At these words, both Lady Xue and the third branch’s Li Yu froze.
What kind of joke was this? The old woman was already advanced in years and prone to fits of madness—who could endure waiting on her day and night?
Grandma Yan, seeing the reactions of her two daughters-in-law, knew it was hopeless. She roared, "I don’t need anyone to care for me in my old age! I’d rather die than spend my last days in this cursed place!"
Chu Ruoyan finally understood the saying: "The pitiable often have their own detestable traits."
Putting aside Yan Zheng’s attitude toward his grandmother, the fact that he had rushed to her side the moment something happened and ensured she lacked nothing in terms of food, clothing, or comforts showed he had not mistreated her in the slightest.
And yet, she?
She had hated him over some baseless fortune-teller’s words and even blamed him for the deaths of the entire family in battle. Such stubbornness was truly incorrigible!
Chu Ruoyan glanced at the newly replaced rosewood furnishings in the room and raised a brow. "Since Grandmother finds this place unsuitable, would you prefer the suburban residence or the Yan Family Manor?"
"What?!"
The suburban residence had long been abandoned, and conditions at the manor were even worse. Was this venomous woman really trying to banish her to such places?
Grandma Yan nearly choked on her rage. Madam Li quietly tugged at her sleeve. "Third Sister-in-law, this might not be appropriate..."
"Second Sister-in-law, it’s perfectly appropriate." Chu Ruoyan picked up a teacup. "Grandmother may not be aware, but every item in this room was purchased at great expense. For instance, this celadon cup from the previous dynasty is worth a hundred taels."
"A hundred taels!" Lady Xue couldn’t help exclaiming.
Even among the wealthiest families in the capital, a teacup rarely cost more than twenty taels!
This old woman had been living like royalty...
Chu Ruoyan didn’t miss the envy in Lady Xue’s eyes. "Indeed, the furnishings in this room are worth no less than twenty thousand taels. However, I was unaware of Grandmother’s frugal tastes and presumptuously added these items, displeasing her. Thus, I must ask her to stay elsewhere for a few days while I restore the room to its original state before inviting her back."
"You’re removing all these things?!" Grandma Yan stared at her in disbelief.
The third branch also interjected, "Where will you move so many items?"
"Just store them in an empty room for now. It would be a shame to discard them since they were just purchased."
Chu Ruoyan’s unhurried tone made both the second and third branches burn with envy!
Such extravagant furnishings, casually set aside—this new wife of Third Master Yan was truly rolling in wealth!
Lady Xue hurriedly said, "Niece-in-law, I misspoke earlier. Since these things will just sit idle, why not let me take them off your hands?"
Not to be outdone, the third branch chimed in, "Dear niece-in-law, my home is still missing a low table. Might I have this rosewood kang table?"
Their attitudes had done a complete about-face.
Grandma Yan was so furious she clutched her chest. "You—you shameless creatures!"
Since neither Lady Xue nor the others had to wait on the old woman, they paid her no mind, their eyes fixed eagerly on Chu Ruoyan.
Ignoring them, Chu Ruoyan addressed the old woman calmly. "Grandmother, have you decided where you’d like to stay?"
Grandma Yan’s eyes rolled back, and she collapsed in a feigned faint.
Madam Li hastily called for a physician, while Chu Ruoyan allowed a faint smile to curl her lips.
Resorting to pretending to faint—she really couldn’t bear to leave this place after all.
Evening.
Yan Wenjing, having finished his studies, unexpectedly came to see her.
"What trouble has the young master gotten into today? Another incident at Guangwen Academy?" Chu Ruoyan teased.
Yan Wenjing puffed out his cheeks. "Not at all! I’ve been very well-behaved. I don’t cause trouble."
"Then why are you here?"
He rummaged in his sleeves and produced something. "Here, this is for you."
She took it and unwrapped it—steaming osmanthus cakes from Lion Tower.
"I heard about it at Guangwen Academy today—the earthquake at Mang Mountain destroyed many houses. If not for you and Third Uncle suggesting the burial date be changed, my father and grandfather’s graves would have been ruined too..." The little rice ball looked up at her earnestly. "My father always taught me to repay kindness, so I bought these to thank you."
Chu Ruoyan smiled softly. When this little devil wasn’t putting on an act, he could be quite sweet.
Just as she was about to praise him, Yan Wenjing added solemnly, "But let’s be clear—you saved me at Guangwen Academy and helped my father and grandfather now, so I’m grateful. But if you don’t like my Third Uncle, you’re still a bad woman!"
Chu Ruoyan’s brows shot up, barely suppressing a laugh.
What kind of logic was that?
"Why are you so fixated on me liking your Third Uncle? There are countless people in the world—does that mean anyone who doesn’t like him is a bad person?"
Yan Wenjing nodded emphatically. "Yes. They’re all blind."
Chu Ruoyan: "..."
Do you know who hates your Third Uncle the most in this world? Your great-grandmother!
But she kept that thought to herself, sighing instead. "If your Third Uncle were half as wonderful as you say, he wouldn’t—"
Before she could finish, a cool yet familiar voice came from behind.
"Wouldn’t what?"
She turned in surprise. Under the night sky, Yan Zheng approached in his wheelchair, dressed in dark blue robes.
He seemed in good spirits, a faint smile playing on his lips. Yan Wenjing brightened at the sight of him. "Third Uncle!"
He rushed forward like a fledgling bird returning to its nest, throwing himself into Yan Zheng’s arms.
Yan Zheng caught him and ruffled his hair. "Have you been studying diligently?"
"Yes! I’ve already memorized the Analects. Third Uncle, do you want to hear me recite it?"
"Go ahead."
"‘The Master said: To learn and at due times to repeat what one has learned, is that not after all a pleasure?’..."
The child’s clear voice filled the courtyard, making even the evening breeze seem lighter.
Chu Ruoyan stood quietly watching, struck by how both uncle and nephew seemed transformed in each other’s company.
Yan Wenjing shed his usual forced obedience, revealing genuine affection.
Yan Zheng, too, seemed less brooding and severe, more like a patient, guiding elder.
Perhaps it was the weariness of recent events or the purity of the child’s voice, but she relaxed, resting her chin on her hand as a soft smile touched her lips...
Outside the courtyard.
"No wonder the young master came straight here after court—Madam and Young Master Wenjing were waiting," Meng Yang remarked, then noticed Steward Fang wiping his eyes. "Why the tears? Isn’t this a good thing? When was the last time we saw the young master so at ease since returning to the capital?"
Steward Fang sniffled. "It’s nothing. I was just thinking... this harmony, like a family of three... If the late heir had seen it, how happy he would’ve been."
Meng Yang fell silent.
In life, the heir often said, "Yan Zheng, you ought to marry. Let’s see if your wife can keep that icy face of yours in check."
But time had passed, and the speaker was gone.
The mood turned somber. Steward Fang changed the subject. "By the way, has the burial site for the general and the heir been reselected?"
"It’s settled—the plot near Guardian Temple, the one the young master originally chose." Meng Yang scoffed. "The Ministry of Rites insisted on burying them near the late emperor’s tomb to ‘honor imperial benevolence.’ Hah! After all that, we’re back to square one. What a waste of effort!"
Steward Fang pressed, "And the date?"
"Three days later, the storax incense was nearly burned out. Any further delay would risk the bodies of the Grand General and the heir spoiling..."
Steward Fang nodded. "I'll make the arrangements at once."
The next day, the manor buzzed with activity both inside and out. Chu Ruoyan made her way to the main hall, where Madam Li had already changed into formal wide-sleeved ceremonial robes, ready to depart.
"Sister-in-law, you've come just in time. The funeral is set for three days from now. I'm heading to the Yao residence to fetch Fifth Sister-in-law. Would you accompany me?"
