Tong Xiyan walked away without looking back.

At this moment, Nanny Qiu came out from inside: "Lord Han, please stay." Nanny Qiu smiled as she greeted him.

Han Cheng could only watch Tong Xiyan’s figure disappear.

"Lord Han, may we speak privately?" Nanny Qiu smiled warmly and extended her hand: "Please!"

Han Cheng nodded slightly, brushing his sleeve, and followed Nanny Qiu a few steps. Nanny Qiu smiled and said, "I am Nanny Qiu beside the First Young Madam. I want to ask Lord Han something on her behalf. If I offend, I hope you will forgive me."

Hearing that it was a message from Madam Jiang, Han Cheng immediately nodded: "Please speak."

Nanny Qiu nodded, still half-bowed with a respectful face, and slowly said, "Our First Young Madam said that if Lord Han truly wishes for this marriage, then she has only one request. As long as Lord Han can do it, the rest will be handled by our First Young Madam!"

Han Cheng’s eyes lit up, feeling somewhat excited: "Please tell me, I will do my utmost."

Nanny Qiu replied, "It’s actually not difficult." She paused and then said, "I heard that Madam Han’s ancestral home is in Taiyuan. Lord Han, why not send Madam Hong to Taiyuan? Taiyuan is a land of clear mountains and waters, a rich land of fish and rice. I’m sure Madam Hong can live comfortably there."

So it was still about this matter. Han Cheng hesitated slightly, "Must she be sent to Taiyuan?"

Nanny Qiu nodded: "Lord Han, it doesn’t have to be difficult. After all, Madam Hong is the younger sister of the late Madam Han... we might seem a bit heartless. Lord Han, I’ve delivered the message. You don’t need to say more. Our First Young Madam awaits your response within three days." With that, she took her leave respectfully.

Han Cheng frowned, thoughtfully looking at the closed courtyard door before absent-mindedly leaving the Tong Mansion.

On his way home, just as he entered the door, a maid came over: "Master, the concubine is packing her things, saying she wants to move back to the old house."

Han Cheng paused, and the maid continued, "The two sons are trying to persuade her, but the concubine insists on leaving. Master, please try to persuade her too."

"I’ll go take a look." Han Cheng clasped his hands behind his back and quickened his pace slightly. When he was about to reach the door, he heard the voices of his two sons inside and suddenly stopped, recalling Nanny Qiu’s words, hesitating slightly...

"You go in, see if there’s anything you can do to help." With that, he glanced deeply into the room and was about to leave.

The maid was taken aback and called out, "My lord." She seemed somewhat surprised.

Han Cheng was about to head out, not looking back, when suddenly Madam Hong lifted the curtain and came out: "Brother-in-law!" Her voice sounded pitiful and soft. Han Cheng turned to look at her and saw her eyes were red, tears hanging at the corners of her eyes. He nodded slightly and said, "The old house is already run-down. If you wish to move, let me send you back to Taiyuan."

Madam Hong was stunned, unable to hold back her tears, her gaze locked on Han Cheng’s face as she walked closer step by step. Han Cheng turned his gaze aside, unable to bear looking at her anymore.

"As brother-in-law wishes, I shall return to Taiyuan." With that, she bowed to Han Cheng: "I wish brother-in-law and the new madam a harmonious and long life together."

Han Cheng’s brow furrowed deeply. He sighed and said, "Thank you!" After a pause, he added: "When you return to Taiyuan, if you need anything, just send someone to tell me. Don’t let yourself suffer."

Madam Hong nodded in agreement, and just as Han Cheng was about to leave, she suddenly said: "Brother-in-law, the Fourth Miss isn’t angry with me, is she?" After a pause, she added derisively, "Come to think of it, she comes from a scholarly family, well-versed in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. How could she stoop to the level of a vulgar woman like me..." She shook her head sarcastically.

"Why speak like this." Han Cheng frowned: "She is not angry. Your statuses are unrelated. Don’t let your thoughts run wild."

Madam Hong nodded. At this time, the maids and servants in the courtyard had already retreated. She took a few steps closer and said: "Once I leave this time, I fear I won’t return to the Capital in this life. I earnestly ask brother-in-law, no matter how busy affairs are in the court, please do not neglect the two sons. They lost their mother at a young age, and now I’m leaving too. Besides brother-in-law, there will be no one else in this household who knows their needs..." She paused and looked at Han Cheng: "Though maids and servants care for them, there’s always a layer of difference since they are not close family. So, brother-in-law must look after them often, so these good children aren’t led astray." Not being close family can mean lack of care, indirectly hinting that a stepmother can’t avoid this implication.

Han Cheng did not speak, only nodding slightly. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Seeing no reaction from him, Madam Hong’s gaze shifted and she lowered her face, crying softly. At this time, two young men ran out of the house. One supported Madam Hong, glaring angrily at Han Cheng. The other knelt in front of Han Cheng: "Father, my brother and I lost our mother young. For years, auntie raised us, accompanied us in our studies, mended and washed our clothes, and managed household affairs efficiently." He paused, looking at Han Cheng resolutely: "We cannot do without auntie at home, and neither can my brother and I!"

Han Cheng looked at his eldest son, then at his youngest son, who was glaring at him with eyes full of alienation and anger. His brow furrowed slightly. The eldest son kneeling on the ground continued: "So, if father intends to send auntie away for the sake of bringing a new wife home, then send my brother and me away as well. The new wife might not like us. We three will make way for her, and if father and the new wife have another son in the future, my brother and I will never covet the family inheritance." After speaking, he kowtowed heavily to Han Cheng.

"Nonsense." Madam Hong hurried over, half-kneeling to hug him: "He is your father. How can you speak like this?" She then scolded him gently, "Quickly apologize to your father."

The two children were full of stubbornness. Madam Hong looked at Han Cheng with unease and fear: "Brother-in-law, they’re just children talking nonsense, please don’t be angry!"

Han Cheng’s hand at his side clenched into a tight fist, his deep gaze fixed on his two sons. Suddenly scenes from when their mother was alive flashed in his mind: the family sitting together cheerfully, not as cultured as others in poetry and elegance, yet they had their lively sparring and laughter... Then he remembered that one glimpse in the Governor Mansion’s courtyard, a woman unlike any he’d ever seen, as pure as a lotus out of water, delicate yet not weak. Looking at her made him feel three parts sober from drink, yet in that moment more deeply intoxicated, unable to forget since.

He thought it was an offense, a longing disgraceful, not knowing she was Fourth Miss Tong. He knew a little about her and Jiang Shilin. He was suddenly very glad they had separated, for it meant his longing was no longer shameful. For the first time, he felt ecstatic, happier than after winning a battle.

He endured two years of waiting for her mourning period to end... yet did not expect to end up in today’s predicament.

Unconsciously, a flush of anger appeared on his face.