Chapter 832: 351 Scandal
At dawn, the courtyard was filled with the scent of herbs.
An Zhichen practiced martial arts in the courtyard, swinging through a set of spear techniques until he was drenched in sweat, after which he handed the spear to Ah Kai by his side.
After having breakfast, An Zhichen heard a maid come over and say, "Third Young Master, Madam invites you to stop by."
An Zhichen went to the Main Courtyard and came out expressionless. Upon returning to his own courtyard, An Zhichen asked Ah Kai, "How is that matter coming along?" Lady Fang had already exchanged marriage proposal letters with the Fang Family, and they also matched her son’s and Fang Huanpei’s birth charts, claiming they were a match made in heaven. Lady Fang had already planned to place a small betrothal token. If they placed the token, it would mean the marriage was as good as confirmed.
Ah Kai’s expression was very ugly. After Chun Yan had mentioned that Miss Fang and the Second Young Master were involved, he had gone to check, and to his surprise, it turned out to be true. The Marchioness really had the gall to make her son wear such a blatant cuckold’s cap: "Third Young Master, everything has been taken care of."
A cold sneer crossed An Zhichen’s lips, "Since Lady Fang so wishes to bring Fang Huanpei into the household, let’s fulfill her desire."
That day, after Xiang Wei went out, she returned with a smile at the corner of her mouth when she looked at Yueyao. Without saying anything, it was clear she had heard some juicy gossip.
With Xiang Wei’s "do ask me" expression, Yueyao was amused to no end but didn’t disappoint Xiang Wei’s expectations. Yueyao asked, "What happened to make you so excited?"
Xiang Wei said cheerfully, "Miss, didn’t I tell you before that Lady of Marquis Weiyuan wanted to push her niece onto An Zhichen? The gifts and name inquiries went well, and normally, a small betrothal token was to be placed next. Once the token is placed, the marriage would be set."
Yueyao laughed, "What happened in Marquis Weiyuan’s household?" Without being told, it was clear the placement of the small token didn’t go through, but it was unknown what gossip excited Xiang Wei so much.
Xiang Wei could barely contain her joy, "The day before the formal betrothal, Second Young Master of Marquis Weiyuan’s Household was caught in a private meeting with the Fang girl. It’s said that Fifth Miss Fang is even pregnant with An Zhixiao’s child. Tell me, isn’t this big news?"
Even though Yueyao knew An Zhichen wasn’t someone who would just tolerate everything, she was still shocked by the news: "Is this true, or is it a setup?" If this was all orchestrated by An Zhichen, Yueyao would have to reconsider his character. There were many ways to avoid an unwanted marriage, but dragging an innocent young woman into it was not acceptable.
Xiang Wei knew exactly what Yueyao was thinking: "Of course, it’s true. How long has An Zhichen been back? With no love from his father or mother, and even his Maternal Aunt plotting against him, how could he have any connections in the household to frame these two people?"
Yueyao was relieved.
Xiang Wei thought Yueyao’s mindset was quite peculiar: "So what if it was orchestrated? Do you think if Fifth Miss Fang were any good, would the Lady of Marquis Weiyuan suggest her for An Zhichen?" Xiang Wei felt that whether it was true or false didn’t matter, what was important was that An Zhichen wasn’t weak and easily manipulated by others.
Yueyao was chastened into silence.
The Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion was in chaos. After the affair came to light, to quell the rumors, they naturally had to properly settle Fifth Miss Fang. However, the Fang Family was unwilling to let Fang Wu become a concubine. After all, Second Old Master Fang was a Second Rank Official, and his daughter could not simply be a concubine. The Fang Family demanded that Fang Wu be made an equal wife.
Madam Lv naturally was not willing. As a concubine was one thing, but with her husband already indifferent towards her, marrying Fang Wu would leave her without a standing in Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion. Madam Lv’s stance was very firm: "A noble concubine is acceptable, but an equal wife is out of the question."
Lady Fang was so troubled by the ruckus that she sent Madam Lv away with a maid. Lady Fang pressed her temples to calm her mind and then asked, "Where has the Third Young Master gone? Have the Third Young Master come here."
An old nanny entered from outside, nervously saying, "Marchioness, the Third Young Master has gone out, seems like he went to Marquis Jingning’s Residence."
Lady Fang almost scratched her own hand with her jeweled nail guard: "Have him roll back here." This incident was likely the brat’s doing. She had said so; this vile creature was so obedient because it was waiting here for her. The scandal not only tarnished her reputation in Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion but also led her own family to blame her, claiming she caused the Fang Family to lose face. Lady Fang was still thinking about how to withdraw when a maid outside shouted, "Second Young Master, you cannot enter."
An Zhixiao, always Lady Fang’s favorite, refused to care about what others said. He lifted the silk and red lacquered bamboo curtain and knelt before Lady Fang: "Mother, I want to marry my cousin, please grant me this wish."