When Chu Yunxuan and Chu Yunheng arrived at Chu Mochen’s residence to request an audience, the Marquis of Wenxuan was lying prone on his bed reading. Upon hearing Muqing report that his two sons had arrived, Chu Mochen immediately ordered Muqing to let them in.
“This son pays his respects to Father!”
Still holding a grudge over his eldest son’s threats from a few days prior, Chu Mochen only beckoned to Chu Yunheng. “Heng’er is here. Come quickly, let Father see you. Have your studies been tiring lately?”
Chu Yunheng glanced at his big brother. Only after receiving a nod did he approach the bed and softly call, “Father.” Seeing this, Chu Mochen merely gave an annoyed snort but said nothing further. He looked at his second son with what he considered a loving gaze and asked gently, “You met your new younger brother and sister today. How do you feel about them?”
Chu Yunxuan, who had been standing to the side, gave a soft snort of his own, drawing an irritated glare from Chu Mochen, who signaled for him to keep quiet. Chu Mochen then turned back to Chu Yunheng, expectant.
Upon hearing the question, Chu Yunheng’s eyes dimmed slightly, and he replied with feigned indifference, “They’re just… there. We aren’t close.”
This answer clearly disappointed the Marquis. “You and Yun’er are similar in age. Aren’t you happy to have another brother to play with?”
Chu Yunheng rolled his eyes and replied with a smile, “I have plenty of friends at the clan school; I don’t lack playmates. As for my younger sister, the Master says that boys and girls should not share a seat after the age of seven. I am almost six; it is time to maintain proper distance.”
Chu Yunheng’s retort choked the Marquis. Chu Mochen had to retreat to a secondary position. “I see our Heng’er is quite mature. Then, could you look after your brother at the clan school?”
“Oh, that might not be possible. I want to study hard to pass the imperial examinations and don’t have time to look after him. However, if someone bullies him, I can step in to help.” (Chu Yunheng mentally added: help by landing a few black-and-blue punches.)
“Good, that is the spirit of brotherly love.” After praising Chu Yunheng, Chu Mochen instructed Muqing, “Take the jade pendant I wear often and bestow it upon the Second Young Master.”
Holding the freshly acquired pendant, Chu Yunheng was in high spirits. “Thank you, Father.”
“You are sensible, unlike your big brother…”
Chu Yunheng interrupted, “Father, you should bestow one upon Big Brother as well; he is obedient too.”
Hearing this, Chu Mochen scrutinized Chu Yunheng. Seeing the boy’s seemingly innocent expression, Chu Mochen replied gloomily, “You two certainly have a good relationship.”
Chu Yunheng nodded sincerely. “After all, I only have one big brother, while I don’t know how many younger siblings I might have in the future! Rarity makes things precious.”
The Marquis was stunned by this angle. “It’s not that I begrudge the object, but your big brother has such a proud personality; I assumed he wouldn’t care for such trifles from me.”
“He does care. Father, please bestow a few more upon my brother!” Chu Yunxuan said with a broad smile. Looking at him, anyone would think he was a dutiful, filial son.
Chu Mochen hadn’t expected his eldest son to be such a talent—daring to act aggressively toward him and having such a thick skin. He considered himself a man of status who valued his reputation; he felt he was raising an ancestor rather than a son.
“Do you have business? If so, go attend to it. Heng’er can stay here to keep me company.” Chu Mochen did not want to dine with his eldest son; he feared indigestion.
Chu Yunxuan indeed had matters to attend to, as he was currently managing the assets his mother had given him. He bowed flawlessly: “Then I wish Father a speedy recovery. This son takes his leave.”
Chu Mochen waved him away as if shooing a fly. Chu Yunxuan signaled to his younger brother and turned to leave without the slightest hesitation. Though he had told his son to leave, seeing the boy walk away so decisively annoyed the Marquis again. However, mindful of the second son still present, Chu Mochen only gave a “hmph” and refrained from further harsh remarks.
Chu Yunheng remained in the courtyard, coaxing the Marquis into a good mood and enjoying lunch with him before leaving with a pile of gifts.
In the days that followed, Chu Yunxuan studied in the front yard’s library, though all his personal staff had been dispatched throughout the estate. Chu Yunheng continued his studies at the clan school; although there was now a younger illegitimate brother there whom he disliked, his studies had to come first.
Sun Xinrou brought a bowl of soup she had brewed herself to the Marquis’s residence every day, which Lin Yanran did not forbid. However, after Sun Xinrou collided with a high-ranking official who had come to visit the recovering Marquis, Chu Mochen forbade her from returning to the front yard. Sun Xinrou was confined to her own courtyard to raise her daughter.
Having behaved herself for only a few days, she began taking her daughter to the Marquise Dowager’s courtyard daily. After several visits, the Old Mistress—thinking that the second branch lacked a daughter and that if this granddaughter were close to the second branch, she could become an asset for them later—used her authority to have Chu Ruoyu taken away to be raised in her own courtyard.
Sun Xinrou and Chu Ruoyu’s feelings were never a consideration for the Marquise Dowager. While Chu Mochen doted on his daughter, he could not turn against his own mother for her sake. Most importantly, in his subconscious, he believed Sun Xinrou was incapable of raising a daughter properly. That was why he had originally wanted the Mistress to raise her; now that his mother was willing, he felt only gratitude.
After shedding several bouts of tears, Sun Xinrou realized that Chu Mochen was growing increasingly impatient, having dropped even the facade of courtesy. She had to swallow her grief and plan for the future. After moving Chu Ruoyu to her courtyard, the Old Mistress, fearing the girl would remain close to Sun Xinrou, forbade Sun Xinrou from coming to greet her. She instructed Sun Xinrou to focus on serving the Marquis and the Mistress and to bear more children for the estate, telling her not to worry about the daughter being raised in her quarters.
Sun Xinrou understood the Old Mistress’s implication: she had effectively lost access to her daughter. She gnashed her teeth in hatred, but was powerless to act. She could only steel herself, hoping to serve the Marquis well once he recovered, planning to use his favor to win her daughter back later.