Chapter 103: The Bad Uncle is Father

Chapter 103 The Bad Uncle Is Daddy

“A-Man is so well-behaved, how could they not like her!”

Marquis Wei couldn’t stand seeing his little granddaughter so timid. Even if they didn’t, he’d make them!

“Besides, don’t you want to see your daddy—ahem… Bad Uncle?”

“Is Bad Uncle here too? A-Man wants to see him!”

The little girl instantly perked up upon hearing Wei Xun’s name.

Though her uncle had given her many treasures, her favorite was still the rabbit-shaped warming-jade from Bad Uncle.

Her mother had promised to write to her daddy and Bad Uncle once they reached the capital. She’d already received her daddy’s letter, but nothing had come from Bad Uncle.

Now that she knew Bad Uncle was in the capital, A-Man pouted, feeling slighted. She wanted to ask him if he didn’t like her anymore.

...

Marquis Wei helped A-Man down from the horse in front of the Marquis' estate. The little girl was bundled in a cloak, with only her eyes peeking out.

“Grandpa’s home is huge too!”

Having stayed at her uncle’s for several months, A-Man was no clueless toddler anymore. After exclaiming in awe, she quickly changed the subject.

“Grandpa, where’s Bad Uncle?”

Marquis Wei feigned heartbreak. Though he played with her every day, his little granddaughter still longed for that wayward son.

“He’s inside. Grandpa will take you to him.”

Word of A-Man’s arrival spread to Ci’an Manor.

Zhao Wan stood by Madam Wei’s side when she heard the servant’s report, and her stomach dropped.

Marquis Wei doted far too much on that little nobody. Cheng Ye was the eldest grandson of the marquis’s household, yet after returning to the capital, Marquis Wei had given him only cursory attention—nothing like the gifts and horseback riding lessons he lavished on A-Man.

“She hasn’t even been legitimized yet. What’s she doing here?” Clearly, Madam Wei was displeased as well.

Zhao Wan’s expression softened. “Father likes her so much—he’ll legitimize her soon enough.”

Her words sounded comforting, but they only added fuel to the flames.

Madam Wei slammed her cup onto the table with a loud *smack*. “If she wants to be legitimized, she’ll have to see if I allow it!”

“What won’t you allow?”

Marquis Wei strode in with his head held high, carrying a doll-like child in his arms.

His voice boomed like a bell, making A-Man yank his beard in protest. “Grandpa, you scared A-Man.”

“Alright, alright. Grandpa will speak softly.”

The sudden change in Marquis Wei’s demeanor stunned both women into silence. They eyed her critically.

Especially Madam Wei. When she saw how much A-Man resembled A Yuan, her face darkened.

“Why doesn’t she favor Third Son?”

This child was born outside by A Yuan, who knows if she’s even Wei Xun’s child.

"You must be losing your eyesight in your old age!"

Marquis Wei had never thought his wife could be so foolish. Since he’d spent years away at war, he relied on her to manage the household, and he was willing to let minor flaws slide.

But when Madam Wei cast doubt on A Man's parentage, Marquis Wei was furious.

"Her eyes and brows are the spitting image of Wei Xun’s! How much more alike do you want her to be?"

Madam Wei still shrank from her husband’s anger.

"I—I was just talking nonsense."

"Tch! Don’t think I don’t know what’s on your mind. A Man is my precious little granddaughter—cut the crap about legitimacy and hierarchy!"

His wife was competent in every way, except for her rigid, rule-obsessed nature.

If not for her constant meddling, A Yuan and Wei Xun wouldn’t be in their current mess.

"Little granddaughter? Grandpa, who is Wei Xun?"

The little girl, who had been watching the commotion, suddenly spoke up. That nasty old woman said she was Wei Xun’s child, but she didn’t know any Wei Xun—wasn’t she Daddy’s child?

"Ack!"

Marquis Wei faltered. In his haste to reprimand his wife, he’d forgotten his granddaughter was present.

Zhao Wan’s eyes lit up. "Wei Xun is your father."

"You’re lying! That bad man isn’t Daddy! My daddy is Zhou Yan!"

A Man stuck her chin out, glaring at Zhao Wan.

Zhao Wan had only meant to curry favor with her father-in-law, never expecting to uncover such shocking revelation.

"This..."

Her face froze in awkward shock as she glanced helplessly at Marquis Wei.

"Father, could there have been a mistake?"

"What mistake? A Man is absolutely Wei Xun’s child. If she calls someone else 'Daddy,' it’s only because Wei Xun failed her. He has no right to blame her for not acknowledging him."

Marquis Wei was fiercely protective. Zhao Wan shrank back, not daring to push further, but Madam Wei was displeased.

"Still, there’s no reason to call another man 'Daddy.' Her mother had no manners, but she’s young enough to correct. Since you’re so fond of her, Marquis, let her stay in the manor. We’ll have the maids straighten her out."

"Save your concern, Mother. A Man may call me whatever she likes and do as she pleases. As for the manor’s rules, perhaps you should focus on teaching Wei Jin."

Wei Xun’s voice rang out before he even entered the room.

Father and son were two peas in a pod when it came to protectiveness, leaving Madam Wei fuming.

"Fine! Have it your way—I give up!"

She’d barely gotten two words out before Wei Xun threw Wei Jin in her face.

Clutching her heart, Madam Wei only despised A Man more.

This wild child is just like her mother—nothing likable about her.

"You’re a bad uncle!"

Upon seeing Wei Xun, A Man wriggled free from Marquis Wei’s hold.

"Bad uncle, they say you're A Man's father. Is it true?"

The little girl shrank back slightly but held her ground, tilting her small face up to ask.

Wei Xun felt as though words caught in his throat, unsure how to respond.

He had never fulfilled his responsibilities as a father to A Man. If she knew the truth, would she hate him?

"I... Would A Man even want me as her father?"

After hesitating, he still didn’t dare admit it outright, instead deflecting the question back to the little girl.

A Man’s head whipped side to side. "No! You just make Mother upset! And you never answered my letters! I don’t want you around!"

She had seen her mother crying in secret several times. A real father wouldn’t make Mother cry!

Wei Xun’s chest felt as though it had been pierced by sharp arrows—excruciating.

"I never wanted to hurt your mother..."

He had simply been too arrogant, thinking A Yuan would never leave him. But now, neither mother nor daughter wanted him.

"Nuh-uh! I’m not listening! I don’t want bad uncle as my father!"

Cheeks puffed, she spun away, clearly unwilling to engage further.

Marquis Wei glared furiously at Wei Xun, furious at his incompetence. "Good-for-nothing!"

His daughter was right in front of him, yet he couldn’t even coax her. No wonder his wife and daughter wanted nothing to do with him at his age. With that way with words, it was no surprise he couldn’t win them back.

"Can’t you see A Man doesn’t want to look at you? Scram!"

Marquis Wei glared furiously, his frustration boiling over.

But Wei Xun had finally reunited with his daughter—how could he bear to leave?

As he stood there stubbornly, Marquis Wei, unable to contain his rage, grabbed a teacup and hurled it at him. The teacup slammed into Wei Xun’s chest.

"Out! Now!"

Wei Xun hissed through gritted teeth but remained rooted in place, unwilling to go.

"Father, please—let me stay with her."