bayedsolid Chapter 207 Reconciliation
Chapter 207 Reconciliation
"Let others worry about their own affairs. Now that you're pregnant, be happy and think about happy things. Don't dwell on unhappy things. I'll take care of everything! As long as I'm here, I'll handle everything, whether it's the Shangguan family's affairs or the Yu family's affairs. You don't need to worry!"
Prince Duan smiled gently at Zisu. His words and actions always unintentionally exuded an indescribable nobility and elegance.
Zisu felt a warmth in her heart, and suddenly felt as if the sharp north wind outside the window was like a spring breeze, carrying a touch of warmth.
"Okay, I understand. I'll be happier and won't meddle in other people's business!" Zisu nestled in his arms and said softly.
From now on, as long as Fang Qiong doesn't come to see her, she won't think about Fang Qiong's affairs. At most, she'll introduce her to one of her father's subordinates, just to make the connection. She won't worry about how things develop between Fang Qiong and that person in the future.
In the blink of an eye, a month has passed.
After a blind date, Fang Qiong and Wang Yong, a subordinate of Zisu's father, took a liking to each other. After meeting Fang Heng, Wang Yong discussed with Fang Heng that they would soon go to the Marquis of Zhongxin's residence to propose marriage. The wedding date was also planned to be set for two years later, when Fang Qiong would turn sixteen.
That year, Fang Qiong was fourteen years old, and Wang Yong was twenty-one years old.
Madam Li then instigated Marquis Zhongxin: "My lord, this Wang Yong is only a fifth-rank official, and his father is only a seventh-rank county magistrate. His family is quite ordinary, not wealthy or noble. In the future, instead of helping the Marquis's mansion, they will need the Marquis's mansion to help them. We can't accept this son-in-law. What's the point of having such a terrible son-in-law?"
Marquis Zhongxin was already dissatisfied with this marriage, and this provocation immediately enraged him. He summoned Fang Qiong and said, "You unfilial brat, you didn't even tell me you were getting engaged. Are you so desperate to marry that you actually fancy that boy from a poor family? That boy is like a toad trying to eat swan meat!"
Madam Li: "Indeed, he's a toad! Miss, you are the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's family, you mustn't make a foolish decision! Marrying that boy surnamed Wang is not as good as marrying my nephew from my maternal family. My nephew from my maternal family is now a fifth-rank official. My nephew from my maternal family passed the imperial examination on his own, which is much better than that military officer!"
Fang Qiong asked coldly, "May I ask Aunt Li, how old is your nephew? Is he married? Does he have children?" She had heard of the nephew Aunt Li was referring to.
Aunt Li stammered, "My nephew from my maternal family is a bit older, but not that old. He's only twenty-five this year. He's been married before, but he has a daughter. He's not a boy, so what does it matter?"
Fang Qiong sneered: "The reason your nephew is a fifth-rank official is because he followed in his father's footsteps. Otherwise, he would definitely still be a seventh-rank official! Moreover, I heard that his wife died because she was tormented by her mother-in-law? Is that true or not?!"
Fang Qiong practically spat out the last few words through gritted teeth.
Aunt Li's face was extremely ugly. She hadn't expected Fang Qiong to know even this; she had thought Fang Qiong was just a fourteen-year-old girl, how could she know such things? The reason she wanted Fang Qiong to marry her nephew was simply because she was after Fang Qiong's dowry, wanting her family to profit from it, and then she herself would also get a share.
Upon hearing his daughter's words, Marquis Zhongxin's eyes widened in disbelief: "Li Shi, is Qiong'er right? Is your niece-in-law truly tormented to death by her mother-in-law?!"
Li was speechless, her face turning pale and then flushed.
Fang Qiong sneered, "Aunt Li, you're just a concubine. How dare you interfere in the marriage of the legitimate daughter?! Or perhaps you covet the position of the Marquis's wife and want to take her place?!"
His words were forceful and stern.
As expected, Marquis Zhongxin was also angered upon hearing this: "Li, how dare you! Not only can you not interfere in the marriage of your legitimate daughter, but you also have no right to interfere in the marriage of your illegitimate daughter. Moreover, you harbor ill intentions and are trying to push Qiong'er into a pit of fire. Considering that you have given birth to two children, and considering that this is your first time, I will punish you leniently: confinement for six months and a monthly fine for six months. You'd better watch yourself!"
Although Lady Li was the concubine of Marquis Zhongxin, she was already over forty years old. Even if one liked her, over time, one would grow tired of her and eventually tire of her. Moreover, Lady Li was now attempting to push her daughter into a pit of fire. This daughter had been exceptionally well-behaved and sensible for over a year, and extremely filial to him. She personally made shoes and sewed clothes for him, and when he was ill, she cared for him tirelessly, even cooking special meals for him.
Human hearts are made of flesh and blood, especially since Fang Qiong was his own flesh and blood, and so well-behaved and sensible. How could he not feel heartache for such a good daughter, how could he bear to push her into a pit of fire?
This was the first time Li Shi had been publicly punished like this by Marquis Zhongxin, and a wave of panic washed over her. She dared not utter a single word in rebuttal. She raised her head and glared venomously at Fang Qiong, secretly vowing in her heart: You little bitch, I'll let you be smug for now. When I find my chance, I'll make you wish you were dead!
Li was slunk away.
Fang Qiong poured her father a cup of tea and said coquettishly, "Father, I have a good reason for choosing Wang Yong. Although Wang Yong is only a fifth-rank military officer and his family has no background, he is currently in the Imperial Guard and his salary is still very high."
Besides, his mother had passed away long ago, and as the eldest son in his family, he wouldn't have to worry about his daughter being mistreated by her mother-in-law after she got married. His three younger brothers were all married, and he promised his daughter that after she married him, they would live separately. His daughter had also secretly met his father once; he was a kind old man, and she said his father wasn't old-fashioned and was very understanding.
Marquis Zhongxin sighed, "Qiong'er, this family is too ordinary. Couldn't you have chosen a family of equal social standing?"
Fang Qiong: "It's not that we can't choose a family of equal social standing, and my daughter has considered those options. However, Wang Yong is General Shangguan's subordinate, and my daughter is close friends with Princess Duan. Even for that reason, Wang Yong and his family wouldn't dare to mistreat my daughter in the future. Our Marquis's mansion is not what it was a few years ago. We don't have much status in the capital now. If my daughter marries into a wealthy family, she will have no choice but to swallow her anger if her in-laws bully her."
"Father, the thought of living in constant fear fills me with dread. I long for a comfortable life, and I hope you will grant my wish! In the future, as long as I am doing well, I will certainly take good care of you! I will also persuade my elder brother to move back to the Marquis's residence as soon as possible!"
The daughter's words deeply moved Marquis Zhongxin.
Now, he is over fifty years old, practically halfway to his grave. He longs for a happy and peaceful family, hoping to be surrounded by his children and live harmoniously with his wife. Before his daughter moved back to the Marquis's mansion, he probably wouldn't have dared to think about it, but over the past year, he and his daughter have gotten along very well, and he can't help but have this thought in his mind.
His son, Fang Heng, is now a prefect of the fourth rank. With his talent, he will become a high-ranking official of the third rank in just a few years. One day, his son may even enter the Grand Secretariat and become a prime minister, bringing glory to the Marquis of Zhongxin's mansion and the Fang family. He has put a lot of effort into cultivating his other sons, but perhaps because they were raised by his concubines, none of them are up to par. Compared to Fang Heng, they are worlds apart.
Thinking about all this, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of desolation.
None of his close sons were successful; the only successful son, his only legitimate heir, was with him, and they were at odds. That was the heir apparent of the Marquis's mansion! Not only him, but even his two children were no longer with the Marquis. He wondered if those young children even cared about him as their grandfather; perhaps they had already forgotten him entirely.
Alas, he was very wrong in the past!
He came to this realization thanks to his daughter Fang Qiong's efforts. It was Fang Qiong who made him realize that in the past, he had been too indifferent to his wife, Fang Heng, Fang Qiong, and Fang Heng's children!
"Qiong'er, your mother, elder brother, Yunduo, and Rufeng don't want to come back. Is it because the Marquis's mansion is too chaotic?" He looked at his daughter, mustered his courage, and asked.
Fang Qiong was taken aback, then said very seriously, "Yes, Father. Mother is worried that if we return to the Marquis's Mansion, we will be harmed by the concubines; this is also why my elder brother is unwilling to come back, nor does he want Yunduo and Rufeng to come back. My elder brother said that the Marquis's Mansion is too chaotic, and those concubines are unscrupulous. My elder brother said that if Yunduo and Rufeng live in the Marquis's Mansion, he will not be able to concentrate on his official duties."
Just as he suspected! He truly had never imagined that his wife and children would regard the Marquis's mansion as a den of wolves and tigers. It seemed that Fang Heng wasn't unwilling to go home, but rather afraid to. What sins had he committed in the past that made his children afraid to even return home?
A sense of gloom settled over him, and he subconsciously asked, "Then why did you dare to come back?"
Fang Qiong: "Father, I didn't dare to come back at first, but I was already thirteen years old. If I continued to live in Zhangshu County, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get married in the future. This isn't just me worrying unnecessarily. Back then, Princess Yulin was called a country girl just because she lived in Wuliping for a few years. I had no choice but to grit my teeth, harden my heart, and step into the Marquis's mansion."
However, I was terrified at the time, so I devised a plan to eliminate many of the concubines' vicious henchmen in the Marquis's mansion and wipe out all the spies in the Begonia Garden. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare eat or drink in the Marquis's mansion, fearing that I might lose my life if I made a mistake!
Upon hearing his daughter's words, Marquis Zhongxin's eyes welled up with tears. He said with deep remorse, "Qiong'er, it's all my fault. I'm sorry to you, to your elder brother, to your elder brother's children, and to your mother! It's my fault that you've suffered so much and endured so much torment. I was wrong!"
Now that your concubines' children are all grown up, your father has decided to separate those who are married and have children. Their birth mothers will also be separated, so they can live with their own children. I will keep only two maids by my side. Do you think your eldest brother would be willing to come back under these circumstances?”
Fang Qiong: "Father, if that's the case, then my eldest brother will naturally be willing to come back. My eldest brother is also a person. As long as he is a person, if he is not mentally challenged or foolish, he will naturally miss his home."
After thinking for a moment, Fang Qiong continued, "Father, I went to take stock of Mother's dowry a couple of days ago and found that many valuable items were missing. Father, before Mother and I went to Zhangshu County with my eldest brother, I personally took stock of Mother's dowry. Now, comparing it with what I saw before, I found that many things were missing. I hope you can help me with this matter, otherwise, I won't be able to explain it to Mother when she returns!"
In fact, when she left the Marquis's mansion, it was her mother's maid who did the inventory. However, she still had to tell this lie. Otherwise, her father would definitely not stand up for her.
As expected, Marquis Zhongxin was furious upon hearing this: "What? Someone actually stole your mother's dowry? This is outrageous! Your father will stand up for you and take you to the rooms of Madam Li and the others to search them!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Qiong was overjoyed and quickly said, "Father, please wait a moment. I'll go and get the dowry list! We can check it against the list later to avoid being accused of framing them!"
Marquis Zhongxin: "Yes, go and come back quickly. When you return, remember to bring a few of your capable subordinates with you, the more the better!"
He wasn't too worried about the others, but his only concern was Li Shi. This Li Shi was becoming increasingly unruly in his presence. She would cry at the drop of a hat, and threaten to hang herself at the slightest provocation. He was truly afraid to look at her, and utterly fed up with her. Moreover, Li Shi was accompanied by several burly old women; if his daughter didn't bring more people with her, he was genuinely worried that his daughter would suffer.