Chapter 315: Otherwise, How Would You Live Up to the Ancestors of the Yang Family?

Chapter 315: Otherwise, How Would You Live Up to the Ancestors of the Yang Family?

Yang Da and Yang Er walked out of Madam Yang's courtyard side by side, each step heavy with burden. The turn of events felt surreal, as if they were trapped in a dream.

"I always believed that father sought the divorce because mother refused to allow him concubines," said Yang Er.

Yang Da sighed deeply, "I believed the same."

Back when Master Yang sought a separation, they were both in their teens. Not only did they remember the initial incident, but they also gleaned some clues from their parents' quarrels. However, they never imagined that the woman in question would turn out to be Consort Yuan.

"He always admonished us not to act impulsively or let emotions cloud our judgment. Yet, for one woman, he was willing to risk our entire family," Master Yang gritted his teeth as he spoke the last words.

To say there was no resentment would be impossible.

With somber expressions, the two brothers walked towards the front courtyard, only to be met by Master Yang. Both were momentarily taken aback before bowing respectfully and greeting, "Father."

Seeing their grave faces, Master Yang furrowed his brow and asked, "What has transpired?"

"Nothing," replied Elder Master Yang, with the Second Master Yang nodding in agreement.

Master Yang glanced towards the direction they had come from, clearly aware that they had just left his wife's side. His frown deepened as he said, "Women tend to be short-sighted. Don't listen to your mother's nonsense."

Hearing this, both Elder Master Yang and Second Master Yang sneered inwardly. Unable to contain his irritation, Second Master Yang looked at Master Yang and asked, "Father, I have always been perplexed about something. Why did you insist on separating from Mother back then?"

Master Yang hadn't expected this sudden mention of the past. His face darkened as he said, "That happened so many years ago, why bring it up now? Did your mother tell you something?"

"No." Fearing that Second Master Yang might give themselves away, Elder Master Yang quickly interjected, "It just came up in our conversation, and we remembered that incident."

Master Yang clearly didn’t believe them, but he didn’t press further. He said, "Don’t listen to your mother’s wild talk. Everything I’ve done was for the sake of this family, for the two of you."

Both Elder Master Yang and Second Master Yang felt a wave of disgust. Being so bewitched by a woman, they truly found it hard to respect him as before.

"We have other matters to attend to. We must take our leave," Elder Master Yang said, fearing that he might not be able to contain his own resentment if the conversation continued.

Master Yang uttered a sound of acknowledgment, "Go on with your business."

After Elder Master Yang and Second Master Yang left, Master Yang, with furrowed brows, made his way to the courtyard of the elder Mrs. Yang. Upon entering, he went straight to the inner chamber where he found her sitting on the couch, lost in thought.

He sat down directly across from her and asked, "What did you say to the two brothers?"

The elder Mrs. Yang lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes filled with alienation and disgust. "What could I possibly say? What do you wish I would say? What are you afraid I might say?"

Seeing her confrontational stance, Master Yang sighed heavily and said, "My lady, what is this tantrum about? My involvement with her... has been impossible for many years now. Why do you persist in clinging to it?"

She chuckled derisively.

Lady Yang burst into laughter, tears almost escaping her eyes, "Yang Huacan, you are truly too conceited. Do you really think I would still be jealous of her? You are no longer my husband. Would I make a fuss over her because of you? You all think too highly of yourselves."

Tai Shifu Yang felt his face flush with embarrassment at her words. He retorted, "If you didn’t say it, you didn’t. But remember, all I've done has been for the sake of this family."

“You always claim it’s for the family,” Lady Yang, unable to suppress her inner fury, sat up straight and confronted Tai Shifu Yang, “Tell me, Yang Huacan, can you honestly say that what you are doing now is for this family, for your own sons, for your grandchildren?”

Tai Shifu Yang pressed his lips together, silent, his face betraying an expression of exasperation at Lady Yang's supposed irrationality.

Seeing his reaction, Lady Yang scoffed again, “Now you hold a high office, wielding considerable power. You’ve paved enough way for your descendants. Yet, you risk the ruin of our entire family, seeking a future for that woman’s son. Have you ever thought, if your schemes fail, what will become of your sons and grandsons?”

Tai Shifu Yang clenched his fists, remaining silent for a long while before finally saying, “It won't fail.”

Despite his words, his tone lacked confidence.

“Ha! Why won't it fail?” Lady Yang challenged, locking eyes with him, “Because her family is powerful?”

Tai Shifu Yang remained silent. The highest rank in the Yuan family was a mere third-grade official. What power could they possibly wield?

“Because of the Fourth Prince’s talents and demeanor?” Lady Yang pressed on.

Tai Shifu Yang kept his silence. The Fourth Prince was impulsive and lacked any real grace. As for talent, had he any, the emperor would have named him Crown Prince long ago. That all the emperor’s sons were mediocre was common knowledge amongst the court officials.

“However, the Third Prince isn’t outstanding either. Compared to him, the Fourth Prince... isn’t too bad,” Tai Shifu Yang finally admitted.

“But the Third Prince is the Empress’s son, backed by the powerful Wu family,” Lady Yang pointed out, pausing before adding sarcastically, “But I forgot, the Fourth Prince has you, the Grand Tutor, although he’s not your son. You’ve already started treating him like one.”

“Don’t spout nonsense!” Tai Shifu Yang rebuked sharply.

Unfazed, Lady Yang relaxed, draping an arm over a cushion, “These years, I’ve always wondered why you remain so obsessed with her. After much thought, I suspect it’s because you never had her. The meat that was almost in your mouth, but never made it, is what you’ve been craving ever since.”

Tai Shifu Yang’s face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, yet he remained silent. His feelings for Consort Yuan were beyond others' comprehension.

Silence enveloped the room as darkness fell outside. The chamber remained unlit, shrouded in gloom. The wind outside howled, rattling the window frames. The estranged couple sat opposite each other, as if separated by vast mountains and rivers.

After an indeterminate time, Lady Yang's voice broke the silence again, “I’m genuinely curious. Have you really never been intimate with her, not even once?”

“Lin Tingxiu!” Tai Shifu Yang, now looking at Lady Yang, exploded, “How can you speak such words? Where are your manners?”

The dim room concealed his facial expressions from Lady Yang, but even if she could see, she wouldn’t be intimidated. She retorted, “Did I say something wrong? Isn’t intimacy without a matchmaker just a carnal relationship? What else would you call it?”

Tai Shifu Yang pointed a finger at her, exasperated, “You… you have gone mad. I won’t waste more words on you.”

"I don't wish to engage in this tiresome talk either," said the Old Madam Yang, her voice icy. "Yang Huacan, although we are at odds, your sons and grandsons are still of the Yang lineage. Consider their futures for once. Otherwise, can you truly face the ancestors of the Yang family?"