Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 91 - 42: Guan Jingshuo_3

Chapter 91: Chapter 42: Guan Jingshuo_3

Upon calculating the cost, Yueyao was covered in cold sweat. Even with a thirty percent discount, the total was still one thousand eight hundred ninety-six taels. Furthermore, they offered a concession, waiving six taels of silver. In other words, the total came to one thousand eight hundred ninety taels of silver. These books alone almost cost two thousand taels. Such a money burner.

Ma Chengteng, however, did not find it very expensive. To them, books were priceless. Like usual, Ma Chengteng would spend hundreds to thousands of taels on books, calligraphy, or paintings, and even more so on famous artists’ works, easily splurging thousands of taels. This time, seeing Yueyao buy so many items for over a thousand taels, Ma Chengteng truly did not take it to heart.

A heavy sigh escaped from Yueyao’s heart once again. With an aunt in the Inner Courtyard who spent money like water, and now an uncle who regarded money as dirt. Should the Ma Family indeed take Cheng Li as another bride, decline would only be a matter of time. It seemed necessary to find a suitable opportunity to subtly remind her uncle.

Ma Chengteng did share with Yueyao that he had just visited an art gallery, “The bookhouse will hold a painting exhibition in a while…” He stopped there. Even if he mentioned it, it would not be appropriate for Yueyao to attend. This time it was a quest for a letter seeking, a location devoid of human presence. A painting exhibition, bustling with people, was no place for a young lady to show her face.

Yueyao was aware of this painting exhibition. Qingfeng Bookhouse held it once every quarter. The paintings were sourced from all the famous artists who contributed, then reviewed by experts before being displayed. Many who were keen on painting would visit and learn by copying. After the exhibition concluded, these paintings would generally be sold. Those who liked them could purchase. This business model was quite unique but had cultivated many talents, among whom quite a few became great painters.

Yueyao felt somewhat regretful, why did she have to be born as a man!

...

After leaving the bookhouse, the sun had already set.

Nanny Deng looked at the stack of books being moved onto the carriage. Nanny Deng asked some questions, mostly about whom Yueyao had encountered in the bookhouse. Of course, no riffraff would be found in the bookhouse. Anyone who dared to cause trouble there would only be brave enough to never return. With a ruined reputation, one’s future would be over as well.

Thinking of her uncle’s particularly warm treatment towards the Heir to Marquis Yongding, Yueyao couldn’t help raising a question, “Nanny, what is the Ma Family’s relationship with Marquis Yongding’s Household?” If there were no ties, her uncle could not possibly be so concerned about Guan Jingshuo.

Upon hearing that Yueyao met the Heir to Marquis Yongding, Nanny Deng let out a light sigh, “Miss is perhaps unaware, the late Lady of the Marquis Yongding and our Madam were close friends within the boudoir. Just did not expect…” She did not expect both of them to have passed away.

Yueyao was stunned, “Why have I never heard Mother mention this?” She had completely no recollection of this. Maybe it was not that she had no memory of it, but rather that it had been too long and she had forgotten.

Nanny Deng chuckled lightly, “The Lady of the Marquis Yongding has passed away, how could Madam bring this up in front of you?” It was not appropriate to continuously mention the Heir Apparent before a daughter who was already betrothed. It would be unseemly to talk about another young man in front of her.

Yueyao uttered an “Oh,” “Madam and the Lady of the Marquis Yongding were really close?”

Nanny Deng nodded, “You might not know, miss, but back when the Lady of the Marquis Yongding Mansion was your age, she too was known as a talented lady in the Capital City. She later met Madam and their personalities and interests matched well, cherishing each other dearly. They were as good as sisters. Just that, alas…” Both of them had died so early, and both were stopped by the same hurdle.

Yueyao curiously asked, “Why does Nanny sigh?”

Nanny Deng shook her head, “You don’t know, back then, when Madam found out the Lady of the Marquis Yongding had chosen her concubine-born sister as the stepmother, she wrote to the Lady of the Marquis Yongding saying it was inappropriate. Should there be any disputes in the future, resting on the Heir Apparent’s shoulders would be not only a stepmother but also the status of an aunt, which would be very disadvantageous for the Heir Apparent. Later, Madam received a reply only to realize that the decision was not within the Lady of the Marquis Yongding’s control.” Nanny Deng was very familiar with the ins and outs of this matter. When the Lady of the Marquis Yongding wanted to change her decision, the Ning family did not give her that chance.

Yueyao couldn’t help asking, “Then what happened?” No sooner had she asked than she realized how foolish the question was. What happened after was the current situation; the matter had been settled, and the Heir to Marquis Yongding seemed to be doing well.

Nanny Deng continued, “Fortunately, the stepmother had no children, so she always treated the Heir as her own child. Had the stepmother had her own offspring, I’m afraid the current Heir to Marquis Yongding…” With her own children, everyone has selfish desires; having children naturally leads one to hope for the best for them. The legitimate wife becomes a stumbling block. Duke Ning, the brother of the late Lady of the Marquis Yongding, shared the same mother with her. If the situation had been different, the Heir to Marquis Yongding would certainly have met an early demise. Luckily, the Lady of the Marquis Yongding had no children.

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Yueyao suddenly asked, “Was she unable to bear children, or was it…” Yueyao’s implication was whether the issue lay with the stepmother herself or if it was due to someone’s schemes. If it was a scheme, that person must have been the previous Lady of the Marquis Yongding.

Nanny Deng was so startled her eyes nearly popped out. She wasn’t shocked so much at whether Lady Xiao Ning was a victim of plotting, but rather by Yueyao’s words. When had the young lady become so knowledgeable about these sordid affairs, “Miss, these are words that must absolutely not be spoken carelessly.”

Yueyao smiled lightly, “It’s just between us, who else could I tell!” She was not foolish enough to speak such things recklessly.

Reflecting on Guan Jingshuo’s plight, Yueyao pondered that perhaps his early demise was not unrelated to his stepmother. When a woman sought vengeance, she would not bother with many considerations—just like herself back then, who would not hesitate to destroy the Lian family to get her revenge.