Chapter 146: Aunt Hui’s Plan

**Chapter 146: Aunt Hui’s Intentions**

“Auntie, I only see Brother Yan as a brother. Forcing a match would just make us miserable. Besides, I can tell Brother Yan isn’t indifferent to Yue Niang. She’s genuinely kind-hearted, without any ulterior motives. If you’re willing to accept her, she’ll be a devoted daughter-in-law.”

A Yuan had known Madam Wei’s cruelty firsthand and didn’t want Yue Niang to suffer the same.

Aunt Hui wasn’t like Madam Wei—she wasn’t a snob about status, nor was she cruel. She just hated the thought of her son having a concubine.

“If he truly likes her, he should marry her properly. Giving her the title of a concubine lowers himself and humiliates her.”

Aunt Hui was clearly upset. A Yuan squeezed her arm, soothing her. “Brother Yan just hasn’t figured out his own feelings yet. Once he does, he’ll treat Yue Niang right.”

Just like Wei Xun, who only valued her after she was gone.

A Yuan lowered her eyes, hiding her emotions.

Aunt Hui, busy scolding Zhou Yan in her head, didn’t notice her discomfort. “But what’ll *you* do? Are you really going to choose a husband?”

Aunt Hui backed A Yuan’s choice to remarry.

But with her past involving Wei Xun and A Man, most men wouldn’t accept a wife who had borne another man’s child.

Aunt Hui worried A Yuan might rush into another mistake—after all, marriage shaped a woman’s whole future.

A Yuan kept quiet about her new pregnancy, afraid Aunt Hui would confront Wei Xun.

That night had been Wei Xun saving her.

For all his faults, he hadn’t wronged her then.

Pushing the thought aside, A Yuan forced a smile. “Auntie, you know I’m not young anymore. I’ve got to settle down sometime. Otherwise, once my brother marries, I’d just be in the way.”

She said it to reassure Aunt Hui, but also herself.

However kind her brother was, she couldn’t overstay her welcome at the general’s mansion forever. Otherwise, her future sister-in-law might resent it—and that would hurt her brother.

Aunt Hui let out a sigh. As a widow with no home to return to, she understood A Yuan better than anyone.

The world was cruel to women, especially those without a husband’s family.

“If you’re worried about having nowhere to go, we could be each other’s family. I’ll look after you.”

Aunt Hui treated her like a daughter and couldn’t bear to see her suffer.

Zhou Yan was grown now and didn’t need her. In his eyes, she might even be a burden. She’d rather live with A Yuan.

A Yuan’s heart swelled at Aunt Hui’s words. Having lost her mother so young, she’d missed out on a mother’s love—but Aunt Hui had given her that tenderness.

She hugged Aunt Hui’s arm, leaning against her shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Auntie. I have my plans.”

She only wanted to give her unborn child a legitimate name. She wouldn’t mind raising the child alone.

......

Chang Yuan, eavesdropping outside, almost choked.

What had he just heard? Mistress Xie was choosing a husband?

Then what about his master?

Chang Yuan's heart burned with anxiety. Without stopping to find his wife, he hurried back to the Marquis' residence to deliver the news.

Wei Xun had barely recovered from the shock of becoming a father when he suddenly heard that A Yuan was seeking a husband. His hand clenched reflexively, snapping a fine wolf-hair brush in half.

"We'll see who dares!"

He wanted to see who in the capital would dare compete with him for his woman!

But Chang Yuan wasn't as optimistic. Though the Marquis held power and influence, Young General Xie was just as formidable.

The capital was full of men eager to curry favor with General Xie, not to mention Mistress Xie's stunning beauty.

Men adored beautiful women—even without Xie Zheng's sister as her identity, Mistress Xie would have no shortage of suitors.

Only his lord had been blind and failed to cherish her before, which was why he still hadn't gotten her back.

Chang Yuan shook his head and asked, "What if Mistress Xie insists on marrying someone else?"

Would his master actually crash the wedding?

This time, Chang Yuan underestimated Wei Xun. He wasn't just planning to disrupt a wedding—if A Yuan married another, he was willing to be her secret lover.

Especially now that A Yuan carried his child. The thought of his child calling another man "Father" was unbearable.

"Round up every matchmaker in the capital. I'll meet with each one."

He couldn't stop A Yuan, but he could stop it at the source.

......

When the General's residence announced Mistress Xie's intention to choose a husband, many young men in the capital were intrigued.

They had seen A Yuan—a once-in-a-lifetime beauty. So what if she had once been a concubine? With the prestigious third-rank General of the Valiant Cavalry backing her, marrying her meant not only gaining a stunning wife but also a powerful brother-in-law.

But their hopes were dashed by Wei Xun.

Any man who sought out a matchmaker to propose was visited that very night by officers from the Capital Prefecture.

Wei Xun, like some avenging spirit, led a dozen sword-wielding guards to confront these suitors in their beds, forcing them to swear they would never harass A Yuan before letting them go.

So despite the General's residence putting out word for over ten days, not a single prospect had come forward.

A Yuan's morning sickness grew worse. This child was clearly more active than A Man had been. When she had carried A Man, the little girl had been well-behaved, never gave her trouble—unlike this one, who made eating nearly impossible.

Wei Xun slipped in multiple times, always bringing candied fruits and nourishing soups.

He hadn't been there for A Man, but he refused to miss this child's life.

Yet A Yuan never showed him any warmth.

And to escape him, her determination to marry grew stronger.

"Mistress, a matchmaker has come!"

Early in the morning, Chun Tao rushed in excitedly.

"Where?"

A Yuan stood up eagerly. She had been disheartened—after half a month of putting out word, not a single suitor had appeared. Was she really so unappealing?

Now that someone had finally come to propose, even if he were a pig, she would see it with her own eyes.

But A Yuan never expected the visitor to be him.

"Marquis Wei."

Wei Xun sat in the main hall of the general's residence, with Chang Yuan and the matchmaker standing beside him.

Upon seeing A Yuan enter, the matchmaker eagerly stepped forward.

"Oh my, this must be Lady Xie! Truly a stunning beauty who could bring kingdoms to their knees—a match made in heaven with our young Marquis Wei!"

Matchmakers were known for their gift of gab. Though fully aware of A Yuan and Wei Xun's relationship, she pretended this was their first meeting as a prospective couple.

A Yuan pursed her lips, displeased, and glared at Wei Xun.

"What does the Marquis mean by this?"

Was it fun to toy with her like this?

Her eyes flashed with anger, and her body had grown somewhat frail from morning sickness.

Wei Xun had no intention of upsetting her. He rose and approached her, his usually cold eyes filled with sincerity.

"You wish to marry, and I wish to wed. A Yuan, why not make it official?"

"Indeed, Lady Xie! Our young Marquis Wei is accomplished and handsome, with no other women in his household. You two are perfectly matched—please say yes!"

The matchmaker jumped in, knowing she had no choice. Wei Xun had sabotaged all her other matches. If this one fell through, she'd end up penniless—and her reputation as the capital's top matchmaker would be ruined.

So, these two absolutely had to wed!

"Such a bully, Marquis Wei. If A Yuan refuses, will you force her to marry you?"

Zhou Yan, having heard of Wei Xun's visit, rushed back from his office.

Taking in the scene, he scoffed.