Chapter 188: It Was All Xiao Youlan's Doing

Elsewhere.

Consort Xian clutched her chest, saying she felt unwell, and asked Xiao Mingyu to support her as she returned.

Xiao Mingyu supported her as they walked out, asking with concern, "Mother Consort, are you alright?"

In the night, Consort Xian shed the weak and pale appearance she had worn in the bedchamber, grabbing Xiao Mingyu by the wrist, "I ask you, why exactly did you return this time?"

Xiao Mingyu felt a bit guilty, "I... I have some matters..."

"What matters could you have?" Consort Xian frowned.

This son was born to her and raised by her own hand; he had been by her side since childhood. She understood his temperament better than anyone and knew exactly what his little habits signified.

Seeing Xiao Mingyu's reaction, Consort Xian realized almost instantly that something must have happened.

She sighed, "The marriage with the Yan Family was something you and I, mother and son, fought hard to secure. The betrothal was going well, and I frequently urged you to marry Yan Zhirong into the family quickly. One day you said Lianzhou had too many affairs to prepare for the wedding, the next you said you had caught a cold. Delay after delay, it has been several months, and the date for the grand wedding has still not been set... In my view, the reason Xiao Youlan dares to stir up all these troubles is precisely because of this."

Upon second thought, she smiled slightly, "However, this Xiao Youlan does not know that Yan Zhirong is single-mindedly devoted to you, full of genuine heart. Even if he truly intends to frame you, you still have the Yan Family behind you after all... The Yan Family has spanned three dynasties, with clients and scholars spread throughout the Ye Dynasty. Even Xiao Youlan would not dare to offend them lightly. You are the future son-in-law of the Yan Family; Xiao Youlan cannot do anything to you."

Xiao Mingyu:...

He lowered his head deeply, not daring to look at Consort Xian's face, "Mother Consort, I..."

Seeing his reaction, alarm bells rang in Consort Xian's heart.

She knitted her brows tightly, "Mingyu, has something gone wrong with the Yan Family?"

Xiao Mingyu did not know where to begin; he was even a bit afraid to tell his mother what had happened.

Consort Xian took a deep breath and said, "Mingyu, even if you keep your mouth shut today and hide those things, you know that I will eventually find out from somewhere else."

She then urged him, "There is nothing in this world that cannot be overcome. As the saying goes, the boat will naturally straighten when it reaches the bridge; it is never a matter of the sky falling down."

Xiao Mingyu was silent for a moment.

His mother made sense.

Even if he no longer had the help and support of the Yan Family, even if Xiao Youlan was determined to set himself against him, even if Nan Xueyin did not want him anymore...

So what?

The boat will naturally straighten when it reaches the bridge.

He took a breath and said, "My marriage with the Yan Family... is void."

Consort Xian was stunned for a moment, asking subconsciously, "What did you say is void?"

Xiao Mingyu: "My marriage with the Yan Family is void."

Consort Xian was stunned again, "What happened to your marriage with the Yan Family?"

Xiao Mingyu: "It is void."

He repeated it once more: "Mother Consort, my marriage with the Yan Family is void."

Consort Xian rolled her eyes back and nearly fainted on the spot.

Xiao Mingyu was quick-witted and fast-handed, catching Consort Xian's body so she did not collapse to the ground.

Consort Xian trembled all over, grabbing the corner of Xiao Mingyu's robe, and interrogated him: "What on earth did you do? Did I not tell you to marry Yan Zhirong as soon as possible, to use kind words to coax Yan Zhirong... What on earth did you do? Why is the marriage void?"

Xiao Mingyu hardened his heart and confessed everything: "I... fell in love with a woman, not Yan Zhirong. This matter... was discovered by Yan Zhirong."

Later, Xiao Mingyu thought about it slightly; Yan Zhirong probably knew about this during those few days of the betrothal.

But she did not speak of it, or perhaps even if she had, the Yan Family would not allow her to cancel the engagement.

Until today, at the entrance of the inn, Yan Zhirong and her father heard that statement from Xiao Mingyu with their own ears.

After all, this was said by Xiao Mingyu himself in public; naturally, the Yan Family could not tolerate it.

The father and daughter entered, and Yan Zhirong did not say a word, slapping Xiao Mingyu directly across the face.

She struck accurately and heavily; for a moment, Xiao Mingyu wondered if she had been practicing all along, just for this moment.

Then, Yan Zhirong's father cursed Xiao Mingyu severely. Scolding him was not enough to vent his anger, so he stepped forward and grabbed him by the collar to lecture him.

Xiao Mingyu's round-collared robe was pulled out of shape, yet he could not refute a single word...

"Slap!"

Another heavy slap followed.

Xiao Mingyu was startled, looking at Consort Xian before him.

She had hit him, but her eyes were red and filled with tears, her voice trembling as she said: "You scoundrel! You have ruined all the plans we have made, mother and son, over these years!"

Xiao Mingyu could not vent his anger at his mother; he ground his teeth and said as good-naturedly as he could: "Mother Consort, it is just losing the marriage with the Yan Family. Didn't you say, the boat will naturally straighten when it reaches the bridge..."

"Slap!"

Consort Xian slapped him again.

Xiao Mingyu was completely bewildered.

Consort Xian pointed at him and asked: "Tell me, now that your Imperial Father is in a coma, and inside and outside the palace are controlled by Xiao Youlan, and now you have even offended the Yan Family... Tell me, how can you still fight against Xiao Youlan? If you lose to him, do you think you and I, mother and son, can still survive?!"

Xiao Mingyu lowered his eyes: "But... Mother Consort, I really love her."

"What use is love? What use is love?"

Consort Xian's eyes were bloodshot as she questioned him repeatedly, "Tell me, what use is love? Back then, Empress Rouyi loved the Emperor; what was her end? She died! Since you were small, I taught you that love is the most useless thing; only status and power are the most important. You are an Imperial Prince, your status is so noble, there is no woman worth you lingering over. Even if you must marry, you must find someone of equal standing; do not make exceptions for a woman just because she has some beauty... You have always done very well, how have you suddenly become so muddled now?!"

Xiao Mingyu's eyes also turned slightly red, "But... Mother Consort, I really... love her. When she is by my side, I am truly happy; when she is gone, I feel as if my heart has died too..."

Consort Xian was infuriated and raised her hand to hit him again.

Xiao Mingyu did not dodge, only slightly lifted his head.

Meeting his sorrowful eyes, Consort Xian's heart softened in the end; that slap stopped in mid-air and did not fall.

She choked back a sob, turning her face away, her voice carrying a clear cry, "Fine, you have grown up. You love someone, and I cannot control you... Now Xiao Youlan wants to make a move against you; he wants to kill not only you but also me... Let us, mother and son, die together because of that woman!"

"No... that won't happen!"

Xiao Mingyu shook his head with tears in his eyes, "Mother Consort, things have not reached that point yet... We have not reached the point of despair. Mother Consort, I will find a way; I will not lose to him..."

Consort Xian looked at him: "What other way could you have? The things you have done over these years can be uncovered with a simple investigation!"

Xiao Mingyu gritted his teeth, his eyes particularly cold and sharp in the dark night, shooting out endless icy glares.

Consort suddenly realized something, "You are intending to..."

The matter was of great importance, so she dared not speak plainly, a look of panic appearing on her face.

Xiao Mingyu said in a deep voice, "Mother Consort, it can only be done this way. All of this is what Xiao Youlan has forced upon me."