Chapter 814: Chapter 342: An Zhichen’s Marriage (Part 2)
An Zhichen gave a slight nod and entered the room, taking a good while before coming out. He then proceeded to the Main Courtyard, where, besides Lady of Marquis Weiyuan, there was also the Heir’s Wife of Marquis Weiyuan and the Second Daughter-in-law, Madam Lv. The Heir’s Wife of Marquis Weiyuan was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Earl of Chengyi, while Madam Lv was the niece of the Lady of Marquis Weiyuan, being the daughter of Lady Fang’s own sister of the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion.
An Zhichen greeted Lady Fang and the two sisters-in-law respectfully: "Mother, eldest sister-in-law, second sister-in-law."
Lady Fang, who usually maintained a distant demeanor with An Zhichen, surprisingly had a smile on her face this time: "Heyue, we called you here to discuss your marriage."
An Zhichen responded with due respect: "Marriage is a significant matter, to be decided by the parents and the matchmakers. I will follow my father and mother’s arrangement."
Hearing this, a smile played upon Lady Fang’s lips: "Third young master, you’ve met your cousin Huanpei. Her appearance and talents are top-notch, and even her temperament is commendable. Your father is also pleased. We intend to make this match happen!"
An Zhichen didn’t hesitate for a moment: "If father and mother find it suitable, then it naturally must be good." If they want to make a fuss, let them, he thought.
His compliance gave Lady Fang momentary uncertainty.
Madam Lv smiled and said, "Third uncle, seeing the difficulty in your marriage, mother went to uncle for help, hoping you would understand her sincere intentions."
Sitting lower, Madam Yin let a cold smile cross her lips. Huanpei was a daughter born of a concubine and held under the title of Maternal Auntie, possessing looks and talent, but her nature certainly left much to be desired. It was unexpected that her mother-in-law intended to force such a match on third uncle. Even if third uncle wasn’t particularly handsome, he was a solid, Fifth Rank. How could they do such a thing? She just couldn’t fathom why even her father-in-law agreed to this marriage.
An Zhichen repeated: "Marriage is a significant matter, to be decided by the parents and the matchmakers."
Seeing An Zhichen’s sincere expression, Lady Fang thought his marriage troubles, coupled with Huanpei’s outstanding appearance, were the reasons An Zhichen didn’t object.
Upon returning to her courtyard, Madam Yin’s personal maid asked curiously: "Heir’s Wife, should we inform Third Young Master of Miss Huanpei’s true nature? If Third Young Master marries Miss Huanpei, it could place you in a position of being besieged from both flanks." Due to Lady Fang’s favoritism towards Madam Lv, Madam Yin had suffered a lot of unseen setbacks.
Madam Yin didn’t understand An Zhichen too well, primarily because despite his months-long return to the capital, he rarely stayed at the Marquis’ household, and even when he did, he would leave early in the morning and return at night: "Be discreet in this matter." Dealing with one Madam Lv was enough; she didn’t need the addition of a Lady Xiao Fang.
No need for Madam Yin’s people to inform him, Chun Yan, the chambermaid of An Zhichen, panicked after learning the Old Madam had arranged a match for the Third Young Master. Chun Yan was a gift from Lady Fang to An Zhichen after he returned to the Marquis’ household. Back then, the Steward Mother hinted to Chun Yan to ensnare the Third Young Master, ideally bearing his first son born of a concubine. However, to this point, Chun Yan hadn’t even gotten close to An Zhichen. For a chambermaid like Chun Yan, this was utterly humiliating. If the Matriarch came in and failed to win the Third Young Master’s favor, she’d face a dire fate.
That night, Chun Yan prepared a bowl of porridge and went to the study. To her surprise, unlike previous times when she was intercepted by Third Young Master’s personal guard, Ah Kai, she was allowed in to see the Third Young Master.
Unfortunately, An Zhichen wasn’t the type to be gentle with women, and this time he wanted to ask something: "You’re a maid of the Marquis’ household, you must be quite familiar with Fang Huanpei?"
A subtle, complex expression crossed Chun Yan’s face: "Young master, this servant seldom sees Miss Huanpei and doesn’t know her well."
An Zhichen’s respectfulness in front of Lady Fang was only to avoid giving others gossip. He could be criticized as tyrannical but never unfilial, especially in such a sensitive period: "My patience is limited; if you continue lying, you know what your end could be."
Thinking of An Zhichen’s harsh methods, Chun Yan shivered but still clenched her teeth: "This servant truly knows nothing."
An Zhichen chuckled, calling to the door: "Da Tong."
Da Tong moved next to Chun Yan, twisting her arm slightly: "If you dare shout, I’ll cripple both your hands and feet."
Hearing this, Chun Yan clenched her jaw so tightly that she bled. Once Da Tong released her, she knelt down: "Young Master, I’ll talk. I’ll speak everything I know." Though a maid, Chun Yan had never suffered such hardships.
Only then did Da Tong retreat to the doorway.
Chun Yan stammered: "Miss Huanpei is beautiful and very talented, but she cannot bear to see others better than she."
An Zhichen remained silent.
Feeling immense pressure, Chun Yan continued: "Miss Huanpei cannot tolerate others who dress better or are more talented. She despises any criticism of her intellect." She hurriedly added, recalling when the Marquis’ household once discussed marriage with the Ma Family: "Miss Huanpei scorns the Third Miss of the Lian Family most of all, calling her a jinx, saying she’s ungrateful and has forsaken her paternal family."
An Zhichen paced leisurely: "Anything else?"
As Da Tong approached her, Chun Yan gritted her teeth and said: "Miss Huanpei also harbors affection for the Second Young Master. This is rather secretive, but I discovered it by accident."
An Zhichen squinted his eyes. There had been rumors that Fang Huanpei was having an affair with An Zhixiao. Now that even this maid had said so, evidently, this wasn’t much of a secret in the Marquis’ household. Lady Fang’s ingenuity was remarkable, attempting to thrust such a character upon him.
Da Tong, veins prominent on his forehead, suppressed a voice as Chun Yan stumbled out: "Young Master, such an indiscreet woman is definitely not to be married."
An Zhichen chuckled lightly: "I’m well aware. Investigate why father suddenly agreed to this marriage." An Zhichen sensed something amiss; rationally, his father wouldn’t let him marry a concubine’s daughter from the Fang Family.
Upon discovering that it was Madam Liu who persuaded Marquis Weiyuan to agree, An Zhichen’s face bore a peculiar smile: "Madam Liu, is it?"
Ah Kai cautiously suggested: "Young Master, perhaps it’s best to be fostered out!" Da Tong and Ah Kai, both orphans, were given to An Zhichen by the An Family’s Second Old Grand Master. Both adept and loyal, having been through life and death with An Zhichen, he trusted them deeply.
Da Tong, too, felt it was best to be fostered out. His master’s ambiguous status led to the Madam’s indifference and maternal aunt’s lack of care. If it were only this, it would be manageable, but these two women’s constant scheming against their master made life unbearable. Da Tong thought it’d be better to be fostered out than to face such tiring affairs daily, regardless of the true biological mother between the two women.
An Zhichen said: "There’s no rush." Neither Lady Fang nor Madam Liu wished for him to be fostered out, and his biological father, Marquis Weiyuan, who always heeded Madam Liu, wasn’t willing to let go now that he proved useful. Achieving his goals required support from his Second Great Uncle, persuading the clan elders to agree. Once the elders were persuaded, whatever Lady Fang and Madam Liu wanted would be irrelevant. What he lacked was an opportunity, and now, Lady Fang herself handed it to him.