Chapter 382 will only bring utter destruction to the Yan family.
Grand Tutor Yan looked at his granddaughter, whom he had neglected for many years. Her features were delicate, like a light ink painting, yet her eyes revealed determination and wisdom. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly again.
Even though the Great Qian Dynasty had an empress, Grand Tutor Yan held women in contempt, always believing them to be mere appendages of men. How many women in the world were like Emperor Gaozu?
However, Jiang Yu's sudden emergence, and later his granddaughter's joining the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, forced him to change his previous ideas.
Although he didn't know much about the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, judging from the importance the Emperor and the Duke of Chu attached to it, he knew it wasn't as simple as it seemed on the surface.
He had once tried to inquire about the Heavenly Crafts Bureau from his granddaughter, but she had subtly evaded his questions each time. This only further illustrated the importance of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.
Now, this granddaughter has a good relationship with the Duke of Chu and is about to get engaged to the eldest grandson of the Duke of Wei. Not to mention Yan Fengxi, even his eldest grandson might not have a better future than this granddaughter.
Grand Tutor Yan was inwardly extremely conflicted, but he showed no sign of it on his face. He smiled at Yan Fengju and said, "The Duke of Wei also inquired about your situation from me, and he seemed to admire you quite a bit."
He laughed twice and then said, "I also replied to the Duke of Wei today, saying that I agree to this marriage."
Yan Fengju, naturally, wouldn't pretend to be innocent after getting such a good deal. She immediately stood up and bowed to Grand Tutor Yan, saying, "Thank you, Grandfather."
"Haha, no need for such formalities." Grand Tutor Yan laughed and waved for Yan Fengju to sit down. He was very satisfied with Yan Fengju's attitude and appreciated her pragmatism.
Although Yan Fengju was previously overlooked, with the Yan family as her backing, her future path will be much easier. Therefore, a wise person will not harbor hatred towards their family because of past neglect, nor will they become arrogant in front of their family members because of their newfound power.
Yan Fengju is clearly a smart person.
"The Duke of Wei's mansion holds a prominent position. Although they may not care about your status, however..."
"Grandpa."
The steward's voice came from outside, interrupting Grand Tutor Yan. He frowned slightly and beckoned the steward in. But Madam Yan and Yan Fengju followed him in. Grand Tutor Yan's frown deepened, but he said nothing, waving the steward away.
When Madam Yan and Yan Fengxi saw that Yan Fengju was also there, their expressions froze for a moment before they bowed to Grand Tutor Yan.
"What brings you here at this hour?" Yan Shuyang asked, his face showing displeasure. He was growing increasingly annoyed with the mother and daughter.
Madam Yan and Yan Fengxi naturally noticed his impatience and were furious inside, but they couldn't show it on their faces.
"Father, husband," Madam Yan composed herself, her voice calm, "I've thought about the matter of registering Fengju under my name, and there's really nothing wrong with it. Fengju has such a promising future at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, registering her under my name would be a respectable thing for outsiders, and even better for the family."
But... Xi'er is still my own daughter. Now that we have such a promising sister, there's bound to be some gossip. We have to consider her reputation. We should start thinking about her marriage; the family needs to make more plans for her."
Yan Shuyang knew what she was going to say as soon as he heard it. He was about to reprimand her when he heard Grand Tutor Yan say, "What you said makes sense. We will choose a good husband for Fengxi."
"Thank you, Father." Madam Yan curtsied, her face showing some difficulty. "However... the Duke of Wei's mansion is already one of the top families in the capital. Looking across the entire capital, only the imperial family can surpass them."
Madam Yan lowered her eyes, twisting her handkerchief between her fingers, her tone cautious and tentative, "Although I am dull-witted, I know that our Yan family should not get involved in the struggles between princes. Prince Rui is the Emperor's own brother, and he has never been involved in court affairs. He is also gentle and kind-hearted. If he could form a marriage alliance with our family, it would be a great blessing for Xi'er, and a peaceful and prosperous event for the family..."
After she finished speaking, the room fell silent. Grand Tutor Yan sat there motionless, his eyelids drooping, and everyone waited for his answer.
Sitting to one side, Yan Fengju lowered her eyes and stroked her fingertips, inwardly mocking Madam Yan and Yan Fengxi's wishful thinking. Although Prince Rui did not participate in court affairs, he was exceptionally wise. If Yan Fengxi were standing in front of him, he would probably see through her immediately.
Moreover, she always felt that the atmosphere between Prince Rui and the Duke of Chu was somewhat unusual. If what she thought was true, Yan Fengxi would have absolutely no chance.
"There were rumors that Prince Rui told the Emperor and Empress Dowager that he didn't want to get married now." Grand Tutor Yan's aged voice carried a hint of pressure. "If we wait any longer, it will be a waste of time for Fengxi. Let's not mention this matter again."
Madam Yan opened her mouth to try again, but before she could speak, Yan Fengxi knelt down in front of Grand Tutor Yan and cried, "I have long admired Prince Rui, and I am willing to be a concubine."
"Nonsense!"
Grand Tutor Yan slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups rattle. His cloudy eyes blazed with fury: "Who do you think you are? The eldest daughter of the Yan family, pampered and cherished, yet you dare to utter such a ridiculous statement about wanting to become someone's concubine! Don't you have any shame? Do you even care about the Yan family's century-old reputation?"
He gasped for breath, pointed at Yan Fengxi kneeling on the ground, his voice trembling with anger, "What is the status of a concubine? She has to kowtow to the principal wife and live a life of subservience! What will the whole capital think of our Yan family? Will they say that the legitimate daughter we raised is so shameless and willing to debase herself?"
"But Prince Rui has a very noble status..."
Yan Fengxi lay on the ground, her shoulders trembling, her sobbing voice filled with indignant protest, "Being able to serve by his side, even as a concubine, is much more respectable than marrying those ordinary nobles. How is that shameful?"
Besides, if I could gain Prince Rui's favor and secure a foothold in his residence, wouldn't that be a great help to the Yan family, given how much the Emperor and Empress Dowager value him? Grandfather, please grant your granddaughter's wish..."
"Shut up!" Grand Tutor Yan's voice trembled with anger. This was his granddaughter, whom he had carefully raised.
Yan Fengxi dared not say anything more, and only knelt on the ground and sobbed. Grand Tutor Yan looked at her with deep eyes, "You...you are really blinded by greed! Since you were born, you have been the eldest daughter of the Yan family's main branch. In the mansion, everything from writing brushes and inkstones to famous teachers has always been given to you first."
So many resources have been poured into you, hoping you would become a respectable figure and bring glory to the family. But what have you done? You only see that fleeting, illusory wealth, and your heart is filled with only your own selfish desires!
He took a deep breath, his voice filled with disappointment and sorrow: "It's one thing to be dull-witted, but to be unable to distinguish right from wrong! Acting only for one's own pleasure, and ruthless without any scruples, if she were to marry into the Prince Rui's mansion, she would cause a huge mess within three months!"
"What benefit do you think your tricks can bring to the family? In the end, they will only bring utter destruction to the Yan family!"
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