Chapter 165: This Son Still Remembers to Find a Concubine for His Father?

Chapter 165: This Son Still Remembers to Find a Concubine for His Father?

In the end, Wei Pozi and her group entered the Liu family's main gate.

This was because, seeing a crowd gathering outside to watch, the coachman found himself unable to manage the situation. He exchanged a glance with the gatekeeper from the Liu family, and after a short while, the Madam of the main branch of the Liu family came out along with her maids. In front of Wei Pozi and her group, the Madam feigned a scolding of the coachman for his lack of respect towards esteemed guests. She then called out affectionately to Wei Pozi, "Second Aunt," feigning warmth.

Wei Pozi gave a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I dare not accept the title of Second Aunt. The Madam flatters me," she replied.

With outsiders still watching, the Madam of the main branch of the Liu family, who usually showed little respect to her stepmother-in-law, Wei Sanniang, couldn't afford to let people gossip. She had to avoid appearing disrespectful in public.

The Madam was exceedingly cautious.

Wei Pozi didn't want to escalate the situation either, as she still had to consider Wei Sanniang's dignity. After an icy chuckle, she took Xingxing's hand and, followed by Yu Sanbao, Su Rouer, and Ju Geer, entered the Liu family's gate.

Wei Pozi hadn't visited the Liu family in a long time.

In the past, when they were poor, she feared that the Liu family would think she was there to seek assistance. Even during the hardest times of the famine, as long as they hadn't reached the end of their rope, Wei Pozi never considered the idea of asking for help from Wei Sanniang.

Now that their household was more prosperous, the small shop Yu Sanbao managed had not only recovered its initial investment but also made a net profit of nearly one hundred taels of silver in just half a year. With this newfound confidence, and hearing that her nephew had been mistreated in his engagement by the main branch of the Liu family, Wei Pozi decided to visit during the New Year to check on the situation.

As it turned out, the main branch of the Liu family was even more outrageous than she had imagined.

The Liu family was regarded as wealthy in Zhoucheng, but not particularly prominent. Their two-courtyard house meant it took only a few steps to reach the inner courtyard.

Wei Sanniang had just heard the news of Wei Pozi's arrival and hurried out from the courtyard, appearing excited. She took Wei Pozi's hand, visibly moved, and said, "Second Sister! I received the letter you sent. Yuanfeng read it to me. I thought you'd only arrive on the sixth day of the new year."

Wei Pozi had seen Wei Sanniang just a few months earlier, but upon closer inspection, she noticed an improvement in her complexion.

Wei Pozi's heart, which had been unsettled since entering the Liu family, finally felt somewhat more at ease.

The Madam of the main branch of the Liu family was still following behind.

With no outsiders present, the Madam's expression became cold. "This relative of the old Madam is quite something. They're not afraid of shaming us Liu family in public."

With those words, she left with her maids.

Wei Sanniang gripped Wei Pozi's hand more tightly.

Wei Pozi sneered. "Ignore her. Let's go inside and talk."

Wei Sanniang quietly agreed.

Though the Liu family wasn't particularly large, the Madam of the main branch still had two maids following her.

In contrast, Wei Sanniang only had one maid. The maid was quite plain-looking and was silently wiping the table in the room. Upon seeing Wei Sanniang return with guests, the maid placed the rag in a basin and went outside. After a short while, she returned with tea.

Meanwhile, Wei Pozi looked around Wei Sanniang's living quarters.

She couldn't help but say, "...Why is this place exactly the same as when I last visited many years ago?"

The furnishings were all very old.

Wei Sanniang, however, didn't seem to mind much. "It's nothing..." she said softly.

She interrupted the topic and, smiling, called out for Ju Geer and Xingxing.

"Come to Auntie, I'll give you some New Year's money," Wei Sanniang said with a smile.

Ju Geer and Xingxing stepped forward and knelt before Wei Sanniang, each receiving a small silver plum blossom as New Year's money.

Xingxing was seeing this for the first time and curiously examined it in her palm.

Wei Sanniang smiled and said, "This is a custom here in Zhoucheng. During the New Year, we go to the silver shop to have some auspicious designs made, which we give as New Year's money to the younger generation."

"Thank you, aunt," Xingxing said sweetly, "I like this plum blossom."

Wei Sanniang beamed and ordered the maid to bring a tray of melon seeds for Xingxing and Ju Geer to eat.

Yu Sanbao and Su Rouer were sitting nearby.

"Third Aunt, why haven't we seen Cousin Yuanfeng?" Yu Sanbao asked.

At the mention of Yuanfeng, a proud smile crossed Wei Sanniang's face. "Your cousin Yuanfeng went to deliver festival gifts to his tutor today. He changed to a new school just before the New Year, and the tutor there has a very high opinion of him and treats him well."

At this point, Wei Sanniang became a little somber.

Her son fundamentally disliked commerce, yet the main branch treated him as if they were guarding against a thief, afraid he would try to claim a part of the family inheritance.

"What about the Liu family's Old Master?" Wei Pozi asked in a lowered voice.

The smile on Wei Sanniang's face faded a little as she softly replied, "Recently, the main branch took in a concubine for the old master."

Wei Pozi widened her eyes in astonishment.

"A concubine, at his age?"

"The Old Master was already quite old, and yet his son decided to take a concubine for him?"

Yu Sanbao shook his head and said, "The main branch is truly cunning. By giving the old master a beautiful concubine at this point, there's no chance of a son who might claim a share of the family inheritance. It also wins the old master's favor... truly clever."

Wei Sanniang lowered her head, feeling a bit awkward.

She fidgeted with her fingers and remained silent.

Wei Pozi spoke in a softer tone, "Let's not discuss outsiders. We came to hear if Yuanfeng is going to talk about marriage soon?"

At the mention of this, Wei Sanniang raised her head and nodded repeatedly. "Last time, it was thanks to Sanbao for seeing the main branch's scheme. Otherwise, my Yuanfeng would have been ruined by them."

She couldn't help but sigh. "The old master's health is getting worse, and during the New Year, he mentioned that he wanted to see Yuanfeng married and starting a family. But with the main branch watching and placing obstacles, Yuanfeng can't find a reliable family to marry into..."

This caused Wei Sanniang a great deal of worry.

She believed she had already been very careful. Ever since she was officially recognized as a wife, she never dared to act like the main wife in front of the main branch. She waited many years before having Yuanfeng.

Yet, no matter how much she tried to show goodwill and be cautious, the main branch still viewed her and Yuanfeng as thorns in their side.

"Hasn't the old master said anything?" Wei Pozi asked, frowning.

Wei Sanniang shook her head. "He's always been like that. As long as there are no major issues, he doesn't care about the main branch's tactics."

Wei Pozi couldn't help but think inwardly, "Old fool."

As they were speaking, Liu Yuanfeng, who had been delivering the festival gifts to the private tutor, returned.

"Ma, I heard that Second Aunt is here?"

Before he even entered the room, his cheerful voice had already reached their ears.

Wei Pozi had not seen Liu Yuanfeng in a while, and when she heard this, she stood up excitedly, smiling at him as he strode into the room. "Yuanfeng! Let me take a good look at you!"

Liu Yuanfeng walked up to Wei Pozi, performing a deep bow. "I offer New Year greetings to you, Second Aunt."

He then turned to Yu Sanbao, his face beaming with excitement. "Cousin Sanbao!"