Chapter 818 - 654: Does Grandmother Know?

Chapter 818: Chapter 654: Does Grandmother Know?

At that time, she was still a young lady and understood nothing of these matters, believing wholeheartedly she could be with the Liang Family every day again.

But later, the growing unhappiness of the Liang Family, even falling ill with a grave disease, made her feel endlessly guilty, though she was powerless to prevent it.

She bore resentment towards her eldest brother; he knew of father’s decision back then. Her brother was naturally cold-hearted, capable of making the same choice as father did, which didn’t surprise her.

Yet, her main reason for hating her brother was because of the Liang Family; it was her brother who drove the Liang Family to death.

If not for her brother’s fondness for flitting among the flowers, how would the Liang Family have become chronically unhappy, to the point of eventually passing away?

Only after she got married did she understand a woman’s plight, but by then, she could no longer frequently return to her maternal home to console the Liang Family.

"These people are all cold-hearted; aside from themselves, they can’t hold anyone else in their hearts."

Mrs. Yao sighed deeply, thoroughly disappointed in those closest to her.

"Aunt! Grandmother wouldn’t have known about that matter, right?" Yao Mengxian suddenly asked, tearing open the scar Mrs. Yao had already formed.

Mrs. Yao understood Mengxian’s meaning; back when father wanted to poison her, did her mother know?

She would never forget, on that day, her mother stood by her bedside, eyes full of sorrow, as if weeping desperately.

But in her mother’s eyes, she also saw resolve and guilt; her mother must have known.

Mrs. Yao fell silent, not speaking for a long time!

Yao Mengxian regretted it the moment she spoke, realizing there was no need to ask that question.

Given Grandmother’s nature, she might have been even more selfish and cold-hearted than Grandfather.

"Aunt! Why did you return to the Capital with Uncle this time? If seen by someone with an agenda, wouldn’t that cause trouble?"

Yao Mengxian quickly changed the topic, but her question was not groundless.

Mrs. Yao was married into the Xue Family; even if they had separated and she returned to Duke Zhen’s Mansion, it couldn’t erase the fact that she was once part of the Xue Family.

Moreover, in those years, Duke Zhen’s Mansion declared outside that Mrs. Yao had committed suicide. Now, seeing her reappear in the Capital might cause an uproar.

There were many in the Capital who knew Mrs. Yao, and even after so many years, her appearance had changed little. Even at first glance, Mrs. Gao recognized her.

"Leaving the Capital back then was very hurried, I wanted to see the place I lived for more than twenty years once more in my lifetime."

Was that truly Mrs. Yao’s intention? Perhaps she had other thoughts in her heart?

Growing old, she feared loneliness and sometimes felt isolated, often reminiscing about raising her children. So when Gu Chengyu arrived in the Capital, the idea sprouted to take a look back.

In truth, part of her return was also to revisit the Duke Mansion; back then, the Liang Family saved her life. Knowing their health wasn’t good, she wished to see them once more in her life.

Unfortunately, she came too late, the Liang Family had already passed.

"Yes! Great Aunt should be careful not to let those old acquaintances see you."

Who could tell if the Emperor still held a grudge about the past? If word of Mrs. Yao’s presence in the Capital reached the Emperor’s ears, who knows how the elders would deal with Great Aunt?

"I’ve been in the Capital for some time, mostly staying at home, rarely going out. Today, it was just because Chichi’s wife was overwhelmed that I came to help at the clinic."

Saying this, Mrs. Yao recalled Doctor Li’s earlier reaction.

"What matter brought you to find your husband? I heard Mrs. Gao say it was Xian’s health?"

Mrs. Yao temporarily put aside her thoughts about Doctor Li and inquired about Yao Mengxian’s health.

Upon this topic, Mrs. Gao’s anger flared.

"Great Aunt, you have no idea, ever since the master married the current stepmother, the girl’s days have been increasingly difficult."

Yao Mengxian frowned, hastily interjecting, "It’s really nothing, just caught a cold!"

Yao Mengxian didn’t want her aunt to worry, knowing that her aunt’s current life seemed only comfortably prosperous. Her aunt had lost her former status and couldn’t even return to her old family home.

Explaining her situation would only bring sadness and anxiety to her aunt!

"What’s truly going on? How could a legitimate daughter of the Duke Mansion’s main family come to this newly-opened clinic?"

Mrs. Yao wasn’t foolish; remembering Mrs. Gao’s mention of the stepmother, she asked again, "Is your stepmother treating you badly?"

"Aunt, don’t worry, Grandfather treats me well, and my maternal family often hosts me at the Liang Mansion, so life isn’t too bad."

Knowing it was futile to hide, Yao Mengxian didn’t mention the stepmother, only saying life was bearable.

Mrs. Yao understood when her niece didn’t mention her father.

She sighed deeply; with no status now, what could she do to help her struggling niece?

"Child, you’ve suffered!" Mrs. Yao patted Yao Mengxian’s hand, thinking once her niece was betrothed and left the Duke Mansion, her days might become better.

Yao Mengxian, as the legitimate daughter of the main family, couldn’t possibly be married off poorly by the Duke for the sake of family alliances.

As a senior, the stepmother held power within the Duke Mansion, leaving her niece at a disadvantage. Once married, she would be free from that woman’s control.

This world is such that women can only live by relying on men.

"I know your grandfather’s nature. When you marry, you needn’t worry about the dowry. He cares about face and won’t let the entire Capital gossip about him. Once married, tightly holding your dowry, life can be comfortable. But don’t trust the sweet talk of those noble sons; keep your heart open and live your life well."

Mrs. Yao thought of the Liang Family, realizing many noble sons have such indulgent natures, especially her brother.

For example, after entering the Xue Mansion, in the third year, her mother-in-law gave Xue Shiqian two concubines, not to mention those lesser concubines.

"Has the family arranged a marriage for you?" Mrs. Yao asked about Yao Mengxian’s marriage, worried the stepmother might interfere in her niece’s arrangements.

"Not yet!" Yao Mengxian blushed, lowering her head in embarrassment.

Mrs. Yao’s heart sank; without a match, the potential for change was great.

"The girl is still young, just thirteen." Afraid Mrs. Yao didn’t know the girl’s age, Mrs. Gao chimed in.

"Thirteen isn’t young; if you don’t start early, by her coming-of-age, how can you find anything suitable? Good suitors will have been taken."

"Aunt! Is this clinic opened by Uncle?" Yao Mengxian, being shy, wanted to avoid discussing her marriage further.

"It was opened by your Uncle’s disciple; Chichi’s younger brother is an official in the Capital, so he came for a livelihood, opening this clinic. If you encounter difficulties in the future, come to this clinic; I’ll instruct Chichi to help in any way he can."