Chapter 417: Finalized
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Even if Qi Feng was Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoranâs father, he could not stop everyone at this moment. Qi Shan opened the ancestral hall and found the genealogical tree after praying. Fan Zijin immediately took out the wrapped marriage contract.
Qi Yong took the initiative to take it and wrote Mu Yanglingâs name beside Qi Haoranâs. When Fan Zijin saw this, he heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly took out the other marriage contract in his arms. âFourth Great-Uncle, this is Eldest Cousinâs marriage contract. Please write Eldest Cousin-in-lawâs name too.â Qi Yong glanced at him and then at Qi Shan. The latter nodded slightly. Since they were already married and furthermore, the girl was from the Li family of Longxi, the Qi family couldnât very well go back on their word.
Qi Yong wrote down Li Jinghuaâs name.
Fan Zijin finally felt relieved.
He immediately expressed that he wanted to treat everyone to a meal at the best restaurant in Linâan Prefecture. Qi Shan looked at him and waved his hand. âSince you came here immediately, Iâm guessing you havenât gone home yet, right? You should go back first. Weâll talk about it in two days.â Fan Zijin immediately indicated that he had booked a private room, and everyone just had to go. Even if he couldnât be there personally, he would treat everyone to good food and drinks. Two days later, he would come over again to invite everyone to a gathering and tell everyone about the situation in Jingzhao Prefecture in detail.
The Qi clan praised Fan Zijinâs sensibility. After sending Fan Zijin away, the Qi clan could settle their own business behind closed doors. Displaying the dignity of a patriarch, Qi Shan said, âSecond Brother, since Xiuyuan and Haoranâs marriage has been decided, itâs best if you donât cause trouble. Although theyâre your sons, this concerns the Qi clanâs reputation. As long as Iâm still around, the Qi clan will never become in-laws with the Qin family. If youâre stubborn, then separate from the Qi clan. Our Qi clan canât afford to lose face.â
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Qi Feng looked at Qi Shan gloomily and sneered. âIf you still have this much backbone after His Majesty speaks, Iâll admire you.â
After saying that, Qi Feng left angrily. Everything he had planned previously was ruined at this moment.
He had already been a fourth-grade official for nearly ten years. His son was already a second-grade official while he was still a fourth-grade official. If he could become in-laws with Minister Qin, it would not be a problem for him to move up a little. However, now, it was all ruined by those two unfilial sons and Fan Zijin.
Now, Qi Fengâs headache was how to explain things to the Emperor and Minister Qin.
Soon, Qi Feng didnât have to worry about this because Fan Zijin had settled it for him. As soon as he left the Qi residence, Fan Zijin hurriedly ran home. The first thing he did was not to see his mother, let alone his father. Instead, he called his motherâs maid over and instructed, âSpread the news that Eldest Young Master Zijin is seriously injured and in a coma. Tell everyone that Fourth Young Master is getting married to flush away the bad luck. When I wake up tomorrow, I want to see that all officials and nobles above the fifth-grade know about this.â
After Fan Zijin finished making the arrangements, his mother showed up. When Madam Xia saw her son, she was stunned for a moment before tears flowed out. She went forward and hugged him. âZijin, why are you so thin? How much pain have you suffered?â
Fan Zijin pushed his mother away impatiently and said, âI didnât suffer much. Iâm just tired from the journey. Mother, arrange for the people I brought back. Iâll go and rest first.â freew(e)bnove(l)
Sensing her sonâs estrangement, Madam Xiaâs heart ached. She hurriedly said, âYes, you should rest. Go wash up first. Iâll get the kitchen to prepare some food for you.â
Fan Zijin nodded, but he fell asleep while showering. The servant could only get help to carry him out, wipe him clean, help him put on clothes, before stuffing him under the blanket. Madam Xiaâs heart ached even more when she saw how tired her son was. She looked at his haggard appearance and cried for a while before turning around to look for Yanmo for questioning.
Yanmo naturally couldnât tell Madam Xia the truth. He only said that Qi Xiuyuan was seriously ill and that Qi Haoran was taking care of him in Jingzhao Prefecture while Young Master Zijin was back to help with the genealogical tree.
Shocked to hear that Qi Xiuyuan was in such a critical condition, Madam Xia hurriedly asked, âHowâs Young Master Xiuyuan now?â
Yanmo lowered his eyes and said, âHeâs still unconscious.
Stunned, Madam Xia sat there in a daze.
Fan Siwen was stopped by his son the moment he returned. Fan Zixiao shrunk his neck and said, âFather, Second Brother is back.â
Fan Siwen frowned and looked at him resentfully. âJialueO, although youâre the son of a concubine, youâre still the eldest brother. Look at you now. If your younger brother comes back, so be it. Do you think heâll eat you up? Raise your head and stand up straight.â
Fan Zixiao immediately raised his head and puffed out his chest. Only then was Fan Siwen satisfied. He waved his hand and said, âAlright, go ahead. Iâll go see that unfilial son.â
Unfortunately, his unfilial son had fallen asleep. Fan Siwen only found out when he reached Madam Xiaâs courtyard. He wanted to turn around and leave, but he was too embarrassed to do so, so he could only sit down and eat with his wife.
However, he did not face Madam Xia with a good attitude. In his opinion, it was already unfilial of his son not to come and greet him immediately upon his return. Instead, he was lying on the bed and sleeping soundly.
Seeing that her husband only asked about her son and did not ask anything else, Madam Xiaâs heart turned cold. She looked at her husbandâs face dazedly, but her mind kept replaying her sonâs estrangement and rejection.
What was the point of competing with each other for so many years?
Fan Siwen frowned as he looked at his wife. Seeing that she was staring at him, he snapped angrily, âIf you have something to say, just say it. Why are you looking at me like that?â
Madam Xia suddenly smiled and shook her head. âIâm fine. If Master is full, go to the West Wing. Iâm tired today and donât have time to serve you.
Fan Siwenâs brows creased. This was the first time in his life that he had heard Madam Xia push him to the West Wing. However, he didnât think too much about it. Since Madam Xia had spoken, there was no need for him to stay here for long. He got up and headed to the West Wing.
Madam Xia watched him leave in a daze.
The next day, Fan Siwen flew into a rage and came to look for Madam Xia. âLet me ask you, who asked you to spread those rumors? Now, itâs all over the city. Even His Majesty has asked about it.â
Madam Xia looked up at him and asked, âWhat gossip did I spread?â
âYou still donât want to admit it? Didnât you ask your maid to spread the news that Xiuyuan was critically ill and wanted Haoran to marry in order to flush away the bad luck? By the way, when was Xiuyuan critically ill? Why didnât I know about this?â novelbuddy.c(o)m
Fan Zijin happened to walk in from outside and said, âI got someone to spread this news.â He sized up his father and nodded. âI havenât seen you in five years, but youâre still as strong as ever.â
He sat on the chair casually and poured himself a cup of tea. âDonât blame Mother. She doesnât know at all. She must have been busy serving you and worrying about me yesterday.â
Having not seen him for five years, Fan Siwen suddenly saw that Fan Zijin had grown up. For a moment, his thoughts were in turmoil. When he came back to his senses and registered his words, he snapped angrily, âWhat did you learn outside? You actually learned how to gossip!â
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