Chapter 8: Radiant Without Taint (8)

Chapter 8: Radiant Without Taint (8)

The Zhe family's residence was the second house along Changfu Lane, a journey of roughly half an hour from Duke Ying's mansion. In that span of time, He Chun had cycled through feelings of helplessness, anger, and resignation, eventually losing all patience.

If he had met Zhe Wan more often in the past, he would never have agreed to this marriage. She was truly vexing.

On the other hand, Zhe Wan found his ever-changing expressions quite amusing.

Evidently, at twenty-five years old, He Chun lacked the maturity and composure he would possess fifteen years later.

His current silence was merely a facade; his heart was unguarded and likely agitated—she could tell.

But was he really angry because of this? She simply didn't wish to engage him in further conversation.

If he was upset by such a minor offense, how much anger had she endured over the past fifteen years when she smiled warmly only to receive cold indifference in return?

At this thought, she couldn't help but recall Lady Zhao's livid expression that morning, and she accidentally let out a small laugh.

...It felt rather liberating.

Does this count as a subtle act of revenge?

It seemed far too effortless to get back at them.

He Chun: "..."

He truly had no more patience. "What's so amusing?"

Zhe Wan put away her smile. "Nothing."

He Chun didn't bother arguing with a young girl over this. He simply said, "When we meet your parents later, be closer to Little Chuan."

Considering her young age, he was willing to guide her further.

If only she knew how to strive and improve on her own, then he could leave her be. There were countless matters in the court, and he really couldn't afford to worry about her any more.

She still had to rely on herself.

Zhe Wan nodded again. Mother Yu noticed the tense atmosphere between the two and felt pleased. She reached out to take Little Chuan. "Let this old servant hold him. I'll feed Little Chuan a fruit."

He Chun frowned. "He's three years old now, does he still need to be fed fruit?"

He picked up a fragrant fruit from the low table and offered it to him. "Can you eat it by yourself?"

Chuan Ge was thrilled. "I can."

His words were spoken with clarity.

He adored his father, but the man was always in a hurry and seldom visited him. Following his father's lead, he said, "Chuan Ge can eat on his own now."

He Chun laughed. "That's the way a good child should be."

Seeing the deep bond between father and son, Zhe Wan turned away and lifted the curtain to observe the bustling crowd outside.

Ever since she fell ill, she had not stepped out of the Duke's residence. To be precise, after Su Shan's passing, the world outside no longer held any allure for her.

At times, she felt that it would be better if she were dead. That way, she could be reunited with Su Shan and perhaps even be sisters in their next life.

In those final days, she envied none of the joys of the mortal world. All she wished for was to pass away in her sleep, so that her illnesses would no longer torment her.

Back then, when Chuan Ge returned from the National Academy to visit her, she was emaciated and barely had the strength to breathe, but still managed to ask him gently, "I've thought about it over and over again, but I can't think of any reason why I would have wronged you. Why did you distance yourself from me?"

Chuan Ge didn't reply for a long while. Eventually, he said, "Mother, you're worrying too much. It's just my natural disposition."

But you're clearly not like that. She had seen him being affectionate with Zhao Shi, Mother Yu, and his new young wife.

Zhe Wan never understood until her death, nor did she intend to. He Chun noticed her lost in thought once again. She seemed to enjoy sitting quietly in a corner, pondering her own matters. Sometimes, the expressions on her face revealed a wisdom that only those who had experienced the vicissitudes of life would possess. There was none of the liveliness one would expect from someone her age, making her appear unappealing overall.

However, he truly couldn't bring himself to be angry with her.

Somehow, her gentle demeanor softened him to the point that he couldn't bear to scold her. So, he passed Chuan Ge over, "Hold him for a while."

Zhe Wan, caught off guard, took the child without preparation. Before she could fully comprehend the situation, her body instinctively held the baby with practiced ease. She stiffened slightly before carefully placing the child on a stool.

She whispered, "I'm scared to hold him."

He Chun found it amusing. "You were holding him perfectly just now. What are you afraid of?"

Zhe Wan replied, "I'm just scared."

He Chun had no choice but to give up.

When they arrived at the Zhe residence, he naturally joined his father-in-law, elder brother-in-law, and others for a feast and conversation. Little Chuan was taken by Zhe Wan to the backyard to meet Madam Zhe.

Madam Zhe embraced Little Chuan with a joyful expression on her face and kissed him several times. "My darling, do you miss your grandmother?"

Little Chuan didn't remember her very well anymore. However, Nanny Yu often mentioned his grandmother, so he had some recollection. He nodded. "I remember."

Madam Zhe's eyes reddened. "Little Chuan, your eyes and nose are exactly like your mother's."

Little Chuan didn't have any impression of his birth mother, but his father had taught him the word 'mother' in the carriage just now. He quickly looked at Zhe Wan based on his memory.

Madam Zhe felt an excruciating pain in her heart. She grieved for her unfortunate daughter who had passed away too early, but she couldn't show her anger in front of the child. She held back her tears and said to the servant, "Take Little Chuan to play first."

Nanny Tang and Nanny Yu, along with the other servants, withdrew. Madam Zhe asked with a cold expression, "I heard that you're unwilling to take Little Chuan back to raise?"

Zhe Wan replied, "I'm willing. It's just that Grandmother is unwilling."

Madam Zhe continued, "I also heard that you don't want to take charge of the household finances?"

Zhe Wan chuckled softly. She had just arrived home, and Mother Tang and the others hadn't had the chance to speak, but her mother already knew everything.

It seemed that her stepmother was well-informed.

She said, "Even if I were to accept the responsibility, I wouldn't be able to give it my full attention. So, it's better not to accept it in the first place."

"Moreover, I don't have the ability to be in two places at once. If I take care of Brother Chuan, I won't have time for household affairs. For now, let's maintain the status quo and revisit the matter later."

Madam Zhe naturally understood this logic. However, she was unwilling to accept such an explanation. She slammed her hand on the table and said, "When your elder sister was around, no matter how many tasks she had, she could handle them all simultaneously."

"Do you think I'm pushing you to take care of Brother Chuan and manage the household affairs for my own sake? Isn't it all for you and Brother Chuan?"

Zhe Wan remained silent. She was aware of the real reason.

The reason was straightforward.

Madam Zhao was reluctant to entrust her with the household affairs and Brother Chuan, and by actively seeking these responsibilities, she would offend Madam Zhao.

Her stepmother did not wish to see her develop close ties with the members of the British Marquis's household or her own kin. In the years to come, whenever she formed a friendly relationship with someone in the family, her stepmother would inevitably become intolerant and intervene to disrupt the harmony.

Compared to the members of the Duke of York's household, Zhe Wan despised her stepmother even more.

She sat silently on the stool, waiting for her stepmother to finish her scolding. There was nothing new in her words; it was merely a repetition of how foolish, timid, and weak she was. If not for her stepmother's support, how could she have achieved such wealth and status? Could her fortune continue unobstructed?

A married daughter without the aid of her natal family, what right did she have to walk through the grand halls of her husband's house?

Without me, you are nothing. Had your elder sister not passed away early, would you possess such boundless prosperity? You should be grateful for your sister's kindness and worship her daily...

Zhe Wan had heard these words her entire life. Now, not only did they fail to move her, but they even struck her as somewhat amusing.

These words might have intimidated her at fifteen, but not at thirty. Things were simply different now. She even felt a sense of joy listening to them. She loved being the person she was now, no longer easily frightened by others' words. She even leaned in to listen more closely, discovering that her heart remained calm. Only then did she let out a deep sigh of relief.

How wonderful.

Not feeling depressed or heartbroken for days because of someone else's anger and scolding was also a source of happiness.

She didn't even bother to refute her stepmother's words, choosing instead to wait patiently for her to finish speaking before saying, "Mother, please give me Su Shan's indenture."

Madam Zhe spoke at length, only to pause and lift her teacup to soothe her throat. Upon hearing her words, she couldn't resist the impulse and threw the cup away.

Zhe Wan remained still. She knew that her status had changed. Her stepmother wouldn't dare to hit her.

Thus, she stayed motionless and asked, "Why is Mother angry?"

"I want to give Su Shan her monthly allowance. Since her indenture contract is with the Zhe family, the Li family can't provide her with the stipend."

Madam Zhe choked on her words, finding it amusing. "Do you think you're powerful now?"

She clicked her tongue. "Let me remind you that your aunt has been unwell these past two days, and it was I who called for a physician to attend to her."

Her words were both a threat and an insult. Zhe Wan felt a knot form in her chest upon hearing them.

How many years had passed? They still resorted to using her aunt to threaten her.

But she was no longer a child.

No longer the ignorant fool. The relationship between her and her aunt... wasn't as close as before.

She nonchalantly nodded. "Thank you, Mother – please give me the indenture for Aunt Li's servitude."

Mrs. Zhe looked at her in surprise. "You... don't care about your aunt anymore?"

Zhe Wan replied, "Isn't she being taken care of well enough?"

She smiled. "Thank you, Mother."

Mrs. Zhe was left speechless once again. After a long while, when Zhe Wan had gone to visit Aunt Li, she asked Nurse Tang, "Does she seem different to you somehow?"

Mother Tang had finally found an outlet for her grievances! Patting her thigh, she wept, "Madam, we both misjudged her. She's a merciless and cunning person with a heart of stone. On the first day, she replaced the items left by the former young lady, and on the second day, she used the gold and silver jewelry you gave her!"

"She's a ungrateful wretch! Madam, you've been deceived!"