Chapter 98: Chapter 45: Uncle’s Family Affairs (Part 3)
Nanny Deng still had concerns, “Miss, your thoughts are certainly correct. However, once this gets out, I’m afraid Lady Cheng might become reckless and cling to the Eldest Young Master no matter what.”
This had also been Granny Liu’s worry all along. If the Old Master considered his reputation and let the Eldest Young Master marry this Cheng Lizi, then someone would truly be ruined.
Yueyao was also puzzled. In her previous life, Uncle Master surely knew it wasn’t appropriate, so why did he still let her big cousin marry her! Uncle Master shouldn’t be this foolish! This was about the Ma Family’s future. There must be some other reason.
Nanny Deng sighed softly, “Such matters really shouldn’t be discussed with Yueyao. She’s still too young to deal with such messy affairs. But if the Inner Courtyard were truly controlled by Lady Cheng, it wouldn’t be good for the young miss.”
After thinking it over, Nanny Deng spoke in a voice as fine as a mosquito’s, “When Lady Cheng entered the mansion, she used certain tactics. Everyone in the mansion knows this. The Old Madam disliked your coming to Ma’s Mansion for this reason. Because that Lady Cheng is really…” She would surely not elaborate, but from what was said, it was clear that it wasn’t good.
Yueyao, upon hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief, “Mother, if that’s the case, then even better. Back then, Uncle Master married a stepmother, but now my big cousin is the Ma Family’s future. While it hasn’t gotten out yet that something inappropriate has happened, if we tell Uncle Master, he will instead make a hard decision to deal with it. Indecision leads to chaos; if things continue unchecked, it will become irredeemable.” They were actually overthinking it. With Lady Cheng having done what she did, it would make Uncle Master even more determined. Keep in mind, back then, what Uncle Master married was a stepmother, and a slightly lower family background was not a huge issue. But now, my cousin is marrying a wife, which is a completely different matter. Yueyao speculated that in her previous life, Ma Peng must have been hoodwinked, and Uncle Master eventually had to let his eldest nephew marry Cheng Lizi. Now, nothing has happened yet.
Nanny Deng found it difficult. If this caused any unfavorable consequences, who would bear the responsibility?
Yueyao shook her head, “I understand your concerns, mother. If you waver in making decisions, you’ll find nowhere to regret later.” Big cousin didn’t even make Palace Graduate, not to mention Juren (Successful Candidate). As for what happened afterward, she didn’t have any solid ideas—only knowing that her big cousin died just after reaching his twenties. She didn’t know how he died, but the big cousin left no heir. After Uncle Master died, with no one to restrain him, Ma Yue engaged in all kinds of debauchery, completely ruining the Ma Family. Later, Lady Cheng went to the Lian family to demand her mother’s dowry back in order to save Ma Yue from the gambling house. It made her lose a lot of face.
With Ma Yue engaging in all sorts of vices, no amount of wealth was enough for him. He ended up dying in prison. Later, thanks to a relative of the Ma Family who had been favored by Uncle Master, a child was adopted under the name of the Eldest Young Master, thus preventing Uncle Master’s family line from being extinguished.
Seeing Nanny Deng’s hesitancy, Yueyao said with a smile, “Mother, you can convey this meaning to Nanny Liu. It’s worse to fear the wolf ahead and the tiger behind than to break the cauldrons and sink the boats. We’ve already provided the suggestion, but the decision rests with Nanny Liu and my big cousin,”
Nanny Deng nodded and left.
Hua Lei didn’t know what Yueyao and Nanny Deng were discussing, but seeing Nanny Deng coming and going made her feel uneasy, “Miss, we are here as guests of Uncle Master’s house. This behavior from mother is not good for you.” People might think the Miss commands such scurrying about. That wouldn’t look good in the eyes of Aunt Master.
Yueyao smiled, “Don’t worry, I haven’t practiced my calligraphy today; I need to go do that now.” Brother Zheng was in the study practicing calligraphy, and since she insisted Brother Zheng practice his writing daily, she needed to lead by example.