Jiao's mother scolded, "What kind of shameless behavior is this, a young lady like you! Let's make this clear first, don't quarrel with His Majesty again. There is a difference between ruler and subject, so as not to lose your temper and become the subject of gossip."
"Don't worry, Mother, I'm a reasonable person, His Majesty knows that better than anyone! Tomorrow... or in a few days, I need to make some preparations first, and then I'll go to the palace to express my gratitude!"
Only then did Jiao's mother feel relieved.
When Fu Qiyuan returned that evening, he told Jiang Shan some bad news with a worried look on his face: he had to report to the Ministry of Personnel the next day!
The emperor issued an ultimatum: if Fu Qiyuan did not agree, the wedding date would be postponed for two years!
As the emperor, I do have this much power!
Fu Qiyuan had no choice but to agree. The wedding date had already been set for next autumn, which was still more than half a year away. If the emperor interfered again, it would be indefinitely postponed!
He simply couldn't wait any longer!
Jiang Shan handed the dowry list to Fu Qiyuan and laughed, "His Majesty has really gone all out this time. He won't let this go until he gets his money back! Your father might not escape unscathed either!"
As Jiang Shan predicted, on the third day after Fu Qiyuan arrived at the Ministry of Personnel, the emperor summoned Fu Tingyuan back to the palace.
Fu Ting almost never considered anything else, as long as it was for the good of the country.
However, he still declined, for a simple reason: it would be too conspicuous for father and son to serve in the same ministry. It would be better to give him a sinecure and let him go to the Holy Academy to take care of his grandson... and be a teacher!
The emperor flatly refused, issuing a harsh statement: "Stop talking nonsense! Do whatever I tell you! When I no longer need you, you'd better get the hell out of here!"
For his daughter-in-law's sake, Fu Ting could only silently endure it!
Fu Ting was in a bad mood and went to the Grand Tutor's mansion to seek comfort from his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson.
I walked around the house, but I didn't see my son, my future daughter-in-law, or even my grandson.
It's a day off today, where has everyone gone?
He went to Jiao's mother's courtyard and shouted loudly as soon as he entered, "Mei'er, haven't Teacher and Yan'er come back? Shan'er and Huai'er aren't home either, where did they go?"
But Jiao's mother did not reply.
Upon entering the main hall, he saw that Jiao's mother was entertaining guests, including his ex-wife.
Upon seeing Cheng Lan, Fu Ting narrowed his cold eyes and asked without any politeness, "What are you doing here?"
Cheng Lan saw that Fu Ting, who had been somewhat restless, suddenly became arrogant upon hearing his words. She shouted in a shrill voice, "Why can't I come? Do I need your permission to come to my second uncle's house? What business is it of yours if I come to see my cousin? It's you who just abandoned your ex-wife and is already thinking of rekindling your relationship with my sister?"
Jiao's mother glanced at Cheng Lan indifferently and said nothing.
Fu Ting lightly lifted his robe and sat down opposite Cheng Lan, smiling faintly, and said, "What kind of sister would be so eager to throw mud at her own sister? Mei'er, how could you let someone like this into the house?"
Cheng Lan's face turned pale and then flushed in an instant. She cursed angrily, "Fu Ting, shut up! If you weren't so wicked, would you be afraid of people gossiping?"
Fu Ting waved his hand and said calmly, "Someone, throw this shrew out!"
"Fu Ting, this is the Grand Tutor's mansion, how dare you!"
"I have now been reinstated. How dare you, a discarded woman, insult a high-ranking official of the second rank? Drag me away! If I dare to speak disrespectfully again, I will be slapped!"
Immediately, someone stepped forward, grabbed Cheng Lan, and dragged her out.
Cheng Lan panicked and grabbed Jiao's mother, pleading, "Sister, it's my fault. I misspoke. I didn't mean it. Please forgive me!"
Madam Jiao raised her eyelids slightly and said in a low voice, "Sister, as I've said before, I'm not a good-tempered person. You just criticized Yan'er for being unfilial in front of me and implied that Ershan had no respect for his elders. I've tolerated you for a long time! If you know what's good for you, hurry back. Second Uncle will represent the Cheng family at Yan'er and Shan'er's wedding. I will take care of your children and grandchildren for you, so don't worry!"
"No, Yuan'er is my son, he can't abandon his own mother! Cheng Mei, you won't let us see each other, you won't let me see my grandson, you are so vicious, you will be punished!"
Mother Jiao shook her head. "What I see now is you suffering the consequences! Go ahead and shout all over the world that Yan'er is disrespectful, unfilial, and unkind to her own mother. You can even appeal to the Emperor and see if His Majesty will send you to Longshan to relearn the virtues of womanhood, just like your mother!"
Cheng Lan trembled with fright and shut her mouth, sobbing softly.
When the servant threw Cheng Lan out, Jiang Shan was getting off the carriage with Jiang Huai, still holding a string of candied hawthorns in his hand and munching on them.
Jiang Huai, however, was carrying his small backpack and peeling roasted chestnuts in his hands.
When Cheng Lan looked over, Jiang Huai was feeding Jiang Shan a peeled chestnut.
"Mmm, delicious! My good son, peel one for yourself, it's very sweet!"
"What Mother likes to eat, Huai'er will peel it for Mother to eat!"
Jiang Shan laughed and kissed Jiang Huai, then turned around and saw Cheng Lan.
Cheng Lan looked at Jiang Huai with shining eyes and reached out her hand to him, "Huai'er! Huai'er! It's Grandma here, be good, let Grandma hug you, okay!"
Jiang Huai frowned, glanced at Jiang Shan, and then took his mother's hand and walked around Cheng Lan's house.
Cheng Lan panicked and grabbed Jiang Shan, "Shan'er, let me see Huai'er, he's my grandson, can't I even hold him?"
Jiang Shan said calmly, "Aunt, Jiang Huai doesn't like to be around strangers, and he especially doesn't like being hugged by unfamiliar people. It's not just you, even the nobles in the palace wouldn't allow it!"
Cheng Lan gripped Jiang Shan tightly with all her might, tears streaming down her face, and said, "Shan'er, I know I did something wrong, but I really love Huai'er. He's my grandson. Please let me hold him, Auntie begs you!"
Jiang Shan frowned, glanced at Jiang Huai, and said, "Jiang Huai, you go in first!"
Jiang Huai had no suspicions and went inside without looking back.
"Huai'er!" Cheng Lan cried out in despair.
Jiang Shan bowed slightly, staring intently into Cheng Lan's eyes, and said, word by word, "Aunt, I might as well tell you the truth: Jiang Huai is not Fu Qiyuan's biological son. He is my... illegitimate son. You can give up on that idea!"
"You're talking nonsense!" Cheng Lan shook her head and said fiercely, "Yuan'er went to Guyang County to find his relatives and was gone for more than half a year. Huai'er is his son. You can't fool me!"
Something seemed to explode in Jiang Shan's mind, and she immediately said, "I was already pregnant with Huai'er when Fu Qiyuan went to Guyang County, and the child isn't his!"
Cheng Lan refused to believe that Jiang Huai wasn't her biological grandson. She shook her head and said anxiously, "Yuan'er arrived in Guyang County a long time ago. If it weren't for his heartless half-brother poisoning him, he would have... No, Yan'er was poisoned by that kind of poison, which will affect his offspring..."
At this point, Cheng Lan's expression changed drastically. She looked at Jiang Shan in horror and said incoherently, "It's impossible! Huai'er is Yuan'er's son. The poison he was poisoned with has been cured, cured...!"
Cheng Lan was suddenly startled, her gaze towards Jiang Shan shifting repeatedly, her lips trembling as she couldn't utter a word.
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