Chapter 681: Chapter 683: Claiming Connections

Bai Jinglie sat back down. "Then be direct. Say what you need to say. Grandmother should be waiting for me for dinner by now."

Bai Yugang said, "You’ve taken over the sea trade, so you’ll certainly need people to assist you. Take your younger brother with you this time."

"Bai Jingyang?" Bai Jinglie laughed. "Is that all this is about?"

"Of course there’s more. Since you are the Princely Heir, you must also shoulder the burdens of this mansion. Your mother is not capable of managing the household; we need the Deng Family to return and take charge..."

"My mother?" Bai Jinglie cut him off. "Isn’t my mother enshrined in the ancestral hall? Does a mere concubine who clawed her way up deserve to be called that? Besides, whoever made this mess should be the one to clean it up.

For years, she’s been siphoning the mansion’s funds into her own private coffers. Now you have the audacity to ask me to fill this deficit?

All these years, I’ve survived on my own mother’s dowry. I don’t take advantage of this mansion, and this mansion had better not think of taking advantage of me.

If you really can’t make ends meet, then sell off the mansion’s shops and estates. It’s not like any of those things will end up in my hands anyway."

’He had seen it clearly long ago. The old man only ever thinks about Bai Jingyang. He’s probably already made other arrangements for him.’

’I’m not an idiot. If I jump in now, I’ll just be played for a fool.’

"You bastard! Are those words a Princely Heir should be saying? That is our ancestral inheritance! If you squander it all, how will you face our ancestors?"

Bai Jinglie burst out laughing. "Father, that’s a ridiculous thing for you to say.

Ancestors this, ancestors that. Didn’t our family come from farmers in the fields?

My great-grandfather owned nothing to his name. If this mansion is left with even a single small estate, he’d probably wake from his sleep laughing.

This is for the best. It will allow my younger brother to be a wealthy, idle gentleman. I’m sure our ancestors would be satisfied with that."

Bai Yugang’s chest heaved violently. This unfilial son managed to make him fume with rage every single time.

But this time, the mansion truly was in dire straits. Otherwise, he never would have summoned him.

"Can you really bear to watch your grandmother, at her advanced age, rack her brains just to keep this family afloat?"

Believing he had found the boy’s weak spot, Bai Yugang’s confidence swelled.

"Sigh. We descendants are truly unfilial, dragging Grandmother down at her age.

When I see her later, I will advise her that her children and grandchildren must make their own way in the world. Grandmother really shouldn’t trouble herself with these things anymore."

Bai Jinglie’s expression soured. "Father, you’re in the mansion all day. Haven’t you noticed how old Grandmother has become? How can you bear to let her toil so hard for the sake of *your* family, until her hair has turned white?"

"You..." Once again, Bai Yugang found himself unable to refute his own son’s words. He knew he was selfish, and if this conversation got out, people would surely condemn him as unfilial.

"If my mother were still alive, and the Deng Family dared to make her work so hard, I would have thrown her out myself," Bai Jinglie added, twisting the knife.

"Father, she comes from such a petty, low-born family she can’t even manage a household. I really don’t know what you saw in her all those years ago."

He then shook his head, a look of pity on his face. "If you hadn’t elevated a concubine to the status of your official wife, if you had instead married a noble lady from a high-ranking family, life in this mansion wouldn’t be so difficult."

"..." A trusted aide standing to the side hung his head low, regretting that he hadn’t excused himself sooner.

"Young Master, don’t stir up trouble the moment you return." Kuang Yunqiao could no longer bear to listen from outside the door and entered. She had hoped the Marquis could persuade him, but to her surprise, he too had been argued into silence.

"I thought you’d eavesdrop a while longer. Couldn’t hold it in anymore?" Bai Jinglie said mockingly. ’Does she really think the two guards I posted at the door are just for show? I simply ordered them not to announce her.’

"Princely Heir, do not forget that I am the Madam of this Marquis Mansion and your stepmother. Is this how you treat your elders?" Kuang Yunqiao had intended to have a civil conversation, but now she was seething with anger.

"Father, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving. Grandmother is still waiting for me for dinner." Bai Jinglie didn’t spare her a single glance. With a flick of his sleeves, he turned and walked out.

"..." Kuang Yunqiao was stunned. ’He just... left?’

She turned to Bai Yugang and whined piteously, "Marquis, you see his attitude! How are the three of us—my children and I—supposed to survive in the future?"

"If you hadn’t treated him so harshly all those years ago, I wouldn’t have to put up with this anger today." Bai Yugang had clearly taken Bai Jinglie’s earlier words to heart.

’Why did I ever make Ms. Kuang my official wife?’ he thought. ’She truly is as petty as her upbringing suggests. Utterly unfit to be the matriarch of a great house.’

"How unfair! I may not have doted on him, but I still raised him all the same.

Forget about me—you’re his biological father! He shouldn’t be so heartless, if only for your sake.

And what about Jing Li’s marriage? Did you mention it to him?

You refused to say a word about the Chengen Marquis Mansion, and a perfectly good match was snatched up by the second daughter of some fourth-rank official.

Our Jing Li is superior to her in every way, be it family background or status!

It was your constant delays that ruined that wonderful prospect.

The selection for the harem is also coming up. The Princely Heir has the Holy Emperor’s favor. If he were to put in a good word, Jing Li’s chances would be much, much greater.

Having a family member in the harem would be a great help to the Princely Heir in the future. It’s such a beneficial arrangement, he’s sure to agree."

Hearing her rattle on, Bai Yugang grew impatient. "You burst in so suddenly, I didn’t even have a chance to bring it up. You know he can’t stand the sight of you, so why did you have to barge in?

Aren’t you just making things worse?"

Kuang Yunqiao retorted, "...How can you blame me? That brat’s words were just too vile! I couldn’t restrain myself.

Besides, I’m his elder. What’s wrong with me scolding him a little?

He’s your junior, bad-mouthing me right in front of you, and you didn’t even reprimand him."

"Get out..." Bai Yugang suddenly clutched his chest. "Get lost..."

Kuang Yunqiao sputtered, "...Why are you taking your anger out on me?"

"GET OUT!"

* * *

「Hanlin Academy」

It was once again the time of year for assignments outside the capital. Many were scrambling, pulling every string they could.

While a post at the Hanlin Academy was stable, it was also one of the most poorly compensated positions in the entire bureaucracy.

Without a family fortune to fall back on, it was incredibly difficult to afford the immense expenses of Shangjing.

Ning Yuchen was one such official. He had previously tried to get in with Ancient Wen Heng, hoping to ride his coattails to an assignment away from Shangjing.

Unfortunately, he never found an opportunity. The man was as slippery as an eel, and all of his schemes came to nothing.

Now, everyone was busy networking and giving gifts behind the scenes, but his pockets were empty. He’d been so worried these past few days that his mouth had broken out in sores.

One day, after waiting for everyone else to leave, he hurried to catch up with He Nan.

He Nan was now an editor, and with his family background, he was certain to be assigned to a good post this time.

His relationships with the others were lukewarm at best. Only He Nan had passed the imperial examinations in the same year as him; perhaps he would be willing to lend a hand.

"Brother He, it’s been a while. How about I treat you to a few drinks up ahead?" Ning Yuchen said, quickening his pace to walk alongside him.

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