Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1387 - 568: The Aftermath (Part 2)

An Zhichen has returned home; although he is still injured, the Emperor did not punish him, which proves the matter has been resolved. The Earl of Pingyang’s Mansion is instantly filled with joy.

The happiest of all are the three brothers, Brother Shengsheng, Brother Feifei, and Brother Xuxu. Seeing An Zhichen return alongside Yueyao, they rush over immediately. Brother Shengsheng has become steadier during this time, while Brother Feifei is always mature beyond his years, but Brother Xuxu is different—he throws himself onto An Zhichen and joyously calls out, "Father." Though An Zhichen hasn’t been back long, in the hearts of his three sons, he is like a towering mountain, making them admire him and feel at ease.

An Zhichen’s whole body is somewhat stiff, but he doesn’t push his sons away, merely pats Brother Xuxu’s shoulder and says, "Father is fine."

Tingzheng also breathes a sigh of relief. Although he knew his brother-in-law wouldn’t be in mortal danger this time, seeing An Zhichen return unharmed still fills him with joy.

An Zhichen had already heard from Yueyao on the road about everything that had happened at home. Knowing that Tingzheng had been helping safeguard the An Family these past few days, his expression relaxes quite a bit: "Hmm, let’s talk inside!" From this matter, it can be seen that although Tingzheng has a somewhat weak personality, his character is commendable.

Tingzheng looks at Yueyao’s harmonious family and then thinks about his own situation, his expression dark and somber. He is now really beginning to regret not listening to his sister back then; if he had listened to her and married Lady Zhang, things wouldn’t be as they are now.

Seeing Tingzheng’s exhausted look, Yueyao quickly says, "Are you tired? If you’re tired, go down to rest for a while!" Zhou Shu is gone, and An Zhichen has returned, the crisis has been resolved. There is no need for Tingzheng to be so fatigued anymore.

Tingzheng doesn’t refuse: "Sister, I’ll head back first. If anything comes up, have someone call for me." Now that his sister and brother-in-law have reunited as a family, he doesn’t want to intrude. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Yueyao nods, saying, "Go back and have a good rest." She really doesn’t want to deal with the affairs of the Lian family anymore. As An Zhichen said, to completely cut off the root, Madam Lin cannot remain. But Tingzheng is so fond of Madam Lin, she doesn’t want to be the evil person anymore.

After Tingzheng leaves, Yueyao says, "I’m going to bring Kexin back." Now that everything has been dealt with, it’s time to bring their daughter home.

After thinking for a moment, An Zhichen says, "Let’s wait a bit before going!" After saying this, An Zhichen calls out to his three sons and returns an hour later.

Yueyao is somewhat puzzled: "What did you talk about with the children? Why keep it from me?" Yueyao isn’t usually overly curious, but An Zhichen’s behavior is peculiar.

An Zhichen says, "I told them some things. If you want to hear it, I can tell you again."

Yueyao laughs, saying, "Keeping secrets—fine then, if you won’t say, it doesn’t matter. Alright, can we go fetch Kexin now?"

An Zhichen nods, "Let’s go now, take those three kids along too."

Arriving at the Marquis Jingning’s Residence, An Zhichen leads his three sons to meet Luo Shao, while Yueyao heads straight to the backyard to see Madam Ping.

Upon hearing the old nanny say Yueyao has arrived, Madam Ping has someone call for Kexin. Then she says to Yueyao, "You’ve lost quite a bit of weight, you need to nourish yourself well." After all, if Yueyao maintained her previous healthy complexion while her husband was imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, people might consider her heartless.

Yueyao nods, saying, "Yes, I’ve been nervous and frightened these past few days, unable to eat or sleep well. Thankfully, there was no real danger this time, otherwise, I wouldn’t know what to do."

Madam Ping comforts Yueyao with a few words. As they are speaking, Kexin arrives.

During her stay at the Marquis Jingning’s Residence, Kexin has won over Madam Ping. Generally speaking, well-mannered, sweet, and sensible little girls are very much liked by adults.

The two women chat for a while until the old nanny comes over to say An Zhichen is waiting in the front yard, prompting Yueyao to take her leave.

Kexin’s manners have been impeccable; even though she is delighted to see Yueyao coming to fetch her, she doesn’t display any inappropriate behavior. But once aboard the carriage, with no outsiders around, Kexin hugs Yueyao’s waist and says, "Mother." These days, Kexin has been busy copying scriptures and praying for her family.

Feeling sorry, Yueyao embraces Kexin and says, "It’s all over now, there won’t be any more situations like this in the future." Yueyao understands that if it were allowed, Kexin would rather stay at home; despite the fear and anxiety, at least she would be with her family.

In a soft voice, Kexin says, "I know." Seeing her father healthy just now made her feel relieved.

Yueyao’s family reunites joyfully, but the second branch of the Lian family is not so peaceful at this time.

After returning home, Tingzheng makes bold moves to uproot those whom Lin Qinghan had planted in the outer courtyard. Previously, he had merely moved out a few of them without being ruthless. This time is different; he directly sells them off, and not just them, but their entire families are sold.

Lin Qinghan gets the news and, in a fit of rage, storms into the front yard. Upon seeing Tingzheng, she demands, "What are you doing? Why are you selling my people?" Normally, a husband cannot manage his wife’s dowry, and these people were Lin Qinghan’s wedding attendants—her personal property. What Tingzheng is doing is morally questionable. Unfortunately, Lin Qinghan has crossed Tingzheng’s line this time; he can no longer consider her feelings. He knows clearly that if he doesn’t establish his authority now and lets Lin Qinghan continue, he doesn’t know what kind of trouble he will face in the future.

Tingzheng’s face is solemn; being questioned in front of so many subordinates leaves him no dignity as the head of the household. Tingzheng says, "I’ve told you before not to interfere with matters in the front yard. Do you take my words lightly?" The Chief Steward is the support and sometimes the representative of the head of the household; typically, the mistress of the house shows great respect for the Chief Steward. This respect is not borne out of fear, but as acknowledgment of the Chief Steward’s hard work. After all, managing so many things in the outer courtyard is indeed demanding.

Now, Lin Qinghan dares to imprison the Chief Steward, showing not only disregard for Tingzheng as the head of the household but also grave disrespect for Ah Si, the Chief Steward. If this insubordinate behavior isn’t quelled, the Lian family will truly descend into chaos.