Meng Yao brought the whole family to the Duke Qi Mansion.
The Duke couldn’t help but be amazed at the lineup of Zhao Family’s children.
"Xiaoye, not to criticize you, but you really lack maturity. Look at your sister, how obedient she is!" The Duke couldn’t help admonishing Qi Yunye.
Qi Yunye had heard such words too often to be bothered by them.
The old man could say whatever he wanted; he would just let it go in one ear and out the other, unfazed.
However, today Qi Yunye was not about to listen obediently.
"Grandfather, I understand your worries for the Qi family’s continuation when it was just the two of us. But now that my sister has agreed to let you choose a great-grandchild to take the Qi surname, why are you still fretting?" Qi Yunye replied with a bitter face.
The Duke widened his eyes and instinctively looked at Meng Yao and Zhao Ting.
No one had informed him of this matter.
"Old man, steady yourself and don’t get too excited," Qi Yunye advised.
"Are you just trying to please this old man?" The Duke couldn’t believe it.
"Grandfather, see for yourself; will it be Dajiang or Dahe?" Meng Yao asked with a smile.
Both brothers had been informed of this matter and agreed to go along with it, knowing they wouldn’t stop being their mother’s sons with a surname change.
The Duke looked at Zhao Dajiang, then Zhao Dahe.
He pointed at Zhao Dajiang, "Dajiang looks somewhat like your father. How about Dajiang?"
Besides Zhao Dajiang bearing some resemblance to his unfortunate son-in-law, the Duke also considered the Zhao Family.
Zhao Dahe was clever and promising, and it wouldn’t be fair for the Duke Mansion to be too selfish.
Furthermore, Xiaoye had clearly expressed his unwillingness to inherit the title.
Thus, choosing an honest and simple child for succession was something the Emperor would likely favor.
After all, the unfortunate son-in-law was from the Gelle tribe.
What if the Emperor thought too much?
"Another day, let Xiaoye take Dajiang to the Government," Meng Yao suggested.
"Alright, alright, alright." The Duke’s eyes almost closed with his smile.
Having resolved a worry, he felt happy.
"Good child, live wherever you wish from now on," the Duke offered, "Don’t overthink it; even with a surname change, you are still your parents’ child."
Zhao Dajiang nodded, since his mother agreed, so did he.
"Children, don’t feel restricted. Xiaoye, lead them to wander around the garden. Instruct the kitchen to make more sweet soup and snacks," the Duke instructed.
Though Zhao Dajiang and Song Xiu’er were a bit reserved,
Zhao Dahe and Zhao Xiaohua had already grown familiar with Qi Yunye, so they were more at ease.
Over at Duke Mansion, they were talking to Meng Yao. "About this matter, what about your mother-in-law?"
"Don’t worry. It was my mother’s suggestion," Zhao Ting replied.
"Your mother is a good woman; the Qi Family will surely remember this favor," the Duke said.
"You’re too kind," Zhao Ting replied, "If we’re talking favors, it’s Meng Yao who did more for the Zhao family."
"Meng Yao is a good girl, and you are a good child too," the Duke said, "You two should have a happy life together."
"Don’t worry, for the rest of my life, I will surely be good to Meng Yao," Zhao Ting said, unable to hide the smile in his eyes.
Perhaps he was not bad, or maybe people love to see young couples in love as they age, the Duke’s attitude towards him changed quickly.
However, Qi Yunye still toyed with the idea of finding a better man for Meng Yao.
Fortunately, Meng Yao was not swayed by Qi Yunye.
After Qi Yunye had Zhao Dajiang change his surname, the Duke went to the palace to request a title for him.
If not for Dajiang’s unfamiliarity with the capital, he might have directly requested the Duke title for him.
"Old Duke, have you thought this through? Qi Yunye..."
Clearly, there were better candidates for the heirship, so this...
"That unruly child refused, and I can’t force him, can I? Let’s go with Dajiang; this child is honest and simple, very suitable," the Duke said. "He just hasn’t studied much, so he is a bit lacking in that area. I hope the Emperor would look after him."
Look after him? Does he really need that?
Even with a surname change, he’s still Atherton’s son; won’t Atherton look after his own child?
The Emperor, fatigued with the burdens of rulership, didn’t want to handle too many affairs.
"I’ll think over it and find him a minor official position," Emperor Jing said.
"Then perhaps a relaxed position for him," the Duke suggested.
"How about Minister of Agriculture?" Emperor Jing proposed.
Zhao Dajiang, having grown up in the countryside and being straightforward, seemed fit for an agricultural role where he would oversee the farming operations.
He wouldn’t need to do the work himself, just oversee.
The Duke was very satisfied. It required no scheming and not much interaction with others.
Clearly, the Emperor had considered it carefully.
"I think it’s excellent," the old Duke said.
"Old Duke, tell Xiaoye that he’s not young anymore; he should settle down. There are many matters here he could help with," the Emperor added.
"I will relay your words to him, but whether that rascal will listen, I can’t promise," the Duke replied.
If not for his old age, Xiaoye, worrying about him, would have long gone exploring.
Now that Meng Yao was back, it seemed his restless heart was stirring again.
Entering the court is something many would envy.
For him, he’d rather avoid it as much as possible.
The Emperor sighed, "I’ll have Atherton try to persuade him later."
To Xiaoye, his brother-in-law might not seem like much, irritating him greatly, so having him persuade might worsen matters. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novelFɪre.net
However, the Duke didn’t comment further. The emperor’s arrangements were not for him to question.
Besides, it wasn’t a major issue; better to let them handle it themselves.
"Your Majesty, may I join the fun at Sister Meng’s banquet this time?" Noble Consort An came to find the Emperor, her eyes glinting.
First, Sister Meng found her family, and now, her son was named the Princely Heir of the Duke Qi Mansion; such joyous events required her attendance with gifts.
Emperor Jing frowned; concubines attending a minister’s banquet wasn’t customary.
"Your Majesty, considering how close you are to General Zhao, shouldn’t I also build a good relationship with Sister Meng? Besides, by attending, I’m backing Sister Meng. You know how arrogant those noblewomen can be. Even though Sister Meng is now a County Princess, do we know they won’t make snide remarks?" Noble Consort An reasoned, "With me there, they would realize you are supporting Sister Meng, and who would dare to say anything?"
The Emperor thought for a moment, found her reasoning sound, and nodded, "Alright, you may go."
Noble Consort An smiled so broadly that her eyes curved, "Your Majesty, you’re wonderful."