Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Seven or eight clan elders sat around a large table drinking tea. When we arrived, Madam Marquis was personally pouring tea for a deeply wrinkled old man, and the hall was abuzz with conversation.
The old man planted his cane in front of him and leaned on it, saying with authority, “For the sake of the family, this matter should be settled as soon as possible. Given Ning Huai’s condition, how could he possibly bring greater glory to Changning Marquis Manor in the future? There is no point in letting him occupy the position of Heir Apparent in name only. Everything we do is for the Ning Clan. Ning Huai is a sensible child who understands the greater good. I am sure he will understand.”
“Exactly. In his condition, he will have to surrender the position of Heir Apparent sooner or later.”
Everyone began talking over one another.
The Marquis of Changning took a sip of tea, his brow faintly furrowed. “Great-Granduncle, what do you mean by this? Would this not drive a wedge between the two boys?”
Madam Marquis said gently, “The two boys have always been close. If Great-Granduncle is worried that Ah Huai will have no heir, we can simply adopt one of Ning Ze’s children into his line when the time comes. Why must we do this?”
“Ah Huai is already suffering enough. Why bring this up and hurt him further?”
Her words sounded comforting, yet they only emphasized the fact that Ning Huai could never have children.
The old man slammed his cane heavily against the floor, his beard trembling with indignation. “A woman’s softheartedness! The longer we delay, the more likely people are to harbor improper ideas. To put it bluntly, Ning Huai does not have long to live, and he has no heir. What are we supposed to do in the future? Since the brothers are close, all the more reason for Ning Huai to surrender the position of Heir Apparent. Ning Ze will not forget his elder brother’s generosity once he inherits.”
The Marquis of Changning said nothing.
After a long silence, the Marquis of Changning set down his teacup and let out a deep sigh. “Since matters have come to this, we will do as Great-Granduncle says.”
That sigh made him sound deeply conflicted, yet it also seemed to carry a hint of relief.
Madam Marquis hastily tried to stop him. “My lord, how can you do this? Ah Ze already wields great power. He has no need for an empty title. But Ah Huai…”
“My mind is made up. This is for the best. From now on, both the family and his elder brother will be entrusted to Ah Ze.”
I turned to look at Ning Huai.
He stared silently at the Marquis of Changning, his expression utterly still.
He looked exactly like I had on the day Lord Wei ordered me to take Wei Wan’s place in the marriage.
I had stood silently in Lord Wei’s study, yet it had felt as though the entire world was roaring around me.
It was as if a snake’s gallbladder were churning inside my stomach, spilling bile so bitter it made me want to vomit, though nothing would come out.
I could understand Lord Wei. After all, he had raised Wei Wan as his own daughter for sixteen years.
But Ning Huai was the Marquis of Changning’s own son, a son he had raised for more than twenty years. Why would he treat him this way?
Ning Huai had already suffered enough.
A sudden surge of courage rose within me. I stepped forward and bowed, then spoke with neither servility nor arrogance. “Greetings, esteemed clan elders, Father, and Mother. As a new bride of the Ning family, I must say something in fairness to my Husband.”
“Which law of our dynasty states that a man in poor health cannot inherit a noble title? My father is the Minister of Rites and knows more about rules, rites, and propriety than most, yet I have never heard of such a thing. Since ancient times, seniority has dictated the order of succession. My husband suffered this calamity while defending our country. If you treat him this way, are you not afraid of disheartening every soldier under heaven? Are you not afraid that the Censorate will submit memorials impeaching you?”
The Ning Clan elder slammed his cane down again. “You have only just married into this family, yet you already dare speak to your elders like this? Have you no respect for rules or propriety?”
Several pairs of eyes turned toward me at once. I pursed my lips, my confidence beginning to falter.
“Well, aren’t you lot shameless? You cannot manage a single decent deed, but you certainly know how to bark.”
Xuanfeng pushed Ning Huai toward us.
Sunlight and drifting cloud shadows streamed through the diamond-patterned lattice window and fell across his face, bathing him in a hazy, gentle glow.
Seated in his wheelchair, he looked over at me. “Qingqing, come here.”
As soon as I stopped beside Ning Huai, he folded his arms and addressed the room. “Give me ten thousand taels of silver, and I will submit the memorial myself, voluntarily requesting that the position of Heir Apparent be transferred to Ning Ze.”
The hall fell deathly silent.
Madam Marquis said softly, “Ah Huai, your wedding cost a great deal of money. The manor truly does not have that much silver on hand.”
“What are you saying, Aunt? Are there not plenty of people sitting right here in this hall? You are all elders of the clan. Since you insist on interfering in our family affairs, why not pool your money? The marquis manor has treated you generously all these years, showering you with gifts during every holiday and festival. It is about time we recovered some of that money, wouldn’t you say?”
The hall instantly erupted.
“Child, how did you become so insolent and unruly?”
“You are crippled, after all, and cannot have children. There is no reason for you to keep occupying-”
…
A cold sneer flickered across Ning Huai’s lips. “Then there is nothing to discuss. I have a wife to support now, after all. If I were to die without warning one day, would she not be left at everyone’s mercy, just as she is now? If I do not leave her some money to live on, how could I rest in peace beneath the Nine Springs?”
“Without the money, there is no deal. Even if we must destroy each other, I will take this matter before the emperor and demand justice. Unless I surrender the position of Heir Apparent of my own free will, a few old faces like yours will never be enough to take it from me.”
Amid the endless arguing, the Marquis of Changning delivered the final verdict.
“Ten thousand taels. I will find a way.”