Time Travel: The Noble Family

Chapter 158: Chapter 66: Hatred

Maternal Aunt Chen went to beg Old Madam.

After hearing Maternal Aunt Chen’s request, Old Madam was so furious that she threw the medicine bowl from the table at her, hitting Maternal Aunt Chen: “You foolish creature, do you even know what you’re doing?”

Old Madam agreed to let Tingzheng study at the Li family because, firstly, Li Guoxing had taken the initiative to offer; and secondly, and most importantly, Old Madam was well aware that Tingzheng’s qualifications couldn’t attract a good teacher. Which reputable teacher would want to teach such a student?

Old Madam had considered sending Tingzheng to the Clan School, but Yueyao refused to agree at the risk of life or death. She, too, feared that the child would be spoiled, as it was bad enough that Tingchao had been led astray; she couldn’t allow the same to happen to Tingzheng. However, sending Tingzheng to study at the Li family didn’t mean Tingchao could also go. Initiating a request and asking for a favor were two different matters. Both the Lian family and the Li family were scholarly families, and although the Lian family was currently less influential, it was unthinkable for them to ask the Li family for such a favor. If Yueyao really pleaded with Li Guoxing, the Lian family would lose all face.

With tears streaming down her face, Maternal Aunt Chen said: “Old Madam, I beg of your mercy. If Tingchao continues like this, he’ll be ruined. Please, Old Madam, show some mercy.” Watching her son increasingly take the wrong path, Maternal Aunt Chen was extremely anxious.

All the words Old Madam had were swallowed back, and eventually, she just waved her hand wearily: “Someone, send Maternal Aunt Chen back.”

...

After Maternal Aunt Chen had left, Old Madam sighed softly: “Perhaps, if I had raised Tingchao by my side all along, he wouldn’t have turned out this way.” She had wanted to raise Tingchao by her side, and even brought him to the Upper Chamber for this purpose. But as she grew older, she found her energy limiting and Tingchao’s noise too much to bear. She couldn’t stand the commotion, and in a moment of neglect, the child became feverish. By the time his fever subsided, she let Maternal Aunt Chen take Tingchao back to raise him herself. She had never expected that he would be raised in such a manner. Old Madam felt a twinge of regret in her heart, but regret was futile; what had happened needed to be dealt with. Now, the only thing to do was to think about how to remedy the situation.

After a while, Old Madam spoke: “When Great Master returns to the mansion, have him come see me. I have something to say to him.” This matter had to be resolved by her son; she was too old to manage it.

Lian Dongfang spoke with Old Madam Lian for a long time in the room, leaving with an ashen face. Upon exiting the Upper Chamber, he bound Tingchao and administered the family discipline. Afterwards, he ordered that Maternal Aunt Chen must not step out of her room for three months.

Upon receiving the news, Yueyao, recalling Nanny Hao’s earlier caution, summoned Nanny Hao and asked: “Nanny, how could you be so sure that grandmother and my eldest uncle would not agree? Besides fearing the loss of the Lian family’s face, there must be other issues too, right?” Yueyao was affirming, not questioning.

Nanny Hao did not expect Yueyao to block every excuse she had prepared: “That’s exactly it, Miss. If we send Young Master Tingchao to study at the Li family, the Lian family would lose all face.”

Yueyao waved everyone out of the room: “Nanny Hao, I hope you can tell me the truth. You should know that Tingzheng is now studying at the Li family’s place. If there’s anything inappropriate, I should have a clue, not be as confused as I am now.” Seeing Nanny Hao’s troubled expression, Yueyao said: “Don’t worry, I just want to be informed. I won’t be caught off guard. I won’t tell a third person about it.”

Nanny Hao, seeing Yueyao’s determination not to give up, weighed her options repeatedly. Old Madam’s health was poor and it was uncertain how long she would last, and Young Master Tingzheng had gone to the Li family. If there were any conflicts between the Lian and Li families in the future, Miss would definitely blame her. After much deliberation, Nanny Hao finally said: “Miss, I’m not exactly clear on the details. All I know is that Great Master Lian and Lord Li don’t get along well.”

Yueyao shivered: “What sort of enmity?” It was unthinkable that her great uncle and Uncle Li had private conflicts. At this thought, Yueyao dared not continue.

Having been in the Lian Mansion for over twenty years, Nanny Hao was relatively clear about its internal affairs. “What exactly the strife is between Great Master Lian and Lord Li, I’m not sure. What I do know is that the Old Grand Master and Old Grand Master Li were friends and would often bring Lord Li to visit the mansion. However, Great Master Lian and Lord Li’s character did not mesh, lacking close ties, but Lord Li and Second Old Master got along well and became good friends.” Nanny Hao knew some reasons for the enmity, but those matters touched on the older generation and it was not appropriate to speak too explicitly; it was enough for the Miss to know that Great Master Lian and Lord Li were at odds.