of them.

Zheng Shanci also saw Yu Fulang, Yu Lanyi, the Duchess of England, and He Ming.

Being the junior, he stood up and saluted, “Greetings to Father and Grandmother, and Second Cousin.”

The Duchess of England smiled, “Rise, there’s no need for such formalities at home. I see you’re about to finish the game, continue playing.”

The Duchess of England said not to mind the formalities, but seeing Zheng Shanci’s courteous manners, she was quite pleased.

Zheng Shanci sat down generously and continued playing chess with Marquis Changyang.

Zheng Shanci let Marquis Changyang win the game with difficulty, but it wasn’t obvious.

Marquis Changyang was pleased, and Zheng Shanci said, “Father-in-law’s chess skills are superior.”

“You’re not bad either.”

Zheng Shanci looked up and met Yu Fulang’s amused gaze, and he smiled shyly, while Yu Fulang smiled understandingly.

“Why did you bring Shanci here to play chess instead of showing him around the marquis’ mansion? You just played to your heart’s content.”

Marquis Changyang laughed, “I saw Shanci’s excellent chess skills and wanted to have a match with him. I got carried away and forgot Fulang’s instructions.”

Zheng Shanci said, “I enjoyed playing chess with Father-in-law.”

Yu Lanyi saw Zheng Shanci’s composed demeanor and hummed softly, standing beside Yu Fulang like a beautiful begonia flower.

This person is good at saying nice things, now even fooling his father and dad.

See, both father and dad are satisfied with him, even grandmother is a bit more gentle with him.

“Fulang, lunch is ready.”

Yu Fulang responded, “It’s getting late, let’s have lunch together.”

After lunch, Zheng Shanci felt that eating at the marquis’ mansion was a treat, with all kinds of delicacies from the sky and the sea, and the chef made everything taste fresh and tender.

After lunch, the Duchess of England and He Ming left.

He Ming turned back and said, “Lanyi, if Zheng Shanci bullies you, write to me.”

Yu Lanyi replied, “Got it, Second Cousin.”

Zheng Shanci smiled, “Don’t worry, Second Cousin, I’ll treat Lanyi well, you don’t have to worry.”

He Ming’s smile faded, “I hope so.”

Zheng Shanci wasn’t blind; he could naturally see that He Ming had unusual feelings for Yu Lanyi. If he really had feelings, he should have married Yu Lanyi before he did. Now, saying these things, as the legitimate husband, Zheng Shanci naturally couldn’t back down.

“You’re not busy today, so don’t rush back. Have dinner before you leave. Lanyi, take Shanci to your courtyard for a nap.”

“If he sleeps in my bed, where do I sleep?”

“You naturally sleep with him.” Yu Fulang chuckled.

Yu Lanyi: “…”

Reluctantly, Yu Lanyi led Zheng Shanci to his room. Most of the things in the courtyard had been moved, leaving only a bed and bedding. Yu Lanyi needed a nap, or he’d be listless all afternoon.

He used to sleep alone on the bed and found it spacious, but now with two people, it felt a bit cramped.

“Is that the son-in-law? I only saw him during the wedding, he’s really handsome,” a servant whispered as they saw Yu Lanyi leading Zheng Shanci back to the courtyard.

“Yes, he looks as good as the noble young masters in the Capital City, like a celestial being.”

“I still prefer Ye Shizi. Ye Shizi has a good family background, is favored by the emperor, serves the country and the people, and has a bright future.”

…

Zheng Shanci entered Yu Lanyi’s room, and the remaining servants left. Yu Lanyi took off his outer robe and lay on the bed, “I’ll sleep inside, you sleep outside.”

Zheng Shanci agreed, “Okay.”

It was still too cramped. Zheng Shanci thought, not knowing where to place his hand, he had to pull it back.

He saw the wealth of Marquis Changyang and understood why Yu Lanyi was so resistant to marrying him. Compared to others, marrying him indeed offered nothing.

Zheng Shanci pondered for a moment and said, “Today is your return day. I have nothing to give you to show off, but if we stay together, I want to give you something to be proud of.”

He said this sincerely. Marrying him, even the betrothal gifts were arranged by Yu Fulang. Although they weren’t truly a couple, he felt he owed something.

He had traveled from the modern world, influenced by its open-mindedness, and didn’t take marriage seriously. But for Yu Lanyi, it was different. Yu Lanyi still had expectations for marriage, and he couldn’t take advantage of him without considering his feelings.

In short, he wanted Yu Lanyi to be as happy as possible after marrying him, which was all he could offer.

Zheng Shanci thought with a gentle expression, turning to see Yu Lanyi sleeping with his back to him, curled up against the wall.

Zheng Shanci: “…”

Zheng Shanci sighed and tucked Yu Lanyi in.

…

Today was Yu Lanyi’s return day, and Yu Shiyan didn’t want to be a nuisance. He always preferred to do his own thing in his courtyard. He knew Yu Fulang disliked him, and neither Marquis Changyang nor Yu Lanyi liked him, so he stayed alone in his courtyard.

“Young Master, I heard from Fulang that the marquis wants to marry you off.”

Yu Shiyan replied, “At my age, I should be getting married. Whoever I marry is in Yu Fulang’s hands, no need to panic.”

“But Young Master, what about you and Ye Shizi…”

“Watch your words! I have nothing to do with Ye Shizi. Be careful with your mouth. If I hear this again, I’ll pretend I don’t have you as a servant.”

“Young Master, I understand.”

Yu Shiyan sighed, “There’s no possibility between me and him. If outsiders hear this, it’ll cause another storm. We can’t afford any more trouble now. I just want to marry quietly, be my own master, and not rely on others.”

The servant’s eyes filled with tears, “I understand, Young Master. It’s been a hard journey for you. I shouldn’t have said that. You just want to be the head of the household, not a concubine.”

“As long as you understand.” Yu Shiyan smiled, “High-ranking families look down on my status. I’m not someone who clings to power, nor do I want to serve them. I want to live for myself.”