Although the servants were gossiping, it was all hearsay from the lower classes, and they dared not spread it too much. So Si Yiyuan and Hua Yaoyao were completely unaware of it. By the time they heard about these rumors, they were already spreading everywhere and there was no way to avoid them.
At this moment, Hua Yaoyao, who had just vented her anger after punishing the man all afternoon, was in a very good mood. So she decided to let Si Yiyuan go for the time being, allowing him to change his clothes and answering the question in her heart: “What exactly did you say to the Empress Dowager? How could she accept me so easily?”
Si Yiyuan said proudly, “Naturally, it’s because my wife is a good wife and mother, and she gets along well with my mother!”
Hua Yaoyao rolled her eyes at him dismissively: “You’re just talking nonsense!”
The man raised an eyebrow: “What nonsense are you spouting? My wife is so devoted and loyal—how could the Empress Dowager not like her?”
Hua Yaoyao still didn’t believe it: “Just because of this? Then there wouldn’t be so many cases of couples being forced to break up!”
Si Yiyuan laughed at her: “What? Have you been reading too many storybooks? Only stories where a pair of lovelorn lovers have to go through all sorts of hardships before they can have a happy marriage can put my mind at ease, my wife?”
Hua Yaoyao glared at him: “Am I that stupid? I just think that you royals all value marriage between equals, right? Someone like Hua Qianqian and Li Hao is a perfect match.”
Si Yiyuan suddenly realized, “So that’s what you were thinking!” Hua Yaoyao gave him another disdainful glare. The man smiled indifferently and explained, “My mother and father were not a good match in terms of social standing. From a young age, they taught my brother and me to only talk about character and conduct, and never to consider family background.”
After a pause, the man seemed to remember something: “But when I came back and talked to my mother about you, she seemed to vaguely say something about you and her being the same! But I can’t figure it out no matter how hard I try. Your personalities, appearances, preferences, and behaviors are so different—how are you and her the same?”
Hua Yaoyao hadn’t paid much attention at first, assuming the Empress Dowager was just projecting her own feelings onto others. However, his last sentence struck a chord within her. If everything was different, then what was the similarity? Could it be…? This sudden thought overwhelmed Hua Yaoyao, and she couldn’t contain her excitement. She grabbed Si Yiyuan and asked urgently, “What did you say to her? Why did she say such a thing?”
Si Yiyuan was obviously puzzled as to why Hua Yaoyao was suddenly so agitated, but he still patiently answered, “It was the day I accompanied you back to your parents’ home last time. Didn’t your mother tell you to come home more often? You made a rather sarcastic remark. When I came back and talked to my mother about you, I mentioned this, and my mother said that it seems you are the same as her.”
After saying that, the man looked at Hua Yaoyao with a serious expression and said, “Yaoyao, you seem to know why Mother said that. Can you tell me why you are all the same? How am I different from you? Where am I different? And what about my brother? Is he the same as you or the same as me?”
Looking into the depths of the man’s eyes, she sensed his unease at her earlier behavior, though she couldn’t pinpoint the source of it. Calming herself, she nestled into his arms and said earnestly, “My lord, let me know once I’ve made up my mind, okay? Don’t worry, this difference won’t affect our lives at all; it’s just a memory.”
Si Yiyuan silently held the little woman tightly in his arms. He didn’t know why two people who had never met before would be the same, but he was willing to wait for her to tell him, because they were the two women he loved most in his life. He was willing to trust them, cherish them, and wait for them.
The following morning, a distinguished guest arrived at the Prince Yu’s residence: Bai Peixuan. Upon seeing Bai Peixuan, Hua Yaoyao was exceptionally hospitable, serving him tea and water, as Bai Peixuan had taken good care of her throughout her journey to Dayan.
However, Prince Si couldn’t appreciate her gratitude at all. With a displeased expression, he stared intently at Bai Peixuan. This guy claimed to have come to visit his brother—what a load of rubbish! He was probably here to see his wife! His fake, ingratiating smile was utterly repulsive!
In fact, the young master Bai, who had a guilty conscience, did not behave as badly as Si Yiyuan thought. He had only come to see the young couple—or more accurately, to see how Hua Yaoyao was doing.
That day, Si Yiyuan carried Hua Yaoyao away. He wasn’t a fool who didn’t understand things, so he naturally felt embarrassed to go and disturb the newlyweds after their short separation. He waited anxiously at home for two days and was really worried about Hua Yaoyao’s situation in the Prince’s mansion, so he decided to go and visit her.
He wasn’t worried that Si Yiyuan would treat Hua Yaoyao badly. After all, Si Yiyuan’s behavior of not getting angry at Hua Yaoyao even when he was furious that day was enough to show his feelings. But Si Yiyuan was, after all, a prince. What he was worried about was that the servants in the prince’s mansion would neglect Hua Yaoyao.
Seeing how well Hua Yaoyao was doing in the Prince’s mansion, he felt relieved and chatted with her casually. However, his words still revealed his concern for Hua Yaoyao. Hua Yaoyao understood his good intentions and silently appreciated them.
Prince Yu, consumed by jealousy, watched as his little woman fawned over Bai Peixuan with undisguised hospitality, his teeth grinding together! What angered him even more was that Bai Peixuan, who clearly saw his jealousy, not only failed to restrain himself but also deliberately chatted with Hua Yaoyao, fueling his insatiable jealousy!
His face, clearly showing a desire to cut off his own limbs and snatch back his clothes, amused both Hua Yaoyao and the other man. Bai Peixuan deliberately smiled and said, “Yaoyao, forgive my bluntness, but this Prince Yu doesn’t seem to be a good match for you right now. Take my advice—you’d better stay away from him!”
Hua Yaoyao glanced at Si Yiyuan, whose eyes were blazing with anger, her own eyes overflowing with a sweet smile. Just as she was about to reply, Prince Yu, who could no longer contain his overwhelming jealousy, pulled her into his arms and said, “Whether I am a good match or not is something Yaoyao knows for sure. There’s no need for Young Master Bai to worry about it! Qingwu! Show the guest out!”
After saying that, he grabbed Hua Yaoyao and left the front hall without looking back. The Wangfu steward, Qing Wu, entered upon hearing the commotion: “Young Master Bai, please!” Bai Peixuan looked at Si Yiyuan’s jealous back and then at Qing Wu’s honest and kind smile, and couldn’t help but laugh out loud. He glared at him: “Just like your master! Ungrateful wretch! He turns on you in an instant!”
The jealous prince dragged Hua Yaoyao all the way back to his study, only to angrily shake off the little woman’s hand and sulk, which amused Hua Yaoyao: “Hey, don’t be so bothered by this, right? Peixuan is your good friend, and he took good care of me on the way to Dayan. No matter what, I should treat him well.”
Peixuan? Calling him so affectionately! Si Yiyuan glared angrily at the little woman. Did she have any self-awareness as a princess?! His thoughts shifted from the word “princess” to the worry Bai Peixuan had shown, and the man grew even angrier. He shouted at Qing Wu, who had rushed over, “Tell the servants clearly! Yaoyao is the only mistress of the Yu Prince’s mansion from now on. Anyone who dares to be disrespectful to Yaoyao, throw them out immediately!”
Poor Qingwu had just seen off the guest Bai Peixuan when he returned to face the sudden rage of the petty Si Yiyuan. He was completely bewildered by his anger. Who in this manor would dare to disrespect Miss Hua? Even without your instructions, judging from your demeanor, the servants wouldn’t dare to court death! Of course, Qingwu wouldn’t be so foolish as to say such a thing to his master, so he could only agree repeatedly and leave.
Seeing the man’s adorable behavior, Hua Yaoyao felt even sweeter. She walked over and threw herself into his arms, saying sweetly, “Husband, don’t be angry anymore, okay?” Then she kissed the man’s chin. “You’ve always been the only one in my eyes and heart! Are you so angry because you don’t trust me?”
The hurt in her last sentence was palpable. Si Yiyuan naturally understood her feelings, but his possessiveness made him unable to bear seeing his little woman laughing and talking with another man! With that thought, the man hardened his heart and pinched the little woman’s nose hard: “Don’t think you can get away with playing the victim!”
Hua Yaoyao persisted, continuing to use the three-pronged tactic of acting cute, charming, and pitiful, until Si Yiyuan could no longer hold back and devoured her in the study!
After lunch break, Si Yiyuan and Hua Yaoyao went to the palace again to visit the Empress Dowager. In fact, if Bai Peixuan hadn’t made a last-minute visit, Hua Yaoyao would have almost wanted to go to the palace early in the morning to verify her suspicions.
After a series of tedious greetings, Si Yiyuan ordered all the palace maids and eunuchs to leave. Hua Yaoyao finally couldn’t hold back any longer and looked up at the Empress Dowager with excitement, but she asked her question cautiously, as if she was afraid of mistaking her: “Empress Dowager, the Prince said that you and I are the same. Are you the same as me?”
The Empress Dowager was surprised that she would suddenly ask this question. She glanced at Si Yiyuan, put down her teacup, smiled and walked over to hold Hua Yaoyao’s hands: “Silly child, if I were different from you, how would I know to come home often?”
With just one sentence, all her doubts were resolved. Hua Yaoyao was so excited she could barely speak: “You… you really… really… when did you…?”
Although she spoke vaguely, the Empress Dowager clearly understood what she was asking. She nodded affirmatively and said with a smile, “I came here in 2015, and I’m exactly 25 years old. What about you?” Hua Yaoyao was surprised: “I came here in 2018, and I’m 25 years old.”
The two fell silent simultaneously. Two people who had transmigrated three years apart were now more than twenty years apart in this world… Si Yiyuan’s question broke the awkward silence: “What are you talking about? Come here? 25 years old? Come here where? Which of you is 25?”
The Empress Dowager immediately came to her senses. What was there to worry about? No matter how old she was, it was enough that she had met the right person. He had given her a beautiful and profound love, as well as two sensible and considerate sons. Now she had a daughter-in-law who was also a time-traveling woman to keep her company. Why worry about age?
After calming herself down, the Empress Dowager winked at Si Yiyuan: “We’re both 25!” Si Yiyuan was speechless: “Mother, if I remember correctly, you’re 37 this year.” The Empress Dowager was furious. You’re only 37! Your whole family is 37!