Chapter 370: Chapter 371: Old Madam

Madam Ning fumbled for Ning Yuchen’s hand. "Son, you support this family all on your own. I’m just trying to help you save every little bit I can."

"Mother, we don’t have to live like this! Our family hasn’t fallen so low that we can’t afford firewood." Ning Yuchen carefully supported the old madam. "Besides, with so many servants sitting idle, it would be shameful if word of this got out."

"You don’t manage the household, so you don’t realize how expensive everything is. Here in Shangjing, you spend silver the moment you step out the door. Our family doesn’t have mountains of gold and silver, so naturally, we must save where we can.

And don’t think for a second that I’m just some old woman who doesn’t understand anything. A concubine is little more than half a servant. What’s wrong with making a servant do a little work?"

Xiao Wanyu’s nails dug fiercely into her palm, drawing blood that trickled from the creases. The word ’servant’ was all that filled her mind.

’Thinking of the dowry she had left at her other residence, she felt even more certain that it was her only way out.’

’If she had really brought her dowry into the Ning Family home, she might have been able to buy a few days of kindness from this old woman, but what then?’

"Mother, I’m exhausted after a long day out. Can’t I have some peace and quiet when I come home?"

"Even if a concubine is only ’half a mistress,’ she is still half a mistress. Let the servant women do it. Let’s not keep arguing about these matters."

Old Mrs. Ning was so furious she nearly fell over backward. ’Listen to him! What is he saying? Does he really think I’m blind in both my eyes and my heart?’

’He’s only spent a few nights in that woman’s room, and my ever-obedient son is already taking her side?’

’If this continues, will there be any place left for an old woman like me in this household?’

"I know you’ve had a long, tiring day. Why don’t you go to your room and rest? I’ll have someone bring your food to you."

Old Mrs. Ning shouted toward Fang Yuan’s room, "Mrs. Fang, your husband is home! Aren’t you going to bring the children out? What does it look like, hiding in your room all day?"

Ning Yuchen looked slightly uncomfortable. These past few days, he had been leaving early and returning late, doing his best to avoid Fang Yuan.

It only then occurred to him that he hadn’t seen her and their two children in many days.

It was only because Ancient Wen Heng had provoked him today; otherwise, he wouldn’t have returned home so early. He would probably be in some little tavern, having a few drinks and not coming back until after dark.

Although Old Mrs. Ning disliked Fang Yuan, she genuinely doted on her grandson and granddaughter. Seeing her son neglect his own children these last two days because of a concubine had unsettled her, which was precisely why she had been tormenting Aunt Xiao with even greater intensity.

When Fang Yuan appeared in the courtyard leading her two children by the hand, she greeted Old Mrs. Ning and Ning Yuchen coolly before turning to walk to the dining hall to wait for the meal to be served.

"..." Ning Yuchen said, "Let’s eat first."

***

Ancient Wen Heng composed himself before lifting the carriage curtain and stepping out.

Li Cuicui, who had been waiting impatiently at the second gate, cried out in delight the moment she saw her son walk in.

Seeing her son in his official robes for the first time, her eyes filled with tears. ’This child received so little from the family growing up, yet he has brought honor and protection to the entire clan.’

"Mother, you’re here." Ancient Wen Heng’s previously solemn expression vanished, replaced by a joyous smile.

"I just wanted to come and see for myself. As long as you’re living well, I can rest easy." Li Cuicui looked her son up and down; he seemed both strange and familiar to her now.

His face was the same, but both he and his wife now exuded a different sort of aura.

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"It must have been a long journey. You should rest well at home for the next few days. When I have my leave in a couple of days, I’ll take you out to see Shangjing." Ancient Wen Heng supported his mother as they walked toward the inner courtyard.

Jin Qianqian said, "I’ve already sent someone to get Fourth Brother and Le Huan. Let’s eat first. You must be tired from the journey. We’ll have plenty of time to talk in the coming days."

Li Cuicui patted Jin Qianqian’s hand on her arm. "I only came for a quick visit. I’ll be heading back in a couple of days."

"What? Absolutely not! Didn’t we agree you would stay for the New Year?" Ancient Wen Heng had already spotted his fourth brother and nephew rushing over and gave them a nod.

Gu Yuanshui stopped in his tracks, clutching his chest. He turned to his nephew and asked, "Is that really your Seventh Uncle?"

Gu Lehuan looked at him, confused. "Fourth Uncle, what are you saying?" ’If that’s not Seventh Uncle, who else could it be?’

"My heart is racing. It feels a bit unreal." The last time he had seen him, Seventh had been wearing the festive red robes of a top scholar, which was a world away from this solemn official uniform.

Li Cuicui said, "It’s enough for me just to visit. I’m getting old, and I’m used to living where there are plenty of our clansmen around. There are more people to chat with that way."

"Besides, your father will be back soon, and if I’m not there to keep an eye on him, there’s no telling what kind of trouble he’ll get into."

"Mother," said Wenheng, "you’ve toiled your entire life. If you don’t want to manage him, then just let him be!"

Li Cuicui stopped and looked at Ancient Wen Heng and Jin Qianqian. "That won’t do. People say a husband and wife should be companions in their old age. How can we be separated?"

Jin Qianqian frowned, but just as she was about to speak, Li Cuicui continued, "I’ve struggled through most of my life. Now that things are finally better, I can’t let anyone destroy it.

Your father is just confused for the moment. This sudden wealth has gone to his head.

But no matter what, even though he’s stirring up trouble now, he truly did toil for this family in the past. And even if I’m utterly disappointed in him, that doesn’t stop me from considering him kin.

Besides, if I’m there keeping an eye on him, it’ll prevent him from using his seniority to make unreasonable demands on you two.

And don’t buy me too many things in the future. Just enough to live on in my old age is sufficient. That will be proof enough of your filial piety."

Jin Qianqian still felt her mother-in-law was being treated unfairly, but Ancient Wen Heng stopped her with a look. "Mother, we can discuss this later. For now, since you’re here, please just stay for a while and relax. Let your son show his filial piety."

Li Cuicui was helped to the seat of honor at the table, and a group of servants immediately began serving the dishes.

"This is far too extravagant." Although she had people to wait on her in the village, she had never witnessed such a grand affair.

Even Gu Yuanshui, who was putting on a calm facade, shifted in his seat. ’Why do I feel so fidgety?’

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Ancient Wen Heng escorted his mother to her room to rest before leading his brother and nephew to the study in the front courtyard.

"Fourth Brother, how are things at home? Is everyone well?"

Although his mother had said everything was fine, Wenheng suspected otherwise, believing that many things were being hidden from her.

Gu Yuanshui gazed around the study, its walls lined with books, clicking his tongue in silent amazement. ’Back in the village, a child has to spend several silver coins for a single book. How much silver must this entire room have cost?’

Hearing his younger brother’s question, he immediately perked up and began to gesticulate wildly, recounting his magnificent achievements of late.

"Let me tell you, if the other villages come asking for favors in the future, you just push the responsibility onto the clan. That’ll keep them from taking a mile every time we give an inch.

This time, at least, if their children want to enroll in the school, they’ll have to play by the rules we’ve established."

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