Chapter 603: Chapter 603: Obediently Listen to Me Alone This question is not easy to answer. He did not want to treat a certain woman as merely a childbearing tool, and the woman feared pain and childbirth; in this regard, one really had to go with the flow. If he had offspring in this life, the birth mother must be her. Ye Yiheng contemplated slightly and said, “Mother-in-law, let nature take its course.” “Does it make a difference whether Your Highness answers or not?” Yun Family’s brows were slightly furrowed as she turned to Leng Yu Yan, “Mian’er, you speak.” It was kind of the elder brother and his wife to consider adopting their child out to them. The child was, after all, their flesh and blood; she and His Highness should not be greedy—one was sufficient. With this in mind, Leng Yu Yan raised a finger. “One?” Yun Family’s brows furrowed tight, directing her gaze to Ye Yiheng, “Does Your Highness have plans to take concubines? What about concubines like Second Attendants and such, does Your Highness wish for them to bear many children?” Yun Family felt a hidden anger, but as an elder, she tried to speak as tactfully as possible, “Our Prince Zhenbei Mansion does not have the tradition of taking concubines, and since Mian’er is the only daughter of the Prince Mansion, naturally we do not wish her to be at a disadvantage.” Ye Yiheng said, “Mother-in-law, please do not say so; I will marry only Yanyan and will not take any other women into the Eastern Palace.” Upon hearing these words, Yun Family was reassured and said warmly, “In that case, the responsibility for Your Highness’s offspring falls on Mian’er.” Yun Family then turned her gaze to Leng Yu Yan’s face, “Child, what do you say—will you bear a boy or a girl?” “Whether it’s a boy or a girl isn’t up to us to decide, Mother,” Leng Yu Yan said coquettishly, hooking her arm through Yun Family’s, “either is the same.” If the elder brother and his wife adopted a boy out to them, then it would be a boy; if they adopted a girl out to them, then it would be a girl. “Child, your mother understands that childbirth is not easy, but with His Highness’s status, how can you only have one?” After a brief pause, Yun Family added, “I had four pregnancies and gave birth to you five siblings. You are my daughter, and by any account, you should bear at least four children—a perfect two boys and two girls.” Upon hearing this, a smile played on the lips of Ye Yiheng; what his mother-in-law suggested about having two boys and two girls was indeed consistent with what a certain woman had thought before. Leng Yu Yan smiled awkwardly, thinking to herself, Ah Ju, your task is challenging indeed! The sisters-in-law of the second, third, and fourth households were still unknown, and none were as close as Ah Ju, the eldest sister-in-law. For now, it seemed the task had to fall temporarily on Ah Ju. Yun Family feigned annoyance, “You don’t want to? His Highness said he would marry only you, and in the same way, you too must consider the offspring for His Highness.” “I’m willing, willing,” Leng Yu Yan said perfunctorily, with an awkward smile, “Mother, let’s not talk about this, shall we?” Yun Family shook her head, “I’ll go have a chat with the Ninth Princess.” After saying this, she went back to the main hall on her own. In a secluded spot, Leng Yu Yan tugged the corner of her mouth to Ye Yiheng, “Don’t blame me, Your Highness!” Ye Yiheng smiled gently, “I won’t; what mother-in-law said makes sense!” To him, being cared for and loved by the family was exactly that. Leng Yu Yan stepped forward, “Time flies so fast, big brother and Ah Ju have officially become husband and wife.” It wouldn’t be long before it was their turn. Ye Yiheng followed leisurely, “Yanyan, are you thinking about our wedding?” Leng Yu Yan stopped and turned around, “I certainly am not.” How could he guess everything? Ye Yiheng kept walking forward, “Don’t worry about the wedding; I will take care of everything.” Leng Yu Yan also stepped forward, “Oh, thank you!” He said calmly, “That’s rather formal.” “Then I take back my thanks.” “No need for that, as long as you obediently listen to me on the wedding day, that would be the best thanks.” “Everything? Like all the procedures of the wedding?” “Mostly so,” he silently added to himself that it mainly pertained to the matters of the bedchamber. “Alright.” Leng Yu Yan agreed, given that the Tian Family had many rules, following his lead was never wrong. That evening, the moon hung high in the sky. Leng Yu Yan helplessly sighed while glancing sideways at the person standing in the corridor, admiring the moonlight. “Your Highness has been staying here since yesterday; do you really consider yourself part of the dowry?” After dinner today, that person claimed to be escorting her back to her room. He did take her to the Yanyue Residence, but then he stubbornly refused to leave. “We are to be married in half a month, and during this time, I must ensure your safety,” Ye Yiheng said with a cool tone. “My home is quite secure,” Leng Yu Yan glanced at him, “Are you really not returning to the Eastern Palace tonight?” As Ye Yiheng was about to answer, Miao Zhu’s voice came from the entrance of the courtyard: “Commandery Princess, the Princely Heir and Princess have arrived.” Leng Yu Yan looked in the direction of the voice and saw Ye Jiu being helped along by Li Yuyue. The couple seemed surprised to see Ye Yiheng still there, but they didn’t point this out. Li Yuyue glanced at Ye Yiheng and then said to Leng Yu Yan, “Sister, can you help your sister-in-law?” Leng Yu Yan was puzzled. “What do you need?” Upon this question, Ye Jiu’s face turned red. She lowered her gaze and whispered, “Yan’er, let’s talk inside the room.” “Alright.” Leng Yu Yan took a few steps forward, took Ye Jiu’s arm from her own brother, and helped her into the room. Li Yuyue also stood on the veranda at a not too close nor too distant range from Ye Yiheng. “Didn’t Your Highness say that after escorting Yan’er to her room, you would return to the Eastern Palace?” he inquired bluntly, “Why haven’t you left?” Ye Yiheng gave a blatant lie: “The moonlight at Prince Zhenbei Mansion seems better than that at the Eastern Palace.” “I understand what Your Highness means; it’s because Yan’er is at the Prince Mansion. Wherever she is, the moonlight there is better.” “You’ve become so enlightened after just a day of marriage; I am impressed!” Li Yuyue praised sarcastically. Outside, the two men were dragging their conversation from one topic to another, whilst inside, Leng Yu Yan led Ye Jiu into the room. With no one else present, the red hue on Ye Jiu’s face faded a bit, and she slowly began, “Yan’er, do you have that kind of ointment for minor wounds that can heal quickly?” “Of course, I do.” Leng Yu Yan nodded, “I had Miao Zhu put it away earlier; I’ll call her to find it for you.” Ye Jiu quickly stopped her, embarrassed, “Dear Yan’er, please find it for me yourself.” Upon hearing this, Leng Yu Yan was startled and noticed her cheeks turn red again; she then whispered, “Where is the injury?” Ye Jiu rubbed her lower back, “I was tossed around all night yesterday, and then this afternoon…” “Oh my, I’m so embarrassed. I’m usually thick-skinned, but today I really can’t bring myself to speak.” Ye Jiu covered her face, complaining in a muffled voice, “It’s all your brother’s fault!” “Your brother stays energized for days on the battlefield without sleep, yet you’re so frail…” She spoke faster than she thought! As she was speaking, Leng Yu Yan belatedly realized what Ye Jiu was referring to and instantly, her face turned redder than Ye Jiu’s. She turned away awkwardly to the table near the window. Ye Jiu, on the other hand, seemed less embarrassed and slowly followed, “Yan’er, mother asked me how many children I plan to have. She said the Prince Mansion will not pressure me to have many, but she was just curious.” Leng Yu Yan opened the medicine box and asked without looking up, “What did you say?” Ye Jiu smiled, “I said the more, the better. Mother was very pleased and even said you’re a mischievous kid, only planning on having one.” Leng Yu Yan turned around, “I’m being considerate for you; if you want to adopt a child for us, I’m not greedy, one is enough.”