Chapter 173: Chapter 71: Tingzheng Enters the Family Tree_4
Yueyao hesitated for a long time before deciding to tell Tingzheng the truth, thinking that even if Tingzheng might hold it against her mother, the fact of her birth mother’s origin was something that could not be erased. If she didn’t tell Tingzheng now, in a few years when he grew up, he would find out all the same, “Tingzheng, your birth mother was a very good person. When she was young, she was also from an official’s family like ours. It’s just that her family met with disaster and in the end, she was sold off. But she remained chaste, not like those others. If you must blame, blame her misfortune for her family’s catastrophe.”
Tingzheng’s expression relaxed a lot after hearing this. Compared to Tingchao, Tingzheng was more inclined to believe Yueyao, “Then how did she give birth to me?”
Yueyao had drafted her answer in her heart for a long time before she spoke, “Your birth mother met your father by chance and then you came into being, but she didn’t expect that she would bleed so much when giving birth to you. Tingzheng, you can’t look down on her, nor can you blame her, It wasn’t her fault that she suffered such misfortune. Tingzheng, she gave birth to you with her life; you should remember and be grateful to her for that your whole life, understand?”
Tingzheng sort of understood. What his sister meant was that his birth mother wasn’t as bad as what his third brother had said, “Sister, is what you’re saying true?”
Yueyao tapped Tingzheng’s nose, “When have I ever lied to you? Silly boy, in the future, you mustn’t just take others at their word; you need to make your own judgments and not let others sway your thoughts.”
Tingzheng nodded vigorously, “I understand, sister.”
Only then did Yueyao smile, “Then get up quickly, having had only a bowl of rice at noon, you surely haven’t eaten enough. Get up and have some more to eat.”
Tingzheng was no longer conflicted, and feeling hungry, he quickly got up to continue his meal. After talking with Yueyao for a while, he went off to take his afternoon nap.
Nanny Deng felt that Yueyao shouldn’t speak well of that woman and should not let the Fourth Young Master remember his birth mother, “Miss, you should let the Fourth Young Master forget his birth mother.”
Yet, Yueyao had her own considerations, “Tingzheng has to grow up eventually. In the future, surely someone will use his birth mother’s origin to attack him. I’m telling him everything now so he’s prepared in his heart to face such attacks in the future. Nanny, I understand what you mean. But you’re overthinking it, my relationship with Tingzheng won’t be affected just because we aren’t born of the same mother.” Relationships come from how people get along with each other, not from whether they are full siblings or not. The reason Yueyao told Tingzheng was precisely that he trusted her. Sometimes, the closer someone is to you, the less they want you to hide things from them.
Nanny Deng could never win against Yueyao, “If the Miss thinks it’s good, then it’s good.” Although she had plenty of life experience, there was logic to what the young lady said.
In a few days, New Year’s Eve arrived.
For New Year’s Eve, Yueyao took Tingzheng to the Upper Chamber where the entire family gathered to celebrate. The Old Madam was also exceptionally happy on this day.
During the first month, Lian Mansion was bustling with visitors. Yueyao and Tingzheng, due to their mourning period, did not go out to visit others for the New Year but stayed holed up in the Lanxi Courtyard.
Hua Lei looked at the delivered charcoal, “Miss, the charcoal is not enough this time!” They were sent top-quality Silver Frost Charcoal, but the amount was too little to last a month.
Yueyao laughed lightly, “After the Lantern Festival, I’ll start studying in Jingsi Garden, and Tingzheng will go to Li Mansion. This Silver Frost Charcoal will be enough.” As frugal as Lady was, she wouldn’t skimp on expenses while Grandmother was in good health.
Yueyao looked at the delivered Silver Frost Charcoal, noting its precise calculation. This Silver Frost Charcoal would last only until after the Lantern Festival when she would need to ask for more.
Hua Lei slapped her forehead, “Look at me, I forgot about that all of a sudden.”
Yueyao smiled slightly. It wasn’t that Hua Lei had forgotten, but rather her instinct to assume the worst about Lady, always suspecting her of malicious intent.