Chapter 605 - 571: I Will Never Take Another Concubine (First Update)

Chapter 605: Chapter 571: I Will Never Take Another Concubine (First Update)

Tang Yuan didn’t know whether Jiang Qingyu was telling the truth or deliberately trying to disgust him at the last moment, but undeniably, his mood was indeed affected, and now looking at his little nephew, he couldn’t help but have more thoughts in his mind.

Seeing the little nephew crying uncontrollably, Tang Yuan suddenly said, "Your second aunt knows where your mother is. Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to find her, okay?"

Hearing this, Tang Yong nodded with tearful hiccups.

Tang Yuan had someone take Young Master Yong back to his room, and he himself followed Mrs. Qiao to the main courtyard.

Once seated, Mrs. Qiao’s face was solemn, "Your father is being cornered by your uncles and brothers right now. They demand an explanation from us. Second child, what do you think we should do about this?"

"Mother, this is all just a misunderstanding." Tang Yuan started recounting what he had said in court, "I never intended to take Mrs. Jiang as a concubine. That old nanny of elder brother’s didn’t die. She found me privately and told me about Mrs. Jiang’s crimes. To lure her out and ensure her imprisonment, I had to pretend to agree to bring her into our household, then catch her off guard, otherwise, with Jiang’s cunning nature, if I reported her to the government, she would have run off to the countryside, and then how could I avenge my elder brother?"

"Is what you’re saying true?" Mrs. Qiao looked completely shocked, utterly surprised by the unexpected turn of events.

Seeing the skepticism in Mrs. Qiao’s eyes, Tang Yuan continued to explain, "I was indeed angry back then about my brother snatching away the woman who was originally meant for me, but we’re blood relatives, our bones are connected. How could I kill my own brother? Even if I did kill him, would I sacrifice my own reputation just to get revenge for him?"

Mrs. Qiao had just stepped out and heard all kinds of unspeakable slanders against the Tang Family and Tang Yuan, and she never anticipated the situation would get so severe. Naturally, she wished to quell these rumors as soon as possible; otherwise, after such a tumultuous incident, the Tang Family’s century-long reputation would be destroyed, and how would future Tang descendants maintain their standing in the Capital?

After much thought, Mrs. Qiao said, "Tomorrow morning, I’ll ask your father to open the ancestral hall, and you must explain everything clearly to all the clan members to prevent them from causing more trouble."

"Let’s hold off on that for now." Tang Yuan thought of Xu Jia’s resoluteness and felt as if his heart was being pricked by needles, "I’ll invite the second lady back and have her stand with me, which would be more convincing."

No matter whether Jiang Qingyu’s incident was masterminded by the Xu Family or not, at this crucial moment, he and the Xu Family couldn’t be estranged, otherwise, that Divorce Letter would make it impossible for him to raise his head in public for the rest of his life.

As long as the Xu Family was willing to return to the Tang Family, the matter could be explained as a mere quarrel between a couple, gradually diminishing its severity, and as time passed, the rumors would naturally fade.

In the blink of an eye, Tang Yuan had already made perfect plans for his future.

Speaking about Xu Jia, Mrs. Qiao frowned deeply, "Your wife doesn’t show any respect for the Tang Family, talking about divorcing her husband—is she joking?"

Tang Yuan defended, "Mother, she’s just upset with me; it’s not as serious as you say. I’ll go to the Marquis Mansion tomorrow to bring her back and have her apologize to you then."

Hearing this, Mrs. Qiao’s expression finally relaxed a bit.

Tang Yuan, seriously injured and ill, fainted shortly after returning to his room. The servants hurriedly fetched a doctor, who prescribed medicine to reduce heat and alleviate symptoms.

By the next morning, Tang Yuan’s condition improved. His fever subsided, and his facial swelling reduced significantly, leaving only a few bruises.

Despite the unresolved situation, he didn’t care about his appearance. He changed into clean robes and took Tang Yong to the Western Marquis Mansion.

This time, Tang Yuan didn’t get out of the carriage and instructed the driver to carry Tang Yong out, then told his little nephew, "Ahead is your second aunt’s house. Just go and find her."

Tang Yong ran with his small legs to the front gate, holding onto one of the doorkeeper’s legs tightly, tears welling in his eyes, "I want to find my second aunt, I want to find my second aunt..."

The doorkeeper looked puzzled, "Who are you?"

The little one didn’t answer, still clinging onto him, craning his neck, "Give me back my second aunt..."

One of them said, "Could it be the young master from the Tang Family?"

"Quick, go inside and inform the lady, tell her the young master from the Tang Family is here."

...

A quarter of an hour later, Xu Jia came out from the side door and saw Tang Yong standing not far away, dressed in a thick quilted coat and pants, wearing a little hat. Seeing her, he ran over desperately, leaping into Xu Jia’s arms, calling endearingly, "Second Aunt~"

As strong-willed as Xu Jia was, facing such a pitiful child who lost his parents, her heart couldn’t help but feel some tenderness, and her expression softened accordingly.

She reached out to touch his frozen little face, asking, "Are you here alone?"

"Second Uncle brought me here."

This must have been Tang Yuan’s intention.

As for his purpose, it was likely because he thought she would have to overlook the Divorce Letter and return to the Tang Family for Tang Yong’s sake.

Xu Jia glanced at the carriage parked not far away, quickly withdrew her gaze, and focused her attention on Tang Yong, "Why are you looking for me?"

Upon hearing this, the little child pursed his lips and lifted his head, "Aunt, many people scolded me yesterday. They said I’m a child that no one wants and without parents. But I have a mother, I have a mother, she’s just temporarily missing."

He began to cry as he spoke.

Xu Jia remained silent.

The little child sniffled and lightly shook her arm with his hand, "Second aunt, do you still want Yongyong?"

"Of course I do, definitely." Xu Jia smiled, "Go call your uncle, and tell him I invite him for tea."

"Alright~" Tang Yong quickly ran to the side of the carriage and said to the person inside, "Uncle, aunt invites you inside for tea."

In the carriage, Tang Yuan, who was concentrating and straining to hear the noise outside, had his eyelids twitch suddenly. He lifted the curtain to look at Tang Yong, "Did your aunt really say that?"

"Yes."

Seeing the little child nodding vigorously, Tang Yuan glanced nervously towards the side door, happening to meet Xu Jia’s gaze.

Tang Yuan quickly shifted his gaze back, coughed lightly twice, and asked again, "Did she say anything else?"

"Nothing else."

Tang Yuan showed hesitation on his brow.

This time, he indeed intended to use Tang Yong to invite Xu Jia back, but facing Xu Jia made him somewhat timid.

That woman always acted unexpectedly. She would even do such a thing as divorcing him in public, making him fear being humiliated again if he approached her.

But thinking of his current situation, Tang Yuan had no choice but to toughen up and get off the carriage.

Holding his little nephew’s hand, he slowly walked towards Xu Jia, his eyes dodging, never daring to meet hers.

"You’re here?" Xu Jia’s tone was indifferent, "Please, come inside."

Yesterday, she was unwilling to let him step inside the door, but today, she politely invited him in, making Tang Yuan feel something was amiss, though he couldn’t pinpoint what. He could only follow behind Xu Jia through the side door directly to the front hall.

Marquis Zhenxi, Marchioness, Xu Shu, and Song Fang were already waiting inside.

Seeing this lineup, Tang Yuan’s heart raced.

He released his little nephew and bowed to Xu Guangfu and Mrs. Xu, "Son-in-law greets father-in-law, mother-in-law, and elder brother and sister-in-law."

Xu Guangfu looked at him, "Second Young Master Tang, have a seat."

The way he addressed him directly showed his stance.

Tang Yuan managed to force a smile, sitting to the side.

Only after the maid served him tea did Xu Guangfu say, "My daughter’s temperament is fierce and she acts recklessly. What happened yesterday outside the main gate, the thing with the divorce letter, was really a ridiculous affair. Don’t take it to heart, Second Young Master Tang. Her mother and I have already scolded her in private."

These words warmed Tang Yuan’s heart, "Father-in-law, you are too kind. When Second Madam was at home, she often joked with me. What happened yesterday, she was just angry at the moment, not intentional. I understand and won’t hold it against her."

"It’s good that you don’t hold it against her." Xu Guangfu said, and then changed the topic, "Next, I, as the father-in-law, have to seriously discuss with you."

Listening to this, Tang Yuan’s smile faded a bit.

"My daughter entered the Tang Family for a month, you ignored her, fine. But when the fire started in the main courtyard, you didn’t even check, directly blaming her. Isn’t that dereliction as a husband?"

"It’s all my fault for not investigating properly." Tang Yuan’s attitude was sincere, "I wronged her, and once I return, I will sincerely apologize."

Xu Guangfu sipped tea and continued, "My daughter joined your family only just over a month ago, and you, without even consulting with her, decided to take a concubine. Isn’t that humiliating her?"

"No." Tang Yuan defended himself, "Father-in-law, I have already explained on the magistrate’s court. It’s not like that. The matter of taking a concubine was just a ploy to lure Mrs. Jiang into a trap so she could be captured by the government. I had no intention of taking a concubine. Second Madam is good. Marrying her is a blessing in my life. How could I not want such a good wife and go for another, another... In general, it’s my fault for not discussing this matter with Second Madam beforehand, but my intention was not to indulge in lust. Now, Mrs. Jiang has been proven to have deliberately harmed my brother years ago, which is precisely the result I achieved by risking public condemnation. Please, father-in-law, trust me. This lifetime, aside from my legitimate wife, I will not take a concubine."