TFWYH – Chapter 717 His Compensation

In truth, she hadn’t told him everything.

When she was young, she too had fallen for that spirited young man in splendid robes, riding proudly on horseback.

But once she learned that her elder sister loved him as well, she quietly gave up her feelings.

Because she knew…

She could never compete with her sister.

Nor did she want to.

If there had never been a substituted bride…

“Perhaps… everything would have been different.”

Jiang Shi murmured softly.

Unfortunately, there are no “ifs” or “maybes” in this world.

She was no longer the shy young woman who had secretly watched him from the shadows.

And he was no longer that carefree, high-spirited youth in fine clothes, galloping across the land with boundless confidence.

What was missed…

was simply missed forever.

…

After seeing the Emperor off, Ling Yu stayed behind to share a meal with Jiang Shi and Huangfu Yi.

Tang Wan was there as well.

It was the family’s first reunion in a very long time, and everyone’s heart was filled with mixed emotions.

No one spoke during the meal.

Yet an indescribable warmth filled the room.

Huangfu Yi felt that this…

was what a real family should be like.

Unlike before, when everything had been cold and lifeless.

There had been no affection between father and son…

Everything had been thrown into chaos by Gu Yanshuang.

During the meal, someone came to report that Huangfu Rongsheng wished to see him.

Huangfu Yi had no desire to see that unfilial son at the moment and simply ordered the servants to send him away.

After the meal ended, Ling Yu and Tang Wan took their leave.

Jiang Shi watched them reluctantly, almost unable to stop herself from running after them.

But she was Gu Yanshuang now.

Gu Yanshuang…

After repeating it to herself over and over, Jiang Shi silently stopped her feet and could only watch her son and daughter-in-law disappear into the distance.

Huangfu Yi walked over behind her and comforted her gently.

“The Minister of Revenue’s residence is just across the street. If you want to see them in the future, you can go anytime. Don’t be sad.”

Jiang Shi was both surprised and flattered.

“I… I can?”

“Of course.” Huangfu Yi smiled. “You’re the Second Prince’s Consort. Forget the Minister of Revenue’s residence—even the imperial palace is open to you. Besides…”

He paused, an enigmatic smile appearing on his face.

“I think you’ll probably be very busy. If you have nothing else to do, you’d better go back and take a look.”

Jiang Shi: ???

She had absolutely no idea what he meant.

When she returned to her quarters with a large procession of servants following behind her, Aunt Qiuwen was already waiting with a broad smile.

On the table…

was a mountain of account books.

Jiang Shi stared blankly.

“…What’s all this?”

Aunt Qiuwen smiled.

“Your Highness, these are the household accounts of the Second Prince’s residence. From now on, you’ll have to take charge of managing them.”

Jiang Shi: “…”

No wonder Huangfu Yi had smiled so gleefully just now.

How could this man be so… so… so awful!

She felt like crying.

“Can’t I just… not manage the household?”

“How could that be?” Aunt Qiuwen said disapprovingly. “You’re the Prince’s Consort. If you don’t manage the household, are we supposed to let those little vixens in the rear courtyard take over?”

After saying that, she hurried outside, dismissed the waiting servants, looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then closed the door before returning to Jiang Shi.

Speaking earnestly, she said,

“Your Highness, even if you won’t think of yourself, you should think of the young master and young lady. The young lady has regained her senses now. She’ll surely marry someday. Aren’t you going to prepare a proper dowry for her?”

“As for the young master, although he’s already successful and accomplished, who has ever complained about having too much money?”

“And don’t forget the little young lady and little young master.”

“His Highness personally ordered that the household authority be handed over to you because he wanted to make amends. If you refuse to accept it, how could that possibly do?”

“…Who wants his compensation?”

Jiang Shi automatically ignored that part.

Instead, she thought about her children.

She had four children now…

And even a daughter-in-law.

In the past, Tang Wan had worked tirelessly to support the entire family.

Now that she finally had money of her own…

Of course she wanted to make it up to that good child properly.