Time Travel: The Noble Family

When An Zhiren learned about this matter, he didn’t know what to feel. Maternal Aunt Liu had always been ruthless to the third brother, wishing to eliminate him at all costs; yet she had always loved the second brother dearly. He truly couldn’t understand why the second brother wanted to kill Maternal Aunt Liu. For twenty years, Maternal Aunt Liu had loved him unwaveringly, she bore her heart out for him; even if it were a dog, feelings would have developed. An Zhiren couldn’t comprehend how the second brother could have brought himself to do it.

An Zhichen asked, "The reason?"

An Zhiren didn’t mention the reason: "Third brother, for the sake of our relationship, could you let the second brother off this time?" The third brother hated Maternal Aunt Liu because she repeatedly almost brought him to his doom, so his lack of forgiveness towards Maternal Aunt Liu was understandable. But the second brother was different; if outsiders found out he killed Maternal Aunt Liu, he would have no reputation left. Scholars held their reputation in the highest regard; even if the second brother passed the exam to become a Palace Graduate, his future would be utterly destroyed.

An Zhichen, sitting in the chair, asked, "Does Uncle know about this?"

An Zhiren shook his head.

An Zhichen wasn’t surprised. If Marquis Weiyuan had known about this, the mansion wouldn’t be so quiet. After a while, An Zhichen spoke, "Do you remember what Grandfather said on his deathbed?"

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An Zhiren said softly, "I remember." Back then, when their grandfather passed away, he urged the two brothers to unite as one and restore the Marquis’ household’s reputation.

An Zhichen said, "I will strive to fulfill Grandfather’s last wish." In fact, back then, the Old Marquis had already seen that An Zhiren was suited to maintaining the status quo, whereas An Zhichen was more inclined to take risks and fight. If the two brothers worked together, the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion would be no less than Marquis Jingning’s Residence.

An Zhiren understood An Zhichen’s implication: he wouldn’t blame him for shielding the second brother, but in the future, the two brothers couldn’t advance hand in hand. "Third brother..." He didn’t know what to say; whatever he said seemed hollow and empty.

An Zhichen said, "Handle the rumors outside." An Zhichen actually didn’t mind those rumors. Although Maternal Aunt Liu was his biological mother, she had committed suicide, it wasn’t a murder; how could the rampant rumors outside affect him in the slightest? However, Yueyao cared, so An Zhichen would not sit idly by and let the rumors continue to spread.

An Zhiren nodded.

On his way out, An Zhichen said, "If you don’t want him to become a useless person in the future, you shouldn’t shield him blindly."

The reason An Zhichen reminded An Zhiren was, firstly, that he did not truly resent An Zhixiao. Although An Zhixiao often bullied him while growing up, it was just childish pranks, and now that they were older, An Zhichen actually felt some pity for An Zhixiao; under the affection of two women, An Zhixiao had already become a half-wasted individual. The second and most crucial reason was the teachings of the Old Marquis. Having been taught painstakingly for four years, the concept of prioritizing family had rooted deeply in An Zhichen’s mind, taking hold and growing.

An Zhiren was stunned, but quickly nodded and said, "I will."

Unfortunately, before An Zhiren could think of a way to temper An Zhixiao’s temperament, the incident of An Zhixiao poisoning Maternal Aunt Liu reached Marquis Weiyuan.

Marquis Weiyuan had originally thought Lady Fang was the one behind the poisoning; he never dreamed the real culprit was the second brother. Filled with anger, Marquis Weiyuan wished he could strangle An Zhixiao, he roared, "Tell me why? Why did you do it?" The third brother resented him and Xiner because of years of estrangement and numerous misunderstandings, which led him not to recognize Xiner as his biological mother, something Marquis Weiyuan could understand. But Xiner cherished the second brother as if he were a precious gem, so he really couldn’t comprehend.

An Zhixiao screamed hoarsely, "Father, I didn’t do it, I didn’t do it, this must be a frame-up by the third brother."

Marquis Weiyuan slapped An Zhixiao to the ground: "You’re still arguing, you’re still arguing." Marquis Weiyuan was so furious he almost coughed up blood.

An Zhixiao refused to admit it, but tragically Marquis Weiyuan never was a reasonable person. If he were, the Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion wouldn’t have been such a chaotic mess.

An Zhixiao was beaten half to death by Marquis Weiyuan, and if An Zhiren hadn’t arrived in time, it’s likely An Zhixiao would have been beaten to death.