Chapter 008: Entering the Mansion

Indeed, Zhang Rong has always harbored a deep disdain for his eldest son. With such a ready-made handle in hand, he immediately turned to his eldest son in anger and said: "You, in your youth, have been reckless and have fathered a child with a lowly woman. This child, I absolutely cannot acknowledge!"

That is all. Zhang Rong's heart softened a little, and he instructed, "You may decide to whom the adoption will be made."

The courtyard of the residence is also divided into two sections. In front of the gate of the second section, Yang Da was also stopped.

Second brother, be cautious with your words; this child is also your nephew

This can be considered a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. Zhang Yuangong pondered for a moment, then glanced at the woman with a fierce expression... If he were to say anything more, it was likely that this woman would cause another uproar. Feeling disheartened, he bowed his head in agreement.

If this punishment is carried out in his hands, how could a small child endure it? Zhang Yuangong quickly knelt before Weigong, bowing his head in apology and said: "Father, this child has been poorly educated; everything is the child's fault. If punishment is to be given, let it be directed at me instead."

How else can you be? Overestimating yourself!

Zhang Rong, having passed the age of sixty, had exhausted his health in his early years due to indulgence in wine and pleasure. After such a brief period of activity, he was already quite fatigued, and at that moment, he waved his hand, signaling everyone to disperse

According to what is said, Wei Gong has ascended and descended the mountain multiple times, possessing some strength, and has also learned some basic mountain folk boxing techniques. Northerners value martial prowess, especially along the line from Shanhaiguan to Jizhen, where Wei Gong has already learned some archery and boxing techniques. However, in both of his lives, the person he respects and loves the most is his mother. Being greatly insulted by the person before him, in a moment of desperation, he can only resort to words.

Between the eldest son and the second son, the eldest son certainly has the right of inheritance. However, if the eldest son has no offspring, then upon whom will the eight Liang crowns of the duke fall?

These three individuals include the elder, who is the current British Duke Zhang Rong, and his two sons, the legitimate eldest son Zhang Yuangong and the legitimate second son Zhang Yuande. The elder duke inherited his title in the fifteenth year of the Jiajing era, nearly fifty years ago. He has long served as the head of the Hetushucom clan and as duke, known for his foul temper and stubbornness. Upon seeing Yuangong standing proudly, he shouted, "You ungrateful wretch, why aren't you kneeling!"

Yang Da had a somewhat awkward expression on his face, but he was the second steward of the outer residence, specifically responsible for handling external affairs. His status was several levels below that of the formal chief steward when accompanying the master and the young masters on outings. Moreover, he could not afford to offend the housekeeper in charge of managing the comings and goings within the inner residence.

In the late spring, the heat has become somewhat oppressive, but upon entering this courtyard, it feels much better. The water flows around, and the bamboo grows lushly. Inside the house, the floor is laid with large golden bricks, and once inside, a refreshing coolness envelops you. The room is not large, yet it is decorated and arranged in an exceedingly luxurious manner. In the center stands a screen, with a purple sandalwood armchair placed at the front. On either side are display shelves filled with various antiques, and there are four Huanghuali circle chairs on both sides. The walls are adorned with calligraphy and paintings by famous figures from the Song and Ming dynasties. The adjacent room appears to be a sleeping area, featuring a large bed made of rosewood. The entire setup includes a washbasin stand, a clothes rack, and a large wardrobe, all crafted from precious woods. The handles and other fittings are also exquisitely designed, made from gold and silver materials. Such furnishings, one might say, are not only unseen in this world but even in the experiences of previous lives, this is the first time encountering such opulent arrangements.

By this point, he had vaguely understood some aspects, which were nothing more than the internal strife of a large family.

"Child, why must you speak to your second uncle in such a manner?" After everyone had dispersed, Zhang Yuangong took a closer look at Weigong and, with a tone of sorrow, remarked, "At first glance, you resemble me, but upon closer inspection, there are faint traces of your mother's features in your brows."

Among those present, the happiest was undoubtedly Zhang Yuande. The existence of the illegitimate child had always been a source of anxiety for him. He feared that after his father's passing, his elder brother would find this illegitimate child and report it to the court, thereby jeopardizing his claim to the title of Duke.

As the sound arose, the maidservants lifted the door curtain, with Madam Qian leading the way and Wei Gong following closely behind, they entered the main hall

The master does not concern himself with such trivial matters; when you have the time, you may return to the second master and discuss the details.

Zhang Yuangong has never sought to please his father. His younger brother, skilled in scheming, knows how to flatter and ingratiate himself. As their father grows older and more confused, he increasingly favors this younger brother. Originally, Zhang Yuangong would yield in all matters, but unfortunately, this good brother openly insults his only biological son, leaving him no choice but to stand up for himself.

Contrary to the imagination of later generations, the prominent families and scholarly households of that time imposed strict discipline on their offspring, and this was even true for the royal family. For instance, the current Emperor Wanli had to sleep in the palace of his mother, Empress Dowager Li, every day, under her direct supervision to prevent him from going astray at an early age. If the emperor was subject to such scrutiny, how much more so for ordinary people? Engaging in premarital concubinage or fathering children out of wedlock were behaviors that were looked down upon. Even ordinary scholarly families adhered to these standards, let alone the noble families with even stricter codes of conduct.

Wei Gong did not speak, only nodded gently

After the three emerged, they all fixed their gaze on Weigong. After a long while, the old man finally turned around and said to the slightly older middle-aged man, "Yuangong, look at the good deed you have done. This child bears a striking resemblance to you; can you still deny it? Despicable, truly despicable!"

Zhang Yuangong wished to contend, but under the long-standing influence of his father, he could only bow his head and plead earnestly

Father

Father, look at this wretched creature

Now that the major matter has been settled, a heavy stone has fallen from Zhang Yuande's heart

As the dust settled and the grand performance came to an end, the onlookers, including Aunt Qian, felt completely refreshed, finding it even more exhilarating than watching ten consecutive days of grand theater. Just as they were about to disperse, Wei Gong stepped forward, addressing his uncle, whose joy was evident in his expression, with a cold remark: "What transpired today will surely be repaid a hundredfold in the future"

In those years, Zhang Yuangong intended to marry Madam Zhao from the Xin Cheng Bo family. Before the wedding, he had an affair with his mother’s maid, who was then called Su Mei. Although it is unpleasant to hear, it is indeed a fact. Such matters were originally not too troublesome, but when it was discovered that his mother was pregnant, the situation took a sudden turn for the worse

Since this is the case, I shall take my leave

He understood in his heart that this old man was his grandfather in this life. Kneeling down would not be inappropriate; it is customary to kneel before one's elders. However, the old man's tone made him feel repulsed. Thus, he said: "Not knowing your esteemed identity, I dare not kneel indiscriminately"

There has been such a matter; Zhang Yuangong must have lived quite a constrained life over the years. This time, when Xiaowei Gong was found by someone, it was certainly not Zhang Yuande considering his brother's interests, nor was it about the survival or extinction of their lineage. Rather, it was about seizing the opportunity to find Weigong before his elder brother's people did, in order to exploit it for significant gain

Zhang Yuande was most adept at making a scene, taking the lead to help his father leave first. Madam Zhao also got up from the ground, casting a resentful glare at Weigong, her jealousy fully on display.

Only the achievements are most respected by the mother. Zhang Yuande is too lazy to concern himself with the sordid matters of competing for position with his father, but Zhang Yuande's repeated use of the term "cheap maid" has deeply offended his innermost feelings

He is the legitimate eldest son, the future heir to the Duke, and has committed no grave error. Zhang Rong is also unable to do anything to him; after all, one cannot truly resort to violence... Seeing his elder brother kneeling, Zhang Yuande smiled in a mocking manner and taunted: "Brother, why must you adopt such a posture? Had I known today would come, why did I act as I did back then? To have a child out of wedlock and engage in such matters with that lowly maid Su Mei, what has become of the Zhang family's reputation? Even with our connections to the Xin Cheng Bo family, what face do we have left? Fortunately, that lowly maid has already... Oh!" Even with our connections to the Xin Cheng Bo family, what face do we have left? Fortunately, that lowly maid has already... Oh!

Behind him stood two middle-aged men, both wearing pure Yang caps and dressed in purple robes. They were both in their thirties, yet exuded an elegant demeanor. If they were ten years younger, they would resemble handsome young gentlemen.

He smiled at the housekeeper and said, "Aunt Qian, I need to go in and respond; otherwise, if the master and the two gentlemen ask, what will I say?"

Just moments ago, he was merely a scourge, but in the blink of an eye, he has been elevated to a beast of burden. Zhang Weigong left a deep mark on his second uncle's leg, and at this moment, all he could do was continue to glare in anger

Zhang Rong pondered for a moment and finally said: "If this child is released, the reputation of my British Duke's residence will be completely lost, but it is absolutely impossible to acknowledge him. How about this: let us find someone from the Yuan generation of the collateral line in the residence and have this child go and be adopted by him."

Zhang Yuande was speaking animatedly when, unexpectedly, Wei Gong bit him fiercely on the side of his leg

Nobles from prestigious families are indeed different from the ordinary.

This enmity cannot coexist under the same sky

Upon entering the second gate, there stood the main house with a corridor eave and three tiers of stone steps. A few young maidservants were standing in front of the door curtain. Upon seeing the housekeeper and Weigong approaching, one particularly beautiful maidservant came forward, first sizing up Weigong from head to toe before calling out in a clear voice.

It is nothing; why are you arguing with a wild brat

As Wei Gong entered, a series of coughs soon echoed through the room, followed by the slow emergence of a frail old man, wearing a Tang cap and a purple robe, leaning on a dragon-headed cane.

A younger middle-aged man chuckled lightly and followed up with, "Brother, it seems there is not much left to say now!"

At the moment of departure, he suddenly whispered softly in Wei Gong's ear: "Be careful, do not retort, after all, you cannot be killed, my dear."

Zhang Yuande responded with a cold smile; this youth was exceedingly detestable, particularly due to his untamed nature. The brilliance in his eyes made one feel quite uncomfortable. If it were not for the presence of his father and elder brother, he would have likely stepped forward to deliver a resounding slap long ago

This decision, while seemingly considerate, actually extinguishes Zhang Yuangong's hopes. Once the adoption is finalized, even if everyone knows that Weigong is his biological child, under the patriarchal system, it will no longer be possible for Weigong to acknowledge him as his father

In the midst of the conversation, a middle-aged American woman burst in, crying out: "Father, please take charge; I absolutely refuse to have an unknown illegitimate child as my son"

"He is not my second uncle." Weigong realized that his performance today was somewhat unwise; his temperament was subtly undergoing a change, though he himself was not entirely aware of it. However, to be unable to express even a few words of satisfaction in one's youth, when one cannot act on one's desires, is indeed a sign of some incompetence.

In a fit of rage, Zhang Rong raised his dragon-headed staff and was about to strike Wei Gong

It is unequivocally stated: "The events of today will surely be repaid in the future. As for you, I have but one request."

This is naturally the main wife of Yuan Gong, the legitimate lady, and also a young lady from the Xincheng Bo's residence. Her temper has been spoiled by indulgence, and Zhang Rong finds this woman quite troublesome. He hurriedly said: "You can rest assured, I will take charge of this matter myself"

The elder has been called in

Upon meeting, Wei Gong noticed that this person's demeanor appeared somewhat timid and fearful. No wonder he had been helpless when his mother took him away from the Duke's residence back then. However, at such a critical moment, he was willing to step forward to protect him, which moved Wei Gong slightly. If he had chosen to ignore Wei Gong while he was being beaten, it would only be regrettable that his mother had made such a poor judgment back then.

In such a lively atmosphere, Mrs. Qian and others in the room felt that their trip was well worth it upon witnessing such intense gossip. At this moment, they could only hurriedly step forward to pull Wei Gong down and firmly hold him down.

With a forced smile, I clasped my hands in greeting and turned to leave