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

Left with no other option, they turned to the circles of other women to find new topics of conversation.

As more and more people came to pay their respects, the area outside the mourning hall, originally intended for mourning, gradually transformed into a grand social gathering for the powerful and wealthy.

The ladies moved among them, exchanging pleasantries, their thoughts and calculations subtly swirling within the scene.

"Did you know that yesterday, the remains of the Marquis of Jiaxing were returned to his hometown for burial? Shockingly, the Marquis's heir not only did not stay home to keep vigil, but instead went to a brothel to seek pleasure."

"Oh dear, if the Marquis of Jiaxing knew this in the afterlife, he would probably be so angry at this unfilial son that he would be brought back to life."

"That's true. It's said that the heir of the Marquis of Jiaxing neglected his studies. Although he possesses extraordinary skills, he's a good-for-nothing wastrel."

"I think the Jiaxing Marquis's mansion is probably facing decline."

"That may be true, but doesn't the Marquis of Jiaxing have two other young masters?"

Everyone was whispering and discussing.

"You don't know this, there's an even more astonishing secret. Accompanying the Marquis of Jiaxing back was a mysterious woman and a young child."

"I also know the inside story, and the Lady of Jiaxing was furious about it."

"Indeed, who would have thought that the Marquis of Jiaxing, who guarded the frontier for fourteen years, would keep a woman outside, and that this woman would give birth to a son for him in the first year?"

"If I were Jiang Huaiyu, I would probably be heartbroken by now."

"What's even more shocking is that they also have an illegitimate eldest son."

"That's old news from many years ago. Back when Jiang Huaiyu married into the Jiaxing Marquis's mansion, the Jiaxing Marquis already had a one-year-old son born to a maidservant."

"Jiang Huaiyu's fate is truly full of twists and turns!"

Inside the mourning hall, the clansmen keeping vigil could faintly hear the outside world's criticisms of the Jiaxing Marquis's Mansion.

Jiang Huaiyu did not go out to stop it; instead, she faced her three sons and wept bitterly.

Seeing Jiang Huaiyu's pitiful state, Wei Fengyao couldn't help but feel pity for her. He secretly vowed to be more considerate and caring towards this poor Lady Hou in the future, and to devote more effort to the Jiaxing Marquis's Mansion so that it could regain its former glory.

Seeing Jiang Huaiyu's tearful and sorrowful expression, Wei Fenghui remained indifferent, feeling that she had only herself to blame.

In his heart, as long as he passed the imperial examination one day, he would take Wei Ruoyi away from the Marquis's mansion and live their own independent life. As for the rise and fall of the Jiaxing Marquis's mansion, it would have nothing to do with him anymore.

Hearing the accusations against him from those around him, Wei Fengyun's face flushed with shame.

Recalling his mother's earnest words of instruction in the carriage when she returned, he deeply realized the importance of holding real power, and the idea of ​​joining the army and making military achievements arose in his heart.

Jiang Huaiyu's gaze swept over his three sons, each with a distinct expression, and he felt very pleased with Wei Fengyun and Wei Fengyao's attitude.

However, Wei Fenghui's nonchalant attitude made her feel depressed.

Wei Fenghui's sense of belonging to the Marquis's mansion was so weak as to be almost negligible. Jiang Huaiyu knew that she had to find a way to win his understanding and acceptance.

She gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and said earnestly to her three sons, "The three of you are all of the Marquis's bloodline. No matter what your background is, I will always be your legal mother. Now that your father has passed away, you, as brothers, should support each other and overcome this difficult time together, and not let others take advantage of the situation. The hope of the Marquis's family rests on the shoulders of the three of you."

Wei Fengyun and Wei Fengyao responded in unison, firmly: "Mother, please rest assured."

Wei Fenghui remained expressionless.

Jiang Huaiyu knew that changing Wei Fenghui's perception of her was as difficult as climbing to heaven, but she still had to try her best.

“Hui’er, I understand that you harbor deep resentment towards me, resenting my neglect of you since childhood. However, I also have my own unspeakable difficulties. You have ideals and pursuits, and I also have my pride and bottom line.” Although her voice was low, it was filled with an undeniable firmness.

"After all, what mistress would tolerate a maid who hasn't even entered the household giving birth to the eldest son? Do you know that when your father and I were newly married, we could have made you disappear without a trace? However, when I held you in my arms, you were so fragile and small. Although I was angry inside, seeing your innocent and sweet face, my pity arose spontaneously. So, I allowed Aunt Wei to keep you and raise you with all my heart."

"At that time, countless mocking eyes in the capital were focused on the Marquis's mansion. Countless people were eagerly waiting to witness my embarrassment and to see me lose my husband's love because of the intervention of a maidservant. In that difficult moment, I had no choice but to banish you and your child to the most remote and dark courtyard, depriving you of all your luxuries in order to have some peace and quiet."

Wei Fenghui was taken aback when he learned that Jiang Huaiyu would reveal this past event in front of his other two sons. Although Jiang Huaiyu's explanation was reasonable, the years of grievances he and his mother had endured could not be erased with just a few words.

With tears welling in her eyes and her voice trembling, Jiang Huaiyu said emotionally, "I am being so frank not to beg for your forgiveness. Over the years, you have never called me 'Mother,' and I know that my faults are countless, and I do not dare to ask for your forgiveness. My only wish is that you will not resent your father because of this. He was a great hero who fought on the battlefield and stood tall and upright. It was out of necessity that he could not always be with you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Fenghui and Wei Fengyun's gazes fell on Wei Fengyao simultaneously.

Although their father had not been by their side for long in the past ten years, he had always poured his fatherly love into Wei Fengyao.

Wei Fengyao's eyes revealed a hint of guilt as he lowered his head weakly, worried that his two brothers would harbor resentment towards him because of this.

“You should not blame Feng Yao for your dissatisfaction. Even without him, your father would not be able to come back to us to be with you. Instead, we should be grateful to Feng Yao, because your father is lonely on the frontier, and Feng Yao’s companionship is a rare warmth for him.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Fengyun silently lowered his eyes, a profound realization surging within him.

He realized that this should not be his father's responsibility, but rather that he had been too selfish and extreme, failing to consider the issue from his father's perspective.

"Mother, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have held a grudge against Father. From now on, I will get along well with Hui and Yao, and we will be united as one."

In that instant, Wei Fengyun finally felt relieved and resolved the knot in his heart that had been there for so long.

Seeing the change in her eldest son's attitude, Jiang Huaiyu was filled with joy and felt quite proud of her own eloquence.

Wei Fengyao was also deeply moved. He had originally thought of this mother as sharp-tongued and mean, but now he felt immense respect for her.

This admiration stems not only from her magnanimity but also from her personal charm.

"Mother, I will keep your teachings in mind. I will definitely take good care of you and respect my two older brothers."