Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 569 - 222 Truth (Part 1)

The yard was bustling with activity as they tidied up, but the bedroom was eerily quiet. Yueyao leaned against the headboard, silent for a long while.

Xiang Wei knew that if she allowed Yueyao to continue pondering, who knew what she would think of and until when. She took the initiative to speak, "Miss, what are you hesitating about? Or do you not trust me?" She needed to know Yueyao’s plans in order to strategize for her own future. freewёbnoνel.com

Yueyao turned her head to look at the small goldfish in the fishbowl on the table beside her, swimming freely, waving its little tail. It was a while before she spoke, "Xiang Wei, I do have reservations. You won’t be with me for long; how is telling you going to help?" Yueyao didn’t mistrust Xiang Wei, but she felt that Xiang Wei wouldn’t stay by her side forever, so speaking or not made no difference.

Xiang Wei was momentarily stunned, then chuckled, "Unless Miss decides to send me away, I will be by your side for a lifetime." Xiang Wei didn’t swear her undying loyalty to Yueyao, but she clearly demonstrated her resolve.

Yueyao was surprised and asked, "Are you serious? Even if the Marquis Jingning’s Residence asks you to return, can you refuse to go back?" After spending some time together, Yueyao was certain that Xiang Wei was not an ordinary person but a rare talent. Yueyao knew well that cultivating a talent required considerable human, material, and financial resources; she didn’t think the Marquis Jingning’s Residence would easily give up on Xiang Wei.

Xiang Wei was very surprised and said, "Didn’t you make a deal with the Princely Heir?" She heard from Bai Yi that Yueyao had made a deal with the Princely Heir, who had then placed her with Yueyao. Could something have gone wrong in the meantime?

Yueyao exclaimed, "When did I make a deal with the Princely Heir?" She had only made a request and had never even met the Princely Heir, let alone made any deal with him.

Xiang Wei burst into laughter, "Without the Princely Heir’s consent, I couldn’t possibly be by your side. Since I was given to you by the Princely Heir, there’s absolutely no reason for me to go back. Have you ever seen a gift that needs to be returned?" Maybe there are such cases, but surely the Princely Heir isn’t one of them.

Yueyao felt displeased and said, "Seriously, why do you compare yourself to an object? It’s not even auspicious."

Xiang Wei lost her smile but didn’t argue with Yueyao over this trivial matter, "Just know that the Princely Heir wouldn’t ask me to return. If you are not at ease, I’ll sign a contract of servitude with you."

Yueyao merely felt that Xiang Wei was a talent and that the Princely Heir wouldn’t simply let go of her; there was no need for Xiang Wei’s contract of servitude.

Xiang Wei happily said, "Miss thinks I’m a talent, but in the eyes of the Princely Heir, I’m currently just deadweight." A follower who couldn’t serve their master was naturally considered deadweight.

Yueyao sharply criticized, "Nonsense, that’s just the Princely Heir lacking discernment." No matter what Xiang Wei faced, in Yueyao’s eyes, she was extremely capable.

Xiang Wei didn’t follow Yueyao’s change of topic any further, knowing well that if she did, it was hard to tell where the conversation would end. Xiang Wei said, "You can tell me about your future plans now."

Yueyao, feeling relieved by Xiang Wei’s decision to stay, wondered how she could not feel reassured? With such a capable person by her side, Yueyao smiled and said, "I want to become a Great Painter, to be like Mr. Yu Shan and Teacher Wen." She had no interest in marriage; her sole objective now was to become a world-renowned Great Painter.

Xiang Wei wept silently as she smiled, "What about the marriage arrangement with the Shen family?" This was what Xiang Wei wanted to know the most. Xiang Wei wasn’t saying that getting married would prevent Yueyao from continuing her painting, but Lady Mu from the Shen family was not an easy person to deal with, and it would be difficult for Yueyao to concentrate if she married into the Shen family.

Yueyao just smiled.

Xiang Wei disliked Yueyao’s expression the most, using silence or a smile to respond when asked about crucial matters, making it difficult to understand what she really meant, "If you don’t tell me now, how can I coordinate with you in the future?"

Yueyao still had a smile on her lips, "Don’t you already know? Why ask again?" It would be strange if Xiang Wei, such a clever person, couldn’t guess her thoughts from her cold attitude toward Shen Conghao.

Xiang Wei felt Yueyao was really tiresome, following such a master was indeed a cause for concern, "Then, when do you plan to cancel the engagement? Forget about the issues with Lian Mansion, but you can’t handle breaking off with the Shen family the same way." Yueyao had repeatedly conceded to Lian Mansion, and although Xiang Wei didn’t agree with Yueyao’s approach, she hadn’t resolutely opposed it because she knew Yueyao still harbored fondness for Lian Mansion. Regardless, Lian Mansion was Yueyao’s home, her roots, but the Shen family was different; there was no familial affection there, and this time, breaking the engagement couldn’t afford any losses.

Yueyao smiled and said, "The matter of breaking off the engagement isn’t urgent. It also has to be three to five years later. Don’t worry, by then things definitely won’t be the same as they are now."

Xiang Wei felt unsatisfied with Yueyao’s passive stance, "Are you planning to wait for the Shen family to take the initiative to break off the engagement? How can this work?"

Yueyao shook her head, "Don’t worry, the Shen family won’t take the initiative to break off the engagement. My father saved Shen Qian’s life; unless I break it off, they won’t do it first."

Xiang Wei, being extremely perceptive, immediately sensed Yueyao’s dissatisfaction with the Shen family, "Has the Shen family offended you?"

Yueyao truly couldn’t understand Xiang Wei’s burning gossip enthusiasm, "You said it yourself, Lady Shen Mu is not easy to deal with. It’s said that after ten years the daughter-in-law becomes the mother-in-law, but with a cunning and power-driven mother-in-law, one might not last ten years without having to report to King of Hell Yama Raja. I have a huge fortune, why should I endure her torment?"

Xiang Wei didn’t believe this excuse. She knew well that Yueyao was a very kind-hearted person. If the Shen family hadn’t done something that truly crossed Yueyao’s line, she wouldn’t have such an aversion to them, "But wait three to five years until you are older and past the Blooming Apricot Period, then won’t you be at a disadvantage?"

Yueyao hadn’t mentioned to Xiang Wei her disinclination to marry, which for many was incomprehensible. It wouldn’t be too late to talk about it when the time came, "Do you think that at fifteen or sixteen years old one is too old to marry?" Even if she wasn’t inclined against marriage, fifteen or sixteen was just right. From what she understood, it was best for a woman to have children after the age of eighteen.

Xiang Wei pouted, "By the time you want to marry, the line of suitors could stretch to the city gates." With Yueyao’s appearance and character, plus a substantial dowry, she would definitely find a good family.

Yueyao smiled and shook her head. Some people didn’t value that; what they valued more was whether the daughter-in-law they were marrying could bring benefits. These benefits didn’t refer solely to wealth but also to background.

Xiang Wei, feeling she had said enough, again thought of going out. Staying in the room for an hour or two was bearable, but being confined all day long was akin to asking for her life.

Yet Yueyao adjusted the cushion behind her and leaned back into a new position. Then she said, "Don’t rush off. You need to explain this matter clearly to me."

Xiang Wei’s heart skipped a beat, yet her face showed confusion, "What matter needs to be clarified?"

Yueyao hadn’t planned to speak of this matter, as if Xiang Wei left immediately, there’d be no benefit in revealing it. But since Xiang Wei planned to stay by her side, Yueyao couldn’t indulge Xiang Wei’s habits any longer, "The matter of poisoning, you should clarify it to me. What’s going on with Maternal Aunt Bu? And what about the kitchen maid?"

Xiang Wei’s expression changed, "What do you mean by that?"

Yueyao said amusedly, "Pretend, keep pretending. Let’s see how long you can act?" One could see the traces if they thought about it carefully. Maternal Aunt Bu was just an aunt; she didn’t have the means to procure poison or convince the kitchen maid. There had to be a mastermind behind this, and Yueyao didn’t think it was from the Mo family.

Yueyao hadn’t suspected Xiang Wei until Xi Yu mentioned something to her one day, noting that Xiang Wei and Bai Yi got along extremely well and were always talking. That’s when Yueyao became suspicious. Xiang Wei had been by her side for some time, yet never had they communicated as frequently as recently. Yueyao suspected that this was a trap Xiang Wei and Bai Yi had set up together.

Xiang Wei said in astonishment, "I didn’t expect you to guess it. Yes, I asked Bai Yi for help, and many insider news from Lian Mansion was told to me by her. Otherwise, I couldn’t have set such a trap, and we wouldn’t have been able to leave so smoothly."

That Yueyao had guessed Xiang Wei was behind it didn’t anger her. Xiang Wei must have seen her desire to leave Lian Mansion but being unable to do so, which is why she set up this scheme. However, Yueyao’s point was that Xiang Wei should inform her about everything in the future, "Did Bai Yi send someone to investigate? Will Bai Yi be punished if discovered?" Bai Yi was helping her secretly; if exposed, she would definitely face severe punishment.

Xiang Wei laughed, "Why would Bai Yi help you secretly? This matter was approved by the Heir of Marquis Jingning. The little authority Bai Yi has comes from Marquis Jingning’s Residence. If she dared to misuse her power without the master’s consent, she wouldn’t escape severe punishment, let alone execution."

Yueyao was shocked, her mouth agape; after a while, she asked, "You mean, this matter was approved by the Heir of Marquis Jingning?" It seemed unbelievable to Yueyao that the Heir of Marquis Jingning would agree to Bai Yi’s mischief.

Xiang Wei chuckled, "Don’t you believe it?"

Yueyao quickly shook her head, "No." It felt strange to her that such a trivial matter would involve the Heir of Marquis Jingning.

Confused, Yueyao asked, "Why would the Heir of Marquis Jingning agree to this?" The Heir of Marquis Jingning was a man focused on significant matters; naturally, he wouldn’t help just because of Mingzhu.

Xiang Wei felt Yueyao was blessed with the naivety of foolishness; few could catch the eye of the Heir. "You have taught Mingzhu so well, the Heir owes you a favor. So when Bai Yi mentioned this matter to him, he approved." As long as the Heir had given his approval, Bai Yi’s actions were facilitated and without future repercussions.

Yueyao mused to herself, "I feel like we’re using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

Xiang Wei burst out laughing, "The Heir only agreed to let Bai Yi help, not to handle it personally. I just asked Bai Yi to check up on some people from Lian Mansion and then plan according to these people’s situations." If the Heir himself had dealt with this matter, then it really would have been using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Yueyao was finally reassured; she didn’t want to owe Marquis Jingning’s Residence such a huge favor. However, Yueyao did feel grateful to the Heir of Marquis Jingning.

Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.co(m)