Chapter 453 - Chapter 453: Chapter 449: Disappointed and Depressed_1

Chapter 453: Chapter 449: Disappointed and Depressed_1

After the fireworks, Yingbao took Wuyang and Wei Zhan home.

Unexpectedly, Fanzhi insisted on going with them.

Yang’s mother had no choice but to let the nurse carry Fanzhi back with his siblings.

Watching a large group of maids escort the Commandery Princess away, Yang’s mother felt somewhat melancholy.

Wulang pulled his wife and whispered, “It’s okay, with Qi Lang and his siblings looking after him, Fanzhi won’t cause trouble.”

Yang’s mother was not worried about her son, but felt somewhat upset that he would abandon his mother for his playmates.

“Wow, you are really generous, Fifth Sister.”

Cao’s mother walked up to them and mocked, “To please his siblings, you’ve even given up your son to accompany a servant’s child.”

A frown formed on Yang’s face, “Sister-in-law, please be careful with your words. Kids playing together is not a way to flatter.”

Wulang was also displeased, but afraid that his wife would argue with his sister-in-law here, so he quickly took his wife away.

Seeing them leave, Cao’s mother sneered and turned to go back.

Returning to her own courtyard, she was annoyed to find her husband had not yet returned and ordered her maids to look for him.

All the couples had returned in pairs, but he just had a few drinks and left, not even watching the fireworks, leaving her wondering what he was up to.

…

The night passed without a word.

The next day, Yingbao woke up early. She was about to get up, but was held back by Wei Zhan.

“Lie down a bit more.” He buried his face in his wife’s neck and whispered, “We don’t have anything important to do, and your parents don’t need you to greet them.”

Yingbao had no choice but to lie down, she fumed, “Today is the first day of the new year, we should go pay our respects early. It’s only once a year, don’t be late.”

“It’ll be fine in a while, we won’t be late.” Wei Zhan pulled over the blanket, covering them both.

However, by the time they got up and washed, and rushed with their two children to the Wei Mansion, all the siblings had already arrived, waiting for them to eat dumplings.

The head of the Wei family didn’t say anything, just chuckled and let them take their seats.

“Let the kitchen prepare the dumplings.” The head of the Wei family ordered the servant.

The servant agreed and quickly ran to the main kitchen.

Lady Wang had the children Wuyang and Fanzhi brought to her side, playing on the big kang, and each handed them a piece of Yunping cake: “Come, take a bite, step by step to a promotion.”

Both children opened their mouths and ate.

Fanzhi even patiently taught Wuyang to speak, “Cake, cake.”

Wuyang squinted his eyes and copied, “Cake, cake” finishing with a proud pull at Yingbao’s sleeve, seeking praise.

Yingbao patted their heads, “You are both intelligent children.”

The two satisfied babies continued to play the talking game.

Yingbao watched them for a while, thinking she should buy them some smart toys.

Like Tangram, Kongming Lock, Nine Linked Rings, although it might be too early for them to play with these, one could never predict a child’s potential.

“Seventh Aunt.” A teenage girl came up to Yingbao and smiled, “Can I live with you?”

“Why do you want to live with me?” Yingbao was curious.

She recognized her, this child was Cao’s daughter Jade Pearl.

Jade Pearl’s eyes shimmered, “I, I want to be your daughter.”

Yingbao was taken aback, but Lady Wang calmly said, “Jade Pearl, it’s almost time for dinner, go find your mother.”

Jade Pearl looked a bit resentful, but did not dare to disobey her step-grandmother, and had to leave the main room.

Lady Wang turned to Yingbao and said, “If anyone is nonsensical again, just drive her away.”

She has no fondness for these children born by concubines, especially those bore by her husband’s childhood sweetheart.

Initially when she was afflicted with a chronic poison, all signs pointed to the matron aunts and their illegitimate children, yet the old bastard Wei defended their innocence and refused to turn them into the authorities.

In the end, those concubines were sent off to the Wei family shrine for atonement, while the old man even provide them with extravagant monthly supplies.

Thus, Lady Wang completely lost faith in the head of the Wei Family.

If not for the fact that her son was still young and needed her protection, and her unwillingness to hand over the Wei family’s properties she worked relentlessly for, Wang Jin would have divorced Wei Shixian right then.

Now, the insolent granddaughter of that concubine even dared to offend her, Lady Wang felt the irresistible urge to slap her.

Ten-year-old Jade Pearl harbored the audacious thought of becoming the daughter of eighteen-year-old Yingbao. What a ridiculous thought.

After dinner, Yingbao returned to the mansion with Wuyang and Fanzhi, while Wei Zhan was held behind by the head of the Wei Family for a chat.

The head of the Wei Family called his seventh son into his courtyard for a casual discussion.

After mentioning a few business matters, the head of the Wei Family shifted the conversation to Wei Zhan, “Seventh son, you’re now a high-ranking official of the second rank, you need some reliable people by your side,”

Wei Zhan looked at his father, “Father, just say whatever you want to say, there’s no need to beat around the bush.”

Wei family’s head cleared his throat, took a sip of his tea, “Your second brother is quite educated and has had experience managing our shops. He’s skilled in many aspects. It’s better for him to assist you than some outsider.”

Wei Zhan: “Father, I have no need for the assistance of my second brother. It would be a waste of his talents if he were to follow me around.”

The head of the Wei family glanced at his seventh son displeasedly, “What do you mean a waste of talent? I see you running around all day. Having someone help should lighten the load.”

Wei Zhan pondered for a moment before answering, “Father, those who assist me don’t receive any salary. You should ask the second brother whether he’s willing.”

“Whether he’s willing, he must!” proclaimed the head of the Wei Family.

In fact, the head of the Wei Family valued his oldest and second son most among his adult sons.

Not only because these two were born from the women who accompanied him as he grew up, but also because they were the eldest and second son whom he had raised with great affection.

As for the increasing number of children afterwards, the head of the Wei Family was spread thin and had no time to pay attention.

Therefore, if the seventh son could help one of his older brothers secure an official post, the head of the Wei Family would be quite pleased.

Wei Zhan of course knew what his father meant. However, his father probably didn’t realize that even though his official rank seemed high, he had no real power and couldn’t nominate his brothers for any positions.

If it were a low-ranking clerk, perhaps he could, but would his elder brothers be willing to take such a position that only paid a meager two to three coins a month?

“Father, if there’s nothing else, I’ll leave.” Wei Zhan stood and walked out without looking back, ignoring his father’s calls from behind.

As he walked past the Moon Gate, he abruptly ran into a woman who appeared to be a relative of his elder sister-in-law.

The woman didn’t give way, mindlessly heading directly towards him.

Wei Zhan sidestepped effortlessly to avoid her.

“Greetings, General.” The woman didn’t give up, turning around to pay her respects to Wei Zhan.

Weizhan didn’t even bat an eyelid, and walked straight on.

Since childhood, his mother had drilled into him various tactics and strategies to discern deception. Having traveled and fought many battles, what kind of person hadn’t he seen before? He could see through this woman’s petty games even with his eyes closed.

Walking briskly out of the Wei Mansion, only then did Wei Zhan finally breathe a long sigh of relief.

The Princess’s Residence, where his wife lived, was much better. He felt comfortable living there.

Meanwhile, Cao Qinqin attempted to engineer a coincidence meeting with Wei Zhan, but he utterly ignored her, which completely crushed her self-confidence.

She suddenly regretted following her sister to this place.

She was a decent maiden; such an act was utterly disgraceful.

Cao Qinqin felt disheartened and ashamed to the extent that she wished she could crawl into a hole.

At that moment, she suddenly blamed her sister.

Had it not been for her persistent persuasion, their parents would not have urged her to become someone’s concubine.

Now she was humiliated with her face trampled underfoot. How could she show her face in the future?

Cao Qinqin lowered her head and gently wiped away her tears.

“Sister Qinqin, what’s wrong?” Wei Wenbo appeared before Cao Qinqin at some point, and asked with concern, “Who bullied you?”