TRBDM -Chapter 239 The Drunkard’s Intent Lies Beyond the Wine

The lintel above the door was carved with phoenixes and auspicious clouds, bearing six gilded characters: “Imperially Commissioned Mingde Marquisate.” They glittered brilliantly in the sunlight.

This plaque had been personally inscribed and granted by the emperor himself, a testament to the unparalleled honor of the Marquisate.

Xie Sheng’s eyes ached from the brilliance of the characters.

He was filled with regret—he had been far too hasty in severing ties with his family, and now the loss he suffered was immense.

As the son of a first-rank titled lady, such honor should have belonged to him.

He had been utterly wrong—absurdly wrong. When the family split, he should have thought things through instead of acting on impulse.

But now, it was too late for regrets.

Xie Sheng took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

The steward opened it, offering a perfunctory smile. “Second Master, Second Madam, please come in.”

They entered, one after the other.

Shen Zhizhi cast an indifferent glance at the steward’s outer robe and felt a flicker of surprise—this fabric was by no means cheap.

Inside the mansion, Shen Zhizhi held the child and looked around carefully.

She immediately noticed that the young servants and maids they passed wore garments of a superior grade, more luxurious than those of ordinary young masters and ladies.

Every maid had an identical white jade hairpin—apparently a standard issued throughout the Marquisate.

Shen Zhizhi bit her lip. As the second madam of the Marquisate, she herself couldn’t even produce a decent hairpin. It was utterly shabby.

Suppressing her grievance, she lifted her eyes to look at Xie Sheng.

His expression was no better than hers: dark clouds gathered across his face, his brows knotted into a mountain peak.

This had once been Xie Sheng’s home; he had lived here for over twenty years and knew the Marquisate inside out.

Hence, even the smallest change in the mansion did not escape his notice.

The Marquisate was no longer what it once had been—it had flourished immensely.

Back when the old Marquis Xie Bo’an was alive, he had never received the honor of a first-rank title. Who would have thought that Wei Zhaorong, a mere woman from the inner quarters, would achieve it?

As he walked, Xie Sheng wondered: when exactly did his mother meet the Princess Imperial and the Emperor?

During the fierce succession struggle, Xie Sheng had once tried to align himself with the Third Prince. But when that connection failed, he was imprisoned for speaking against imperial policy.

After finally being released, he dared not move a single step rashly and carefully guarded his official post.

No one could have foreseen that the Tenth Prince would break through and not only ascend the throne but also wipe out the Third Prince’s faction.

It was beyond all expectations.

Meanwhile, Wei Zhaorong’s foresight had nearly surpassed everyone else’s.

Lost in thought, they arrived at Anhe Courtyard.

Shen Zhizhi straightened her back and smoothed her hairpin. The wind on the way over might have messed up her hair, and she was careful not to ruin her appearance.

Xie Sheng adjusted his outer robe and instinctively straightened his back as well.

“Second Master, Second Madam, please come in.”

The steward bowed slightly and led them inside.

“Second Master, Second Madam, please have a seat. I will fetch the matriarch.”

Xie Sheng and Shen Zhizhi sat down.

Xie Sheng ran his hand over the armrest of the carved zitan chair, his eyes darkening.

All the furniture in the main hall had been replaced—entirely zitan and huanghuali wood. Even the folding screens had been upgraded to double-sided embroidered screens of flowers and birds for all four seasons, outlined in gold thread, a display of wealth and luxury at every turn.

A servant came to serve tea.

Xie Sheng immediately recognized it: Mengding Shihua tea, a tribute-grade variety.

It was likely a gift from the emperor to the Marquisate.

He took a small sip. The tea was excellent, mellow and fragrant. He sipped again and again, lingering over the taste—it was simply too good.

Outside, the sound of footsteps approached, neither heavy nor light. Xie Sheng and Shen Zhizhi rose simultaneously and looked up.

Wei Zhaorong appeared at the doorway, draped in a dark robe embroidered with golden cloud-and-crane patterns. The collar and sleeves were adorned with nine strings of pearl tassels, exuding nobility and elegance.

Shen Zhizhi almost didn’t dare to look at her.

“Your son greets his mother,” Xie Sheng broke the silence.

Shen Zhizhi quickly followed, “Your daughter-in-law greets her mother-in-law.”

Wei Zhaorong glanced at them briefly and let out a soft hum.

Nanny Qi helped Wei Zhaorong to a seat.

“Sit.”

Wei Zhaorong sipped her tea leisurely, giving them no more attention beyond that initial glance.

Shen Zhizhi’s eyes darted around. She pinched Xiaonan’s arm sharply. The baby, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly burst into tears.

“Ah, Xiaonan, be good! Don’t cry, okay? Look, grandmother is here. Do you want grandmother to hold you? If grandmother holds you, you won’t cry anymore, right?”

Shen Zhizhi skillfully coaxed the child, slowly moving toward Wei Zhaorong while doing so.

“Mother, look—this is your eldest granddaughter. Her little name is Xiaonan. Would you like to hold her?”

Shen Zhizhi smiled awkwardly and brought the child closer.

Wei Zhaorong lowered her gaze. Xiaonan had just cried, her eyes brimming with tears, her little nose red from crying.

The innocent child, after all, was Xie family’s flesh and blood. Wei Zhaorong took her into her arms.

Shen Zhizhi’s face lit up. “Xiaonan, look! This is grandmother. Grandmother is a First-Rank Lady of Imperial Decree. You must listen to her, understand?”

The two- or three-month-old child couldn’t possibly understand, and having left her mother’s embrace and smelled a strange scent, she started crying even louder.

She not only cried but flailed her limbs wildly; her tiny nails nearly scratched Wei Zhaorong’s face.

Nanny Qi immediately stepped forward, taking the child back and handing her to Shen Zhizhi.

“Second Madam, the old lady is advanced in years. It’s difficult for her to hold the child; it’s better if you do it yourself.”

Shen Zhizhi’s expression changed slightly. She could only cradle the child and continue coaxing her.

But Xiaonan seemed frightened and no amount of coaxing worked.

In the deep autumn air, Shen Zhizhi was drenched in sweat.

Xie Sheng frowned. “Hand her to a maid and let her take her out.”

Shen Zhizhi hesitated. Since before she had entered the marquisate, she had been holding the child, precisely to let Xiaonan appear before Wei Zhaorong and stir her affection.

But Xiaonan continued to cry and thrash in her arms. Shen Zhizhi’s arms ached, and with no other option, she handed the child to a maid.

Once the maid carried the child out, the room finally fell silent.

“Mother, Xiaonan is still very young. This is her first time back at the marquisate; she’s not used to it. Please don’t be angry. She’ll get used to it after a few more visits.”

Shen Zhizhi’s words carried a hidden meaning—she hoped Xiaonan would live in the marquisate more often.

Wei Zhaorong smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.

Xie Sheng, annoyed by his mother’s indifference, gave her a look. Shen Zhizhi immediately shut her mouth.

Since leaving the marquisate, each visit had made her feel more and more humiliated. This time, if it weren’t for Xiaonan, she hardly dared to lift her face.

“Mother, I heard that the emperor personally conferred upon you the title of First-Rank Lady of Imperial Decree. I have come to congratulate you. I brought a gift—please accept it.”

Xie Sheng stood up and was about to present the gift, but Wei Zhaorong stopped him. “No need. The marquisate has everything now; keep it for yourself.”

“…”

The drunkard’s intent lies beyond the wine—Wei Zhaorong had shut down his thought immediately.

Xie Sheng awkwardly froze, then, embarrassed, sat back down.

The gift, now unsent, became a hot potato, and he hid it up his sleeve.

“Xie Sheng, what brings you to see me today?”