Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Old Madam Nan was taken aback by his serious expression: "The marriage is already arranged, how can you deny it?"

Seeing that Old Madam Nan was somewhat flustered, Nan Fei patted his leg and began to ramble, "Mother, now that my leg is broken, if it doesn't heal, I'll be a cripple, which will affect the Yuan family's ability to continue the family line. Being childless is the first of the seven grounds for divorce. If A-Feng divorces me and throws me back into the Nan family, then I..."

Nanfei said sadly, "I can't bear the shame... so I'll hang myself... jump into the river... drink poison... and end it all... once and for all..."

Yuan Feng lowered her head and remained silent.

The Nan family members looked at each other in bewilderment: It was just a broken leg, how did they come to say it was a matter of death? What's the problem?

Nanshan asked cautiously, "...A broken leg...will affect...having children..."

The problem is this! Old Madam Nan's voice trembled: "...They're all broken?"

He'd accidentally gone too far with his words. Following everyone's gaze, Nanfei looked down, pulled the little wooden figure into his arms to shield him, and explained, "Mother..."

Jun Xinyue immediately picked up Mutou: "Mutou, you can't sit on Uncle's lap. Uncle... has trouble with his legs..."

Nanshan simply pulled the blanket over herself, blocking everyone's questions and inquiries: "Mother, I..."

This action is simply a cover-up and self-deception.

Old Madam Nan's tears fell: "What kind of karma has this happened? You've been away from home for years, and now this disaster has struck you. You're still young, and Ah Feng is young too, what are we going to do..."

Nanfei said, "Mother, I just..."

Madam Nan completely ignored him: "...Ah Feng..."

Yuan Feng looked up at her.

Madam Nan said, "...Ah Feng, we didn't agree to your marriage with Xiao Fei at first, but we accepted it when the imperial decree came down. Now that the whole world knows about your marriage, we can't just divorce him like that. If the emperor blames us, no one can bear the consequences."

Yuan Feng replied, "Mother, I will not divorce my husband."

Madam Nan took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears: "Ah Feng, we've all seen your affection for Xiao Fei over the years. You're capable and talented, if it weren't for the fact that you're four years older than Xiao Fei..."

Nanfei said, "Mother, I am three years older. There's a saying that a woman three years older than her husband is like a golden brick. All these years, my food, clothing, and shelter have been provided for by Afeng. The Nan family hasn't spent a single penny on me."

Madam Nan continued, "...It's Xiaofei who's not good enough for you. Our previous neglect wasn't due to dissatisfaction with you, but rather because Xiaofei has been away from home for the past few years, and we had our issues with him. Now that he's back, you should live a good life together. From now on, we'll cover any expenses Xiaofei incurs; you won't have to support him... If all else fails, as a general, you can take a concubine; there are many handsome men in Bianjing..."

The art style has gone this far? Yuan Feng stared blankly at Old Madam Nan.

Nan Fei steeled his resolve and decided to go all in without explanation: "Mother, if all else fails, I'll just go to the palace. I can become the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, which would bring honor to our ancestors..."

Nanshan interrupted him: "Little brother..."

Master Nan stood outside the door listening for a long time, and then felt something was wrong: "How could someone fall down the steps and get so badly hurt? Physician Nan is a distant relative of the Nan family. I'll have him come and take a look another day."

Nanfei said, "Father, this is what the young master has seen. The owner of Heaven and Earth Manor is a divine physician with a thousand-gold prescription, no better than the imperial physician."

Madam Nan remembered and quickly said, "Yes, the young master said it's nothing serious. He just needs to rest, avoid overexertion and anxiety, and not be distracted or indulgent. He'll recover soon. He also needs to take his medicine on time..."

There's still hope! Old Madam Nan regained her composure: "Xiao Cui, go and prepare the medicine for the young master, keep an eye on the fire..."

Xiao Cui took the medicine and left.

Madam Nan said to Yuan Feng, "Feng, you'll stay here tonight. The young master said that Xiao Fei needs to calm his mind and not be carefree or indulgent; he needs to clear his mind... We'll make room for you in the next room. Don't worry, Xiao Fei will get better..."

Yuan Feng said, "Mother, I'm not in a hurry."

Madam Nan began methodically: "Xin Yue, tell the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes, and say that the young master and young mistress have returned. Xiao Fei needs to rest, and A Feng, you must be tired from carrying him. You should all rest first. We'll call you for dinner..."

The kind-hearted Madam Nan led everyone away and gently closed the door behind her.

Nanfei scratched Yuan Feng's palm: "What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Yuan Feng turned around and sat facing him, her expression a mixture of sorrow and joy.

Nanfei said, "My mother is very soft-hearted. My sister-in-law has never been wronged in all these years she's been with us. It's not that she has a problem with you; it's just that she's been upset and taking it out on you because I haven't been home for so many years. Now that I'm back, she'll definitely treat you very well. Everyone in our family is very kind..."

Yuan Feng grabbed Nan Fei's clothes with both hands and buried her face in Nan Fei's chest.

Nanfei stroked her hair, comforting her, "You've suffered these past few years, but that won't happen again. My family is your family. You have me, and many, many other families... Mother will treat you very well, just like she treats your sister-in-law... Ah Feng, don't be sad..."

The Nan family has a very upright family tradition; Master Nan is honest and upright, and Madam Nan is kind and gentle. A marriage decree, and the son of a favored son of heaven running away from home—everyone would harbor resentment.

Yuan Fengyu said, her voice choked with emotion, "I'm not sad."

The resentment she felt a few years ago vanished without a trace at this moment. Had Nan Fei grown up, matured, and come to terms with things? Or did he pity her because she had no relatives or friends? Yuan Feng didn't want to investigate.

Yuan Feng wiped her tears on his clothes and looked up: "Your reputation is ruined. The Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial? There's a limit to how much you can talk nonsense. You've scared our parents, elder brother, and sister-in-law to death."

Nanfei laughed and said, "A scare makes for a surprise. When you give birth to a big, healthy son, they'll be overjoyed."

Yuan Feng said, "What if it's a big, chubby girl?"

Nanfei said, "Anyway, we'll both share your surname, Yuan. As long as you don't object to divorcing me, that's fine, right?"

Yuan Feng's suppressed tears welled up again: "Nanfei..."

Nanfei said, "Don't cry. Mother is very protective of her own. If my eldest brother and sister-in-law quarrel, Mother will scold my eldest brother like crazy. If she sees you crying later, she'll beat me to death."

Yuan Feng shook her head: "You, all you know how to say is nice things."

Nanfei said, "My leg is broken, I can only move my mouth."

Yuan Feng stared at him, growing happier with each glance.

Nanfei said, "What are you looking at? Kiss me if you want, I'm not taking any money from you. By the way, remember to give the two hundred and fifty taels to your sister-in-law. A son who marries into the family is like water spilled from a bowl. You haven't let the Nan family spend a single penny on me all these years, you can't ruin your reputation in your later years."

Is this how a married daughter protects her family? Yuan Feng smiled and leaned in to kiss him: "Okay, here you go."

Nanfei pressed down on her neck and kissed her repeatedly.

Yuan Feng blushed: "Young Master said..."

Nanfei instantly became furious: "Don't listen to his nonsense, he's just cunning and ruthless. I told my brother-in-law a few truths, and he framed me like this, and also framed my sister and brother-in-law, who is his own cousin..."

My sister and brother-in-law are cowards; they didn't dare come. It's a good thing they didn't, otherwise Gu Yu would definitely have made fun of them. Family conflicts are one thing, but if it escalates into a conflict between ruler and subject, that would be a serious matter…”