Eunuch Wei didnât dare to reply. After serving the Chengping Emperor for so many years, he understood that the Emperor wasnât actually trying to ask him for advice. The Emperor had likely already come to a decision in his mind.
The question was entirely rhetorical.
As expected, after a few minutes, the Emperor ordered, âCall Yang Yanfeng in.â
âYes, Your Majesty, this servant will go immediately.â
After the whole fiasco with Miaozhen, everyone, including Dalang, Matriarch He and Countess Jingâan, were in agreement with the main branchâs divorce.
On the next day, House Jingâan sent a notice to House Dingyuan.
They had already prepared the divorce papers with the relevant authorities the day before. The only step remaining was for Madam Zou to pack up her dowry and leave the estate.
Madam Zou was the eldest daughter of the second branch of House Dingyuan. While she was a true noble lady, old Marquis Dingyuan was already getting on in age and the main branch of House Dingyuan was in charge now.
Once old Marquis Dingyuan passed on and the main branch succeeded the title of marquis, the second branch would be cast out of the estate. The second branchâs influence would only deteriorate from then on.
He Changdi was now trusted by the Emperor and he held the title of marquis. The second branch of House Dingyuan could no longer match up to House Jingâan.
Even though Madam Zou had been divorced, the second branch of House Dingyuan didnât dare to make any comments. Furthermore, this had all been Madam Zouâs own doing.
As much as Madam Zouâs mother wanted to reprimand her daughter, since she had already gotten divorced by her husband, there was nothing else to say!
Since she couldnât do anything to her daughter, Madam Zouâs mother, the Second Madam of House Dingyuan, could only help her daughter pack up her dowry.
Luckily her daughter hadnât been a complete idiot. After so many years, her dowry hadnât decreased one bit. Conversely, it had actually grown much larger.
Madam Zou had been in charge of the household for so many years. Of course she had dipped her hands into the public funds from time to time.
Once Madam Zouâs dowry had been taken out from the storehouses, the amount of silver as well as the properties belonging to the estate had actually been halved!
Madam Zou took her divorce papers and returned home to the Dingyuan Estate with Second Madam richer than before.
While this was what the He Family had agreed on, there wasnât any hint of a smile on Matriarch Heâs face.
In the warm room of Qingxi Hall.
Matriarch He sat on the hearth bed. Although it was already early spring, the winter chill still hung in the air in the capital. Matriarch Heâs body was weak to start with, so she couldnât bear to be out in the cold. The fires warming the hearth bed and the walls had never stopped.
He Ying and her daughter, Pan Nianzhen, were keeping the matriarch company in that room as warm as spring.
Pan Nianzhen was squatting by the matriarchâs side and kneading her legs while He Ying was flipping through some account books on the other.
The matriarchâs eyes were slightly shut. She breathed a sigh of comfort before opening her eyes again, âYouâre getting better at this, Miss Zhen. My old bones are feeling more comfortable thanks to your massage.â
Pan Nianzhen blinked her eyes bashfully and smiled, âGrandmother, as long as itâs good for your health, I wonât mind serving you like this forever.â
The matriarch reached out to stroke Pan Nianzhenâs smooth locks, âGrandmother canât bear to tire you out so. Alright, your hands must be sore from massaging me for so long. Go and take a rest at the side. There are some new confections on that table that the kitchen sent over this morning. Why donât you have a taste and see if you like them?â
âItâs okay, Iâll massage Grandmother for a while longer.â
Pan Nianzhenâs actions and words had completely won over Matriarch Heâs heart.
He Ying secretly sent a look at her daughter, indicating that she had done well.
A wave of gratitude washed over Matriarch Heâs heart. Only her real daughter and granddaughter would treat her so well. They werenât at all like those granddaughters-in-law she had. Although they had married into this house, they had grown up in other houses after all.
âThis old woman regrets not bringing the two of you back to the capital earlier. Otherwise, Miss Zhenâs marriage wouldnât be delayed.â
Pan Nianzhen was the same age as Chu Lian and she had turned sixteen over the New Year. Since she hadnât been engaged yet, it was indeed a little late for her.
He Ying smiled, âMother, you donât have to blame yourself. Weâre fine as long as we know that weâre in your heart.â
The matriarch feigned an angry glare at her, âYou silly girl. What are you saying? You should know better at your age! I gave birth to you myself, why would I not have you in my heart?â
This time, when He Ying smiled again, a satisfied glint flashed across her eyes as she lowered her head.
In a short moment, He Ying handed the account book over to Matriarch He with a frown, âMother, take a look at these accounts.â
Matriarch Heâs health was failing and she didnât have as much vigour as before. Although the household management rights were in her hands, she hadnât been able to work on the household at all. Most of the work had been given to her handmaid, Muxiang, while another portion had been handed over to Senior Servant Liu. He Ying was now the one looking over ost of the accounts.
Her eyesight had become blurry over the past two years, so she couldnât quite see the fine words on the accounts now.
âWhatâs wrong?â Matriarch He took the book and squinted hard. It took her some effort before she could finally see the words clearly.
Once she read the writing on the book, her eyes widened in shock. âThat Madam Zou! I shouldnât have left her in charge of the household back then!â
Half of the money and properties of the estate had actually been taken away!
That was a whole half of the assets under the Jingâan Estate!