Since that day, the Jingyuan Marquisate appeared harmonious on the surface, yet beneath it, undercurrents seemed to surge.
Those unaware of the truth naturally remained oblivious, sensing nothing amiss.
But those deeply entangled in the situation keenly felt something was off. Yet, upon closer inspection, they could find no clear evidence, leaving each of them inexplicably uneasy.
Take Madam Wang, her son, and daughter-in-law, for example. The three sat in the Ning’an Hall where Madam Wang resided. The flower hall was arranged in an atmosphere of serene tranquility.
Fresh flowers in vases adorned the four corners, blooming brilliantly. A bronze incense burner emitted a blend of benzoin and sandalwood, its fragrance sweet yet not cloying.
The chairs were cushioned with brocade pads stuffed with dried osmanthus flowers, exuding a light scent and offering a soft, comfortable touch. Yet, despite the warm and cozy setting, it could not soothe the anxiety gnawing at the three, who whispered among themselves.
From their lip movements, one could vaguely discern phrases like, “What should we do?” or “Something feels off.”
Standing behind a window in the book tower, Swallow Holding Branch lowered the Thousand-Mile Lens in her hand, a slight smile curling at the corners of her mouth. It was right for them to feel uneasy.
The old master’s lifeline had already been looped around their necks. If these three remained foolishly oblivious, they wouldn’t be the ruthless schemers capable of plotting the main branch’s extinction.
Though Swallow Holding Branch didn’t yet know what the old master intended—as a three-year-old child, her parents wouldn’t explain such matters in detail, fearing she might inadvertently reveal something—seeing her parents’ relaxed expressions told her that whatever the old master was planning would undoubtedly benefit the main branch.
This, however, would inevitably harm Madam Wang and the second branch’s interests. They would never sit idly by. So, what would they do next?
Swallow Holding Branch had no intention of intervening. It was better to let the old master keep a close watch on them. The more they acted, the more disappointed he would become, and the more advantageous it would be for the main branch.
What did Madam Wang and the second branch do afterward?
Swallow Holding Branch wasn’t sure, but the old master, who knew exactly what they had done, invited the Yan clan elders and the clan head to the Jingyuan Marquisate before the Qingming Festival arrived.
The arrival of these elderly relatives from faraway Jinling was like a drop of water falling into hot oil, instantly causing an uproar throughout the Jingyuan Marquisate.
It was well known that these elders were advanced in age and seldom traveled far.
The journey from Jinling to the capital was no short distance, typically taking around a month. However, with an urgent official boat, it could be completed in half a month.
Seeing these elders so exhausted that they needed two strong servants to support them as they walked made it clear it was the latter scenario.
Their sudden, unannounced arrival, and in such a hurried group, made it obvious to anyone with a bit of sense that something significant was about to happen at the Jingyuan Marquisate.
As the eldest son and daughter-in-law, Yan Tingbai and Madam Bai were busy hosting these elders, arranging their accommodations, meals, and clothing, and ensuring physicians and attendants attended to their health. They were so occupied they couldn’t even spare time for Swallow Holding Branch, leaving her in the care of their personal maids.
But the maids truly couldn’t control Swallow Holding Branch. Seeing her parents too busy to mind her, she once again sneaked off to the book tower to spy on Wang Caibing and the second branch couple with the Thousand-Mile Lens.
The three were once again seated in the flower hall of Ning’an Hall. While they had managed to maintain composure before, now they could no longer conceal their true colors.
Wang Caibing no longer carried her gentle and kind demeanor; her face was filled with anger and fear, her lips trembling as if murmuring something.
If Swallow Holding Branch could have gotten closer, she would have clearly heard her saying, “The old master must know everything.
He invited the clan elders here—it must be aimed at us. Is he truly so heartless?
He doesn’t spare a thought for the bond between husband and wife or the ties of blood. In his heart and eyes, there’s only the eldest branch.”
By the end, Madam Wang’s tone was thick with resentment.
Wang Chenbi, being the youngest, was also the most impatient. Hearing her mother-in-law and aunt speak this way, she immediately panicked: “Then… what do we do now?”
If those matters were exposed, their second branch would never be able to hold their heads high again.
“Second Master, say something! You’re going to become an official—your reputation cannot be tarnished!”
Wang Chenbi was truly anxious. Her husband’s scholarly abilities were only average. Relying on the imperial examinations to secure an official post wasn’t exactly a pipe dream—after all, even a provincial graduate could secure a minor position.
But it would take ten or twenty years!
The old master knew this, which was why he had hinted early on that he would seek an official post for his second son—a far more convenient path than studying.
However, an official position obtained this way would have a shaky foundation, easily stripped away at the slightest misstep.
And this was before even securing the position. If his reputation were tarnished, he wouldn’t be able to become an official at all.
Yan Jingzheng was well aware of this. He felt uneasy, anxious, and desperate to do something, yet he was overwhelmed by a deep sense of helplessness.
He was no match for the old master. The old master had seen through him, yet he had no idea when or how it had happened.
How did the old master plan to deal with his mother and the second branch? An invisible noose seemed to tighten around his neck, squeezing tighter and tighter until Yan Jingzheng could hardly breathe.
He gripped the teacup so hard that the veins on his arm bulged. The thin, translucent porcelain cup, adorned with delicate orchid and vine patterns and fine crackle glaze, shattered with a sharp crack in Yan Jingzheng’s hand.
The priceless porcelain was ruined, and Yan Jingzheng’s hand began to bleed crimson.
Seeing this, Madam Wang and Wang Chenbi could no longer dwell on their worries. They hurriedly tended to their son’s (husband’s) wound.
Once his hand was bandaged, Yan Jingzheng looked at his mother and said, “Mother, prepare a bundle of thorny branches for me. I’m going to kneel in the ancestral hall and plead for forgiveness.”
Wang Chenbi was horrified, and Madam Wang’s expression changed: “No, you can’t go! Doing so would be admitting guilt without being accused!”
Yan Jingzheng smiled bitterly. “Mother, do you think that by refusing to admit it, we can pretend nothing happened?
If the old master weren’t absolutely certain, he wouldn’t have invited the clan elders.
Rather than stubbornly resisting, it’s better to openly admit our mistakes. At least I’ll still be seen as an upright gentleman.
But if I stubbornly refuse to admit it, Father will only grow more disappointed in me.”
What would happen if the old master became disappointed in his son?
Naturally, he would place even more hope in his other son—an outcome Madam Wang, Yan Jingzheng, and Wang Chenbi could not bear to see. So, the mistake had to be admitted.
But how could Madam Wang bear to let her son kneel in the ancestral hall?
“Then let me go. After all, this was my idea. It was me—I favored my own son and wanted to be a wicked stepmother. So what!
I served my parents-in-law and observed mourning for them for years. No matter how angry your father is, he can’t divorce me. Let me handle this.”
“Mother.” Yan Jingzheng stopped Madam Wang. “Do you think Father would believe it?”
“Even if Father believed it, hiding behind a woman—how would he see me then?”
Wouldn’t he think his second son had grown a third leg for nothing, lacking even that much backbone!
Madam Wang was left speechless. Honestly, if she had such ability and cunning schemes, she wouldn’t have let Yan Tingbai grow up.
“Mother, let’s not discuss this further. Go prepare the thorny branches for me. I’ll go confess my guilt now.”
Yan Jingzheng made the final decision, having Wang Chenbi help him remove his upper garment before heading bare-chested to the ancestral hall.