Chapter 45: A Complex Heart

An Xiuyuan was in a terrible bind, unsure of what to choose. Logically, he should choose the title and the future it represented. After all, it was the legacy passed down by his ancestors.

But Wang Yuzhen was the woman he had loved since childhood, a woman he deeply cherished. He couldn’t bear to give her up.

Wang Yuzhen saw the turmoil in An Xiuyuan’s heart and rushed forward, grabbing his sleeve. “Brother Yuan, don’t abandon me. Zhen’er was wrong, Zhen’er won’t do it again.”

“Brother Yuan, think about Ming’er. He’s your eldest son. He’s so adorable, so clever and quick-witted, he’s sure to achieve great things in the future. You can’t let him have a mother who is bullied by servants, can you?”

“If this happens, how will Ming’er face the world? What face will he have left to live?”

It must be said that Wang Yuzhen knew how to manipulate An Xiuyuan. Though he loved her, his son was even more important in his eyes.

Wang Shi naturally felt the same way. She didn’t want her grandson to have a mother who would be pointed at and gossiped about. Besides, Wang Yuzhen was raised by her hand, a niece who was more like a daughter.

Of course, both she and Wang Yuzhen had a naive thought: the title of Marquis Dingyuan was bestowed by the Emperor. Even if it were to be revoked, it would have to be the Emperor’s decision. Dongli Lucang was the Regent, yes, but his power couldn’t surpass the Emperor’s, could it?

They thought that if they found some connections, they could find a way to keep the title through the palace.

Thinking of this, Wang Shi couldn’t help but join in and support Wang Yuzhen. At this moment, she had already forgotten her earlier regret.

If Yunzhi knew Wang Shi’s thoughts, she would surely think her senile. For a woman, she would even give up the title, not knowing if the old Marquis Dingyuan would jump out of his coffin in anger from the underworld.

An Xiuyuan already couldn’t bear to part with Wang Yuzhen, and with his mother’s support, and thinking about his adorable child, he quickly made his decision.

Forget it, even without the title, he still had his official position.

The time for a cup of tea passed quickly, and Dongli Lucang had also dismissed all the guests who came to pay their respects.

When the courtyard was empty again, Dongli Lucang instructed Mingyi to call An Xiuyuan out.

An Xiuyuan followed Mingyi out of the house and knelt before Dongli Lucang and Yunzhi again. “Your Highness, I’ve made my choice. Wang Shi is my wife, the mother of my child. Please forgive her.”

Hearing this, Dongli Lucang and Yunzhi both understood that An Xiuyuan was choosing the woman over the title.

He really was a fool.

Yunzhi looked at An Xiuyuan with disdain, thinking: It’s a good thing they divorced, otherwise, if I stayed with him for too long, my brain might go bad too.

Dongli Lucang also looked at An Xiuyuan with a mixture of emotions. This was the first time he had seen someone who would give up their future for a woman.

However, since this was his choice, he had to respect it.

Therefore, Dongli Lucang glanced at An Xiuyuan indifferently and said, “This King understands your intentions. However, in the future, you had better control your woman. If there is another incident, this King will not be so lenient.”

“Yes, yes, yes, this minister will definitely control her.”

“Zhizhi, let’s go.” Dongli Lucang didn’t look at An Xiuyuan again, taking Yunzhi’s hand and walking out. Today, he had only come for Yunzhi. As for the Marquis Mansion’s wedding banquet, forget it.

The guests of the Marquis Mansion had not yet left. Seeing Dongli Lucang and Yunzhi walking hand in hand, they all felt a sense of complexity in their hearts.