1307: Chapter 1307: Xia Family (1) 1307: Chapter 1307: Xia Family (1) Actually, when Madam Ling was chatting with Dong Wenxiu before, she had mentioned some affairs of the Dong Family in detail, but Yang Ruxin, who was busy organizing the household, hadnât listened attentively.
Moreover, Dong Wenxiu couldnât remember so many people; therefore, she only ended up knowing a bit about the clan members and relatives to whom she needed to bring gifts.
She wasnât too familiar with the rest.
Had it not been for the discovery that someone had poisoned the herbal medicine, she wouldnât have been interested in knowing much either.
Madam Ling was old and enjoyed talking to others, but since the young lady wasnât feeling well, she couldnât keep holding her in conversation.
Seeing Yang Ruxin approach, she naturally became delighted and started to talk incessantly about everything she knew regarding the Dong Familyâs matters once again.
She gave a very detailed recount this timeâhow many servants there were in the household, who worked well, who was gossipy and loved taking small advantages, who was trusted by whom, and so forth.
She also spoke about the conditions in the households of old grandpaâs paternal cousin and another illegitimate younger brother.
âXia Wenzheng?â Yang Ruxin noticed this man among the many servants.
âHas he always worked for the Dong Family?â
âThe Xia Family is a distant relative.
This Xia Wenzheng is the son of the old madamâs half-sister,â Madam Ling smiled.
âOriginally, the Xia Family was also quite prestigious, but unfortunately, Old Master Xia was too aggressive, leading to the downfall of their grand household.
The old auntie then brought her son to seek refuge with the old madam, who, being softhearted, took them inâand that has been for twenty yearsâŠâ
Yang Ruxin nodded.
âXia Wenzheng is good-looking and diligent, and he is also educated.
Over the years, he has indeed helped the master a great deal, so the Dong Family has always valued him greatlyâŠ
He has two sons and a daughter.
The elder son is married and manages the Mulberry Garden, the younger son isnât married yet but has already become a Scholar, and next year, he plans to take the imperial examinations.
The master once thought about adopting him, but later, for some reason, he gave up the ideaâŠ
His daughter, Xia Zi, married a Manager at the Dyeing Store, had a son earlier this year, but unfortunately, the child didnât survive, passing away in January.
Distressed, the Manager drowned his sorrows with alcohol and ended up drowningâŠâ
Yang Ruxin nodded slightly, âNow, tell me about my cousin.â
âThe young Miss is actually quite pitiable, but fortunately, the husband she found treats her well,â Madam Ling smirked contentedly.
âItâs just unfortunate that they havenât had any children.
However, the son-in-law did say if they really canât have any of their own, adopting a child would also be okayâŠâ
âAdopt?
Does uncle agree?â
âWell, when the young Miss was younger, the matter wasnât settled.
But now that sheâs grown older and still hasnât conceived, sheâs agreedâŠâ Madam Ling smiled again.
âHowever, they havenât decided on someone yet.
Most kids in the clan are too old.
They are looking for a child under one year of age so that it would be easier to form a deeper emotional bond.
When I was leaving, I heard there was some progress, and there was a family with many children who couldnât afford to raise them allâŠâ
âOf course, if the young Miss doesnât have an appropriate child to adopt, the master would probably adopt a son himself, otherwise, how would the vast family business be managed?
But the master has never agreed to thisâŠâ Suddenly, Madam Ling laughed, âBut now, itâs all sorted out, as the young Miss has been found, and the Dong Family has gained another heirâŠ
Before the old madam passed away, she left word that there would always be a wedding dowry for the young Miss.
Old Grandpa even said this time, half of everything the Dong Family owns should be handed over to the young MissâŠâ