Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1351 - 553: Tingzheng Returns to the Capital
When Kexin arrived at the Main Courtyard, Brother Sheng, Brother Fei, and Brother Xu had all returned, just missing her mother who was still in the studio.
After a while, Yueyao also came out.
During dinner, Kexin observed that her mother showed no signs of anything being amiss, which felt strange to her. After the meal, Kexin couldn’t help but ask Yueyao, "Mom, aren’t you angry anymore?"
Yueyao replied with a smile, "It’s not like I did anything wrong, so why should I be angry? If I got angry, wouldn’t that be punishing myself for someone else’s mistake?" Yueyao hoped to teach her children through words and actions to be open-minded.
Kexin seemed thoughtful.
Brother Sheng sensed something was off upon hearing this and immediately asked, "Big sis, what’s going on? Who upset Mom?"
Yueyao initially wanted to stop Kexin from speaking, but An Zhichen shook his head at Yueyao and said, "Let Kexin speak!" An Zhichen believed that not letting the children know anything wasn’t good for them. Besides, this matter would definitely stir up quite a storm, and it was important for the children to know the whole story so they’d be informed when outsiders asked.
Kexin briefly explained the situation.
When the three brothers heard that Wanting called Yueyao malicious, their expressions turned unpleasant. Brother Fei was the first to voice his opinion, "Mom is right, we shouldn’t bother with people like that. Getting upset with them is just troubling ourselves." What their mother said was indeed very wise.
However, Brother Sheng disagreed with Brother Fei, "We’ve been bullied right at our doorstep, we can’t just let it go." Yueyao treated all her children equally, but An Zhichen’s way of teaching was different.
Being the eldest son, Brother Sheng was to inherit the family business in the future, so An Zhichen focused on nurturing him. The results were significant, and now Brother Sheng was no longer in the shadows of Brother Fei and Brother Xu; he was the first to step forward whenever anything happened.
Brother Xu completely sided with Brother Sheng.
An Zhichen was satisfied with Brother Sheng’s performance, "You’re still young now, it’s not appropriate to intervene in this matter, but when you grow up, you’ll need to learn to help ease the burden on your parents."
The four children had no objections. Even though An Zhichen had not been home for many years, his authority over the children was firmly established upon his return—so much so that Yueyao took a backseat.
After returning from the Lin family, Lin Qinghan found out that Wanting had gone to the An family and immediately sought her out, asking, "Why did you go to the An family behind my back?"
With tears in her eyes, Wanting said, "Mom, I wanted to plead with Aunt to ask dad not to divorce you. Mom, I don’t want you to leave; I don’t want to be a child without a mother."
Lin Qinghan hugged Wanting and said gently, "Don’t worry, your dad won’t divorce me."
Wanting wiped her tears and said, "But everyone says that dad will divorce you because Aunt said so." Not just the people in the mansion; even her grandmother said the same, which made Wanting worry and fear.
Lin Qinghan spoke firmly, "Ting’er, don’t listen to the nonsense outside, your dad won’t leave me or you." Lin Qinghan was absolutely confident in this.
Seeing Lin Qinghan’s attitude, Wanting immediately felt at ease.
After comforting her daughter, Lin Qinghan returned to her courtyard and instructed the maid to bring out a Yellow Pearwood Box filled with letters. Lin Qinghan randomly picked one to read, and after finishing, her expression became even more resolute.
This incident actually caused unrest in the second branch of the Lian family as well. At night, Peng Chun’s wife anxiously asked Peng Chun, "What do you think, with rumors in the mansion about the Great Aunt wanting the Old Master to divorce Madam, is it true?"
After contemplating for a moment, Peng Chun replied, "There’s no smoke without fire; this might be true." Considering Madam Lin’s behavior, having such a wife is truly unfortunate for any family.
Peng Chun’s wife couldn’t quite understand Madam Lin either; if the Great Aunt were difficult and unreasonable, it would be understandable to avoid her, but the Great Aunt was nothing but kind and easy-going, yet Madam Lin managed to fall out with her. "What do you think, will the Old Master listen to the Great Aunt?"
Peng Chun shook his head and said, "It’s hard to say!"
Peng Chun’s wife held a different opinion: "If the Old Master doesn’t heed the Great Aunt’s words and is unwilling to divorce Madam Lin, what shall we do?" Lin Qinghan greatly disliked the original servants of the Lian family, and now only used the ones who came with her dowry. However, Peng Chun was the Chief Steward of the front courtyard, beyond Lin Qinghan’s reach, but Peng Chun’s wife held an idle position.
Peng Chun was lost in thought. Back then, he had an agreement with Yueyao that when Tingzheng reached adulthood, he would release their family’s indenture. Later, seeing Tingzheng’s promising prospects, Peng Chun hadn’t left the Lian family and stayed on to help manage the household affairs.
Peng Chun thought for a moment: "Wait for the Old Master to return and then see!" Yueyao, seeing he was willing to stay, decided to release his two sons from slavery and found a good family for his daughter Cuicui.
Peng Chun’s eldest son had followed Tingzheng from a young age to study and learned quite a bit of words. Although not suited for academic pursuits, he could still write and calculate, and now worked as an accountant at a tavern. His younger son was good at martial arts, and after Yueyao heard of it, she arranged a constable’s position for him. Though not exceedingly rich, he still earned a steady government salary. Now, both of Peng Chun’s sons are married with children, living well. Peng Chun has remained at Lian Mansion because he appreciated Yueyao’s kindness.
Peng Chun’s wife had little faith in Tingzheng; Lin was so arrogant, largely due to Tingzheng’s attitude: "The children’s father, the Great Aunt wants the Old Master to divorce Lin for his own good, or else who would willingly be the villain? If the Old Master doesn’t appreciate it, he will surely fall out with the Great Aunt. We should plan early!" Peng Chun’s wife thought such a wife should have been divorced much earlier.
Peng Chun remained silent for a long time before finally saying: "Wait for the Old Master’s decision upon his return." If the Old Master would forsake his own sister for such an unworthy woman like Lin, then he couldn’t remain with the Lian family.
Yueyao didn’t realize Peng Chun and his wife were pondering so much because of this matter. She was currently unhappy because An Zhichen was talking to the child about domestic affairs. Yueyao complained: "The child is still young. It’s one thing to mention these matters, but to say they should grow up to share our worries—it’s too hasty!"
An Zhichen shook his head and said: "How is it hasty? The child is eight years old now; he should know about family matters. Yueyao, it doesn’t harm them for the children to experience more." The more experiences a child undergoes, the more mature they become and the better they understand what they want to do.
This was An Zhichen’s personal experience; compared with An Zhixiao, he used to envy An Zhixiao as a child, but now An Zhixiao envies him. Their status has switched roles, it’s not that An Zhixiao is less intelligent—on the contrary, An Zhixiao is more clever. The fundamental reason lies in their living environments. Raised amidst hardships, An Zhichen knew from an early age that only by becoming strong enough that even Marquis Weiyuan and Lady of Marquis Weiyuan couldn’t affect him, could his life not be controlled by them. Hence, he constantly endeavored towards this direction. Meanwhile, An Zhixiao was well protected by Lady Fang, who prepared everything for him, and has never faced any setbacks. A too smooth life isn’t necessarily a blessing.
Though Yueyao wasn’t quite in agreement with An Zhichen’s approach, she knew he understood the outside world far better than she did.
An Zhichen shifted away from the topic of children: "Wanting came today, what’s your view?" He suspected Yueyao might have wavered.
Yueyao hadn’t wavered but felt uneasy: "If Lin really divorces Tingzheng, what future does Wanting have?"
An Zhichen was surprised, thinking she would dismiss it, saying never mind: "You grew up well with Tingzheng even without your father and mother at seven. Let alone Wanting still has Tingzheng as a father; would Tingzheng neglect her?"
Yueyao found herself conflicted; reason told her letting Lin separate from Tingzheng was beneficial both for Tingzheng and the second branch of the Lian family. Yet, emotionally, Yueyao felt guilty, thinking divorcing a couple would make her evil: "Is there no perfect solution?"
An Zhichen shook his head: "No, even if Tingzheng marries a second wife, it cannot thoroughly solve this matter." Actions must be clean and thorough, doing halfway isn’t his style.
Yueyao was already stressed over the painting exhibition and now troubled by these domestic matters, feeling particularly exhausted.
An Zhichen held Yueyao’s hand and said: "No painting today, rest early." Although An Zhichen supported Yueyao’s exhibition, he didn’t want her to be too weary.
Unfortunately, Wanting’s issue had impacted Yueyao significantly, as she tossed and turned unable to sleep, thinking of Wanting’s pitiful appearance whenever she closed her eyes.
Seeing this, An Zhichen simply pinned Yueyao beneath him, softly saying: "Since you can’t sleep, let’s do something else!"
Yueyao blushed a little but did not refuse.
After several times of intimacy, Yueyao was too tired to think about those worrisome concerns, and fell into a deep sleep.
The next day, Yueyao didn’t get up until late morning, and upon noticing Kexin’s curious gaze, she wished she could find a hole to hide in.
Fortunately, Kexin didn’t probe further but only informed Yueyao about matters in the mansion. Now, Kexin was managing the Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion, and despite her young age, handling everything methodically to Yueyao’s astonishment.
In the afternoon, Yueyao stayed as usual in the studio. During supper, An Zhichen mentioned something to Yueyao: "Tingzheng will arrive in Beijing tomorrow."
Yueyao’s heart skipped a beat but soon regained her composure. As for the four children, they were unfamiliar with Tingzheng from the start, and knowing that this aunt Lin often shamed their mother, they had no good impression of Tingzheng either.
