Chapter 92: The Chosen Daughter-in-Law

Chapter 92: The Picked Bride

Wei Xun dropped to his knees without protest, his lips pressed tightly together.

Marquis Wei wasn’t finished yelling at him. Having been away from the capital for many years, devoting most of his life to guarding the frontier, he found none of his four kids had spared him any grief.

The eldest had died young, the second was sickly and obsessed with women, and his daughter was dull-witted. He’d originally thought the third son would be the promising one, but who could have guessed he’d be even worse?

The moment Marquis Wei recalled the looks his colleagues had given him upon his return to the capital, he was itching to grab his horsewhip and teach his son a harsh lesson.

“If you inherit this house, mark my words—you’ll run it into the ground!”

“Husband, the third son already knows his mistakes. Don’t scold him too much.”

Madam Wei was at her wits’ end. Even if Wei Xun had defied her, he was still her own flesh and blood.

“Hmph! If he truly knew his mistakes, he would have settled down by now and taken up the responsibilities of the Marquisate!”

These words struck a chord with Madam Wei. “Your father is right. Third Son, you’ve got to settle down eventually. Guys your age already have kids who could be dads by now. And you—when will you let your father and me hold a grandchild?”

Wei Xun raised his head, his expression solemn and sincere. “Father, Mother, I already have a child.”

“What? Who’s the mother?”

Marquis Wei jumped up, his face already burning with fury.

In families like theirs, illegitimate children were scandals. Though the Marquisate lacked heirs, that didn’t mean they would accept any bastard child.

Madam Wei was equally anxious and urged repeatedly, “Third Son, speak quickly! Whose child is this?”

Wei Xun lowered his gaze. “A Yuan bore me a daughter. She’s already over a year old now.”

“A Yuan? But she’s dead! How could she have given birth?” Wei Jin exclaimed, voicing the question on everyone’s mind.

Wei Xun glanced at her, his glare so icy it made her flinch. Scared, Wei Jin shrank back and dared not say another word.

“How dare you frighten your sister! You disgraceful brat!”

Marquis Wei snatched up a teacup and hurled it at him. The cup smashed at Wei Xun’s feet, fragments cutting his face and leaving several wounds.

“What? Do you intend to bring that child back?”

Wei Xun straightened his back and nodded. “Father, I wish to marry A Yuan as my wife.”

He spoke evenly, neither backing down nor challenging. Marquis Wei sneered. “Absolutely not! Why would you marry some conniving temptress who faked her death and fled while pregnant? To me, she seems nothing but trouble!”

A seasoned military man, Marquis Wei instinctively equated A Yuan with cunning, manipulative women.

“I let it slide when you called off the engagement with the Shen family’s daughter—after all, that family was rotten. Marrying into that family would’ve brought nothing but trouble. But the young lady I’ve chosen for you comes from a respectable family. Her brother is one of my most capable generals under my command. We know where they come from—they would never harm you.”

“Husband, which family is this young lady from?” Madam Wei asked.

Marquis Wei’s eyes lit up with approval. “She’s the sister of Xie Zheng—the newly promoted General of the Valiant Cavalry by His Majesty!”

Though the young lady was still missing, Marquis Wei had already reached an agreement with Xie Zheng. If she remained unmarried, she would be betrothed to Wei Xun.

"I reject this match!"

Wei Xun stood up with a cold expression. "I reject this match. The title of heir's wife belongs only to A Yuan!"

"You disgraceful boy!"

Marquis Wei’s chest heaved with fury, but Wei Xun could already see that no one in the family would support him. After bowing, he turned and left.

This time, no matter how many opposed him, he was determined to marry A Yuan.

"This is your fault—raising a son like this, who knows no rules!"

With Wei Xun gone, Marquis Wei vented his anger on Madam Wei.

Naturally, Madam Wei refused to take the blame. Her wrinkled face twisted in anger. "Where were you while I raised them alone? Now you blame me? Go ahead, throw us out if you dare!"

"Stop this nonsense!" Marquis Wei knew he was in the wrong. In his life, he had been loyal to the nation and the people—his only regret was failing his wife and three children.

"It's just that the third son is too outrageous. I spoke in anger. But that concubine will never be wed! Once Xie Zheng arrives in the capital, I’ll invite him home to discuss the marriage!"

......

After storming out of Cian Court, Wei Xun immediately sent someone to Suzhou to bring A Yuan and her daughter.

"It's cold—no need to hurry on the journey. A Man is still young and hasn’t traveled far before. Bring some maidservants to tend to them on the way—Nanny Zheng will do. She’s always meticulous..."

Wei Xun rambled on with instructions, afraid of missing anything. If he weren’t tied up, he would have gone to Suzhou himself to bring them back.

As the Marquis’ servants departed, A Yuan and Xie Zheng also arrived in the capital.

Xie Zheng’s General’s estate was in the western part of the city, far from the Marquis’ estate, so there was no chance of encountering anyone from the Wei family.

Xie Zheng dismounted first, tossing the reins to his subordinate before walking to the carriage and drawing back the carriage curtain.

A Yuan, who hadn’t been to the capital in two years, still shrank back nervously. Xie Zheng reached out his hand to her, just as he had when they were children, his voice gentle.

"Little sister, welcome home."

Holding A Man in one arm, A Yuan grasped Xie Zheng’s arm and stepped down from the carriage.

The estate of the General of the Valiant Cavalry was vast. Its previous owner had been a prince who was later executed for treason. The estate was renovated and granted to Xie Zheng.

The steward, having received word in advance, had the courtyard scrubbed spotless and led the household servants to greet them at the gate.

"Welcome home, General! Welcome, my lady! Welcome, young miss!"

A Man, woken by the noise, lifted her drowsy eyes from her mother’s arms.

Having slept through the journey, she was still a little dazed. Seeing so many people calling her "young miss," her tiny mouth rounded in awe.

"Uncle’s house is full of people!"

She really believed now that her uncle had treasures!

Xie Zheng hoisted her onto his shoulders with doting pride. "A Man is the young lady of this house. Later, you can pick a few maids to serve you."

The hardships of the past could not be erased, but from now on, with him here, his sister and niece would have the best of everything.

They’d want for nothing that others enjoyed.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

Perched suddenly up high, A Man was instantly wide awake. Hearing her uncle's words, she smiled sweetly, eyes curving, and thanked him.

Xie Zheng felt deeply satisfied and broke into a broad grin. "How about a kiss for your uncle?" he said.

The little girl sat atop his shoulders, her small hands gripping his hair. At his request, she leaned forward slightly but plumped back down when she felt unsteady.

A Man pouted, frustrated. "Can't reach."

"Ha ha ha!"

Xie Zheng boomed with laughter, thoroughly amused by the little one. Normally so serious, this was the first time he had laughed so joyfully.

Lin Qingshuang cast an affectionate glance at the pair. "Brother, don't spoil her too much. Be careful she gets out of hand."

A Man was already more mischievous than other children, and with someone backing her up now, who knows what she'll be like later.

But Xie Zheng wouldn't have it. "A Man is so well-behaved, how could she be spoiled? Even if she were, her uncle would be here for her!"

Laughing and chatting, they entered the mansion, completely unaware that this scene had caught the eye of someone at the street corner.

Lin Qingshuang clutched her handkerchief, her eyes welling up suddenly.