Ms. Chen said worriedly, "But Yuan'er hasn't come back yet. It's been a year, and there's still no news of him."
Marquis Pingxi said, "Since my brother-in-law didn't come to our door, it means that Yuan'er is still doing well. This child is really lawless now. He doesn't respect me as his father. Since that's the case, I'll grant him his wish."
The two set the tone, and then began to take action.
After making up his mind, Marquis Pingxi went back and pondered for a long time before going to find Chen Zhong.
Although Marquis Pingxi looked down on his brother-in-law for being so busy with business, he still admired his shrewdness. Although the old master of the Chen family had passed away a few years ago, the Chen family had students and friends all over the world back then. Chen Zhong had always carefully maintained the old master's relationship, just so that he, a small merchant, could have protection.
In the past ten years or so, the Chen family has multiplied its not-so-wealthy fortune several times over. Because of this, Chen Zhong's father, Chen Jiangchuan, dares not challenge his wife's position. No matter how much Aunt Lü throws a tantrum or how much Madam Chen hints, he dares not make Aunt Lü his official wife. This is because Chen Zhong is now controlling his source of income. If he really offends Chen Zhong, he will really have no money to spend.
This is also why Marquis Pingxi went to Chen Zhong instead of Chen Jiangchuan.
When Chen Zhong heard that the Marquis of Pingxi was looking for him, he knew why. As agreed, he went to a quiet teahouse, bowed, and sat down.
Marquis Pingxi poured Chen Zhong a cup of tea and said, "Brother-in-law, our Yuan'er has been bothering you for so long, shouldn't he go home now?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhong exclaimed in surprise, "How can you say that? Brother-in-law, I've been wanting to visit your home to see Yuan'er and Yuanyuan, but the gatekeeper wouldn't let me in. Is Yuan'er not home?"
Marquis Pingxi sighed and said, "Brother-in-law, don't make me happy. I came here today to discuss something with you. If you think it's feasible, we'll let Yuan'er come back. If you don't think it's feasible, Yuan'er can come back whenever he wants. As his father, I've been resented by Yuan'er because of my remarriage. If he's over it and wants to come back, then let him come back."
Chen Zhong was furious, but thinking about what would happen next, he could only suppress his anger and said, "Brother-in-law, tell me what it is first, and I'll consider whether it's feasible."
After all, he was going to give away his own son, and people value their offspring very much. Marquis Pingxi wanted to speak, but he didn't know where to begin.
Marquis Pingxi was still holding a grudge against his eldest son, whom he hadn't seen for a year. Not only had he not heard from him, but even when he went to his brother-in-law's house to look for him, his brother-in-law turned him away. Marquis Pingxi also had his pride, and in the end, amidst Xiao Chen's worried tears, he simply shouted that he would stop looking and that if he wanted to come back, he could, and if he didn't want to, he could die out there. In fact, everyone knew that Chen Zhong must know Zheng Boyuan's whereabouts.
Marquis Pingxi then recounted the relationship between his grandfather and his second great-uncle, and then mentioned the rumors he had heard. They said that if his second great-uncle did not adopt an heir, he would take back the imperial edict and certificate that had been bestowed upon him years ago. Most importantly, there was also the half of the mansion. If that happened, the Marquis Pingxi's mansion would become a laughing stock in the capital.
Not many people know about the affairs of the second branch of the Pingxi Marquis's family. Logically speaking, if they really had feelings for their elders, they would have settled these matters long ago. But what about the Pingxi Marquis? The eldest son is usually the one who inherits the family business, so it is understandable that he cannot be adopted. However, the children born to Xiao Chen after she married into the family are already ten years old, and they have not been adopted for so many years. Where would the Pingxi Marquis's face be if word got out?
Marquis Pingxi complained to Chen Zhong about his helplessness, repeatedly explaining that he had no other choice.
Chen Zhong listened for a long time, and drank several rounds of tea. He sighed and said, "Brother-in-law, although this matter is out of necessity, if you want to do it, you have to do it in a way that is convincing."
This is when it's time to negotiate terms. Marquis Pingxi said with a smile, "Brother-in-law, don't worry. Yuan'er is just using the title of the second son of the second wife. We still live in the same mansion."
Chen Zhong shook his head and said with a smile, "My lord, you're thinking too simply. Since there are rumors of the imperial edict being revoked, do you think the emperor won't pay attention to these things? Now that there are rumors, it means this matter is inevitable. Just to keep the imperial edict of your second uncle who has no heir, and to avoid dividing half of the mansion, you're letting your child be adopted and continue to live with you. My lord, we can't treat others like fools."
Upon hearing Chen Zhong's words, Marquis Pingxi's heart jumped. He realized that he had been somewhat presumptuous. Since it was an adoption, an ancestral hall and a family genealogy should be established. Just because a child is adopted doesn't mean the child can still live in the same household as the emperor. What would the emperor think of that?
Marquis Pingxi felt a layer of white sweat on his back and couldn't help but wipe his forehead, saying, "I didn't think this through, brother-in-law. In your opinion, what should I do?"
Chen Zhong sighed and said, "My lord, let's be frank. Yuan'er is already thirteen years old, and you haven't yet requested the title of heir apparent. We are close relatives, so you naturally understand why. This is a matter for your Pingxi Marquis's mansion. However, Yuan'er and Yuanyuan are my sister's bloodline left in this world. It is said that a mother's bloodline is the greatest. Their mother is gone, and as their uncle, I must stand up for them at this crucial moment. My lord, you don't object, do you?"
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