Chapter 22: A Visit

◎Your husband is the most promising prodigy in the capital.◎

Upon seeing her daughter's tears, Yu Niang couldn't hold back her own. However, being in someone else's mansion with servants watching, she didn't want to embarrass her daughter and thus held back her emotions.

Once the servants withdrew, the mother and daughter entered the room, and Yu Niang burst into tears, tears falling uncontrollably.

Yu Lian was delighted to see her mother, and while she hadn't felt it in the Wei Duke's residence, after being apart for so long, she now felt a genuine sense of warmth and reliance upon their reunion.

Wiping away her tears, Yu Niang held her daughter's hand and said, "Lian'er, how could you be so heartless? You left your parents without a word or a goodbye. Did you think about how worried I would be? I haven't had a good night's sleep since then, and my skin has even become rougher. It's all because of your mischief."

Yu Lian moved closer and hugged her mother's arm, apologizing and consoling her, "Mother, it wasn't that I couldn't tell you. If I did, would you really let me go? I didn't want to argue with you or cause you worry. Besides, if Grandmother and the others found out that you knew from the start, they wouldn't spare you. Then you'd be an accomplice in my actions."

Yu Niang tapped her daughter's forehead, "You're clever indeed!"

"On that day, when you suddenly did that, Mother was so flustered and heartbroken. If you had told me earlier about your feelings for Hua Ji, how could I have resisted fulfilling your wishes?"

Yu Lian smiled, "Of course you would. For your daughter's happiness, no matter how difficult it was, you wouldn't have allowed me to marry into the Hua family. I understand your intentions, Mother. Since things have already happened, please forgive me this once. Let's not dwell on it anymore, okay?"

"Enough, I won't discuss this with you. If I told you that your father not only didn't disapprove but actually admired your backbone, you'd be walking on air, wouldn't you?"

"Father is a nobleman, placing great value on loyalty, affection, and propriety. Yu Lian, it's no surprise to me. Now, tell me, how have things been these days? What did Grandmother say? Did she blame us?"

Yu Niang then recounted the details to her daughter: "After you left that day, Grandmother was quite upset at first. She pretended to be ill and refused to get out of bed. The next day, when I went to pay my respects, she made me stand outside for two hours, leaving my legs aching. Then, she summoned me to attend to her, keeping Mother busy all day."

"As your reputation spread, people throughout the capital began praising you. Some wrote stories about you, while talented scholars composed poems in your honor. Our Wei Duke's Mansion also benefited from this newfound admiration. Someone must have spoken well of you to Grandmother, acknowledging that although your actions were impulsive, they demonstrated your genuine feelings for Hua Ji. This won the hearts of the people. When she heard this, she was secretly pleased. She understood and didn't say anything more, though her face remained stern. Perhaps it's because you offended the Ru Yang Marquis's House."

Yu Lian wasn't surprised by her grandmother's reaction. This elder appeared to dote on her, but in reality, her affection was three parts genuine and seven parts strategic. The three parts were genuine because she was her granddaughter, but the seven parts were due to the importance of the Wei Duke's Mansion as a whole. For the sake of the family, what was a granddaughter?

Her sole aspiration was to restore the glory of her family, to uplift the declining Wei Duke's Manor and reinstall it at the pinnacle of power. Why would she concern herself with the fates or fortunes of a couple of junior family members?

Not only her, but none of her grandsons or granddaughters held a candle to the importance of the Marquis Manor in her eyes.

Despite her newfound understanding of the old lady, Yu Lian held no grudges. After all, she had freed herself from the woman's grasp and had no intention of reestablishing ties with the Wei Duke's residence. Their interests were unrelated, and thus, she had no expectations from this grandmother. Consequently, she felt no unnecessary emotions.

Speaking of the old madam, Yu Niang's tone turned sour as she said, "Yesterday, upon hearing that Li Xiang had arrived at the Hua Estate and was even expressing his desire to marry you, her mind became lively once again. She summoned Mother for a talk and sent me to persuade you to remarry."

Yu Lian: "…Are you truly here to advise? In that case, I advise you not to broach the subject."

Yu Niang glared at her daughter, "At first, I was half convinced, but then I thought about how my daughter pines for her late, unfortunate husband, so much that she neglected her parents and brother, even banging her head until it bled just to marry him. That made me hesitate. After discussing it with your father when he returned, we completely abandoned the idea."

"Really? What did Father say that convinced you?"

"He talked about the difference between gentlemen and villains. In short, since you've already married Hua Ji, you can't remarry for the sake of wealth from the Ru Yang Marquis' household. Otherwise, your character would be flawed, and you'd struggle to face society in the future. He asked me to tell you to live well with your choice, and he'll speak on your behalf to the old lady."

Listening to the beginning didn't surprise Yu Lian, but the last sentence tugged at her heartstrings. "Father may seem strict, but he truly loves his daughters."

"Need I say more? Your father hasn't had an easy time these years. Born into a duke's household, he grew up with silk and fine food, well-educated and ambitious, eager to contribute to the court. Unfortunately, shortly after our marriage, your grandfather suddenly fell ill and passed away, allowing the former emperor to seize the power of the Wei Duke's household. Our family was then suppressed, and your father and his two brothers, except for the eldest who inherited the title, were given powerless positions far from the center of power. That's why your grandmother was anxious, wanting to sell you for a good price to secure a prestigious alliance and lift our family's status."

"Back then, the East Yuan Marquis' household was powerful, and your husband was the most promising genius in the capital with a bright future and real authority. The old lady was envious and used your grandfather's past favor to convince the East Yuan Marquis to agree to this marriage. When your grandfather was in command of the military, Hua Ji was still young, serving under him. Not only did your grandfather save his life, but he also recognized his potential."

Yu Lian was slightly surprised. Her father-in-law was once her grandfather's subordinate?

Yu Niang chuckled, "The Hua family originally hailed from an educated background, starting as farmers who studied. By the time your father-in-law's generation came, he was tall and strong, skilled in martial arts, but not fond of literature. The previous East Yuan Marquis didn't want him to pursue a military career, so he disguised himself and ran away from home, pretending to be a wanderer and joining the army on the front lines. Fatefully, he ended up serving as a low-ranking soldier under your grandfather."

"It was over two decades ago; I was still unmarried back then..."

Yu Lian listened intently, but Yu Niang suddenly stopped, holding her daughter's face to examine it closely.

"I've somehow lost track of time in our conversation. It feels like only yesterday that I could chat with you anytime at home, even though it's been ages since we last met. I came here for two reasons: one is to see how you're doing, and the other is that your father personally asked me to hand this silver note over to you."

She then took out the silver note and placed it gently in her daughter's hand, her eyes filled with affection. "Yu Lian, don't refuse anymore. You silly child, you secretly returned the silver your brother brought over. He was mulling about it all day yesterday."

"Though your father and I don't have much wealth or influence, we are under the protection of the Wei Duke's residence, where there's no shortage of food and clothing. But you, Yu Lian, are in urgent need of money. I know you'll have to move soon and there will be expenses. So, take it for now."

After a moment of hesitation, Yu Lian looked into her mother's eyes and, recalling the exorbitant housing prices in the capital, she finally accepted it. However, she vowed silently to herself that she would return the money to her parents once she earned it.

Yu Niang then inquired about various matters in the residence, asking how the elders treated Yu Lian, how the household affairs were managed, how the servants behaved, and what their future plans were for moving.

Yu Lian replied to each question, mentioning that the elders were kind to her, especially her grandmother who was understanding and benevolent. The only issue was the lack of funds, but otherwise, there were no major difficulties. "As for the house, I've arranged for someone to look into it. We should have some news by the afternoon, so please don't worry."

"Properties in the capital are expensive. Though your maternal grandfather is honest, he did provide a house as part of my dowry on the southern Changde Street. It's not large, but it can accommodate ten people from the Hu family. Why not move there?"

Furrowing her brow, Yu Lian considered this but ultimately shook her head in refusal.

"Mother, please don't push it. If Grandmother found out, she wouldn't agree either." How could she, as a daughter-in-law, live in her mother's house? It would tarnish the reputation of the Hu family, inviting gossip even if they were going through hard times.

"Besides, Yu Lian can't burden you any further. If that person upstairs or Grandmother discovers this, you and Father would be implicated."

Yu Niang was well aware that she had spoken in a moment of confusion, but once the words left her mouth, she quickly regained her composure.

"When we find a place to stay, send a message to Mother to let her know. That way, she'll be reassured."

"I understand, Mother."

The mother and daughter chatted for a while before sharing a breakfast together. Yu Niang then suggested that her daughter take her to visit the elderly matriarch.

Since they had come to the residence, it was only proper to pay respects to the elders as a sign of courtesy.

The old lady had been bedridden for two days, but her spirits had significantly improved. Upon hearing from Yi Po that Lian'er's mother had arrived, she eagerly awaited their visit after breakfast. As expected, a fair-skinned woman entered the room alongside her granddaughter-in-law, her smile warm and gentle, exuding a profound familiarity.

What made the encounter even more remarkable was how she immediately addressed the matriarch, "Grandmother Lian'er, I have come to pay my respects to you."

Next chapter coming in two days! Please show your support, thank you, darlings!

Subscribers before the 17th are eligible for a lottery draw!