The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Chapter 133

The old madam and the old marquis exchanged a glance and told her the truth.

Madam Hong, originally named Yan Suxue, is 26 years old and the second daughter of the former prime minister, Yan Zhun, who served as prime minister for eight years with remarkable achievements. She was once a noble lady sought after by the young masters of the capital.

Ten years ago, Prime Minister Yan was found guilty of embezzling one thousand taels of silver. According to the laws of Great Chu, he should have been executed, but the emperor, considering his past contributions, only dismissed him from his position, confiscated his family's assets, and spared his family from punishment.

However, shortly after being demoted, Prime Minister Yan passed away from illness. His children and family members were left with no support, and many were bullied or sold off by their enemies.

Madam Hong was relatively fortunate, as she was not sold into a brothel. However, she and her family eventually ended up in the slums, the only place that would take in those with nowhere else to go and where their enemies would not bother to look.

The old marquis and the old madam learned a year ago that Zong Yan might have had a woman in his life. Following the clue of the jade pendant, they found Madam Hong. After discovering her identity, they quietly changed her name and brought her into the manor to avoid offending Prime Minister Yan's enemies.

Xu Wan murmured, "No wonder she always avoided meeting people when I asked her to. So that's the reason."

It was truly lamentable how a noble lady had fallen to such a state.

She ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????then asked, "Was Zong Yan also unable to bring her back to the manor because of her identity?"

The old madam shook her head firmly. "Zong Yan wasn't that kind of person. If he had known, he would have taken responsibility. Ten years ago, during that month, he was busy with the Martial Academy's grand competition and showed no unusual behavior. Madam Hong also said she didn't know Zong Yan at all. She only remembers him saving her from bandits, but she can't recall what happened afterward."

Xu Wan roughly understood the unknown details: "A fleeting romance with blurred memories."

The old madam smiled bitterly. "That's what I suspect as well..."

It wasn't a mutual love affair, nor was it a premarital affair. Instead, it was a beautiful accident that left Zong Yan with a woman and a child, though he himself was unaware of it.

The old madam quickly regained her composure and turned to the old marquis, launching into another tirade: "Look at Madam Hong. Her beauty and talents are second to none. If it weren't for Prime Minister Yan's downfall, our Yangyuan Marquis Manor wouldn't even be worthy of her. What's wrong with making her your official wife? How is her status inferior?"

The old marquis was taken aback by her sudden attack. He retorted angrily, "Don't always pick the biased side when we argue. Do you know how many people Prime Minister Yan offended with his iron-fisted methods during his tenure? If people find out we've married his daughter as our official wife, wouldn't we instantly make a host of enemies? What about Wenxiu's future? Everyone would know he's Prime Minister Yan's grandson. Do you realize how many enemies he would make?"

The old madam, struck by his counterargument, fell silent.

The starting point was always Wenxiu, and in the end, it was still about Wenxiu.

The old madam's eyes gradually reddened as she said tearfully, "Then what should we do? I can't let my Wenxiu suffer anymore. My poor grandson... my poor son and daughter-in-law..."

The old marquis sat back in his chair, holding his head and sighing.

Xu Wan pondered quietly for a moment and then spoke up softly, "What if we find a godparent for Madam Hong? Like how some women who act as substitutes for princesses in marriage alliances are adopted by the emperor as his daughters and still granted the title of princess."

The old marquis and the old madam both looked up, finding the idea promising.

However...

"We don't have any close friends," the old madam said. "After I married into the Yangyuan Marquis Manor, the few friends I had gradually drifted away."

She glanced at the old marquis, knowing it was because of her status.

Thinking of this, the old madam's heart softened a little, reminding herself to lower her voice the next time they argued.

The old marquis finally managed to say, "Those are all old matters. Why bring them up with Xu Wan? It doesn't matter if we don't have friends. Does the Yangyuan Marquis Manor lack those two friends?"

The old madam quietly added, "We do... Madam Hong needs them now."

The old marquis: "..."

He searched for a way to save face but found none.

Xu Wan, who had been silently enjoying their bickering, struggled to suppress a smile. She cleared her throat and said, "The godparent doesn't necessarily have to be from a wealthy family. A respectable and modest family would be most suitable. Their status wouldn't be too high, avoiding unnecessary attention, yet it wouldn't diminish the dignity of the Yangyuan Marquis Manor."

After saying this, the old couple quickly began searching their minds for a suitable candidate. Within seconds, they both looked up at Xu Wan.

Xu Wan: "?"

She panicked, "My father wouldn't do. He's not exactly... I mean, he's not easy to talk to."

Unexpectedly, the old madam smiled and said, "No, it's someone you see every day."

Xu Wan raised a questioning look: "Huh?"

Baili Xi.

The mentor who nurtured Zong Zhao, the top scholar. He was once a grand academician who retired from the Hanlin Academy and had many students both in and out of court. Although his status was ordinary, his reputation was highly esteemed.

If he were willing to adopt Madam Hong as his goddaughter, all the problems would be resolved.

Once the old marquis and the old madam made up their minds, they wasted no time. After packing up, they immediately set out by carriage.

Xu Wan murmured, "Such efficient action."

Cui Zhi, following behind her, was puzzled. How did a conversation about the second branch suddenly lead to visiting Baili Xi? Weren't the mentors just given a three-day break?

With the old marquis and the old madam personally handling the matter, Xu Wan no longer needed to worry. Thinking this, she headed to the second branch.

Seeing Madam Hong again, perhaps with a new perspective, Xu Wan felt she appeared especially dignified and graceful. Although the ten years in the slums had aged her, the noble aura in her demeanor was impossible to conceal.

"Auntie," Zong Wenxiu called softly beside her.

Xu Wan nodded at him and explained the situation to Madam Hong.

Madam Hong was momentarily stunned. She didn't show overwhelming joy or refuse out of modesty. Instead, she bowed sincerely and said, "I thank you on behalf of Wenxiu. Thank you for taking care of him during this time, and for... this matter."

Xu Wan quickly stepped forward to help her up, teasing with a smile, "Don't be so formal. Once you're in the Yangyuan Marquis Manor, we're family. We're sisters-in-law, after all. Well... even though you're eight years older than me and entered the manor earlier, in terms of seniority, you still have to call me 'sister-in-law.'"

Madam Hong chuckled and nodded, "Yes, your seniority is higher."

Although their husbands were twins, Zong Zhao was fortunate enough to be born first, making Xu Wan the elder sister-in-law. Thinking of it this way made it easier for her to accept being called "auntie."

Xu Wan thus comforted herself.

"I don't know when Father and Mother will return. It's almost mealtime, so let's head to the main hall for dinner."

"Alright," Madam Hong agreed for the first time, stepping out of the small courtyard.

Xu Wan turned to Zong Wenxiu and said, "Jin Cheng is looking for books in the main study. Go call him over. Tell him the book he's looking for doesn't exist and that it's time to eat."

Zong Wenxiu: "..."

Poor guy, was his brother being tricked?