After moving all her belongings into the new house, Ning hired craftsmen to rebuild the gatehouse.
The brick and wood carvings on the gate tower were made using patterns she drew herself.
On the day the new gatehouse was completed, she stood by the roadside, looking at the simple and solid characters "Ningzhai" on the top of the gate, and her heart was filled with joy.
She specially set off a long string of firecrackers and invited everyone in the Yun family to come over for a meal to celebrate.
After the meal, she took a short nap for half an hour. When she woke up, she instructed her maid to move the easel and painting tools to the pavilion in the back garden.
Then, taking advantage of the bright sunshine, I took my beloved Cymbidium orchids and my newly bought parrot to the stone table in the pavilion and started painting them.
When Wei Yan came to take a walk in the back garden, he saw her painting and a sense of surprise crossed his mind.
He walked over, stood behind her, and watched her finish the painting stroke by stroke before greeting her.
"Mom, you can actually draw, and you draw so well! How come I've never seen you draw before?"
While examining her finished painting of an orchid and a parrot, Ning said casually, "Ever since I married into the Duke of Anguo's mansion, your mother has been like a donkey in a mill, never able to rest for a moment. How could I have the leisure to paint?"
Upon hearing this, Wei Yan felt both heartache and regret.
"Mother, it's all my fault. If I hadn't insisted on severing ties, you wouldn't have divorced me and given up your position as a first-rank lady."
"Silly child."
Ning turned around and smiled at him.
"Your mother has been managing the Zhongkui for so many years, and I'm already exhausted. Do you still expect me to continue to be their slave?"
“That’s not what I meant…” Wei Yan paused, “I just felt it was unfair for you.”
If it weren't for her skillful management, the assets of the Duke of Anguo's mansion wouldn't have increased so much, and the people in the mansion wouldn't be living such comfortable lives.
Having given so much, he divorced and left home in middle age, never getting to enjoy any of the things he should have.
If Xiao Qingyin were here, she would definitely tell him: This is the fate of "livestock"!
Those who serve as batteries for society are called "corporate slaves," while those who serve as batteries for their families are called "domestic livestock." Whether they are corporate slaves or domestic livestock, they may face the fate of being kicked aside after exhausting their youthful energy.
The Ning family had long seen through this.
She smiled and said, "Although it's not a great deal, it's not a loss either. If it weren't for using the Duke's name to do business, your mother wouldn't have been able to increase the dowry so much so easily. Besides, I've gained such a good son as you."
Wei Yan blushed suddenly.
He's hardly a good son. He used to be a simpleton, causing his mother endless worry, and now he's physically disabled, causing her immense heartache.
He only caused her trouble and never did anything for her.
Ning continued, "Your mother is so happy now. I don't have to serve men, I don't have to manage the treasury, and I don't have to set rules for old women. I can sleep as late as I want every day, eat whatever I want, and go wherever I want. I'm as comfortable as I can be."
Wei Yan couldn't help but laugh.
"Mother, you look much younger these past few days."
“Of course,” Madam Ning said with a smile. “I only regret that I realized this too late. I wasted my best years in the Duke’s mansion. If I had quit earlier, I might be as young as your Aunt Yun now.”
She and Yun Wanyin had resumed their relationship. When they were together, Ning was always envious of Yun Wanyin, who looked at least seven or eight years younger than her.
That's the difference between having a man who dotes on you and not having one.
No matter how capable she is, Wei Zhenghong will not feel sorry for her or pity her because of it; he will only feel that it is her duty.
Aunt Chang doesn't have to do anything; she just acts as a confidante and wins his love and care.
Fortunately, she had long since given up on Wei Zhenghong and was focused on earning money to support her child.
If she had acted like everyone else, constantly vying for attention and jealousy, and single-mindedly trying to win over men, she would probably be in an even worse situation now.
In Dae-hee, men and women are not on the same level at all, and the relationship is inherently unequal, so how can one expect equal loyalty?
Wei Yan's eyes lit up when he heard her words.
"Mother, why don't you find someone else like Aunt Yun?"
Ning smiled and shook her head.
"Do you think everyone has the good fortune of your Aunt Yun? A man like General Fu is one in a million. Your mother is content to be a free and easy old lady and doesn't want to remarry."
"You're not old at all..."
Wei Yan wanted to say a few more words of advice when a maid came over.
"Madam, the eldest young master has arrived and is waiting outside the door. He says he wants to see you."
"Ignore him."
Ning replied.
“We have severed all ties with the Duke’s mansion. No matter who comes, don’t let them in.”
The maid replied "Yes" and went to report to Wei Teng.
Wei Teng wasn't angry when he was turned away. After the maid closed the door, he raised his voice and shouted towards the inner courtyard.
“Xiao Yan, your older brother knows you must be very sad and heartbroken right now, which is why you won’t even see anyone.”
"If you don't want to see your elder brother, he won't force you."
"Brother came here just to tell you something: Father has submitted a memorial to His Majesty, requesting that the title of Heir Apparent be changed."
“I advised him not to do this. You have lost both arms, but I can be your right-hand man. It will not affect your succession to the title and your taking over the Wei family army.”
"But Father is too stubborn and won't listen to anything. Maybe Mother's divorce angered him."
“Xiao Yan, your elder brother has never coveted the position of heir apparent. You have been frail since childhood, so I joined the army early in the hope that I could grow up quickly and assist you.”
"I'm very sad that I couldn't stop Father this time, but don't worry, Xiao Yan, even if His Majesty appoints me as the heir apparent, this position is reserved for you, and I will definitely return it to you in the future..."
Before he could finish speaking, a bucket of cold water was poured over his head from the left, soaking him completely.
Wei Teng's face darkened instantly.
He looked to his left and saw a tall girl holding an empty basin, looking at him with a surprised expression.
Before he could speak, the other person said, "Sorry, I was just about to splash water to sweep the floor when I heard a dog barking over here. I was afraid of being bitten, so I splashed water instead. I didn't expect to make a mistake. But you do look quite like a dog now."
Wei Teng had never been humiliated like this before.
He suddenly drew his sword from his waist and walked towards her, intending to teach her a lesson.
This girl is undoubtedly Yun Shu.
She grabbed a broom and swept it across Wei Teng's face before he could even raise his knife.
Wei Teng was caught off guard by her unexpected skill and was hit squarely.
A strong smell of chicken manure hit him, and he was so angry he felt like his lungs would explode.
I just wanted to teach her a lesson, but now I feel like killing her.
Wei Teng chopped the broom in half with a single stroke and swung it at the girl.
"stop!"
Wei Yan came out of the gate and roared angrily.
"Wei Teng, do you want to kill someone here?!"
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