Chapter 812: Chapter 341: Earnest Intentions (Part 2)
Xiang Wei hurriedly changed the topic: "Miss, actually I think you should settle your marriage soon. Maybe once you’re married, Zhou Shu will give up."
Yueyao shook her head with a bitter smile: "Before getting rid of Zhou Shu, I’m afraid to marry. I don’t want to involve others." That madman Zhou Shu, perhaps knowing she was engaged, would become even more frantic. Sometimes Yueyao couldn’t understand why, with Zhou Shu’s abilities and wealth, he couldn’t have any woman he wanted but wouldn’t let her go.
Yueyao felt that this must be what is called a fated entanglement. At this moment, Yueyao lost a bit of confidence, wondering if this fated entanglement was something she couldn’t escape no matter how hard she tried.
Yueyao clenched her fist and whispered to herself: "No." Even if it’s an entanglement, she must end it. Zhou Shu had already ruined her life; she couldn’t let Zhou Shu ruin her whole lifetime again.
After breakfast the next day, Yueyao initially planned to leave but was stopped by Madam Ping: "Yueyao, wait until the afternoon to go back! A guest will come at noon for you to meet."
Yueyao was a bit surprised: "What guest?"
Madam Ping kept it a secret and didn’t want to say.
Yueyao roughly guessed it, thinking Madam Ping had good intentions. If she declined, it might waste their efforts, so Yueyao didn’t refuse.
When noon arrived, Yueyao was somewhat surprised to see the visitor. She didn’t expect the special guest this time would be An Zhichen.
An Zhichen came specifically to see Yueyao, dressing more formally than last time. He wore an azurite robe with a round collar, a waistband with a large gemstone in the middle, adorned with a jade pendant, pouch, and other items. His hair was held in place with an ink jade hairpin, with sharp eyebrows that extended to his temples and eyes that were bright and piercing. Most importantly, An Zhichen was not as dark as before; even if not fair, he was certainly not charcoal anymore. With this outfit, although not a handsome young man, he appeared quite impressive.
Yueyao’s expression was calm, showing no unusual color, as she bowed in greeting: "Good day, Young Master An."
Yueyao wore a blue gauze dress today, the skirt embroidered with pearls, elegant and flowing, a deep blue embroidered waistband at her waist. Her black hair was styled into a bun with a purple jade hairpin, lacking excessive luxury, simple and elegant.
Madam Ping noticed that Yueyao looked even more refined in simple and elegant garments, so the previous day, she specifically bought such clothes from the Cloth Workshop, having them altered overnight. They were delivered just before noon. Now worn by Yueyao, they looked very good.
Since entering, An Zhichen’s eyes were on Yueyao. However, this time he had good self-control, casting a deep glance at Yueyao before shifting his gaze. Upon hearing Yueyao’s gentle voice, An Zhichen calmly responded: "Miss Lian..."
Madam Ping, having heard Luo Shao’s words yesterday, thought Yueyao and An Zhichen were not well-matched. But seeing them stand together now, there was an indescribable harmony. Madam Ping had to admire, after all, the Marquis’ discerning eye: "What Miss Lian, now she’s your cousin."
An Zhichen followed suit: "Cousin, you are well."
Yueyao felt embarrassed watching An Zhichen. Yueyao couldn’t explain why each time seeing An Zhichen, she felt awkward. She attributed it to the time she accidentally helped An Zhichen pay a debt and An Zhichen borrowed money from her.
An Zhichen was delivering something to the Marquis’ household, never expecting to unexpectedly meet Yueyao. Although the two are now cousins, after all, men and women are different, An Zhichen stayed in the Main Courtyard for less than ten minutes before leaving.
Madam Ping tentatively asked: "Yueyao, what do you think of Heyue?" Heyue was An Zhichen’s courtesy name, known by few.
Yueyao knew Heyue was An Zhichen’s courtesy name, her expression very peculiar, such a mighty and tall person choosing such a gentle name, it seemed so incongruous!
Yueyao didn’t directly refuse, only said: "I’ve heard that the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion has fierce competition between wives and concubines, and there’s always talk about the identities of the An family’s Second Young Master and Third Young Master, some say the Second Young Master is the Legitimate Child, some say the Third Young Master is. You know I can’t adapt to such a complicated family." Using a concubine to act as the legitimate child would cause great confusion, fortunately, the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion had already established the Princely Heir, otherwise the disputes would be greater.
Luo Shao knew An Zhichen wanted to be adopted elsewhere, but Madam Ping was unaware. After hearing Yueyao’s words, Madam Ping said nothing more. As they say, if the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked; the Old Marquis Weiyuan spoiled a concubine who dared to scheme against the legal wife, trying to use a son as the Legitimate Child, yet still wielded great influence in the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion, even the pretty maid in the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion followed suit. Such a corrupt atmosphere couldn’t be quelled, which was one of the main reasons why, despite An Zhichen’s excellent prospects, wealthy families were unwilling to marry their Legitimate Daughter to him.
Yueyao returned to the Bright Moon Courtyard and asked Xiang Wei: "Did you say An Zhichen was to be adopted? Why doesn’t my sister-in-law know?" If there was truly an adoption, there should be some sign, how come there’s no sign at all, not even Madam Ping knows.
Since Yueyao had previously mentioned to Xiang Wei to learn more about An Zhichen, Xiang Wei naturally spent a lot of effort investigating: "Miss, the Lady of Marquis Weiyuan disagrees with adopting An Zhichen out."
Yueyao was a bit surprised, it would make sense if Marquis Weiyuan disagreed with adopting An Zhichen out, but why was it the Lady of Marquis Weiyuan who disagreed: "What’s the reason?"
Xiang Wei’s lips curled with a touch of mockery: "If An Zhichen were adopted out, Lady of Marquis Weiyuan would no longer have control over An Zhichen." Once An Zhichen was adopted out, legally, the Lady of Marquis Weiyuan would no longer be An Zhichen’s mother, naturally losing authority over An Zhichen’s affairs.
Yueyao furrowed her brows: "Has An Zhichen not found a satisfactory marriage because Lady of Marquis Weiyuan is intervening?" Though An Zhichen’s looks were not favored by the ladies, controllers in families are ultimately men, who prioritize ability over appearance.
Xiang Wei laughed: "Not entirely. The Marquis Weiyuan chose candidates for An Zhichen, none of whom he was satisfied with. Later, when he wanted to marry the Miss, Marquis Weiyuan stopped proposing for him." Looking back, Xiang Wei thought An Zhichen was quite thoughtful.