Chapter 833: Chapter 351: Scandal (Part 2)
Lady Fang shook with anger after hearing this: “If I don’t approve, what will you do?”
Although An Zhixiao and An Zhichen looked alike as twins, their upbringing was completely different. From a young age, An Zhixiao was doted on by Lady Fang. She was strict with him regarding his studies for the imperial examinations, but otherwise, she indulged him and catered to his every whim. As for An Zhichen, being left behind by his wet nurse and abducted spoke volumes about the life he had.
An Zhixiao knocked his head against the green brick: “If mother doesn’t agree, I’ll kneel here and not get up.” An Zhichen was genuinely pound his head; after two knocks, a large lump appeared on his forehead.
Raising a son for over ten years with painstaking care, only to be pressured by him over a woman. Lady Fang almost fainted from anger, but she knew that if she really fainted, An Zhixiao would definitely get the reputation of being unfilial. With such a reputation, entering officialdom would be impossible. Lady Fang gritted her teeth and said: “Fine, since you insist, I’ll agree. But you must promise me that you will work hard and ensure you succeed in the next examination.” An Zhixiao currently had the title of Juren but had not yet passed the Palace Graduate exam.
An Zhixiao nodded earnestly: “Mother, I will work hard.”
After sending An Zhixiao off, Lady Fang’s nanny said: “Madam, do you really intend to fulfill Second Young Master’s wish?” Marrying an equal wife was not good for reputation.
Lady Fang clenched her fists tightly: “Even without his pleading, Huanpei must be married in. For so many years, I’ve been pressured by Madam Liu, relying on my maiden family to maintain my footing in the Marquis’ household. The Fang Family is my biggest support; I cannot fall out with them.”
The old nanny said worriedly: “Madam, but Second Young Madam does not agree.”
Lady Fang said indifferently: “As long as Third Sister agrees, that’s enough. We’ll have Third Sister persuade her then.” She genuinely liked this niece and wanted to marry her to her favorite son, but didn’t expect things to turn out like this.
Seeing this, the old nanny dared not say more. However, she understood that if they insist on making Fifth Miss an equal wife for Second Master, Second Young Madam and the Madam would definitely become estranged.
Lady Fang wasn’t a fool; she had already realized there was something fishy about this affair: “Huanpei and the second have feelings for each other, yet even I didn’t know; how did the third find out?”
Within the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion Inner Courtyard, the real person in charge was Lady Fang, while Heir’s Wife Madam Yin merely assisted with management. If Lady Fang wanted to investigate something, even if solid evidence was elusive, traces of it could always be found. When Lady Fang discovered that it was Chun Yan who informed An Zhichen, she nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.
Chun Yan was Lady Fang’s personal maid; because of her outstanding looks and sweet talk, Lady Fang had given her to An Zhichen, ostensibly as a personal maid but essentially as a bed-warming maid, also to keep an eye on An Zhichen. Yet unexpectedly, she ended up shooting herself in the foot.
An Zhichen left, but he did not go to Marquis Jingning’s Residence, instead opting to meet with the An Family Patriarch, Fourth Elderly Master. The Fourth Elderly Master belonged to the main branch of the An Family and was a cousin to the deceased Old Marquis of Weiyuan.
When An Zhichen met the Great Elderly Master, he handed over the Second Old Grand Master’s letter to the Fourth Elderly Master. Since both Marquis Weiyuan and Lady Fang were against his adoption, he could only rely on the clan’s influence.
The Fourth Elderly Master was not actually old, not yet fifty. After reading the letter, he asked An Zhichen: “Have you decided to be adopted into another line?”
An Zhichen didn’t nod but spoke bitterly: “Fourth Grand Uncle, when I was six, my wet nurse deliberately abandoned me in the market, letting the traffickers take me away. Later, as I begged my way back to the capital, grandfather took me under his wing and taught me for several years. He always hoped I could bring glory to the An Family and revitalize our lineage, and I have been working hard towards that. But now…” the remaining words were left for the Fourth Elderly Master to ponder.
The Fourth Elderly Master was well aware of the recent events in the Marquis’ household, and he harbored hopes for this grandnephew as well: “You must understand that once you are adopted out, you can’t leverage the power of the Marquis’ household anymore.”
An Zhichen sneered inwardly; not only would the people of Marquis Weiyuan’s household not help him, but they would certainly pull out all the stops to undercut him. These thoughts could remain internal; he must never voice them.
An Zhichen spoke solemnly: “Grandfather often shared tales of our ancestors’ heroic deeds with me. Although I cannot compare to our ancestors, relying on myself, I can establish a career.”
The Fourth Elderly Master nodded: “Since you’ve decided, I will have a good chat with your father.” Although the clan had the right to make such decisions, he would not offend the Marquis Weiyuan for An Zhichen. It was best if the matter could be resolved amicably.
Returning to the backyard, the Fourth Elderly Master saw his wife trying on a crystal-clear pearl necklace: “Where did this come from?” The Fourth Elderly Master’s wife was a stepmother, not even thirty yet, and very cherished.
The Fourth Old Madam placed the necklace around her neck and asked: “Husband, does it look good?”
The Fourth Elderly Master coughed and asked: “Who sent this?” In fact, he didn’t need to ask, he guessed it was sent by An Zhichen.
The Fourth Old Madam, of common birth but stunningly beautiful, had accepted to be a stepmother to avoid a life of poverty. Hearing the Fourth Elderly Master’s words, she laughed and said: “Naturally it was your grandnephew who sent it. Husband, did the Third Young Master seek you for the matter of adoption?”
The Fourth Elderly Master nodded slighty.
The Fourth Old Madam took off the pearls from her neck, placed them back in the box, and then locked the box: “Husband, if you fulfill the Third Young Master’s wish, he will have a great reward afterwards. Husband, you must ensure the Third Young Master’s wish comes true!” Her husband was getting on in years, and she only bore him a daughter but no sons, so she was keen on accumulating wealth. As long as there was money, even if her husband passed away, she would not be afraid.
The Fourth Elderly Master himself hadn’t expected this grandnephew to be so generous; this box of jewelry was worth at least several thousand taels of silver. If successful, the reward would surely be greater than now, and the Fourth Elderly Master couldn’t help but be tempted.