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Wei Tingzhen looked at the Fan family couple before her, impatiently waving her hand to signal them to forgo excessive formalities. As the legitimate wife of a Duke, she naturally disdained speaking more than a few words with these merchants! Honestly, she didn't understand why Wang Yingxue insisted on dragging her to this utterly unremarkable merchant household to attend their concubine-taking celebration?! If not for her beloved younger brother Wei Tingyu insisting on her presence, Wei Tingzhen would rather have taken a nap in her own garden. Of course, she found it hard to refuse the requests of her best friend and her own brother, but facing these clearly fawning merchant couple now, Wei Tingzhen naturally showed them no kindness.
However, upon seeing Wei Tingzhen's expression, the Fan family couple weren't angry at all; instead, they found it quite normal. After all, no matter how wealthy a merchant family was, they still couldn't straighten their backs or raise their heads when facing the wife of a Duke's residence!
Chai An was completely bewildered after witnessing this scene! A Fan family taking a concubine for their son even managed to summon the Duchess of Duke Jing's mansion?! If anyone said there was nothing going on here, only a ghost would believe it! Her presence must be because Wei Tingyu called her! But why? What reason did he have for doing this?
Chai An's gaze turned towards the leading carriage, whose curtain had not yet been lifted. Without asking, Wei Tingyu must be inside! Of course, not only Chai An, but the Fan family couple also naturally expected it! They quickly scurried to the first carriage after apologizing to Wei Tingzhen and Wang Yingxue. The curtain hadn't even been lifted yet, and they were already half-bent, awaiting the esteemed person inside to emerge!
Wei Tingyu maintained a perfectly composed demeanor, waiting a few more seconds before leisurely lifting the carriage curtain and stepping out. However, what shocked everyone present was that there was another person following closely behind Wei Tingyu! And this person was none other than Shou Hua, the eldest daughter of the Li family!
At this moment, she was no longer the sickly, demure little widow she once was. Instead, a faint blush colored her cheeks, indicating that her mood was vastly different from before! Shou Hua herself was a peerless beauty, and now, with her change of heart, she appeared even more captivating! Furthermore, she was now dressed in much more expensive silk women's robes than before, and her high-piled hair was adorned with various precious hairpins and ornaments! This entire ensemble gave her the appearance and demeanor of a noble lady from a powerful family! The moment she appeared, it seemed as if the light in front of the Fan residence's gate instantly brightened by several shades! Everyone, regardless of gender, was slightly lost in thought the moment they saw her!
Of course, after everyone's shock, a new question simultaneously arose in everyone's hearts. Isn't this Shou Hua the eldest daughter of Lady Li Niang? She was clearly a widowed young woman before; why isn't she sitting in the same carriage as her mother and daughters, but instead sharing a carriage with the Marquis? Could it be... Everyone simultaneously thought of that possibility! Looking back at Wei Tingyu, they saw him gracefully leap from the carriage, then actively extend his hand to Shou Hua, who had yet to descend. Shou Hua did not hesitate, merely smiled sweetly, and then placed her soft hand into Wei Tingyu's. Then, with his assistance, she slowly alighted from the carriage, and their hands did not separate thereafter. Seeing this scene, everyone naturally understood! This Shou Hua and Wei Tingyu were together?!
"Marquis, this is..." At this moment, only Chai An stepped forward, asking in a low voice with some doubt. After all, among those standing on the Fan family's side, he was barely considered a noble.
"I fell in love at first sight with the eldest daughter of the Li family!" Chai An's attitude was still acceptable, and Wei Tingyu, unwilling to strike a smiling face, simply chuckled and said, "So, I have already taken her into my residence as a noble concubine!" The meaning was also very simple: Shou Hua is now my, Wei Tingyu's, woman! No matter how intimate we are, you all better not gossip or spread nonsense.
"Ah?" The moment Wei Tingyu's words fell, not only Chai An, but everyone present was instantly stunned, especially the Fan family couple, who looked utterly bewildered. No matter how much they had inquired about affairs in Wei Tingyu's residence before, who truly knew what was real and what was false? It was said that the Marquis didn't care about the status of a merchant family and was willing to form a marriage alliance with them. Now, it seemed to be true?! This Li family was like a small shrimp among merchants, yet the Marquis was still willing to take their eldest daughter Shou Hua as a concubine, and a noble concubine at that! Why bother? For merchants who were always calculating, Wei Tingyu's actions were truly difficult to comprehend!
"Ah, what 'ah'?" Fifth Daughter Le Shan immediately became displeased upon hearing everyone's doubts. She frowned directly and said, "This morning, my mother and the Marquis signed the concubine contract in front of our entire family! What's there for you to question?"
"No, no!" Upon hearing Le Shan's words, Master Fan quickly waved his hand and said, "The Marquis and the eldest daughter of the Li family are truly a perfect match! A match made in heaven! Who would dare to question them?!" And the Fan family matriarch at this moment even went up to Lady Li Niang and directly congratulated her. "In-law! You truly have good fortune! But all of the Li family's daughters are so outstanding; this day was bound to come sooner or later!"
Seeing the Fan family matriarch's fawning and ingratiating demeanor, Lady Li Niang let out a cold snort in her heart, but outwardly, she still smiled and said, "The joy is mutual, the joy is mutual!" Lady Li Niang's original meaning was to say that Fan Lianghan was also taking a concubine today, which was also a joyous occasion for the Fan family. However, Master Fan and his wife were slightly startled upon hearing this, then their hearts swelled with ecstasy. Because from their perspective, their son married the second daughter of the Li family, and the Marquis married the eldest daughter of the Li family! In this way, didn't that mean they were also related to the Marquis's Residence through marriage?
"Esteemed guests, please enter quickly!" Master Fan and his wife, thinking of this, grew even more excited. They quickly made way and invited Wei Tingyu and the others into the mansion.
"Look at this child... she's truly a beauty!" It was time for the concubine to serve tea to her parents-in-law and her husband's principal wife. The Fan family matriarch sat in the central hall, looking at the Zhen Niang before her with a smiling face. Master Fan sat in the main seat beside her, also frowning slightly as he examined Zhen Niang standing before them. Fan Lianghan and Fu Hui, the nominal husband and wife, sat to the right of the main seats. And Wei Tingyu and the other guests sat on the left.
"Her appearance is truly excellent!"
"Her temperament is also gentle!"
"Our Han'er truly has good fortune!"
The Fan family matriarch praised Zhen Niang in a rapid fire, then smiled and nodded, looking at Fu Hui and Fan Lianghan beside them. Of course, all the light at this moment was focused on the two of them.
Fan Lianghan, this fellow, didn't know what was going on, but his unease in his heart grew stronger and stronger! He picked up the teacup beside him, wanting to pretend to drink tea to hide his panic, but the hand holding the teacup trembled violently, causing the teacup to clatter and even spill water. And seeing this scene, everyone present simultaneously felt speechless. You're a grown man; how can you be such a coward? Fu Hui rolled her eyes even more helplessly, unwilling to even glance at Fan Lianghan sitting beside her. Fortunately, there was a small table with tea wares separating their seats! Yet, even so, she could feel the effeminate aura beside her almost encroaching upon her own presence.
Master Fan and the Fan family matriarch were also quite helpless regarding their unpromising son. Now, seeing him making such a fool of himself in front of so many esteemed guests, they grew even more speechless. However, the Fan family matriarch had always doted on Fan Lianghan greatly. Seeing this situation, she quickly spoke to Zhen Niang, "Now, with so many esteemed guests present as witnesses, you can be considered fortunate!"
"Quickly go and serve tea to your mistress!"
"Once she drinks your tea, you will have officially entered the family! From then on, you will be a person of the Fan family!"
Zhen Niang was startled upon hearing this, then turned to look around. When her gaze swept over Wei Tingyu, she received a very subtle glance from him. Receiving the signal, Zhen Niang immediately pursed her lips, then her eyes quickly reddened, and two lines of clear tears uncontrollably flowed down her cheeks from the corners of her eyes. She even covered her mouth with her sleeve, letting out low sobs! One had to admit, this acting directly surpassed many contemporary celebrities! Wei Tingyu couldn't help but exclaim in his heart after seeing this scene!
"Why are you crying?" The Fan family matriarch was stunned upon seeing this, and quickly asked.
"Zhen Niang, why are you shedding tears?" And Fan Lianghan, this fellow, seeing Zhen Niang crying, actually forgot his earlier fear and directly said, "It's a good day! It's inauspicious!"
"Could it be that you are not willing?" At this moment, the grand show officially began. Wei Tingyu snapped open his folding fan, fanning himself as he said, "If anyone forced you, just speak up. This Marquis will seek justice for you!" The moment his words fell, all the Fan family members present simultaneously shivered, and cold sweat broke out on their bodies. Master Fan, the head of the Fan family, was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead. He quickly turned and glared at his son.
"Fan Lianghan! What is going on?" Master Fan was truly scared now! After all, he didn't know this Zhen Niang before; he just heard his son say he wanted to take her as a concubine, and then his wife grandly organized this marriage. Could there truly be some fatal hidden secret here?
"Father! How could I dare?" Fan Lianghan immediately grew anxious upon hearing this. At this moment, he truly felt greatly wronged. He quickly said to Zhen Niang, "Zhen Niang, you must testify for me!" However, the moment he said this, no one present seemed to believe him. After all, the girl was crying so much now; by all appearances, it didn't look like she was willing.
"Maternal Uncle!" At this moment, Chai An finally realized what this trap was all about. He quickly stood up and said to Master Fan, "You know cousin's temperament best. Although he's a bit mischievous, he would absolutely not dare to forcibly seize a civilian woman!" Master Fan also fell silent upon hearing this, as Chai An's words were indeed very reasonable. He naturally knew his own son. How could such a matter as forcibly seizing a civilian woman be connected to his good-for-nothing son, who was still trembling just from drinking tea?
"Perhaps this Zhen Niang has some unspeakable difficulties?" At this moment, Wei Tingzhen had already become interested. Although she initially found it boring, seeing a sudden change in the concubine-taking ceremony, her gossip-loving heart immediately flared up. Wang Yingxue, beside her, also nodded repeatedly, saying, "Young lady, please speak directly if you have any difficulties! We'll see if we can help you!" Wang Yingxue's temperament had also changed a lot since she became involved with Wei Tingyu. Now, she no longer had those messy calculations; instead, she had much more compassion for these suffering young women. After all, this Zhen Niang looked about the same age as her own daughter Dou Ming. Now that she had fallen to such a state, Wang Yingxue also felt a little heartache.
Wei Tingyu also smiled and nodded after seeing this scene. It wasn't in vain that I dragged this cheap elder sister over to support the show early this morning! At critical moments, she's still presentable and knows what to say!
"Please allow these esteemed ladies to hear!" Zhen Niang plopped to her knees upon hearing Wei Tingzhen and Wang Yingxue's words, saying, "This humble one is originally from Jianzhou, and both my father and grandfather were officials!" The moment she said this, everyone present's eyes widened simultaneously. Especially Master Fan, whose face showed a look of fear and panic.
"Six years ago, my father passed away during his tenure as the magistrate of Jiang Le County, and this humble one traveled far with my mother to seek refuge with relatives!"
"On the way, I was unfortunately lured by villains and unwillingly fell into the ranks of courtesans!"
"Today, the Fan family has taken me in; finally, this humble plant has found a place to cling to!"
"Seeing the kindness of the two elders in the hall! I can't help but miss my deceased father and widowed mother!"
"I feel ashamed to have disgraced my ancestors, and it's hard to bear!"
"I simply couldn't help myself for a moment..."
Zhen Niang could no longer speak after this, and directly covered her mouth, sobbing. And everyone present at this moment wore expressions of complete shock.
0 ........
"What did you say?" Wang Yingxue even stood up with a whoosh, looking directly at Zhen Niang and asking, "You are the daughter of an official family?"
"A mere small merchant family! How dare they take a scholar-official's daughter as a concubine?!" Wei Tingzhen, this proud Duchess of a Duke's mansion, naturally could not tolerate it even more. Without a word, she slapped the table and stood up.
"Oh dear..." Lady Li Niang was thoroughly pleased now. She comfortably leaned back in her chair, shaking her head and saying, "I've heard people say 'bold as a bear, guts of a leopard' before, but I've never truly witnessed it!"
"Today, my son-in-law has truly opened my eyes!"
The moment Lady Li Niang's words fell, the Fan family matriarch's legs instantly went weak, and she slid directly from her stool, collapsing onto the ground. And Master Fan also looked shocked and bewildered, slowly supporting himself on the table to barely stand upright. Of course, at this moment, his gaze at Fan Lianghan was bloodshot, as if he wasn't looking at his own son, but an outside bastard who had deceived him for decades!
"How will this matter be resolved?!" Wei Tingyu, seeing this situation, smiled and snapped his folding fan shut. Then he looked at Chai An and asked, "Does Young Master Chai have a brilliant plan?"
"I..." Chai An truly understood now what this trap was all about! But it was too late! He had never expected that Wei Tingyu would arrange this trap and invite so many witnesses to watch! The weight of Marquis Jining's words naturally went without saying. Furthermore, the matriarch of the Dou family and the legitimate wife of Duke Jing were also present. With so many witnesses, it was impossible to cover this up now! And the Li family might even directly cause a scene because of this, and perhaps even run to the authorities to report the Fan family first to avoid being implicated.
"You! You scoundrel!" And Master Fan, at this moment, also suddenly woke up, because he naturally thought of the grim situation now! Without another word, he pulled the family rod from the nearby wall and rushed towards Fan Lianghan.
Fan Lianghan was already terrified. He was naturally timid to begin with, and he never expected that this Zhen Niang, whom he had always longed for, was actually a woman from a scholar-official family. So, when his own father's family rod struck his back, he didn't react at all, let alone dodge. Only when the intense, piercing pain came from his back did Fan Lianghan cry out, and at the same time, he leaped up from his chair.
Master Fan, of course, wouldn't stop there. He chased after Fan Lianghan and began beating him in the central hall, constantly shouting curses. "Do you know that once this matter spreads, our entire clan will be implicated by you!"
"Will I even live then?!"
"I'll beat you to death, you unfilial son!"
Fan Lianghan dodged while loudly begging for mercy, but it was impossible to completely avoid his father's family rod! In just over ten seconds, he was hit several times, hurting him so much that he couldn't walk or speak properly! This showed that Master Fan was indeed furious and had truly struck with a heavy hand! And the Fan family matriarch, who was originally slumped on the ground, immediately felt her doting heart resurface upon seeing her son being beaten. She quickly stepped forward and blocked Master Fan.
"What enmity did we form in a past life? To end up with an unfilial son and an unvirtuous wife!"
"You deliberately instigated him to take a concubine! You are the culprit behind our family's misfortune! I'll deal with your crimes later!"
"Get out of the way! Otherwise, I'll beat you too!"
And at this moment, Master Fan naturally couldn't care about marital affection. After all, if he didn't show an attitude to these esteemed guests, the entire Fan family would hardly escape disaster.