Chapter 40: Moving to the Outer Courtyard

Chapter 40: Moving to the Outer Courtyard

On the way back, A Yuan remained very quiet.

Zhou Yan's departure relieved her, but it also left her feeling melancholic, especially since Zhou Yan's words had deeply imprinted on her heart.

"If life becomes unbearable, I can return to Jiangnan... But can I really go back?"

Wei Xun was greatly displeased by the concubine's distraction. He had tolerated their meetings as far as he could go, and now that Zhou Yan was gone, there should be no room for another man in the concubine's heart.

"You will move to the outer courtyard when we return," Wei Xun suddenly spoke, interrupting A Yuan's reverie.

"Move to the outer courtyard?" A Yuan was taken aback.

The outer courtyard was the residence of the heir and his wife. It was indeed overstepping for a concubine like her to move there.

A Yuan instinctively wanted to refuse, but Wei Xun gave her no opportunity.

"I've already had Granny Zheng pack your belongings."

Zhou Yan's words had truly affected him.

Over the past three years, Wei Xun reflected, he had been somewhat cold to the concubine.

A Yuan had endured much suffering at Chunyan Tower, developing a docile and understanding nature. She was not someone who would exploit favoritism.

He had promised Zhou Yan that he would treat her better, so he decided to keep her by his side, where he could watch over her.

When the heir's wife entered the household in the future, if she were to suffer any grievances, he could protect her.

A Yuan's move to the outer courtyard stunned everyone in the Marquis's household.

The heir, known for his cold demeanor, was openly favoring a concubine over his wife. Which respectable family would be willing to marry their daughter into a household like this?

"That scoundrel!"

Madam Wei was so angry she felt a pain in her chest. "What is so special about that vixen that she has him so bewitched?"

Wei Xun was her proudest son, yet he had repeatedly broken the rules for A Yuan, and now the arranged marriage had fallen through.

"You shouldn't have given A Yuan to Third Brother in the first place. Her seductive looks are irresistible to any man. Third Brother is human too; over time, he naturally fell under her spell."

Wei Jin, pregnant and sitting beside Madam Wei, gritted her teeth as she spoke. Her emotions were stirred, and she continued, "The Lins have returned the betrothal letter. I'm afraid other families won't want to marry in either. Mother, rather than having Third Brother marry these high-born ladies, why not marry A Yu?"

Since the scandal of the Shen family's illegitimate child, Shen Qiuyu had been removed from Madam Wei's list of potential daughters-in-law. Over the past few months, Madam Wei had been looking for suitable matches again. The Lin family from the Ministry of Personnel had shown interest, and the two families had privately exchanged betrothal letters, but then this incident with Wei Xun happened.

Madam Lin had six sons and finally got a daughter, whom she cherished dearly. She was unwilling to let her daughter suffer such humiliation. On the day A Yuan moved to the outer courtyard, she had someone return the betrothal letter.

Although the marriage arrangement between the two families hadn't been made public, everyone knew about it privately. Wei Xun was a talented young man, and Madam Wei had always been the one to pick and choose. Now, having been so publicly humiliated, she was both angry and annoyed.

"The Shen family's household is chaotic; they are not a good match," Madam Wei still didn't want to compromise.

Wei Jin got up and sat beside her, holding her arm to persuade her. "Adults' matters shouldn't affect the younger generation. You know A Yu's character; she is the most virtuous and gentle. With Third Brother's temperament, marrying a high-born lady might not be tolerated. A Yu has family burdens and will naturally serve you and Third Brother carefully. Then, won't the household still be under your control?"

Wei Jin had her own plans. Li Huai's abilities were mediocre, and without anyone to promote him, he might remain in the position of the Imperial College Supervisor until his death.

Moreover, Wei Xun had always been impartial and would not intervene for his brother-in-law. Wei Jin, unwilling to settle for being the wife of a low-ranking sixth-grade official, had to personally manage her husband's affairs.

Additionally, she was close to Shen Qiuyu. If Shen Qiuyu were to marry into the Marquis's household in the future, Wei Jin wouldn't have to worry about her relationship with her brother drifting apart.

"What you say makes sense. Apart from her status, Mrs. Shen truly matches your third brother in every aspect."

Madam Wei's attitude softened slightly, mainly because Wei Jin succeeded in convincing her on one point.

Noblewomen from prestigious families all have powerful families to back them up. They are proud and unwilling to endure grievances and might not tolerate Wei Xun's behavior of favoring his concubine at the expense of his wife.

"Exactly, and he also likes A Yu. Previously, on Madam Shen's birthday, he even sent gifts over."

Wei Jin seized the opportunity to press further, and Madam Wei finally nodded. "Then let the matchmaker go to the Shen family to propose."

By the time Wei Xun found out, the betrothal documents between the two families had already been exchanged.

"Mother, why didn't you inform me about the marriage proposal?"

In the Ci'an Courtyard, Wei Xun asked with a cold face and a low voice.

Madam Wei snorted lightly. "Did you inform me when you relocated A Yuan to the outer courtyard?"

Wei Xun's expression faltered for a moment but quickly recovered. "She was originally assigned by you to serve me. Living in the outer courtyard is just more convenient."

"Humph!" Madam Wei slammed her cup heavily on the table. "Third son, don't think I'm unaware of your intentions. It's fine to favor A Yuan, but don't take it too far. The Marquis's household still requires a mistress. Mrs. Shen has a pure and virtuous nature. With her managing the household after marrying in, I can also feel more at ease."

"Mother! I agree to marry, but Shen Qiuyu is not acceptable!"

Her purity and virtue are merely a facade. Wei Xun would never permit such a woman to become his wife.

But Madam Wei thought he was deliberately evading. Among the eligible young ladies in the capital, Shen Qiuyu was the most fitting candidate. If they were to pick someone else, who knows how long it would take?

At her age, she still wanted to hold a grandchild soon.

"This marriage is non-negotiable. Do you want to break off another engagement? Not to mention your reputation, the Marquis's household's reputation will be ruined!"

Madam Wei had never suffered such humiliation before. In the past, every family was begging her to form a marriage alliance.

It was all because A Yuan seduced her son. If only she weren't around...

The mother and son parted on bad terms, with Wei Xun emanating cold anger.

After relocating to the outer courtyard, A Yuan remained the same as before.

She wasn't used to being served and returned all the maids sent by Madam Zheng.

Chun Tao sorted her embroidery threads for her and placed the pastries delivered from the kitchen in front of her.

The almond milk was sweet and delicious. The mung bean cakes were freshly baked, a far cry from the cold and hard pastries previously sent to the Yuqing Courtyard.

Not just A Yuan, even Chun Tao noticed the change in attitude among the servants and maids.

"These people are used to sucking up to the powerful and stepping on the weak. Now that they see you're favored, they are all rushing to curry favor. Ugh! A bunch of opportunists!"

A Yuan remained silent at the little maid's words and did not respond, while Chun Tao babbled on.

"Master, you should have stood up for yourself long ago. You've been bullied by them for so long. Luckily, the young master favors you. Now they must all regret it."

When the master is favored, the maids also feel proud. Chun Tao had been thriving in the household these days. Those who had bullied her now had to call her Sister Chun Tao when they met. The little maid felt thoroughly pleased, her spirits lifted with pride.

But A Yuan was not happy. Wei Xun had broken the norms for her, and she only felt anxious.

Was such favor something she could endure?