Transmigrating into a book to save her best friend, her sickly husband vies for her affections every

Yu was pushed by An Ge'er to walk outside. An Ge'er used to be a little afraid of her, but ever since Xie You gave him a good brainwashing, the boy has become a bit glib.

No wonder they sent him to stand in front of Xie Shuang to observe the rules.

An'ge'er's significance to the Marquis's mansion is extraordinary and cannot be taken lightly.

The key point is that Ange'er is very infatuated with Xie Shuang, whom he has only met a few times.

To sum it up in Xie Yugui's words: Everyone has to pay a price for being obsessed with someone.

In her words: the more beautiful a person is, the more dangerous they are; Ange'er is very brave.

"No, I have to go back to take care of Miss Ding."

Ange'er really dislikes Ding Xiayu, and she doesn't pretend to dislike him at all.

"Where are you going? Come with me to find my third uncle. There are other people in Shun'an Courtyard besides you."

Ange'er grumbled unhappily, "Auntie, you love me the most, don't you?"

It's funny, Yu. The old An'ge'er would never have said such a thing.

Who did you learn from?

Instead, Zhang Ruizhe's voice came from behind, "You accompany An'er back to the Duke's mansion, and while you're at it, ask Xie San what name he has chosen for Pan'er."

Zhang Zhengming hadn't figured it out yet, but he was the first to see through it.

She felt that if she didn't interfere in Pan Ge'er's affairs, Xie Tinglan's spirit in heaven might forgive him more.

After Xie Tinglan arrived, she initially brought the children's gifts to their door in person, but later she sent people to deliver them.

A father should look after his son; surely the Xie family wouldn't allow it?

He was so angry that he wanted to come back and give Zhang Zhengming a good beating, but Xie Yugui wrote him a letter saying that there was still a long time to go, and if his father didn't acknowledge him, forcing him to do so wouldn't work.

Anyway, he had made up his mind that the Marquis of Pingyang after Zhang Zhengming could only be Pan Ge'er.

He will also go to the palace to have His Majesty bear witness.

From any perspective, securing the support of the Duke's mansion for at least three generations through a title of nobility is a very worthwhile investment.

It's just a title; as long as Pan-ge'er sits there, An-ge'er can do the work.

and so……

Zhang Ruizhe looked at the grinning An Ge'er, "Zhang Huaishen."

His name made Brother An stop laughing.

"This is a hard-won opportunity, so cherish it. No matter how expensive it is, buy it if your teacher likes it. If you don't know what your teacher likes, you can give it to anyone you like."

"Wei Yu, you stay with him today and get this sorted out. Don't rush back. As for Xia Yu, I'll go ask for leave for you."

Since that's what they've said, Yu couldn't refuse.

Upon arriving at the Duke's mansion, An'ge'er hopped confidently to Jiang Yunchang's courtyard and sweetly called out, "Grandmother!"

Jiang Yunchang exclaimed and hugged An'er, who had fallen to her knees. "I had the kitchen prepare your favorite food, and I even had your room brought out. Do you want to stay in my yard or your third uncle's yard?"

Xie Zhiyi, standing nearby, snorted, "Look at this ungrateful little brat. I cleaned up his yard, and all he thinks about is how nice others are."

Pan Ge'er then pounced on Xie Zhiyi and sweetly called him "Grandpa, you're the best!" making Xie Zhiyi feel elated.

The Duke's Mansion truly treats Pan Ge'er as their own grandson. These days, they've been tidying up his courtyard. There's a small courtyard between Xie Yu Gui and Xie Fu Guang's courtyards, in a good location and quite elegant. Although it's a bit small, Pan Ge'er likes it. If he doesn't like it, it's not too late.

Yu thought the kid would regret it later.

The Duke's Mansion intends to find Xie Shuang an official position in the capital in two or three years, and Xie Fuguang's courtyard will probably be given to Xie Shuang to live in in the future.

Xie Yugui told him that Pan Ge'er is still young and he has a lot to do, so he will teach him one-on-one slowly when he is older. He even wrote a booklet himself, and carefully remembered everything that Pan Ge'er should master before he turns ten.

Living between these two people, just thinking about it makes me want to die.

"Where's my little brother?" Pan Ge'er asked.

Xie Zhiyi took his hand and said, "He's inside. Let's go in and play with him."

After the child was taken away, Jiang Yunchang beckoned to Weiyu, then patted the seat next to her, gesturing for her to sit down, and asked, "Has something happened at the Marquis's residence?"

What else could have happened?

If anything were to happen, the next Crown Prince's wife would have to enter the household.

“It’s alright. The Marquis’s mansion wants to send Pan’er to the north to find Xie Shuang, and wait for Xie Shuang to report on his duties at the end of the year before returning together. An’er is unsure what Xie Shuang likes, so he can ask Xie San when he gets back.”

As soon as she entered the room, she sent someone to deliver a message to Xie Yugui.

"What does Xie San know!" Jiang Yunchang quickly called the old woman in. "I remember when I was staying at the manor, he praised the lotus root starch and bird's nest soup, asking who made it and telling the cook to go with them to the north. Also, there's bamboo leaf green tea. Pack up all the ones at home and go see how much we can buy outside..."

Jiang Yunchang gave all sorts of instructions, all concerning food.

After giving her instructions, Jiang Yunchang sat back down, seemingly wanting to say something but then looking hesitant.

"Is it about the Gu family's daughter?" Wei Yu asked. Xie Zhiyi had mentioned this to him before.

If we bring it up again now, it's really going to come true.

Rumors are spreading like wildfire that the Duke's Mansion and the Gu family are going to form a marriage alliance.

Jiang Yunchang looked guilty. "Child, I've met that girl from the Gu family. She's a gentle and pitiful child with poor health. After she enters the family and passes away, how about you become her second wife? That way, we can also give an explanation to the Xie family clan."

After saying this, Jiang Yunchang felt her cheeks burning.

The part that wasn't finished is how she became a second wife.

Naturally, she would become a concubine, and if she had a child, she would rise in status and be promoted to the position of principal wife.

Wei Yu smiled and said, "The Gu family girl seems like a good girl."

Xie Tinglan was invited on her birthday. She stood on the small bridge and roughly saw her, though she didn't see clearly. But on that day, she understood that what didn't belong to her, God would not grant her.

Jiang Yunchang grasped her hand, "Child, I... I won't let you suffer!"

Yu Fan grasped her hand and said, "We'll talk again after Ding Xiayu leaves."

After saying that, she said she also wanted to see Ange'er, and got up to go inside.

"Anger is fully grown now, inheriting the best features of Xie Tinglan and Zhang Zhengming. He will surely be a handsome man in the future."

He was struggling to stand up when his legs gave way and he collapsed into Pan Ge'er's arms. Seeing that it was Yu, he excitedly crawled over to her.

Yu picked her up; she was indeed very well-fed by the Duke's mansion, a round and plump little dumpling.

“Our Pan Ge’er is so handsome.” Wei Yu kissed his little face.

Anger nodded, "His eyes look a lot like my aunt's."

“I think he’s a bit like his uncle, very mischievous.” Xie Zhiyi sighed as he spoke, then said to An’ge’er, “If he really is like your uncle, you’ll have to be strict with him, otherwise you won’t be able to control him.”

Really? Wei Yu is holding the baby who's chewing on his hand and he really looks like Xie Fuguang. Isn't that perfect! Who in the Marquis's mansion would dare to provoke him now!

Ange'er: "My eldest uncle is also very good; he's skilled in both literature and martial arts!"

After playing with An'ge'er for a while, Xie Yugui's voice came from outside.

"Oh dear, Xie Shuangzhen doesn't really like anything. Just give him the money. He'll be happier than anyone else when a thick wad of silver is handed over."

Then came a few cries of "Ouch, ouch," probably because Jiang Yunchang had beaten him up.

Wei Yu came out, while Xie Yu Gui was covering his ears. "I was just kidding. I'm so old, and my mother still hits me."

"As long as I'm not dead, I can beat you up anytime," Jiang Yunchang said to Weiyu. "Bring these along, I'm sure you'll like them."

Wei Yu said, "The Marquis said that money is not a problem and that he will definitely make proper arrangements for An Ge'er. So please, Third Young Master, treat Pan Ge'er with the same care and concern as An Ge'er."

"Your sarcastic tone shows that Zou Shi has ruined you to the core. Go home now." Xie Yugui thought about the items in the family storeroom and realized he actually had some. He asked Weiyu to come with him and then asked, "Can we open my elder brother's private storeroom?"

Xie Fuguang has a lot of things, including many good items, and some weapons are his treasured possessions.

“Go ahead and open it. Your older brother would naturally be unwilling to give it to Youou.” Jiang Yunchang nodded.

Having received confirmation, Xie Yugui took Weiyu to select items.

He didn't know much about weapons, but instead set his sights on an ancient zither in Xie Fuguang's cluttered private collection.

"The eldest young master can also play the zither?"

In her eyes, Xie Fuguang only knew how to slap people.

"Yes, but not much." Xie Yugui picked up a long spear and weighed it in his hand, thinking it was quite good. Then he looked at a dozen or so long swords. "Which one do you think looks the best?"

“I think this is good.” Her jade-like fingers brushed across the guqin, and with a gentle pluck of her fingertips, she confirmed it was a fine instrument. “Let’s give this as a gift. Isn’t the North mostly at peace now? Giving something that reflects a refined and leisurely lifestyle is a good idea.”

Xie Yugui readily agreed, "Alright, bring the zither along too, and let's choose a knife."

Forgetting about the fact that all knives looked similar, Wei Yu asked, "Does Xie Shuang know how to use a knife?"

"Rarely. He's good at everything, but his greatest strengths are close combat and troop deployment."

In short, his strength is unknown, but he becomes stronger when facing stronger opponents.

"Why give them a knife? They might have a better one."

Yu Ji noted that Xie Fuguang and Xie Yugui preferred using knives, and it's highly likely that the knife in question was found by Xie Fuguang for Xie Yugui.

After selecting the items, Xie Yugui wrote something else: "Zhang Zhengming should have some."

Yu said "okay" and made a move to leave.

"Don't you want to talk to me?" Xie Yugui asked.

Wei Yu's smile was a little stiff, but she still tried to lift it up. "What do you want to say?"

"You have nothing more to say to me?" Xie Yugui looked at him.

These words were a bit sharp. As Yu folded the note of thanks and put it into her sleeve, she said, "Ding Xiayu is still waiting for me to come back. She's a bit timid these days."

"I heard from Bixi that Ding Xiayu is trying to persuade you to leave the capital and go back to the north with her every day?" Xie Yugui asked.

"Don't try to frame me. She didn't just tell me; she said it to everyone who serves her." Wei Yu paused. "What would I be doing going to the North?"

"Then you will definitely return to the Duke's mansion, right?" Xie Yugui asked seriously.

He swallowed hard and nodded.

"I don't understand what nodding means." Xie Yugui looked at her. He couldn't fool Wei Yu. This look clearly showed that she didn't want to come back. "I will not marry a Gu family girl. Don't listen to the nonsense outside."

But you can't marry me either, Yu thought to herself. Now that things have come to this, there's more to their hearts than just love.

Fortunately, from the moment she learned that the Duke's mansion wanted her to marry Xie Yugui, she had already prepared herself for the possibility that the marriage would not happen.

She knew perfectly well what the consequences of being a concubine were. Even if the Xie family protected her, and even if the principal wife could tolerate her, whether the principal wife's family could tolerate her was another matter entirely.

I'd rather be a maid than a concubine.

They're neither masters nor servants; they're just things that produce babies.

A mother's status depends on her son; she doesn't need status.

Moreover, the reason she agreed back then was more to repay the Xie family and to spend the rest of her life serving Old Madam Xie, Xie Zhiyi, and Jiang Yunchang.

Looking back now, she's actually gotten nothing out of it.

Regardless of what happens between him and Xie Yugui in the future—

My thoughts were interrupted by the word "cousin".

"Are you going to start something and then abandon it?" Xie Yugui said. "The four of us siblings are all a bit sentimental. If you don't want me anymore, I'm afraid I'll have to follow in the footsteps of my older and younger sisters."

Yu Cai didn't believe it, but still didn't want to break ties with any member of the Xie family, so she took the initiative to hug him.

"These are turbulent times, let's not talk about these things."

"We need to talk!" Xie Yugui had come back specifically to discuss this matter. "I will absolutely not marry a woman from the Gu family, absolutely not. Remember that clearly."

“Okay, I’ll wait for you,” Wei Yu hugged him tightly, thinking to herself: As long as you don’t marry someone else, I can wait for you.

Anger's voice came from outside, and the two quickly separated, both coughing awkwardly.

Ango was completely unaware of how much of a spoilsport he was; after looking at the selected items, he clapped his hands happily.

“You won’t smile anymore once you go to the North,” Xie Yugui said. “Your teacher really does hit people. Yes, I’m preparing a ruler for your teacher to use on you.”

"Hmph, the teacher won't hit me!" Ange'er retorted. "The teacher is only mean to bad kids. I'm a good boy."

Do you think Xie You is a good boy?

Ango nodded.

Xie Yugui said, "I saw your teacher whipping him. My older brother tried to break up the fight and got beaten up too. Your uncle took in Xie Youye and he didn't come home at night. Your teacher ignored both of them for a month."

Ange'er still didn't believe it, "I'm a good baby."

Xie Yugui pointed at Wei Yu and said, "How about we make a bet? When he comes back for the New Year, he'll definitely wail and refuse to go to the North."

She doesn't gamble for jade; she only has a few coins, but she saves them all.

After dinner, Wei Yu was about to leave with An Ge'er. Xie Yu Gui also had official business to attend to, so they left the mansion together.

Once inside the carriage, Wei Yu, holding the person who had eaten their fill and was fast asleep leaning against him, suddenly remembered something and called for the carriage to stop.

I forgot to ask Xie Yugui for the name he chose for Pan Ge'er!

It started to rain outside.

Yu let the carriage go first; she could get the umbrella from Xie Yugui's yamen later.

When she arrived at the yamen, she saw a carriage stop, but Yu didn't pay attention and put her hand on her head to shield herself from the rain.

Suddenly, Xie Yugui came out.

Then, the carriage window opened, revealing a well-behaved little face.

Then a maid handed over a food box, which Xie Yugui accepted.

The two seemed to be talking.

Yu stood there blankly in the rain, and then, without hesitation, walked up to her.

"Little father-in-law."

Xie Yugui thought it was a hallucination, but when he saw Wei Yu appear, his hand holding the food box tightened.

"Who is this?" the person in the carriage asked.