Stirring Up Trouble
"I see, thank you for your trouble, sir." Lily Evans listened, her expression calm and composed. Smiling, she asked Bell to escort the attendant out and pack up some homemade braised pork and pastries for him to take home.
The young attendant's eyes lit up with joy—after all, the Princess Lily Hayes's family ran the Eight Flavors Pavilion, the best restaurant in the capital! A single errand to the Prince of Qin's Manor and he was rewarded with delicacies from Her Highness—what a lucky start to the New Year!
The young attendant left in high spirits, leaving Alexander Hayes behind with a furrowed brow.
Margaret Evans muttered, not grasping the deeper meaning: "It's just a New Year's Eve dinner—why would anyone go to the Emperor to complain about it? Aren't they worried that making such a fuss will leave the Emperor with a bad impression of the son-in-law, and make things harder for him in the future?"
Dr. Rowan Lin glanced at Margaret Evans—this was the normal mindset of a mother, always prioritizing her children's interests, even if it meant suffering herself. Nothing should jeopardize their future.
But as for Marquis and Lady Weiyuan, they went so far as to drag Alexander Hayes home for New Year's Eve dinner just to show outsiders that their relationship hadn't fallen apart. Using this tactic and causing a scene before the Emperor—truly, they didn't care how big the mess became.
Yet, when Dr. Rowan Lin remembered that Alexander Hayes was merely the foster son on whom Marquis and Lady Weiyuan had bet on the wrong horse, he understood their behavior. Naturally, everything they did was for their own benefit, without considering whether it was good or bad for Alexander.
"Son-in-law, what do you plan to do?" Dr. Rowan Lin noticed Alexander Hayes's displeasure.
Anyone would be upset—it's supposed to be a joyful family reunion, but instead, they were blindsided. Who could stay cheerful after that?
Lily Evans also looked up at Alexander Hayes.
Alexander Hayes looked at Lily Evans, apologetic: "Darling, it's a small matter, but the Emperor himself gave the order. If we refuse, it's as good as defying a royal decree... Looks like we have to go back."
The Emperor's decree was for the young couple to return to the Marquis Valor Estate for New Year's Eve dinner. So even if Lily Evans was reluctant, she had no choice but to go.
Lily Evans nodded sensibly. "Right, we can't defy the decree. Let's go back, then."
Alexander Hayes held Lily Evans's hand. "Darling, I'm sorry you have to go through this. We'll just make a symbolic appearance and come straight back. Surely they won't go to the Emperor again to complain that I don't talk enough."
Lily Evans nodded. At this point, the surface relationship between Alexander Hayes and the Marquis Valor Estate had been all but shattered by this complaint—there was little difference between this and an outright falling out.
Alexander Hayes immediately ordered a carriage. Margaret Evans, worried the food at the Marquis Valor Estate wouldn't suit their tastes, hurried to have some of the Lin Residence's New Year's Eve dishes packed for them, placing them on the carriage's little table so the couple could eat on the way.
"Lily, Alexander, eat while it's hot on the road—don't go hungry," Margaret Evans fussed as she arranged the food.
Alexander Hayes watched Margaret Evans bustling around, feeling a surge of warmth. He nodded firmly, "Mom, don't worry about us. We can take care of ourselves. It's cold outside—go back and enjoy New Year's Eve dinner with everyone. We'll be back soon."
Margaret Evans nodded, patting her daughter and son-in-law's arms. "Good kids, I'm sorry you have to go through this. I'll be waiting for you to come home and keep vigil for the New Year."
"Okay, Mom, we're off!" Lily Evans grinned at Margaret Evans, then turned to help Alexander Hayes into the carriage.
Watching the carriage depart, Dr. Rowan Lin put his arm around Maggie's (Margaret Evans's) shoulders. "Maggie, don't worry. They're just going to the Marquis Valor Estate, not into a dragon's den. With Alexander there, they'll be fine. Let's go back."
"Yes... let's go back..." Margaret Evans replied, walking home with Dr. Rowan Lin. She kept glancing back at the carriage as it rolled farther away, her heart pounding with worry, as if something was about to happen...