Chapter 005

The Anguo Mansion has a long history, and its various factions are deeply intertwined.

Today, the head of the Anguogong family is still the Duke, Zhan Yue's father. As for the old lady Liu Qi mentioned, she is Zhan Yue's grandmother, the wife of the Anguogong Mansion, Old Lady Wen.

Zhan Yue was born out of wedlock, but he was registered under the name of his stepmother since he was born, so he was brought up like other legitimate children of the Duke of Anguo's Mansion.

After his biological mother passed away, Zhan Yue was personally raised by Wen Lao Taijun. Therefore, the people in Anguo Mansion were also somewhat in awe of Zhan Yue.

Moreover, Zhan Yue's elder brother, the prince of Anguo, Zhan Tai, is now only working in Guanglu Temple. Although he is also a third-rank official, his position is completely different from that of the commander-in-chief of Jinwu Guards.

In this world, whoever has power and influence always has the final say.

Zhan Yue never deliberately showed off his power in the mansion, but how many servants of the noble families were truly ignorant?

Compared to the prince who was a clerical official, the fourth master who was born in the Jinwu Guard was naturally more intimidating. Even though the fourth master had a face that shouldn't scare people.

Zhan Yue entered the inner room of Old Lady Wen.

Old Lady Wen was a truly long-lived person. Her husband, the old Duke of An, had passed away before Zhan Yue was born.

Zhan Yue once had a brother with congenital defects, but unfortunately he died because he was not well taken care of in the womb. Many people have passed away in the Anguo Mansion over the years, but Old Lady Wen is like an ivy. Although her health is getting worse day by day, she has never thought of dying.

After Zhan Yue greeted his grandmother, the maids and servants served him some fruits and snacks.

He sat on the wooden chair at the bottom left, stroking an apple of the latest season with one hand out of boredom.

Old Lady Wen turned her gaze to Zhan Yue.

Zhan Yue put the apple down and greeted her proactively, "The weather has been unpredictable lately, with sudden changes in temperature. Grandma, please take care of yourself."

"I wonder if grandma still smells good when she gets up early every day?"

After Zhan Yue's series of greetings, Wen Lao Madam's mood slightly relaxed. She held a string of sandalwood Buddhist beads in her hand, and at this moment, the scent of the sandalwood and the incense sticks lit in Wen Lao Madam's room were strung together.

It smells solemn and quiet.

Wen Lao Taijun said calmly: "I am an old man, and I have lived like this for many years. You are different, you are still young."

Zhan Yue's expression was calm. He supported his head with one hand and used the other hand, as if bored, to gently scratch the smooth apple skin with his fair and delicate index finger.

He laughed and said, "Grandma, why do you suddenly say such things?"

Mrs. Wen is already over fifty years old and will soon be seventy years old.

Her hair was streaked with silver, and there were shallow grooves around her eyes and lips. Although she looked old, her eyes were bright.

It can be imagined that when she was young, she must have been a shrewd and capable woman.

"Yanqing." Wen Lao Taijun called out Zhan Yue's calligraphy.

Zhan Yue uttered an “hmm” and showed his handsome profile to indicate that he was listening.

Old Lady Wen asked solemnly, "Do you remember how old you are this year?"

Zhan Yue really counted on his fingers, and said with a friendly smile, "Twenty, I think."

"Twenty?" Old Lady Wen snorted and looked at him intently with her beautiful eyes. "You were already twenty four years ago. I am old and confused, are you also confused?"

"Don't be angry, grandma." Zhan Yanqing said, "These years, few people remember my birthday. Year after year has passed, and I really can't remember it clearly."

Liu Qi, who was standing behind Zhan Yue, seemed to be about to speak when he heard his master say this. However, after glancing at the old lady's expression, Liu Qi stopped talking.

When she heard that the old lady was silent, she gently rubbed the Buddhist beads with her index finger. After a long while, she said, "I'm not forcing you."

Zhan Yue was unmoved, just looking at the old lady quietly, his eyes were smiling, as if he was really listening to what the old lady said. But a closer look revealed that the smile did not reach deep into his eyes.

"You have never had a proper woman to take care of you," she said, pursing her lips as she heard the old lady gently turning the Buddhist beads in her hand. "Besides, this is also what your father wanted."

Zhan Yue's eyes moved slightly, and he picked up a small knife beside him and peeled the apple.

"Why does he suddenly care about my marriage?" Zhan Yue's pupils were dark and his expression was indifferent.

Wen Lao Taijun said: "Because of Ying'er."

"Brother Ying is seventeen this year, not too young anymore. He has found a marriage for him." At this point, Old Lady Wen also let out a long sigh. She said grimly, "In this world, there is absolutely no reason for an aunt to marry after her niece-in-law."

"If Ying'er had come before you, and you really got married in the future, how would your wife live?" As Old Lady Wen said this, her expression became more serious.

Zhan Yue continued to peel the apple calmly, as if the old lady was not talking about his marriage. His hands were really beautiful, white and clean, as if they had never been stained with blood.

The knuckles of his fingers were distinct, and his half-moon-shaped nails showed a clear pink luster. He just moved the knife casually, and the red apple peels bloomed neatly at his feet like layers of overlapping flowers.

"I'm actually very curious. I wonder which noble lady the Duke has chosen for Ying?" Zhan Yue raised his eyebrows slightly. He played with a knife and gently brushed the dust off his robe.

Old Lady Wen glanced at Mother Sheng beside her. Mother Sheng understood and continued, "It wasn't the Duke who chose her. It was two days ago when His Majesty summoned the Duke to the palace. I heard that His Majesty expressed his intention to let the eldest son marry the princess."

Zhan Yue was stunned, and for the first time, his pupils showed a moment of daze.

"Lord Shang?" Zhan Yue's voice seemed to be restraining something, and he placed one hand on the blade of the knife.

Zhan Yue's own shadow was immediately reflected on the smooth back of the knife.

His pupils shrank slightly, and his voice was very light: "Among the princesses, the only one of suitable age is Jiashan."

"Probably, it's the eldest princess." said Mother Sheng.

Zhan Yue said nothing, but narrowed his eyes. He suddenly stabbed the intact apple with a knife.

The red apple remained on the table without moving, but was immediately pierced through.

Old Lady Wen said, "I asked your sister-in-law to go to Princess Dening's house to inquire. The princess said that His Majesty has been considering a candidate for a consort for the eldest princess recently. However, the emperor's power is unpredictable, and before the final decree comes down, it may not be reliable."

Zhan Yue's face changed color slightly.

He seemed to be thinking about something. After a moment of silence, he said softly, "So what do you mean, grandma? Who do you want me to marry?"

"The governor of Huguang, Feng is the second daughter of Lord Feng." It was obvious that Old Lady Wen had already taken a fancy to Feng. She smiled and said, "Feng is sixteen this year. I asked your mother Sheng to inquire about her in the capital and Huguang. Feng has always been known as a wise and benevolent woman among the concubines."

"It's just that Lord Feng loves his daughter very much. He doesn't want her to marry someone bad, nor does he want her to marry too far away." Old Lady Wen gave an additional explanation as to why such a good girl has not yet been engaged.

Zhan Yue said with a half-smile, "Since grandma has already decided on a candidate, then once the palace officially issues the marriage document for Ying'er to marry the princess, it won't be too late for me to marry Feng."

"What are you talking about?" The old lady frowned, already unhappy, and she said in a stern voice, "If His Majesty couldn't bear to part with the eldest princess, he would have delayed the marriage for a year or so. You also let the girl from the Feng family wait for you for a year or so!"

Zhan Yue didn't even raise his head. He pulled the knife out of the flesh, cut the apple into pieces, and said with a smile, "Yes."

"Zhan Yanqing." Old Lady Wen shouted in a deep voice, and she slammed the Buddhist beads in her hand onto the table.

"Grandmother." Zhan Yue stood up from the armchair.

He stood tall, his dark eyes were like the moon and stars. He lowered his head and moved his lips gently: "I know you cherish me."

"Just think of it as my grandson begging you for help," Zhan Yue said.

Wen Lao Taijun was slightly startled.