Chapter 283: Chapter 107: Ma Chengteng’s Fury_5 Chapter 283: Chapter 107: Ma Chengteng’s Fury_5 Ma Chengteng, after finishing his speech, addressed Nanny Deng inside the room, “Pack up immediately, since there’s no room here, go back with Uncle.”
Tingli’s expression changed drastically. He still didn’t know what had happened and pleaded, “Uncle, it’s our negligence, but it’s also because it’s been very busy and chaotic lately. Uncle, please don’t be angry yet.”
Ma Chengteng snorted coldly, “I can’t accept such a title from you.”
Nanny Deng, adding fuel to the fire, said, “Miss, should we pack your things?”
Yueyao gave a bitter smile. She actually wanted to go to Ma’s Mansion, but her eldest uncle would never allow it. The Lian family couldn’t lose face like that. Yueyao weakly said, “Nanny, please send them down! I want to talk to Uncle.”
Nanny Hao’s eyes brightened, and she quickly requested Tingli to leave, leaving Yueyao and Tingzheng to accompany Ma Chengteng. Yueyao deliberately wanted Tingzheng by her side to give him a sense of countenance and to prevent him from being easily deceived in the future.
Yueyao mentioned that she would not go to Ma’s Mansion.
Ma Chengteng also knew that taking Yueyao back was impossible, including the legitimate uncle. Even if they fell out, it shouldn’t involve an uncle like him, as it wouldn’t stand on any ceremonial grounds. However, Ma Chengteng remembered what Yueyao had said about her sister appearing in a dream, claiming Lady Mo had a kindly face but a venomous heart, seeking to plot for Yueyao’s money. More and more, he became convinced that the issues involving Tingzheng and Yueyao originated from her. If that was the case, Yueyao would suffer in the Lian Mansion under a ruthless person like Lady Mo, and it might even become impossible to send out a letter. No, that simply would not do—he must take this opportunity to make an uproar and then ask for some concessions.
Yueyao had other plans, saying, “Uncle, I really want to stay in a temple for a while. Uncle, I’m not upset; staying in a temple would also give me some peace. Uncle, please agree!” Yueyao had already planned that after sending Tingzheng to the Li family after the full mourning period, she would go to the temple and maybe only return at the end of the year. By then, the rumors would mostly have dissipated, saving her from facing people’s judgmental looks, which she herself couldn’t bear. Besides, she was not at peace and staying in a temple for a while would help her calm down.
Ma Chengteng disagreed, saying, “No, if you’re unwilling to stay in Lian Mansion, then come back with me. Rest assured, Uncle will even risk his life but won’t let you suffer any more grievances.”
Yueyao had never considered going to Ma’s Mansion. Firstly, the Lian family wouldn’t agree; secondly, being in mourning and moving to someone else’s house would demonstrate a lack of propriety; thirdly, since the Eldest Cousin-in-law was pregnant, the uncle and cousin might not mind, but that didn’t mean the cousin-in-law and her people would not care. Therefore, staying in a temple for a while was the best option.
After a moment of silence, Ma Chengteng said, “You don’t need to worry about your cousin-in-law’s side; I can still make decisions for the Ma family.”
Yueyao couldn’t help but feel amused and dismayed. The problem wasn’t really with her cousin-in-law, as she said, “Uncle, I know cousin-in-law is very nice, but in such situations, I should avoid it myself. Uncle, I’m not resentful; I really want to stay in a temple for a while. Once I come back, the rumors will have dissipated, and if I stay in Lian Mansion every day, I won’t be able to stand it.”
Ma Chengteng still disagreed, generally only those who had committed a major offense were sent to a temple to repent. Yueyao hadn’t done anything wrong; why should she go through such hardships? Moreover, the days in the mountains were tough, how could he bear to let his niece stay in a temple for several months?
Yueyao didn’t expect Ma Chengteng to be so stubborn and felt helpless.
Tingzheng had quietly been listening without interjecting. After listening for so long, he realized that the people in the mansion were forcing his sister to flee to a temple. Yueyao had instructed Nanny Deng to manage the maids and old nannies in the courtyard. Being good, Tingzheng stayed in the yard and didn’t go out, and was unaware of the external rumors.
Nanny Deng called out from outside, “Uncle Master, Miss, Eldest Madam has arrived.”
Seeing Ma Chengteng, Lady Mo naturally exhibited self-reproach for not taking good care of Yueyao and Tingzheng. Her reasoning was ample: the mansion was too busy with endless affairs, and a little negligence was normal.
Ma Chengteng couldn’t be bothered to speak with such a snake-like woman; looking at her more would only taint his eyes. Ma Chengteng simply stared at Tingli and asked, “Has Lian Dongfang come back yet?” It was better to deal with Lian Dongfang; he did not want to waste words with Lady Mo.
This behavior of Ma Chengteng wasn’t unusual; men would speak to men, and women to women. However, Ma Chengteng’s wife had gone back to her hometown and was not available.
Lian Dongfang had received the message and quickly returned.
Seeing Lian Dongfang, Ma Chengteng sharply questioned how he was managing as their uncle. After scolding him, Ma Chengteng straightforwardly said, “I’m taking these two children back now. If you can’t make room for them, I’ll raise them.”
Lian Dongfang, not knowing what had happened, had been busy and couldn’t attend to the mansion’s internal affairs. Seeing Ma Chengteng angrily insisting on taking Yueyao away, it was not a joke. Lian Dongfang hurriedly tried to calm him, “Brother Ma, don’t rush. Let me find out what exactly happened? I’ve been busy recently and neglected the mansion’s affairs.”
Ma Chengteng scoffed, “Are you suggesting I’m making trouble out of nothing? My nephew had a high fever in the middle of the night, and no doctor could be summoned; he was nearly burned to death. Now there are rumors inside and outside that my niece and nephew bring misfortune. Cheng, if the Lian family fears the children might bring them death, I have nothing to say. You may fear death, but I don’t. I want to take them away today.” Taking them away was another matter, but at least he had to show this stance.
Lian Dongfang naturally couldn’t allow Yueyao and Tingzheng to go to Ma’s Mansion; if the children were let out, people would criticize him sharply. He said, “Brother Ma, rest assured, after I clarify the situation, I will definitely give you a satisfactory response.” Lian Dongfang was certain that if he couldn’t provide a satisfactory explanation, this matter could not be peacefully resolved.