Han Jianming pondered for a long time before he said, "Please let me think about this again." Not going through the standard procedure to obtain the title would easily arouse criticism, so he could not give Yuxi a definite answer for now. It was fortunate that no one in the Duke's household was competing with him for the title. Otherwise, if this matter was known to his rivals, he would not be able to turn over again.
Yuxi knew Han Jianming's concerns as she suggested, "Dage, seizing the title from Father will definitely have an impact on you. The best way is to let Father give up the title himself." Seizing could be considered as stealing from its rightful owner. It would always sound scandalous for a son to rob his own old father. However, if the Lord Duke voluntarily gave away his title, no one would argue about it.
Han Jianming asked, "What method do you have?" It would naturally be best if the Duke of the State could voluntarily concede the title. But it wouldn't be easy.
Yuxi shook her head and said, "I don't have one. I don't have much contact with Father, so I don't know his preferences, let alone his weaknesses." This meant that Han Jianming, as his son, must have known Han Jingdong's preferences and weaknesses.
Han Jianming shook his head helplessly and reminded, "Only talk about this kind of thing with me. You can never have this kind of idea when you go to the Chen family." He didn't want Yuxi to encourage Chen Ran to compete for the title.
Yuxi laughed. "I'm not that stupid." Not to mention that she was not interested in the position of Lady of Taining. Even if she was, she would not have told Chen Ran. How stupid would one have to be to tell her husband about something that could provoke the feelings between brothers?
Han Jianming also reminded Yuxi, "You should also go back."
After Yuxi left, Han Jianming called Mr Zhao to discuss with him the feasibility of Yuxi's proposal just now.
Naturally, Mr Zhao thought that Yuxi's idea was a good one. Although Han Jianming was the real in charge of the State Residence, the nominal head was still the Duke of the State. If Han Jianming were to inherit the title, it would be much easier for them to act. "Master Shizi, if the Lord Duke of State can relinquish the title, it would only be beneficial to us, rather than disadvantageous." Such a proposal could only be brought up by a family member like the Fourth Miss. An outsider like him would not have the guts to say so even if he had the heart to do so.
Han Jianming also believed that Yuxi's suggestion was good, only that it would be challenging to implement it. After all, it was not that easy to get Han Jingdong to give up the title of his own accord.
Mr Zhao thought that Han Jianming could give it a try. Even if he failed anyway, it would have no effect on his position. Duke Han only had two sons, and Han Jianye would certainly not compete with his brother for it. So even if Han Jianming did something wrong, his position as the heir was still secure. The only thing that needed to be taken care of was the secrecy. If this news leaked out, it would not be good for Han Jianming's reputation. It would also not be good if you read this chapter anywhere else other than xinshou blogspot com.
Han Jianming nodded a little and discussed with Mr Zhao for a long time. But in the end, no satisfactory method could be negotiated. Of course, Han Jianming was in no hurry. This matter could not be done in a day or two. Han Jianming instantly went to the Master Courtyard afterwards.
When Qiu heard Han Jianming come over, she was startled. "Ming-er, what's wrong?" At this time, Han Jianming would not come to the backyard unless something was wrong.
Han Jianming looked at Qiu Shi's haggard appearance and was also distressed. "Mother, I heard from my subordinate that you and Father had a quarrel."
Qiu Shi didn't expect her son to come over for this, so she comforted him. "It's alright. After so many years, I'm already used to it. I'm really alright." In the past, the couple had quarrelled many times over Concubine Rong. But Concubine Mei today was a far cry from Concubine Rong back then.
Han Jianming, who had only been a little distressed, was deeply saddened by these words. He suggested, "Mother, if you really hate that woman, I'll have her sent to our country estate."
Qiu Shi was shocked. "Don't do that. Your father is now very fond of that Concubine Mei. If you send her away, he will tear you apart." She and Han Jingdong were husband and wife. Not to mention quarrelling, even fighting was not a big problem. But her son was from a younger generation. He would get beaten up for it.
Han Jianming smiled and remarked, "Mother, that won't happen."
Qiu Shi hurriedly said, "What won't happen? Back then, when your father was so fond of Concubine Rong, he even dared to disobey your Grandmother's words. If you really send that woman away, he will use family law on you when that time comes." She had never laid a finger on her son when he was growing up. If he were to be beaten for the sake of a woman, she would be heartbroken.
When Han Jianming heard this, his mind turned, and he asked, "Mother, did Father really disobey Grandmother for a concubine back then?" He had heard of this incident but did not ask about the exact process; it had been so many years ago that there was no point for him in knowing about it.
Qiu Shi smiled bitterly. "Naturally, it's true. When I was pregnant with you, Concubine Rong put something dirty in my food. I was lucky that I didn't have much appetite that day. When it was found out later, your Grandmother wanted to have Concubine Rong killed, but your Father tried to stop her. He even threatened your Grandmother, saying that if she killed Concubine Rong, he would become a monk."
Han Jianming didn't even know what expression he had. His father didn't even care about his mother, wife, and even son for a woman. He commented, "But when Concubine Rong passed away, Father didn't look too sad." It wasn't that Han Jingdong didn't look too sad. He wasn't even sad at all. [+]
A touch of disdain crossed Qiu Shi's face. "At that time, your Father cherished her, so naturally, he was willing to die for her. Later, when Concubine Rong was old, and her good look faded, he naturally didn't care for her anymore." Since he didn't cherish Concubine Rong anymore, she naturally didn't carry much weight. After Concubine Rong received a few words of scolding from the Old Lady, the matter settled.
Han Jianming's mind turned several times. If this was true, he could do something on this Concubine Mei. Perhaps, it would have an unexpected effect.
Qiu Shi advised Han Jianming. "Ming-er, don't meddle in this matter. Your father is a scumbag. Don't offend him. Even though he doesn't like me anymore, he doesn't dare to divorce me. You don't have to worry about me."
When Han Jianming heard this, he felt ashamed of himself. He, her own son, was still no match to the adopted Yuxi. "Don't worry, Mother. I won't interfere."
When Han Jianming left the Master Courtyard, he went back to his study. Then, he immediately called the main steward over to ask him about what Qiu Shi had just said. From the main steward's mouth, he could confirm what Qiu Shi had said was true. This gave Han Jianming a grasp of how to persuade Han Jingdong to let go of the title.
Soon, the twelfth lunar month arrived. This month was the busiest time of the year. As the New Year was coming, preparations had to be made for New Year's Eve, and New Year's goods had to be purchased.
Usually, Qiu Shi would ask Yuxi to give her a hand. But this time, when she thought it would be Yuxi's last year at home, she didn't want Yuxi to strain herself. Hence, she didn't let her intervene this year.
It was a beautiful day, and the sun was out. Zisu ordered a few people to bring out all chests that contained Yuxi's unworn clothes to dry.
Yuxi looked at several large chests of clothes and remarked, "These clothes all look like new. It's a shame not to get rid of them as they only take up space." It wasn't that she wasn't frugal, but she was growing so fast that she could only wear her clothes for a season and could not wear them again for the coming year.
Zisu also felt it was a waste. "All these materials are good." All of Yuxi's clothes were made of excellent brocade. But because the material was so good, it was not easy to dispose of. If they were sent to relatives and friends, sending them old clothes would not look good, but it would be even hard to burn them. The maids did tear them apart to make hebao, but sewing a hebao didn't use that much fabric.
Yuxi proposed, "Why don't we send them to the foundling hospital?" The so-called foundling hospital was a place where orphans were taken in.
After saying this, Yuxi knew it was inappropriate. Not to mention the clothes she wore, even her jewellery couldn't fall outside. It would be bad for her reputation. Even if they were sent anonymously, the clothes would not be worn by the children. It was possible that the staff could sell the clothes for money. Such good material was still worth a few.
Zisu naturally disagreed. "Miss, even if these clothes are burnt, they can't be sent to the foundling hospital." It was not a problem to donate money, but the clothes Yuxi wore could not be donated.
Yuxi waved her hand and said, "Then, it's better to keep them all." All the old things she had used before had been burnt. Now she didn't have too many old things. Taoran House was so big anyway, so she no longer had to worry about having no space for them.
In the afternoon, Yuxi had just finished reading and was ready to go out for a walk. That was when Caidie came over and reported, "Miss, Concubine Qiu has returned to the residence." [T/N]
Yuxi froze as she asked, "When did this happen?" Why had she not heard a single whisper of Qiu Yanfu's return to the residence?
Caidie said, "It was more than a quarter of an hour ago." She knew that Yuxi had always hated Qiu Yanfu. Therefore, when she got this news, she hurried over to report it.
Yuxi frowned and ordered, "Go and ask, who took Qiu Yanfu back to the residence?" What Yuxi could be sure of was that it was definitely not Qiu Shi's idea. If it was, there was no way Yuxi wouldn't know about it. Then, the only person who could have brought Qiu Yanfu back was either Lu Xiu or Er Ge. Without making any guesses, it was definitely Er Ge who had brought Qiu Yanfu back.
For some reason, Yuxi was a little disappointed. For a man who had been calculated by Qiu Yanfu, even if he didn't kill her, he should have stayed away from her. But how long had it been? Er Ge still couldn't remember his lesson.
After quite a while, Caidie came back from outside and informed Yuxi, "Miss, I have found out that it was Er Nainai who brought Concubine Qiu back."
Yuxi felt that there must be something wrong with her ears. "What did you say? Did Er Sao really the one who brought Qiu Yanfu back?"
Caidie nodded and said, "The person who picked up Concubine Qiu and brought her back is Er Nainai's dowry servant, Old Woman Yu. There should be no mistake."
Yuxi said nothing further. If Han Jianye had brought Qiu Yanfu back, Yuxi would have said a few words. But since it was Lu Xiu's idea, she was not going to bother with it. Lu Xiu must have had her own plans for bringing Qiu Yanfu back. Yuxi only hoped that Lu Xiu could keep Qiu Yanfu under control and not get her eyes pecked out. Of course, even if Lu Xiu got poked in the eye, it was none of Yuxi business.
When Zisu found out, she couldn't help but ask Yuxi, "Miss, what exactly did Er Nainai think? How could she bring Concubine Qiu back?"
Yuxi smiled a little. "Only Er Sao knows about this." Lu Xiu did not know Qiu Yanfu's details and probably thought that Qiu Yanfu was only disliked by her Er Ge. So Lu Xiu had taken Qiu Yanfu back to set up her status. As for whether there were other reasons, Yuxi didn't want to waste her energy thinking about it.
Noob Translator's Musing
Er...if I'm not mistaken, Lu Xiu already knows about what happened between Han Jianye and Qiu Yanfu. Her mother already told her about it.
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The Rebirth of Han Yuxi