CHAPTER 337: CHAPTER 331: I AM THE MARQUIS MANSION DOWAGER 20

Mrs. Li cried as she, along with Tang Tao and Zhang Feng’er, spoke of many incidents that had happened over the years.

"Taotao, you are addressed as Mr. QI in our home, and you have always thought it’s because Ze’er is older than you. But that’s not the case; in fact, there is an elder brother before you named Tang Pei."

Tang Tao and Zhang Feng’er were somewhat stunned; they were completely unaware of any Tang Pei who might have come before them.

Zhang Feng’er tentatively asked, "Mother, where is my brother?"

Mrs. Li wiped her tears away, "Back when I was pregnant with Taotao, I wasn’t vigilant for a moment, and Pei’er fell into the lake."

Zhang Feng’er assumed that the elder brother mentioned must have passed away.

But Tang Tao clenched his fists tightly: "How did he fall into the lake? Wasn’t there any servant following him?"

No wonder Tang Tao thought so; now he had a daughter who, since birth, had two wet nurses and a host of nannies and maids; everywhere she went, someone would follow.

His elder brother was so young at that time; when he wanted to go out to play, wouldn’t he have been accompanied by maids or old women? So many people keeping watch, yet they let a child fall into the lake—it was evident there was a conspiracy involved.

Tang Bai nodded in approval, "Indeed, worthy to be my son, you really thought it through."

He continued, "Exactly, someone did play foul, bribed the maids and old women, sent everyone away, and later when your brother reached the lakeside, he was indeed pushed in."

"Ah!"

Zhang Feng’er let out a scream, her eyes wide with shock.

Although she had some schemes up her sleeve and her heart wasn’t entirely kind, she would find it impossible to harm a child herself.

Mrs. Li sneered, "You think everything in this mansion is so peaceful? Back then, Mrs. Song and Mrs. Zhang pulled plenty of tricks on us. They almost cost me my life and nearly drowned your brother. If it hadn’t been for someone saving us, this mansion would have become property of the second branch led by Mrs. Zhang by now."

Tang Bai looked towards Zhang Feng’er, "There were many things we didn’t say, hoping you two would see clearly for yourselves. Who would have thought you would be so blind? After all these years, you still couldn’t discern what was happening. You didn’t think about the fact that you are from the first branch, the line that will inherit the title. How could the second branch tolerate us? Even I, a noble Lord, was cornered into living next to the stables. What wouldn’t the second branch dare to do?"

The words of Tang Bai made Tang Tao and Zhang Feng’er bow their heads.

Mrs. Li asked Zhang Feng’er, "Tell me, did Mrs. Zhang teach you how to charge usurious interest?"

Zhang Feng’er was startled and shivered uncontrollably.

Tang Tao immediately looked at Zhang Feng’er, "Is it true?"

Scared, Zhang Feng’er quickly knelt down, "Second Mrs. said that the mansion’s expenses were not being met. If I didn’t want to contribute a portion of my dowry, then... then I had to learn to do it. In a moment of weakness, I followed her advice and did just that."

Tang Bai was so angry he wanted to disown Zhang Feng’er.

Mrs. Li also looked sternly at Zhang Feng’er, "You actually believed Mrs. Zhang? That our mansion’s income is not covering expenses? It’s her second branch that is not keeping up. The public funds of our home have long been emptied by the second branch. Your father and I have been using our own money for many years now, and in your quarters, Taotao already owns several manors and shops, which earn enough to cover his expenses. Additionally, Feng’er, your dowry is sufficient for both you and Taotao. You charge usurious interest and bear the sin; the silver you accumulate, who does it go to? Isn’t it taken to the palace for Tang Ying by the second branch? They sure play a fine game—letting you carry the blame while they reap the benefits."

Zhang Feng’er had never thought of it this way before.

But now that she thought about it, it really seemed that way.

Their first branch truly had no need for that money. She was taking risks, compromising her moral integrity by charging usurious interest, and in the end, all the benefits were reaped by the second branch.

With that thought, her face turned pale in an instant.

Tang Bai sighed, "It’s also our fault, your mother and I, for not making things clear to you. We do have silver. When your great-great-grandmother passed away, she quietly left me quite a sum of money."

Tang Tao was startled, "Father, I recall that when the two branches of the family divided their assets, all the belongings of our great-great-grandmother were given to Mr. Qi’s family."

Tang Bai shook his head, "On the surface that appears to be the case, but you must know, I was personally raised by our great-great-grandmother, and she was most worried about me. How could she be willing to give all the money to Second Uncle’s family? Although it seemed that way, she also saved a good amount for me privately. To tell the truth, that sum was not less than what we had in the public account. That’s why your mother and I could calmly watch the second branch empty the storeroom. To us, money is a trivial matter; ensuring your safety is what really counts."

With that remark, Tang Tao knelt down as well, "Father, your son, I truly feel unworthy of you."

Zhang Feng’er also started crying, "I, I didn’t know, I was blinded by my own folly. Please, Old Master and Madam, punish me."

Now that Tang Tao and Zhang Feng’er were getting along well, hearing that she would be punished, he quickly defended her, "Father, Mother, if Feng’er acted this way, it is my fault. If there must be a punishment, then punish me."

A hint of a smile appeared in Mrs. Li’s eyes.

Though somewhat confused and a bit of a flirt, Tang Tao was still a responsible man, something that put him far ahead of Tang Rong from the second branch.

Mrs. Li glanced at Tang Bai, who smiled helplessly, "Alright, get up everyone. Today isn’t about punishing anyone, but to discuss important matters. Now that you know of this, you must be extremely cautious in the future. Second daughter-in-law, after you return, use your illness as an excuse to resign from the steward role. Our family doesn’t lack the little bit that you make as a steward. Also, clean up the courtyard where your great-great-grandmother used to live to maintain her health."

Zhang Feng’er bowed her head in acknowledgement, then asked, "What is the courtyard being cleaned up for?"

Tang Bai then started to laugh heartily, "Naturally, it’s for your eldest brother to live in. Recently, your brother wrote saying he’s coming back."

This was a bolt from the blue, leaving Tang Tao and Zhang Feng’er dumbstruck.

Mrs. Li laughed joyfully, "It hasn’t been easy for your brother all these years abroad. This time he’s even become the top scorer. He’s gone to pick up your great-great-grandaunt, and he’s on his way back now."

"A great-great-grandaunt?"

Zhang Feng’er was increasingly confused.

Tang Bai then explained, laughing, "Back then your great-great-grandmother had a younger sister who followed a master to practice Taoism. The year your brother fell into the water, she happened to be in the Capital and saved Pei’er. Pei’er has been with her all these years."

How could things become more and more complicated?

Tang Tao and Zhang Feng’er were finding it hard to wrap their heads around everything.

By the time they returned to their own room, it still felt like a dream.

Zhang Feng’er took a long time to collect her thoughts before she looked towards Tang Tao, "Mr. Qi, what on earth is going on? If our elder brother comes back, what about the title..."

What Zhang Feng’er was now worried about was that the title would not pass to Tang Tao.

Tang Tao glared at her, "Do you think if our brother doesn’t come back, the title will come to us? Haven’t you seen Tang Rong from the second branch? The Old Madam is so fond of him, who knows what will happen in the future. Now I see, the Old Madam just wants to drive my father mad, incapacitate me, and burden you with a name of guilt so that in the end, everything in our main branch will be finished, and the good fortune will all fall into the second branch’s lap."

Zhang Feng’er lowered her head, pondering.

Tang Tao then said, "Besides, our elder brother is now a top scorer, slated for the Hanlin Academy. In the future, he will likely be an important official. What does he care about competing for a title with us? On the other hand, it’s clear that Tang Rong is a good-for-nothing. Second Aunt and the Old Dowager must be plotting on his behalf."

That did make sense.

Thus, Zhang Feng’er let go of her guard against the elder brother she had never met.