Chapter 24: The Father of a Turtle Son

Aunt Ning's expansion was undoubtedly related to the indulgence of the Marquis of Qingyun. But her actions went beyond simply trying to control the original owner of the body.

After drinking a few sips of tea, Grace called Xiao Ju over in front of Yun Xiyi's increasingly astonished gaze. "Go and tell Grandmother that Aunt Ning has been taking care of me for all these years, and now that I've grown up, it's time for her to enjoy some peace and happiness. I think Caiyun is quite clever, so I'll assign her to serve Grandmother. When Grandmother goes to reunite with Uncle Biao, then let Caiyun come back."

Xiao Ju's mouth hung open halfway through hearing this, but after glancing at Grace for a moment, she hurriedly left!

Just before Caiyun had returned from meeting Aunt Ning in private, Grace sent her off to Mei Yingzhai. Did she really need to spell it out?

Grace didn't intend to engage in any family conflicts, but given the circumstances, she had to draw on some of the skills she had acquired from her past experiences.

Meanwhile, Aunt Xing, who was drinking soup in the main house, nearly spilled it all over herself after hearing the news.

As the Marchioness of Zhao, she naturally had to be involved in all household matters, and since Grace had lost her biological mother, Aunt Xing was well aware of the backgrounds of the people around Grace. However, due to the family relations and Aunt Ning's status as a distant relative of the Marquis, Aunt Xing had learned to turn a blind eye to certain matters.

Sending Caiyun to Mei Yingzhai was a clear message to Aunt Ning.

"What does the Third Miss intend to do?" It wasn't that Aunt Xing thought Grace's actions were wrong; it was more about whether she had the ability to handle the aftermath. After all, Aunt Ning had been taking care of Grace for twelve years, and publicly shaming her like this could lead to accusations of ingratitude. Could Grace withstand such criticism?

"I don't understand either. Please, Madam, consider how to handle this," Xiao Ju said, clearly flustered.

While Grace had promised to reflect on her past mistakes and change her ways, her actions were too extreme. Was she trying to provoke Aunt Ning? Aunt Xing didn't doubt Grace's intentions, but she worried about the consequences. After all, Aunt Ning had raised Grace for many years, and showing filial piety now was rare. Aunt Xing decided to support Grace's decision.

"Go to Mei Yingzhai and convey my message," Aunt Xing instructed.

...

Grace followed through on her words and began studying the next day, much to Yun Xiyi's surprise. Yun Xiyi reluctantly prepared the lesson plans, and they began their sessions. At the same time, Caiyun was led by Xiao Ju to pack her belongings and prepare to go to Mei Yingzhai.

Grace's study schedule was flexible, as both she and Yun Xiyi had plenty of free time. However, Grace had chosen to schedule their lessons in the morning because she wanted to cultivate a better relationship with the Marquis. Unfortunately, the Marquis had left early in the morning to attend to his official duties. Grace had no choice but to send Hua Xiangrong out to gather information about the progress of the Shi En case.

At court, the main topic of discussion was the case of Shi En, who had been recently arrested but had yet to be sentenced. Shi En's rise to power had been quite remarkable. He was the son of a noble family and had sought revenge for his father's death, eventually overthrowing the previous dynasty. Although Shi En's rebellion had been swift, it had taken over twenty years to stabilize the situation. However, with the sudden death of the former emperor, power struggles had resurfaced, and the case of Shi En was one such example.

A group of officials, led by the Marquis of Guangping, advocated for a swift trial and punishment for Shi En, citing clear evidence of his crimes. However, the Marquis of Qingyun suggested prioritizing the resolution of military issues before dealing with Shi En's case.

After court, the Marquis of Qingyun headed to the Ministry of Revenue to arrange for the disbursement of military funds.

As he entered the ministry, he heard a voice calling out behind him. Turning around, he saw Yang Mei, the Assistant Minister of Works, approaching him. Although the Marquis of Qingyun maintained a composed expression, he inwardly frowned upon seeing him.

Yang Mei's father had been a scholar in the Imperial Academy, and although the family had a noble background, the Marquis of Qingyun found Yang Mei annoying due to recent events.

"May I help you, Assistant Minister?" the Marquis of Qingyun asked.

Yang Mei bowed politely. "I dare to ask, is the Marquis here for the military funds?"

"What of it?" the Marquis of Qingyun replied.

"I am curious, Marquis. Shi En has been caught red-handed, with ample evidence of his crimes. Why the change in attitude from Your Lordship during court today?"

The Marquis of Qingyun didn't feel like explaining himself.

"I merely said that I wouldn't handle the case personally. I didn't say I wouldn't support severe punishment if the evidence against Shi En is solid. If I recall correctly, Assistant Minister Yang should be busy at the Ministry of Works. Why are you here bothering me?"

Yang Mei looked at him for a moment before clasping his hands together. "Marquis, I've heard that the young lady has been frequenting the Cining Palace recently. Is Your Lordship's change in attitude related to Her Majesty?"

The mention of Grace sparked a fire within the Marquis. He sneered, "Isn't it obvious? The young lady's frequent visits to the Cining Palace are precisely what my son wants. If she doesn't go to the Cining Palace, how will my son win his bet?"

"Young Master Yang's behavior is well known," Yang Mei remarked. "I thought the Marquis's family held itself to high standards, but it seems that behind closed doors, you're no different from those who gamble and betray others."