Qiulan Garden
Yi Cui, a maidservant with her hair styled as a married woman, handed a cup of perfectly warm tea to Madam Fang, the wife of the Marquis of Guangling. "Madam, the eldest young master entered Qingfeng Courtyard with people and hasn't come out since. Should we send someone to inquire?"
"What is there to inquire about? A lowly wretch born from a concubine's womb. Even if he stumbled upon an official position by chance, I will make him understand that his 'legitimate' status is a sham. No matter what, he can never surpass my son."
Yi Cui lowered her gaze, her eyes and heart focused. "Madam speaks wisely."
Madam Fang stirred the lid of her cup. "How does his wife appear?"
"Your servant only caught a glimpse from afar and didn't see her clearly. However, judging by her posture when walking, she seems to have learned etiquette and manners."
"Hmph, people from small places always like to imitate the capital. She's just a merchant's daughter. Even if she learns etiquette and manners, she's still a merchant's daughter."
Come to think of it, she was quite satisfied with this marriage. Gu Yanchen had become an official. If he had married a noble lady from a prominent family, who knew if his ambition would swell, and he would covet the family's title? Fortunately, he was sensible enough to marry a merchant's daughter.
Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants – that was not a respectable status at all. Even better, he had held the wedding ceremony himself in Yangzhou, saving the household the trouble of preparing betrothal gifts.
Si Qin entered the room. "Madam, the master has returned."
"Didn't I ask him to return after dinner? Where is he?"
"He was invited to Qingfeng Courtyard."
Madam Fang was displeased and let out a heavy snort. "I really underestimated him. He actually learned to complain after a single outing."
Si Qin whispered, "Madam, the environment of Qingfeng Courtyard, I fear the Marquis might not be pleased upon seeing it."
Madam Fang was unconcerned. "He's been living like this for so many years, hasn't he? What is it now, does he think he's suddenly become precious?"
But he had indeed become precious.
From an obscure illegitimate son to a high-ranking official of the third rank, did he still expect her, his stepmother, to manipulate him as before? Si Qin lowered her eyelids and stood to the side, no longer offering advice.
Pingning Marquis's Residence
Zeng Guangyi was instructing Su Xin to prepare gifts. "Prepare them generously. It is imperative to make the eldest young lady understand how much this Marquis values her. It would be best to coax her into staying at our residence for a short while."
Su Xin acknowledged. "But master, the son-in-law has now caught the Emperor's eye. I fear it won't be easy to move the eldest young lady."
"Therefore, this matter must be planned slowly. Regardless, it is always good to first make her feel a sense of closeness to the household. Prepare the gifts, and have Madam deliver them. Mother and daughter are of one heart; her appearance will be more effective than anyone else's."
"Madam's thoughts are likely focused on Miss Weiyang these days."
"That sickly girl is becoming more useless by the day." She had only had her blood drawn a couple of times more, and now she had fallen ill and remained bedridden for over half a month, almost delaying his medicinal preparations.
Tanshang Garden
Incense wafted from the main hall as the wife of the Marquis of Pingning tapped a wooden fish, reciting Buddhist scriptures she had memorized countless times.
Qiangwei entered the room. "Madam, Su Xin has sent a gift list, requesting you to visit the Marquis of Guangling's residence tomorrow."
The wife of the Marquis of Pingning's hand trembled, and the chanting and the sound of the wooden fish abruptly ceased. Her daughter had only arrived in the capital that morning, and that old scoundrel had already set his sights on her. There are only a thousand days for a thief, but never a thousand days for a guard. Living in the same capital in the future, what could be done?
Qiangwei knew her worries. "Madam, please calm yourself. The son-in-law is now successful, a high-ranking official of the third rank. Even the Marquis would not dare to act rashly."
"But Xixi has no defense at all." With intent versus innocence, how could one evade it?
"It will be alright. Young Master Yan has already accompanied her to the capital. He will protect the young lady for you." Qiangwei sighed. If Madam had married Young Master Yan back then, she wouldn't be worrying so much now.
Upon hearing the name "Young Master Yan," the wife of the Marquis of Pingning also froze for a moment. Ultimately, she owed him. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Lu Nianfu had no idea she had already become a target upon entering the capital. She was currently following Gu Yanchen to pay respects to the Marquis of Guangling. "Your daughter-in-law, Madam Lu, greets Father."
"No need for such formalities. Yanchen, how could you bring your wife to this place? It's so cold, and there isn't even a brazier in the room. Aren't you afraid she'll catch a chill?"
Gu Yanchen said, "Father must have forgotten. This is the courtyard where this son has lived for over a decade."
The Marquis of Guangling looked as if he had seen a ghost. "This is where you lived?"
Gu Yanchen looked at him with his dark eyes.
The father had become this way; it was quite awkward. Lu Nianfu couldn't help but glance at the Marquis of Guangling. He looked refined and rather amiable, but who would have thought he was so indifferent to his illegitimate son.
Gu Rong also sensed something was amiss. He flicked his sleeves and snorted, "Your mother is becoming more and more out of line. Ping'an."
The servant who followed him responded, "This servant is here."
"Go inform Madam to prepare a better courtyard for the eldest young master. He's already married, how can he still live in his old place?" He frowned. Madam Fang was going too far. It was one thing to suppress Yanchen before, but now that his official rank was equal to his own, she still used such a courtyard to humiliate him. Was she not afraid he would lose face in front of his daughter-in-law?
It was certainly ideal to resolve the issue of the courtyard without any arguments.
Gu Yanchen respectfully bowed and thanked him.
Lu Nianfu, however, felt a bit regretful. It seemed that moving out and living freely would not be possible anytime soon.