Lady Hou is reborn and, by pampering her illegitimate son, reclaims her life of wealth and privilege

“I noticed that you usually dress very simply. Please accept these jewels for now. Although the amount is not large, I will gradually add more for you in the future.”

Few women in the world are not tempted by dazzling jewelry, not even a woman like Wei Ruoyi who had lived a life of hardship. However, she was well aware of the current financial difficulties of the Marquis's household.

“Madam, I find it hard to accept. You have already bestowed too much kindness upon my son and me, and we have no way to repay you. I cannot bear this great gift.”

Jiang Huaiyu knew Wei Ruoyi's kindness and gratitude. "Take it. You are now the aunt of the Marquis's family. In the future, when you are socializing and making a scene in front of others, you must not let the Marquis's family lose face. These jewels are not enough. You can keep them and wear them."

Seeing this, Wei Ruoyi could no longer refuse. "Thank you, Madam. Ruoyi and Fenghui will remember your great kindness and never forget it."

Jiang Huaiyu frowned slightly. "Sigh, what's the point of talking about grudges and feuds among family members? We're family, these are just our duties."

After speaking, Jiang Huaiyu took out a brocade box with colorful decorations. When she opened it, she found some colorful jewelry that was more suitable for young women to wear.

“Sister Qi, since you entered the Marquis’s mansion, you have not had a formal welcoming ceremony. In addition, the living conditions at the border were harsh. You are so young, so I have carefully selected some jewelry that is suitable for your age as a gift for your arrival.”

Qi Ziming did not refuse, "Thank you, Madam."

Everyone drank and chatted happily. This was the first time Jiang Huaiyu had gathered with her family for dinner since her rebirth.

Although Feng Hui still harbored some resentment towards her, Jiang Huaiyu felt extremely satisfied because the harmony of family relationships had greatly improved.

Feng Yun has also joined the Sword-Binding Division. As long as he works diligently, the future of the Marquis's mansion will be secured. Furthermore, with the support of the future Emperor Wei Fengyao, the mansion's glory will continue. Jiang Huaiyu has also meticulously prepared numerous businesses for the mansion; even if they are not skilled in management, the rental income alone will ensure the family's wealth.

Zhongliang, you are a great hero who protected your home and endured humiliation. Now I have done my best to protect the Marquis's mansion and prevent it from falling into ruin.

If you could know this from beyond the grave, you could rest in peace now.

Thinking of this, Jiang Huaiyu felt a pang of sorrow and couldn't help but shed two lines of tears.

Seeing this, everyone felt at a loss.

Wei Fengyun asked with concern, "Mother, what's wrong?"

Jiang Huaiyu gently wiped away her tears, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "Mother is alright. She is just overjoyed to see our family so harmonious and reunited. The three of you have all achieved something, the future of the Marquis's mansion is secured, and the Marquis's spirit can rest in peace."

Upon hearing this, Wei Ruoyi gently comforted Jiang Huaiyu, saying, "Madam, the children are all showing their talents, and our wonderful time is yet to come."

Wei Fengyun quickly added, "Indeed, Mother. I am currently only a ninth-rank captain. When I achieve numerous military merits and am promoted to the first-rank commander of the Fujian Division, I will definitely upgrade the Marquis's Mansion to the Duke's Mansion, allowing you to enjoy the honor of being the Dowager Madam and the prestigious prestige of the Duke's Mansion." Jiang Huaiyu revealed a kind smile. She knew that Wei Fengyun was somewhat slow-witted and never expected him to hold a high official position. She only wished for his peace, happiness, good health, and abundance of money.

Her care for Wei Fenghui and Wei Fengyao stemmed from her hope that they would provide Wei Fengyun with more support and assistance in the future.

"Your mother does not expect you to become a high-ranking official. As long as you are healthy, safe, happy and fulfilled, that is enough."

Wei Fengyao has recently realized that his second brother is not very perceptive. He secretly vowed that if he were to ascend the throne in the future, he would repay the deep kindness of Marquis Jiaxing and Jiang Huaiyu and do his best to take care of Wei Fengyun.

Jiang Huaiyu turned her gaze to Wei Fenghui and asked gently, "Fenghui, there's only one month left until the imperial examination, isn't there?"

In his previous life, Wei Fenghui not only passed the provincial examination and obtained the honor of becoming a Jinshi, but also won the top spot in the palace examination and won the crown of Zhuangyuan.

Since then, he has lived independently with Wei Ruoyi.

Jiang Huaiyu felt uneasy, wondering if Wei Fenghui would leave again in this life.

Wei Fenghui was surprised to see that Jiang Huaiyu still remembered his exam schedule. It seemed that Jiang Huaiyu's personality had indeed changed drastically; she used to be indifferent to any exams.

Yes, there's still a month left.

Jiang Huaiyu nodded gently, "Mother believes you will definitely win the championship, but don't put too much pressure on yourself. Remember to balance work and rest. I don't see that you have a suitable page. Tomorrow I plan to go to the human trafficking agency with Aunt Wei to select a few maids and servants for each of you."

Wei Fenghui politely declined, saying, "Mother, I'm used to being alone. Please buy whatever my two younger brothers and aunts need."

Jiang Huaiyu smiled and said, "Other families have young masters like this, and our Jiaxing Marquis's Mansion can't fall behind."

After dinner, Wei Ruoyi summoned Wei Fenghui to her boudoir.

“Fenghui, from now on, in public, you should still call me Auntie. This is the established rule. Even ordinary families must abide by it, let alone our Marquis’s Mansion, which holds a prominent position. If word gets out, outsiders will surely criticize our Marquis’s Mansion for not following etiquette and for being improper. That would be subject to public criticism.”

Wei Ruoyi softened her tone and continued, "In the past, Madam was magnanimous and never held grudges. Now that Madam intends to mend the rift between us, you cannot ignore her feelings. If you continue to act as you please in front of others, wouldn't that be trampling on the dignity of our Marquis's mansion?"

Wei Fenghui was well aware that he often indulged Wei Ruoyi's rules, but he had never received any favors from Jiang Huaiyu since childhood. He relied entirely on Wei Ruoyi to earn her food and clothing, and he considered himself to owe Jiang Huaiyu nothing.

“Mother, Jiang Huaiyu neither gave me life nor raised me to adulthood. I am willing to call her Mother only because she has taken care of us recently, which is enough to show her enough respect. As for you, you raised me to adulthood and provided for my studies with your own hard work, without taking a penny from the Marquis's mansion. If I cannot even call you Mother, then what is the point of my studies? I study hard so that you will not have to work hard in the future and can live a comfortable life, not to betray the kindness of your upbringing.”

Wei Ruoyi knew in her heart that her son was a filial child, but the resentment in her heart had not completely disappeared. Although Jiang Huaiyu had been quite considerate to Wei Fenghui and herself recently, how could Wei Fenghui easily forget the suffering he had endured in the past?

Wei Fenghui continued, “Mother, there’s no need to worry. If you’re concerned about outside criticism of the Marquis’s mansion, we can simply be independent. In another month, I will go to the capital to participate in the imperial examination. I am confident that I will excel and become a Jinshi. Once I become a Jinshi, the court will provide me with a monthly salary of thirty taels of silver, and will also cover my annual clothing, shoes, food, and other necessities. At that time, I will be able to provide you with a worry-free life without relying on anyone else.”