Chapter 417: Finalized
Editor: Atlas Studios
Even if Qi Feng was Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoran’s father, he could not stop everyone at this moment. Qi Shan opened the ancestral hall and found the genealogical tree after praying. Fan Zijin immediately took out the wrapped marriage contract.
Qi Yong took the initiative to take it and wrote Mu Yangling’s name beside Qi Haoran’s. When Fan Zijin saw this, he heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly took out the other marriage contract in his arms. “Fourth Great-Uncle, this is Eldest Cousin’s marriage contract. Please write Eldest Cousin-in-law’s name too.”
Qi Yong glanced at him and then at Qi Shan. The latter nodded slightly. Since they were already married and furthermore, the girl was from the Li family of Longxi, the Qi family couldn’t very well go back on their word.
Qi Yong wrote down Li Jinghua’s name.
Fan Zijin finally felt relieved.
He immediately expressed that he wanted to treat everyone to a meal at the best restaurant in Lin’an Prefecture. Qi Shan looked at him and waved his hand. “Since you came here immediately, I’m guessing you haven’t gone home yet, right? You should go back first. We’ll talk about it in two days.”
Fan Zijin immediately indicated that he had booked a private room, and everyone just had to go. Even if he couldn’t be there personally, he would treat everyone to good food and drinks. Two days later, he would come over again to invite everyone to a gathering and tell everyone about the situation in Jingzhao Prefecture in detail.
The Qi clan praised Fan Zijin’s sensibility. After sending Fan Zijin away, the Qi clan could settle their own business behind closed doors. Displaying the dignity of a patriarch, Qi Shan said, “Second Brother, since Xiuyuan and Haoran’s marriage has been decided, it’s best if you don’t cause trouble. Although they’re your sons, this concerns the Qi clan’s reputation. As long as I’m still around, the Qi clan will never become in-laws with the Qin family. If you’re stubborn, then separate from the Qi clan. Our Qi clan can’t afford to lose face.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Qi Feng looked at Qi Shan gloomily and sneered. “If you still have this much backbone after His Majesty speaks, I’ll admire you.”
After saying that, Qi Feng left angrily. Everything he had planned previously was ruined at this moment.
He had already been a fourth-grade official for nearly ten years. His son was already a second-grade official while he was still a fourth-grade official. If he could become in-laws with Minister Qin, it would not be a problem for him to move up a little. However, now, it was all ruined by those two unfilial sons and Fan Zijin.
Now, Qi Feng’s headache was how to explain things to the Emperor and Minister Qin.
Soon, Qi Feng didn’t have to worry about this because Fan Zijin had settled it for him. As soon as he left the Qi Residence, Fan Zijin hurriedly ran home. The first thing he did was not to see his mother, let alone his father. Instead, he called his mother’s maid over and instructed, “Spread the news that Eldest Young Master Zijin is seriously injured and in a coma. Tell everyone that Fourth Young Master is getting married to flush away the bad luck. When I wake up tomorrow, I want to see that all officials and nobles above the fifth-grade know about this.”
After Fan Zijin finished making the arrangements, his mother showed up. When Madam Xia saw her son, she was stunned for a moment before tears flowed out. She went forward and hugged him. “Zijin, why are you so thin? How much pain have you suffered?”
Fan Zijin pushed his mother away impatiently and said, “I didn’t suffer much. I’m just tired from the journey. Mother, arrange for the people I brought back. I’ll go and rest first.”
Sensing her son’s estrangement, Madam Xia’s heart ached. She hurriedly said, “Yes, you should rest. Go wash up first. I’ll get the kitchen to prepare some food for you.”
Fan Zijin nodded, but he fell asleep while showering. The servant could only get help to carry him out, wipe him clean, help him put on clothes, before stuffing him under the blanket. Madam Xia’s heart ached even more when she saw how tired her son was. She looked at his haggard appearance and cried for a while before turning around to look for Yanmo for questioning.
Yanmo naturally couldn’t tell Madam Xia the truth. He only said that Qi Xiuyuan was seriously ill and that Qi Haoran was taking care of him in Jingzhao Prefecture while Young Master Zijin was back to help with the genealogical tree.
Shocked to hear that Qi Xiuyuan was in such a critical condition, Madam Xia hurriedly asked, “How’s Young Master Xiuyuan now?”
Yanmo lowered his eyes and said, “He’s still unconscious.”
Stunned, Madam Xia sat there in a daze.
Fan Siwen was stopped by his son the moment he returned. Fan Zixiao shrunk his neck and said, “Father, Second Brother is back.”
Fan Siwen frowned and looked at him resentfully. “Jialue1, although you’re the son of a concubine, you’re still the eldest brother. Look at you now. If your younger brother comes back, so be it. Do you think he’ll eat you up? Raise your head and stand up straight.”
Fan Zixiao immediately raised his head and puffed out his chest. Only then was Fan Siwen satisfied. He waved his hand and said, “Alright, go ahead. I’ll go see that unfilial son.”
Unfortunately, his unfilial son had fallen asleep. Fan Siwen only found out when he reached Madam Xia’s courtyard. He wanted to turn around and leave, but he was too embarrassed to do so, so he could only sit down and eat with his wife.
However, he did not face Madam Xia with a good attitude. In his opinion, it was already unfilial of his son not to come and greet him immediately upon his return. Instead, he was lying on the bed and sleeping soundly.
Seeing that her husband only asked about her son and did not ask anything else, Madam Xia’s heart turned cold. She looked at her husband’s face dazedly, but her mind kept replaying her son’s estrangement and rejection.
What was the point of competing with each other for so many years?
Fan Siwen frowned as he looked at his wife. Seeing that she was staring at him, he snapped angrily, “If you have something to say, just say it. Why are you looking at me like that?”
Madam Xia suddenly smiled and shook her head. “I’m fine. If Master is full, go to the West Wing. I’m tired today and don’t have time to serve you.”
Fan Siwen’s brows creased. This was the first time in his life that he had heard Madam Xia push him to the West Wing. However, he didn’t think too much about it. Since Madam Xia had spoken, there was no need for him to stay here for long. He got up and headed to the West Wing.
Madam Xia watched him leave in a daze.
The next day, Fan Siwen flew into a rage and came to look for Madam Xia. “Let me ask you, who asked you to spread those rumors? Now, it’s all over the city. Even His Majesty has asked about it.”
Madam Xia looked up at him and asked, “What gossip did I spread?”
“You still don’t want to admit it? Didn’t you ask your maid to spread the news that Xiuyuan was critically ill and wanted Haoran to marry in order to flush away the bad luck? By the way, when was Xiuyuan critically ill? Why didn’t I know about this?”
Fan Zijin happened to walk in from outside and said, “I got someone to spread this news.” He sized up his father and nodded. “I haven’t seen you in five years, but you’re still as strong as ever.”
He sat on the chair casually and poured himself a cup of tea. “Don’t blame Mother. She doesn’t know at all. She must have been busy serving you and worrying about me yesterday.”
Having not seen him for five years, Fan Siwen suddenly saw that Fan Zijin had grown up. For a moment, his thoughts were in turmoil. When he came back to his senses and registered his words, he snapped angrily, “What did you learn outside? You actually learned how to gossip!”