TRBDM -Chapter 39 Temporary Submission

Wei Zhaorong’s words struck like a thunderclap, leaving the two people of the second branch frozen in place.

A division of the family!

How could this be possible?

“Mother, are you really going to divide the family for Xie Lan?”

Xie Sheng couldn’t believe it; his body wobbled along with his shock. If it weren’t for the table behind him, he might have fallen.

“You’re constantly opposing me at every turn. Why keep the second branch under my control? Letting it become independent will be much more peaceful and spare this old body of mine from needless trouble.”

In the previous life, Xie Sheng had forced Wei Zhaorong to divide the family. Even when she knelt and begged him, she couldn’t reverse his decision.

Now, with Xie Sheng repeatedly picking on Xie Lan and disturbing the peace of the marquisate, what purpose would there be in keeping him around?

“Mother, I was wrong. I… I just can’t accept it yet. After all, Xie Lan is…” The words illegitimate son hovered on the tip of his tongue but were swallowed back. “Mother, I need time to accept him. You have to give me time, right?”

“Yes… Mother, we’re all one family in the marquisate. Why divide it for no reason? My husband acted rashly for a moment, but he won’t be like this again.”

Shen Zhizhi quickly added.

The second branch’s goal was the title. If they agreed to split now, they wouldn’t just lose the title—they wouldn’t even get their proper share of the allowances. Only a fool would agree to that.

Xie Sheng and Shen Zhizhi, sharing the same position, tacitly chose to swallow their resentment.

There would be time in the future. With his own ability, he could maneuver over the years and surely rise in rank.

By then, if Mother begged him not to divide the family, he would mercilessly refuse.

In the entire marquisate, except for him, Xie Sheng, everyone else was useless. Raising a bunch of dead weight was a dream!

He considered himself farsighted, unlike Mother, who was short-sighted.

She blindly trusted Xie Lan’s sweet words and showed favoritism to the illegitimate son—she would regret it sooner or later.

Wei Zhaorong had already seen through Xie Sheng’s thoughts. His coldness and ruthlessness were in his bones. This temporary compromise was merely a hibernation, waiting for the next opportunity to strike.

But now was not the time to tear faces apart.

“Fine. Since you’ve admitted your mistakes, I will not pursue it further. But, second son, I’ll remind you again: the marquisate shares both honor and misfortune. Harmony in the family brings success. The Zhang family is still an outsider. Hurting your own family for outsiders? I will never allow it.”

Xie Sheng gritted his teeth and responded, “Mother is right. I will keep my distance from Zhang Xiuzhuo and not give you cause for concern.”

“You misunderstood me. How you handle things with Zhang Xiuzhuo is up to you—I won’t interfere. But I absolutely will not allow you to bully anyone in the marquisate for the sake of outsiders. Understand?”

“Understood.”

Wei Zhaorong knew Xie Sheng’s compliance was only temporary; he would cause trouble again.

But if they could buy time for now, it would give Xie Lan a chance to grow.

Back at Anhe Courtyard, Wei Zhaorong asked, “How is Shi Yi today?”

Nanny Qi replied, “Shi Yi didn’t have a fever today, but his body hurts badly. I heard he couldn’t help crying several times. Third Master is watching over him after returning from school.”

Shi Yi was still young and weak; it was naturally hard for him to endure such piercing pain.

Wei Zhaorong exhaled softly, “He’s suffered enough. Take half of the second branch’s allowance for this month and give it to Shi Yi.”

“The allowance for this month still has more than half to be distributed. Should we wait?”

“No, deliver it today. Also, the previous allowance for Lan Courtyard wasn’t given. Make up a full year and hand it all to Lan’er together.”

“Yes.”

Nanny Qi went to the treasury and had the accountant allocate the silver. After checking the accounts, they delivered it to Lan Courtyard.

Xie Lan looked at the piles of silver, his eyes spinning. “Th-this… is so much?”

“It’s not too much, the same as the first and second branches. Third Master, keep the silver safe. Buy whatever you want.” Nanny Qi glanced around and lowered her voice. “Give bonuses to the maids and servants during festivals. With money in hand, they’ll listen.”

The servants in the disciplinary hall required strategy—clear rewards and punishments, a careful reading of human hearts. Normally, if they never tasted the favor of their master, they were easily bribed.

“Thank you for your guidance, Grandma,”

Xie Lan said, putting away the silver, setting aside Shi Yi’s portion separately, and then adding more from his own share.

“Third Master, where did you get so much silver?” Shi Yi’s eyes nearly popped out. He had never seen so much silver in his life.

“Second Brother is compensating you. He injured you, so here are the medical and recuperation expenses.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Yi hurriedly protested, “This won’t do! How can a master compensate a servant for being disciplined? I don’t want it! Quickly return it to Second Brother.”

“Don’t worry. This is Mother’s idea, and Second Brother agreed as well.”

Xie Lan understood that Shi Yi was worried about him, afraid he would be implicated and face trouble from Xie Sheng.

“The urgent matter now is for you to recover first. I had class alone today, and it felt so empty. You should get well quickly, and then we’ll attend class together.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Shi Yi’s passion for learning was no less than Xie Lan’s. Lying in bed for a day meant missing a day of study. Feeling anxious and useless, he decided to recite his lessons while still in bed.

Seeing this, Xie Lan did not stop him. By focusing on his lessons, Shi Yi’s attention was diverted and his pain became more bearable.

That day, the sky was clear. Late spring had arrived, and the temperature had risen considerably.

The garden bloomed with a riot of colors, yet Wei Zhaorong had no time to appreciate it.

Xie Lan’s birthday was just around the corner. Regardless of whether Mr. Dong would accept him, she planned a grand celebration.

The guest list, the dishes, the ceremonial utensils, and even custom-made clothing for Xie Lan—all the trivial matters piled up.

Wei Zhaorong personally oversaw each detail and didn’t get a moment’s rest the entire day.

“Madam, leave some of these matters to me. You won’t be able to handle everything yourself,”

Nanny Qi said gently, fanning her.

“Lan’er is fifteen this year. I’ve owed him fourteen years. This is the first birthday celebration I’m giving him. It must go through my hands for me to feel at ease.”

“Third Master is a grateful child. He will remember your heartfelt efforts.”

“Mm. I’ll rest a while. Wake me in an hour.”

“Yes, Madam.”

The afternoon sunlight was lazy. Wei Zhaorong had barely closed her eyes when she fell asleep.

“Old Madam! Old Madam! Something terrible has happened!”

A maid came running in haste.

Wei Zhaorong, deep in sleep, was abruptly awakened. Her dark, piercing gaze could have cut someone down.

“What is it?”

“Second Miss… has run away.”

“Run away?”

Xie Wanyi had been punished by Wei Zhaorong with ten days of kneeling at the ancestral hall, copying the Marquis Household’s rules a hundred times. Today was the tenth day.

“Second Miss took a bundle. While the maids weren’t watching, she climbed over the back wall of the ancestral hall and escaped.”

Wei Zhaorong said nothing.

No matter who had prepared the bundle for Xie Wanyi, or who assisted her escape, at this moment, where could she possibly go?

“Do you know where she went?”

“Second Miss said she’s going to Qingzhou to see her maternal grandfather.”

Wei Zhaorong’s family was from Qingzhou. The grandfather Xie Wanyi referred to was Wei Zhaorong’s own father—Wei Chang.