CHAPTER 345: CHAPTER 339: I AM THE MARQUIS MANSION DOWAGER 28

Xu Wan returned to her own small courtyard feeling rather sad.

She had thought about what it would be like to be unwelcomed by her maternal family upon her arrival.

However, her nanny, Nanny Wang, and her maid, Du Juan, always reassured her, saying that it was the Marquis Mansion and that the Old Dowager, being her real grandmother, would surely treat her well.

She then imagined that after her arrival, she would become close with her cousins and would also be dutiful towards her grandmother and her aunts and uncles.

But upon her arrival, she found that her grandmother was not as kind-hearted as she appeared to be, and her second uncle and second aunt did not care for her either.

Only her eldest uncle’s family was reasonably good to her.

Thinking she would have to rely on others hereafter, Xu Wan felt a sense of sorrow as spring faded into autumn.

After she sat down, she began to miss her father who was still in Yangzhou, and she desperately wanted to go home.

Du Juan came with a set of clothes and asked Xu Wan softly, "Miss, shall we change your clothes? You will have to dine at the Old Madam’s place later."

Xu Wan quickly wiped her tears, stood up and let Du Juan help her change into a new outfit, and combed her hair once more before heading back to the main house.

When she arrived this time, only Mrs. Song and Ms. Zhang were there, along with Brother Ze’s wife Mrs. Qin who was already in the room.

Neither Mrs. Li nor Zhang Feng’er were present.

Mrs. Song smiled and waved to Xu Wan as she saw her approaching, "Come and sit down quickly, are you hungry? We will eat soon."

Xu Wan smiled as she sat down.

Mrs. Song saw her scanning the room and laughed, saying, "Your Eldest Aunt is fasting today, so she won’t be joining us. Your second sister-in-law is currently pregnant, so I’ve had her rest in the room to avoid exhaustion."

Xu Wan pursed her lips and smiled.

Soon Tang Yi and the others arrived as well.

Dinner started not long after, with Ms. Zhang and Mrs. Qin serving Mrs. Song, while Xu Wan and the others took their seats. The maids quickly set the table with food.

Xu Wan felt a bit sad and didn’t eat much, finishing her meal hastily before talking with Mrs. Song.

Before they could exchange many words, a maid came in laughing, "The Old Dowager is here."

The Old Dowager referred to was Anning.

Upon hearing that Anning had arrived, a genuine smile immediately appeared on Xu Wan’s face.

On the contrary, Mrs. Song became stiff all over.

Anning entered wearing a light teal dress, her face brimming with smiles as she stepped in, brightening up the entire room.

Even the lively and brightly dressed Tang Yi and the young girls seemed dull in comparison to Anning.

Anning sat down beside Xu Wan and turned to Mrs. Song, saying, "Wife of the National Defender, I have come to discuss something with you."

Mrs. Song immediately straightened her posture, "Please speak."

Anning patted Xu Wan’s hand, "After all, Wan’er is in mourning, so her diet should be different from others. It is not convenient for her to dine with you, so it might be better to set up a small kitchen for her, to prepare some vegetarian dishes daily. Also, tomorrow I will take Wan’er to the Xiangguo Temple to light an eternal lamp for Chu’er. It will be a way for Wan’er to show her filial piety."

Xu Wan was extremely grateful to Anning upon hearing this.

The expression on Mrs. Song’s face grew even stiffer.

Despite her declarations of deep affection for Xu Wan’s mother and the promise to love Xu Wan now, she had forgotten that Xu Wan was in mourning and required a vegetarian diet.

Most of the food on the table that evening was meat, and Xu Wan had barely touched her chopsticks.

Her own grandmother, it seemed, was less thoughtful than Anning, her great-great-grandmother, which was a slap in the face indeed.

"That’s correct."

But Mrs. Song did not dare to anger Anning and murmured in a subdued tone, "Then we’ll do just that."

As soon as these words were spoken, Tang Rong, dressed in a bright red outfit, entered the room.

Anning’s eyes narrowed slightly, and when she looked at Xu Wan again, she saw Xu Wan’s head lowered, her eyes a little red.

After entering, Tang Rong greeted Anning and Mrs. Song and then began to scrutinize Xu Wan.

He stared at her for a while before speaking in as soft a voice as possible, "I believe I have seen this sister before."

Anning laughed, "You’re just making things up. You’ve been in the Capital and she’s been in Yangzhou. She only arrived today, so how could you have seen her?"

Tang Rong smiled good-naturedly, "She just looks familiar to me."

Anning pulled Tang Rong aside, "Take a look at your sister and tell me who she resembles?"

Tang Rong looked at Anning and then at Xu Wan, "So it is. She resembles our Old Dowager so much. No wonder she looks familiar to me."

He nodded to Xu Wan across Anning, "Sister, when did you arrive? Are you settled, if you need anything or if there’s something you lack, just let me know. And if there’s anything else you need help with in the future, come find me."

Xu Wan smiled and expressed her thanks.

Tang Rong then asked, "Which character is sister’s given name?"

Xu Wan looked at Anning, who took Tang Rong’s hand and wrote the character ’Wan’ in his palm.

"So it is this character. It suits my sister quite well."

Tang Rong became even happier: "Sister, do you have any jade?"

"That’s a precious item..."

Xu Wan was about to say no, but unexpectedly Anning smiled and said, "Your sister has jade. Your uncle has found quite a few pieces for your sister, and she even brought several with her. We’ll show them to you tomorrow."

"Really?"

Tang Rong’s smile spread across his face: "I will come and visit my sister another day."

After sitting for a while longer, Tang Rong went back to change his clothes.

Xu Wan, tired from her journey, stood up to take her leave.

Anning sat upright, waiting until Mrs. Zhang, Mrs. Qin, and the others had all left. She gestured to Jade: "Jade, you can take everyone downstairs, I have something to discuss with your Old Madam."

Jade looked at Mrs. Song, who nodded.

When only Anning and Mrs. Song were left in the room, Anning spoke to Mrs. Song: "Rong is truly rare in his clear-headedness, it’s just a pity."

"A pity for what?"

Mrs. Song was startled and didn’t understand what Anning meant.

Anning said softly: "I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment on the jade Rong spoke of when he was born, whether it was natural or cast by Ms. Zhang’s scheming. Regardless, it has led Rong to misfortune."

Mrs. Song’s face instantly flushed with anger: "I know you look down on me, but Rong is your own flesh and blood too. How can you stand to watch him suffer?"

Anning really did not mean it that way.

If she was to be honest, Tang Rong was her direct great-great-grandson, just like Tang Pei, and she had never wished for Tang Rong to come to harm.

But, Tang Rong’s situation was really a difficult one to address.

"It’s not that I can’t stand to see him well, it’s that you can’t bear to see him do well. Ever since the birth of saints and emperors accompanied by marvels, Rong’s birth with jade in his mouth is such a marvel. You ought to understand better than I what jade signifies. I really can’t comprehend it—the matter concerning Rong should have been kept a secret. Yet you all act as if you’re afraid that no one will know, spreading the word so the whole world is aware. How do you think the Royal family would take this?"

Anning’s words jolted Mrs. Song awake.

These years, she truly had been blinded by her own folly. At Tang Rong’s birth, she had been genuinely overjoyed. Because of her exuberance, she let Ms. Zhang spout about Tang Rong being born with jade in his mouth.

Originally, she had been quite content with herself, proud that her grandson bore such an auspicious sign.

But now, having listened to Anning, Mrs. Song broke out in a cold sweat.

She couldn’t help thinking that the Royal family must have harbored jealousy towards Rong long ago, and who knows when they might seek to take his life.

The more she thought about it, the more terrified Mrs. Song became.

She began to despise Ms. Zhang; it was that foolish woman who, in order to compete for favor, had brought about all this trouble.

Seeing that Mrs. Song had come to realize the situation, Anning’s voice grew even softer: "The key point is Rong also has a sister born in the palace on the first day of the Lunar New Year. If this sister gains favor, I needn’t say more, you understand, don’t you?"

Mrs. Song then thought of a previous dynasty where the Imperial Uncle plotted to usurp the throne.

"Rong mustn’t come to any harm. If something happens to him, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself."

Mrs. Song sobbed: "You, since you’ve spoken out, you probably have a solution. Please save Rong."

Anning sighed deeply: "When Rong was born, I was in retreat and not aware of his situation. Had I known, I would have prevented it. Now... well, let me think of a solution."

After speaking about Tang Rong’s matter, Anning continued: "I know you have some plans of your own and are truly considering what’s best for Rong. But some things once done wrong can’t be undone. And, were you considering having Wan’er marry Rong?"

Mrs. Song was very honest at this moment and nodded her head.

"This will not work."

Anning waved her hand dismissively: "The two of them are not suited for each other."

"Why not?"

Mrs. Song was truly anxious. She had long made plans, considering that Xu Wan was the Xu Family’s only child, and all of the Xu Family’s wealth would eventually become Wan’er’s dowry. If Wan’er married Tang Rong, that wealth would belong to Tang Rong. Moreover, with Xu Wan being her granddaughter, once married into the Tang Family, she would naturally stand with her. That’s why she had made such arrangements.

But now, Anning abruptly vetoed it. Even though Mrs. Song was fearful of Anning, she couldn’t help being a little angry.

Anning chuckled lightly: "There’s no need to rush. Rong is one who doesn’t care for worldly possessions, while Wan’er is contemplative and seems quite elegant, somewhat lofty and not fond of dealing with trifling matters. If the two of them were together, they might look like a pair of celestial beings. Can they really abstain from the mortal world, though? I’m afraid as time goes by, they would find life together unbearable. Wan’er needs a responsible man to be the pillar of the household, and Rong needs a harmonious wife. Don’t you agree?"

Even if Mrs. Song resented Anning, she couldn’t deny that there was some truth in what Anning had said.

When it comes to domestic life, it won’t work with two people both being so aloof from worldly concerns.