The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Chapter 156 Zhiwan: Don't touch me

When Madam Wei saw that she already knew, she didn't hide it from her. She said indifferently, "Your cousin is already so grown up. Once he gets married and has children, I will be a grandmother. I don't care whether your uncle has other women or illegitimate children."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan felt even more distressed, because she knew that her aunt was being sarcastic.

How could my aunt not care?
My aunt and uncle had such a good relationship. Over the years, my uncle only had my aunt as his wife. He didn't have any concubines in the mansion. The two were a well-known loving couple in the capital.

But now, it's suddenly been revealed that my uncle is keeping a mistress outside the home, and their illegitimate child is already eight years old. Now, he's even brazenly moving into our house. How can my aunt stand it? How can she not feel disgusted?

She didn't believe her uncle would betray her aunt, but the woman and child had moved into the mansion and were now outside the Lan Courtyard, leaving her no choice but to believe it.

For a moment, Zhiwan didn't know what words of comfort to say, so she just held Wei's hand tightly.

Madam Wei stroked her hair and changed the subject, saying, "Did you have a good time in Yangzhou? Did you visit your parents' graves?"

Zhiwan nodded, "Yes, my cousin personally accompanied me back to Jurong to sweep the grave."

"That's good." Madam Wei looked relieved.

To cheer her aunt up, Zhiwan told her many interesting stories from Yangzhou, as well as about Chen's family.

Seeing a smile finally appear on her aunt's face, Zhiwan felt slightly relieved.

Just then, Granny Fang, who had been talking to Yin Liu outside the door, walked in.

Upon learning of the hardships Madam Wei had endured and seeing her gaunt face, Granny Fang felt a pang of heartache. As soon as she entered, her eyes welled up with tears. "Madam has suffered so much these past few days."

The smile on Madam Wei's face faded slightly. "Granny Fang, you've had a hard time these past few days."

Granny Fang wiped her eyes. "This old servant is not tired." Thinking of the Wang mother and son standing outside the courtyard when she returned, trying to annoy the madam, she gritted her teeth and said hatefully, "Madam, this old servant will go and deal with that wretch to vent your anger."

Madam Wei's expression changed, and she called out to her, "Granny Fang, forget it!"

Granny Fang stopped in her tracks, somewhat puzzled. "Madam?"

Madam Wei sighed, "If I wanted to deal with her, it would be easy, but what's the point? What's done is done. If I deal with her, will it be as if nothing happened? Forget it."

Granny Fang said with heartache, "How could the Duke... Alas!"

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, could you have some kind of reason? Did you explain the reason to Aunt?"

Wei was taken aback for a moment, then said sarcastically, "Having a reason is just a man's excuse. I can't understand what kind of reason could make him keep a mistress and have an illegitimate child."

Over the years, I've realized I misjudged him.

Hearing her angry words, Zhiwan frowned slightly.

She wasn't trying to speak up for her uncle, but rather she couldn't understand why he would betray her aunt and keep her in the dark for so many years.

That concubine, Wang, made a scene at the Censorate, causing my uncle to be impeached. For the sake of the family's reputation, Old Madam Lu decided to let her into the Duke's Mansion. Clearly, my uncle didn't value that concubine, Wang, very much.

Perhaps there really is some misunderstanding involved.

She was worried that her aunt was angry and didn't listen to her uncle's explanation.

And now it seems that my aunt really didn't give my uncle a chance to explain.

Madam Wei did not want to bring up the matter again, and instructed Zhiwan, "Remember to pay your respects to the old lady later."

“Okay,” Zhiwan agreed. When she came out of the Orchid Courtyard, she was surprised to see Aunt Wang and her son still standing in front of the door.

She ignored them and walked straight past them.

But just then, Aunt Wang suddenly called out to her, "You're the cousin?"

Zhiwan stopped and glanced at her indifferently. "What advice do you have for me?"

Aunt Wang, holding her son's hand, stepped forward somewhat awkwardly. "After you entered the manor, I often heard the servants say that the Madam dotes on you the most. Could you please put in a good word for me with the Madam?"

"Haven't you already achieved your goal? Why bother hanging around in front of my aunt?" Zhiwan said sarcastically.

Her aunt had said she didn't want to see her, but she wouldn't give up and stood in front of the courtyard gate, clearly trying to provoke her aunt.

My aunt is of noble status and I don't want to bother with this lowly concubine, but she's really taking advantage of my kindness.

Aunt Wang said with a bitter smile, "If it weren't for Xuan-ge'er, I would rather hide for the rest of my life and never appear in front of Madam, so as not to be an eyesore to her. But Xuan-ge'er is innocent, and he has to be recognized by his ancestors."

“Recognizing my ancestry? Aunt Wang, you have some clever tricks up your sleeve. Now the whole capital, even the Emperor, knows that my uncle has a mistress and this illegitimate child.” Zhiwan said coldly.

"I'm not an illegitimate child, I'm my father's son!" Lu Xuan, who had been silent until now, suddenly reached out and shoved Zhi Wan hard.

Caught off guard, Zhiwan was pushed and staggered, nearly falling over.

"Miss, are you alright? Xuan-ge'er is being silly, please forgive him." Aunt Wang was startled and hurriedly stepped forward to support her.

Zhiwan pushed her hand away, "Don't touch me."

Aunt Wang awkwardly withdrew her hand and said to her son, "Quickly apologize to the young lady!"

Lu Xuan glanced at Zhi Wan with disdain. "She's just a distant relative staying at the Lu family's place, not a proper young lady of the Lu family. Why should I apologize to her?"

Aunt Wang's face turned embarrassed. "Miss, I'm so sorry. Xuan'er is still young and speaks without thinking. These past few days... he's heard some rumors, so... so he misunderstood you."

Zhiwan gave the mother and son a cold glance.

The implication of Aunt Wang's words was that Lu Xuan acted this way because he had overheard some gossip from the servants, and that she, as an orphan living under someone else's roof, had no right to criticize the mother and son.

“Aunt Wang is right, I have no right to criticize you. But what about the time your son pushed me?”

“Xuan-ge’er is still just a child, and besides, I’ve already apologized to you,” Aunt Wang said sheepishly.

“But I don’t accept your apology,” Zhiwan said, quickly shoving Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan was instantly pushed and fell to the ground with a thud, then burst into tears.

"How could you lay a hand on me?" Aunt Wang was furious.

“I only know that the one who starts it is despicable! He pushed me first!” Zhiwan said coldly.

"As expected, she was born with a father, but she wasn't taught by one!" Aunt Wang blurted out in a fit of anger.

"You must have had a father to give you life and teach you, otherwise you wouldn't have done what you have today!" Zhiwan said sarcastically.

“You…” A flash of resentment crossed Aunt Wang’s eyes. She had only uttered one word when she suddenly caught sight of the man walking towards her in the distance. She immediately wiped away her tears, squatted down, and hugged her son, crying together. “It’s all my fault. I insisted on bringing you into this Duke’s mansion. Not only have you been bullied by the servants, but now you have to suffer this humiliation. It’s all my bad luck…”

(End of this chapter)