Chapter 496: Jealousy (1)_1
Xiao Ruiyuan came from the Hou Mansion. Despite having a heartless father with little affection for him, his grandfather, the old Lord Wei Yuan, was exceedingly affectionate towards his legitimate eldest grandson. Against his only son and daughter-in-law’s opposition, he took the boy under his wing and raised him personally. Otherwise, even if Xiao Ruiyuan were exceptionally talented, had he fallen into the hands of his stepmother, it would have been uncertain whether he could survive to adulthood, let alone become the revered Great General respected by those in power today.
When Xiao Ruiyuan was twelve, old Lord Wei Yuan’s chronic illness relapsed, beyond recovery, and knowing his days were numbered, he dragged his ailing body to submit a petition to Emperor Huian for his eldest grandson’s ennoblement as the Princely Heir. Granted approval, he disregarded whether it was proper or not and forcefully divided the family assets among his children and grandchildren—only then did he hold his grandson’s hand with a smile and closed his eyes for the last time.
As the heir of Lord Wei Yuan House and the future owner of the Hou Mansion, Xiao Ruiyuan inherited forty percent of the family’s wealth and all of the private wealth accumulated by the old marquis over the years. Combined, even if he were a prodigal son who squandered wealth, he would have enough to squander for several lifetimes.
Moreover, Xiao Ruiyuan’s mother came from a prominent family. When she married into the Hou Mansion with a lavish dowry, she left behind a dowry of a hundred thousand in silver, several shops, two fields, and ancient paintings worth a city’s fortune to her only son. His private treasury was certainly not lacking, so building a winery would not be difficult for him.
However, when he subtly expressed to the woman he loved the message "What’s mine is yours; feel free to use it," he was flatly rejected by the "unromantic" Mo Yanming:
"Bro Xiao, I’ve already arranged the silver needed to build the winery, so don’t worry! You are destined for greater things; that silver should be saved for more important uses, not to be spent on this!"