The next day after breakfast, Shao Yunan took Jiang Moxi to the General’s Mansion. Dai Mingjun and Shen Bing’s daughter, Dai Yingsi, also joined them. Accompanying them were Big and Little Gold, along with Murong He, who had arrived early. Wang Shijing wanted to accompany them, but Shao Yunan didn’t allow him. Wang Shijing was now the Loyal and Brave Marquis, so he had to avoid getting involved with the Wu family. 

Besides, this matter was essentially a family affair and if Wang Shijing got involved, it would seem petty. Murong He, as the representative of King Luo Rong’s mansion, joining them seemed reasonable. Wang Qing and Nizi also wanted to go to bolster their brother’s momentum, but Jiang Moxi didn’t allow them. In Jiang Moxi’s only memory of the Duke’s mansion, it was a group of ugly fools, he didn’t want Nizi to see them.

As soon as the carriage arrived at Duke An’s mansion, the main gate opened from the inside. The steward of the mansion greeted them at the door and upon seeing Big and Little Gold, both the steward and the servants’ expressions stiffened. Not long after entering, Lady Wu Zheng appeared. Seeing Big and Little Gold, her face also stiffened and she restrained her displeasure, saying, “Lord Wang Shao goes out with a tiger.”

Jiang Moxi held his Uncle Yunan’s hand, showing no response to his great-aunt. Shao Yunan patted Big Gold’s head helplessly and said, “Big Gold and Little Gold are the sacred beasts personally bestowed by the emperor. They must follow me and there’s no way to stop them. I apologize if it seems rude.”

Shao Yunan brought up Big and Little Gold’s identity, and Lady Wu Zheng could only reluctantly accept it. She took two steps back and then greeted Murong He and Dai Yingsi with a forced smile. However, inwardly, Lady Wu Zheng was distressed. Why did the King’s heir also come! Subsequently, Lady Wu Zheng tried to show affection as she looked at Jiang Moxi. “Moxi, I am your great-aunt, but you probably don’t remember. Would you like your aunt to take you to see your father?”

Lady Wu Zheng extended her hand and Jiang Moxi raised his eyelids, giving Lady Wu Zheng a disdainful look and tugged Shao Yunan’s sleeve. Lady Wu Zheng’s hand was awkwardly extended and she was puzzled. Why does this fool have such a look? Shao Yunan laughed in his heart and apologetically said, “Moxi recognizes people. I don’t know if Master Wu Jian is available for a visit now?”

Lady Wu Zheng retracted her hand, pressed her mouth with a handkerchief, suppressed the embarrassment given by the other party, and said, “He is available, but Jian has been ill for a long time,and the house may be… Since the young master has just recovered, Lady Lin and Lord, being noble, may be offended. I’ll take Moxi to see him.”

Dai Yingsi’s husband was surnamed Lin and was the eldest young master of the family, so she was sometimes addressed as “Lady Lin” by outsiders.

Shao Yunan put away his smile and spoke with a cold tone. “Since that’s the case, let’s forget it today. The young master is still recovering and we adults are afraid of causing any discomfort. The child would be even more afraid. It seems Master Wu Jian is not available for a visit today. Young master, sister, let’s go.”

After saying that, Shao Yunan led Jiang Moxi and turned to leave. Lady Wu Zheng, who was caught off guard, only recovered after Shao Yunan, Murong He, and Dai Yingsi had taken a few steps. She hurriedly called out, “Lord Wang Shao, please wait!”

Shao Yunan stopped, and Lady Wu Zheng quickly walked up to him. Glancing towards the hall not far behind Shao Yunan, she forced a smile and said: “Lord Wang Shao, you misunderstood. You, the young master, and Lady Lin are honored guests. As the host, we naturally fear causing any discomfort to the distinguished guests.”

Murong He smiled. “Your words are biased. This young master is Moxi’s adoptive father and Lord is Moxi’s father-in-law. Why wouldn’t Moxi be considered a guest?” Dai Yingsi, without giving face, said, “Moxi’s surname is Jiang. Lady, you seem to have a poor memory and forgot. Moxi is a guest as well.”

The polite expression on Lady Wu Zheng’s face couldn’t be maintained. Shao Yunan said coldly, “If we need to meet, we’ll go now, if it’s inconvenient, we’ll leave. When Big Brother Kangchen returns, if Master Wu Jian is still alive, you can directly find Big Brother Kangchen.”

“Old madam, why are guests entering, but have not been received?” A voice that was both old and majestic sounded from behind. Shao Yunan, Murong He, and Dai Yingsi turned around, while Lady Wu Zheng breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully went up to greet her. “Mother, why are you here?”

Murong He whispered, “It’s the legitimate wife of Duke An, a first-class edict.” Then, Murong He bowed and said, “Madam Wu.”

A first-class edict was a higher rank than Shao Yunan. However, Shao Yunan, being a modern person… sorry, he didn’t understand so many formalities. Shao Yunan, facing the elderly woman who walked out with a wooden crutch in one hand and supported by a senior maid, just nodded slightly and called out. “Madam Wu.”

Dai Yingsi performed a courteous gesture. “Madam Wu.” Madam Wu nodded slightly to the three of them and then looked Shao Yunan up and down. Not warmly or coldly, she asked, “Lord Wang Shao, you’re leaving shortly after arriving. Did Zheng Shi do anything inappropriate and neglect the esteemed guests?”

Lady Wu Zheng stood behind Madam Wu, not answering. Shao Yunan said, “Not at all. It’s just that Madam’s suggestion seems to be that the air in Master Wu Jian’s room is not suitable for visitors. Since it’s not suitable, we can only go back. It’s fine for us adults, but Moxi is still a child. If he inhales any dirty air, it wouldn’t be good if he falls ill later.”

Dai Yingsi suppressed a laugh, thinking, ‘Lord Wang Shao’s words are really interesting, both strange and amusing.’

Lady Wu Zheng hurriedly defended. “Mother, Jian’s health is deteriorating day by day. He’s emaciated and I’m afraid of alarming His Highness and Lady Lin.” Shao Yunan chuckled. “If Master Wu Jian is in such a state, aren’t you afraid of frightening me and His Highness? Your reasoning is really strange.”

Madam Wu’s brows furrowed slightly and Lady Wu Zheng remained silent. It was evident that Shao Yunan might not be a friendly visitor. Madam Wu expressed her displeasure. “Lord Wang Shao, your words are not quite appropriate. Moxi is Jian’s biological son. It’s unreasonable not to see his own father. Even if Jian has passed away, Moxi should still come. Given Jian’s severe illness, thinking about his son, even if Moxi just pays respects at the bedside, it’s only natural.”

Shao Yunan asked, “Is that so?” He lowered his head and asked, “Moxi, do you want to see him?” Jiang Moxi nodded. The reactions of everyone in the Duke’s mansion, including Madam Wu and Lady Wu Zheng, were once again astonished.

Murong He and Dai Yingsi, who had been instructed by Shao Yunan in advance, didn’t intervene. Shao Yunan had to see Wu Jian on this trip, but he would never let Duke An’s mansion succeed. Shao Yunan would not explain to them that Jiang Moxi had already returned to normal. He simply said, “Then please lead the way.”

Lady Wu Zheng led Shao Yunan and the others to Wu Jian’s room, accompanied by Madam Wu. Leaving Big and Little Gold at the door, Shao Yunan held Jiang Moxi’s hand and entered the room. Jiang Moxi squeezed Shao Yunan’s hand tightly. In fact, Jiang Moxi was very worried about his father and this was the main reason why Shao Yunan agreed to bring him over.

The smell inside the room was indeed unpleasant, with a strong medicinal odor mixed with other smells. Shao Yunan turned and said, “Elder sister, you can wait outside.” Dai Yingsi said, “It’s okay; since we’re here, let’s take a look.”

Two maids came out of the room, lifted the door curtain to the inner room, and bowed to Madam Wu and Lady Wu Zheng. Madam Wu, concerned, asked, “Is Jian showing any improvement today?” The two maids shook their heads and one of them said, “Master Jian has just struggled to swallow even the soup.”

Jiang Moxi squeezed Shao Yunan’s hand even harder. As a natural poker face and with the room being somewhat dim, his concerns were not noticed. Madam Wu sighed, turned around, and said, “Moxi, come and see your father.”

Jiang Moxi ignored Madam Wu and just raised his head. Shao Yunan gave him a reassuring look and led him into the inner room. At a glance, he saw a person on the bed, looking pale, almost like a corpse.

Murong He, who came in with them, frowned, and Dai Yingsi also saw it. Murong He asked her to go outside, and this time, Dai Yingsi didn’t insist, and went out. Murong He stayed behind, as he wouldn’t allow Shao Yunan and Jiang Moxi to stay in the room alone.

Approaching the bedside and seeing his father seemingly unconscious on the bed, Jiang Moxi’s lips tightened. At this moment, Madam Wu said, “Moxi, your grandmother was confused and harmed you and your Little Father, but your father loves you the most. After your father and son left, your father missed you every day, and now he has become like this. Moxi, spend more time with your father. Maybe, just maybe, if he knows you’re here, he might get better.”

Madam Wu wiped away tears and Lady Wu Zheng also wiped her tears on the side. Jiang Moxi lifted his other hand and touched his father’s face. Seeing him in this state, a glint of light flashed in Madam Wu’s eyes and she choked up. “Moxi, have you recovered? Grandmother knew you could. Talk to your father, tell him you’re here.”

Murmuring to Shao Yunan, Murong He sighed. “Ah, originally a good family, but now it’s possible they are separated by life and death. It’s truly lamentable.” Shao Yunan, expressionlessly said, “This is a man-made calamity, not a natural disaster. There’s nothing to lament about.”

This statement startled Madam Wu and Lady Wu Zheng. Madam Wu asked, “Lord Wang, why do you say it’s a man-made calamity?” Shao Yunan looked at her and said, “Isn’t it a man-made calamity? The couple were living well, but someone insisted on tearing them apart. After separating them, they didn’t let them live well. Now that the person is sick and bedridden, what’s the point of feeling sorry for them? In my opinion, they brought it upon themselves.”

Madam Wu became angry. “Lord Wang, please be mindful of your words. If Jian has become like this, do you think I’m not distressed? His mother made a big mistake due to a momentary confusion, but now, considering Jian’s critical condition, what grudges can’t be put aside? Moxi is Jian’s only son. Shouldn’t he show filial piety at this time?” Then, Madam Wu coldly snorted. “I almost forgot. Lord Wang Shao never puts filial piety in his eyes.”

Gently pulling Murong He, signaling him not to speak, Shao Yunan sneered. “I’m sorry. Maybe my understanding of filial piety is different from that of the Duke An’s mansion. If parents are unkind, why blame the younger generation for being unfilial? Madam Wu, are you suggesting that if Moxi doesn’t stay today, it’s unfilial? I find it strange. Are you implying that Jian’s mother was ‘momentarily’ confused, and she would rather see them father and son both dead before feeling at ease? Your ‘momentarily’ seems to have lasted quite a while.”

Madam Wu, feeling embarrassed, stammered, and Lady Wu Zheng immediately added, “Grandma has mentioned this to Jian’s mother many times…”

Shao Yunan interrupted her. “Many times? Is it once, twice, or ten times? Anyone can talk. I even want to tell heaven to drop a hundred thousand taels of silver for me. Will heaven listen to me? Without substantial results, your words are no different from passing gas. Moreover, who knows if you said it or not? I didn’t hear it. Don’t use filial piety to talk about Moxi. It’s as if he and Kangchen left on their own.” 

“You seem to have forgotten. I’ll remind you, Moxi is surnamed Jiang, not Wu. He should show filial piety to your Wu family? The man on the bed, to put it nicely, only provided Moxi with the chance to live (the chance of conception). In a harsher tone, he’s nothing. Did he give birth to Moxi or did he raise Moxi? He can’t even protect his own wife and child. What’s the point of lecturing Moxi about filial piety? Even if he dies, it’s your fault. What does he have to do with Moxi?”

“Don’t stand here talking without considering the truth. You’re all daughters-in-law. If your in-laws treated you like this, could you still serve them with kindness, forgetting past grievances? That can only be said of your noble character. I’m sorry, I’m just a common person and can’t do that. If you have the ability to drive someone away, don’t shamelessly call them back. How can you all from the Duke’s mansion keep doing things that embarrass yourselves? Even if you say it, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”

Pulling Jiang Moxi with him, Shao Yunan moved his foot and left. Madam Wu was so angry that her chest hurt and Lady Wu Zheng was also so angry that she couldn’t speak. They were all high-ranking madams and ladies, and they had never been treated so unreasonably, let alone be that humiliated.

Edited by: Jaisland

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