When the small sedan chair entered the Zhongyi Marquis Residence, the entire household heard the news.
In the Shuhai Courtyard, Liu Yandai shuddered upon hearing it.
If this had been before, she might have thought her mother-in-law was heartbroken and needed someone to stand up for her.
But now… she suspected her mother-in-law was either grinding medicine or digging a pit for someone.
Her mother-in-law had dared to bring her own husband to ruin.
What would she do to this pair of mother and son from outside?
She pondered for a long time before finally closing her eyes.
If her mother-in-law was up to something bad… she simply wouldn’t look.
If she didn’t see it, then it hadn’t happened!
Meanwhile, Bai Yuning, who was residing in the guest courtyard, also heard about the matter but paid it no mind.
She had already completed the important tasks she stayed in the Marquis Residence for.
Since the Second Prince had not given her new instructions, there was nothing she needed to do except wait quietly.
That said
Tonight, she wanted to visit the ancestral hall and see Zhou Chiye.
Thinking about how Zhou Chiye had stood up for her today, how he had defended her, her heart softened in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time.
The part of her that had once felt dead, dried up, and withered suddenly seemed to be nourished by spring rain.
She felt alive again.
She had to see Zhou Chiye.
When the news finally reached the ancestral hall, Zhou Chiye was in the middle of receiving his twenty-stroke punishment.
The servants had been lenient when they had punished Zhou Yuanting earlier, and they were being just as lenient with him now.
As someone trained in martial arts, these blows were nothing more than a drizzle to him.
He barely felt them.
Once the punishment was over, Zhou Chiye finally asked, “Mother agreed?”
One of the servants quickly replied, “The lady took pity on the Marquis and agreed.”
Zhou Chiye let out a cold laugh and said nothing.
He couldn’t care less about that mother and son.
He didn’t care about his father or his brother, either.
Right now, his mind was filled with only one thought Bai Yuning.
And as he was thinking about her, the window of the ancestral hall suddenly shifted.
Startled, Zhou Chiye looked up.
Through the window, behind the sheer veil, he saw a beautiful face.
She smiled at him from the other side of the screen.
A beauty visiting under the cover of night, bathed in the cold glow of the moon.
Zhou Chiye was momentarily dazed.
Not long ago, it had been his elder brother lying in this hall.
Now, it was him.
And Bai Yuning she had moved from his elder brother’s side to his.
His heart was suddenly full.
He could no longer see anything else beyond her.
Meanwhile, in Qiufeng Hall, Zhou Yuanting had just heard the news about the concubine and her son entering the house.
After a brief moment of surprise, he felt nothing but irritation.
A new concubine and a bastard child what did that have to do with him?
There was no way they could take anything from him.
He only felt bitter for himself.
His father was on his deathbed, which was why his mother had chosen to show mercy…
But he was also gravely injured!
And yet, his mother hadn’t even considered his pain!
Zhou Chiye had kicked him so hard that two of his ribs had fractured.
Walking was a struggle.
Yet, his mother had only made Zhou Chiye kneel in the ancestral hall.
She hadn’t stood up for him at all!
And she hadn’t even punished Bai Yuning, that wretched woman!
That woman was swaying between the two sons of the Marquis Residence, and yet his mother still allowed her to remain?
The more he thought about it, the more enraged he felt.
He had no energy to care about some concubine.
Day after day, his anger only grew.
Inside the Zhongyi Marquis Residence, there was little commotion.
But once the news of the Marquis’s concubine entering the house spread through Chang’an, it sparked widespread discussion.
“Have you heard? The Zhongyi Marquis Residence has taken in a concubine!”
“I heard!
They say that when the Marquis was on his deathbed, he confessed to Lady Qin that he had kept a mistress outside.
And out of pity for his final wishes, she agreed to bring the mother and son into the house.”
“The Marquis really is something.
He managed to keep this a secret from Lady Qin for over ten years.”
Some people singled out Qin Chanyue for ridicule.
“Qin Chanyue has been arrogant her whole life, relying on her father and brother’s power.
And now, in the end, she has to welcome a concubine sister into her household.
She must be fuming inside.”
There were all kinds of voices mocking, gossiping, entertained by the drama.
But Qin Chanyue paid them no mind.
She composed herself and personally oversaw the arrangements for this mother and son entering the house.
That very day, a courtyard near the guest quarters was prepared.
It was named Falling Leaves Courtyard, originally used for long-term guests of the residence.
Now, it became the residence of Concubine Fang.
Concubine Fang’s son was named Zhou Wenshan, with the courtesy name Xiaozhong.
He was the same age as Zhou Yuanting and Zhou Chiye.
He was assigned to Red Maple Courtyard, located near his mother’s residence.
After entering the Marquis Residence, the mother and son came to formally greet Qin Chanyue.
The son immediately knelt down and addressed Qin Chanyue as “Mother.”
Qin Chanyue did not make things difficult for them in the slightest.
With a warm smile, she rewarded them with many generous gifts and even affectionately held Concubine Fang’s hand, chatting with her for a while.
Finally, she personally escorted them to Qiufeng Hall to visit the ailing Zhou Ziheng.
“The Marquis has been thinking about you both ever since he fell ill,” Qin Chanyue said, her brows showing a hint of fatigue.
“As a person nears death, past grievances no longer matter.
From now on, we are all family under one roof.
Go ahead and see the Marquis.”
This mother and son had expected to be suppressed after entering the residence.
But unexpectedly, Lady Qin seemed so kind and understanding.
They were momentarily dazed.
It wasn’t until the maids led them to Zhou Ziheng’s bedside, where they saw him gravely ill, that they finally snapped back to reality.
They immediately threw themselves at his bed, wailing in sorrow.
Lying in bed, Zhou Ziheng had only one regret before his death this mother and son.
Seeing them kneel before him in tears, his own eyes welled up.
The one person he had truly wronged in his life was his beloved Qingqing.
Years ago, he and Fang Qingqing had been in love.
She should have been his wife.
But at that time, he was young and ambitious, unwilling to lower his status.
He wanted to compete for the title of Marquis.
As the second son, he had no right to inherit.
His elder brother had the advantage of being the firstborn, had an excellent reputation, and was even more accomplished in the imperial examinations.
There was no way for him to rise above his brother.
So he sought out different means.
Eventually, he found a solution.
He would marry Qin Chanyue.
Back then, Qin Chanyue had lost her entire family and was taken under the Empress Dowager’s wing.
The honor of the Qin family rested solely on her shoulders.
Whoever married her would share in her glory.
With Qin Chanyue’s backing, his elder brother would have no chance of competing.
And so, he chose to pursue Qin Chanyue.
Qin Chanyue had a difficult temper.
She was stunningly beautiful, but she was also arrogant, headstrong, and fierce.
She demanded her husband love only her unconditionally.
Even after her death, she wanted him to remain faithful.
Such an unreasonable request.
Among all the noble sons of Chang’an, who didn’t have a mistress by the time they were thirteen or fourteen?
Who could actually meet such a demand?
Yet Qin Chanyue insisted.
She even declared that if no one could meet her standard, she would rather live alone and establish her own household.
And the Empress Dowager, who adored her, indulged her every whim.
Many suitors backed away.
Only Zhou Ziheng defied expectations.
He showered Qin Chanyue with warmth and patience, agreeing to all her unreasonable demands, tolerating her sharp edges and temper.
Eventually, he succeeded in marrying her.
After their marriage, the Emperor personally conferred upon him the title of Zhongyi Marquis.
He had taken that honor from his brother.
Everything had worked out exactly as he had planned.
And yet, deep in his heart, he carried a regret.
He had abandoned Fang Qingqing.
They had been entangled for years.
In the end, she had no choice but to become his mistress.
But all along, he had held onto one thought
Someday, he would bring Fang Qingqing into the Marquis Residence in broad daylight.
He wanted the whole world to know she was his woman.
And now, he had finally done it.
He took Fang Qingqing’s hand, feeling as if even his illness had lessened.
Knowing that he was dying, Zhou Ziheng had since begun compensating Fang Qingqing and her son in every possible way.
He showered them with the finest things.
He even tried to summon the strength to attend court so he could secure an official position for Zhou Wenshan.
In the past, he had been too proud to seek positions for his sons with Qin Chanyue, insisting they succeed through their own efforts.
But now, for Zhou Wenshan, he was willing to break his own principles.
This showed just how much he favored this mother and son.
Meanwhile, Qin Chanyue seemed to indulge Zhou Ziheng’s every whim.
She never opposed anything he wanted to do.
She simply came to feed him his medicine every day.
The rest of the time, she left him entirely to Fang Qingqing and their son.
Fang Qingqing, too, had her own ambitions.
Having seen the grandeur of the Marquis Residence, she desired more.
In recent days, she often overheard the servants gossiping about her and her son.
“When the Marquis passes, that mother and son will definitely be thrown out.”
“Not necessarily.
The Marquis adores them he’s bound to leave them some protection.”
“What if the illegitimate son inherits the title?”
“No way!
That would be an unimaginable fortune!”
Fang Qingqing didn’t remember much of their chatter.
She only clung to two words inherit the title.
Seeing Zhou Ziheng’s worsening condition, she began whispering in his ear day after day, persuading him to secure some status for their son.
Zhou Ziheng’s mind had become increasingly muddled.
His thoughts were growing less clear by the day.
Sensing this, Fang Qingqing gently pleaded with him.
“My lord, you are leaving soon, but our son still has no real support.
You must leave something for him.”
Zhou Ziheng groggily reached for her face.
“What… what do you mean?”
Fang Qingqing held his hand and spoke softly.
“Let our son inherit the marquisate.
That way, he will never be bullied again.”
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