Chen Lang, faced with Xu Caishan’s concern, felt a sweetness in his heart. He held her hand and shook his head.
“I’m fine.”
“Who exactly injured Father?” Chen Jue continued to ask.
“Yes, cousin, just tell us,” Xu Caishan added.
Chen Lang pulled her into the house. Looking at the neat and orderly room, he became excited as he looked at her.
“You are a young lady of nobility. These rough chores should not be done by you. This is only a temporary place for me to stay—messy or not, it doesn’t matter. Actually, I originally went out for a walk to get some fresh air, and I saw Xianglian walking with a cane toward the east. I was curious, so I followed her.”
“What? Mother beat you like this?” Chen Jue frowned, thinking his father was too honorable—how could he endure being beaten by his own wife without fighting back?
Xu Caishan immediately became angry when she heard Li Xianglian’s name. She pulled her hand away and turned aside.
“She hit you and you didn’t fight back?”
“If it were only her, it would be one thing, but…”
Xu Caishan turned back immediately.
“There were others?”
“Do you remember the doctor who came the day Li Xianglian was injured?”
Xu Caishan thought for a moment and nodded.
“So what? Was he also there?”
“Yes.”
Chen Jue was even more surprised.
“Why would that doctor be there too? Was Mother secretly meeting another man?”
Chen Lang glanced at him and continued.
“Not only him, but also two other men, as well as the Li couple. They were all in the field weeding.”
“The doctor and two outsiders were helping Li Xianglian weed the fields?” Xu Caishan analyzed carefully, her expression serious.
“They only just met not long ago. Why would he help her like that?”
Chen Lang sat down.
“I don’t really know either.”
Xu Caishan sneered.
“That doctor looks refined and elegant. Li Xianglian must have seduced him with her looks.”
In any case, Xu Caishan would never admit Li Xianglian was more beautiful than her. She would not admit Wen Zhile was influenced by her either.
She was just a rural woman—what could she compare with her?
Chen Lang also refused to believe Li Xianglian had fallen for someone else. She had once cared deeply for him; she could not have changed. She must be using Wen Zhile to provoke jealousy and force him back.
“Hmph. She’s doing all this just to win me back.”
Xu Caishan paused.
“So she did all this just to anger you?”
“Of course.”
Her smile faded instantly.
“Fine, I’ll leave. I am just extra here.”
“Cousin?” Chen Jue grabbed her.
Chen Xuan also held her legs and cried.
“Auntie, don’t go.”
Chen Lang walked over and pulled her into his arms.
“Caishan, don’t you understand my feelings? I will definitely divorce Li Xianglian. She is not even worthy of carrying your shoes. No matter what she does, I will not want her anymore. The position of future Duchess of the Marquis household will only be yours.”
“You only know how to comfort me. It’s been so long, and you still haven’t divorced her. Instead, you’ve made yourself miserable,” Xu Caishan said with red eyes.
“Look at your life now. The children are thin like sticks. Didn’t you always have contact with the Marquis household? Don’t they care about you?”
At this rate, would Chen Lang even still become the heir of the Marquis household?
Would she still become the future Duchess?
Xu Caishan did like Chen Lang—but she valued his position more.
“The position of heir will definitely be mine. Don’t underestimate my mother. Although she is only a concubine, she is capable and will arrange everything for me in the capital.”
He was determined to obtain the title.
Xu Caishan frowned.
“There is still the legitimate eldest grandson in the Marquis household. Titles are usually inherited by the legitimate line…”
Chen Lang’s expression darkened.
“If my father and elder brother go to war together, as long as my brother does not return alive, who do you think the title will belong to?”
Xu Caishan widened her eyes, then quickly smiled.
“Of course, it will belong to cousin.”
Chen Jue turned to Chen Xuan and smiled.
“Is the position of heir very powerful?”
“Of course,” Chen Jue said proudly. “Once Father becomes the heir, we will have plenty of good food, and tutors will come to teach us. You can even learn painting and writing.”
Chen Xuan jumped in excitement.
“So becoming heir is that amazing? Father will definitely become one. I also want to study and become a respected doctor like Auntie.”
Xu Caishan smiled and patted her nose.
“What a little money lover.”
She sent the children out to play.
Left alone, she leaned against Chen Lang’s shoulder.
“This money, take it first. When my mother sends more, you can return it later.”
Chen Lang pushed her hand away.
“How can I take your money? I am a grown man with hands and feet. If I need money, I can go to town and sell calligraphy and paintings.”
Xu Caishan immediately objected.
“No. You are the future heir of the Marquis household. How can you show yourself in public like that? It would damage your reputation.”
Chen Lang’s expression became conflicted, but he still refused.
“I still cannot accept it.”
“Cousin!”
Xu Caishan became angry.
“Do you think it’s too little?”
“I don’t.”
She shoved the pouch into his hand.
“Then take it.”
“…Fine.”
Only then did Chen Lang accept it.
“Caishan, don’t worry. In this life, I only love you. The position of Duchess will definitely be yours—and only yours.”
Xu Caishan blushed and hugged him tightly.