Chapter 81: My Son Bears the Bearing of a Great Emperor, Part 7

They say a day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of affection, but such sayings hold no meaning for Madame Cui. She had once changed her mind, composed herself, and resolved to win Qin Ye’s favor for the sake of her sons, only to discover that Qin Ye had already been firmly subdued by their two boys. Since that was the case, there was no need for her to feign smiles and lower herself to please him.

Fearing she might lose control of her emotions, she tried to avoid encountering Qin Ye altogether. Now, with her younger brother returning to inform her that the Cui family’s longstanding enmity was about to be avenged—that not a single enemy who once harmed them would escape—her confidence soared. Cui Ge himself wielded immense power; families like the Qin were little more than ants before him. Madame Cui cared even less about Qin Ye’s moods.

Having endured so much, she no longer harbored the naïve hopes for love that had filled her girlhood. Fortunately, the Qin family held no official rank, and Qin Ye was a useless man; she needn’t worry he would rise to prominence and suppress the Cui family in the future. Since he was the father of her sons, even if they divorced, the world would still view father and sons as inseparable. Their honor and disgrace would always be linked to the Qin family.

Thus, there was no need to divorce. Cui Ge wished Madame Cui would leave Qin Ye, take the children, and accompany him to the capital, but seeing her resolve, he did not press the matter. In Cui Ge’s eyes, his elder sister was capable and resourceful. Their parents and eldest brother often said that if she had been born a son, she would have been at least as accomplished as their eldest brother, perhaps even more so.

After Cui Ge disclosed all he had observed of the situation, Madame Cui decided not to divorce and instead resolved to devote herself to business. Cui Ge could open doors for her; his influence would ensure her commercial ventures were well protected.

Madame Cui chose not to travel to the capital with Cui Ge, but entrusted her sons to him, instructing him to keep them close.

“What? I disagree! How can the jade of the Qin family be handed over to the Cui family for upbringing?” Qin Ye, crouched beside a large black dog, protested passionately.

Cui Ge ignored him, focusing solely on Madame Cui’s earnest instructions.

“I am the head of the family, I say—”

“Father, are you reluctant to part with your children?” Qin Man smiled sweetly and sincerely, her innocence melting hearts.

Qin Ye straightened his expression. “Nonsense! Your father is not one to indulge in sentimental attachments. It’s just that I neglected you and Teng’er in the past, even unaware of your chronic frailty—that was my failing. You’re still so young; how can I trust you to go out into the world alone? So, Manman will stay home, and your mother will call a physician to nurse you back to health. I’ll accompany Teng’er and your uncle on the journey, so I can properly look after your eldest brother.”

“You’re lying! Yesterday you told Big Black that the capital was the most fun place, where even the roosters are fiercer than anywhere else. You said their stew would be delicious. You just want to go play in the capital!” Wu’er ran over, loudly accusing him, four sisters trailing behind.

The youngest walked with the same unsteady steps as Wu’er, while the oldest, around five or six, led a younger sister with an obedient face.

“Nonsense, your father is going for serious business.”

“It was you, Father, who said that elders told you our eldest and second brothers are destined for greatness. You could just relax; they would earn you a brilliant future, and all you need is to eat well and have fun—mmph…”

Qin Ye promptly covered Wu’s chattering mouth, silencing him. He glanced at the others, saying, “Children speak without knowledge.”

Madame Cui was unsurprised; the original woman was never someone with lofty ambitions, and her character was deeply flawed. Others might not know, but she did.

Qin Teng and Qin Man felt a pang—had they known the old fool was so easy to dupe, they would have handled him themselves, sparing the trouble of having him manipulated to oppose them and create endless annoyance.

In the end, Qin Ye took five children, assisted only by Aunt Xing, and was bundled onto a carriage. Wu’er and the four daughters were left to his care; Madame Cui only looked after her own sons, with Liu Yu as her helper.

As for Madam Liu, she had previously feigned illness to demand care from her daughter-in-law, but now she truly could not leave her bed. Yet her words carried little weight, for her beloved son had already exposed his own pretense at filial piety.

Of course, Qin Ye would not admit this; he insisted that Madame Cui would certainly treat her mother-in-law well—what fault could there be in that? After all, Madame Cui had always been genuinely kind.

How could that be considered unfilial?

Qin Ye found the carriage ride exhausting, but eventually arrived at the capital. Cui Ge did not neglect him; the Emperor of Dashun granted Cui Ge a mansion and lavish praise, which Cui Ge accepted without hesitation. On one hand, he sent money to infamous treacherous ministers on the court to gain their support, on the other, he attacked the enemies of the Cui family with the ferocity of a mad dog.

Cui Ge was arrogant, a consummate villain in every respect.

But this had little to do with Qin Ye. Wherever he went, a few children trailed behind; sometimes a pretend child joined in, eager to watch his despairing expression.

As for those who tried to curry favor with Cui Ge by approaching Qin Ye, that was impossible—Qin Ye had no standing with Cui Ge, who had beaten him in public.

Beaten senseless.

Qin Teng awkwardly came over to express concern, insisting that their uncle wasn’t acting out of malice, and that Qin Ye had brought it upon himself—classic favoritism.

So, the suffering was for the original woman; the anger for her; the pleasure for Qin Ye.

Qin Ye didn’t find life particularly harsh. That day, he took his youngest son and daughter out; Wu’er rode on Big Black’s back, his daughter perched on his shoulders, both engrossed in the street performances—breaking stones on chests, fire-breathing, tightrope walking, their eyes wide with wonder and frequent exclamations.

Qin Teng, as usual, mingled with a group of adolescent boys. Passing by the spectacle, someone exclaimed, “That looks like Uncle.”

Qin Teng turned to see the old fool, daughter atop his head, watching the show, occasionally tossing a copper coin as a tip, and felt a surge of disdain.

“It must be wonderful to have a father like Uncle.”

Qin Teng: What?

Seriously? With such an old fool… well, if he weren’t so foolish, perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad. Easily manipulated, if handled right, he wasn’t so loathsome after all.

So, in their past lives, the suffering he, his brother, and mother endured was because they didn’t know how to handle this old fool?

No, the old fool was still at fault.

Qin Teng withdrew his gaze and called out, “Let’s go.”

His figure gradually receded; Qin Ye sensed something and glanced back.

Days in the capital were carefree, for the most powerful and domineering figure was not a prince or high official, but Cui Ge.

Cui Ge, like Qin Teng and Qin Man, though he despised Qin Ye, would only lay a hand on him himself; no one else was allowed to harm or bully him.

Even if he was a useless man, even if I dislike him, he’s still my nephews’ father. I can hit him, but others cannot.

To put it plainly, the notorious wastrels of the capital, since Qin Ye’s arrival, now lived in a state of caution. The bustling streets of the capital, far grander than elsewhere, saw Qin Ye and his big black dog replace the usual wastrel crowd.

Though most looked down on Qin Ye’s incompetence, some envied him.

Everyone else depended on their fathers; how come he relied on his brother-in-law? Others wished they had a brother-in-law who let them swagger through the streets.

Spring soon arrived. Cui Ge, with Qin Teng, accompanied the Emperor of Dashun on his campaign, and Qin Ye suddenly found himself surrounded by fawning flatterers.

Though Cui Ge disliked his brother-in-law, he was fiercely protective; there was no harm in currying favor with him.

But honestly, brother, we understand you being a wastrel, with a dog, with your bottle-fed son—but why bring your daughter along as a wastrel, too? Are you raising a girl wastrel from infancy?

Whatever Qin Ye did, they could only grit their teeth and find ways to flatter him.

Truth be told, Qin Ye had once worked hard to become a big shot and let others enjoy the benefits. Now, all he had to do was eat, drink, and play, while others became the big shots, his backing—he was now the one enjoying the fruits. It was a pretty good feeling.

Next time there’s such a task, let him take it; don’t let other groups snatch it away.

Little Three: …

It would really thank him!

Many tried to please Qin Ye, exploring various methods—sending him beauties, for example.

The Xu family was among them. Master Xu, Minister of Rites, was always inconspicuous.

He was usually silent; when he tried to flatter the emperor, he feared missteps and being crushed.

He had no presence at court and was not esteemed, but at home, he was absolute. Recently, someone visited with a token.

Old Xu scrutinized it for a long time before recalling it was exchanged with his wife’s bosom friend and their couple in their youth.

Back then, the other family’s prospects were bright. Driven by ambition, he had his wife arrange a child betrothal to curry favor.

Who knew he would rise, and they would fall, exiled to remote lands and gradually forgotten?

Old Xu considered whether to swallow his pride and send his daughter to Qin Ye as a concubine, but his dignity held him back.

Yet with Cui Ge so arrogant and favored by the emperor, even if he didn’t want to associate with him, he couldn’t afford to stand out.

If everyone else sent gifts and he did not, Cui Ge might not remember who flattered him, but he would surely remember who did not.