Chapter 1064 - 452: Tingzheng Is Injured
Xiao Kexin is very well-behaved, she can play with anyone once she’s full, without recognizing them. Yueyao feels quite relaxed because of this. Aside from handling household affairs, she spends her time practicing calligraphy and painting, leading a particularly leisurely life, which makes Mingzhu extremely envious.
Xiang Wei’s shop is doing very well now, she’s busy every day and leads a fulfilling life. However, Yueyao understands Xiang Wei’s personality, so she insists that Xiang Wei comes back every day, and has Qiao Lan accompany her, ensuring that Xiang Wei has lunch on time every day.
One day, Xiang Wei came back late, and Yueyao found out that she had been too busy to have lunch, only eating a few pieces of pastry to satisfy her hunger. Yueyao gave Xiang Wei a harsh scolding.
Xiang Wei muttered: "Such a control freak."
Yueyao was so annoyed that she laughed: "Fine, from now on, I won’t bother with you. Do whatever you want!" She hardly ever worries about her husband, but has to worry about this woman every day.
The reason Yueyao is so strict with Xiang Wei is because she was frightened by previous events. Now that Xiang Wei’s health has just recovered, her irregular meals are a big concern for Yueyao, who fears it might lead to serious issues later.
Seeing Yueyao’s demeanor, Xiang Wei immediately changed her tune: "Alright, alright, I promise this is really the last time, it won’t happen again."
Yueyao snorted coldly, then asked the Kitchen Maid to bring over the dinner. With Nanny Hua around, Yueyao became more attentive to diet. Unfortunately, Xiang Wei also suffered, as she couldn’t eat whatever she wanted anymore. Looking at the dishes on the table, Xiang Wei ate with a frown.
Yueyao felt helpless towards Xiang Wei, as such a grown person was still a picky eater, leaving her at a loss for words.
After dinner, Xiang Wei asked curiously: "Why hasn’t An Zhichen come back yet?" Usually, An Zhichen arrives home before Xiang Wei, but today was an exception.
Yueyao didn’t think much of it and said: "Maybe something’s up at the Yamen." If An Zhichen had social engagements, he would have someone inform her. Since no one was sent back, it’s definitely Yamen business.
Before long, An Zhichen came back.
Seeing An Zhichen looking very tired, Yueyao assumed he was exhausted from work at the Yamen and gently said: "Take a bath and go to bed early!"
An Zhichen let out a long breath: "Marquis Weiyuan submitted a memorial today, he’s planning to pass the Nobility Title to my elder brother." Actually, it’s a good thing that Marquis Weiyuan is willing to pass on the title, but An Zhichen disdains what Marquis Weiyuan plans to do after stepping down. He’d never seen such an irresponsible man, abandoning his wife and children for a woman.
Yueyao was a bit surprised: "That’s good news!"
An Zhichen said: "He plans to move to Ten Miles Slope after passing on the title. He even said that after he dies, he wants to be buried alongside Maternal Aunt Liu." Ten Miles Slope is the place where Maternal Aunt Liu was buried, with beautiful mountains and clear waters, a picturesque setting.
This request from Marquis Weiyuan nearly drove An Zhiren mad. Traditionally, husbands and wives are buried together, and now Marquis Weiyuan intends to be buried with a concubine—what’s the meaning of that?
Yueyao didn’t know how to respond: "The Princely Heir invited Heyue over for what? Are they seriously expecting you to help persuade the Marquis? That’s really asking too much."
An Zhichen sneered: "He’s dead set on being buried with Madam Liu. Since it’s his wish, let’s just fulfill it." Of course, this needs to be handled discreetly so no one else finds out. If others find out, who knows what kind of uproar it would cause.
Yueyao expressed her inability to comprehend Marquis Weiyuan’s mindset.
An Zhichen couldn’t understand either. However, since Marquis Weiyuan is his biological father, he refrained from speaking ill of him in front of Yueyao.
The matter of passing the title requires approval from the Emperor. Over the past twenty years, the Imperial Censor has impeached Marquis Weiyuan’s household numerous times for favoring concubines over his wife; the Emperor knows these complaints by heart. Unfortunately, since Marquis Weiyuan hasn’t taken office, the Emperor couldn’t strip him of his title for that reason. Now that Marquis Weiyuan is willing to pass on the title, the Emperor promptly approved it. With Marquis Weiyuan abdicating in favor of a worthy successor, An Zhiren left no particular impression, whether good or bad, on the Emperor. But surely, his ears won’t be tormented anymore in the future.
An Zhiren taking the title should have been a good thing. But with the news that the Old Marquis went to Ten Miles Slope to keep company with Maternal Aunt Liu’s tombstone, Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion once again became the talk of the town in the Capital City.
When Mingzhu came over to tell Yueyao about this, she incredulously said: "Compared to my cousin, my father-in-law’s matters are nothing. Although my father-in-law favors concubines, he absolutely has no tendency to disregard his wife, let alone ignore his children."
Yueyao didn’t know how to comment on this: "Let them talk outside if they want to!" Yueyao was truly fed up with the affairs of Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion.