She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 573 - 571: Mother and Child Reunion

Chapter 573: Chapter 571: Mother and Child Reunion

Jiang Yifan saw Wong Qiao staring blankly at him and said, "I’m not trying to scare you with this but to tell you. Even if you marry someone else, if you allow your mother to harass your wife without attempting to stop her, Ah Yan will probably think less of you and will also dislike your mother. You will have no future to speak of either.

And you need to think about it, you’re not only your mother’s son, but you are also your father’s son and a descendant of the Wong family. If your talents were ordinary, that would be one thing, but you are gifted, and you have also the good fortune of meeting Ah Yan.

If you allow your mother’s selfishness and narrow-mindedness to ruin your future, to destroy the chance to honor your ancestors and bring solace to your father’s spirit in heaven, then you are not a filial son, but the Wong family’s unworthy descendant. Your mother will also become the sinner of the Wong family, with no merits to her name."

Wong Qiao listened, dumbstruck. The consequences of his marriage were so severe. But what Lord Jiang said was right; if he had the chance to bring honor to his ancestors but his mother ruined it, how could he and his mother face his father, how could they face the ancestors of the Wong family?

If Ye Zi really stopped using him, he would truly lose the chance to become a great craftsman and would be reduced to an ordinary craftsman struggling for a living every day. Initially, when His Highness Prince Yu promised him a position at the Ministry of Works, he did not agree. It was to continue working under Ye Zi, to learn more skills and aim to make a name for himself in the world with his exceptional craftsmanship.

Ye Zi wouldn’t do that, would he?

"But, Ye Zi..." Wong Qiao tried to speak, but Jiang Yifan interrupted him, "You and your mother can both disregard the future of the Wong family for your own selfish desires. Why should Ah Yan put up with her disgust and support you and your Wong family? To let your mother live a life of luxury while watching her good friend heartbroken and lost?"

"But... my mother is very stubborn, and if she doesn’t want to, it’s very hard to change her mind."

Wong Qiao felt utterly despondent. Even setting aside his emotions, his mother should know that marrying the daughter of the Prefectural Magistrate could greatly assist him, possibly helping him bring honor to his ancestors and shine upon the family name.

But his mother didn’t consider these things at all and flatly refused, perhaps she truly was somewhat selfish?

Jiang Yifan asked, "I’ll just ask you one question: how much do you like Second Miss Zhou, and how much are you willing to sacrifice for her?" It was better to ask clearly before making suggestions, given how complicated the Wong family’s situation was. If Zhou Biyao were pushed into a pit of fire, would Ah Yan fight with him, or sever ties and no longer associate with him?

Jiang Yifan sorrowfully found that apparently, Zhou Biyao was more important in Ah Yan’s heart than himself.

Wong Qiao didn’t see Jiang Yifan’s sorrow but answered decisively, "As long as it’s within my power, I can give her everything."

"Including your future?"

Thinking of that bright girl with spiritual energy, the one who didn’t scorn him for being a lowly craftsman, his heart warmed, and he nodded resolutely, "Including my future!"

Then, slightly embarrassed, he said, "Actually, I don’t really desire a future; I just want to become a renowned craftsman in the Craftsmanship Sector, to redeem my father’s honor. Then, I can say that it wasn’t because my father lacked skills that the house collapsed, but because someone framed him."

It was then that Jiang Yifan finally smiled and said, "If you’ve made up your mind, things will be much easier to handle."

Wong Qiao’s eyes lit up, and he fixed his gaze on Jiang Yifan, eagerly asking, "How do we do that? Does Lord Jiang have a way to change my mother’s mind? If my mother really becomes hysterical and stops me from marrying Biyao, I’m afraid I’ll be incapable of anything."

Jiang Yifan nodded with a smile, "It should be possible."

The next morning, Jiang Yifan and Wong Qiao bid farewell to one another and set off in opposite directions.

Entering the territory of Yuyuan Prefecture, Wong Qiao instructed the guards to take a group of craftsmen back to Clear Water Village, while he, accompanied by a single guard, took a detour on horseback towards Yuyuan Prefectural City.

Five days later, as dusk approached and Lady Zhao anxiously awaited, Wong Qiao returned to the southernmost courtyard of the expanded construction complex north of Clear Water Village—the home of the second branch of the Qi family.

Since the craftsmen traveling to and from the capital were riding in carriages, Wong Qiao, even after detouring to Yuyuan City, only arrived one day after the craftsmen.

Lady Zhao, who had seen all the craftsmen who traveled with her son return but had not seen her own child, was terribly worried. However, upon inquiring where Wong Qiao had gone, none of the craftsmen could give a clear answer.

QI Younian and Ye Xinyan, having heard about Wong Qiao’s encounter with Jiang Yifan, had some speculations in their hearts, so they weren’t too worried about Wong Qiao. They figured that Jiang Yifan must have given Wong Qiao some advice, which he went to follow.

Despite Qi Younian’s patient reassurances, Lady Zhao was still not at ease and had a restless night. The following day, she waited for a whole day, and just as dinner time was approaching, she heard clamor of horses and people in the front courtyard. She quickly donned her coat to go out and see.

As expected, she saw Wong Qiao standing in the center of the courtyard, talking with Qi Younian and Cheung Wusi among others.

At first glance, Wong Qiao caught sight of the woman emerging from the corner of the courtyard; it was indeed his mother, Lady Zhao.

Although he had been informed by Jiang Yifan of his mother’s arrival, the sudden sight of her still prompted an uncontrollable surge of emotion. Forgoing his conversation with Qi Younian, he quickly stepped forward, knelt in front of Lady Zhao, and with bowed head said, "Mother, you’ve come. Your unfilial son greets you."

Lady Zhao, not having seen her son for nearly three years, felt her heart that had been hanging in suspense finally let go with joy, only to be overwhelmed by a bittersweet feeling as her vision blurred when looking at her son.

She bent down to support Wong Qiao’s arms and said with a trembling voice, "Ah Qiao, you’re back. Stand up quickly, the ground is cold. Child, why didn’t you come back with everyone else? Didn’t you know your mother would worry?"

Wong Qiao looked at his mother and, thinking of what he was about to do, a flicker of guilt passed through his heart. But glancing at his cousin standing behind her, his resolve grew firmer.

"There was someone who said their home’s foundation was on rocky soil, difficult for construction, so they asked me to take a look. Since I happened to be passing by, I took a detour to check it out. Son has not considered thoroughly, causing mother to worry," he explained.

By this time, people from the rear courtyard had also heard the news, and Ye Xinyan came out accompanied by Zhou Biyao, watching the mother and son reunite from a distance.

Zhou Biyao observed Wong Qiao kneeling on the ground, looking up at Lady Zhao and speaking with her, while Lady Zhao, bending over, was helping Wong Qiao to his feet, constantly wiping the corners of her eyes with her sleeve. The profound mother-son affection flowed unrestrained under the watchful eyes of everyone in the courtyard.

Her heart, filled with anticipation, couldn’t help but sink.

With Lady Zhao’s help, Wong Qiao stood up, and as he turned, his gaze brushed against Zhou Biyao’s before they each looked away.

Zhou Biyao, slightly disappointed, kept in mind Ye Xinyan’s instruction: before the matrimonial arrangement was finalized, especially in front of Lady Zhao, she must not have too much contact with Wong Qiao. Regardless of whether the marriage would happen or not, too much interaction before the wedding would draw Lady Zhao’s criticism and only heighten her wariness.