She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 310 - 309: Must Understand Contentment

Chapter 310: Chapter 309: Must Understand Contentment

Duke An laughed scornfully, "What’s the rush with Maternal Aunt Liu’s brother’s shop? When Maternal Aunt Liu was bought into our household, she had nothing to her name, and the Liu father and son were so poor that they had to sell their daughter and sister on the streets. Do you think I don’t know where the wealth they’ve accumulated over the years came from?"

Continuing, Duke An said, "It must not have been easy for Maternal Aunt Liu to set up these shops and estates. The silver from the sales won’t go into the public account but will be kept by your mother, to be used for splitting the family assets when your two sons come of age."

The words "splitting the family" sent a shiver down Ye Hongyang’s spine, and he demanded, "So, Father, you’re determined to let someone else’s son inherit the title of Duke An?"

Duke An looked at him without a word.

Stomping his foot, Ye Hongyang said resolutely, "I disagree. If Father insists on this, then just kick me out of the house. As long as I’m in the family, as long as I’m still the heir of Duke An, the title of Duke belongs to my son."

Duke An smiled faintly and replied, "If you’re determined to leave, I won’t stop you, but remember to take Maternal Aunt Liu with you. Last year, when Xinyan ran away from home, she only took a few substantial pieces of gold and silver jewelry. Later, Lian Gui found out through his inquiries that she was robbed along the way.

Go and try for yourself; see what you’re capable of without the support of Duke An’s Mansion and without servants to attend to your clothing and food. Perhaps you’ll also manage to pull yourself together and carve out your own enterprise, earning a true man’s fortitude in the process. If that’s the case, I, your old man, won’t have lived in vain, and I’ll at least have a son I can be proud of."

Leaving Duke An’s Mansion, without servants to attend to him? Ye Hongyang’s face paled, and his tone softened, "Does Father really want to drive me out? I’m your only son, would you bear it if I died out there?"

Duke An picked up his teacup, slowly took a sip, and spoke calmly, "No, that won’t happen. You’re, after all, Ye Xinyan’s father. If your daughter can make it, your old man can surely do better. Besides, isn’t Maternal Aunt Liu with you? You’ve always proclaimed that with Maternal Aunt Liu by your side, you’d be willing to die. Isn’t this exactly what you want?"

Maternal Aunt Liu hadn’t yet recovered from the shock of losing her assets when Ye Hongyang delivered her this blow. She already had nothing left, and if she were to be driven out of Duke’s Mansion, how would she ever have a chance to turn things around?

Struggle on the outside? That must be a joke. Though she had lived a comfortable life in Duke An’s Mansion for twenty years, she vividly remembered the hunger and hardships of her youth. The life outside, where could ordinary people struggle to survive? Being out there without a place to stay, not dying from cold or starvation would already be a miracle.

In her anxiety, she tugged at Ye Hongyang’s sleeve. She had told him time and again that patience is a virtue. As long as he, Ye Hongyang, inherited the title, the future matters of inheritance would be up to them, with no one else to interfere.

Of course, Ye Hongyang had no intention of accepting the miserable life away from Duke’s Mansion. Reminded by Maternal Aunt Liu, he sulkily fell silent. Maternal Aunt Liu was right: he just needed to endure for now. Opportunities would come. After all, he was the Princely Heir, the next Duke An.

Seeing his son back down, Duke An then addressed the Duchess, "Although Xinyan was thoughtless, she dared to leave the household, which shows that the child is indeed courageous and has a promising future." His son did not possess such courage, not even equalling that of a young lady.

The Duchess sighed inwardly. This child, she had not taught him well.

Putting down his teacup, Duke An said, "The status of concubines in our mansion is far too high; it’s time to put things in order. Before we have the right people, let Nanny Qian manage the household affairs. From now on, treat Maternal Aunt Liu just like any other concubine house. As for how Hongyang treats Maternal Aunt Liu, he’s free to do as he pleases as long as he doesn’t violate the rules of the house,"

"Furthermore, it’s not proper for our household to continue like this. Look for someone who is modest and knows when to advance or retreat. Bring in a decent concubine from a good family to manage the household. Remember to find a woman who understands her place and is content with her lot."

Maternal Aunt Liu’s face instantly turned ashen. Another decent concubine from a good family?

What did that make her? Although she took good care of herself, she was also a woman in her thirties and couldn’t compare to the younger women in some aspects. People who didn’t harbor ill intentions like Madam Yin were truly rare. If this new decent concubine was cunning and took charge of the household affairs, how would she cope?

Madam Yin claimed her courtyard by its layout and, having already given up hope on the Princely Heir, wasn’t particularly troubled by whether he had a decent concubine or not.

But for Maternal Aunt Liu, it was different. She no longer had any income from shops or estates. If she encountered a strong rival, her life would become difficult. Not to mention if the Princely Heir shifted his affections and the woman bore him a son or a daughter, then what would all her years of scheming have been for?

Maternal Aunt Liu looked at Ye Hongyang with a desolate gaze.

Ye Hongyang immediately felt sympathy and, turning around, said to Duke An with an impatient tone, "Enough, Father, you needn’t trouble yourself any further. At most, Maternal Aunt Liu will just manage the household appropriately and keep out of other matters. As for the decent concubine, I’m not so lustful. Let’s not ruin someone’s daughter."

Duke An, seeing Maternal Aunt Liu pushing his son to take her side right in front of him and his wife, wore a stern look and coldly said, "You and Maternal Aunt Liu only want to live a loving life together, don’t you? Since you’re so loving, then why fear a decent concubine entering the household?" He then said to the Duchess, "Alright, you take care of the remaining matters. Just remember to keep the servants in line. A maternal aunt is half a servant, she’s a servant just the same. Don’t compromise the dignity of Duke’s Mansion."

Having said that, Duke An walked away with a flick of his sleeve.

The Duchess watched Duke An leave, then sighed and said, "A perfectly good life, and yet you create such troubles. Who could be blamed? Nanny Qian, go now and take over the kitchen supplies from Maternal Aunt Liu. Reduce the servants in her courtyard—just leave her with one maid and one old woman servant. Henceforth, treat Maternal Aunt Liu’s food, clothing, and accommodations according to the standards of a concubine. Even the sons and daughters must abide by the rules; they shall not bypass their mother to see Maternal Aunt Liu directly."

Maternal Aunt Liu’s face grew paler as she listened. Was she really going to revert to the status of a servant? After so many years of striving, she had ended up back where she started, no, even worse than when she had first entered the mansion.

After the Duchess finished giving her instructions to Nanny Qian, she turned to Maternal Aunt Liu and said, "Don’t complain. I also punished you before but to no avail, as you failed to rein yourself in."

"Hongyang is an only son, spoiled by us. That’s why, coming from a poor family that had to sell a daughter to survive, you’ve been able to live so comfortably in a First-Rank Duke’s Mansion, even letting the wife of the heir apparent make way for you. But still, you are not content."

"Alas, we’re both old now, leaving behind such a discontent and unruly woman, and such a senseless son, I truly don’t know where Duke An’s Mansion will end up. Being lenient with you today is already quite generous. You’ve reached this point today, and both I and the Duke are to blame, which is why we tolerate you, otherwise you should have been beaten or killed to prevent future trouble. Mind how you go from here on."

Maternal Aunt Liu went limp, relying on Ye Hongyang to support her so she didn’t collapse on the ground, her heart already ice cold.