Reborn Lady - Chapter 254
Wei Yan contemplated for a moment and said, “In any case, we still have to maintain a facade. No one knows what will happen in the future.”
Ji Xianxian snorted, “All right, all right, I’ll be a person with my tail between my legs from now on. You didn’t make any contribution in the past three years, and my natal family didn’t do much either.”
Wei Yan’s chest felt stuffy when she said that, as if he were genuinely choking.
How didn’t he do any meritorious deeds? When defending the city, only Empress Xu and his Elder Brother stood at the front. In fact, he was busy all the time doing dirty and tiring work. But his reputation was taken away by the Elder Brother, and he became “did nothing”.
His wife’s family and his mother’s family, the Li family and the Ji family were all civil servants living in the capital, unable to provide assistance to his father. However, after his father ascended the throne, the Li family and the Ji family, as prominent families in Jinling, became the first to truly support him. They strategically utilized their in-law relationships to stabilize the court and gain the favor of the people. Wouldn’t that be considered a credit?
“Shut up! You better not speak!” Wei Yan finally couldn’t hold back and scolded Ji Xianxian.
It was unusual for Ji Xianxian not to talk stubbornly, but she hugged him and said delicately, “I deliberately used words to arouse your fighting spirit. Now, as Prince Chu, the second son with two influential aristocratic families standing behind you, you should hold your head high and your chest straight. Why bother cringing your neck and looking at other people’s faces?”
Wei Yan snorted, “I won’t shrink my neck, but don’t raise your neck too high. I’m not asking you to be as dignified as my third sister-in-law. At least you can learn from her.”
Ji Xianxian sat up suddenly, saying, “How am I not dignified? How am I not as good as the third sister-in-law?”
Due to Wei Yan’s words, the couple’s conversation shifted from serious to fighting, becoming noisy. Yet, despite their morning disagreement, they still managed to present a harmonious front when family members arrived at the door.
The Eldest Princess’s husband’s family, the Zhao family, was a lineage of military officers in the previous dynasty. This was solely because the first Emperor elevated a cadre of military officers with fundamental knowledge upon ascending the throne. The Eldest Princess’s husband, Zhao Mao, also held a prominent position among the young elite of the capital during that period. Empress Xu, having heard of his reputation, allowed her only daughter from the direct line to marry him.
Zhao Mao stood tall, exuding charm. During the reign of the late Emperor, he served as the deputy commander of the first guard in the capital. Unfortunately, with the demise of the late
Emperor Wei Ang grew wary of the Yan Palace’s in-laws. Consequently, he made up a reason to strip Zhao Mao of his official position. As King Yan initiated a complete rebellion, the entire Zhao family was grounded.
So, Zhao Mao directed his fury towards Wei Jin, and the entire Zhao family turned against her. When she betrayed the court, indifferent to the fate of her three children, Zhao Mao eagerly wanted to personally end the life of this cold-blooded woman. Fortunately, Wei Ang was not prone to indiscriminate killing and ensured the safe return of the three children.
During that time, the Zhao family earnestly hoped that Wei Ang would successfully defend the capital. Little did they anticipate that numerous individuals would surrender to King Yan, facilitating his smooth entry to the city.
When the news came out, all the members of the Zhao family gathered together, all shrunk their necks, and no longer dared to scold Wei Jin. Zhao Mao’s parents, uncles, and aunts advised him to swiftly appease Wei Jin, to find a way to win her favor and prevent the Zhao family from going further down.
Though uncomfortable, Zhao Mao recognized the necessity of yielding. Failure to do so could empower Wei Jin’s cold-blooded nature, possibly leading Emperor Yongping to punish the Zhao family.
So, Zhao Mao dismissed all the childless concubines, while those with children were banished to Zhuangzi, never to be seen again. Wei Jin took the three children and relocated to the mansion, with Zhao Mao hastily following. Perhaps Wei Jin still harbored a trace of old affection for him, as she refrained from humiliating him and allowed him to live.
Within the Princess Mansion, Zhao Mao’s status was inferior to that of the three children.
Adjacent to the Princess Mansion were two additional mansions—one belonging to the second elder brother and the other to the third younger brother of the Eldest Princess. Despite not sharing the same mother, both were surnamed Wei.
Hence, when facing Prince Chu (Wei Yan) adorned in a dragon robe, Zhao Mao found it difficult to stand tall.
Wei Yan paid no attention to him and, after reminiscing about the past with the Eldest Princess, summoned her two sons to the forefront. He grasped the shoulder of eleven-year-old Zhao Ling and remarked, “It seems he has acquired some martial skills; the Imperial Father favors the younger generation with proficient martial arts the most. You must dedicate yourself to practice, and the Imperial Father will appoint you as an official when you come of age.”
Zhao Ling, always inclined to care for his mother tenderly, vividly recalled the times when his father berated her in his presence—the most uncomfortable moments etched in his memory. Consequently, he developed a fondness for the Imperial Grandfather, the Wei family, and preferred living with his mother in the new mansion.
“Thank you, Uncle, for your guidance,” the young boy saluted with utmost sincerity.
The adults engaged in conversation while the children played.
Zhao Ling matched Er Lang in age, Zhao Yun shared Sister Zhuang’s age, and even the youngest son of the Eldest Princess, Zhao Chun, was six years old, minimizing the age gaps. Logically, children of similar ages could play together comfortably. However, Er Lang and Sister Zhuang displayed a hint of arrogance, and Si Lang followed the lead of his siblings. The three children of the Zhao family, affected by recent family changes, remained quiet. Consequently, aside from two girls engaged in a conversation about flowers and plants, the six children maintained a subdued atmosphere.
The Elder Princess and Ji Xianxian found little to discuss and departed after a brief tea-drinking session, citing their need to visit the Shu Mansion.
“Mother, I don’t like Sister Zhuang,” eight-year-old Zhao Yun confided to her mother after leaving the Chu Palace.
The Eldest Princess smiled and replied, “If you don’t like them, that’s perfectly fine. Uncle Shu has a little sister who just turned one year old, and she’s adorable.”
Younger children were less complex and approached others with sincerity.
However, there was an exception – the Third Brother, Wei Luo, who exuded a cold demeanor. The Eldest Princess wondered if the other children in his family shared the same disposition.
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