Chapter 17: Everyone's Thoughts

Feng did not expect things to go so smoothly. Though she was delighted inwardly, she showed nothing on her face. Steeling her resolve, she said, "Yunyi, your father is not in the manor right now; he hasn't returned for over a month, and he didn't say when he would be back when he left.

Now that you are leaving, the Second Branch has no proper master in sight. There is no certainty as to when your father will return, and this courtyard always needs someone to look after it. In your opinion, who would be suitable?"

As soon as these words left her mouth, the Old Madam sitting at the head of the table looked quite displeased. She had not expected Feng to be so calculating, though she did know somewhat about the state of the household.

Aside from the private assets of each branch, the communal properties of the manor were limited. In recent years, there had been no increase in shops or lands, nor had there been any particularly outstanding descendants. Furthermore, for several generations, the Marquis of Huaiyang's household had seen a pattern of "strong females and weak males."

In the Marquis's generation, there were three sons and nine daughters in total across all branches. By the Heir's generation, there were four sons and twelve daughters. The grandson's generation showed slight improvement, with five sons and ten daughters currently.

The Old Madam let out a long sigh in her heart. *So be it,* she thought. *Chengqing will eventually need to marry a new wife anyway. Once I am older, I will try my best to protect Yunyi.*

When she looked at Yunyi again, there was a hint of guilt in her eyes. No matter how unhappy she was, she did not speak out against Feng's actions. She planned to pull Feng aside later to give her a warning, but she would certainly consider the interests of both Yunyi and the unrecovered legitimate grandson of the Second Branch.

Upon hearing this, the members of the Third and Fourth Branches felt a bitter taste in their mouths. The First Branch was truly calculating. Looking at the Old Madam's expression, it was clear that she had tacitly approved.

When they looked at Yunyi, their gaze held a sense of pity. However, they reasoned that this was not a matter for them, as members of the concubine branches, to interfere with; they couldn't control it anyway, so they wouldn't go looking for trouble.

They could only sigh inwardly, thinking how truly pitiful she was without her mother to protect her. Their view of the First Branch also shifted; this was blatant occupation, taking advantage of someone who had lost her mother.

In fact, she had lost her father as well. Were they not afraid that the Second Master would return and settle scores with the First Branch? Besides, Yunyi had the Duke of Wu's manor as her backing; the First Branch might not be able to do as they pleased. *We'll see,* they thought, which made them feel slightly better.

Leaving the Old Madam's Ronghui Hall, Yunyi walked slowly back. It was now late summer, and the scenery along the way through the gardens was quite pleasant.

People in ancient times truly knew how to enjoy life. The grand manor of the Marquis's estate was built with exquisite pavilions and towers in an antique style, featuring small bridges, flowing water, winding paths leading to secluded spots, lush greenery, and blooming flowers.

As she was passing a garden pavilion near a rockery, she heard the sound of weeping. Driven by curiosity, Yunyi gave a look to her maid, Yuezhu, signaling her to remain silent, and followed the sound of the crying.

The person before her had her head lowered, and Yunyi did not recognize her. Yuezhu whispered that she was a newly joined little maid, seemingly a laborer from the herb garden. As Yunyi approached slowly, the weeping maid saw a pair of feet clad in embroidered shoes appear before her.

Startled, she lifted her tear-stained face. Seeing that it was not someone she knew, she felt a surge of despair. She had only been in the manor for a little over a month; she had sold herself into service because her family lacked the money to treat her mother's illness.

But she had just received news that the money had been taken by her grandmother to pay off her gambling uncle's debts. Her mother had now run out of medicine, and she was utterly helpless, unable to do anything but hide here and weep in heartbreak.

(End of Chapter)