Chapter 240: Indifferent Home

"What's going on? Speak up!" Lu Qiniang looked at Xiao Yan and said, "Why did you get beaten after returning home? Have you told your family that you've been stripped of your citizenship?"

She thought that the Marquis' Mansion was worried about being implicated by Xiao Yan, so they didn't like him.

"I told you," Xiao Yan said. "I went to get my things back, and my stepmother was intentionally or unintentionally fanning the flames. Then my father scolded me for being ungrateful, beat me, and had me kicked out."

He no longer has any expectations for his father.

He had also long seen through his stepmother's sweet words but treacherous nature.

But the only thing he was unwilling to accept was his biological mother, Aunt Bai.

Why could she watch him being humiliated and even help those two people to humiliate him?

She was holding the son of Xiao Yan's eldest brother Xiao Qin in her arms.

The child was very close to her.

Xiao Yan could see that the biological mother treated the child like her own grandson, with a loving look in her eyes.

Whether you love someone or not, your eyes can’t lie.

He had never received such love, even though he was her biological son.

Aunt Bai has always been famous for her good temper in the Marquis' Mansion, and she is even more kind to the children.

Except Xiao Yan.

"...Qi Niang, I really want to ask her what I did wrong to make her hate me so much." Xiao Yan closed his eyes, not wanting Lu Qin Niang to see the fragility in his eyes.

From childhood to adulthood, what he wanted most was the affirmation of his biological mother.

But he never got it.

Even though he is already famous.

When he returned to the capital with high hopes, the first time he saw his mother, he was not praised but warned not to be self-righteous just because of his "little" achievements and to neglect his parents and siblings.

He should also remember to be grateful and remember that everything he has is a gift from the Marquis' Mansion.

What can he say?

He could only nod in agreement.

He never neglected his parents and siblings, nor did he forget to be grateful.

But his mother seemed to have forgotten to love him.

"She spends almost all her time with my stepmother, taking care of all sorts of things for her, including raising the children. She treats my stepmother's children as if they were her own. But when she turns around and sees me, she looks impatient, as if I'm some dirty and lowly being."

Xiao Yan's knuckles suddenly clasped the corner of the table, and his fingertips turned pale from the force.

"Xiao Yan--" Lu Qiniang looked at Xiao Yan worriedly and wanted to comfort him, but she didn't know what to say.

Xiao Yan's Adam's apple rolled violently twice. "My brother and I fell off our horses at the same time. She hugged my brother and cried bitterly, but then she raised her hand and slapped me, saying that I didn't take good care of my brother. But it was clearly me who was used as a cushion for my brother, and I was hurt worse."

He suddenly tilted his head back and drank half a cup of cold tea, swallowing like a trapped animal in his throat.

Lu Qiniang caught a glimpse of the bulging blue veins on the side of his neck. The veins were throbbing with his suppressed breathing, as if they would break through the skin at any time.

"Xiao Yan," Lu Qi's mother said, "I've actually met many unreliable fathers, but I've never met many unreliable mothers. From what you said, she doesn't look like your biological mother, but more like your enemy. Are you really her biological child?"

"I really hope not." Xiao Yan showed a self-deprecating smile on his face, "But everyone in the mansion watched her from the time she became pregnant to the time she gave birth. If my stepmother had no children, I might still think that I was the son she exchanged for her daughter from outside, but the mansion is not short of sons."

"Did she listen to some fortune teller or something, saying you're unlucky?"

"Yes." Xiao Yan nodded. "My grandmother passed away the year I was born, and my grandfather passed away on my third birthday. I've already told you about my three engagements..."

"Maybe she's afraid that you'll get too close to her and harm her?" Lu Qiniang shook her head. "I just don't understand. The more others dislike your own child, the more you should love him..."

She suddenly realized that what she said was not right, so she stopped quickly.

"Xiao Yan, do you listen to me?" she suddenly asked.

Xiao Yan looked up at her, the pain in his eyes briefly dissipated, replaced by firm trust.

"You say." His voice was still hoarse from before, but the corners of his mouth had already formed a gentle curve, just like before.

"Just listen to me. If you don't want the things anymore, consider it as repaying their kindness in raising you. From now on, they go their way, and you go your way."

Xiao Yan was silent.

"I know you don't care about those things. You want to save face and don't want them to feel comfortable." Lu Qiniang sighed, "But Xiao Yan, when we compete with others, there will be winners and losers. When competing with your blood relatives, the more conscientious you are, the more painful it will be for you. There will be no such thing as victory."

What you consume is yourself.

"Look, you helped me and we earned such a huge sum of money. I'll give you 6,000 taels. You can buy a house or some land, or anything else. Let's not suffer this anymore."

Money is something outside of our body.

When you have no money, you have to fight for it in order to survive.

But once you have money and can live a good life, stay away from those who make you sad.

"Five hundred acres of land, and some other things, may be what ordinary people can't earn in their lifetime, or even ten lifetimes. But for you, Xiao Yan, it's nothing. If you want to fight for your reputation, then use your energy elsewhere. Just think of yourself as a person who has lost both parents and is all alone—"

Why does Xiao Yan feel so uncomfortable?

Because he cares.

He never gave up his obsession with wanting his parents to love him.

This is his soft spot that can be exploited by anyone. Once someone pokes him, he is the one who feels the most pain.

"Xiao Yan, some things can't be forced. If someone likes you, you will like them no matter what; if someone doesn't like you, you can't ask them to."

Lu Qiniang sighed, "Take the money I gave you and don't be polite to me. Don't go back to that house. Don't be stubborn. Just listen to me for once."

Xiao Yan was silent for a moment before saying, "I don't need other things. But Wangyun has been with me for many years, and I want to bring it out. My stepmother knows that I want Wangyun, so she will definitely stop me. Wangyun has lost a lot of weight, and I don't know what he has experienced in the past year. When he sees me, his eyes are timid-looking-"

Looking at the clouds?

Lu Qiniang subconsciously thought it was the maid's name.

She had stayed in Zhou Mansion before, and the young master was always served by maids, including a head maid.

So she thought that Wang Yun was Xiao Yan's maid.

"It's really not easy for you to take her away." Lu Qinniang told the truth.

After all, these maids are basically family-born children, and their indentures are held in the hands of Xiao Yan's stepmother.

"Also, is Wangyun willing to go with you?" Lu Qiniang asked again.

If you want to have a child, your parents, brothers and sisters are all at home, and it would probably be a painful decision for you to leave home.

And to be honest, Xiao Yan isn't doing very well right now, and it's hard for his family to feel at ease if Wang Yun follows him.

"Of course it is willing. It only recognizes me as its master."

Lu Qinniang, I understand, the feelings are deep.

As long as the feelings are there, no matter how hard or difficult it is, we must create conditions if there are no conditions and get the person out!

"Xiao Yan, how much is she worth in silver?" Lu Qiniang asked after thinking for a while.

Since this is someone Xiao Yan cares about, then solve it with money.

Spending a little more money is not a problem.

Money is only a problem when you have no money.

"Ten thousand taels."

"What?" Lu Qin's mother was so shocked that her eyes almost popped out.