The Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir

Chapter 149: In the blink of an eye,

Note: Full chapter title because it's too long (In the blink of an eye, all the riches and honor had vanished like smoke)

In Nie Sangyu's memories, her older brother and father were the two people that treated her the best in Nie Residence. Although there were occasional times when her father didn't have time for her, her older brother was always there to side with her. He even helped her when she had confrontations with Chen-shi. And so, whenever a problem came up in the marquis's estate before, Nie Qingyun would be the first person that Nie Sangyu would ask for help.

But, right now, as they were standing in front of Nie Xiangyuan, Nie Qingyun had his eyes lowered as he said, "Qingyun doesn't think that I did anything wrong. Geshan and Sangyu aren't the same person."

Nie Xiangyuan had a headache. "What do you want Errong to think? She's a grand titled lady that's only been married to you for a year, and you brought home a courtesan that looks like your younger sister to be your concubine."

Standing nearby, Ji Man stayed silent.

Nie Qingyun slightly pursed his lips and said, "Errong is the one that said I could take a concubine. In mother's eyes, she committed a sin by not becoming pregnant within a year."

"You've always ignored your mother's words before. And yet, you seem to have your heart set on this matter," Nie Xiangyuan said with an unsmiling face, "There's already a lot of matters to deal with in the imperial court right now. Why are you doing this now and throwing this household into disorder? Qingyun, you've always been a sensible child."

The men under Nie Xiangyuan's command had been making a lot of mistakes recently. In addition, the emperor had told Xiangyuan to handle the logistics of supplying the soldiers that would be going into battle soon. If any trouble came up, the emperor would inevitably blamed him. Originally, Nie Xiangyuan had been planning on asking help from Jing Province. First, it was because Jing Province was rich in black iron ore. Second, they were related to Marquis Jingwen's family by marriage, and he would feel more at ease with trusting him to handle the matter.

(T/N: Just in case it was too long ago. Marquis Jingwen is Errong's father.)

But, when he had come back home, Nie Qingyun said he wanted to take a concubine, and Chen-shi was the one that thought of this lousy idea.

The loathing that Nie Xiangyuan felt for Chen-shi had reached its peak. Because she was Suxin's sister, he had tolerated her all these years. But, she wasn't satisfied with small gains. He could accept that she didn't know how to manage a household, but she was narrow-minded and repeatedly make Sangyu's life difficult. And now, by wanting Qingyun to take a concubine solely for the sake of benefiting herself, she had ruined a crucial part of his plan.

Nie Qingyun said in a low voice, "Father, if you won't agree to Qingyun taking a concubine, then just let Geshan stay in the other estate until she gives birth to a child."

Ji Man turned her head to the side to look at him. "Older brother, how will you explain this to Errong?"

"What's there to explain?" Nie Qingyun chuckled. "She doesn't care about this."

Doesn't care? Ji Man was stunned.

Although Errong's earlier expression had been calm, how could he view it as her not caring? What exactly had been happening between the two of them during the past period? Why did she feel that Nie Qingyun did care about Errong?

Nie Xiangyuan sighed. "Sangyu."

Ji Man turned her head back to look at him.

Nie Xiangyuan stroked her hair and said in a low voice, "It'll be better if you don't come back to Nie Residence for a while. "Your older brother isn't being clear-headed. He can't distinguish the difference between guilt and romantic love. Give him space to calm down."