Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1097 - 463: Ma Peng’s Promotion (Part 2)

Yueyao looked troubled: "Sigh, I’m worried now. These three boys are already like this; when they grow up, they’ll drive me crazy." Yueyao was upset. How did she end up having three children in a muddle? Two would have been enough!

Mingzhu gloated for a long time.

Yueyao with a stern face said: "If you laugh again, I’ll kick you out." This woman can amuse herself for half a day with just a little fun found here, yet it’s unclear what’s so funny.

Mingzhu laughed and said: "It’s getting late, I should head back." Just as she stood up to leave, Mingzhu suddenly remembered something and said: "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, Yueyao, your sister-in-law has quite a good relationship with Qinglian, and many people are gossiping about it behind their backs."

Yueyao shook her head and said: "How is that possible? Madam Lin isn’t foolish; why would she get involved with Qinglian?"

Mingzhu rolled her eyes at Yueyao: "If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t believe it either. Keep this in mind, otherwise, you might get mocked at social gatherings without knowing why." Because of disasters in several provinces, entertainment activities in the Capital City have been halted. Since Yueyao completed her postpartum confinement, she hasn’t attended any social events. But once the disaster is over, the Capital City will surely return to its usual lively state. Then, people will definitely mock Yueyao.

Mu Qinglian is no longer the talented lady she once was in the Capital City. Now, she’s the second branch of Ning Lixuan, but second branch is merely a concubine. That Madam Lin, as a legal wife, being friendly with a concubine will bring ridicule to the Lian family. Yueyao has been friendly with Mingzhu for so many years, Mingzhu wouldn’t casually spout nonsense in front of her. After considering, Yueyao told Xi Yu to go and check: "Go to the Lian Mansion and find out if this is true." It’s not that Yueyao distrusts Mingzhu, but she can’t believe that Lin Qinghan would be so foolish, unable to differentiate the gravity of the situation.

Half of the people in Tingzheng’s house were chosen by Yueyao. Even if Lin Qinghan dislikes Yueyao, she couldn’t possibly replace everyone in the house from inside out, even if she wanted to, Tingzheng wouldn’t allow it. Because of this, it was convenient for Xi Yu to gather information.

Xi Yu first looked at Yueyao, seeing her expression was calm, then whispered: "Madam, Peng Chun’s Wife said Fourth Young Lady gave a gift to Lady Mu yesterday." This implied that Lin Qinghan indeed became friends with Mu Qinglian.

Upon hearing this news, Yueyao couldn’t decipher her own expression: "Did Madam Lin lose her mind?" Legal wives and concubines are natural enemies; Madam Lin befriending Qinglian makes it hard for other ladies to perceive her. Yueyao couldn’t believe Lin Qinghan could be this foolish.

Years of training had made Xi Yu adept at handling matters: "Madam, Qinglian is very skillful; many madams and ladies in the Capital City are good friends with her, not just the Fourth Young Lady."

Yueyao naturally knew Qinglian was formidable; despite being a concubine, she kept Ning Lixuan firmly in her grasp, and now she’s already birthed a son and daughter, yet Madam Wen remains childless. Moreover, Qinglian managed to convince the Lady of Duke Ning to let her manage the Duke Mansion’s affairs, representing the Duke Mansion in social events. Despite having a lower status, her reputation outside is quite favorable. Even Yueyao couldn’t help but admire Qinglian’s skills.

Xi Yu quietly suggested: "Madam, I think it’s best not to intervene on that matter. You don’t have a good relationship with the Fourth Young Lady; if you remind her, who knows how she’ll react?" Yueyao and Lin Qinghan’s relationship was poor, and both households were aware of it.

Yueyao regretted a bit; she had always trusted Xiang Wei’s judgment, but she didn’t expect Xiang Wei to make a mistake as well. If she had known this woman was unreliable, she would have objected to this marriage even if it meant being blamed by Tingzheng. But now that things were settled, there was nothing more to say: "I can’t interfere even if I wanted to; let her be! It’s impossible to control someone for a lifetime. Sigh, after all, she’s been pampered by her parents, still somewhat naive at heart."

Seeing this, Xi Yu specifically said: "Madam, I heard that the Heir’s Wife, Madam Wen, at Duke Ning’s Mansion is in poor health, bedridden for a long time, reportedly not expected to hold on much longer. People say once Madam Wen passes away, Lady Mu will assume her position."

Yueyao didn’t deny this possibility. If it weren’t for the Ning Family Clan’s opposition, Lady Mu would already be the Heir’s Wife by now; with a son and daughter and her family’s support, there shouldn’t be much opposition unless the clan disagrees. It’s just a pity for Madam Wen’s life.

Xi Yu quickly said: "There’s nothing much to pity. It’s not as if her family pushed her into this fire pit; she jumped into it herself." If her family had sought wealth and status through the marriage, it would be understandable; but her family wanted no part, yet she insisted on marrying Ning Lixuan, who can blame anyone but herself.

Yueyao waved her hand: "Let’s not discuss these depressing matters anymore." Qinglian was quite formidable; Yueyao knew this many years ago. However, Qinglian’s intelligence was entirely used in securing her status. It must be noted, it’s quite a sad affair.

Just after Yueyao finished talking to Xi Yu, she heard a burst of crying. Yueyao quickly entered the room and saw all three sons crying together; the eldest and second were already being comforted by their respective wet nurses, while the youngest was held by Nanny Hao.

Yueyao, feeling amused and annoyed, took the youngest from Nanny Hao. Strangely, although the three children looked different, their actions were in harmony; when one cried, the other two inevitably followed suit.

At the end of November, good news came from Hebei and Shandong, saying the plague was resolved by a traveling doctor.

Yueyao immediately knew that this traveling doctor must certainly be Doctor Li.

About Doctor Li’s worldwide fame, Yueyao soon heard another piece of good news. Ma Peng was promoted three ranks, his position elevated from Fifth Rank to Fourth Rank. With the Emperor’s decree, the threshold of Ma’s Mansion was nearly worn down.