Chapter 134: Dividing the Family

Chapter 134: The Division

"Sir, the Jade Purity Courtyard has been tidied up. You and Lady Xie may move in now." Chang Yuan had arranged for the cleaning in advance.

Wei Xun glanced at the visibly nervous woman beside him and nodded. "Fetch a bowl of sweet red bean soup from the kitchen."

A-Yuan loved sweets, especially when anxious. It had been a long time since she last returned to the marquis’ estate, and Wei Xun feared she might recall unpleasant memories.

"Where’s A Man?"

A-Yuan’s thoughts were solely with her daughter. Since A Man’s birth, she had never been separated from her for so long. While at the villa, she hadn’t felt it as keenly, but now that they were back in the capital, she ached to see her.

Chang Yuan called over a maid from the courtyard. "Bring Young Mistress here at once."

The maid hesitated, her head lowered, not daring to meet their eyes. Sensing something amiss, A-Yuan sprang to her feet.

"Where is A Man? Has something happened to her?"

"Young... Young Mistress..."

"Speak now!"

Even Wei Xun noticed the abnormality, his expression turning icy in an instant.

The maid fell to her knees. "Young Mistress came to blows with the young lord and had been made to kneel in the family shrine by Madam Wei."

"Punished to kneel? Why wasn’t this reported sooner?"

Chang Yuan was beside himself. Since they were in their own residence, he hadn’t paid much attention, and with Madam Wei confined to her quarters, he never expected her to oppose Young Mistress.

"I’m going to find A Man!"

A-Yuan clenched her fists tightly at her sides, her gentle demeanor replaced by fury.

Wei Xun’s heart tightened, knowing his two weeks of efforts to win her favor had all been in vain.

Her daughter was her life. She had entrusted A Man to the marquis’ estate because she trusted them, but now, with this happening, she would only grow more resentful toward the household.

Wei Xun’s brows furrowed deeply, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"To Ci’an Courtyard!"

Though Madam Wei was confined to her quarters, she was only forbidden from leaving Ci’an Courtyard. With A Man kneeling in the family shrine, her pent-up frustration had lightened considerably.

"Hmph!" she muttered. "That ill-bred little wretch. I don’t know what the marquis sees in her. Now that she’s back in the marquis’ estate, she must learn its rules."

Madam Wei reclined on the divan, a young maid kneading her shoulders from behind.

Zhao Wan added beside her, "Indeed, Mother is only doing what’s best for her. Even if Third Young Master and the marquis return, they couldn’t possibly criticize you. They’ll surely praise your teaching."

"Hmph! Am I not her grandmother? Would I ever harm her?"

If that little baggage wanted to be part of this household, she had to obey her!

"The Young Master..."

Inside the room, Mother and daughter-in-law were still conversing when Wei Xun entered with a face like stone. Granny Lin saw him first, her legs trembling as she sank into a kneeling bow.

"Third Young Master... you're back."

Zhao Wan stood up too, her expression visibly uneasy at the sight of Wei Xun, terrified he might have overheard what they'd just said.

Wei Xun cast a brief glance at her, his eyes cold and unfeeling.

"How do Mother and Second Sister-in-law intend to teach A Man propriety?"

"I... I..."

Zhao Wan couldn't find words. She had only dared mistreat that illegitimate child in Wei Xun's absence—never dreaming he would return so soon.

Her gaze darted nervously, confirming from his expression that he was furious.

The Dowager Marquise was startled too, but drawing on her maternal authority, she tried to maintain her composure. "What? I'm her grandmother. Shouldn't I correct her behavior? It's all the Xie family's fault for not raising her properly. If she offends someone important later, it could bring disgrace upon the Marquisate!"

"So you're only concerned about the Marquisate being implicated."

Wei Xun gave a mocking laugh. He should have known better than to hope for kindness from his mother.

She spoke endlessly of propriety, yet ordered disciplinary kneeling for a mere toddler. Why must he continue to uphold such standards?

A pause followed as the emotional weight settled.

"She's part of the Wei lineage," he continued, voice strained. "Her duty lies with the family."

His fury now boiled close to the surface. His eyes burned red-rimmed, knuckles white from clenching his fists.

"Mother, A Man is only three years old—barely more than a babe!"

"If you dislike her so much, I'll remove her from this house. But why punish her?"

He had always shown warmth toward Cheng Ye and Young Master Wei Jin's son. Why then did she treat A Man with such cruelty?

Wei Xun didn't care how his mother treated him—but she had no right to harm A Man.

Cornered by his accusation, the Dowager felt guilt twist into anger. Drawing herself up stiffly, she snapped, "Remove her? You're the heir to the Marquisate—where would you go? I merely disciplined her strictly, and you react like this? Wei Xun, where is your filial piety?"

"Filial piety? Ha!" Wei Xun scoffed bitterly.

"If making my child grovel counts as piety, then I reject it."

"Mother, I demand we split the family estate!"

"You—you... disgraceful child!" The Dowager was utterly stunned.

Split the family estate?

The Marquisate had only two legitimate lines. Wei Cong's branch clearly lacked any capacity to claim inheritance rights—the household's future depended entirely on Wei Xun.

Besides, seeking separation while his parents still lived was unfilial!

The Dowager would never permit it.

But before she could protest, the Marquis's voice rang out from beyond the door.

"So be it. I consent."

"Marquis Wei?"

Madam Wei exclaimed in shock. Had he lost his senses? What would people say about the Marquis’s estate—and about us—if we divided the household?

Marquis Wei shot her a look of disgust. He’d only been gone half a day, and she’d already forced A Man to kneel as punishment! If A Man really came back to the estate, who knew what kind of torment she’d face?

"Although the third son is the heir, he is not yet married. After the division, we will stay with the second branch. The second son's wife will only manage affairs within her own courtyard. For now, Nanny Zheng will handle the household affairs until the third son marries, after which it will be handed over to the heir's wife."

"I’m getting old—it’s time to pass the title to the third son."

Zhao Wan was already dreading the thought of dividing the household, and upon hearing Marquis Wei’s arrangements, she nearly fainted.

Wei Cong had neither power nor influence. Without the estate, he’d just be a useless layabout. Moreover, the division would bring no benefits to their branch—instead, they would have to support Marquis Wei and Madam Wei. She could already picture the struggles to come.

Zhao Wan fought back tears. "Father, today’s incident was Cheng Ye’s fault to begin with. If you’re angry, punish him instead. How could you break up the household?"

"Husband, why tear the family apart when things are going well? Don’t you and the third son care about your reputations?" Madam Wei chimed in, trying to persuade him.

Marquis Wei shot her a furious glare. "Reputation? Is reputation more important than A Man’s life?"

"My mind’s made up. No more discussion!"

The relationship between his son and daughter-in-law was already strained. Instead of helping, his wife had gone out of her way to make things difficult for them and their granddaughter.

Marquis Wei had had enough of her. If not for the fact that she had raised their three children, he would have already considered divorce.

Madam Wei opened her mouth to argue, but his glare silenced her.

After decades together, she could still read his thoughts.

Marquis Wei wanted to divorce her. Madam Wei felt like she’d been thrown into an ice-cold pit.

She was already in her sixties. If she were cast out, her reputation would be ruined beyond repair.

She refused to let that happen!