BDSMST -Chapter 50 The Old Marquis’s Decision

After staying at the estate for two more days, the old marquis and his wife finally prepared to return to the capital.

During those two days, the old marquis had walked through nearly every corner of the estate, inside and out. Each morning he rose with Gu Xuan and the others, watching their morning drills, observing their lessons, and following them into the fields. He had even taken a keen interest in learning bookkeeping from Shen Qinghe for half a day.

His leg truly improved day by day. At first, he could merely move about with ease. Later, he was even able to walk along the small path behind the hill with Gu Xuan for nearly half an hour without feeling the slightest soreness.

This physical transformation was the most direct—and the most convincing—proof of all.

On the morning of their departure, the sky had only just begun to lighten.

Without alerting anyone, the old marquis leaned on his cane and went alone to Jiang Suisui’s courtyard gate.

The gate was slightly ajar, faint lamplight glowing from within.

He gently pushed it open and saw Jiang Suisui seated at the stone table in the courtyard, sketching something on paper by the light of an oil lamp. Her expression was focused; she did not even notice his approach.

“Ahem.” The old marquis gave a soft cough.

Jiang Suisui looked up, surprised to see him, but quickly stood. “Father, you’re up so early?”

“Couldn’t sleep. Came out for a walk.” His gaze fell upon the drawings spread across the stone table.

They depicted a peculiar architectural structure, accompanied by numerous annotations he could not understand.

“What is this?”

“A greenhouse,” Jiang Suisui explained. “Once winter arrives and the ground freezes, most vegetables can no longer grow. I plan to build a warm shed like this—using earthen walls and straw mats for insulation, then covering it with translucent oiled paper to let in light. That way, even in the coldest months, the estate will still have fresh vegetables.”

As he listened, the old marquis’s eyes grew thoughtful.

This woman’s mind seemed to brim endlessly with novel ideas—and she always found ways to turn them into reality.

He sat down on the stone bench. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“When I came this time, I had intended—no matter what—to bring Xuan’er back to the capital.”

Jiang Suisui did not interrupt. She simply listened quietly.

“The legitimate eldest grandson of the Yongning Marquis Manor, farming and raising pigs in the countryside—what kind of decorum is that? That was my original thinking,” he continued. “But now, I’ve changed my mind.”

He lifted his head, looking at her with a steady, burning gaze.

“Here, Xuan’er is better than anywhere in the capital. What he learns here cannot be taught by any grand tutor or found in any classic text. And the smile on his face—I have never once seen it in the capital.”

“And as for this leg of mine,” he added, patting his knee, “I followed the army for half my life and have been plagued by this chronic ailment ever since. I’ve consulted countless famous physicians and taken countless rare medicines, yet merely prolonged my suffering. But here, in just a few short days, I feel as though I’ve been reborn.”

He paused, his tone turning solemn.

“Jiang, in the past, this family wronged you. Your mother and I both misjudged you.”

In over sixty years of life, this was the first time the old marquis had so formally admitted fault to a junior.

Jiang Suisui’s heart stirred slightly. She could hear the sincerity in his voice.

“From now on, run this estate however you see fit,” he declared firmly. “The Yongning Marquis Manor will be your strongest backing. If you need money, the manor will provide it. If you need manpower, we will send it. If anyone dares cause trouble here, ignore them and send word back to the capital. I would like to see who dares touch someone protected by the Yongning Marquis Manor.”

These words amounted to placing the entire power and influence of the Yongning Marquis Manor behind Jiang Suisui, at her disposal.

It was not merely support—it was complete acceptance and the highest recognition.

Jiang Suisui looked at him in silence for a moment before speaking calmly. “Father, I understand.”

There were no tears of gratitude, no excessive humility. She simply accepted the responsibility with composure.

The old marquis was very satisfied with her reaction. This daughter-in-law always knew what she wanted and maintained a rare clarity and steadiness.

“As for Xuan’er’s marriage, you need not worry,” he added, dropping another bombshell. “The prior verbal agreement with the Duke of Anguo’s manor has already been declined. Xuan’er’s future will be decided by himself—and by you, his… mother.”

When he said the word “mother,” it was still slightly stiff, but undoubtedly heartfelt. He was formally acknowledging Jiang Suisui’s status.

By now, the sky was fully bright.

Voices began to stir throughout the estate.

The old marquis stood to leave. At the courtyard gate, he paused and turned back. “If you require craftsmen for that blueprint, send word to the manor at any time.”

With that, he leaned on his cane and walked away without looking back.

Jiang Suisui remained where she was, watching his figure disappear into the morning light, her mind utterly clear.

She knew that from this day forward, every obstacle on the path she and Gu Xuan walked had been personally cleared away by that old man.

And she could finally, without restraint, build the kingdom in her heart.

The departure of the old marquis and his wife did not cause much disturbance at the estate. Life continued in its steady rhythm.

What they did not know, however, was that this trip to Woniu Village had stirred quite a storm among the upper circles of the capital.

News of the old marquis’s dramatically improved leg spread through the capital’s great households as if it had grown wings. Along with it, the miraculous estate at Woniu Village—and its mistress, Jiang Suisui—were once again thrust into the spotlight.

Envy, jealousy, curiosity… countless eyes turned toward that remote little mountain village.

A brewing storm aimed at Jiang Suisui was quietly taking shape.