Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Fu Fan initially thought she had come to the wrong place, or perhaps her brother had given her the wrong location.

She had never imagined that A Niu's family would live in such a grand mansion.

When she saw the ebony-carved plaque with gilded characters, her heart became even more anxious.

She prided herself on being a brave girl, never afraid while wandering around the countryside, but now, just stepping into A Niu's home, she felt a sense of fear.

She followed the maid guiding her, nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.

Entering through the main gate and passing the ceremonial gate, she was surrounded by lush greenery, winding paths, pavilions, and rock gardens. She felt that even the grass and trees in this estate were more valuable than her own life. Her eyes flickered nervously, afraid that a single glance might invite disdain from others.

Fu Fan couldn't help but wonder, is this really A Niu's home?

What were his family members like—were they kind and easy to get along with?

Will they agree to her marriage with A Niu? Will they think she's aiming too high? Will they look down on her...

Before she even stepped inside, a wave of emotions overwhelmed her, and she felt deeply afraid.

Fortunately, she was led respectfully by the maids, who didn't seem to treat her differently despite her plain attire, which stood out in such a luxurious setting.

The maids were dressed even more elegantly than her, in styles she had never seen before. The fabrics of their clothes were far beyond what even the wealthiest families in her town could afford. Fu Fan felt a sharp sting of envy and discomfort.

She looked down at the new green dress she had specially worn, embroidered with slightly crude flowers, and wished she could disappear into the ground.

She bit her lip hard, trying to suppress the rising panic in her chest.

The maids had seen her speaking with confidence at the gate earlier. Normally, they wouldn't have believed her, but earlier that morning, they had welcomed back the Third Master (A Niu), who was dressed just as shabbily as she was.

Now, facing this woman who claimed to be the Third Master's betrothed, they dared not show any disrespect, regardless of their true thoughts.

The maids sent someone to inform the backyard as they led Fu Fan to the hall to sit. A maid served her tea and offered fruits and refreshments.

But Fu Fan couldn't bring herself to drink or eat.

As the maid finished pouring water and was about to leave, Fu Fan couldn't help but call out to stop her.

"Miss, do you need anything?" the maid asked.

Fu Fan didn't even dare to look the maid in the eye and asked, "Why hasn't your Third Master come yet? Have you really informed him? You're not lying to me, are you..."

The maid smiled gently, "Miss, someone has already gone to inform the Third Master. But you've come at a busy time. Our estate just welcomed the Third Master back this morning, and he's currently in the backyard speaking with the matriarch."

The distance between the front courtyard and the matriarch's backyard was far, and it would take more than a cup of tea to travel back and forth.

This made Fu Fan feel even more out of place.

The maid might not have meant anything by it, but Fu Fan felt as if she was being mocked, as if the maid was implying that she had rushed over the moment A Niu was recognized by his family.

She couldn't help but explain, "I came to the capital with my brother to look for him for several days. We only just found out where his family is..."

The maid simply smiled, but to Fu Fan, the smile felt piercing.

Yet, she had no choice but to swallow her pride, as she still needed their help.

Fu Fan no longer had the luxury to think about anything else. She felt as if time was dragging on unbearably, and the thought of possibly living here in the future made her shake her head and sigh inwardly.

She was just a commoner, while A Niu's family was wealthy, the status gap was vast. She feared she could never be as carefree as she once was...

In the past, when she lost her temper, even A Niu had to find ways to placate her, but now? Now she hadn't even seen A Niu yet, and if she wanted to ask anything, she had to humble herself before a maid.

"Could you tell me about your Third Master?" Fu Fan finally couldn't help but inquire.

The maid couldn't help but feel contempt, thinking this lady was ill-mannered. How could she come to someone else's house and inquire so directly about their master's affairs? And her identity was still uncertain, couldn't she wait a moment?

But recalling the steward's earlier instructions, she knew this lady might indeed be connected to the Third Master.

The maid couldn't help but envy this woman's good fortune. Perhaps her looks could be considered somewhat delicate among common folk, but in the capital, in Duke Mu's residence, even among the maids, this lady's appearance wasn't particularly remarkable.

With such a treasure before her, she couldn't help but compare Fu Fan to the Third Madam.

However much she looked down on her, this lady was luckier than all of them maids. To be able to come knocking, to have the steward personally vouch for her, her identity was likely genuine.

Not to mention being the master's concubine, even being a chamber maid was something many maids strived for. This lady might very well become their master's consort.

The maid's mind was quite active, knowing she should treat and flatter this lady well, but she couldn't overcome the hurdle in her heart.

As she replied, she deliberately mentioned to Fu Fan: "Our Third Master has been exceptional since birth, becoming a General of the Righteous Army at eighteen, later leading the imperial army to quell rebellions, and was granted the title of General Who Pacifies the Barbarians. At nineteen, he was... a rare young prodigy among the capital's nobility. Many families wished to marry their daughters to our Third Master, but our Third Master didn't like any of them, only..."

The maid stopped speaking.

Her words were gentle, hinting at the most important part but not continuing.

Only making Fu Fan eager to ask more but too embarrassed to do so.

She was a clever lady, thinking of her brother's hesitation when bringing her to Duke Mu's residence.

She had always deluded herself, always hoping for a miracle, but now she could no longer continue to deceive herself, because he had found his family.

But many things she couldn't ask about.

Because she was the one who had matched horoscopes with A Niu, the one who had married him.

She had a marriage contract with him, she was his lawfully wedded wife. If she spoke first, she would be at a disadvantage, she would...

Fu Fan sat uneasily for a while longer, the first to meet her wasn't A Niu. It was a lady around forty, wearing a deep red patterned jacket, her hair styled in a Japanese-style bun.

The lady's attire was extraordinarily luxurious, with several gold and jade hairpins adorning her hair, and pearls on her ears swaying gently with her steps, making her face seem even more dignified.

Fu Fan quickly stood up, forcing a smile: "You are?"

Madame Wei remained silent, her mood had fluctuated several times today, her son coming back from the dead naturally filled her with joy, but thinking of the troublesome matters in the inner chambers, thinking of the resentful look her son gave her before leaving, the look that seemed to wish her dead...

Madame Wei sat down on a chair to the side, her face showing a trace of fatigue and weakness, not speaking.

The group of old women following Madame Wei exchanged glances, saying: "This is the mistress of our house, the First Madam. She is Third Master's mother."

Fu Fan, hearing it was Liang Ji's mother, quickly and awkwardly bowed: "Madame, hello..."

Madame Wei nodded, but her eyes held sarcasm.

She knew too well the cunning thoughts of these outside women, each one never having seen anything good, seeing a handsome man and wishing they could tie their belt around his head. Especially someone like her son...

Otherwise, why would this outside woman be so eager to come in just as her son returned? Was she afraid her son would abandon her?

In the past, Madame Wei most despised these shameless women, but now things were different, she somewhat wanted to take in a few more for her son.

The two-year separation had made them grow apart significantly, and the unresolved matter with Madam Ruan weighed heavily on her mind—once she had adored Rong Er, but now the child only brought her unease.

Her son was not incapable of having children, and now he had returned safe and sound. How could she allow an older son to stand in the way of her own son?

Even A Ruan was a problem; what was to be done about her in the long run?

Madame Wei couldn't help but feel a headache, thinking about how Ji'er's heart and eyes were still fixed on Madam Ruan. She had never approved of it back then, repeatedly trying to break off the engagement, but it hadn't worked out. Ji'er had been determined, diving headfirst into the relationship, and no matter what she, as his mother, said, it made no difference to him.

Now, Ji'er probably still wouldn't change his mind, and might even resent her because of Madam Ruan...

Madame Wei rubbed her aching head, and immediately a maid stepped forward to massage her head, while another handed her a damp cotton cloth. Madame Wei took it and gently wiped her hands before picking up her teacup.

She didn't drink, but instead caressed the cup, asking Fu Fan, "Good child, don't be afraid, sit down and talk with me. What is your name?"

Fu Fan, realizing that this noblewoman before her was A Niu's mother, the lady of the house? The mistress?

A Niu was her son, the future master of this household?

Fu Fan was so nervous she couldn't tell if she was happy or not.

It was like someone who had found gold—if it were just a few pieces, naturally they would be overjoyed, and no one would notice. But if they found a mountain of gold they couldn't possibly lift, it would be a headache.

She suddenly felt like a deflated pufferfish, unable to hide her timidity, yet afraid of being looked down upon, so she straightened her back.

"My surname is Fu, my family calls me Fan Niang..."

This, of course, was a lie; her family called her Da Ya.

How many village women had proper names? Even her elder brother was just called Da Lang. Her name had been given to her by her father, who knew a few characters, when she begged him to pick one from a book.

Fan?

It must have been a rustic, vulgar name chosen by a peasant family.

Madame Wei, hearing this, couldn't help but feel disdain, though she only smiled faintly and asked Fu Fan, "Good child, tell me how you met my son? Where has he been living these years, and how has he been?"

This was one of the few topics Fu Fan could confidently talk about. She calmly recounted how she had saved A Niu and how she and her brother had nursed him back to health.

If Madame Wei had looked down on her before, now, hearing that this woman before her was her son's savior, she felt a pang of shame.

This was her son's savior, and she had just been feeling disdain...

Madame Wei dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, her tone softening, "So you are my son's savior? My son is fortunate to have someone like you..."

As she spoke, her finely drawn eyebrows furrowed slightly, her tone oddly strange, "You say you've had a wedding ceremony with him?"

Fu Fan, startled by her sudden change, felt uneasy. She mustered her courage and asked, "Is there something wrong? Does your household look down on me?"

A plain, uncultured country girl with no sense of propriety or hierarchy—Madame Wei would never have approved of her before.

She kept bringing up the wedding ceremony, and according to her, her son had been severely injured and not in his right mind. What kind of marriage could she have had with someone not in their right mind?

And what had Ji'er said when she asked him? He had glossed over the matter in a few words, never mentioning that he was married, and that his wife was his savior.

Was this her son's way of showing his dislike for her?

Madame Wei sighed, "You saved my son's life, and such a debt of gratitude would never be taken lightly by our household. But... I don't know how to say this, it's embarrassing, but after my son left, the household arranged a marriage for him..."

Fu Fan's face turned pale upon hearing this.

But upon hearing that it was a posthumous marriage, arranged after her death, she immediately felt relieved. Yet, she couldn't help but feel angry: "How can you arrange a posthumous marriage when the person is already dead? Your family is really clueless! That girl is also foolish—how could she agree to such a thing? Now, I don’t care. I’ve brought the marriage certificate—I am his wife! I bet the date on my marriage certificate is earlier than hers!"

As soon as she spoke, a group of maids frowned repeatedly, thinking that the woman Third Master found outside was truly vulgar.

Calling others stupid for arranging a posthumous marriage, and saying their family is full of idiots??

So she thinks she's the only smart one? Isn’t she a fool for marrying a fool? Pah!

How disgraceful! Without even seeing Third Master, she’s already eager to argue about the date on the marriage certificate? Does she really want to compete with the Third Madam of the family? Strive to be the main wife?

Look at her crude appearance—she wouldn’t even be fit to carry shoes for their Third Master before!

Madame Wei had many reluctances earlier. Firstly, she didn’t want to be harsh on her son’s savior. Secondly, after much deliberation, Madam Ruan was not at fault... even she had advised it initially. If she were to interfere now and be harsh on Madam Ruan, she might be criticized by the public.

It would be best to let this girl and Madam Ruan fight it out.

But now, with just one word from her, this girl is so sharp-tongued, full of tricks but not smart enough.

Madame Wei’s face darkened slightly, feeling disdain but could only pretend to be troubled and said: "Although it is a posthumous marriage, everything was done properly. It was a union between two families. The marriage certificate bears Ji’er’s name, and the clan has nodded to it."

This was undoubtedly hinting to Fu Fan opposite that Madam Ruan’s marriage certificate bears Liang Ji’s name. Whose name did you make up on your marriage certificate? Does that person even exist anymore?

Marriage certificates or not, they don’t matter to families like theirs.

What they value is a match of social status, parental orders, the family influence a wife can bring, and the wife’s own character and virtue.

Which of these does she possess?

Madame Wei originally wanted to cover it up, but it was too late today. The commotion was too big, and just after a few words with Fu Fan, the ladies came out from the inner courtyard to watch the show.

Family scandals should not be aired in public. Madame Wei whispered to persuade Fu Fan: "This matter is not something I can interfere with. Wait until Ji’er comes, and you can talk to him. If this is true, our household will surely give you a status..."

But Fu Fan didn’t notice anything else, only that Madame Wei and these maids all looked down on her. Seeing several wealthy and kind-looking ladies arriving, she immediately felt like she had grabbed a lifeline, pulling out the prepared marriage certificate from her sleeve.

"This is my marriage certificate with A Niu, clearly written in black and white!"

Whoa—

As soon as she spoke, the ladies and young misses all looked over in surprise.

Lady Xiao frowned: "Who is A Niu? Are you talking about Third Master? Girl, you are mistaken—Third Master already has a wife!"

Xiao Qiongyu: "Girl, are you mistaken? Have you come to the wrong household? Our Third Master has just returned to the household..."

"It is your household! If you don’t believe me, take the marriage certificate and see. Don’t try to bully me with your power!"

Fu Fan’s voice was naturally loud, and now in her urgency, she shouted even louder. The princess frowned lightly, couldn’t help but cover her ears with a handkerchief.

Her shout caused the maids and old women outside to gather around, thinking something had happened inside.

Madame Wei was so angry she felt suffocated. If it weren’t for her son’s savior, she would have had the old women drag this rude woman away.

Fine sunlight filtered through the tree branches, slanting onto the corridor.

Suddenly, a figure in dark blue robes rushed into the corridor. The light and shadow fell on his handsome young features, outlining an indescribable sharpness.

He strode over, walking very fast, almost running, his robes billowing in the wind.

Liang Ji had hurriedly changed into a jacket and washed his dusty face when he went to see the old lady.

Though his overall appearance hadn’t changed much, the well-fitted straight robe he wore, with its silver-threaded cloud patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs, accentuated his tall and lean figure, making him look several years younger than his previous rough attire.

Walking through the opulent, gilded halls of the ducal mansion, he radiated an air of elegance and confidence, his spirits high.

He was still the same person, yet his demeanor had completely transformed.

He no longer resembled his former self; in fact, there was no trace of the old Liang Ji left.

Fu Fan finally saw him, and as her eyes met his handsome features, her heart felt as if it had been pricked, and the grievances she had been holding back surged uncontrollably.

She couldn’t help but cry out, "A Niu... where have you been all this time? I’ve been looking for you for so long, I thought you had abandoned me..."

Liang Ji looked down at her with an almost imperious air, taking in the scene before him. Noticing that Ying Shi was absent from the female relatives, he let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief.

Then, as he saw the marriage certificate she had produced, the bright red of it made his eyes sting.

His voice had a pleading tone as he looked at her and said, "I’m sorry... I’m so sorry. Can we talk outside? Let me explain everything to you once we’re out of the mansion..."

But Fu Fan wasn’t one to be easily fooled. She clenched her teeth tightly and said coldly, "What do you think of me? Am I so disgraceful that I can’t be seen? I’m not leaving. You will explain everything to me right here, right now!"

Liang Ji gave her a cold look, then suddenly grabbed the marriage certificate. Fu Fan, seeing this, quickly tried to grab it back.

But Liang Ji, with one hand, pulled her by the sleeve, dragging her out.

"What are you doing? Have you gone mad? You’re hurting me!"

Liang Ji’s grip was firm, and he kept pulling her along without slowing down, shouting in a low voice, "I remember everything now. I’m not A Niu! I’m not!"

"What’s wrong? Have you forgotten everything we had? Now that you’ve returned to your family, you want to throw me away? You are A Niu! You are A Niu..." Fu Fan’s eyes gradually reddened, clearly realizing that the person before her was no longer the simple-minded A Niu she once knew. A Niu would never speak to her in such a tone.

"I have my family, my wife! Fu Fan, I can only apologize to you. I owe you, and I will repay you in other ways! I remember your kindness, and I will repay you. But I truly cannot repay you with my feelings..."