Whenever there was anything concerning Wei Hanzhang, Ning Hai would think twice before answering it bluntly.

He hesitated for a few breaths and said cautiously, "Miss Wei doesn't look like she's in a bad mood, so she probably isn't angry with you."

"...That's good." Xiao Junzhan was also somewhat helpless about the constant turmoil in his heart, but he couldn't control it.

He opened the drawer on the left side of the imperial desk, took out the jade pendant, tied it on his waist, stood up and said, "I'll go see her."

After not seeing each other for many days, Xiao Junzhan's longing for them was like a prairie fire.

He was so eager to meet his young lady who had reached marriageable age that he felt anxious.

They had agreed at the beginning that once their relationship was settled, she would not stop him from going to the Wei Mansion to find her.

Xiao Junzhan left as soon as he said he would. Ning Hai sighed again. Who could have thought that the usually aloof Crown Prince would fall in love? He would be so eager to see his beloved after just not seeing her for a few days.

He followed quickly behind, ordering his attendants to prepare the carriage while asking for instructions: "Your Highness, are we still going to the Prince of Yan's villa?"

"No." Xiao Junzhan said without turning his head, "Let's go in through the main gate of the Wei Mansion."

His status with Ranran was already confirmed, and the whole capital knew that his Crown Princess was the Ninth Lady of the Wei Mansion. He went to visit her openly.

The sun was shining brightly and the temperature was extremely hot. Xiao Junzhan left the palace in a simple carriage, and except for Ning Hai, he had no other entourage with him.

…………

Because there was an imperial edict coming to the family today, Wei Ping, Wei Huan and several other men who had some influence in the Wei family all took leave and stayed at home.

After sending away the eunuchs who came to announce the decree, the father and son looked at each other for a while, and then went to the study together to discuss matters.

Liu, as the mistress of the house, also went along.

It was still Wei Ping's study, but Wei Hanzhang, who had been ignored there that night, was gone.

The imperial edict had been issued. She was a confirmed royal wife and the legitimate wife of the crown prince. Even Wei Ping, her biological grandfather, did not dare to summon his granddaughter at will as he did before.

In the study, Wei Ping still sat in the main seat, half-closed his eyes, and looked at his sons who were sitting or standing below in turn with an unfathomable expression, without saying a word for a long time.

Wei Ping was strict in managing his household and had great authority in the mansion. Unless he spoke, neither his wife nor his sons dared to speak.

The study was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. The atmosphere was solemn for a moment, and there was no joy at all because a crown princess had just been born in the family.

Wei Heng, the newly crowned 'Duke of Wei', felt somewhat uncomfortable as his parents and brothers looked at him in ambiguous terms.

He was a mere fourth-rank official, but his father became a super-rank duke because of his daughter's status, and was also advised by His Highness to move out of the Marquis' Mansion as soon as possible... In short, all this seemed like a dream.

Not only did Wei Heng, the person involved, feel unreal, but even Wei Ping seemed a little dazed about the fact that his second son's title surpassed his own overnight.

Even though he knew that his second brother was more talented than him, Wei Huan never took it to heart.

After all, this dynasty had enjoyed peace and prosperity for a long time. The nobles who had made great contributions to the founding of the country and were awarded hereditary titles began to be marginalized little by little by those in power after a few generations. After the current prince came to power, most of them were only given sinecure positions and honors. In the capital, there are only a handful of noble dukes who hold real power.

Unless one's talent is so outstanding that it far exceeds that of others, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is so fond of his talent that he is willing to employ him regardless of his family background, otherwise he can only rely on the family's influence and get a sinecure to make a living.

As the hereditary heir of a marquisate, it wouldn't be a big deal for Wei Huan to be mediocre, as he wouldn't be reused anyway. As long as he had no merits or faults, he could live a life of wealth and honor.

Moreover, although his second brother's talents were acceptable, they were still far from the level that would attract the attention of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Before today, Wei Huan had never thought that one day he would be crushed by his own brother.

Therefore, he felt mixed emotions.

After a long silence, Wei Ping opened his eyes, looked down, and said in a hoarse voice: "Second Brother, when are you going to move to your Duke's Mansion?"

The old father's tone was low, and Wei Heng could probably hear that he was unwilling to ask his family to move away, but... His Highness had given the order, so he had to move.

"…It happened suddenly, and the child couldn't make a decision for a while."

Wei Heng paused and replied respectfully, "After I discuss with my wife and choose an auspicious day, I will report back to you two elders."

Hearing this, Liu gently stroked her chest with her hand, sighed, and said, "You and your brother are the only two of us I have in my life. Now that I am old, it is time for me to enjoy the happiness of having children and grandchildren around me, but you want to move away with your wife and children..."

A few tears fell from the corners of her eyes. She wiped them with a handkerchief and was about to continue speaking when Wei Ping raised his hand to stop her.

"Don't talk nonsense. My family has two titles, which is a wealth that many people can't even imagine." He raised his hands towards the palace and said respectfully, "This is a great favor from your Highness. The second son was given a title and a mansion, but you, as a mother, are not happy for him, but are crying here instead."

"Besides, the mansion that His Highness gave to the second son is not far from home, and he can get there in no time. He has always been filial. Are you still worried that after he moves out of the mansion, he will forget that he is a member of the Wei family and will never come back to see you?"

"I dare not." Wei Heng stood up hurriedly and said, "Even if I open another house, I will always be a member of the Wei family. Don't worry, Dad and Mom, I will come back to visit you often, and I promise that I will live the same as when I was living in your house."

His statement immediately relaxed the stagnant atmosphere in the study. Not only did the brothers around him smile, but even Wei Ping's expression relaxed a little.

"You are the most filial father, but..." A dark look flashed across his face, and he asked, "Nineth Lady seems to have some resentment towards the family. Can you see that?"

"...This," Wei Heng hesitated slightly and said, "The child is stupid."

"There's no one else here, so don't cover up for her," Liu laughed angrily, saying, "Ran Ran's dissatisfaction with me yesterday was all exposed, and you just watched from the side, why are you still turning a blind eye?"

"Shut up!" Wei Ping slammed the table and shouted angrily, "What is Jiu Niang's current status? How dare you talk nonsense like this?"

Liu was scolded by her husband in front of their children and grandchildren, but she didn't feel embarrassed. Instead, she sneered and said, "I didn't say that Ranran was wrong. Ranran is well-behaved and cute, and she is still young. What can she understand? I'm afraid that Jiang is resentful of our mansion for not saving the Jiang family, and deliberately taught Ranran the wrong way so that she wouldn't get close to us."

(End of this chapter)