Time Travel: The Noble Family

Xiang Wei disagreed: "You should say Madam has good taste." No matter what the future holds, at least An Zhichen satisfies her.

Yueyao worked until midnight before leaving the studio. Returning to her bedroom, she saw the father and daughter cuddling in bed, filling her heart with warmth.

Yueyao quietly climbed into bed. As soon as she lay down, a warm breath brushed past her ear. A deep voice asked, "Did you finish the painting?"

Yueyao nodded, "Only the coloring is left." For Mr. Yu Shan’s assignment, she was determined to give it her all.

An Zhichen kissed Yueyao’s forehead and said, "Once you complete Mr. Yu Shan’s task, take a good rest. You’ve lost a lot of weight recently." An Zhichen actually wished to make Yueyao healthy and plump, just like Mingzhu back then. Unfortunately, Yueyao’s diet was very disciplined, and even Nanny Hao wouldn’t listen to his suggestions, making it very difficult for Yueyao to gain weight.

Yueyao hugged An Zhichen and said, "Just another five or six days and it’ll all be done. Heyue, thank you for your hard work." Being busy outside and then again at home—it’s surely exhausting.

An Zhichen smiled and said, "Silly, it’s what I should do." He was pleased that Yueyao persisted with her painting. Doing what you love makes life fulfilling. Unlike other women who spend their days gossiping about others.

Six days later, Yueyao’s paintings were finally completed.

When An Zhichen heard Yueyao intended to send a servant to deliver the paintings to Jiangnan, he felt she was being too careless: "What if the paintings are lost?" There was also a malicious thought he didn’t voice—what if someone got wind of the paintings and stole them en route? Yueyao’s artworks were each worth a fortune.

Yueyao felt embarrassed upon hearing this. She hadn’t considered the monetary value, only that she would be heartbroken if her hard work went to waste.

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In the end, An Zhichen entrusted the most renowned Escort Agency in Capital City to escort the paintings to Jiangnan. Because it was made clear to the agency that they were escorting Yueyao’s paintings, with an estimated value of four thousand taels, they charged ten percent, paying four hundred taels.

Hearing this, Yueyao said, "How much is your monthly salary? That’s almost half a year’s pay." Yueyao was teasing. If an official lived solely on salary, life would be tough, far from the luxurious lifestyle they enjoyed.

An Zhichen chuckled and replied, "Don’t worry. I won’t let you and our daughter go hungry." As he spoke, he glanced at Xiao Kexin, who was pulling his hair, laughingly kissed her and said, "Daddy misspoke. Daddy still needs to earn a substantial dowry for Kexin, and leave a bountiful estate for your brother. A daughter so sweet and adorable, one can only hope the son will be just like her, then all will be well."

Yueyao chuckled. Whether her child was sweet or mischievous, they were her flesh and blood, loved equally. She just hoped they wouldn’t be as troublesome as Mingzhu’s two rambunctious boys.

Time flew by, and soon it was the twelfth lunar month. Yueyao knew there were many tasks during this time, and seeing Xiao Kexin had been breastfed for ten months, she straightforwardly drank some weaning medicine. Xiao Kexin had been eating complementary foods for four months and didn’t fuss without milk.

Nanny Hao smiled and said, "In all my years, I’ve never seen such an obedient and lovely girl." It’s truly rare to find such a well-behaved child.

Yueyao kissed Kexin’s face. Such a sensible daughter could help teach her younger siblings in the future.

Xiang Wei scoffed at Yueyao and said, "So you wanted a daughter to be a hands-off manager?" Relying on a ten-month-old to teach her siblings—is there any mother more irresponsible than Yueyao?

Yueyao, not the least bit ashamed, said, "Of course, I hoped my first child would be a girl. You know, a son grows up to share his father’s burdens, but a daughter grows up to share her mother’s worries." When Kexin turns ten, she’ll be taught to manage the household. By the time she marries, my daughter-in-law will be here too. So, I’ll only have to work hard for ten more years.

Xiang Wei looked at Xiao Kexin crawling around on the couch and thought, "Poor Xiao Kexin, with such an unreliable mother!"

In the twelfth lunar month, each household prepared for the New Year, delivering gifts to family and friends, handling numerous trivial matters, keeping Yueyao busy.

On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month, the Marquis of Weiyuan and his wife visited to invite An Zhichen and Yueyao to their household. Since An Zhiren inherited the title, the Marquis household had undergone a complete transformation. Now, its reputation was not just a bit better than before.

An Zhiren spoke with An Zhichen in the front courtyard, while Madam Yin conversed with Yueyao in the rear courtyard, saying, "Sister-in-law, my mother-in-law is gravely ill; the Imperial Physician said it may be any day now."

Half a month ago, Yueyao had heard that the Old Madam of Marquis of Weiyuan was seriously ill. Typically, a niece-in-law would visit a critically ill eldest aunt, but due to An Zhichen’s unique circumstances, Yueyao was unsure whether to go and consulted Nanny Hao and Nanny Hua. Both were long-standing figures with lots of experience, providing clearer insights. Yueyao occasionally sought their advice when she didn’t understand situations.

Nanny Hao and Nanny Hua agreed that this should be decided by the head of the household. Yueyao asked An Zhichen whether she should visit, and he advised her not to. Although Yueyao didn’t personally visit, she sent over many valuable medicinal herbs to avoid seeming rude.

Madam Yin, feeling awkward, finally said, "Sister-in-law, today my mother-in-law feels slightly better and expressed a desire to see Kexin, what do you think..."

Yueyao’s face turned stiff.

Madam Yin, bracing herself, said, "The Imperial Physician said if my mother-in-law has any requests, fulfilling them would ensure she passes without regrets. Sister-in-law, if there’s anything amiss when she sees Xiao Kexin, we’ll promptly have her moved away."

Usually soft-hearted, Yueyao would help within her capabilities, but things were different when it involved her daughter: "No way, I’m worried it might scare Kexin." Taking a child to see a dying elder—with the possibility of distressing her daughter—how could Yueyao, as a mother, dare to take such a risk?

Madam Yin persisted no further, realizing the final decision lay with An Zhichen. If he agreed, Yueyao’s objection would be futile.

When Yueyao learned An Zhichen agreed to take their daughter to see Lady Fang, she was furious: "I do not consent! What if the Old Madam frightens the child?"

With a grave expression, An Zhichen answered, "Zichang, trust me, the Old Madam won’t harm Kexin. She’s on her deathbed, and fulfilling this last wish would be significant for her parting. An Zhichen’s disregard for Maternal Aunt Liu wasn’t because he was heartless, but because he never saw her as a mother; her repeated attempts on his life only fueled his hatred. However, Lady Fang was different. Before the truth came to light, he always regarded Lady Fang as his mother in his heart.

Yueyao sat on the couch, turned her head, and ignored An Zhichen. She had no objections to other matters, but when it came to her daughter, Yueyao wouldn’t compromise.

Understanding Yueyao’s worries, An Zhichen said, "Zichang, I don’t wish to discuss Auntie’s and Maternal Aunt Liu’s grievances any further. But I must tell you, Auntie is not a cruel person." Lady Fang had schemed against him many times, and he held grudges. Yet upon learning the truth of his origins, those grievances faded away. Despite her machinations, Lady Fang never intended to take his life. When Maternal Aunt Liu resided on the manor and Old Marquis of Weiyuan frequently visited, Lady Fang could have easily harmed him but never did. Up until now, Lady Fang hadn’t wronged him, so An Zhichen felt it was right to fulfill Lady Fang’s final wish.