Cui Yihuan said, "It's all Lan'er's fault for not being smart enough. Xie Bang must have become suspicious. Tingzhou is so smart, Ye Zhen could see it, so he probably can too."
Besides, given their relationship, Ye Zhen had probably already told Tingzhou, otherwise why would Tingzhou change his attitude towards her?
If we say too much, it's inevitable that the aunt will notice the budding romance between the two children.
She continued, "Given our current age and our identities, it's best not to expose certain things."
"Being able to live under the same roof as Tingzhou and see him every day, Aunt, Lan'er is very content."
These days, her room is always filled with jewelry, silks, fine medicines, and all sorts of delicacies. It's obvious that her Tingzhou sent them over.
Although she can no longer hear him call her "mother," she is now old enough to accompany her son until he grows old.
This is something that so many mothers in the world yearn for but cannot achieve. Cui Yihuan cherishes her blessings and dares not be greedy.
Madam Wang nodded slightly, then asked, "And what about three years from now? Are you really going to leave?"
Cui Yihuan quickly shook her head, "My aunt and Tingzhou are both here, how could I leave? That was just a temporary measure to deceive Xie Bang. The Marquis's mansion is my home and my son's home."
As for the future, Cui Yihuan gritted her teeth and decided that at worst she would take down the old man and make him her concubine.
Even if I pretend to leave, Xie Bang won't let me go after we've already consummated our marriage.
But that's three years from now; for now, I need to take care of my son.
Hearing her words, Old Madam Wang, who had raised the child herself, immediately understood what her niece was planning.
Now that there are no elders in the Marquis's mansion, and the niece has a good relationship with Ye Zhen, who is in charge of the household, staying in the Marquis's mansion is indeed a good choice.
Although there was resentment in their words, they were ultimately husband and wife because they admired each other, and I'm afraid the niece still has feelings for Xie Bang.
However, she frowned and asked, "What if he remarries?"
Marquis Zhongyong is only middle-aged and a close minister of the emperor; his marriage is not without interest.
"He dares!"
Cui Yihuan raised an eyebrow. "He's already this old, why would he want to get married?"
One woman, Liu, has already ruined her son terribly. If that old bastard dares to bring in another stepmother to torment her son, she'll never let him off the hook.
As she spoke, she angrily told Old Madam Wang about Marquis Zhongyong's attitude towards Xie Tingzhou's marriage and how she had stepped on Marquis Zhongyong in anger.
Old Madam Wang lovingly pulled her niece up, "Silly girl, didn't you realize he was testing you?"
Cui Yihuan leaned her head on her shoulder, feeling sullen. "I was so angry at the time, but I came to my senses later."
As long as I don't admit it, he can't force me to. Besides, now that I've reunited with my aunt, and she's protecting me, Lan'er isn't afraid of him."
When Madam Wang thought of how Shu Liu Niang dared to attack Ting Lan during childbirth because Ting Lan was alone at the time, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Yes, your aunt will protect you. Even after your aunt is gone, your cousin and his wife, as well as your nephew, will protect you. Your aunt will never let my Lan'er suffer again."
How desperate Lan'er must have been at that time.
Whenever she thought about how her whole family was transferred to another place, leaving her niece alone in Beijing, and how much suffering she endured at the hands of Shu Liu Niang, she felt heartbroken and full of regret.
Fortunately, God had eyes and brought her Lan'er back.
Cui Yihuan hurriedly wiped away her tears, "Auntie, don't talk nonsense. You will live to be a hundred years old. Lan'er only wants Auntie to protect her."
So, Aunt, for Lan'er's sake, please take good care of yourself and look after Lan'er, okay?
She had inquired about it; her aunt had fallen seriously ill after hearing the bad news and her health had never been the same since.
In recent years, she has been spending her time in the village worshipping Buddha and recuperating. Perhaps her death has become a source of heartache for her aunt, which is why she offered this kind of comfort.
Looking at her spoiled niece, Old Madam Wang smiled through her tears, "Alright, Auntie, take good care of your health and try to live a few more years to spend more time with Lan'er..."
The aunt and niece chatted for a long time. Cui Yihuan helped Madam Wang change into clean clothes and restyle her hair before they went to find Ye Zhen together.
Madam Wang was grateful to Ye Zhen, and also wanted her niece to live well in the Marquis's mansion, so she gave Ye Zhen many precious flowers, plants, and jewelry.
During the meal, he took good care of Ye Zhen, but paid less attention to Cui Yihuan.
This confused the Marquis of Zhongyong.
They didn't recognize each other?
Or did I guess wrong?
That shouldn't be the case.
Tinglan and Madam Wang are as close as mothers. Since they finally get to see each other, she shouldn't hide it from her aunt.
Or is it that Old Madam Wang doesn't believe it?
He observed their expressions, trying to discern something, but he couldn't see anything, not even a trace of them having cried.
Marquis Zhongyong, this straight-laced man, didn't know that women could cover their tears with rouge, so he started to lose his appetite.
Upon seeing this, Madam Wang smiled faintly.
Does she blame the Marquis of Zhongyong?
That's strange.
Back then, the Marquis of Zhongyong knelt before her and solemnly promised to protect Tinglan.
But he made a slip of the tongue and neglected Tinglan's son. If she hadn't shamelessly made a scene, Tingzhou might have been gone.
When Tinglan is reborn and learns that her son is gone, how will she go on living?
But Madam Wang also knew in her heart that the Marquis of Zhongyong was a military general, and it was his responsibility and mission to go out to fight.
Therefore, she never targeted Marquis Zhongyong, but she also couldn't bring herself to tell him about her niece's rebirth.
If he truly still has feelings for Tinglan, he will surely realize it himself. Let the young couple fend for themselves.
Then, Granny Cui placed another piece of food on Ye Zhen's plate, and Old Madam Wang said to Marquis Zhongyong, "My lord, please don't be shy. Eat more, and let Wang Zhi have a few more drinks with you."
Because they are relatives and the younger generation of the Wang family were not at home, there weren't many people, so they didn't sit at separate tables.
Upon hearing his mother's words, Imperial Censor Wang hurriedly poured wine for Marquis Zhongyong, saying, "Yes, yes, Marquis, it's a rare occasion for us to get together. We have nothing to do today, so let's drink until we're drunk before we go home. We'll go back after dinner."
Ye Zhenping received so many things from Madam Wang for nothing, so he thought of giving back in some way.
He laughed and said, "If that's the case, then this junior will shamelessly freeload on dinner before leaving."
The scenery in the old lady's courtyard is truly delightful; Aunt Cui and I love it so much that we can go for a stroll there again this afternoon.
The Prince's Mansion was where Cui Yihuan grew up, and she couldn't wait to stay there as long as possible.
Madam Wang also wanted her niece to spend more time with her. Knowing Ye Zhen's good intentions, she smiled and said, "Alright, alright, then have dinner before going back, so this old woman can have some fun too."
Seeing Ye Zhen's intentions, Xie Tingzhou also raised his wine cup towards Marquis Zhongyong.
Thus, the Marquis of Zhongyong was plied with alcohol by Imperial Censor Wang and Xie Tingzhou, and spent the afternoon resting in the guest courtyard of the Prince's mansion.
Xie Tingzhou then mingled with Madam Wang, ostensibly to keep his great-aunt company.
Cui Yihuan could tell that he wanted to stay with Ye Zhen but was afraid of being discovered, so she suggested playing cards with leaves.
Because of Lou Tinglan's resurrection, Madam Wang's spirits improved considerably. She played a few rounds with her, and when she got tired, she had her daughter-in-law take her place.
I didn't want to rest myself, so I sat and watched, enjoying myself all afternoon.
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