Union

Chapter 180 It's Hard to Find a Wife

After leaving the Duke of Xuan's mansion, Chen Yanzhou stood at the entrance of the Duke's mansion for a moment before returning to the Duke of Rong's mansion.

At this moment, the Wenhua Garden in the Rongguo Duke's Mansion was bustling with activity.

Zhang Luxi came to visit Xiao Fengshi in his old age to pay his respects. Coincidentally, Chen Yanxi got up early that day and also joined her mother to listen to her mother and sister-in-law talking.

Just as the three were joking around, news of General Pingxi recognizing a woman reached the mansion.

This left the three of them speechless, frozen in place for a long time.

Even after Chen Yanzhou returned to his residence, the three of them huddled together and whispered among themselves, "Yanzhou's luck is extraordinary," "He probably already knew something," and "Yanzhou has good taste, but it's a pity that Yunying's identity has changed. If Yanzhou still wants to marry Yunying, this is a long shot."

Upon hearing the servant's report that the Second Master had returned, Zhang Luxi and Chen Yanxi both stood up.

Chen Yanzhou saw his sister-in-law and her maidservants outside the door and guessed that the two were inside talking to his mother, so he wasn't surprised to see them.

He greeted his sister-in-law and then jokingly remarked to his younger sister, "You seem unusually energetic today."

Both men returned his greetings. Zhang Luxi didn't linger, considerately offering his seat to Chen Yanzhou before heading off to attend to the household affairs.

Chen Yanxi is the younger sister. Unlike her sister-in-law, she clearly wanted to stay and listen to the gossip, but due to her status and moral character, she couldn't stay.

She is different.

She's the younger sister, so it's understandable that she's spoiled and willful. As long as her second brother doesn't kick her out, she'll stay here.

Chen Yanxi was determined to be a scoundrel to the end. Seeing this, Madam Feng and Chen Yanzhou couldn't help but glance at her a few more times, but in the end they didn't chase her out.

After the maidservant served tea and left, Madam Feng asked her son, "Did you go to the Duke of Xuan's residence just now?"

"Yes, I stayed there for a while."

Madam Feng was surprised, "General Pingxi actually let you into the mansion?"

That's so rare!

If any brat dared to covet her newly found daughter, she, with her good temper, would want to beat him to a pulp. Not retaliating in front of everyone was simply a matter of her upbringing. But letting that person into the manor was absolutely out of the question.

Ms. Feng stared intently at her son's face, and sure enough, she saw a fleeting look of embarrassment on his face.

Well, if someone wasn't invited in, they must have shamelessly squeezed in.

Ms. Feng covered her face, feeling utterly ashamed.

Chen Yanxi also thought of this scene and couldn't help but chuckle.

Chen Yanzhou glared at her, and Chen Yanxi shrank back. Then, remembering that her mother was there and her second brother couldn't really do anything to her, she stopped hiding her laughter and burst out laughing.

"Second brother, you've finally met your match."

In the past, my second brother disliked this person and that person. It was like inviting someone to visit him to hell. It was extremely difficult.

If my second brother were to go out to attend someone's banquet, that family would surely feel honored and proud.

Now things are really messed up; my second brother is no longer welcome. In order to even get into the Duke of Xuan's mansion, he has to pretend to be stupid and shamelessly pester everyone.

Hey, it's hilarious just thinking about it.

Chen Yanxi's laughter, which she had finally managed to stop, started again.

Seeing this, Chen Yanzhou couldn't help but cough lightly, pick up his teacup and take a sip of tea to cover up his embarrassment.

Ultimately, it was Madam Feng who felt sorry for her son, and she couldn't help but pat her daughter on the shoulder, telling her to know when to stop. If she really offended her second brother, it would be impossible to get Yan Zhou to secretly give her more pocket money in the future.

Chen Yanxi was quick-witted and immediately shut her mouth.

After recovering from the awkwardness, Chen Yanzhou asked his mother, "Has this matter reached your ears?"

"What do you think? The capital is only so big. If there's any news, it'll spread like wildfire." Not to mention this happened right at the palace gate.

Which powerful family, noble official, or high-ranking official didn't keep a close eye on everything happening in the palace?
Any slight movement over there would be immediately reported to these noble residences.

Not to mention today's event, which not only combines three popular elements—"the Imperial Palace," "General Pingxi," and "Yunying"—but also, if we delve deeper, involves the Xuanguo Duke's Mansion, the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, and the Chang'an Marquis's Mansion. It even touches upon a long-buried past, involving the tear-jerking moment of a father and daughter recognizing each other. It's impossible for it not to explode in public.

Madam Feng said, "It's not just in our household; you can look all over the capital. I'm sure that every noble and court official in the capital knows about this now."

After a moment, Madam Feng said quietly, "The Marquis of Chang'an's residence must have received the letter as well."

When the words "Chang'an Marquis's Residence" were mentioned, Madam Feng's tone remained calm and composed. However, she thought of the current state of the Chang'an Marquis's Residence, where everyone was burdened with troubles and filled with anxiety, like stray dogs. On the other hand, Yun Ying, a maidservant who had been manipulated and humiliated by them in the past, had now completely turned her life around and might even rise to a position of power. If the people in the Chang'an Marquis's Residence knew about this, they would probably be furious.

Thinking of the Marquis of Chang'an's residence, Madam Feng thought of Lin Shuqing, and thinking of Lin Shuqing, Madam Feng couldn't help but look at her son.

In her opinion, her son is truly lucky.

Previously, he had stubbornly insisted on petitioning on behalf of Grand Secretary Tong, thus offending the Emperor and being directly exiled to Lingnan. It was thought that given his son's arrogance, after this setback, he would be lucky to recover in three to five years.

Unexpectedly, sending Yunying over there actually boosted his son's enthusiasm.

These days she asked her husband about the "terraced fields" and learned a lot about her son's past in Lingnan.

It was also thanks to Yunying that her son managed the rear area so well. It was also thanks to Yunying that her son made many innovative moves, was not afraid of difficulties, and achieved remarkable political achievements in just two or three years.

Back in the capital, her son divorced Lin Shuqing and insisted on marrying Yunying. She didn't think there was anything wrong with Yunying, and she was happy that her son could grow old with his sweetheart. But all of this couldn't hide the fact that Yunying was just a maid with no background and no support.

Little did they know, fate had already arranged everything.

Yunying went from being a maid to becoming the daughter of the Duke's mansion.

The Duke of Xuan's Mansion was a prestigious family in no way inferior to the Duke of Rong's Mansion. What was rare was that although the family was small, all three generations—old, middle-aged, and young—were no ordinary people.

Let's not even talk about the older generation, such as the Duke of Xuan.

That was a well-known slickness throughout the court.

But his slickness and roguishness could not hide his pride. Although he was unruly and unambitious in his youth, he began to work hard in his forties and has now become the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He is a typical example of someone who achieves great things late in life and holds great power. He is only one step away from entering the cabinet.

Among the middle generation is General Pingxi, a true favorite of the Emperor. He has distinguished himself in the Northwest, achieving remarkable military exploits in just one or two decades, making significant contributions to the country and its people. Even women and children admire him greatly. The younger generation, led by Gu Yuanming, currently serves in the Dali Temple. The Dali Temple, along with the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice, forms the Three Departments, responsible for all criminal cases and litigation within the Great Xia Kingdom.

Gu Yuanming had just turned thirty, yet he had already become a fourth-rank official. While he had the support of his father, grandfather, and father-in-law, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, he was also a third-rank scholar in the imperial examinations, capable and decisive in his work, and truly an outstanding young talent.

The most obscure person in the Duke of Xuan's mansion these days is Gu Yuanxi. However, because her son has been close to Gu Yuanxi since childhood, Madam Feng also knows a great deal about Gu Yuanxi.

Although this child is not as talented as his older brother, he still ranked in the second class in the palace examination and was granted the title of Jinshi by His Majesty. He is now an editor in the Hanlin Academy.

Rumors have been circulating that this child is likely to be promoted. It's uncertain whether he'll become a scribe or a lecturer, but both positions will require him to be frequently seen in the palace. If he's lucky, he might not only be able to lecture to the princes and princesses, but even discuss classics and historical texts with His Majesty…

The Duke of Xuan's family truly lived up to the saying, "a family full of outstanding talents."

In contrast, the Marquis of Chang'an was ambitious but incompetent, greedy and hypocritical, and fond of petty and despicable acts. The heir of the Marquis of Chang'an was not as shrewd as his father, but he was mediocre, incompetent, timid, and afraid of trouble.

As the heir of a marquis's family, even if he was a bit hot-tempered and cunning, he was still far better than being mediocre and incompetent. His incompetence was not only reflected in his inability to handle situations, but also in his inability to change the deep-seated problems of the Marquis of Chang'an's family.

If the heir apparent is like this, then his younger brother, who is studying at the Imperial Academy in the Chang'an Marquis's household, is no better.

That child was like many noble young masters from prominent families who didn't need to support the household.

He was skilled at sweet talk and acted obediently and considerately in front of his elders, but outside he was dissolute and frivolous, regarding his studies as a terrible threat.

This in-law relationship had caused Madam Feng a great deal of trouble.

But since their son had ruined the girl's reputation, they couldn't just leave it unaddressed. Even if the entire Chang'an Marquis's household couldn't bring themselves to admit it, they had no choice but to accept it, even if it meant swallowing their pride.

Compared to the incompetent and chaotic Chang'an Marquis's mansion, the mansions of those meritorious nobles who had done nothing wrong seemed much more pleasing to the eye.

If you compare the Chang'an Marquis's residence with the Xuanguo Duke's residence, the Xuanguo Duke's residence is made to look like a fairy's abode.

Well, no need to elaborate, the Duke of Xuan's mansion is actually quite good.

She had even considered arranging a marriage between Xi'er and Yuan Xi.

Now it all depends on whether Yanzhou can marry Yunying.

If Yanzhou is fortunate enough to have such a relationship, then the matter between Xi'er and Yuanxi will naturally be dropped; if the two are not destined to be together, she will have to do her best to marry her daughter into that household.

All these thoughts raced through Xiao Feng's mind in just a moment.

Once she came to her senses, Madam Feng asked about the current progress of the matter.

Chen Yanzhou didn't hide anything from his mother and told her everything he could.

Madam Feng learned from Chen Yanzhou that Yunying did not cling to the Duke of Xuan's mansion, but instead insisted on meeting her adoptive father to prove her origins.

After a moment of surprise, she couldn't help but say, "This girl has a kind heart."

If an ordinary person were in this situation, they would have already rushed over and begged for their father and grandmother. But she remained calm and even demanded to be verified.

While this doesn't prove the girl isn't interested in power and wealth, it at least demonstrates her strong will and ability to stay true to herself. Not being tempted by worldly vanity is truly precious for a young girl who has endured so much hardship. Even among the carefully nurtured daughters of noble families in the capital, few can achieve this.

Ms. Feng couldn't help but add another compliment, "She truly is a good girl."

Chen Yanxi interjected, "The young lady is naturally good, otherwise my second brother wouldn't have fallen for her. It's just that the young lady's status is different now, so I don't know if the family would still be willing to marry her to my second brother."

These words were like a knife to Chen Yanzhou's heart.

Chen Yanzhou's relaxed expression immediately turned somber again.

Seeing this, Madam Feng immediately understood that her son had suffered a setback at the Duke of Xuan's mansion.

But can we blame others for this?

He has no one to blame but himself.

Aristocratic families value rules and dignity above all else.

The son believed that there was nothing between him and Yunying that was shameful, but the fact that he was supporting and helping Yunying, and that he was alone with Yunying in a room without any elders present, was seen as a transgression and an indication that he had ulterior motives by the protective elders.

In the past, Yunying didn't have any proper elders, so no one cared about this matter. But now Yunying has several close relatives who are very protective of their own. Even if her son is not wrong, they will find fault with him. What's more, he has made a lot of mistakes. They want to drag him out and beat him to death by the elders.

In this situation, what can a mother do?

Little Feng was also numb.

This was the first time she had encountered such a situation, and she found it quite challenging.

Madam Feng, rubbing her forehead with a headache, said, "For the next couple of days, you should stay home and keep quiet. Don't cause any more trouble. You can discuss the matter with your father later. But in my opinion, if you really want to marry this girl, you should be more serious and sincere. You should pick up the rules and virtues of a young master from a noble family and make sure there's nothing more that people can criticize you for."

Chen Yanzhou replied in a slightly hoarse voice, "My son knows."

"And then there's the Marquis of Chang'an's residence..."

Chen Yanxi looked up. "Why are they everywhere? What does this have to do with them?"

Madam Feng gently patted her daughter's hair, telling her not to interrupt.

"Everyone knows that Yunying came from that mansion, and the Marquis of Chang'an's mansion has suffered misfortune. I'm afraid that they'll be desperate and come to the Duke of Xuan's mansion."

Chen Yanxi was confused. "How dare they?"

"Why wouldn't we dare? Xi'er, you're still young. You don't understand the evil in human nature, nor do you understand that when people are desperate, they might grasp at a weed as a lifeline. The Marquis of Chang'an's mansion isn't a mansion with any backbone. If they had backbone, we wouldn't care about their nonsense. What we're afraid of is that they're not willing to accept their decline and are hoping to try again. So, do you think they might use Yunying's background to climb up to the Duke of Xuan's mansion?"

Yunying entered that manor at the age of ten and was sent to her son's side when she was fifteen. During that time, she lived in the Chang'an Marquis's mansion for five years.

In those five years, a great deal of things could have happened. If the Marquis of Chang'an's mansion fabricated stories about Yunying's immoral conduct, seductive manners, and dishonest behavior, it would certainly damage Yunying's public image.

Under these circumstances, it's uncertain whether the Duke of Xuan's mansion, fearing repercussions, will compromise with the Marquis of Chang'an's mansion.

Logically, this shouldn't be the case, especially since Yunying nearly lost her life at Lin Shuqing's hands. However, reputation is just as important as chastity for a woman, and the concern is that the Duke of Xuan's mansion might be manipulated.

(End of this chapter)